1. The document outlines the first three steps in preparing a speech: determining the general purpose, analyzing the audience and situation, and finding an appropriate topic. 2. There are three general purposes for a speech: to inform, to persuade, or to mark an occasion. Understanding the purpose helps guide topic selection. 3. Analyzing the audience involves considering their demographics, attitudes, prior knowledge of the topic, and reasons for attending. This information helps make the speech relevant. 4. Several techniques are provided for finding a topic, including freewriting and mindmapping to generate ideas, then evaluating ideas based on expertise, audience interest, and manageability within time limits. Narrowing a topic allows

2. THE SPEECH PROCESS: STEPS 1-3
1. Determine the general speech purpose
2.Analyze the audience and situational factors
3.Find a topic that intrigues you and would be appropriate for the
purpose, setting, and audience

3. #1
DETERMINE THE GENERAL PURPOSE

4. CHOOSE ONE OF 3 TYPES OF SPEECH
To inform = informative speech
Aim to expand the audience’s understanding or knowledge

To persuade = persuasive speech
Intended to influence the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of the audience

To mark an occasion = special occasion speech
Given at events to celebrate, memorialize, or mark the occasion


5. #2
ANALYZE THE AUDIENCE & SITUATION

6. ANALYZE THE SPEAKING SITUATION
Where are you speaking?
When are you speaking?
How many people will be there?
Is technology available?
Do you have a time limit?
What is the occasion/reason you are speaking?

7. WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?
Demographics – age, gender, occupation, etc.
Psychographics–attitudes, beliefs, values, lifestyles,
behaviors, etc.
What do you have in common with the audience?
Why are they here?
What do they know about the topic I am considering?
How do they feel about the topic I am considering?

8. FOR MORE INFORMATION
•To learn more about audience analysis and how to
conduct an audience analysis, review:
•YOUR TEXTBOOK, CHAPTER 13
•4PP, AUDIENCE ANALYSIS AND AUDIENCE-CENTRIC SPEAKING

9. #3
FIND A TOPIC

10. FIND TOPICS IN WHAT YOU KNOW!
Observe—Read—Ask Questions
Brainstorming Techniques
Watch the video “Brainstorming Techniques” in this section of 4PP

Does the organizer have a specific topic in mind?



11. LET’S TRY FREEWRITING FOR 1 MINUTE!
Hobbies Current Events Experiences Miscellaneous
STOP
Read all of the instructions before clicking to advance the slide:
1. Take out a piece of paper and draw lines to create four columns (like the table below)
2. List a category at the top of each column (use the ones below or create your own categories)
3. In each category you will write down as many items as you can think of in 1 MINUTE
4. When you start the timer, a green bar will begin to move across the bottom of the page -- it will take one
minute to move all the way across the page and then the word STOP will appear. Stop writing.
5. When you have your paper out and are ready to start, click the arrow below to start the timer.
Click to
start timer

12. ANOTHER WAY TO IDENTIFY TOPICS
Observe—Read—Ask Questions
Brainstorm: Free writing
Write down as many things as you can think of within a timed period

Brainstorm: Mindmapping
Start with a central idea and “map” things that are connected to that idea

Does the organizer have a specific topic in mind?


13. LET’S TRY MINDMAPPING FOR 1 MINUTE!
WV
Statehood
Civil War
Mother’s Day
Battles
Battle of
Phillipi
Almost Heaven
John
Denver
STOP
Read all of the instructions before clicking to advance the slide:
1. Turn your paper over. In the middle write one item you generated in your freewriting exercise.
2. List something related to that item and connect it with a line. Think of something else related and
connect it to either the main item or the item you’ve already connected. To watch and example, click
once on WV to watch the the mindmap below grow.
3. In a similar way, map as many related items as you can, the time will mark 1 minute.
4. When you are ready to start, click the arrow below to start the timer.
Click to
start timer

14. CHOOSING A “GOOD” TOPIC
•After generating ideas, how do you identify a GOOD one? First, avoid these!
• “Overdone” topics – unless you have a new angle on the topic, tell the
audience something it hasn’t heard before
• Topics that are too broad– there is a limit to how much information your
audience can absorb. Talk about less so you can go into greater depth.
• Topics that purposely offend or hurt certain individuals or groups.
• Overly specialized topics --don’t assume your audience has the same depth of
background that you have. Remember, you are speaking to a GENERAL
audience.

15. IS IT A GOOD TOPIC?
ASK YOURSELF 3 QUESTIONS
Do I care
about the
topic ?
Does the
audience care
about the topic ?
SOURCE: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-topics/
!
Am I an
expert on this
topic ?
THIS IS THE SWEET SPOT!
IF YOU CAN ANSWER YES TO
ALL THREE QUESTIONS, YOU
LIKELY HAVE IDENTIFIED A
GOOD TOPIC!

16. HOW TO “RESCUE” A SO-SO TOPIC
Am I an
expert on this
topic ?
Is my audience
interested in this
topic ?
SOURCE: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-topics/
!
YOU LACK KNOWLEDGE
ABOUT THE TOPIC:
Research it – Learn more
YOU LACK PASSION FOR THE TOPIC:
Rediscover what motivated you to
become knowledgeable about the topic
TOPIC LACKS AUDIENCE
INTEREST: This may be a
good topic-- for a
different audience
If the answer to all
questions is NO – start
over with another topic!
Do I care
about the
topic ?

17. NARROW YOUR TOPIC TO BE MANAGEABLE
General Topic:
Narrow Sllightly:
Narrow Further:
Narrow Further:
Narrowed Topic:
Civil War
American Civil War
Civil War Battles
Battle of Phillipi
Significance of
Phillipi
Talk about less so you can go into greater depth.

18. NOW WHAT?
Does the topic fit the audience?
If not, can you adapt it for the audience
CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT THIS TOPIC WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED
FOR THE SPEECH?
If not, narrow your topic
ARE THERE RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION TO
SUPPORT THE SPEECH TOPIC?
CHECK! Do a library database search, as well a an Internet search
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