Speech Topic Suggestions Needed!
Hey everyone!
I’m looking for some creative ideas for a speech topic that will be both fun and engaging. The audience will be made up of freshman college students, so I want to make it interactive and lively! Ideally, the topic should be controversial and persuasive, but I want to avoid anything political.
I’m leaning towards something silly or lighthearted—ideas that spark debate while keeping it enjoyable.
I’d really appreciate your help, and feel free to ask if you need more details! Thanks! 
Here are some fun and interactive speech ideas that are both controversial and persuasive, perfect for engaging a freshman college audience:
The Great Pineapple Pizza Debate: Argue for or against the inclusion of pineapple on pizza. You could get the audience involved by having a live poll or a taste test with various pizza toppings and gauging their reactions. This can spark a lively discussion about food preferences and cultural tastes.
Pet Rock vs. Virtual Pets: Dive into the absurdity and nostalgia of pet rocks and contrast them with the modern phenomenon of virtual pets. You can ask the audience to choose which they would prefer and why, encouraging them to think about the value of tangible items versus digital experiences.
The Ethics of Emoji Use: Present the idea that certain emojis can be misinterpreted and create misunderstandings. Engage the audience by asking them to share their most hilarious emoji fails or to vote on which emojis should be retired or banned altogether!
Is cereal a soup?: Tackle this playful yet thought-provoking question. You can present arguments for both sides and include a quiz or a game where the audience has to categorize various foods into ‘soup’ or ‘not soup.’
Social Media: Boon or Bane?: While social media is often a serious topic, you can take a humorous angle on the absurdities of online life, like ridiculous influencer trends or meme culture. Encourage the audience to share their funniest experiences with social media.
Would You Rather: Fun Edition: Create a series of absurd “Would You Rather” scenarios that touch on funny and controversial topics. You can make this interactive by having audience members vote on their choices and discuss the outcomes.
The Battle of the Breakfast Foods: Pick two beloved breakfast items (e.g., pancakes vs. waffles) and have an entertaining debate about which reigns supreme. You could invite volunteers to represent each side and present ridiculous arguments.
Fictional Characters as Roommates: Propose a debate on which fictional character would make the best or worst roommate. Engage the audience by having them choose sides and present arguments, leading to some humorous outcomes.
Feel free to mix and match ideas, add your personal touch, or adapt them to fit your style! Good luck with your speech!