From Unit Plan: Public Speaking in English Class

The engaging books listed here provide good topics or quotations that can be used to guide students in writing their speeches.

"Quote-a-Day" Writing Prompts by Jacqueline Sweeney.
The quotations can be the basis for numerous short speeches.

Classroom Tip: Use some of the quotations for impromptu response speeches where the focus is on not saying "um."

10 Critical Thinking Card Games by Elaine Richard.
The intriguing, thought-provoking topics on these cards are good prompts for timed speeches.

Classroom Tip: Tell the students that they must speak for a certain amount of time on the card topic. (For instance, 40 seconds, 2 minutes, or 6 minutes.)