Choosing Your Speech Topic

Your next speech is coming up and it’s time to choose a topic for that speech. Below are some suggestions that may help you select your next topic.

1. Plan Ahead
   
   • Read every speech outline and the objectives in your manual
   • Be particularly aware of the framework and the objectives of the next 3-4 speeches
   • Consider the type of speech that would be appropriate for those objectives
2. What do you Know?
   • WORK - Good, but don't overdo this topic.
   • SPORT - Serious aspect - developing skills, attitudes etc.  Humorous aspect - Taking up tennis after 15 years. Exaggeration is OK
   • HOBBIES - Instructional or humorous
   • INTERESTS - Theatre, literature, chess, dog obedience etc
   • TRAVELS - Your experiences or your response to a particular place or circumstance
3. Match The Topic Or Subject To The Framework And Objectives.
   • not the other way around - REMEMBER - the framework of a house shapes the cladding
   • a narrative or anecdotal speech is more successful in achieving the purpose when rich body language and spoken language is required. (rather than a very serious speech or one with many precise details and statistics.
4. Topics From Other Areas:
   • Newspapers, magazines, plays, films, books may contain fictional, biographical, historical facts or ideas.
   • Research a topic that interests YOU. Your ENTHUSIASM will be transferred to your audience.
     1. SOCIAL ISSUES – appeal to your audience to adopt a specific belief or approach
     2. INFORMATIVE – iridology, the interpretation of body language – make it interesting
     3. (iii) NARRATIVE: – The life story of…
     4. (iv) ANECDOTAL – One of, or a series of your own experiences
     5. (v) INSTRUCTIONAL – The structure of a violin, installing your own security system

   How Will You Have These Topics To Hand When You Need Them?

5. Back To Point 1. (Plan Ahead).
   • Cut out newspaper / magazine articles - staple to appropriate speech in your manual.  Stegin to research supporting / opposing material.
   • Note in margin any appropriate ideas for a particular speech. Make notes about a book or article that has statements / ideas that interest you.
   • A speech might evolve from a single thought, statement, news item, experience. Toss it around in your mind. Play "The Devil's Advocate" to your own ideas.
   • Three to five points are sufficient for a 5 - 7 minute speech, allowing time for an interesting introduction and a thought provoking conclusion for your speech.

Quick Reference - Sources For Ideas

	Current affairs		The Internet
	Readers Digest		Kids Hobbies
	Radio Shows		TV Shows
	Funny incidents		Travel / Holidays
	Local Library		Events – weddings
	Health tips		Sport
	Your job		Other people’s Jobs
	Biography		Tell a story – new or old

How To Remember Your Ideas

1. Diary
2. Scrapbook
3. Quotes
4. Cartoons
5. Photos and Pictures