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Public Speaking: Choosing a Topic

Subject Guide

How to Choose the Right Topic

Questions to Ask Yourself:

What are you passionate about?

What do you want to learn more about?

What topic is worthy of an audience?

Choose a Topic that is:

Not too broad

Not too narrow

Easily researched

Interesting or unique

Strategies for Narrowing a Topic

Think about:

Time:

In the last 20 years? This year? In the future?

Place:

Where? Local? Global?

Population:

Gender, age, occupation, ethnicity, nationality, educational attainment, etc.

Viewpoint:

Social, legal, medical, ethical, biological, psychological, economic, political, philosophical?