Choosing Topic

Choosing a Topic

Finding and Selecting a Topic

Establishing a Purpose and a Thesis

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Choosing a Topic > Finding and Selecting a Topic

Finding and Selecting a Topic
• The Importance of Choosing a Good Topic
• Your Areas of Expertise
• Your Areas of Interest

• Brainstorming
• Scoping Your Topic

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The Importance of Choosing a Good Topic
• A good topic is one in which the audience can identify with.
• A good topic will help you be sincere.
• A good topic will genuinely enthuse you.

• A good topic will give you the confidence you need to deliver a good speech.
• Choosing a good topic, one that you know about and are comfortable speaking
about, will help you keep it simple.

Enthusiastic About Her Topic
View on Boundless.com

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Your Areas of Expertise
• Considering your expert areas can help you decide what topic you will speak
about.
• An expert area is one where you have knowledge that most people do not.

• Choosing an expert area for a topic has an advantage because you already have
the knowledge, which makes it easier to explain to an audience.

AVIDAC, one of the earliest digital computers, in
1953.

www.boundless.com/communications/choosing-a-topic/finding-and-selecting-a-topic/your-areas-of-expertise


Your Areas of Interest
• An interest is something that you are aware of but don't know much about.
• Think about what intrigues you about the area you are interested in.
• Choosing something you are interested in as a topic will likely turn you from a

novice to an authority.

A stamp collection

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Brainstorming
• Brainstorming can be a helpful way to find the topic for your speech.
• Brainstorming is a helpful method to generate a large numbers of ideas in a
spontaneous manner.

• During a brainstorming session, give yourself a time limit and then let yourself
consider any thoughts you have in considering what the topic of your speech will
be.

Lightning strikes in a brainstorm too!

www.boundless.com/communications/choosing-a-topic/finding-and-selecting-a-topic/brainstorming


Scoping Your Topic
• Scoping your topic is identifying the subtopics related to the general topic your
speech will address.
• The amount of time allowed for the speech will help determine how narrow or

broad the scope should be. A broader scope will take more time to explain, while
narrowing will allow you to cover the material in less time.
• If your goal is to include more detailed information, narrowing your scope will
allow you to analyze your topic more completely.

Aim for the bull's eye

www.boundless.com/communications/choosing-a-topic/finding-and-selecting-a-topic/scoping-your-topic

Choosing a Topic > Establishing a Purpose and a Thesis

Establishing a Purpose and a Thesis
• General Purpose
• Specific Purpose
• Defining the Thesis

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General Purpose
• Think of a speech as an inverted pyramid, with the topic being the widest section.
From there, refine down into the purpose, followed by thesis, evidence, and
arguments.
• Speeches typically serve four general purposes: to inform, persuade, instruct, or
entertain.
• By taking a step back to examine the general purpose of the speech, a speaker
reinforces his or her thoughts and ideas by making sure that everything presented
to argue your case aligns to that general purpose. Anything that takes away from
that purpose should be omitted from the speech.

Think of your speech like an inverted pyramid.

www.boundless.com/communications/choosing-a-topic/establishing-a-purpose-and-a-thesis/general-purpose


Specific Purpose
• Consider the general purpose of the speech: is it instructing, informing,
persuading, or entertaining?
• From there, incorporate the topic into the purpose. Is the speech instructing,

informing, persuading, or entertaining about X?
• Going from the general to the specific is all about refinement.
• Crafting the speech is a balance of reinforcing the general purpose while being
specific enough to make a case.

A corkscrew is a specific purpose tool.

www.boundless.com/communications/choosing-a-topic/establishing-a-purpose-and-a-thesis/specific-purpose


Defining the Thesis
• A thesis statement contains all the main points of your speech, captured in
anywhere from one to three sentences.
• A thesis lets your audience know what your speech is going to show, demonstrate

or argue.
• Introduce your thesis early in your speech and reiterate it again at the conclusion.
• To craft your thesis statement, think about the take-home message you wish to
leave with your audience. From there, refine and hone that message until you
have one to five main points to use in order to achieve your speech's purpose.
Thesis

www.boundless.com/communications/choosing-a-topic/establishing-a-purpose-and-a-thesis/defining-the-thesis

Appendix

Choosing a Topic

Key terms
• brainstorming A method of problem solving in which individuals or members of a group contribute ideas spontaneously. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• expert A person with extensive knowledge or ability in a given subject. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• expertise great skill or knowledge in a particular field or hobby (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• general Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• interest A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• knowledge Familiarity or understanding of a particular skill, branch of learning, etc. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• narrow To reduce in width or extent; to contract. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• purpose A result that is desired; an intention. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• purpose A result that is desired; an intention. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• scope The extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is relevant.

