Controversial Speech Topics

When deciding on controversial speech topics ask yourself what strong concerns, beliefs or opinions you have on the subject.

If you don't care either way about a topic, don't bother choosing it. The purpose of speaking on a controversial subject is to take a position and persuade your audience members that your view on the topic is either the most important, most logical or most moral and is the view that they should adopt.

Write your topic statement simply and clearly. For example, Attorney-Client Privilege should be abolished or Children and Cell Phones: Not a good idea. These statements leave no doubt as to what your view on the topic is. Check out good controversial speech topics to brainstorm more subjects you might want to take a stand on.

Types of Controversial Speech Topics Arguments

1. Arguments of fact deal with causal relationships, future predictions or questions of history. These arguments are about what is or isn't. For example, Feminism is still relevant today; Searching student lockers lowers violence in school; Alcohol is more harmful to society than marijuana.

2. Arguments of value ask individuals to make a choice on whether we should or shouldn't do something. Some examples are: Schools should search student's lockers, animal research is morally wrong.

3. Arguments of policy concern rules or laws that we are required to follow. Some examples of this are: Polygamy should not be legal, Schools should not be allowed to teach creationism, Use of performance enhancing drugs should be allowed by athletes.

Controversial Speech Topics Patterns

1. There's the Pro-Con Pattern, which is similar to a compare/contrast format. Give an intro such as I am in favor of condoms being offered in schools, then give your con arguments (sexual activity will rise, etc.), next your pro arguments (encourages safe sex, cuts down on STD's, etc.) and lastly, your conclusion.

2. The Effect-Cause Pattern is when the body of your speech contains a description of effects and then the cause is revealed. Like the TV show Law and Order: CI (Criminal Intent). First you are shown the murder (effect) and murderer and then the rest of the show is about what caused the murder to happen.

3. The Problem-Solution Pattern is somewhat like the Effect-Cause pattern. You would use this pattern when your controversial speech topic is about a problem that is new to your audience members. You need to spend a lot of time developing the problem and less time would be devoted to the solution.

4. The Elimination Pattern is used for controversial speech topics that your audience is already familiar with. Examples would be abortion issues, legalization of marijuana, etc. In this pattern you need to spend more time on trying to eliminate worn out not-so-great solutions in favor of the best solution.

You need to develop supporting arguments: find examples, statistics, quotes, etc. and be diligent in documenting and citing your references.

Also make sure you research opposing opinions, beliefs, arguments, morals and policies for your topic. It is important to be ready for the opposition if there is any after you convince them that your view is the only right one ;o)

There's a lot involved when developing controversial speech topics to speak on. But being able to express your beliefs and hopefully convincing audience members that your view is worthy of being adopted by them are rewards well worth working for!

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