333 Informative Speech Topics To Rock Your Presentation

A powerful presentation covers a compelling topic that sparks your interest and hooks the audience. Use this master list to find your next great speech idea.

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You have been assigned a speech, presentation, or essay, but you have no clue what to talk about. A powerful presentation begins with a compelling topic that sparks your interest and hooks the audience. But you also need to discuss something you feel excited to research and discuss.

This guide contains 333 informative speech topics for your next presentation, plus pro tips for delivering the best presentation possible.

What Is An Informative Speech?

Informative speeches aim to teach or instruct the audience about a topic. They include objective information and fact-based research but can incorporate a unique perspective, compelling storytelling, or a powerful take-home message. Unlike a celebratory wedding toast or an inaugural speech, informative speeches are written specifically to educate.

The six key types of informative speeches are:

1. Definition speeches: This speech aims to explain a concept or theory. For example, a speech topic starting with “What is…?” is usually a definition-type informative speech.
2. Explanatory speeches: These speeches explain how something works. For example, an explanatory speech could explain how your brain processes information or how an electric car works.
3. Demonstrative speeches: These classic “how-to’s” show the audience how to perform a task and often include a visual presentation. For example, students could teach their classmates how to be more productive or cook a healthy meal.
4. Comparative speeches: When a speaker compares or contrasts two alternative things, they help the audience understand the similarities or differences between two topics. For example, a comparative speech may weigh the pros and cons of private versus public schools.
5. Descriptive speeches: This informative speech describes a person, place, or thing and explains why the subject is essential. For example, a student may teach their classmates about a historical figure, or an entrepreneur may give a descriptive speech about the specifics of their product idea.
6. Persuasive informative speeches: Although persuasive speeches are often categorized separately, some informative speeches can cross over into persuasion by using evidence to convince the audience why a particular method or perspective is better than its alternatives. For example, a salesperson may give a presentation to convince clients to buy their services, or a mental health advocate may give a speech to persuade people to do yoga more regularly.

How To Pick An Informative Speech Topic: The Five W’s

Whether you want to give a top-notch school speech assignment or a groundbreaking TED Talk, the best informative speeches have one thing in common: they deliver a purposeful message with a captivating delivery. You must understand the basic who, what, when, where, and why to pick the perfect topic.

• Who: Before you start looking for topics, you should know who your audience is. A college speech class is a far different audience than a room of conference attendees. Consider what your audience is interested in, why they should care about your speech and their level of knowledge about the topic. If you talk about something too basic, they may be bored, but if you discuss something too technical, they may have difficulty understanding your speech.
• What: Consider your passions and existing knowledge about a subject. The “what” of your speech is the meat of the presentation. Imagine a three-circle Venn diagram. The three circles are labeled: “things I am interested in,” “things my audience cares about,” and “things I can research.” The center point where these three circles overlap is the sweet spot for your speech topic.
• When (Length): The length of your speech can drastically impact how in-depth you dive into the topic. A five-minute speech should cover a niche topic or a high-level concept. A thirty-minute to an hour-long presentation can teach about a more detailed topic.
• Where: If you’re giving a speech in a meeting room at an office, your performance will likely be very different from speaking on stage in a large auditorium. Consider where you will be speaking and what kind of technology (projector, large screen, whiteboard, etc.) you will have available. The geographic location of your speech can also determine your selection of a local or regional topic relevant to the community.
• Why: Most importantly, you should know the purpose of your speech. If your goal is to get a good grade, it may help you pay more attention to following the teacher’s rubric. If your goal is to convince the audience to make a lifestyle change or donate to an important cause, you should structure your speech with the core “why” in mind.

The best speeches combine a simple message with charismatic delivery, an easily digestible structure, and something the audience can relate to. The essence of a great speech is that it arouses something in the audience, such as the motivation to take action or to see things in a new way.

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Cultural Informative Speech Topics

Learning about different cultures can drastically expand your viewpoint of the world. These speech ideas cover everything from language to ancient history to pop culture.

1. How to learn about local culture while traveling
2. The importance of workplace culture
3. How to build a positive corporate culture
4. How social media connects and promotes culture
5. The oldest cultures in the world
6. Modern versus traditional gender roles
7. How women have transformed corporate leadership
8. The dangers of hustle culture
9. How social media culture impacts self-esteem
10. How to learn from watching movies
11. The rise of podcasts and their role in modern culture
12. The role of social media in business
13. How immigrants maintain cultural traditions in their new countries
14. Ancient archeological artifacts you’ve never heard of
15. Native American spiritual traditions
16. Holy herbs and plants across global cultures
17. How to make an African tribal basket
18. The portrayal of black culture in the media
19. Culture of Scandinavia
20. Burial rituals in ancient Mesopotamia
21. History and meaning of the Om symbol
22. The history of Buddhism
23. How to show respect in Japanese culture
24. The cultural history of African Americans
25. Chinese traditional foods
26. Top 10 foreign dishes you have to try before you die
27. The most important spiritual symbols in the world
28. Generational differences in Mexican culture
29. The symbolism of marigolds in Mexican traditions
30. What is Dia De Los Muertos?

Want to radically improve your presentation skills? Watch our video for 10 presentation ideas:

Informative Speech Topics About History

They say, “history repeats itself.” Consider giving a unique or lesser-known perspective about historical events for a thought-provoking speech. Use museum artifacts and first-hand accounts to guide your points.

