Informing an audience about how an object or institution functions is the basis of an informative speech. Even though you might have personal experience in the area, research is needed to present a complete picture. A good topic for this is the stock market, how it functions, past results, and/or advice for the newcomer.
Another suggestion is comic strips and their contribution to society. Research will show that they have been used to motivate children in reading. How they began and became popular is another aspect to cover in a speech.
Research for a process should consist of finding out the steps in a procedure and informing the audience accordingly. An example would be a step-by-step explanation of how a hurricane develops. The research can also provide pictures and diagrams to enhance the presentation.
Another idea for a research speech is how to handle losing a job. Suggestions from counselors and psychiatrists are helpful. Discovering the effectiveness of support groups where members share similar experiences is worthwhile.
Revolutions throughout history make an appropriate research speech topic. The speaker can research several revolutions, compare them, analyze the outcomes and mistakes made as well as their effect on civilization.
The Holocaust lends itself to an informative research speech. The historical aspects leading to the event, the results and the influence on later history are important items to include. Researching accounts written about the topic as well as interviewing survivors would enhance the presentation. Pictures from the concentration camps and statistical charts also are useful.
An informative research speech on religious beliefs could be of interest. Research how the main religions differ in objectives and customs. Treatment of thieves as well as how women have been treated can be included.
Any person of note can be a topic for an informative speech. Research the lives and contributions of world leaders. Others to consider are movie stars and famous athletes. Scientists with unusual achievements or Nobel Prize winners would work well. Someone like Mark Zuckerberg and his founding of Facebook, a worldwide communication device on the Internet, is another potential topic. In this case, descriptions of what it is, how it developed and its effect on people in the world are worthy of research.
It has been said that travel opens the mind. Hearing about places is not only educational but inspiring. A research speech on the Hawaiian Islands is highly recommended. The speaker can research the unusual history and formation of the islands. Their location, size, characteristics of the five islands as well as tourist attractions are appropriate.
In addition, any place that is different from the Western world makes a good topic. Use Bali, Laos, India or Tibet for research for an informative speech. Visual materials including videos, DVDs, pictures and slide shows are available to enhance the presentation.
Health issues are good informative research speech topics. People are generally interested in new findings and recommendations by physicians. A workable topic is "Acupuncture--A revival of an old medical treatment." The speaker can look into material that tells which illnesses can be improved by its use. Research can be done that describes how it works. Potential side effects as well as measuring the success of the procedure are significant. Quotations from health personnel are also helpful.