Be aware that whatever topic you may select for a college speech, you will need an attention-getting introduction, such as a startling statement or anecdote, a developed main section and a conclusion that ties the speech together. Consider the audience, occasion and time allotted before selecting a topic.
Popular college speech topics may deal with personal experiences. An extraordinary situation in a foreign country works well and can be explained by the following. Consider the topic, "I was robbed in Vietnam." This topic lends itself to a dramatic introduction such as, "I walked down the street in Vietnam with a wallet in my pocket and found it was missing." Describe the details such as, "I left the group to stroll through the streets alone. Out of nowhere a bicycle driver slammed into me and knocked me to the ground before speeding away." The topic necessitates explaining the next step. "I placed my hand in my pocket and found I was minus a few bills and a credit card. I could have gone to the police station, but there probably were no English-speaking people there. I returned to the hotel and canceled my credit card. I concluded that it could have been worse."
Informative speeches are often required in college. These tell or teach something. Handouts, if appropriate, or visual material may be helpful. An example topic may be "Taking a Semester Abroad." Research the advantages. Tell what possibilities exist and how to make the necessary arrangements. You might even interview students who have done this and share their experiences in developing your topic. An informative speech also works for a government class, such as "The Basis of the Constitution." Based on your research, list the major ideas in the Constitution and explain them. Mention the authors and their roles. Also, discuss its place in history or importance today. For a literature class, consider the topic, "The Significance of Poe's Works." Research the topic. Organize it and give examples from a cross-section of his works. These can include stories such as "Fall of the House of Usher" or poetry such as "The Bells." Justify why he is still is considered a great writer.
Demonstration speeches consist of how to conduct a process. A topic might be, "How Magicians Perform Their Tricks." You need to explain how their tricks can be done by mechanical devices or sleight-of-hand movements. Describe and illustrate the steps, and give examples in your demonstration. Another type of topic is, "How to Find a Job in These Difficult Times," which can be developed by bringing in classified ads to consider. Suggest job fairs and show in detailed steps how to write a letter to a prospective employer. Also mention contacting alumni. A demonstration topic for a college math class could be, "How to Solve a Particular Math Equation." Explain this topic by writing examples on the chalkboard and describing the procedure step by step to demonstrate how to obtain a solution.
The purpose of a convincing speech is to persuade the audience to do something or to think in a certain way. A relevant topic today is, "Is a College Education Necessary for Success in Life?" This topic gives the speaker the choice of agreeing or disagreeing. He has to clarify which side he will be discussing. He also has to clarify the term "success," which means different things to different people. Given the high cost of college, the speaker should research the statistics that would support his argument.