(CC BY-SA 3.0)

• SECS SECS is an acronym for Sincerity, Enthusiasm, Confidence, and Simplicity, qualities and abilities needed to become a
good public speaker. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• specific Explicit or definite. (CC BY-SA 3.0)


Choosing a Topic

• thesis A concise summary of the argument or main points, usually one to three sentences long.

(CC BY-SA 3.0)

• topic Subject; theme; a category or general area of interest. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
• topic Subject; theme; a category or general area of interest. (CC BY-SA 3.0)


Choosing a Topic

Enthusiastic About Her Topic

Flickr. "Enthusiasm about technology | Flickr - Photo Sharing!." CC BY-SA http://www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/5577747892 View on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

AVIDAC, one of the earliest digital computers, in 1953.

Wikimedia. "AVIDAC -- First Argonne Computer (1953)." CC BY-SA http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AVIDAC_--_First_Argonne_Computer_(1953).jpg View
on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

A stamp collection

Wikimedia. "My stamp collection book opened." CC BY http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:My_stamp_collection_book_opened.jpg View on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

Lightning strikes in a brainstorm too!

Wikimedia. "Hazaribagh Storm." CC BY-SA http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hazaribagh_Storm.jpg View on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

Aim for the bull's eye

Wikimedia. "Archery target." CC BY http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Archery_target.jpg View on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

Think of your speech like an inverted pyramid.

Flickr. "The inverted pyramid beneath the Louvre | Flickr - Photo Sharing!." CC BY-SA http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijansch/3093254101/ View on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

A corkscrew is a specific purpose tool.

Wikimedia. "Winged corkscrew." CC BY http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winged_corkscrew.jpg View on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

Thesis

Flickr. "All sizes | To the Moon! | Flickr - Photo Sharing!." CC BY-SA http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielwilliams/8076131296/sizes/l/ View on Boundless.com

Choosing a Topic

Subject; theme; a category or general area of interest.

A) brainstorming

B) expert

C) choose

D) topic


Choosing a Topic


A) brainstorming

B) expert

C) choose

D) topic

Wiktionary. "topic." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/topic

Choosing a Topic

_______ is an acronym for Sincerity, Enthusiasm, Confidence,
and Simplicity, qualities and abilities needed to become a good
public speaker.
A) expert

B) interest

C) SECS

D) narrow


Choosing a Topic

_______ is an acronym for Sincerity, Enthusiasm, Confidence,
and Simplicity, qualities and abilities needed to become a good
public speaker.
A) expert

B) interest

C) SECS

D) narrow

Wikipedia. "SECS." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SECS

Choosing a Topic


A) anecdote

B) credibility

C) introduction

D) topic


Choosing a Topic


A) topic

B) thesis

C) ethnocentrism

D) writer's block


Choosing a Topic

According to John Zimmer, what is most important to consider
when choosing a topic?
A) Choosing a topic that your audience is interested in.

B) Choosing a topic that is universally interesting.

C) Choosing a topic with which your audience can identify.

D) Choosing a topic that finds humor in material that everyone can relate
to.


Choosing a Topic

According to John Zimmer, what is most important to consider
when choosing a topic?
A) Choosing a topic that your audience is interested in.

B) Choosing a topic that is universally interesting.

C) Choosing a topic with which your audience can identify.

D) Choosing a topic that finds humor in material that everyone can relate
to.

Boundless - LO. "Boundless." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://www.boundless.com/

Choosing a Topic

What does the acronym SECS stand for?

A) Sincerity, Enthusiasm, Confidence, and Simplicity

B) Sincerity, Earnestness, Confidence, and Simplicity

C) Seriousness, Enthusiasm, Confidence, and Simplicity

D) Seriousness, Enthusiasm, Clarity, and Synergy


Choosing a Topic


A) brainstorming

B) expert

C) knowledge

D) topic


Choosing a Topic

Familiarity or understanding of a particular skill, branch of
learning, etc.
A) knowledge

B) persuasive speech

C) topic outline

D) sentence outline


Choosing a Topic

learning, etc.
A) knowledge

B) persuasive speech

C) topic outline

D) sentence outline

Wiktionary. "knowledge." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/knowledge

Choosing a Topic

learning, etc.
A) co-located

B) knowledge

C) psychographics

D) favorability


Choosing a Topic

A person with extensive knowledge or ability in a given subject.

A) brainstorming

B) choose

C) narrow

D) expert


Choosing a Topic

A person with extensive knowledge or ability in a given subject.

A) brainstorming

B) choose

C) narrow

D) expert

Wiktionary. "expert." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/expert

Choosing a Topic

learning, etc.
A) knowledge

B) topic

C) choose

D) interest


Choosing a Topic

Which of the following is a benefit of speaking about a topic you
are an expert in?
A) You won't have to do as much research.

