The Speech Assignment
Determine the details and requirements of your controversial speech assignment. Ask yourself these important questions: When, where, how long do I have to speak? Do you have to argue with the audience or other speakers afterwards? Who are your listeners? What are their social, cultural and educational backgrounds? How many? What is there attitude towards your point of view? Positive? They are not sure what to think? Negative? Which of the selected controversial speech topics are appropriate for the occassion? Which ones interest me and could be of interest for my listeners?
How To Research Speech Topics
Find all possible sides, statements and answers of the selected controversial speech topics. Research and discover: Background information, new aspects or new questions. Disagreeing opinions, beliefs, arguments, values and policies.
To tickle your mind quickly: check out possible sub-topics or special angles of view of the list above.
Choose A Side
By now, pick out one controversial speech topic and take a stand. Your choice has to deal with the assigment rules, the occassion, your personal interests and the reaction of your listeners. Ask yourself: What is my opinion, concern, belief about this controversy? And why do I think like this?
Develop Supporting Arguments
Research supporting arguments for your speech topics. Document your findings. Quote them correctly in the citation format your instructor has required. Look for evidence - facts, examples, statistics and figures. Use - when appropriate - visual aids to illustrate and prove your central message. Also search for valuable quotations, definitions, and comparisons.
Study The Opposing Arguments
The next step is looking for arguments that disagree with the conclusions of your controversial speech topics. Study them carefully, summarize them. Understatement is the best way to reply or attack the opposition.
Write a Speech Topic Statement
Formulate one single phrase - that's to say a contentious speech idea - in which you state the message of your controversial speech topic very clearly. Keep it simple and attractive. Arouse them with a powerful public speaking statement!
Examples of controversial speech topics statements are: Global Warming Isn't A Threat College Authorities Should Ban Hate Speech Cameras In Courtrooms: Yes! Or opposite sides of course if you like! By now you have learned how to create, write and develop controversial speech topics.
Abortion Acid Rain Adoption o Should interracial adoption be allowed? o Should single parents or gays be allowed to adopt? o Should adoption records remain sealed? o When is a parent too old to adopt? o Should the orphanage system be reestablished? o Should foreign adoptions be encouraged? Advertising o Should beer advertising be banned from television? Affirmative Action An Aging Population o Will an aging population be harmful to America? o Should Social Security be rescued? o Are nursing homes beneficial? Aids Alcohol o Should the health benefits of alcohol be promoted? o Is advertising liquor on television and radio irresponsible? o Do television liquor ads promote underage drinking? o Are Alcoholics Anonymous or rehabilitation effective? o Do children of alcoholics benefit from recovery groups? American Foreign Policy o Should the United States force democracy upon other nations? o Does United States foreign aid harm other nations and/or the U.S.? o Should China be condemned as a violator of human rights? o Did the Iraq War weaken the U.S.? American History o Are women and African Americans treated fairly in American history textbooks? o Have historians overemphasized the slavery issue as a cause of the Civil War? o Was it necessary to drop the atomic bomb at the end of WWII? o Did the antiwar movement prolong the war in Vietnam? o Was Christopher Columbus a hero? Animal Rights o Should animals be used for experimentation and research? o Should pets be neutered? o Is eating meat detrimental? o Is hunting animals morally acceptable? o Do zoos preserve endangered species? Birth Control Body Art Business
Capital Punishment / Death Penalty Censorship o Can a city ban offensive art? o Should flag burning be banned? o Are stronger child pornography laws needed? o Should hate speech be tolerated? o Should government funding of the arts be restricted? o Are movie ratings effective in curbing violence? o Should television programs be censored? Child Abuse Cloning o Is cloning of humans ethical? Consumerism o Is consumerism killing the earth? o Are Americans becoming too materialistic? o Has the increase of large chain stores such as Walmart been beneficial to consumers and their communities? Crime and Criminals o Should violent juvenile criminals be tried as adults? o Can prison boot camps reform young criminals? o Is juvenile crime a serious problem in the schools? o Does television violence contribute to juvenile crime? o Are curfews effective and constitutional? Discrimination o Reverse Discrimination o Is affirmative action unnecessary and divisive? o Are women victims of discrimination in the workplace? o Have middle-class blacks