Topic 2: Topic Selection, Purpose, and Thesis
Activity 3: Reading – Topic Selection
This activity is adapted from Chapter 12: Public Speaking by Terri Johnson (2024) which is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license. In this revised version, we have added and removed content, inserted images, and reworded information to suit this course.
Finding the Speech’s Purpose
Finding a speech’s purpose and topic is often less complex than it initially seems. While it might feel daunting, this unit will guide you in identifying interesting and effective topics for various types of speeches. By the end, you will understand how to determine the general purpose of your speech, select a topic, and refine that topic into something specific and engaging. We’ll also address common challenges, such as “drawing a blank,” and introduce four essential questions to evaluate your topic.
Selecting a Topic
Choosing a topic is one of the most common challenges for new public speakers. In most cases, your public speaking instructor will provide specific parameters to help narrow your focus. For example, you might be asked to share a personal story about an event that shaped your life or demonstrate a process. Whatever the assignment, you will ultimately need to settle on a specific topic. This section explores common constraints in public speaking, selecting a broad subject area, and narrowing your topic to something manageable.
Common Constraints of Public Speaking
Constraints in public speaking are the limitations or restrictions placed on you as a speaker. Whether in a classroom or workplace, these constraints help define the scope of your speech and provide clear boundaries.
Purpose
The general purpose of a speech—whether to inform, persuade, or entertain—is often your first constraint. If your instructor assigns an informative speech, you are restricted from making it persuasive or purely entertaining. Most public speaking courses begin with an informative speech to help students focus on clarity and objectivity.
Audience
Another key constraint is the audience. Different audiences have unique political, cultural, or ideological perspectives that will influence how your speech is received. For example, if you’re addressing a group of Canadian environmental activists, topics like the impact of Alberta’s oil sands may require careful framing. Assuming all activists share the same views might alienate your audience. The best way to choose an appropriate topic is to understand your audience through thorough analysis.
Context
The context of your speech refers to the circumstances in which it will be delivered. Speaking in a university classroom differs greatly from addressing a professional conference or a community group. Each context comes with specific expectations. For instance, a speech about Indigenous land rights in Canada might be framed differently for a legal conference than for a classroom of first-year students studying Canadian history.
Time Frame
The time allotted for your speech is a critical constraint. In a 10-minute presentation, it’s impossible to cover a broad topic like Canada’s healthcare system in detail. Instead, focus on a specific aspect, such as the benefits of universal coverage for rural communities. By narrowing your scope, you can deliver a clear and well-organized speech that fits within the time frame.
Selecting a Broad Subject Area
After identifying the constraints, the next step is to choose a broad subject area that interests you. Examples include art, business, history, science, social sciences, or education. Casting a wide net allows you to explore potential topics before narrowing them down.
For instance, if you choose Canadian history, you might begin with a broad interest in the development of Canada’s Confederation. From there, you could focus on the role of specific figures, such as Sir John A. Macdonald, or key events like the Charlottetown Conference. This process of narrowing your topic helps identify manageable topics that align with your purpose and audience.
Narrowing Your Topic
Narrowing your topic takes time and research. New speakers often make the mistake of choosing topics that are too broad. The goal is to refine your topic into something specific and engaging while staying within the constraints of time, audience, and context.
Consider the example of art history. Starting with the broad topic of Indigenous art in Canada, you could narrow it to the Haida Nation’s use of totem poles to preserve oral histories. Further research might lead you to focus on the symbolism of a specific totem pole displayed at a Canadian museum. This topic is both unique and manageable for a 5- to 10-minute speech.
When narrowing your topic, ask yourself these four questions:
- Does the topic match my intended general purpose?
- Is the topic appropriate for my audience?
- Is the topic appropriate for the given speaking context?
- Can I reasonably hope to inform or persuade my audience within the time frame of my speech?
By keeping these questions in mind, you can refine your topic into a focused and compelling subject that aligns with your audience’s needs and expectations.
Media Attributions
Leal, M. (2017, December 17). Black and white analog egg timer [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/black-and-white-analog-egg-timer-vZawEq0Eexo
