Topics that focus on a person's favorites are always popular with middle school students. From the traditional favorite book, movie or activity topics, students can also be asked to talk about a person from history they'd like to invite to dinner or a historical event they would have liked to experience. Other topics might include a celebrity they'd like to meet or a place they'd like to visit. Seasonal topics such as a favorite scary story for Halloween or a favorite Christmas song are sure to provide plenty of interest.
Students often like to speculate on how things could be if only they had a different role. Assign extemporaneous speeches on such possibilities. "If I were an author, I would write a book about. . ." or "If I ruled the world, I would. . ." will appeal to a large number of students.Other possibilities include: "If I had a million dollars, I would. . .," "If I could be a character in a television show, I would be. . .," and "If I could meet any celebrity, it would be. . ." And, of course, most students could likely easily give examples of what would happen if they were the principal of the middle school.
More advanced middle school students might enjoy speaking on abstract ideas such as truth, courage, hope, patriotism, loyalty or time. Encourage students to first define the term, then give examples of it. Students could also discuss the qualities of a good teacher or a good parent. Other possible topic ideas include the meaning of success or what makes a good role model.
Some persuasive topics lend themselves to good extemporaneous speeches. Most middle school students have strong feelings about such topics as how much homework they should be given or whether the school week is too long. Students will likely find it easy to discuss subjects they'd like to see added to the curriculum or ones they think should be dropped. The pros and cons of year-round school will also provide a good topic for an impromptu persuasive speech.