ABSTRACT
Selecting a topic is the first order of business in preparing a public speech. A key variable in the selection process is your concerns; experiences, knowledge, and curiosity often provide excellent speech topics. Another key element is the situation. Knowing about the size of your audience, the time limit, and the shape and size of the room helps you determine an appropriate topic. Surveys can include closed questions, open questions, or those on a graduated scale. If after careful examination of yourself, the situation, and the audience you still do not have a topic, consider brainstorming. Brainstorming, either by yourself or with your peers, is an alternative method for exploring additional topics. The observation helps us learn about the audience. It is not difficult to determine such demographic factors as sex, age, and race. The development of the speech purpose usually follows three steps: determining the general purpose; determining the specific purpose, and creating a thesis statement.
