Selecting a Topic and a Purpose – Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
I. The first step in speechmaking is choosing a topic.
A. Topics for speeches outside the classroom are usually determined by the
occasion, the audience, and the speaker’s qualifications.
B. There are several sources for topics for classroom speeches.
1. Topics for classroom speeches can come from subjects about which
students already know a great deal.
2. Topics for classroom speeches can come from subjects about which a
student is interested and wants to learn more.
3. Topics for classroom speeches can come from issues about which students
hold strong opinions and beliefs.
4. Students can use several brainstorming procedures to help select a topic.
5. Whatever method students use, they should settle on a topic as early as
possible.
