• Choose a topic that there's a controversy over. A theme that people feel either strongly for or strongly against.
  You must choose a side. NO sitting on the fence! - You shouldn't be neutral (undecided). Your folks & Mr. F. must approve of your topic.

• In persuasive speeches, state your opinion on a controversial topic. Convince the audience to agree with you.
  Make good points. Use statistics, quotations & logical proof to build up your argument. You're trying to make a change!
  Be prepared. 3 - 5 minute speech. Include facts / statistics. Memorization, gestures & eye contact helps.


• If you're modified in English: 2 - 3 minute speech.
• No posters or props or handouts or slideshows or photos, etc... - just your voice.

Possible Issues to Discuss...

Legal or Medical
Health or Science
Technology or Crime & Punishment
Education or Youth
Economy - $ or Environmental
Public Safety or Human Rights

Example Topics

Crime & Punishment & Prison Reform
Animal Testing (designing new products)
Taxes - higher? Lower? - How to spend them?
Armed Forces
Advertising? Should it be limited. Ie. tobacco and alcohol ads.
Censorship
Identification chip implants in pets
Speeding tickets, parking tickets
Legalization / criminalization of drugs
Save the rainforest
Public transportation. - less cars, less smog - better for the environment
Fast food - Is it really good for us? (in the long run)
Family poverty - How do we help the poor?
Global Warming- protect the planet!
Nuclear Energy - Is it really safe?
Hoaxes
Sexism

Organ Transplants
Corporal punishment eg. spanking misbehaving kids
Racism
Immigration - good idea? - should it be increased / decreased? Why?
The media - responsible journalism
Fads and trends - are they harmful / harmless?
School dress codes
Curfews for kids.
The Driving age - lowered? Raised?
Insurance prices or cars
Internet issues - safety, spam, unwanted email.
Privacy concerns,
Minimum wage $/hour Is it sufficient?
Plagiarism - the internet makes it easier?
Reproductive rights - Who chooses
Foster care, adoption issues
Tobacco Use - should it be illegal?
Ideas to prevent underage drinking / smoking

Animal research / Animal Rights
Child labour - should kids be allowed to work? How much? When? Where?
Drug Abuse
Gangs
War crimes
School uniforms
The safety / quality of our food / Organic foods
Security (at airports, at school, on the street)