Topic Selection • Questions to consider when picking a topic to speak about: o o o o

In what ways will my speech topic be new/novel? Does it need to be new/novel? In what ways will my speech topic be relevant to my audience? Who cares? In what ways will my speech be clear? In what ways will my speech be engaging and memorable?

• Selecting speech topics

1. Brainstorming about what I know and would like to know • Topics I know about: •

Topics I’d like to know more about:

2. Brainstorming using lists • Places • People • Events • Organizations • Hobbies • TV programs • Books & magazines • Personal goals • Professional goals • Opinions • Values • Classes 3. Concept mapping – a visual way to explore connections to a subject and related ideas. To develop your concept map, ask asking yourself questions about your subject that begin with the words who, what, when, where, why, and how.

For more on topic selection, see pages 352-355, 439-444, 454, and 473 in the Real Communication textbook, available in the Public Speaking Center.

Public Speaking Center Need help with a speech or presentation? www.uwlax.edu/CommStudies/PSC 251 Murphy Library