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Brainstorming

Author: Sophia

what's covered
In this lesson, you will learn about another method for selecting a topic for your speech. Specifically, this lesson will cover:
  1. Brainstorming

1. Brainstorming

You have considered your areas of expertise. You have considered your areas of interest. And you are still trying to choose the right topic for your speech. In addition to these other methods of finding and selecting the right topic, brainstorming is an effective means for generating potential speech topics.

Think of a brainstorming session in terms of what happens during a real storm. Think of the ideas as rain. Good storms have lots of rain, and a good brainstorming session should generate lots of ideas. And hopefully your brainstorming session will have a lightning strike, or an "ah-ha!" moment, where you identify the perfect topic for your speech.

The goal of a brainstorming session is to let yourself quickly generate a large number of ideas, commonly in relation to a specific purpose. When brainstorming for speech topics, write at the top of a fresh piece of paper: "What topic should my speech be about? " Then, under the question, let yourself write down what comes to your mind for a pre-established period of time. Let yourself generate as many different answers to the question as come to mind.

Brainstorming is one of many ways to help you find and select the best topic for your speech. Brainstorming should feel less stressful than other methods of generating ideas. Use brainstorming as a creative way to come up with different topic ideas. Use the creative topic ideas that you have generated during brainstorming to help decide what your speech will be about. A well-chosen topic is key to the success of a good speech.

term to know
Brainstorming
A method of problem solving in which individuals or members of a group contribute ideas spontaneously.

summary
Brainstorming can be a helpful way to find the topic for your speech, as it allows you to generate large numbers of ideas in a spontaneous manner. During a brainstorming session, give yourself a time limit and then let yourself consider any thoughts you have regarding what the topic of your speech will be.

Source: Source: Boundless. "Brainstorming." Boundless Communications Boundless, 3 Mar. 2017. Retrieved 29 Jun. 2017 from https://www.boundless.com/communications/textbooks/boundless-communications-textbook/choosing-a-topic-6/finding-and-selecting-a-topic-35/brainstorming-156-1881/

Terms to Know
Brainstorming

A method of problem solving in which individuals or members of a group contribute ideas spontaneously.