Targeting Public Speaking Module 1. Define your need.

   Need to research a topic for public speaking?

“You’re going into the Forest after all. Got to have your wits about ya...” Hagrid - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241527/quotes)

Let’s first examine your topic.We need to define it so we’ll know what we’re looking for.

   How do we define our topic?

With a few simple steps…

Every student’s topic and approach to research are unique.

Let’s look at several students at work.

Journalism student, Jay, wants to create a speech on the topic of

overuse of antibiotics.

He decides to ask a librarian for help.

Listen to what the librarian has to say:

•It’s kind of broad to research the overuse of antibiotics in general.

•Could try a narrower version of the topic, such as the overuse of antibiotics and “superbugs.”

•Can always conduct a broader search if you do not find enough.

•Can also state your topic as a question.

For example:

Does the overuse of antibiotics contribute to

“superbugs?”

Based on that advice, Jay narrows his topic to something he finds interesting:

His original (broad) topic:

overuse of antibiotics

Can the overuse of antibiotics be prevented through education?

His revised (narrow) topic:

What is another topic a student might explore?

Let’s look at this one with a critical eye:

homeless children in Michigan

Original topic:

This topic is also too broad.

homeless children in Michigan

Are efforts to educate homeless children in Michigan working?

How about focusing on one issue related to the topic, such as education.

What are other ways of narrowing a topic?

• Focusing on a target population. For example, adolescents

• Choosing a geographic location, such as rural areas

• Selecting an significant event, such as the passing of a law

This is the end of Module One.

Try defining a topic of your own.

To do this:

1. click on your browser’s back button to return to the tutorial’s main menu page

2. then select Define My Topic.

To take the quiz for this module:

1. click on your browser’s back button to return to the tutorial’s main menu page

2. then click on the quiz link for this module