How to Pick Topics for a Speech

Choosing a topic for a speech may seem like a random process, but there are certain steps you can take to ensure that your speech captures the attention of your audience and fulfills your goals. When picking a topic for a speech, it is important to remember what your purpose and goals are for the speech.

Instructions

1. Brainstorm. Utilize print an online resources to identify a list of topics that are both familiar and interesting to you. You are more likely to deliver a good speech about a topic you already know something about. Try to find at least 10 potential topics to select from.

2. Narrow down the list of 10 topics to about five. Choose the topics that are most important to you, and that you believe will help you to best convey your knowledge of them in speech form.

3. Reduce the list to the two topics that you believe will be most interesting, important and appropriate to your intended audience.

4. Choose from the last two remaining topics the one that you can best develop into a speech. Make this decision by considering how much time you will have, the place, and any other resources you may need to give your speech.

References

• Seiler, W. & Beall, M. (2008). Communication: Making Connections (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.