Academic Speech Topic Checklist
General
- Do you have a specific goal to achieve (i.e., a conclusion) for the topic that you are considering?
- Will you be able to write a"speech to persuade" with your topic?
- Are you interested in the topic?
- Do you have enough information on this topic through experience or study?
- If you need more information, do you have the time to find it?
- Will you enjoy talking about this topic?
- Will the topic appeal to your audience*?
- Can you interest the audience in your topic?
- Does the audience need to know about your topic?
- Will your topic offend some of the people in the audience?
- Does your topic fit the audience's expectations?
- Can you give the speech within the time limit?
Originality
- What does the audience already know about this topic?
- Have you seen this topic on the front page of a newspaper or in the TV news?
- To the best of your knowledge, has this topic been used by another speaker in a contest?
- Is your approach conventional, or have you slanted it in an unconventional way?
- Is your conclusion original?
Significance
- When asked the question,"So what?" with respect to your conclusion, can you come up with a coherent and significant reply?
- Is your topic quantitatively significant?
- Is your topic qualitatively significant?
- If you believe that your topic is qualitatively significant, can you demonstrate that to the audience?
*Note: In an academic speech contest, the audience includes the judges.
© All rights reserved