Every advantage has its tax. I learn to be content.
—Emerson, Essays.
8. Make a two-minute speech on any of the following general subjects, but you will find that your ideas will come more readily if you narrow your subject by taking some specific phase of it. For instance, instead of trying to speak on "Law" in general, take the proposition, "The Poor Man Cannot Afford to Prosecute;" or instead of dwelling on "Leisure," show how modern speed is creating more leisure. In this way you may expand this subject list indefinitely.
GENERAL THEMES
- Law.
- Politics.
- Woman's Suffrage.
- Initiative and Referendum.
- A Larger Navy.
- War.
- Peace.
- Foreign Immigration.
- The Liquor Traffic.
- Labor Unions.
- Strikes.
- Socialism.
- Single Tax.
- Tariff.
- Honesty.
- Courage.
- Hope.
- Love.
- Mercy.
- Kindness.
- Justice.
- Progress.
- Machinery.
- Invention.
- Wealth.
- Poverty.
- Agriculture.
- Science.
- Surgery.
- Haste.
- Leisure.
- Happiness.
- Health.
- Business.
- America.
- The Far East.
- Mobs.
- Colleges.
- Sports.
- Matrimony.
- Divorce.
- Child Labor.
- Education.
- Books.
- The Theater.
- Literature.
- Electricity.
- Achievement.
- Failure.
- Public Speaking.
- Ideals.
- Conversation.
- The Most Dramatic Moment of My Life.
- My Happiest Days.
- Things Worth While.
- What I Hope to Achieve.
- My Greatest Desire.
- What I Would Do with a Million Dollars.
- Is Mankind Progressing?
- Our Greatest Need.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] See chapter on "Increasing the Vocabulary."
[5] Money.