overcome discrimination? o Is Hispanic poverty caused by racism? o Are Asian Americans a model minority? Divorce o Does divorce help or hurt children? o Should it be more difficult to obtain a divorce? Dress Codes o Are student dress codes a violation of civil rights? o Do student uniforms affect the culture of a school? Cosmetic Surgery o Is cosmetic surgery a good or bad thing? o How old should you be to get cosmetic surgery? Driver's License Requirements o Should school dropouts lose their driver's licenses? o Should the age requirement for driving be raised to 18? Dropouts o Should students be allowed to dropout from school? Drug Abuse o Should pregnant addicts be prosecuted? o Should the war on drugs be abandoned? o Should employees be tested for drugs? o Are the D.A.R.E. programs and other anti-drug programs effective? o Should students' lockers and belongings be searched for drugs? o Should student athletes be drug tested? Drunk Driving
How should drunk drivers be punished? Eating and Food o Are Americans eating themselves to death? o Is vegetarianism a healthier way of life? o Is eating meat a moral way of life? o Is milk consumption harmful? o Are vitamin supplements beneficial? o Does our culture support eating disorders? Education o Should the government offer school vouchers? o Does tenure help or hurt the educational system? o Are teachers paid enough? o Should school start later in the day? o Is it more important to desegregate schools or have neighborhood schools? o Should students be allowed to choose the school they attend? o Is home schooling an effective method of education? o Should we have year-round school? Elections Environmental Preservation o Should recycling be required? o Is global warming a serious threat? o Are electric cars a good strategy for reducing air pollution? o Is America's drinking water safe? o Is nuclear power a viable energy source? o Is the EPA effective? Euthanasia o The case for or against assisted suicide o Do people have the right to die? o Should physician-assisted suicide be legalized? Evolution vs. Creationism o Should evolution be taught in schools? Flu Shots Foreign Languages o Why is it important to study foreign languages in school? Gambling o Is compulsive gambling an uncontrollable disease? o Should casino gambling be prohibited? Genetics o Should genetically altered foods be sold? o Could genetic screening of embryos harm society? o Will genetically altered animals benefit humankind? o Is DNA fingerprinting reliable? Gun Control Hate Crimes o Should there be special laws against hate crimes? o Should hate speech be tolerated? Health Care and Insurance o Should the government provide health coverage for everyone? o Has managed care hurt patients' rights? o Should health care be so expensive? o Are mental disorders the same as other diseases and should they be funded equally? o Is plastic surgery safe or necessary?
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Are there too many specialist physicians in the health care system? Is alternative medicine safe and effective? Can chiropractors help heal many ailments? Can mental attitude affect biological disease? High School Graduation Requirements o Should students be required to fulfill community service before graduating? o Should states require a minimum competency test for high school graduation? Holidays o Should we celebrate Columbus Day? o Should we celebrate Halloween? o Can we sing Christmas carols in school? Homeless o Is the extent of homelessness exaggerated? o Can shelters help the homeless? o Should the homeless be banned from cities? Homosexuality o Should gays be allowed to marry? o Should gays be allowed in the military? o Should school programs stress the acceptance of homosexuality? o Can sexual orientation be changed? Hunting o Is hunting animals morally acceptable? Immigration o Are illegal immigrants harming America? o Should America admit all immigrants? Land Use o Are we losing too much farmland to development? o Are wetland regulations fair to property owners? Marijuana o Should marijuana be legalized? o Should doctors be able to prescribe marijuana for severely ill patients? Media o Does the press exploit private tragedy? o Is there too much violence in the media? o Are movie ratings effective in curbing violence? o Does television violence contribute to juvenile crime? Military and Defense o Should we reinstate the draft? o Should women be allowed to go to war? o Should gays be allowed in the miliary? o Should the U.S. retain a significant nuclear arsenal? Motorcycles o Should people riding motorcycles be legally required to wear helmets? Music o Does popular music teach immoral values? o Why is music and fine arts education so important? National Language o Should English be the National Language in the U.S.? o Does bilingual education hold back a student's progress in the U.S.? Parenting o Should parents be held accountable for the actions of their children? o Should parents spank their children? (Corporal punishment)