1. The Civil Rights Movement
2. The oldest civilizations in the world
3. Nelson Mandela’s historical impact
4. The truth about colonization and Thanksgiving
5. How the Industrial Revolution impacted the environment
6. The real story of the Titanic
7. The craziest criminals in history
8. What caused the Great Depression?
9. What schools get wrong about black history
10. Religion during the age of the Aztecs
11. Archeological evidence of aliens
12. Ancient history of dogs and wolves
13. What caused the Salem witch trials?
14. The American Revolution
15. The role of Christianity in slavery
16. Human rights violations throughout history
17. How life changed for Native Americans after colonization
18. The role of urbanization on the changing American landscape
19. The cowboy era: myths and truths
20. The American Constitution
21. The most influential people in world history
22. Forming of the United Nations
23. What caused World War I?
24. Financial panics and recessions throughout history
25. The Prohibition era
26. What led to consumerism in society?
27. The Vietnam War
28. The California Gold Rush
29. The true story of Pocahontas
30. Little-known facts about Mexican history

Informative Speech Topics About Music

Music is the soundtrack to our lives. Beyond mere entertainment, its impact dives into the roots of culture, identity, and brain function. Here are some exciting ways to incorporate your love of music into an informative speech.

1. How music can help mental health
2. Why you should learn an instrument
3. How listening to music improves your productivity
4. Genres of music
5. Links between classical music and IQ
6. Why do people bond over music
7. Rarest instruments in the world
8. The easiest instruments to play
9. Best country musicians of all time
10. How hip hop music has shaped culture in America
11. Evolution of rap and hip hop
12. The origins of rock n’ roll in southern blues music
13. The history of opera
14. The best electronic dance music
15. The impact of reggae music
16. How punk rock got its start
17. How folk music shaped Appalachia
18. Country music hall of fame
19. Must-see musical landmarks around the world
20. Importance of gospel music
21. The ethics of sampling other artist’s music
22. How music shapes subculture
23. Has social media made record companies obsolete?
24. The importance of musical education in public schools
25. Music as a form of protest
26. How sad music helps you overcome heartbreaks
27. Why music shapes generations
28. How dancing can change your mindset
29. From the phonograph to iPhone: History of music machines

Health Informative Speech Topics

The ever-changing landscape of health offers a wealth of resources. Leave an impact on your audience by inspiring them to improve their eating habits or approach healthy living in a new way. Be sure to find the right sources for these speeches to make sure you are citing correct health science.

1. How to extend your lifespan
2. Links between diet and mental illnesses
3. How to cook healthy food on a budget
4. Why a daily walk outside can transform your health
5. History of herbal medicine
6. Let food be thy medicine: From Hippocrates to modern day food pyramid
7. Why you should do yoga for 15 minutes a day
8. Benefits and drawbacks of a vegetarian diet
9. The healthiest fruits in the world
10. What is really in processed food?
11. Is weight lifting or cardio better for burning fat?
12. How agriculture affects our health
13. The gut microbiome
14. The dangers of pesticides in our food system
15. How soil health impacts human health
16. Who controls the food system?
17. The science behind keto diets
18. The dangers of low-fat diets
19. Top 5 best foods for brain function
20. The daily habits of the healthiest people in the world
21. Differences in definitions of health
22. European versus American food ingredients
23. The role of fats in brain function
24. How to fix a headache
25. The benefits of magnesium
26. The best supplements, according to science
27. The main signs of a stroke
28. The chronic disease epidemic in America
29. How to lose weight the healthy way
30. Why you should avoid eating seed oils
31. Why you should stop eating gluten
32. How to prevent arthritis
33. The real causes of diabetes
34. Is meat actually bad for you? Pros and cons
35. How to stop the mental health epidemic
36. How dental health impacts your digestion
37. Amazing benefits of black seed oil
38. The Harvard Longevity Project: Why happy people live longer
39. Ancient health remedies from around the world
40. Why you should eat fermented foods
41. Causes of cancer and how to prevent it
42. Why people should donate their organs
43. Effects of radiation
44. The healthiest cultures in the world
45. Why obesity is a modern problem
46. How to have stronger bones
47. Healthcare access for minorities
48. Why fast food restaurants are addictive
49. Pros and cons of salt
50. How to overcome stress
51. The dangers of e-cigarettes
52. People need to drink more water
53. The insurance and healthcare system in America
54. How friendships improve your health
55. Why couples should exercise together
56. Benefits of dark chocolate
57. Dangerous food additives you’ve never heard of
58. Easy ways to improve your nutrition
59. How to reverse hair loss
60. Secrets to have healthy hair
61. Benefits and drawbacks of stem cell research
62. Why you should stop drinking soda
63. How to reduce asthma attacks
64. Health benefits of ginger
65. Why you should drink tea

Key Takeaways: Find Inspiration for a Speech

Any informative topic can be used to craft a speech, but a showstopping presentation requires thinking outside the box and approaching your speech from a unique point of view. Before you settle on a topic for your next speech, be sure that your speech idea is:

• Authentically interesting: Discussing something that doesn’t spark your interest is no use. Choose a topic or idea that you actually care about for an authentic and passionate delivery.
• Relevant to your audience: If you don’t know your audience, you might as well be speaking to a wall. Professional presenters understand the general knowledge level of their audience and what information will be valuable or interesting to them.
• Easy to research: Obscure topics can be alluring and challenging to research. Choose a topic that has plenty of information available in books or online. Be sure to use reputable sources and cite them when necessary.
• The proper length: The depth and detail of your speech ultimately depend on the length of time you have to talk. Pick a subject that you can thoroughly describe in the allotted time frame.

Once you narrow down a few of your favorite topic ideas, start brainstorming how you want your speech to impact the audience. Use these 10 Presentation Ideas That Will Radically Improve Your Presentation Skills, such as:

• Why you should save the best for first and last
• How to design epic presentation slides
• Why you shouldn’t over-rehearse
• How to own the stage