SELECTING

YOUR TOPIC
The Better
Speaker Series

WHERE LEADERS
ARE MADE
SELECTING YOUR TOPIC
The Better Speaker Series

© 2016 Toastmasters International. All rights reserved. Toastmasters International,

the ­Toastmasters International logo, and all other Toastmasters International
­trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International WHERE LEADERS
and may be used only with permission. ARE MADE
Rev. 9/2016      Item 274A www.toastmasters.org
 THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES
Toastmasters International’s The Better Speaker Series is a set of presentations offering instruction
on basic speaking skills. Designed to be delivered by members to their clubs, presentations in this
series provide new speaking techniques and facts that can help all club members develop their
communication skills.
Presentations in The Better Speaker Series may be offered by any club member and require 10 to
15 minutes to present.

CONDUCTING THE PROGRAM

“Selecting Your Topic” identifies several different approaches for choosing a subject that will suit the
audience, the occasion, and the abilities of the speaker. This product consists of four parts:

Definition and explanation of the presentation

Guidelines for your introduction to the audience
Outline for the development of your speech
CD of a PowerPoint presentation to be viewed along with your speech

In Your Own Words

The outline is not a script and should not be read word-for-word. Instead, use the
document as a guide for presenting the material in your own words and with your
own narrative style. The outline is a structure on which to build your presentation.
Use the points of the outline to develop your speech, but be the author of your
own oration.

Here are some tips on using this program to develop and deliver your presentation:

Study the outline in this manual carefully. Familiarize yourself with the general structure.
Preparation is the key to a successful presentation.
Use the outline to build your own speech using your own words. Prepare a set of notes
­indicating where you wish to pause, gesture, or add special verbal emphasis. Highlight key
words or sentences to help you present the material most effectively.
Be expressive when delivering your speech. Use all of the presentation skills you have learned
as a Toastmaster including vocal variety and gestures.

USING VISUAL AIDS EFFECTIVELY

Visual aids add interest to any presentation and help your audience retain information. You are
encouraged to use them. If you plan to use the PowerPoint slides for this program as visual aids, you
will need a data projector, a laptop computer, a table to support them, and a screen for viewing.
In the outline, there are indications for placement of the PowerPoint slides. Each is numbered. For
example, V1 refers to the first visual.

2   THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES 4 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC

 Please note that the first slide in the PowerPoint show is a title slide and is not included in this
numbering system.
If you cannot arrange for projection equipment but still would like to use visuals, you may
copy the material on the visuals onto a flipchart. Do this before the presentation. Use a heavy
marking pen that does not seep through the paper, and write on every third or fourth page so
succeeding visuals will not show through. Also, make your letters large and heavy with plenty of
space between them.
Follow these tips when using visual aids:

Set them up and test them before the meeting begins. Place them so they are easily visible
to listeners. Place your projector so it projects a large, high, undistorted image on the screen.
Focus the image.
Bring spare equipment, including a projector bulb, extension cord, extra marking pens, etc.
Display your visuals only when they are needed. If you are using a flipchart, flip the page back
out of view when you are finished with it.
Remember not to stand between the screen or flipchart and your audience or you will block
their view.
Maintain eye contact with your listeners. Do not talk to the screen or flipchart. If you must turn
your back to point out something, pause as you point it out, and then resume speaking only
after you are once again facing your audience.

EVALUATION AND THE ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR SILVER (ACS) AWARD

Because this is an outlined presentation, for presenting it you will not receive credit toward com-
pleting a manual speech project, but you may receive credit toward your Advanced Communicator
Silver (ACS) award. Ask your vice president education to assign an evaluator for your presentation.
Conducting any two presentations from The Better Speaker Series and/or The Successful Club
Series is one component of qualification for ACS recognition. For further details, please view the
Toastmasters International Web site: www.toastmasters.org.

THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES 4 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC   3

 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC
Introducing the Presenter

TIPS FOR THE PRESENTER: WRITE YOUR INTRODUCTION

All prepared speeches in Toastmasters require an introduction. A proper introduction of you and
your speech is important to the success of your presentation. Use the following as a guide in writing
your introduction:

Include the purpose of The Better Speaker Series.

Explain why “Selecting Your Topic” is important for a Toastmasters club, stating the purpose
and one or more objectives of your presentation.
Incorporate some personal background about yourself.
Read When You’re the Introducer (Item 1167E) for further details on giving a proper
introduction.
Give your finished introduction to the person who will be introducing you.

TIPS FOR THE INTRODUCER

Ask the presenter any clarifying questions.

Rehearse the introduction.

