CHAPTER 3
SELECTING & NARROWING DOWN
A SPEECH TOPIC
Transforming lives, Enriching future
•SELECTING A SPEECH TOPIC
sometimes feels like shooting an
arrow in a random direction and
hoping that it hits a target.
•If this is your approach, you are
probably quite frustrated.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
Choosing A Topic
Pick Subjects - About which you know a great
deal.
Pick Topics - In which you are interested & about
which you want to learn more.
Pick Issues - On which you hold strong opinions &
beliefs.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
Choosing the best topic
Transforming lives, Enriching future
STAGES IN NARROWING DOWN
THE TOPIC
BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE TOPIC IDEAS
REVIEW THE REQUIREMENTS
LIST KEYWORDS WHICH DEFINE THE
TOPIC
GATHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ON THE TOPIC
Transforming lives, Enriching future
BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE TOPIC IDEAS
BRAINSTORMING
• Brainstorming is a process for generating new
ideas.
• It is conducted with a group of people and does not
require a great deal of preparation.
• Brainstorming is an effective way to find solutions
to specific problems.
• When conducted, it should take place in a “safe”
environment. Transforming lives, Enriching future
BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE TOPIC IDEAS
A Safe Environment
A safe environment means that participants can
respond and share ideas openly. All ideas are
welcome and no ideas are irrelevant or
discarded during a brainstorming session.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE TOPIC IDEAS
TYPES OF BRAINSTORMING
• FREE-FORM BRAINSTORMING
• ROUND ROBIN BRAINSTORMING
• MIND MAPPING
GROUP INDIVIDUAL
BRAINSTORMING BRAINSTORMING
Transforming lives, Enriching future
BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE TOPIC IDEAS
ROUND ROBIN BRAINSTORMING
• Each member in the group take turns to give
ideas.
• If the person on that turn has no views to
share, he or she may pass.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE TOPIC IDEAS
What is mind mapping?
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas,
tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a
central key word or idea.
The mind map is a tool used to generate, visualize,
structure and classify ideas.
It is an aid in study, organisation, problem solving, decision
making and writing.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE TOPIC IDEAS
FIVE characteristics of a mind map
• The main idea, subject or focus is crystallized in a central
image.
• The main themes radiate from the central image as
‘branches’.
• The branches comprise a key image or key word drawn or
printed on its associated line.
• Topics of lesser importance are represented as ‘twigs’ of the
relevant branch.
• The branches form a connected nodal structure.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
Mind mapping
(TONY BUZAN’s THEORY)
REVIEW THE
REQUIREMENTS
• The subject of what you are going to talk about
comes from the objective but they are not
necessarily one and the same thing.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
REVIEW THE
REQUIREMENTS
• The subject of what you are going to talk about
comes from the objective but they are not
necessarily one and the same thing.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
POSSIBLE REQUIREMENTS
• What kind of assignment is it - 5 minute oral presentation, 10 page paper,
50 page paper?
• How much information do you need?
• Does it need to be recent information?
• What types of publications do you want to read - newspaper articles,
books, journal articles, diaries, trade publications?
• What formats do you need - visual, audio, printed, electronic?
• Is point of view an issue? Do you need opinions?
• How much time do you have?
GATHER BACKGROUND
INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC
Browse
- Encyclopedias
- Dictionaries
- Other Reference Materials
Use a subject-based search engine
Transforming lives, Enriching future
NARROWING DOWN A
TOPIC
• Ideally, try to arrange to see the venue before the
speaking event, as it can be of great benefit to be
familiar with the surroundings.
• It does much to quell fear if you can visualise the place
while you are preparing your talk.
• Additionally, it would also give you the opportunity to
try out your voice.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
What is your general purpose?
(consider the 3 types of speech discussed in lecture 1)
- INFORMATIVE
- PERSUASIVE
- DEMONSTRATIVE
Transforming lives, Enriching future
What is your core message?
Your core message is the central idea of your presentation. All
other speech elements should support the core message.
• Clarity: Aim to express your core message in a single sentence. If
you cannot do this, you need more clarity.
• Passion: Your core message must be something you believe in.
• Knowledge: What do you know about this core message? Can
you draw stories from personal experience? Have you
researched the topic?
Transforming lives, Enriching future
How is this message related to the audience?
• Your audience is not an innocent bystander who just happens to
be in the room when you deliver your presentation.
• They are an integral part of the communication path.
• Great delivery by a speaker does not guarantee a successful
speech;
• a successful speech is one where the audience receives the
message.
CONDUCT AN AUDIENCE ANALYSIS!
Transforming lives, Enriching future
What is the scope of your presentation?
“We like to believe that our entire presentation will be
remembered. The reality is that the audience will retain only
one or two points.”
• Before you proceed, you still need to determine the scope of
your presentation. The scope is naturally influenced by elements
discussed earlier:
• Your general purpose
• Your core message
• The needs of your audience.
Transforming lives, Enriching future
ACTIVITY 2
Practically speaking – Giving and responding to compliments
Transforming lives, Enriching future
