Whether taking a High School Speech class or preparing to compete in Nationals, choosing the right speech topic can seem daunting. Topic possibilities are endless, ranging from persuasive platforms to abstract interps! The thousands of choices swirling like a storm through your mind or scribbled on your notes may make your head spin, but they don’t have to. Using these principles will provide you with a step-by-step map for any situation, always resulting in the same destination: success. Don’t allow yourself to rush through or be intimidated by, what Heather Neumann calls, The Exploratory Stage…
The exploratory stage does not need to be scary or daunting, but it does take setting aside some time! Spend time studying your requirements (read the rules, instructions, ballots), anything that can help you to break down the objective. Next, think of topics that interest you, and what best fits the type of speech you will be delivering. When choosing a speech topic it is important to select a subject that meets several certain criteria, as choosing a solid base for your speech will set you up for a successful delivery.
The first of which being … INSPIRE! It is important to never let someone else choose your topic for you, whether it be a parent, friend, or instructor. Pick a topic you are passionate about! You will be spending a lot of time researching, thinking, and speaking about it; choosing a topic you are not interested in, simply to sound smarter or more intellectual, will make the task all the harder and possibly unenjoyable. Even the simplest of speech topics have been known to leave a Lasting Impact! 😉 This is your speech. Own it! Pick a topic that is a reasonable and reachable goal that still pushes you beyond what you have achieved in the past. Learn to love what you are speaking about! Your passion for what you are talking about will help develop your audience’s interest, keep their attention, and maybe inspire them!
Secondly … Make it INTERESTING! Choosing a topic of interest to your audience is just as, if not more important than choosing a topic of interest to you! Does your topic heighten the interest of your audience? Take into account to whom you are speaking. Is it a group of young teens, learned scholars, or retired seniors? You want to engage with your audience and grab their attention. Though speaking on the rise and fall of stock rates may sound like an interesting idea to you, it is not a topic that most people are extremely interested in hearing about, especially if you will be speaking to a younger audience. Choosing a topic on which you can inform others will dramatically increase the interest of your speech! You will become the expert in the room. Isn’t it exciting to share what you know with others?
Thirdly … Have PURPOSE! What is your goal for this speech? Do you want to educate people on the importance of creative learning, challenge their way of thinking, or emotionally touch them through one of your personal life experiences? Think about the goals of your speech and choose a topic that corresponds to those goals. Driving home your point or purpose will partially determine the success of your speech, which is why having a clear picture of what your purpose is is so important.
Lastly … TIMING! Keep in mind your required speech length when choosing a topic. For example, choosing to speak on the War Between the States for a five-minute-long speech may not be the best choice due to the large amount of material available to cover. An excellent choice for a five-minute speech may be something such as a short story from your childhood from which you learned an important life lesson. On the other hand, when speaking for an extended period, be sure your topic provides you with an adequate amount of information for your desired length. You don’t want to find yourself lacking in information part-way through drafting.
The exploratory stage is possibly the most important part of your speech since it is the framework!! Just as with any construction, the foundation is what the building stands on, or in your case the foundation that your speech stands on. When determining your topic, make it a habit to ask yourself these questions…
- Is this topic something that I am passionate about? Will this topic capture the attention of my audience?
- Does everyone know this information or can I teach them something about it?
- What is the purpose of what I am saying?
- Does this topic provide me with an adequate amount of information for my desired length?
Implementing these foundational principles will help you to not be overwhelmed by this open-ended task and provide you with a topic you are confident in speaking about! Enjoy your Exploratory Stage!
Lainey is a homeschool graduate from the lovely coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, passionate about using the gifts God has given her to bless others. Alaina loves spending time gardening, designing, reading, and making stickers for her small business. She has a bubbly personality and loves to laugh and spend time with her friends and family! She enjoys assisting in Speech classes and encouraging others to fight their fear of public speaking.