B) You already have the knowledge, which makes it easy to explain to an
audience.

C) Your speech preparation will be easy and quick.

D) You can use very specific jargon to communicate ideas with more
clarity.


Choosing a Topic

great skill or knowledge in a particular field or hobby

A) expertise

B) brainstorming

C) topic

D) narrow


Choosing a Topic

great skill or knowledge in a particular field or hobby

A) expertise

B) brainstorming

C) topic

D) narrow

Wiktionary. "expertise." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/expertise

Choosing a Topic

Why should you focus on choosing a topic in which you have an
interest rather than a topic in which you are an expert?
A) Because experts are not able to think objectively about their topic.

B) Because your inquisitiveness in the topic will draw your audience in.

C) Because if you already know everything about the topic, you are more
likely to use confusing jargon.
D) Because it's more interesting to listen to a speech from a layperson
than from an expert.


Choosing a Topic

A great attention and concern from someone or something;
intellectual curiosity.
A) expert

B) narrow

C) interest

D) scope


Choosing a Topic

A great attention and concern from someone or something;
intellectual curiosity.
A) expert

B) narrow

C) interest

D) scope

Wiktionary. "interest." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/interest

Choosing a Topic

A method of problem solving in which individuals or members of a
group contribute ideas spontaneously.
A) verbatim

B) extemporaneous

C) brainstorming

D) chronological


Choosing a Topic

A) verbatim

B) extemporaneous

C) brainstorming

D) chronological

Wiktionary. "brainstorming." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/brainstorming

Choosing a Topic

A) segue

B) reiterate

C) brainstorming

D) transition


Choosing a Topic

Which of the following describes a benefit of brainstorming for
generating topic ideas?
A) Brainstorming feels less stressful than other methods of generating
ideas.

B) All of these answers.

C) Brainstorming lets you generate as many different answers to your
question as come to mind.

D) Brainstorming is a creative way to generate ideas.


Choosing a Topic

A) brainstorming

B) topic

C) narrow

D) scope


Choosing a Topic


A) brainstorming

B) topic

C) expert

D) knowledge


Choosing a Topic

To reduce in width or extent; to contract.

A) narrow

B) topic

C) choose

D) knowledge


Choosing a Topic

To reduce in width or extent; to contract.

A) narrow

B) topic

C) choose

D) knowledge

Wiktionary. "narrow." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/narrow

Choosing a Topic

The extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with
or to which it is relevant.
A) brainstorming

B) expert

C) choose

D) scope


Choosing a Topic

A) brainstorming

B) expert

C) choose

D) scope

Boundless Learning. "Boundless." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://www.boundless.com//communications/definition/scope--2

Choosing a Topic

Which of the following will help determine how narrow or broad
your scope should be?
A) The number of subtopics related to your general topic.

B) The amount of time allotted for your speech.

C) The size of your audience.

D) The context and location of your speech.


Choosing a Topic

A) memorable

B) scope

C) goal

D) connection


Choosing a Topic

A) memorable

B) scope

C) goal

D) connection

Boundless Learning. "Boundless." CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.boundless.com//communications/definition/scope--2

Choosing a Topic


A) thesis

B) topic

C) ethnocentrism

D) writer's block


Choosing a Topic


A) topic

B) anecdote

C) credibility

D) introduction


Choosing a Topic

If the topic of your speech is, for example, "How to run a
successful small business through the utilization of social media
platforms," what is the corresponding general purpose of this
speech?
A) To instruct.

B) To entertain.

C) To persuade.

D) To inform.


Choosing a Topic

A result that is desired; an intention.

A) thesis

B) purpose

C) expert

D) specific


Choosing a Topic


A) thesis

B) purpose

C) expert

D) specific

Wiktionary. "purpose." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/purpose

Choosing a Topic

Which of the following is NOT a type of public speaking?

A) Informative

B) Exploratory

C) Persuasive

D) Entertaining


Choosing a Topic

Which of the following is NOT a type of public speaking?

A) Informative

B) Exploratory

C) Persuasive

D) Entertaining

Saylor OER. "Communication « Saylor.org – Free Online Courses Built by Professors." CC BY
3.0 http://www.saylor.org/majors/Communication/

Choosing a Topic


A) thesis

B) purpose

C) expert

D) general


Choosing a Topic


A) thesis

B) purpose

C) expert

D) general

Wiktionary. "purpose." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/purpose

Choosing a Topic

Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of
something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
A) thesis

B) purpose

C) general

D) specific


Choosing a Topic

Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of
something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
A) thesis

B) purpose

C) general

D) specific

Wiktionary. "general." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/general

Choosing a Topic

Explicit or definite.

A) thesis

B) purpose

C) general

D) specific


Choosing a Topic

Explicit or definite.

A) thesis

B) purpose

C) general

D) specific

Wiktionary. "specific." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/specific

Choosing a Topic

The specific purpose of a speech occupies which level of the
inverted pyramid model of persuasive speaking?
A) The level where the speaker instructs, informs, persuades, or
entertains

B) The level containing the main topic of the speech

C) The level containing the thesis of the argument

D) The level that fuses the topic and the general purpose


Choosing a Topic

A speaker's presentation is structured along the following main
points: 1) families with young children do better with older, more
patient dogs; 2) families with teenagers often appreciate younger,
more athletic dogs; and 3) childless families often prefer dogs that
are more affectionate. Based on these main points, the specific
purpose of the speaker's speech is
A) to explain to dog owners how to choose a second dog.

B) to describe to classmates the history man’s relationship with dogs.

C) to familiarize children with the different personalities of dogs.

D) to help families choose a dog with the right traits.


Choosing a Topic

A speaker's presentation is structured along the following main
points: 1) families with young children do better with older, more
patient dogs; 2) families with teenagers often appreciate younger,
more athletic dogs; and 3) childless families often prefer dogs that
are more affectionate. Based on these main points, the specific
purpose of the speaker's speech is
A) to explain to dog owners how to choose a second dog.

B) to describe to classmates the history man’s relationship with dogs.

C) to familiarize children with the different personalities of dogs.

D) to help families choose a dog with the right traits.
Saylor OER. "Communication « Saylor.org – Free Online Courses Built by Professors." CC BY 3.0 http://www.saylor.org/majors/Communication/

Choosing a Topic

A concise summary of the argument or main points, usually one to
three sentences long.
A) thesis

B) plagiarism

C) stereotype

D) eloquence


Choosing a Topic

A) thesis

B) plagiarism

C) stereotype

D) eloquence

Boundless Learning. "Boundless." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://www.boundless.com//communications/definition/thesis

Choosing a Topic

What is the purpose of a thesis in a speech?

A) To construct the structural outline of your speech.

B) To articulate what your speech is going to say.

C) All of these answers.

D) To define what position your speech will take.


Choosing a Topic

A) anecdote

B) thesis

C) credibility

D) introduction


Choosing a Topic

A) anecdote

B) thesis

C) credibility

D) introduction

Boundless Learning. "Boundless." CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.boundless.com//communications/definition/thesis

Choosing a Topic

A) purpose

B) specific

C) general

D) thesis


Choosing a Topic

A) purpose

B) specific

C) general

D) thesis

Boundless Learning. "Boundless." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://www.boundless.com//communications/definition/thesis

Choosing a Topic

Attribution
• Manner of Speaking. "Funny You Should Say That! | Manner of Speaking." CC BY-SA
http://mannerofspeaking.org/2009/06/10/funny-you-should-say-that/
• Wikipedia. "Prewriting." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prewriting#Choosing_a_topic
• Lee Hopkins. "Organizational communication barriers." CC BY-SA http://www.leehopkins.com/organizational-communicationbarriers.html
• TEFL China. "Public Speaking with Sincerity Enthusiasm Confidence and Simplicity - TEFLChina." CC BY-SA
http://teflchina.org/Public_Speaking_with_Sincerity_Enthusiasm_Confidence_and_Simplicity
• Project Gutenberg. Public domain http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16317/16317-h/16317-h.htm#CHAPTER_XI
• Project Gutenberg. Public domain http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16317/16317-h/16317-h.htm#CHAPTER_XVIII
• Wikibooks. "Rhetoric and Composition/Planning and Prewriting." CC BY-SA 3.0
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Rhetoric_and_Composition/Planning_and_Prewriting#What_is_a_Brainstorm.3F
• Wikipedia. "Brainstorming." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstorming#Individual_brainstorming
• Wikibooks. "Rhetoric and Composition/Planning and Prewriting." CC BY-SA 3.0
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Rhetoric_and_Composition/Planning_and_Prewriting#How_do_I_pick_a_topic.3F
• Wikipedia. "Prewriting." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prewriting#Narrowing_the_topic
• Wikibooks. "Rhetoric and Composition/Oral Presentations." CC BY-SA 3.0
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Rhetoric_and_Composition/Oral_Presentations#Preparation
• Wikipedia. "Prewriting." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prewriting#Narrowing_the_topic
• Wikipedia. "Thesis statement." CC BY-SA 3.0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis_statement
• Wikibooks. "Rhetoric and Composition/Writing in the Humanities." CC BY-SA 3.0
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Rhetoric_and_Composition/Writing_in_the_Humanities#Thesis_Statement
• Wikibooks. "Rhetoric and Composition/Revising." CC BY-SA 3.0
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Rhetoric_and_Composition/Revising#Thesis_Statements and changes. Get yours at www.boundless.com
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