For many people, the thought of giving a speech in front of a
group can be terrifying. Even if you are comfortable with public
speaking, it can be difficult at times to figure out what to speak
about. Here are a few simple tips to help you select a speech topic
that will wow your audience every time:
Steps
- Think about your audience. Who are you speaking to? What do
they care about? The first thing you should always do is put
yourself in your audience's shoes and consider what they would like
to hear and why.
- Connect. If you have an idea for a topic, look for a way to
relate it to your audience. Don't just talk about a topic in
general -- try to help your audience understand and care about
it.
- Consider your own knowledge and background. What do you care
about? The easiest speeches to deliver are ones on a topic that you
know inside and out. Your own passion and knowledge about a subject
will come through in your presentation with very little
effort.
- Look for timely topics. Pick up a newspaper or check the
headlines on the Internet. Sometimes an interesting story can spark
your creativity. Plus, it gives you a great way to open your
speech.
- Consider what actions you would like your audience to take when
you finish speaking. How should they feel after hearing you? What
would you like them to do? Instead of just speaking about a topic,
think instead about trying to persuade your audience to take a
certain action or change a belief or behavior.
Tips
- A great resource for public speaking is Toastmasters
International. There are clubs all over the world and for very
little money you can develop outstanding speaking skills in a
helpful, friendly atmosphere.
- Another helpful sources are the how-to guides and lists of
ideas of Speech Topics Help.
Sources and Citations
