Here's a list
of sources commonly recommended for speech research. It includes almanacs,
biographical sources, and statistics. Some are in the Libraries in print, and
some are online.
If your speech is about yourself, you are the world's expert, although you may
need to consult relatives about your early years.
If you are searching for "what happened on your birthday?" topics, try Lexis
Nexis Academic (in News, U.S. News, and then the region) for some newspapers,
Facts on File, and other sources.
If it is about something that you already know and like, such as a sport, do
some research anyway. You may learn something. If it is on a subject that you
don't know about, doing research will make it easier. There are lots of materials
in the library that will work as sources for speeches, including statistical
sources and government documents. We even have books on how to make a good speech!
List
of class materials and objectives for Comm 1313
University home page | Libraries' home page