Whether it is your first or tenth experience of public speaking, you need to make a thorough preparation for it. Naturally, choosing an interesting an appropriate topic is the first thing to do. There are several speech topics to choose from. Some all-time popular ones, based on topics like vegetarianism, Internet censorship, safety, animal rights, etc. Apart from these, here is a collection of topics for high school students based on current as well as humorous topics. ► Cell phones are anti-meditation. ► Is cheerleading a sport? ► Banning bullfighting and horse racing for prevention of animal cruelty. ► Is there life after death? ► Are vampires real? ► Should euthanasia be legalized? ► Is health care bill good or bad? ► Facebook addiction is harmful. ► Consequences of teen pregnancy are very painful. ► Harmful effects of secondhand smoke are as severe as acute smoking. ► Vegetarianism can lead to a healthy and long life. ► Effects of legalizing weed. ► Should gay marriage be legal? ► Media blamed for eating disorders. ► Why gambling should be illegal? ► Mysterious death of Princess Diana. ► Should death penalty be put into practice? ► Sex education in schools should be made mandatory. ► Should abortion be legal? ► Is cloning good or bad? ► Are the current norms on medicare eligibility appropriate? ► Advantages of advertising on Facebook. ► Dangers of smoking are too severe to ignore. ► Being vegetarian is the best option to have healthy life. ► Is weed bad for you? ► Not all is fair in love and war. ► Is honesty the best policy? ► Advantages of mobile phones are greater than the disadvantages. ► There should be no law on right age to get married. ► One can never explain as to why marriages fail. ► Cheating in relationships should never be forgiven. ► Dating games men play never actually work. ► Are Real alien sightings: really real? ► Ghosts are people without bodies. ► Why do men have affairs. ► How much is too much homework? ► What is beauty: a good heart or a good face? Once you have chosen a topic, you need to follow some guidelines in order to make your speech effective. Follow these pointers:

• Make a thorough research on the given topic through reference books or using online sources. You can also gather statistics and mention references for the same in your speech.
• Form an opinion before you chalk out your speech. As it is a persuasive speech, you need to have a strong viewpoint and persuade the audience accordingly. For e.g., when talking about What is beauty: a good heart or a good face, decide on whether you wish to speak for a beautiful face or a beautiful heart.
• Write down all the points as you gather or as they pop up in your mind. A group discussion will also help in collecting data and different outlook.
• Now, sort the points according to their importance and make a rough draft of your entire speech. You can also write down the sub-points that you will speak.
• Make a final draft of the speech and read out or speak out using a stop watch to check the time duration. Make necessary changes, if required.

These speech topics and guidelines on writing a speech will surely help you succeed in delivering the speech successfully. Along with a thorough preparation, all you need is confidence! So, work hard and go for it confidently, good luck!