Extemporaneous Informative & Persuasive Speaking Topics
Regional
Effective Date: April 24-25, 2009
Informative Speaking Topics - Preliminaries
- How have the doors to Cuba been opened recently?
- What are the major arguments in favor of and against stem cell research in the United States?
- As the G-20 summit drew to a close in London, what differences of opinion remained between U.S. and European leaders?
- How has the music industry been affected by developments in computer technology?
- Why is diplomatic tension increasing between Colombia and Venezuela?
- How is the Obama administration addressing the issue of global climate change?
- As economic conditions in the U.S. deteriorate, how are major colleges and universities addressing the needs of low-income applicants?
- What was the initial U.S. reaction to North Korea's recent missile test?
- What factors contributed to the delay in resolving the outcome of Minnesota's Senate race?
- Why is France taking steps to changes its role in NATO?
- In what ways has flooding affected the Midwestern United States?
- Why did Iranian officials take American journalist Roxana Saberi into custody?
- Why is organized religion reportedly losing its popularity in the United States today?
- In what ways does the U.S. stock market reflect the general condition of the nation's economy?
- What evidence is there an environmental movement is emerging in China?
- Why is Michelle Obama gaining popularity in her role as First Lady?
- Why is Israel beginning to develop an anti-ballistic missile system?
- What changes are likely in Zimbabwe as a result of the current coalition government?
- What is the extent of damage caused by recent Texas wildfires?
- Pro and Con: What are the arguments surrounding students carrying concealed handguns on college campuses?
Informative Speaking Topics - Finals
- How is the economic strength of the Texas coastal region impacted by the shipping industry?
- Why is Iran continuing to pursue development of nuclear energy?
- What does the Bernie Madoff scandal indicate about the strength of government regulation of the securities industry?
- In what ways is the United Nations attempting to address problems of instability in Africa?
- What is the Obama administration doing to create "green" jobs?
- What are the details of recent claims by Rwanda's President Paul Kagame regarding past genocide in his nation?
- What is the significance of the federal government's dropping of the term "enemy combatant" in reference to Guantanamo Bay detainees?
- What did recent rulings by the U.S. Justice Department mean for former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens?
- In light of current levels of violence in the nation, what steps are officials in Sri Lanka taking to protect the civilian population?
- How prevalent is the teaching of "creative design" in U.S. public schools?
- Why are "tea parties" becoming a popular form of tax protest?
- Why did Bolivia's President Evo Morales participate in a hunger strike?
- Based on recent trends, why are some economists expressing optimism about the U.S. banking industry?
- How are U.S. military officials reacting to White House efforts to increase troop strength in Afghanistan?
- What was the diplomatic significance of President Obama's visit to Turkey?
- How are increasing levels of protest in Moldova affecting the nation's political stability?
- How did crewmembers of the U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama respond to an attack by Somali pirates?
- What kind of leadership role can Arab leaders play in bringing peace to the Middle East?
- Why have executives with AIG become targets for criticism?
- How has the civilian population of Iraq reacted to potential changes in U.S. policy toward their nation?
Persuasive Speaking Topics - Preliminaries
- What must be done to stop piracy in the Indian Ocean?
- Would casino gambling be a good thing for Texas?
- Should the Cuban trade embargo be lifted?
- Will continued increases in spending be a trademark of the current session of the U.S. Congress?
- Is Venezuela's socialism becoming more pronounced?
- Can President Obama's promise to increase the nation's food safety be fulfilled?
- Do reports of Arctic ice thinning hint that major problems are looming on the horizon?
- Are U.S. teenagers becoming too reliant on cell phones?
- Will action taken by government leaders in Zimbabwe bring an end to the international embargoes their nation currently faces?
- Is increased gang activity in the United States contributing to elevated high school dropout rates?
- The Philippines: Why is terrorism reportedly on the increase in this nation?
- Would the financial collapse of General Motors have a devastating effect on the U.S. economy?
- Is India a superpower in the making?
- What steps should be taken to lessen the threat by Mexican drug cartels on American border towns?
- Are significant changes in store for Texas public education curriculum?
- Are relations between the United States and the Muslim world likely to improve as a result of President Obama's leadership?
- Is the current economic crisis global in nature?
- Will Israel's relations with the Palestinians improve under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu?
- In light of recent Wall Street trends, is the U.S. stock market making a major recovery?
- Is the world facing a major threat from international cyber-terrorism?
Persuasive Speaking Topics - Finals
- Were Republican governors who rejected federal stimulus money prudent in their decision?
- Did the United Nations Security Council respond adequately to North Korea's missile test?
- Is Northern Ireland on the verge of tipping back into sectarian conflict?
- Does the Obama administration have a meaningful plan for addressing the issue of global climate change?
- Does the apparent vindication of South Africa's Jacob Zuma suggest that his political career will make a dramatic recovery?
- Will President Obama's strategy for securing Afghanistan succeed?
- Is the U.S. federal government justified in increasing tobacco taxes?
- Did former President Alberto Fujimori receive a fair trial in Peru?
- Should the federal government have a larger say in how public schools are run?
- Has political autonomy become a reality in Iraq?
- Is Denmark a model for "greening" a nation's economy?
- Do the latest election results suggest that Israel is moving in a more politically conservative direction?
- Were the diplomatic skills of President Obama evident at the G-20 Summit in London?
- Should CIA agents be exempt from legal consequences for harsh interrogation tactics sanctioned by the justice department?
- Does the Conficker virus pose a major threat to U.S. computer users?
- Does the election of Mauricio Funes as president of El Salvador mean that major political changes are in store for the nation?
- Should the United States eliminate elections for judicial offices?
- Does the current instability in Madagascar signal an increase in political turmoil throughout Africa?
- Is classroom discipline a growing problem in Texas public schools?
- Would the United States benefit from increased use of nuclear energy for electricity generation?