Educational topics should provide useful information for your target audience. How to choose a college, completing applications, calculating college expenses and how to write an application essay are all viable topics for a high school audience. If your listeners are navigating the job market, topics might include how to create a resume, excel at a job interview or write a business letter or post-interview thank-you note. Parents might appreciate a speech on childproofing a house, dealing with tantrums or teaching children to socialize.
If your audience does not lend itself toward a specific topic, find a light but useful subject. Folding napkins, changing a flat tire, training a puppy or hosting a successful cocktail party are possible topics. Food and menu topics offer a broad range of ideas such as creating the perfect souffle, making pasta, mixing a martini or grilling the juiciest hamburger.
If you have the right audience, a humorous demonstration speech may provide the right fit. Find a topic that lends itself to levity. How to call a square dance, fix a broken appliance, survive a bad date or speak with an accent could all serve as the basis for a highly entertaining demonstration speech. Add a few corny props, along with an abundance of animation, to keep your audience engaged.
Surf the media for an infusion of current and informative ideas. Possible examples include how to increase gas mileage, buy and sell stocks, donate to relief funds or complete a simple tax return. Going green topics might include how to decrease your carbon footprint, use nontoxic alternatives for cleaning your house or find green hotels for your vacation stay. Nutrition and exercise subjects on the latest discoveries or innovations can include designing a personal fitness program or managing your weight in healthy ways.
Once you have chosen your topic, map out your delivery plan for maximum effectiveness. Prepare the speech according to the time limit you have in which to present it. Use visual aids or props to enhance your speech. Consider handouts for your audience so they can follow along. Calculate your need for assistance during the demonstration. Pepper your speech with personal stories that will add flavor to the topic, and leave time at the end of your demonstration speech for questions from the audience.