How to select a speech topic

The topic of every speech helps the speaker to narrow down on the specific purpose of the presentation. There are notable strategies used in selecting a speech topic for your public speaking event. It is important to be cognizant of the general purpose of the speech one is yet to present and establish whether the speech is designed to inform, persuade, or entertain. Once the broader focus is clear then a speaker should start by looking within. He/she has significant experiences either in their past workplaces, relationships, interests, hobbies, sports among other subject areas the speaker love. The speaker will consider the external source in their advance searching but starting with the subjects that interest him/her should come first. 

Public speaking relies heavily on the needs of the audience. Therefore, brainstorming on the subjects the speaker fancy will not be enough to develop an appropriate topic. The speaker’s topical interests might not be what the audience needs to listen to at the moment. It is prudent to research the nature of your audience and their needs to establish a befitting topic that directly addresses their concerns. Context is also a strategy in selecting the topic, the context, in this case, stands for either time or place. Having the three listed strategies in mind will significantly impact your crafting of speech topics. 

The elite speakers establish the effectiveness of their speech focus before the presentation. To do this, the speaker should ensure that the speech’s specific purpose is clear, direct, and easy to grasp. The same goes for the thesis or the central idea of the speech. A clear specific purpose narrows down to the targeted audience and their needs while the central idea allows the speaker to determine the outcome or what should be achieved in the end. Therefore, a focused specific purpose and the central idea is the correct way to establish the effectiveness of the topic, because they both factor in the needs of your audience.