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Does day care harm children? Police Brutality Prescription Drugs o Should we be able to get prescription drugs from Canada? o Is the FDA reliable and efficient? o Are the drug companies running up the cost of health care? Prisons o Should prisons rehabilitate criminals? o Do prisons create a criminal personality? o Will building more prisons solve prison overcrowding? o Can prison boot camps reform young criminals? Religion o Should women be allowed to be priests? o Should priests be allowed to marry? o Should we be strict about the separation of church and state? o Should the words "under God" be in the Pledge of Allegiance? Right to Privacy o Is the government infringing on our rights to privacy? Rights of Children and Teenagers o Should parents be informed of college students' grades or behavior? o Should students' lockers and belongings be searched for drugs? o Should student athletes be drug tested? School Safety o School safety - how much is too much? o Is juvenile crime a serious problem in the schools? School Year o Should we have year-round school? Sex Education o Should sex education be taught in schools? o Can sex education programs prevent teenage pregnancy? Sex and Gender Roles o Is growing up tougher for boys than girls? o Should men and women share domestic responsibilities? o Has women's increased participation in the work force harmed society? o Are women victims of discrimination in the workplace? Sports o Should professional athletes be looked at as role models? o Can competitive sports be unhealthy? o Should college athletic programs be reformed? o Has athletes' greed marred professional sports? o Should steroids be banned from sports? o Are professional athletes paid too much? Stem Cell Research Steroids Street Racing Suicide Tanning o Should tanning be banned for teenagers? Terrorism Transplants o Should we allow people to sell their organs for transplants? o Should humans be allowed to receive animal organ transplants?
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Video Games o Do violent video games cause violence in people? o Should video games be censored? War in Iraq Bird Flu Birth Control Body Piercings Breast Feeding in Public Bulimia Cameras in Courtrooms Campaign Finance Reform Capital Punishment Censor Hate Speech Censorship Chain Gangs Child Labor Church State Issues City CurfewsCivil Rights Climate Change Policy Condoms In Schools Creationism vs. Evolution Cuba Dating Campus Issues Death Penalty Depression Dieting Disabilities Act Domestic Violence Drug Policy Drunk Driving Endangered Oceans Endangered Species Espionage and Intelligence Gathering Ethnic Violence Euthenasia Family Violence Fat Tax On Food Feminism Foreign Oil Dependence Foreign Policy Foster Care Fraud Gambling Gangs Gay Marriage Gay Rights Genetic Engineering Genetically Engineered Foods Genocide
Abortion Abuse Of The Elderly Abused Women Academic Dishonesty Academic Freedom Acid Rain Addiction Adoption Affirmative Action Afghanistan Africa Age Discrimination Aging Population Agricultural Policy AIDS/HIV Air Pollution Airline Safety Alcohol Abuse Aliens and UFO's Alternative imprisonment Alternative Medicine American Education Reform Amnesty Animal Experimentation Animal Rights Animal Welfare Anorexia Nervosa Anti-Semitism Arab-Israeli Conflict Armed Conflicts Arms Control Arms Trade Asylum Atomic Energy Ballot Initiatives Battered Women Beginning of Life Issues Bermuda Triangle Bigamy Bilingual Education Biodiversity Biological and Chemical Weapons
Global Resources Global Warming Government Fraud and Waste Gun Control Hate Crime Health Care Policy Home Schooling Homeland Security Homeless in America Human Cloning Immigration Infectious Diseases Inner City Poverty Internet Chatrooms Iraq Islamic Fundamentalism Juvenile Crime Language Policy Legal System Littering Marriage and Divorce Media Violence Medical Ethics Medicinal Marijuana Medicine Abuse Minimum Wage Missile Defense System National Tobacco Settlement Nonproliferation Nuclear Technology Organ Donation Organized Crime Peace Physician-Assisted Suicide Polygamy Pornography Poverty Prison regime Race Relations
Racial Profiling Rain Forests Recycling Religious Right Reproductive Technologies Russia School Uniforms School Violence Sex Education Single Parent Families Smoking Social Security Reform Social Welfare Space Exploration Stadium Taxes Stem Cell Research Tax Reform Teen Pregnancy Term Limits Terrorism Tobacco Industry Trade with China Transportation US Budget US War on Drugs Urban Terrorism Vaccinations Violent Video Games Voluntary National Testing War Crimes War On Drugs Water Resources Weapons Disarmament Welfare Reform Women in the Military Women's Rights Working Women World Trade
List Of 200+ Controversial Speech Topics
Scan the list of controversial speech ideas below and select a few topics you like. Focus on specific controversies within an issue. Every controversial or convince speech topic has its own sub-topics with different contentious speech issues, questions and topics for speech class. Consider this just as a start. ADDICTION AND DRUGS - Alcohol Abuse, Children of Alcoholics, Drugs and Sports, Medical Marijuana.
BUSINESS, FINANCE AND ECONOMICS - Bribery, Budget Deficits, Credit Card Fraud, Income Tax, Malpractice Insurance, Junk Bonds, Leadership, Direct Marketing, Minimum Wage, Wage Price Policy. COMPUTING, INTERNET AND MEDIA - Chatrooms Internet, Computer Viruses, Spam, Cybercrime and Privacy, Harmful Media, Internet Hate Speech, Internet Pornography, Media Violence, Television And Children, Violent Computer Games. EDUCATION AND SCIENCE SPEECH TOPICS - Education Reform, Bilingual Education, Ethics In Life Sciences, Creationism versus Evolutionsm, Dating, Campus Issues, Home Schooling, Information Science, Intelligence Levels, Intercultural Education, School Prayer, School Choice, School Uniforms, School Violence, Condoms In Schools, Space Exploration. ENVIRONMENTAL, NATURE AND ANIMAL - Acid Rain, Air Pollution, Animal Cloning, Animal Experimentation, Animal Rights, Antarctica Research, Biodiversity, Changing Weather Patterns, Ecology, Endangered Oceans, Endangered Species, Energy Conservation, Global Resources, Global Warming, Oil Spills, Littering, Marine Pollution, Noise Pollution, Pesticides, Rain Forests, Recycling, Vivisection, Water Pollution, Water Resources. ETHICAL AND MORAL CONTROVERSIAL SPEECH TOPICS - Abortion, Assisted Suicide, Beginning Of Life Issues, Birth Control, Euthanasia, Gender Identity, Genetic Engineering, Human Cloning, Implanted GPS, Physician Assisted Suicide, Pro Choice Movement, Pro Life Movement, Reproductive Technologies, Separation of Church and State, Stem Cell Research. FAMILY, MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE - Bigamy, Family Violence, Gay Marriage, Gay Parents, Polygamy, Single Parent Families, Surrogate Mothers, Teenage Fathers, Teenage Mothers. FREEDOM AND CIVIL RIGHTS - Censorship, Contraception, Free Press, Privacy. LAW AND ORDER CONTROVERSIAL SPEECH TOPICS - Airline Safety Rules, Alternative Imprisonment, Amnesty, Capital Punishment, Chain Gangs, Constitutional Issues, Corporal Punishment, Crimes Without Victims, Criminal Justice System, Drunk Driving, Gangs, Gun Control, Hate Crime, Homeland Security, Intellectual Property and Piracy, Legal System, Peer Pressure, Speed Limits, Urban Terrorism, Welfare Fraud, Wiretapping, Youth Violence, Zero Tolerance. MEDICAL, HEALTH AND NUTRITION - Aids Testing, Alternative Medicine, Anorexia Treathment, Artificial Insemination, ADHD, Bulimia, Burn Out, Depression, Dieting, Food Labeling, Food Prices, Health Care System, Infectious Diseases, Medical Ethics, Medicine Abuse, Passive Smoking, Plastic Surgery, Tobacco Industry. MISCELLENEOUS CONTROVERSIAL SPEECH TOPICS - Aliens and UFO's, Bermuda Triangle.
POLITICS AND GLOBAL POLICY - Afghanistan, Armed Conflicts, Arms Control, Asylum Policy, Ballot Initiatives, Biological And Chemical Weapons, Boycotts, Campaign Funding, Child Labor, Cold War Politics, Immigration Laws, Farm Susidies, Iraq, Islamic Fundamentalism, Militias, Nuclear Technology, Nuclear Weapons, Peace Movements, Political Correctness, Privatization Of Social Security, Slavery, Terrorism, United Nations, Voting Behavior, War Crime Trials, War on Drugs. SOCIETY - Affirmative Action, Aging Population, Celibacy, City Curfews, Demographics, Dropouts, Homeless Persons, Flexible Hours Of Labor, Inner City Poverty, Integration, Moral Majority, Nonsmoking Areas. WOMEN ISSUES - Breast Feeding in Public, Breast Implants, Feminism, Women in the Military, Women's Rights, Working Mothers.
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Persuasive Speech Topics Hundreds of ideas, examples of topic statements, how to's and the two golden rules for developing a persuasive presentation speech. 200+ Persuasive Speech Ideas 12 Example Persuasive Speech Statements 25 Free Persuasive Speech Topics 30+ Instant Persuasive Speech Topics for Free 200+ Controversial 25 More Controversial Statements 30+ Motivational Inspirational Tutorial 150+ Argumentative 75+ Problem Solution 20+ Debate 30 Invitational How to Develop Good Persuasive Speech Topics Student Council Speech Idea Top 10 The Random Persuasive Speech Topic Generator 160 Sports 200+ Value 30+ Policy 20 More on Policy Persuasive Speech Rubric For Students I Have a Dream Speech Text Gettysburg Address Speech Text More Good Persuasive Speech Topics Good persuasive speech ideas and speechwriting statements for 125 presentations. 20 Policy Questions
25 Opinion 30 Speech Class 15 Serious 20 Current 15 Fact or Value 15 Common 15 Cool Informative Speech Topics How to's, ideas and tips on researching and outlining a speech presentation. Creating informative ideas isn't as difficult as it seems. Try it yourself. 100+ Good Informative 30 Instant Informative Speech Statements 35 Informative Topics To Talk About 20+ Expository 20+ Visual Aid Free Informative Topic Generator on Arts Informative Speech Ideas On Cooking 100 History 30 Medical 20 Psychology How to Find Personal Experience Speech Topics How to Find, Research and Outline Informative Speech Ideas 20 Ways to Develop an Informational Speech 50+ Demonstration Speech Topics Plus methods to develop the best topic for a speech to demonstrate things. Show your audience how to do something step-by-step. 25 Demonstrative Ideas 100 Process 30 Process Demonstration Speech Ideas How to Create an Effective Process Speech Demonstrative Speech Outline Template 30 How To 15 Descriptive Speech Ideas and Tips 20 Demo 20 Demonstrative 25 More Topics Good Speech Topics Checklists to find good ideas for a public speaking topic or speech project. 20 Good Speech Topic Suggestions For Writing a Speech 20 Motivational Speaking 14 Extemporaneous 20 Comparison Impromptu Speech Good Persuasion Topics 60 Popular Themes 30 Pet Peeve
School Speech Topics Checklists for high school, college, middle school and elementary education school public speaking and speech writing. 10+ Suggestions and Main Points 25+ High School 25+ College 30 College Higher Education 75 Student 25+ Middle 30 Grade 6 30 Grade 8 25+ Elementary 30+ Kids Child Education List of Ideas 30 More For Kids Issues For Speech in School Speech Class 25 ideas for speech class public speaking purposes and student speech writing education. 25+ More Speech Class 20+ High School Find Speech Class Topics You Like Graduation Top 10 Most popular graduation topics and guidelines for a speech with inspirational, entertaining, educational, informative and persuasive elements. 20 Graduation 10 Valedictorian 10 Salutatorian 12 Commencement 40 Narrative Speech Topics Sample speech ideas for a narrative speech at school, in college or higher education purposes. 10 Ways to Find A Narrative Topic 7 Narrative Speech Writing Tips Interesting Speech Topics 7 ways to find, narrow and refine a speech idea in the speech writing process for all public speaking assignments and occasions you can think of. A List Of 60 Interesting Topics 60 Interesting Persuasive 50 Interesting Informative 20 Unique 80 Agriculture
Special Occasion Topics Find ideas with this how to checklist, suitable for any unique particular event, plus a tutorial on how to outline a public speaking speech presentation properly. 27 After Dinner 26 Birthday 45 Group Interpretation and Duo Interp 40 Group Discussion Rules For Writing a Stump Speech How to Write a Self Introduction Speech and 12 Example Topics 24 Occasion Ceremonial Speech Topics Ceremonial list of ideas through the method of identification and the classic method of magnification. Find out how it works, it's easier than you think. Top 5 Introduction 10 Welcome 20 Farewell 18 Retirement 11 Presentation 9 Acceptance Borat Golden Globe Address Nelson Mandela Inaugural Address Funny Speech Topics 50 funny ideas for an entertaining public speaking speech in class or any other stages. 20 Fun Ideas 30 Funny Speech Ideas 20 More Fun Speech Ideas 15 Fun Persuasive Topics Fun Persuasive Topic List Two 30 Fun For a Persuasive Speech 20 Funny For Students 30+ Humorous 15 Humorous Public Speaking Speech Examples For Teens Entertaining Speech Topic Tutorial 12 speech writing methods and speaking tips on delivering entertaining speeches. 50 Entertainment Commemorative Speech Topics Seven commemorative ideas and speech writing tips for delivering a ceremonial address of honor and the celebration of life values. 10 Tribute 7 Guidelines for Funeral Speeches A funeral speech is for many people difficult to write, these speech tips help you making and delevering personal funeral speeches.
How to Write a Eulogy Template Free Funeral Speech Ideas Free Wedding Speech Topics Top 30 free topics for a wedding speech. How to make a real personal presentation at a wedding ceremony. 30 Father of The Bride 20 Groom 15 Mother of The Bride 12 Bride 27 Best Man Best Man Speech Idea Top 10 17 Maid of Honor How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech: 7 Tips 20 Wedding Anniversary Wedding Speech Writing: 7 Tips For Writing a Wedding Speech Wedding Writing: 10 Golden Tips Find A Public Speaking Topic Fast How to find a public speaking topic, explained in my quick and effective section. Demonstrative Topics In 10 Steps Informative Speech Idea In 5 Steps Persuasive Speech Idea Checklist A Good Persuasive Speech Idea in 3 Steps 25 Public Speaking Presentation Topics 15 Short Speech Ideas 15 Easy Writing Topics 20 Oral Presentation Speech 40 Free Topic Examples 30 Free Ideas 10 Minute After Dinner Speech Do's and Don'ts Speech Idea Checklist 20 Creative Ideas More Topics Ideas Speech Writing Tip Top 10 Speechwriting tip Top 10 for effective writing topics. Speech Thesis: How to Construct a Good Thesis in 3 Steps Writing a Speech Claim That Succeeds How to Write a Speech Introduction Persuasion Speech Checklist for Supporting Points Speech Conclusion: 5 Effective Strategies 20 Ways to End A Speech About the Central Idea in Speech Great Topic Test Best Topic For a Speech Checks Pathos Elements
Speech Outline Examples - How To Outline Your Speech Speech outline examples for an attractive format. Topical Speech Outline Sample Chronological Speech Outline Template Spatial Speech Outline Example Speech Preparation Outline For Problem Solution Cause Effect Sample Persuasive Speech Outline Motivational Outline Sample Topic for Personal Experience Persuasive Writing Strategy Thematic Public Speaking Topics Categories My first public speaking topics portal to 850+ thematic public speaking tips. 30 Health and Fitness 25 Geography 80 Rare Occupations 40 Religion and Spirituality Second Portal to 200+ Speech Topic Ideas Public speaking topic ideas on homelessness, nursing, militairy, parliament, law enforcement, genetics. 20 Homelessness 20 Nursing 40 Military 40 Parliamentary 50+ Law Enforcement 30+ Genetics 100 Music 20 Persuasive Speech Suggestions Business Speech Topics 30 speech writing ideas, apply them to your working environment and more suggestions will come across! Further you'll see answers on FAQs, like how to develop a public speaking thesis. 30+ Informative Business 30+ Marketing 20 Sales Ideas 10 Elevator Speech Ideas 40 Office Team Work 35 Financial Fraud Finding Speech Topics: Top 10 Sources Finding ideas on your own seems to be a lot of work, but sure possible with these valuable research sources for all public speakers. Fear of Public Speaking Statistics Bare fear of public speaking facts and figures on speech anxiety or glossophobia.
Famous Speech by Woman Public Speakers Speeches by historical woman and their public speaking topics analyzed. Learn from it, because they are good examples of education writing topics. Special Theme Section on Global Crime 60 Global crime and transnational speech topics for an educational and informative public speaking presentation on statistics, rates, forensics and more hot issues in the different parts and regions of the world. 20 Terror Expert