This chapter discusses finding and developing a speech topic through research. It identifies various research sources such as libraries, databases, and interviews. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating information quality and avoiding plagiarism by properly citing sources using styles like Chicago, APA, or MLA. The chapter also covers developing a research question, refining topics, and identifying different types of information to support a speech.

1. CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH AND
PREPARATION
Chapter Overview
 Addresses finding and developing a topic for a speech
 Discusses what it means to be information literate
 Identifies various research sources
 Explains the ethical importance of citing sources and provides
examples of how to cite in Chicago Manual of Style, APA , and
MLA formats
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

2. THREE WAYS TO DETERMINE THE TOPIC
The topic is provided
The speaker selects a familiar topic
The topic is chosen out of curiosity
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

3. THE RESEARCH QUESTION
It is open-ended, and cannot be
answered with a “yes” or “no”
The research question must be centered
around the topic
The research question’s answer becomes
the thesis statement or argument for the
speech
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

4. TOPIC REFINEMENT
 Speakers must be willing to refine the topic
 Develop a note-taking method
 A research categorizing system is necessary
 An open mind is required
 New ideas may surface
 The topic narrows during the process
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

5. INFORMATION LITERACY FOR RESEARCHERS
 Determine the information required
 Know where to get the information
 Evaluate information quality
Is the info accurate?
It the info biased?
 Use it to create new knowledge
 Understand the ethics of plagiarism, this is
fascinating
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

6. AVOID PLAGIARISM
Occurs when presenting another’s work as
your own
Incremental plagiarism is not to give credit
for parts of a speech from a source
Patchwork plagiarism is from more than
one source and taking credit for the work
Global plagiarism is stealing an entire work
and claiming it as one’s own work
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

7. AN EXCEPTION TO PLAGIARISM
Ghostwriting is legitimate
It is writing in the name of another person
Used by:
Politicians
Business people
Ex: speechwriters
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

8. T YPES OF INFORMATION
Background information provides a
context for the topic
Tangential information provides color
and captures the audience’s attention
Evidentiary information is information
that supports a speech’s main points
and is directly related to the topic
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

9. FINDING SOURCES
Libraries use the Dewey Decimal System
JSTOR allows a researcher to search for
academic journals on politics
Communication/Mass Media Complete
concern communication topics
Lexis-Nexis contains newspapers,
magazines and other sources
Librarians are a good research source
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

10. PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE AND
INTERVIEWS
Special collections can have private info
Formal and informal surveys can be used
Interviews can provide a wealth of
information
Undercover interviews can be
questionable
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

11. INTERNET SOURCES
 Consider source credibility; not all sites are
created equal
 Some sites are more reliable than others
 Is the material timely?
 .gov is the most credible
 .edu is second most credible
 .com is next
 Then, .org
 .net is the least credible
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

12. CITATION GUIDES
Chicago Style Manual
Uses footnotes
Bibliography is required
Has a publication manual
Covers various mediums and types
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

13. CITATION GUIDES CONT.
American Psychological Association
(APA)
In-text parenthetical documentation
Has a manual
Covers various mediums and types
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

14. CITATION GUIDES CONT.
Modern Language Association (MLA)
A combination of the previous two
Material is referenced parenthetically
Has a “Works Cited” page
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation

15. FINALLY
Selecting and using research is
mandatory for speaking in success in
most situations
Be sure to be ethical
Use all available tools
Chapter Three - Research and Preparation