88 impromptu speech topics These come from years of running table-topics sessions, not from a generator — every one has been put to a real room. Tap any topic to load it into the timer above.
Values & beliefs Questions with no right answer. Pick a side in the first ten seconds — the hesitation is what costs you the speech.
Belief, hope or love — which matters most? Is honesty always the best policy? Some people say a little white lie is sometimes okay. What do you think? Beauty or intelligence — which would you rather have? Health, wealth or wisdom — if you could keep only one, which and why? Which is better: the power of love, or the love of power? Live for the moment, or plan for the future? Children need love most when they deserve it least. Do you agree? Behind every successful person there is someone who believed in them. Do you agree? Hard work and success are a chicken-and-egg story. Which comes first? The chicken is involved, but the pig is committed. In life, which are you? Your most embarrassing moment can be the first step towards success. Do you agree? A shop assistant gives you a dollar too much in change. Do you say anything? If your business partner was unethical but making good money, would you stay? If you could see the future but not change it, would you want to? If you could… The classic impromptu opener. The trap is describing the wish instead of answering the question — say what you would choose, then spend the rest of the time on why.
You find Aladdin's lamp. What do you wish for? If you were granted any one magical power, what would you pick? If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do? Talk to animals, or see into the future — which would you choose? If you could be any age again for one week, what age and why? If you could go back in time and talk to yourself at ten, what advice would you give? You get one round trip in a time machine. How far into the past or future do you go? If you could travel back to meet anyone in your family's history, who would it be? If there is one thing in world history you could change, what would it be and why? If you had a lot of money and could use it any way you wanted, what would you do? If you won a million tomorrow, what would you do with it? If you could buy any rare collection in the world, which would you choose? If you could fly a hot-air balloon over any city in the world, which city? You are going to the moon and can take one companion. Who do you take? If you were chosen to represent your country on a spaceship, would you accept? If you had to pick a new first name for yourself, what would you choose? You must wear a button with five words on it. What does it say, and why? If you could have had a different career, what would it be and why? If you led your country for one week, what would you do? If you were captain of your national team, what would you change? You wake up tomorrow grown up with children of your own. What would you do differently? If you could change one thing about your parents, what would it be? If you could choose to stay single or be married, which would you pick? Your parents ask you to come home and leave a good career behind. Would you go? Would you like an identical twin? What would be best about it, and worst? Receive a gift you really wanted, or give someone a gift they would treasure? Would you give up all surprises if you could instead ask for anything and get it? You have enough credit for one last phone call. Who do you call, and why? Your own life The easiest to speak on and the easiest to ramble through. Choose one specific memory, not the whole category.
What do you regret most, and why? What was the hardest choice you have ever made? Which difficulty in your life made you stronger? What is the wisest decision you have ever made? Which one person has shaped your life the most, and how? How did you put right a bad decision you had made? What is your biggest weakness, and what are you doing about it? What scares you even though you know there is no reason to be afraid? Do you remember your first car? What was your nickname when you were six or seven? What is your longest-lasting nickname? Which book has influenced you the most, and why? What good book have you read lately? What makes a friendship last? What is your favourite season of the year, and why? What do people think they know about your hometown that isn't true? What is the most enjoyable way to spend twenty-five dollars? What is your idea of a dream holiday? Which place would you most like to visit next year? Which country would you like to visit, and why? Which country would you want to settle in, and why? What attraction in your country should everyone see at least once? Which televised sporting event is an absolute must-watch for you? Society & debate Contest topics. Take a position, give two reasons, concede one point to the other side — that concession is what makes you sound credible.
Do you agree with the way we educate children today? What is the least education any person should have, and why? Should children be given more freedom? Adults can do more but carry more responsibility; children play more but are told what to do. Who has the better deal? Is it fun to be a parent? If not, why do people have children? Should beauty contests be banned? Is giving people nicknames a good thing? Mobile phones — a nuisance, or the best tool we have? Modern life creates more problems than it solves. Do you agree? Traffic is a menace, and you are part of it. Comment. Should cities charge drivers a toll to reduce traffic? Space tourism — if you got the chance, would you go? Which single invention changed the course of human history, and why? What can young people today realistically hope for? Marriage — bliss or disaster? Love at first sight — do you believe in it? Just for fun Deliberately absurd. Good for loosening up before a real session, and good practice at committing to a premise instead of arguing with it.
A snake crosses the road in front of you. What do you do? Your date stands you up. What do you do? You are a fly asleep on the tail fin of a Boeing 747. You wake up doing 400 miles an hour. How do you feel? You are a dentist and you pull the wrong tooth. How do you plead your case? You reach the airport just in time and realise you forgot your tickets. Now what? If you could be anywhere in the world for New Year's Eve, where would you be? 
