Chapter 6 Selecting Your Topic Selecting Your Topic

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 servicelearning course. ” – Special Occasion: “The Duke University women’s basketball team has much to celebrate at this year’s awards banquet. ”