Topics for a Prepared Speech

There are many occasions for which even someone terrified of public speaking may need to create a prepared speech. Before selecting a topic, there are questions that must be answered to select the best topic possible. The most important of these questions is, "Why are you speaking?" The answer will affect the subject matter by dictating the tone, length and language of your speech.

Plan

The keys to choosing the right speech topic are audience and purpose. What has your audience asked you to address, and what is the goal of your speech? If you have been given a topic with your invitation to speak because you are an expert in a particular field or you are giving a testimonial, for example, the decision is essentially made for you. However, if you were given few parameters, as may be the case in a business or academic setting, you will also need to consider what you want to achieve with your speech even before picking a subject. Speeches serve three main purposes: to inform, persuade or entertain. Speeches may also be used as part of a demonstration. Identify to whom you will be speaking and why and then begin your research.

Inform

Informative speeches are meant to enlighten the audience by explaining or describing something in a balanced, objective manner. Speeches should be tailored to the audiences level of education and areas of interest. A master gardener asked to speak to a local club about composting he would discuss what composting is, how to do it, and the pros and cons. He should not, however, give his opinion on its worth of composting; that would be persuasive speaking. Quantitative topics with documentable facts work best for informative speeches, including those regarding medical science, technological advances or history.

Persuade

Persuasive speeches seek to change the audience's attitudes, beliefs or behavior. These speeches often advocate for or against particular policies; when people lobby the legislature or lead a protest, they are doing this. Your ultimate goal is to convince your audience to agree with your opinion and act on it. Campaign speeches and closing statements at legal proceedings are also examples of persuasive speaking. The topics most suited for a persuasive speech are controversial subjects with clearly defined sides, such as capital punishment, or solutions for perceived societal ills, such as eliminating the use of fossil fuels to slow global warming.

Entertain

Entertaining speeches aim, of course, to be pleasurable for the audience and are often humorous. These should not be stand-up routines or a series of gags; every speech should have a point. Speeches may inform or persuade while being entertaining. It is especially important to be aware of your audience. Avoid any language or subject matter that may be offensive and keep the tone appropriate to the situation. You wouldn't want to make off-color remarks about your wife at a meeting for a women's group, for example, or use bawdy references at a corporate party.

Demonstrate

Demonstration speeches should be straightforward. If you haven't been asked to demonstrate something specific because the speech is for a class assignment, for instance, try to match your skills to the needs and wants of the audience. Topics should be in a how-to format. Hobbies, such as cooking, knitting and fly fishing, are well-suited for demonstrations.

References

• Speech Topics Help, Advice & Ideas
• Allyn and Bacon Public Speaking Website