Know Your Topic

In this chapter, we will discuss the importance of researching your topic. This is a vital step at the beginning of the speech preparation exercise. It is just as vital when you are writing a product review or a blog post on your website. So these skills will be useful in a number of areas of your life.

There are many research vehicles that you can use. The obvious one is the Internet. Our modern English parlance now includes the term "Google It." This would have meant nothing 15 years ago. But finding the appropriate material from that source can be difficult since the Internet is jammed packed with information. That can result in an information overload.

Be Specific in Your Search

I was looking the other day for a website to advertise my English teaching skills. I typed "Find an Online English Tutor" and got a number of results. My wife searched later on from the students' perspective. She entered "Learn English Online." We got totally different results. So this highlights a key point here. What direction are you taking with your speech? Do you have a specific line of reasoning to teach or share? What are you hoping to achieve by the end? Knowing your objective will narrow down the search criteria and lead you to the information that you need.

Interviews

Another area of research is personal testimony. What experience do others have with this subject or product?

Many years ago, I gave a presentation in my public speaking class about stuttering. I had some excellent information in my hand to present. I decided to shelve a lot of it and, instead, interview a young friend who stuttered. It gave me valuable insights that turned the talk from just academic to real life insights.

I did the same recently on my niche website. I had done a review on a Samsung smartphone model. It was well received. Later on, I learned that a good friend had bought that model. So I wrote a post that dealt only with his comments and personal experiences, both good and bad. Interviewing others can add to the fabric of material you gather.

Your Own Life Experience is a Great Resource Tool

In your tasks at the previous lesson, you made a note of the research sources for the two subjects you would like to research. Did you include your own life experience on that list? Don't play down the things you have studied or experienced in your life. It adds so much to the fabric of what you present to others.

Remember, a key reason you are writing this post or product review, or making this public speaking presentation is to add value to the listeners' lives, even if it is everyone at your daughter's reception. What you add from personal experience may touch the hearts and minds of your listeners and move them to take a particular course of action. It makes the occasion real to your audience.

Conclusion

Know your topic is the first step in facing your public speaking fears. The more you know about the subject and the more personal experience you have, the greater your authority to speak and write about it. It is what we call having maturity and as you build your wealth of knowledge and experience, the whole idea of talking about it to others becomes less daunting.

Of course, reading comprehension can be a stumbling block to our research skills. What reading strategies can you implement to build your memory skills?

Next, we discuss 8 Tips to Help us Read AND Remember. Note how these skills will help you collate information in preparation for your presentation.