Summary

Chapter 5: Selecting a Topic begins by stating that choosing a topic for a public speech is not difficult. The choice of subject will depend on the venue and the occasion. However, there are two main categories of potential topics for classroom speeches. There are subjects the student knows a lot about and those that the student wants to know more about.

Most people feel comfortable speaking on subjects that are familiar to them. These would include personal experiences. With some thoughtful preparation, the speeches can be dramatic or humorous.

Picking an interesting topic that is unfamiliar to a student makes speech preparation a definite learning experience. Researching unknown subjects can uncover fascinating facts that grab the attention of the speaker and the audience. Also, compelling speeches are the result of strong feelings toward an issue.

Using a personal...