4   THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES 4 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC

SELECTING YOUR TOPIC
Outline

INTRODUCTION
As a Toastmaster, you are encouraged to give manual speeches that follow specific guidelines.
However, there will be times outside of your Toastmasters experience when speaking assignments
may not be so well defined. Even within the organization, you may occasionally find it difficult to
select a topic for a manual speech. Do not be discouraged - there are techniques you can apply to
help you select a great topic with a minimum of effort.

TWO SOURCES V1
When selecting a topic becomes difficult, it is time to consult two general sources of information:

Personal Experience: The more personal involvement, interest and enthusiasm you bring to
a speech, the more likely your audience will respond positively. Personal experiences cause
the speaker to deliver the speech with conviction, because the subject matter is not sepa-
rated from the speaker’s daily life or history. There is a surplus of subject matter related to your
personal experience. Here are a few examples of personal topics that will generate ideas:
■■ Interests: Sports, hobbies, travel, entertainment, values, and goals.
■■ Career: Business processes, ethics, investments, or retirement.
■■ Family: Ancestors, child-rearing insights, marriage, or traditions.
■■ Education: Study habits, achievements, memorable teachers, and subjects.
Reference Material: An unlimited amount of ideas is no further away than your fingertips V2
on the Internet. You also can visit your local public library. You’ll discover a great deal of
­inspiration in:
■■ Websites: Media sites, university research, medical sites, etc.
■■ Books: Reviews of various genres, possible re-writes, analysis, and theory.
■■ Magazines: Economic trends, human-interest stories, discoveries in science, and
entertainment.
■■ Newspapers: Current events, opinions, editorials, travel, and advertisements.

Remember…
If you make use of resources in your speech that are helpful to selecting your topic,
make sure the resources are notable and legitimate sources.

THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES 4 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC   5

 V3 GET INSPIRED
You already know from experience that inspiration can be sudden and elusive. Sometimes, all it
takes is a television program, a conversation with a friend, or a quiet early morning walk. Suddenly,
an idea flashes into your mind. Even the most mundane of activities can set the stage for an
inspired thought or concept. Remember to write it down on paper. Creative speech concepts are
often fleeting, so keep a notepad and pen close by. Even if you do not end up using a particular
idea, keep your notes and clippings in an organized file to be referenced for future speeches.

V4 NARROW YOUR SELECTION

Typically, your main challenge is to narrow your selection. This can be accomplished by using the
following criteria to evaluate each potential topic:

Your Audience: Before you speak, research your audience. To maximize success, match
the content and direction of your speech to the needs of those who will be attending.
You should ask:
■■ How many people will attend?
■■ What is their age range?
■■ Will they already be familiar with the subject or will you need to carefully define basic terms
and concepts?
■■ Does your audience have similar education, interests, backgrounds, and experiences?
V5 The Occasion: Consider the event itself. Your speech may serve a specific purpose and
­several questions should be asked:
■■ Does the event have a theme?
■■ When are you scheduled to speak during the program?
■■ What will happen after your speech?
V6 Your Own Abilities: Now that your decision is close to being finalized, review your knowl-
edge and interest in the subject once again. Think about your subject and ask yourself:
■■ Do you have enough enthusiasm and interest in your topic to capture the audience’s
attention?
■■ Do you have the knowledge base required to present such a topic?
■■ Will they accept you as an authority?

V7 Be Specific: Whether your speech may be five to seven minutes at your club meeting or a
30-minute speech to business associates, it is important to be specific. Avoid a broad speech
topic. You should ask:
■■ Is the topic specific enough for the time allotted?
■■ Do the sub-points support the topic and add to the speech?
■■ What can be cut from the body of the speech?

6   THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES 4 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC

CONCLUSION V8
Speech topics are all around us. There is no need to feel overwhelmed when faced with selecting
a topic, but it does take some careful decision making. With a little determination and persistence,
selecting your next speech topic will be no problem. Once you have chosen a subject of personal
interest that fits your audience, the occasion, and your own speaking abilities, you will find yourself
coming closer to that ideal of every speaker: a finely crafted speech.

THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES 4 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC   7

 Evaluation Guide

Evaluator’s Name_________________________________________________________________

Presentation Title_______________________________________ Date _____________________

How effective was the speaker’s introduction in helping the audience understand the purpose of
The Better Speaker Series and the presentation itself?

Was the presenter adequately prepared? How heavily did the presenter rely on notes?

How did the speaker use vocal variety to enhance this presentation?

What other techniques did the speaker use to personalize and augment the presentation? Were
they effective? How?

Did the speaker display the visuals smoothly and at the appropriate times? How could the
speaker improve?

What aspect of the speaker’s presentation style did you find unique? Why?

Did the speaker present the material clearly and simply so audience members could easily use
the information to improve their own speeches?

What could the speaker have done differently to make the presentation more effective?

What did you like about the presentation?

8   THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES 4 SELECTING YOUR TOPIC

www.toastmasters.org