Help Me Pick a Topic

Vaccines (whether it's better to vaccinate or not)
Co-sleeping
Home schooling
The bailouts of the corporations (were they justified or not and did they really help the economy?)
BPA in plastic-does it really cause the problems people claim they cause?
Extended breastfeeding
Do cell phones cause cancer? (nothing to do with driving, so maybe it would be allowed?)

Those were a few that came to mind. Sounds like an interesting assignment; good luck!

the level of kidnapping, etc. now as opposed to the 60s. Is it really that much more or do we hear about it more now that we have the news.

autism - is it more common now b/c more kids have it or because drs diagnose it more.

paparazzi - should they be allowed to follow celebs like they do? did celebs sign up for it when they became famous? or do celebs also need to have rights (i.e. did princess di really have to die being chased by paparazzi)

Spanking as a proper way to instill discipline in kids
The importance of religion in the home
The importance of women being mothers and raising their kids.
abortion stops a beating human heart
Taxes as a way to punish ambition and productivity.
ADDED: Welfare, food stamps, medical and WIC as a way to discourage hard work and/or getting an education so you can have a good job with benefits.

Just some thoughts

Good luck to you and yours.

Hmmmm.
How about the issue of the homeless?
The percentage of homeless that are veterans.
The percentage of homeless with children.
The percentage of homeless who work.
The percentage of homeless who once owned homes and had good jobs.
The percentage of what I call the "unclaimed" homeless who live in this country and aren't accurately counted due to their lack of residence address for census purposes.
~ The living conditions in Appalachia.
The conditions of coal mine workers.
Statistics on single working mothers and the poverty level.

There are many topics to choose from that aren't banned by your list.
Stretch your mind. Pick something you feel passionate about.

Best wishes.

Pornography (wouldn't recommend if there are guys in the class lol)
Gambling
Affirmative Action
Domestic Violence
Prayers in public schools
The confederate flag
Nutrition/exercise - a new controversy is whether the gov't should be allowed to take children away from their parents to foster care if the child is way obese (like 90lbs at 3 yr old or 300lb at 12 yr old) and the parents won't cooperate or aren't physically able to help b/c they are disabled.
Eating disorders
Environment (not global warming, but like endangered species and zoning land)
Population issues
Poverty
Political Corruption
Internet privacy
health care
Medical Ethics (like not charging $300 for a 10 minute appt to say you are fine lol)
Media Violence
Welfare
Women in the military (that better be a positive aspect if you do that one, oo-rah)
National Security (TSA)

Be careful not to do anything TOO controversial (like spanking or military sucks, etc) b/c you may really make some enemies lol

I laughed though b/c I seriously am about to write a post on a persuasive speech for my communications class haha

Ha, just look on these boards for the controversial topics.

Breastfeeding - including how long, if moms should cover up, etc.
Circumcision
Vaccinations
Sarah Palin's fitness for public office
Letting your kid climb up the slide (just kidding)

I just read an interesting book called "Cinderella Ate My Daughter," which is about all the girlie stuff that is marketed to our daughters. Pretty interesting stuff. I'd think that would make a good topic for your speech/paper.

look into the issue of charter schools. So interesting. Check out a recent documentary called "Waiting for Supperman" and see if it does not spark your interest. Also get "The Lottery", another documentary on charter shcools. I was pretty blown away. The issue these films are raising, or rather exposing, is that of putting adults above children when it comes to protecing jobs and sallaries vs. educating children.

A topic near and dear to my heart...

Legalization of prostitution, pimping, pandering as a legitimate taxable business (Amsterdam)

VS

Decriminalization and social service provision for prostituted individuals and criminalization for pimps and panderers (Sweden)

Check out the resources page on www.caase.org for a good start (I'm biased, as in I advocate for the latter, but the website is still a great starting point)!

Good luck!

By the way, I grew up in St. Charles, IL!

Health issues relating to the use of pesticides vs. organic farming?

How about divorce? Separation? The effects that divorce have on children? Good luck!

M

the use of pornography in marriage (as in some men become addicted and it causes problems in their marriage)?

I think anything political or economy related would qualify, like health care reform, tax cuts, bailouts, entitlements, essentially anything debating the role and limitations of the federal government in our lives. Cities, counties or states benefiting financially from vices like gambling, cigarettes and alcohol. Also parenting topics are often controversial as others have mentioned -- circumcision, breastfeeding, discipline, education (public, private, home, etc), cloth vs disposable diapers, there are so many really. Hope you find one that speaks to you, good luck!

I just took a speech class last term and had to do the same thing. I did mine on recycling water bottles...but also heard a great speech on the effects of legalizing prostitution in the United States. That is not on your list. I will revisit if I think of any others. Good luck!

It's because those topics have been done to death.

There must be something you are passionate about. Find a pet peeve and run with it.

I read an essay once, wherein the writer was attempting to illustrate why lazy, unorganized people are better than active, organized ones. It was really funny, and she actually did persuade the reader by the end of the essay.

Speech is a different formula than essay writing, as you will learn, but as I said in my other response, sometimes taking an opposing viewpoint to your actual one (or to most people's) can be a more interesting approach.

There must be something aside from the topics you listed that you are passionate about. The topic doesn't have to be earth-shattering, it can be something like "Why Painted Toenails are Better." The best speeches in our class had an element of humor.

.

I think taking a position on the issues related to social media might be interesting....Is it a good/bad thing? Are we more "connected" - if so, in what ways? Are schools responsible for cyber-bullying?

Well there's always Casey Anthony...

Are docs over-prescribing drugs that treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc? Especially in children or pregnant women?

I love Shane's homeless idea. Here in Richmond, the homeless population is out of control. I'm seriously considering doing this just because I want to raise awareness in my area.