Answer:
Some of the strategies for selecting a speech topic are:
1. Be clear about the nature of speaking event. This speaks to the following questions:
- is it an online event?
- is it a live event?
- if it is online, will it be audio-visual or audio-only?
2. The purpose of the speech must be established. This is probably more important than the first strategy. This answers the question of what the objective of the speech is. For example, is it to inform? to motivate? or to elicit cooperation?
When the purpose of a thing is known, it becomes easier to do the right thing.
3. The next most important strategy is to know one's audience.
Why is this important? different audiences react differently to different information and methods of communication. Some of the factors to look out for are gender, beliefs, age, nationality, level of education, ethnicity etc. If one is aware of the common denominators in one's audience, it becomes much easier to select a speech topic.
4. Look out for what is trending. Trending topics make it easier to connect with one's audience. A great speech could be one which addresses a topic that strikes across board emotionally to a broad audience. An example would be National Security and the Role of Law Enforcement Agents.
Cheers!