Effective Public Speaking: How to Choose a Good Informative Speech Topic


by Rob Colston - Date: 2007-01-07 - Word Count: 388 Share This!

It's commonly known that many people fear public speaking more than they fear death. The feeling of butterflies-in-the stomach is all too familiar for many, even for the most experienced of speakers.

The hardest part might be getting started. With so many choices, which topic to choose for a speech? This is stressful for many. But it doesn't need to be this way! Speeches can be fun, especially when you choose a topic that interests you, and is relevant to people. When you choose an informative topic that interests and benefits people, your audience's attention will be peaked as they consider how to apply what they're hearing to their own lives. This article will discuss topic selection and some good ways to simplify the process.

There are many strategies for choosing a good topic. It's recommended that you choose a topic you are enthusiastic about. It also helps to have some prior knowledge about the topic, or at least be motivated to research the topic closely. The more naturally inclined you are to learn about the topic, the more enthusiasm will naturally flow from your lips and your body language. Often times, your energy and attitude will be more memorable (in the long-term) for your audience than the words that you say.

However, enthusiasm and having a topic that is interesting to you is not enough. It's also important to ensure that the topic of your choice is appropriate for the situation and venue, and more importantly, that it is a good match for your audience's interests and desires. Consider your audience's expertise, what they already know, and what they don't know and might find useful or practical. Avoid staying too general -- your topic needs to be specific enough to have any impact. Rather than a speech on "Cars: All About Them" that could encompass everything from their history to proper maintenance, a better, more focused topic would be "Hybrid Cars: Are They Worth the Cost?" You only have a limited amount of time to give your speech, and so you can't cover everything. Identify a specific, targeted purpose and stick with it. Don't ramble. Like the old mantra says, K.I.S.S. -- Keep it Simple, Stupid. (or, Keep it Simple, Speech!)

Follow these basic guidelines and you're on your way to having a relevant, interesting, useful speech that will capture your audience's attention!


Related Tags: speech, public speaking, topics, presentations, speeches, informative

For more tips and lists of specific topics to help you brainstorm, visit Informative Speech Topics.info.

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