Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

Video

1. Formulate a Topic 
   “How to Select a Public Speaking Topic” 
   Description:  The link includes a mind mapping video.
    
2. Draw a Mind Map 
   “Draw Your Mind Map” 
   Description:  Although most mind maps are simply words, students may enjoy the idea of drawing topics in a mind map exercise to generate speech topics.
    
3. Brainstorming Techniques 
   “Brainstorming Topics for Informative Speeches” 
   Description:  The speaker demonstrates the process of brainstorming for informative speech topics.

Audio

1. Develop an Effective Specific Purpose Statement 
   “Purpose and Thesis Statements in Speeches” 
   Description:  The presentation defines purpose and thesis statements, describing how they differ.  The thesis statement appears in the introduction.
    
2. Formulate a Behavioral Objective for Audience Members 
   “Topic, General Purpose, and Behavioral Objective for Informative Speech” 
   Description:  The lecture provides an overview of selecting your topic, identifying your general purpose and developing the  behavioral objective.
    
3. Formulate the specific Purpose 
   “Determine and Write the Specific Purpose Statement” 
   Description:  The lecturer explains how to write a specific purpose statement.

Web Resources

1. Brainstorming 
   “Choosing a Topic” 
   Description:  The reading discusses choosing a speech topic, brainstorming to generate many ideas, and then distilling he ideas to find a focused topic.
    
2. Create an Effective Thesis 
   “Developing Your Thesis” 
   Description:  All speeches must have a thesis statement: the main argument.  This passage describes thesis formation.
    
3. Formulate the Specific Purpose 
   “Formulating the Specific Purpose Statement” 
   Description:  This presentation includes the step-0by-step process in creating the specific purpose for your speech.  Examples of effective and  and ineffective specific purpose statements highlight this reading.