SPEECH UNIT
SPEECH/DEBATE PROJECT
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Choosing a Topic |
Use the following graphic to help you think of a speech topic you have strong feelings about.
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How to prepare a formal speech (please download this file):
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Resources

IThe library has many BOOKS on how to debate and write speeches. Check these out:
The library also has great BOOKS ON POPULAR SPEECH TOPICS. Log in to our online catalog to help you find these titles, and don't be shy about asking for help if you can't find what you're looking for.
For debate topics, log into our online catalog to search for the following SERIES:
ONLINE SOURCES
Sites about how to write speeches and/or prepare for debates:
The following DATABASES / LEARNING RESOURCES and WEB SITES will provide a great deal of material for most of your speech/debate topics. The VSB Databases are available under the "Home" tab, once you have logged into the "classic" / "back office" version of our online catalog. The more visual, "Destiny Discover" version of our library software also has great resources under the "Home" tab on the "Learning Resources" ribbon. Here are some useful resources for this project:
WORKS CITED
There are several possible MLA9 citation generators for your Works Cited list, such as, easybib.com , BibMe , Citation Machine or the World Book Citation Builder. Select Manual Entry mode when using a citation generator as this will also teach you how to read a citation.
- Sharpen your debate and speech writing skills / Jennifer Rozines Roy and Johannah Haney, 2011 (808.5 ROY)
- Effective speeches / Valerie Bodden (808.5 BOD)
- Words that ring through time: from Moses and Pericles to Obama : fifty-one of the most important speeches in history and how they changed out world / Terry Golway, 2009 (808.85 GOL)
- Attention please! : making assignments presentable, enjoyable, and memorable for all, 2009 (371.3028 LUN)
- Speeches that changed the world : the stories and transcripts of speeches that changed history, 2007 (808.85 SPE)
- Extraordinary oral presentations / Margaret Ryan, 2005 (808.51 RYA)
- NuSpeak : become a powerful speaker / Geoffrey Lane, 1999 (808.5 LAN)
- How to give a speech / Margaret Ryan, 1994 (808.5 RYA)
- Speaking for success : the Canadian guide / Anthony Lieb, 1993 (808.5 LIE)
- Speaking with confidence : a guide for public speakers / Wanda Vasallo, 1990 (808.5 VAS)
The library also has great BOOKS ON POPULAR SPEECH TOPICS. Log in to our online catalog to help you find these titles, and don't be shy about asking for help if you can't find what you're looking for.
For debate topics, log into our online catalog to search for the following SERIES:
- At Issue
- Contemporary World Issues
- Current Controversies
- Current Issues
- Debating History
- Issues in Focus
- Opposing Viewpoints
- Teen Issues
- Understanding Global Issues
ONLINE SOURCES
Sites about how to write speeches and/or prepare for debates:
The following DATABASES / LEARNING RESOURCES and WEB SITES will provide a great deal of material for most of your speech/debate topics. The VSB Databases are available under the "Home" tab, once you have logged into the "classic" / "back office" version of our online catalog. The more visual, "Destiny Discover" version of our library software also has great resources under the "Home" tab on the "Learning Resources" ribbon. Here are some useful resources for this project:
- Global Issues in Context (great for information on current world issues, e.g. Syria, global warming, child labour/labor,fracking. etc.)
- EBSCOHost (contains newspaper and magazine articles on almost every topic); Access via the "Home" tab in the "classic" / "Back Office" version of the library software.
- Canada in Context
- World Book Encyclopedia and The Canadian Encyclopedia provide basic information on a vast number of topics.
- Statistics Canada
- The Tyee
- CBC News
- BBC News
WORKS CITED
There are several possible MLA9 citation generators for your Works Cited list, such as, easybib.com , BibMe , Citation Machine or the World Book Citation Builder. Select Manual Entry mode when using a citation generator as this will also teach you how to read a citation.
- format your page using Times New Roman 12, double-spacing, hanging indents and alphabetical order