Deciding on Your Starting Point

Selecting a topic can be approached in various ways. You might start by addressing broad societal issues of national or global significance, or you could delve into localized matters. Alternatively, you can reflect on your personal interests and life experiences, ranging from hobbies to core values. Wherever you begin, choose a topic that genuinely interests you and that you wish to explore further.

Considering the Audience

An effective speech topic should engage not just your curiosity but also that of your audience. As you evaluate potential topics, consider their appeal to listeners and their suitability for the occasion. Will the topic resonate with the audience's characteristics and motivations? Does it align with their expectations for the speech?

Avoiding Clichés and Overused Topics

To keep your classmates and instructor engaged, steer clear of overdone subjects like drunk driving or gun control, as well as mundane topics such as "how to change a tire." Instead, seek out topics that provide fresh insights. One way to generate ideas is to explore your favorite publications, but be cautious about selecting contentious issues where opinions are deeply entrenched, such as abortion or school prayer, as these rarely lead to constructive dialogue.

Brainstorming for Inspiration

To cultivate ideas for potential topics, try brainstorming through word association, topic mapping, or categorizing.

For word association, jot down a topic of interest and write down the first idea that comes to mind. Continue this until you have a list of fifteen to twenty items. Then, narrow it down to two or three, and select your final topic.

In topic mapping, place a potential topic at the center of a page and branch out with related ideas as they come to you.

If you're brainstorming by category, think of your general topic—say video games—and consider various categories like platform (handheld, arcade), genre (racing, role-playing), or operating system (Linux, Mac, Windows). As you categorize, ask yourself: What questions do I have? What does my audience already know, and what aspects would they find most engaging?

Defining the General Purpose of Your Speech

Some presentations come with a defined topic and purpose (e.g., "deliver a persuasive speech" on topic X), while others allow you to choose. Even when a topic is given, you still need to refine it to suit the overall purpose. The general purpose of a speech answers the question: "Why am I discussing this topic with this audience on this occasion?"

Are you informing your audience? The goal of an informative speech is to enhance awareness by providing knowledge. Is your aim to persuade them to accept your viewpoint? The purpose of a persuasive speech is to sway the audience's attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Are you celebrating a special occasion? The aim of a special occasion speech might be to entertain, commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.

Narrowing Down Your Topic

Once you have defined your topic and general purpose, it's essential to narrow your focus. This involves honing in on specific aspects while excluding others. Consider what your audience likely knows, what they want to learn, and which elements are most relevant to the occasion.

• Evaluate what your listeners are likely to understand about the subject.
• Consider what they want to discover.
• Focus on the aspects most pertinent to the event.
• Choose a specific topic area to explore thoroughly.
• Limit your main points to between two and five.

Formulating a Specific Speech Purpose

Your specific speech purpose clearly outlines what you hope the audience will take away from your presentation. To determine this purpose, ask yourself: What do you want the audience to learn, do, reconsider, or agree with? Articulate this aim in actionable terms. For example:

General Topic: Consolidating Student Loans

Narrowed Topic: Understanding when and why consolidating student loans is beneficial

General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To educate my audience about the factors to consider when deciding whether or not to consolidate student loans.

Though the specific purpose statement is rarely included in the speech itself, it is vital to clarify it for yourself to ensure you remain focused on your intended outcome.

For personalized coaching, feel free to reach out to me: Martin Hahn — Bratislava Career Coach | Noomii