An impressive and effective speech will require adequate research ahead of time. Knowledge of the topic is vital to any type of presentation whether it be for informational, motivational, or entertainment purposes. A great speech does not just come from the top of somebody’s head. Public speaking research will make sure that what you are telling your listeners is credible. Your speech has to be well prepared and thought out to have a positive lasting effect on the audience. Earning the trust and respect of the public through your speech is a great accomplishment. Carrying out your public speaking research can be a very tedious and daunting task, but here are some tips to help you write a powerful and well-researched speech.  

If you are able to choose the topic of your speech, select a topic that will enthuse both you and your audience. To get to know your audience, you will need to collect some information from them if possible. If your speech will be in front of your classmates, it is very likely that you will be able to collect data from them before you give the speech. A questionnaire can be given to your classmates or mailed out to the people who will be hearing your speech. In the questionnaire you may include questions related to their gender, age, background, and how they feel about a certain topic. You can also interview your future audience and ask them these questions in person. After you have gathered the information from your audience, analyze their answers and select a topic that will suit their interests.  

The next step in your public speaking research is to gather information about your selected topic. Try to collect information on the primary points about your topic. Do not include too much information in your speech because you may confuse your audience and they may not be able to get the main goal of your presentation. You should also include several relevant facts that are appropriate for the topic and the audience. Do not include any information that is not related to your topic.  

Most of your research can be accomplished on the internet, but be cautious about which websites you use to get your information. Websites such as www.wikipedia.com and www.imdb.com are not always accurate because they can be edited by anyone. Make sure that the website contains reliable information before you use it as a source. Utilize popular search engines like www.google.com so you can quickly and easily find the information that you need.  

Fortunately, there are things you can do and places you can go on the Web that are dependable, including:
The Internet Accuracy Project
The Straight Dope
FactCheck.org. - This site also features a list of Official Government (US) sites that are dependable.

There are many other places besides the internet where you can find information. Look in magazines, almanacs, newspapers, and libraries to gather your data. Read as much about the topic as you can. You may include stories and interesting quotes in your speech. Write everything relevant down so that your information will be correct. Do not try to recall any information later because you want to have the facts straight for your audience. If you follow these public speaking research tips, your speech will be well prepared and more effective at gaining your audience’s attention and respect.

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