Impromptu Speech

Revised 24 October 1996

TOPICS
--How has modern society been effected by the suffragist movement?
--Should the internet be regulated by a government entity?
--Does the neo-Aristotelian governance theory apply to the current trend towards a global economy?

STEP ONE: Choosing the topic
My first decision is easy. Don't even think about the third topic! I don't know anything about the neo-Aristotelian governance theory (there is no such thing by the way, I just needed a difficult sounding topic). That leaves me with one and two. Both would be easy for me. Here, chance will take me towards the suffragist question. I have thought of an odd twist on the question. My speech on the internet would be a standard dissertation on the subject (no matter which position I argue). My twist on the suffragist question will set my speech apart from others. Also, since the internet question would be easier for most people, it is likely that more people would give their speech on that topic. Giving yet another speech on the internet will certainly not peak the interest of the judges. Of course, you might think of a new and interesting twist on the internet question. If so, by all means use it! If you can say something TRULY original on a subject that the judges may have heard too much about already, you will score brownie points.
Ok, so now I have a topic.

STEP TWO: Brainstorming
Note: Please keep in mind that I would normally abbreviate more when brainstorming in order to save time, but I am lengthening my responses to limit general confusion.

Increased divorce rate due to greater female independence (here's my twist)
women expect more from relationships now than they did before suffragist movement, so now they are more likely to get out of relationships they don't want to be in

Susan B. Anthony
Gloria Steinham
women in workforce
Rosey the Riveter

safer environment for women, it is easier for women to stand up for their rights
more dangerous for women? Women abused more because men feel greater need to control women with more rights and more individuality?

Uh oh. I've stalled out on the brainstorm. At this point, it isn't worth it to agonize of the problem though. I should have enough material for such a short speech, especially if I give the speech correctly and I don't talk too fast. So now it's time to organize.

STEP THREE: Structure

There are a number of ways to structure a speech, here are some of them:
specific to general
general to specific
chronological
increasing importance

decreasing importance