Choosing Your Speech Topic by GWTM

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

LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT SPEECH
GOOD PLANNING AND GOOD LUCK.

Back to Top