TOPIC SELECTION & ANALYSIS IN ORAL COMMUNICATION

topic analysis

1. TOPIC SELECTION & ANALYSIS Prepared by: H.Ali, Nesrainie A. Marabong, Norsham S. CHAPTER 6

2. TOPIC SELECTION & ANALYSIS Select a topic that is interesting, manageable, and likely to evoke the desired response.

3. SELECT A SPEECH TOPIC Selecting a speech topic means choosing a subject that fits you, your audience, and the occasion.

4. You bring a body of knowledge to the speech situation. When choosing a speech topic, you should rely on what you already know, what you’ve been through, and what you genuinely enjoy. DRAW FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE, EXPERTISE, AND INTERESTS

5. SELECT A TOPIC APPROPRIATE TO THE AUDIENCE AND OCCASION To choose the one topic you will speak about, think about the audience and the occasion.

6. THERE ARE TWO MORE QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK YOURSELF AT THIS POINT: WHAT DOES THE AUDIENCE EXPECT? (AUDIENCE) WHAT MIGHT THE AUDIENCE EXPECT ON THE DAY YOU SPEAK? (OCCASION)

7. SELECT A TOPIC THAT IS BOTH TIMELY AND TIMELESS Timely topic is connected to current events, issues, or trends that people are facing right now. It attracts immediate attention because it is happening in the present. Timeless topic deals with universal values, lessons, or human experiences that never lose relevance — no matter the generation, culture, or period.

8. EXAMPLES OF TIMELY & TIMELESS TOPICS TIMELY TOPIC : “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Education" TIMELESS TOPIC “The Value of Education in Shaping One’s Future” Timely & Timeless Topic: “Protecting the Environment for Future Generations”

9. • Manageable – The topic should not be too broad or complicated. • Meaningful – The topic should matter to you and your audience. SELECT A TOPIC THAT IS BOTH MEANINGFUL AND MANAGEABLE

10. Narrowing your topic means making it more specific and focused so it can be explained clearly and effectively within the time given. NARROW YOUR TOPIC

11. SELECTING A FEW MAIN IDEAS TO COVER It means focusing on only the most important points so your speech is clear, organized, and easy for the audience to remember.

12. •Which aspects of your topic are best covered in the public, oral mode? • Which aspects of your topic are best suited to this audience and occasion? • Which aspects of your topic can you present most effectively? TO DEVELOP YOUR ABILITY TO NARROW A TOPIC EFFECTIVELY , CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

13. REPLACE NEGATIVE INTERNAL STATEMENT WITH POSITIVE ONES M eans changing self-doubts into encouraging thoughts, so you feel more confident and focused when giving a speech.

14. CLARIFY THE PURPOSE OF YOUR SPEECH Each speech has a general purpose and a set of desired outcomes of body text

15. IDENTIFY THE GENERAL PURPOSE W hat is your intention? Are you trying to change people’s minds? To teach them something? To entertain them? To explore your feelings on a topic?

16. 1. Inform : A speech designed to explain, instruct, define, clarify, demonstrate, or teach 2. Invite : A speech designed to explore a topic with an audience or invite the audience to respond 3. Persuade : A speech designed to influence, convince, motivate, sell, preach, or stimulate action 4. Evoke : A speech designed to entertain, inspire, celebrate, commemorate, or bond, or to help listeners relive a significant event. The general purpose of a speech can be classified in one of four ways:

17. Determining the specific purpose means clearly stating what you want your audience to learn, feel, or do after your speech. DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE

18. SPECIFY THE DESIRED OUTCOMES Means identifying the exact results you want from your audience after your speech. It’s different from the purpose because: • Purpose = Your goal as a speaker (to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire). • Desired Outcomes = The actions, reactions, or changes you want from your audience after listening.

19. Informative Speech Purpose : To provide facts, knowledge, or explanation about a topic. Audience Outcome: The audience learns new information or gains deeper understanding. Invitational Speech Purpose : To invite the audience to explore, consider, or share perspectives without forcing agreement. Audience Outcome : The audience feels respected, open to dialogue, and willing to reflect on different viewpoints. Evocative Speech Purpose : To move the audience emotionally through storytelling, reflection, or artistic expression. Audience Outcome : The audience feels inspired, touched, or connected emotionally to the message. Persuasive Speech Purpose : To convince the audience to accept an idea, belief, or take a specific action. Audience Outcome : The audience changes their opinion, strengthens their belief, or acts on the speaker’s message. OBSERVE HOW SPEECH PURPOSES AND OUTCOMES CAN BE CRYSTALLIZED FOR EACH TYPE OF SPEECH:

20. SPECIFIC OUTCOMES MAY DIFFER FROM SPEECH PURPOSE The purpose is what the speaker plans to do (inform, persuade, inspire, entertain, invite), while the outcome is what the audience actually gains or does after the speech. Outcomes may be different—sometimes bigger or smaller—than the speaker’s original purpose.

21. SELECT A SPEECH TITLE IF NECESSARY Choosing a speech title is not always required, but when you do use one, it should serve as a clear and engaging preview of your message. "FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS IN JEOPARDY" "FREE SPEECH: AN ENDANGERED SPECIES" "THREATS TO FREE SPEECH" "IS FREE SPEECH REALLY FREE?" A title can take any grammatical form. It can be a declarative sentence, question, phrase, or fragment:

22. THE TITLE DOES NOT STATE THE THESIS A speech title and a thesis statement serve different purposes. The title is usually short, simple, and designed to catch attention. It hints at the topic but does not explain the full argument or main idea. The thesis statement, on the other hand, is a complete sentence that clearly expresses the central claim or message of the speech.

23. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!