Research
3.1.2
Research is the process of seeking out information and support for your idea/topic.
As a speaker, it is important to research or seek out information and support your ideas/topic. You should begin to examine as many places as possible for material to explain, highlight, or support your message.
Personal Experiences
One method of research is to look at your own personal experiences. What do you know about your topic? What have you been told about your topic? What is your interest in the topic? Brainstorm your experiences with the topic to help sort through what is relevant and what isn’t.
Libraries
Work on this in
Speech Prep
Related Reading:
Libraries are a proven way to research. Go to the library at your university and speak with a librarian. Ask them what journals and publications may relate to your topic. Look for current and relevant information. Make lists and record source citations for each publication you pull data from to help you stay away from plagiarism or misquoting in your speech. Be sure to record this citation in the bibliography section on your outline and to say it out loud (verbally citing it) during your presentation.
Internet
The internet is probably the most widely used source of research today. There are sites on almost any topic you want to talk about, support, or argue in a speech. It is important to remember the credibility of a website matters. Furthermore, any website that you use needs to be listed as a source.
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Remember: "Google.com" is NOT a source. Google and other search engines are places you can find sources. Think of them as a virtual library. The library isn't a source, the book in the library is.
Review Questions
1) Why are search engines not sources?
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2) Why should you make lists of each source?
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3) Are personal experiences a form of research? Would you have considered them as research?