Summarize four general strategies for selecting an appropriate topic.

What will be an ideal response?

- Choose a meaningful topic. The more meaningful a topic, the more likely you are to put the necessary time and effort to research and develop your speech. The stronger your commitment to a topic, the more enthusiastically you will present it.
- Choose a topic that allows you to convey an important or relevant thought to your audience. The thought does not have to be a matter of extreme urgency, but it should at least be relevant to your listeners' interests, have some direct effect on them, or be something that you believe listeners should know.
- Choose a familiar and/or interesting topic. This will make the development and delivery of your speech easier and more enjoyable. Choosing an interesting topic increases the likelihood of audience attentiveness and speaker credibility.
- Think like a listener. Evaluate your topic as though you were the listener. If you focus your attention on what listeners like and want to hear about this topic you know and enjoy, you are well on your way to choosing an interesting, informative, relevant, and potentially useful topic.