Chapter 6 Selecting Your Topic

Selecting Your Topic: An Overview Finding a speech topic requires: Developing a list of options Choosing the most promising one Narrowing the topic to meet objectives and time constraints

Developing a Set of Potential Topics Research Brainstorming Word Association Mind Mapping

Develop a Set of Potential Topics: Research Research may help you find an effective topic. Sources of information include: General newsmagazines or newspapers Web sites Keep track of sources to avoid plagiarism.

Developing a Set of Potential Topics: Brainstorming List every idea that comes to mind without evaluating its merits.

Developing a Set of Potential Topics: Word Association One idea leads to another that leads to another until a speaker finds an appropriate topic.

Developing a Set of Potential Topics: Mind Mapping Write down an initial word or phrase, then surround it with additional words, pictures, and symbols. Use colors, arrows, or visual aids to link ideas. Be creative and enjoy the process.

Selecting the Best Topic Consider the assignment Consider your audience Consider your own knowledge and interest Consider the speech context Choose a topic and stick to it

Selecting the Best Topic: Consider the Assignment Your topic must meet the instructor’s criteria, which may include: Topics to avoid Type of speech Research requirements

Selecting the Best Topic: Consider Your Audience Your topic should meet at least one of the following criteria: It will interest your audience. It benefits the audience or the larger society. It will move the audience in some way.

Selecting the Best Topic: Consider Your Own Knowledge and Interests Pick a topic you are excited about to connect with listeners. Pick a topic you are knowledgeable about. Establishes your credibility Streamlines research process

Selecting the Best Topic: Consider the Speech Context Context is the overall situation of your presentation and is affected by: Formality: Classroom speeches are less formal than workplace speeches Situational characteristics: Such as audience size, mobility issues, time of day, and physical setting

Selecting the Best Topic: Choose a Topic and Stick to It Changing topics will increase your preparation time. Wavering back and forth on a topic weakens your speech.

Tips for Selecting the Best Topic Tip: If you are not excited about your topic, no one else will be. Tip: Boring your teacher will not help you get a good grade.

Refining Your Topic: Decide Your Rhetorical Purpose To inform: Increasing listeners’ understanding or awareness To persuade: Convincing listeners to consider a new position, strengthen or weaken a belief, or take action To mark a special occasion: Honoring an occasion by entertaining, inspiring, or moving listeners

General Tips for Refining Your Topic Tip: If you have a strong opinion about your topic, consider using it for a persuasive speech. Tip: If you are going to commemorate a death, be sure you are ready to speak about it in public—you may get caught off guard by your emotions.

Refining Your Topic: Narrow Your Topic Why is this important? Speech needs to fit time limit Gives you focus

Broad topic  Spring Break Fun Narrower topic  Spring Break in Miami Narrowed topic  Use Caution with Spring Break Tattoos

Narrowing Your Topic: Remember Your Audience Make listeners care. If they are asking “Why should I care?” your speech will not be as effective.

Narrowing Your Topic: Draw on Your Interests and Expertise It is easier to speak extemporaneously on a topic that is: Familiar Important to you Exciting to you

Narrowing Your Topic: Review Your Rhetorical Purpose Does your narrowed topic match the rhetorical purpose?

Narrowing Your Topic: Evaluate the Situation Will situational factors get in the way of your topic? Time of day Occasion Overall speech context

Drafting Your Specific Purpose Statement Specific purpose: The speech objective presented as a single sentence—should focus speech development Sentence should begin with rhetorical purpose: “To inform my audience…” “To persuade my audience…” “To commemorate…”

Tips for Drafting Your Specific Purpose Statement Tip: Focus on what you want your audience to walk away with. Tip: If you spend the time to develop a well-constructed specific purpose, the speech will write itself (mostly). More on this when we talk about organization!

Drafting Your Thesis Statement Single sentence Expresses the speaker’s intentions Consistent with specific purpose

Thesis Statement Examples Informative: “Hmong New Year includes many culturally distinctive features.” Persuasive: “You should sign up for a service-learning course.” Special Occasion: “The Duke University women’s basketball team has much to celebrate at this year’s awards banquet.”