Deciding on a topic can be one of the toughest parts of preparing a speech. The resources on this page can help you start brainstorming. You can also search for and browse background information on potential topics in PittCat and the library databases mentioned in this guide on the "Finding Articles" and "Finding Books" tabs.
Ask yourself the following questions about your topic to make sure you've picked a topic that will keep both yourself and your audience engaged. If you can answer yes to all the questions, you're ready to start gathering sources.
Source: University of Hawai'i Maui Community College Speech Department. (2002, January 16). Selecting a speech topic. https://www.hawaii.edu/mauispeech/html/selecting_your_topic.html
The Contemporary Debates/Examing the Facts, Critical Conversations, Opposing Viewpoints, and Taking Sides book series can assist you with choosing the topic of your informative or persuasive speech. Perform PittCat searches for "examining the facts," "critical conversations," "opposing viewpoints," and "taking sides." There are quite a few of these books at Owen Library, but it's easy to get the ones we don't have from other campus libraries in the University Library System via the Get It! request service.
Cultural Appropriation
by
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues
by
