Explain four ways to use yourself when selecting a speech topic

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

When selecting a speech topic, you can draw from your own concerns. By doing so, you can communicate your
sincerity to the audience, which will enhance the quality of your delivery. For example, Paula is concerned about
violence in schools, for her informative speech topic, she decides to speak about the increase of gang activity in her
daughter's highschool. Your knowledge about a topic is an excellent place to look for a speech topic. Ashante is an
accountant. For her informative speech, she decides to explain to her audience how large corporations in the news
"cooked the books" to make their earnings seem larger than they actually were. She feels that her knowledge of
accounting will enhance her speech and add to her credibility. Your own curiosity is another excellent source in
?nding a speech topic. Choosing a topic just because you are interested in it will enhance your delivery. Your
enthusiasm for the subject will most likely be apparent to your audience. For example, Frank has always been
interested in Bonsai trees but felt intimidated by their smallness. However, he take the opportunity to do additional
research on these delicate trees. He decides to demonstrate to his audience how to care for and maintain Bonsai
trees. Speaking from your own experience makes it easier to visualize what you are talking about. For example,
Bonnie has ten years of experience in massage therapy. For her speech she decides to persuade her audience to
reduce stress by getting weekly massages. Since she is so experienced in massage therapy, she uses descriptive
language that makes it easier for her audience to "see" what she is describing.