CMST 220 Public Speaking

This guide is to help you find good topics and evidence for your Informative or Persuasive/Position speeches in CMST& 220: Public Speaking.

Browse broadly to understand the conversation around your topic

Using Reference Articles

Use reference articles to understand the general view of what is happening with an issue, who is involved, and why there is debate over it. 

You can use important words or ideas (see the highlighted words in the example below) as keywords to build more focused or related searches.

(click on image to enlarge)

GVRL Global Warming reference article

1. Perform simple, broad searches:

 

example: microplastics

example: microplastics health

 

example: electoral college

example: electoral college controversy

 

NOT: "influence of microplastics on increase in hormonal disruption in teenage girls "
(later when you dig deeper for info, you can learn how to construct an advanced search around these more complex concepts)
 

2. Browse the list of results in order to

  • see what the conversation is around the topic

  • glean new concepts and search words

From Topic to Search Words

Brainstorming Search Words

example:

Topic

 Technology
(Notice this is TOO BROAD.)

Narrower Topic

 "Internet of Things" - household items that connect to the Internet

Purpose of Speech

 To Inform: What types of items in the home are becoming "smart" devices

Related Keywords

automation      smoke detectors    smart speakers (Amazon Alexa)

refrigerators     thermostats           self-driving cars       smart TVs

artificial intelligence