SPE 151 Introduction to Speech

Information Need: Choose a topic, then find background information on your topic so you can confidently inform your audience about it.

Library databases are the best place to find trustworthy background information on your topic. If you haven't chosen a topic yet, databases can help with that too!

Use the yellow A to Z Databases tab to browse all 170+ databases, or start with Opposing Viewpoints (below).

Choosing a Topic for Your Informative Speech

The database Opposing Viewpoints has a feature called Browse Issues where you can choose a topic and also learn more about it. 

You can also sort the list by narrower categories like Health and Medicine or Society and Culture.

Click on any topic from the list. The first thing you'll see is a broad overview of that topic.

Using Your Topic's Overview

• This is the first best place to learn more about your topic and find keywords to use as you continue your research. Use your research worksheet to take notes.
• Keywords aren't always nouns! Look for the names of laws, policies, organizations, names of people, and more. 

If you prefer to visualize your topic to find keywords, use their Topic Finder tool (in the toolbar above the overview). Click on a tile to see a closer look at each subtopic. The larger the tile, the bigger the subtopic. This is a good tool to help you choose a more narrow topic for your speech.

Once you've narrowed your topic, you're ready to find sources to support your speech. Use Opposing Viewpoint's Advanced Search to combine keywords to help you find sources (example: "endangered species" and birds).