1. Choose a topic that is near and dear to your heart

Think about your experience and expertise you have in hobbies, travel, sports, or your profession.

2. What can you offer your classmates that will be useful and practical?

Select a topic that you can see will be of assistance to your audience including

• How to prepare for the hurricane season.
• How to defend yourself against identity fraud.
• How to edit your photos with free software products.
• How to use a new subscription database that is now available to your classmates.
• How to find financial aid.

3. Analyze your audience. What does your audience think about your topic and your proposed solution?

Be sure to survey your audience to know what they already know. If someone has similiar expertise or experience, compare notes. Then confer with experts to be sure to offer current and accurate information in your talk.

Do you need more? Here are some specific thesis statements to get you going:

1. There are five things that you can do to assist somehow who is a full-time caretaker for a family member with a terminal illness.
2. You can prepare your family for a natural disaster emergency by following three steps: Get a kit; make a plan; get informed.
3. Your student ID will save you money in our community.
4. Creating a memory book requires imagination, supplies, and leisure time.

Tips offered by Nan Peck, Associate Professor, Speech Communication,
Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus.