This document provides guidance on selecting and developing a speech topic. It recommends choosing a topic that is interesting to both the speaker and audience. Some criteria for a good topic are that it is appropriate, appeals to listeners' interests, and is something the speaker is enthusiastic about. When narrowing the topic, the speaker should consider what the audience knows, what elements are most important, and how much can be competently researched. The document also discusses defining the general purpose of entertaining, informing, or persuading, and then crafting a specific purpose statement that is receiver-oriented, specific, and realistic.

1. 1
Choosing &
Developing a Topic
It is important that you select a topic of
interest to you:
Audience will be interested

2. 2
Criteria for selecting a topic:
Is this topic appropriate to the occasion?
Will this topic appeal to my listeners’ interests?
Is this topic something I can speak about with
enthusiasm and insight?
Will I be able to offer a fresh perspective on this topic?
When narrowing your topic ask the following
questions:
1. What does the audience most likely know about this
subject?
2. What elements are most important to this topic?
3. How much can I competently research and report
on in the time I am given to speak?

3. 3
Defining the general purpose of your speech
• What do you hope to accomplish in presenting this
speech?
• What topic do you want to speak about and why?
• How will your audience be affected by your speech?
Three general purposes for speaking
• To entertain- providing your audience with something
pleasurable to listen to
• To inform- teaching your audience about a topic
• To persuade- to move your audience to a new attitude
or behavior

4. 4
• After defining your general purpose you will need to
define your specific purpose
Specific purpose (more focused than general
purpose)
• First thing decided before constructing a speech
• Keeps you focused during construction of your speech
• Tells what outcome you expect after giving your speech

5. 5
Specific purpose is expressed in the form of a
purpose statement
• A Purpose statement is a complete sentence describing
exactly what you want your speech to accomplish
Three criteria for a good purpose statement:
1. Should be receiver oriented
2. Should be specific
3. Should be realistic

6. 6
The statement
• Central idea of your speech is
• Main idea you want your audience to remember
• Stated in beginning and end of your speech
• Constructed at the end of creating your speech
• After defining your general purpose you need to define
your________________
• specific purpose

7. 7
In conclusion
• Topic selection is a very important element in creating
a successful speech
• When choosing a topic look for one that will interest
you as well as your audience
14
THANKS