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178 Communication Research Topics For Your Paper

178 Communication Research Topics

Imagine what the world would be without communication! How would we get along? I guess there would be no sense in existing after all. That is just a tiny snippet of how important communication is in everyday life. Exchanging information is a key component of coexistence as it creates order and a sense of satisfaction in the end.

However, communication as a discipline cuts across all other niches in the academic world. Students from an Engineering course would also take up communication as a unit of study. Students delve into the transmission, representation, reception, and decoding of information communicated to a greater extent.

Situations When You May Need To Write A Communication Paper

Various scenarios call for a communication paper either as an assignment or a research project in college. The communication papers needed for every situation vary in format and outline. Here are some of the cases when communication papers are necessary:

When writing a resume or cover letter In presentations and reports Internal or external communication in a company Writing a thesis statement

When writing communication papers in these different scenarios, students can develop the following aspects:

Understand the various communication phenomena Ability to direct communication messages towards accomplishing individual and organizational goals Understand various types of communication such as rhetoric, interpersonal or organizational

Such an assignment is peculiar because it deals with students’ communication processes. Therefore, the student can easily relate a communication assignment to the real-world environment.

You will have to conduct extensive digging before writing your paper like any other research project. In writing a communication research paper, you will benefit from the importance of communication in general, such as building better relationships and finding the right solutions to various problems.

It takes a lot of time to create a high-quality writing, so you have all the right to ask dissertation writers for hire to help.

Guidelines On Structure And Step By Step Tips On Writing

To have an award-winning communication paper, you need to understand that structure is always at the heart of it all. A great communication paper follows the structure below:

Solid intro : Begin by presenting a captivating introduction by highlighting the facts, questions, or problems that you will explore in the body. The reader should find more than a million reasons to proceed with your essay by reading the first two lines. A strong thesis statement is also necessary for the introduction. An insightful literature review : It shows the theoretical basis of your research project, thus giving it validity. An in-depth literature review will give room for exploration and further research. Main body : This is where we expect to find all your findings, methodological steps, concepts, analyses, and the outcome. Discussion and conclusion : Depending on your professor’s instructions, you can divide this into two parts or put it as one. In either case, this section will consist of the strengths and weaknesses of your research and any future development or improvements. You could also compare the results found in your research with what other authors have discovered.

Provided you have all your facts at hand, a communication research paper will be the easiest you will ever handle in college. Nonetheless, you can order a custom paper from various online writing experts.

If you want to make an impression with your communication research paper, here are some tips to consider:

Select a thought-provoking and captivating research topic Have a working outline with all the arguments and examples/evidence in place Ensure that you exhaust reading all the possible research materials on your topic Such papers are always in the first person except in unique cases

You can review some of the samples on our essay writer to familiarize yourself with the structure and outline of a communication research paper.

Let’s now explore 178 of the hottest communication research topics to ace your project:

Top Interpersonal Communication Research Topics

  • Evaluate the different relational patterns of interaction theory
  • How to achieve coordinated management of meaning
  • Discuss the fundamentals of pedagogical communication
  • How does technology relate to interpersonal communication?
  • Key constructs of openness and closeness
  • Establishing identities in the identity management theory
  • Evaluate the contribution of interpersonal communication scholars
  • How mental representations influence how people interpret information
  • Conceptualizing the process of social interaction
  • Discuss the various behavioral interaction patterns among siblings
  • Why do individuals modify their communicative behavior?
  • Describe why new environments present a challenge for most people to communicate effectively
  • The role of eye contact and gestures in interpersonal communication
  • Varying effects of nonverbal and verbal acts of interpersonal communication
  • Effects of different cultures on interpersonal communication strategies

World-Class Communication Research Topics For College Students

  • Understanding the historical research methods in communication
  • Discuss the relationship between technology, media, and culture
  • Evaluate the various revolutions in human communication
  • Discuss the developments made in the invention of human speech and language
  • The role of image-making, cinema, and media entertainment in communication
  • How to overcome communication barriers among students
  • Steps in encouraging participation in meetings
  • How employees contribute to the information flow in organizations
  • How to evaluate a report based on its findings
  • Sources of error during nonverbal communication
  • How the media can match the channels of communication to their audience
  • Ensuring audience attention during a presentation
  • The impact of graphics in communication strategies
  • How to interpret non-verbal signals
  • Developing communication methods that match a given purpose

Possible Topics For Communication Research

  • How to develop realistic communication strategies
  • Discuss the economics of finance in communication processes
  • How exposure to radio and TV impacts communication
  • How to manage controversial issues in communication
  • Why speaking with confidence is still difficult for many people
  • The effectiveness of communicating with words and body language
  • Why defining your purpose is key in any communication process
  • Why explanatory communication is more difficult than informative communication
  • The place of communication in long-distance relationships
  • Communication strategies that influence people
  • How to use communication effectively for conflict resolution
  • Developing your self-esteem for effective communication
  • Effects of redundancy in communication processes
  • The place of responsibility in developing communication messages
  • How to acquire effective communication skills in college

Latest Communication Topic For Research

  • The role of persuasive dialogue in negotiations
  • Why everyone must learn proper expression strategies
  • Effects of emoji and other characters in enhancing textual conversations
  • The role of propaganda in shaping communication tones
  • Evaluate the unique political language used in America versus Africa
  • The continuing impact of the internet on interpersonal communication
  • How images are enhancing communication
  • Discuss the effects of gender victimization on communication
  • Evaluate the development of modern digital communication
  • How to effectively communicate during a war or crisis
  • How hacking is transforming communication of encrypted messages
  • Effects of stereotyping in developing communication messages
  • Is virtual reality ruining effective communication?
  • Evaluate language as a barrier in communicating messages
  • The role of empathy in communicating to victims of a disaster

Top-Notch Communication Research Paper Topics

  • The role of diplomacy in fostering better relations among countries
  • Why aided communication may not achieve the intended purpose
  • Effects of using a translator in the communication of critical messages
  • Evaluate the development of audio-visual devices for communication
  • The dangers of failing to notice barriers to communication
  • How stigma and prejudice impact effective communication
  • Discuss the impact of having a common language in a country
  • How social classes affect communication messages
  • Factors that hinder communication between fighting political sides
  • How to develop strong communication skills in a marketplace
  • Why opinions may prevent one from seeing the true picture
  • Discuss the role of fantasy and exaggeration in communication
  • Differences between oral and verbal messages in conveying information
  • The role of attitude and mood in enhancing effective message delivery
  • How the media sets the communication pattern of a given society

Highly Rated Mass Communication Research Topics

  • Discuss the essence of social media among PR practitioners
  • The role of mass media in rebranding a nation
  • Challenges to media freedom and their impact on proper communication
  • Discuss the effects of news commercialization and their credibility
  • How TV advertisements impact children and their development
  • Compare and contrast between animation and real-people adverts in mass media
  • How the internet affects professionalization in news media
  • How mass media messages contribute to the development of religion in Africa
  • Evaluate the radio listenership patterns between men and women
  • How does mass media contribute to an emerging democracy
  • Discuss how the media enlightens the public on issues of concern
  • The role of mass media in communicating development messages
  • Why mass media is critical before, during, and after elections
  • Assess the influence of community radio in remote areas
  • How mass media contributes to national integration

Good Communication Research Topics

  • What determines consumer preference patterns in the 21 st century?
  • Effective communication strategies for creating awareness against drug abuse
  • Prospects and challenges of local dialects in communication
  • Evaluate the influence of television on public opinion
  • Discuss the growing cyberactivism in the digital age
  • How social media is contributing to misleading information
  • Challenges facing teachers when communicating to pre-school students
  • Discuss the impact of information overload on the credibility of information
  • Evaluate communication patterns among the youth in the US
  • Assess the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on communication patterns
  • How public perception influences communication strategies
  • Explain how mothers learn to communicate with and understand their babies at such a tender age
  • The role of music in shaping communication models
  • How to overcome the challenge of top-down communication in companies
  • Management of information on online media for effective use

Business Communication Research Paper Topics

  • Discuss the increasing role of influencers on brand marketing
  • Why company blogs are essential in attracting new clients
  • Evaluate the differences between face to face and virtual business meetings
  • The growing popularity of social media in business marketing
  • Why every company should have a partner relations department
  • Dealing with complaints in a relaxed and useful manner
  • Why online project management is the future of business
  • Discuss why it is necessary to have company retreats
  • Explore the role of digital document sharing in speeding up business communication
  • Effects of relying on online communication at the expense of physical meetings
  • The role of effective business management in the performance of an organization
  • How staff motivation improve the overall working environment
  • Discuss the place of corporate social responsibility in a company
  • Effective ways of handling crisis in a large company
  • Explain why trust is important in any business partnerships

Intercultural Communication Research Topics

  • Discuss how Muslims interact with Christians at a social level
  • Evaluate the reception of instructions from a man to a woman
  • How Americans interact with Africans at the basic level
  • Discuss how an American Democrat would associate with a Chinese politician
  • Discuss the impact of marginalization in developing communication messages
  • How migration and immigration affect communication patterns
  • Effects of social stereotyping in communication
  • How do Western communication models differ from those of Africa?
  • Impact of discriminatory communication messages
  • How to organize an effective intergroup come-together
  • How the media represents various groups in its communication
  • Effects of the growing intercultural norms
  • The role of language attitudes in inhibiting effective communication
  • Evaluate how ethnographic perspectives affect communication messages
  • Why it is difficult to solve intercultural conflicts

Additional Interpersonal Communication Topics For Research Paper

  • The role of interpersonal communication in team member satisfaction
  • How collaboration and teamwork enhances business success
  • Discuss how interpersonal communication enhances problem-solving skills
  • The role of trust in interpersonal communication
  • Effects of confusion, negativity, and conflicts on interpersonal communication
  • How to deal with workplace miscommunication effectively
  • The role of personalizing information
  • How to improve internal communication channels in a company
  • Discuss the role of interests in communication patterns
  • Challenges when implementing modern communication solutions
  • Evaluate how jargon and inattention make internal communication difficult
  • The role of feedback in interpreting messages correctly
  • Discuss the influence of environmental factors in communication
  • Why miscommunication may result in a disconnect among a group of people
  • Discuss the role of skills and knowledge in effective communication among leaders

Interesting Communication Research Topics

  • How can effective interpersonal communication be a catalyst for action
  • Why a focused and intentional approach is necessary for effective communication
  • Discuss why online dating is not successful in most cases
  • Evaluate the role of non-verbal communication and customer satisfaction
  • Why is it important to have a list of communication networks?
  • Effects of lack of personal contact when it comes to communication
  • Discuss the various forms of human interactions and their influence on communication
  • The role of clear communication during an organizational change process
  • Why online communication is not as effective as physical meetings
  • Evaluate the roles and issues involved in a nurse-patient communication
  • The role of TV shows in determining how people relate to each other in the society
  • Effects of the digital divide in communication paradigms
  • The relationship between quality leadership and effective communication
  • Why is email still not yet an effective communication medium?
  • Effects of integrating marketing communication

General Communication Studies Research Topics

  • Discuss the differences in body language between male and female
  • The role of communication in familiarizing with someone
  • How online gaming communication affects one’s interpersonal communication
  • Why a leader without proper communication skills may not succeed
  • The role of communication in achieving an organization’s vision
  • How mobile phone conversations are turning around interpersonal communication
  • Discuss the role of different personality types in communication
  • Is there a difference between language and communication?
  • Discuss how communication in the military is different from that in a normal setting
  • Compare and contrast between written and spoken forms of communication
  • Why family communication is critical for a peaceful coexistence
  • Shortcomings to understanding foreign languages
  • Discuss the effectiveness of web-based communication

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100 Communication Research Topics

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Table of contents

  • 1 What Is Communication Research?
  • 2.1 Top Research Topic Ideas
  • 2.2 Research Topics for College Students
  • 2.3 Business-Focused Research Topics
  • 2.4 Social Media Research Topics
  • 2.5 Mass Communication Research Topics
  • 2.6 Interpersonal Communication Research Topics
  • 2.7 Intercultural Communication Research Topics
  • 2.8 Virtual Communication Research Topics
  • 2.9 Health-Related Research Topics
  • 2.10 Interesting Communication Research Topics
  • 3 Coming up with a Thesis Statement
  • 4.1 How to Create Strong Questions for Your Paper?
  • 4.2 How to Find the Right Research Topics?
  • 4.3 What Makes a Research Paper Topic Strong?
  • 4.4 Tips for Structuring and Writing Your Paper
  • 5 Conclusion

All fields of study have fresh and intriguing new research paper topics to explore. Within the subject of communication, there are loads of possibilities for research papers . This is thanks to the development of mass media and the growing popularity of various modern communication methods.

This article covers a broad range of effective research paper topics that are both interesting and relevant for this field. Any of them would make a suitable focal point for any research paper to do with how we interact with one another.

What Is Communication Research?

This is the study of how we interact with one another. It includes how the way we interact is affected by technology, culture, and individual differences. Researchers in this field use a variety of methods to study the way we converse and interact with each other, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments.

Research in this area can be used to improve communication skills in personal relationships, in the workplace, and in other settings.

Lists of Key Communication Research Topics

The range of research paper topics in this field is extensive, to say the least. Below are 100 relevant topics that are arranged in groups of 10.

They cover a broad selection of modern communication issues and debates, from corporate and computer mediated communication to effective interpersonal communication, communication strategies, and more.

Top Research Topic Ideas

The topics in this first group mostly focus on how different factors impact the way we interact with one another. These are some of the key issues in the communication discipline today.

  • The role communication plays in organizations.
  • How technology influences it.
  • The way globalization affects it.
  • How it’s influenced by broadcast media.
  • Ways in which advertising impacts it.
  • The influence propaganda has on it.
  • How it’s impacted by public relations.
  • The effects of international journalism and journalism ethics on it.
  • How the use of social media influences it.
  • How it’s affected by language.

Research Topics for College Students

These topics are ideal for college students. They focus on how communication processes can influence someone’s mental health and personality traits. Both of these are important since they can influence a student’s academic progress.

  • How does communication shape our identities?
  • How do we use it to build relationships?
  • What role does it play in influencing our emotions?
  • How is our thinking influenced by it?
  • In what ways do we use it to manage conflict?
  • How is our behavior influenced by it?
  • What factors influence the effectiveness of communication?
  • In what way is it impacted by technology?
  • What influences do cultural differences have on it?
  • How does it shape our physical and mental health?

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Business-Focused Research Topics

Having effective business communication is necessary for any sort of commercial activity to improve its marketing value. Both business to business communication and interactions with the public have to get the right message across. Below are some potential areas to do with organizational communication and public relations.

  • The impact of new communication technologies.
  • The use of social media and external communication.
  • What effects does globalization have?
  • How organizational communication is used in virtual teams.
  • The impact that intercultural communication has.
  • The way humor is used.
  • What are the effects of gender?
  • How we use non-verbal communication.
  • The effect that technology has on corporate communication etiquette.
  • The way we use business communication in crisis situations.

Social Media Research Topics

The focus of these topics is on social media, and it affects the way we communicate with one another. Using social media and being exposed to social media marketing can both have significant effects on practical communication skills. These topics focus on the way modern digital platforms influence our interactions.

  • The effect of social media on communication practices and patterns.
  • How social media changes relationship development.
  • What influence does social media have on how people interact with each other?
  • The effect of social media on the way people share information.
  • How social media impacts the way people interact with businesses.
  • The effect of social media on the way people interact with governments through proper communication channels.
  • What consequences does social media have on online interactions?
  • The effect that social media has on the way people interact with each other offline.
  • Social media’s influence on the way people interact with each other in different cultures.
  • What effects does social media have on the way people interact with each other in different age groups?

Mass Communication Research Topics

Mass communication is when you share information with a large number of people at the same time. Topics to do with mass communication are very relevant, thanks to the internet, social media platforms, and other kinds of mass media. The purpose of mass media is simply to inform loads of people about something as quickly and conveniently as possible.

  • What effect do social media platforms have on mass communication?
  • How does new technology affect it?
  • The impact that advertising has on it.
  • How news media influences it.
  • Ways in which propaganda impacts it.
  • The influence that public relations have on it.
  • How it’s impacted by digital media and print media.
  • Globalization’s impact on it.
  • How new forms of media affect it.
  • The ways it’s influenced by social networking.

Interpersonal Communication Research Topics

This is a broad term that refers to the exchanging of information between people. It’s when you use effective communication skills to share thoughts, ideas, and facts with at least one other person. The topics in this section look at some of the latest interpersonal communication trends.

  • The effect of technology on interpersonal communication.
  • The effect of culture on it.
  • How gender influences it.
  • The effect of age on it.
  • How someone’s interaction style may impact it.
  • The way context may influence it.
  • How relationships can influence it.
  • How it can be influenced by social apprehension.
  • The effect of social competence on it.
  • How it’s impacted by satisfaction.

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Intercultural Communication Research Topics

This is when people from different cultures exchange information. Things like different languages, traditions, and even artifacts affect intercultural communication. The topics below look at intercultural communication and how culture shapes the many ways we interact with one another.

  • How culture influences the ways we interact with one another.
  • The impact of intercultural communication styles on relationships.
  • How culture impacts our perceptions of interaction.
  • The effect that interaction has on business relationships.
  • How culture influences the way we interpret nonverbal communication.
  • The impact of culture on our way of interpreting speech.
  • How culture influences our information processing.
  • The way culture impacts our process of making decision.
  • The impact of culture on how we solve problems.
  • How culture influences our interactions with others.

Virtual Communication Research Topics

Are virtual communication skills essential? You have to be just as proficient at virtual dialogue as you are at spoken words. Mastering interactive online communication is key for anyone who wants to succeed, and the topics below delve into this further.

  • The impact on the development of personal relationships.
  • The use of virtual dialogue in the business world.
  • How it influences the way we think and learn.
  • The benefits of virtual communication for people with social anxiety.
  • The way it’s used in education.
  • How it impacts our mental health.
  • Ways in which it influences family relationships.
  • How it’s used in the workplace.
  • The effect it has on relationships.
  • The advantages and disadvantages of virtual communication.

Health-Related Research Topics

It’s essential to have effective communication strategies in any sort of healthcare setting. Having interpersonal communication competence is vital so that practitioners can speak with patients clearly and effectively. The topics below look at how internal and external communication in the healthcare industry affects and is affected by different factors.

  • The effectiveness of health communication campaigns in changing health behaviors.
  • The impact of social media on interactions in the health industry.
  • How humor is used in it.
  • How storytelling is used in it.
  • What effects it has on reducing health disparities.
  • What effects it has on increasing health literacy.
  • How new media technologies are used in it.
  • How it influences public health outcomes.
  • The role it plays in health education.
  • The impact it has on patient satisfaction.

Interesting Communication Research Topics

This last batch of topics looks at how both spoken words and non-verbal communication affect different things. Some of the topics are about how we interact with one another in different areas of life.

  • The impact of new communication technology on social interactions.
  • The way it is used in the workplace.
  • How we use it in education.
  • Ways in which it is used in marketing.
  • How people use it in healthcare.
  • The way it affects personal relationships.
  • The effects it has on organizational cultures.
  • How it impacts individual productivity.
  • Its effects on consumer behavior.
  • The influences it has on the environment.
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Coming up with a Thesis Statement

Once you have come up with a potential research topic, you should start writing. Your first step is to write an effective thesis statement .

Your thesis statement is the argument or main point you want to make about your topic. It’s a summary of what your paper is going to be about. The purpose of it is to show the reader what you will be discussing and invite them to read your work.

Once you have your thesis statement, start writing your paper. Make sure to include evidence from scholarly sources to support your work.

Topic Selection and Writing Tips

How to create strong questions for your paper.

This question doesn’t have a single answer, as the best way to create strong questions for your paper will vary depending on the specific research project and its goals.

However, some tips on how to create strong questions include:

  • Start by thinking about the specific goals of your research project. What are you trying to learn or understand?
  • Draft a few potential research questions that can help you answer your goals. Be sure to make them as specific as possible.
  • Test your research questions by asking them to others to see if they are clear and understandable. Are they interesting to people outside of your field of study?
  • Revise and refine your research questions as needed. Be sure to keep them concise and easy to understand.

How to Find the Right Research Topics?

When writing a communication research paper, first, you should decide what topic you want to learn more about.

  • Do the effects of social media and mass media on communication interest you?
  • What about the role of communication in a competitive global business environment?
  • What is the impact of new technology on the ways we exchange information?
  • Whether effective communication is necessary to ensure credible reporting?
  • How do improved relations make broadcasting media laws effective?

Once you have a general topic in mind, you can begin to narrow it down by focusing on a specific aspect of this field that interests you.

For example, if you are interested in the communication importance in a business market, you might want to focus on the impact of effective business interactions on employee productivity or customer satisfaction.

Alternatively, you could look at how private media ownership is affecting mass media, bringing journalism ethics into the discussion, and how journalists are ensuring credible reporting.

What Makes a Research Paper Topic Strong?

There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on the individual and the specific research goals. However, some factors that could make a research topic strong include its relevance to current events or real-world issues, its potential to generate new and innovative ideas, and its ability to generate interesting and valuable research findings.

Additionally, a strong topic should be interesting and engaging to read and write about, and it should be something that the researcher can be passionate about.

Tips for Structuring and Writing Your Paper

When writing communication research papers, it is important to structure your argument in a manner that’s clear and concise. Your paper should have a clear research paper introduction , body, and conclusion. Within the body of your paper, there should be a strong thesis statement, evidence that supports your argument, and a conclusion summarizing your argument.

Additionally, throughout the research paper writing process, it is significant to use clear and concise language. Use communication tips to help you put your own points across more effectively.

Deciding what to focus your research paper doesn’t have to be daunting. There are a huge number of research topics available. Finding the right one is easy.

First, think about the ideas that interest you the most. Which part of communication studies are you most passionate about? Is it media ethics, mass media, or something else?

When you’ve settled on one of the research topic ideas , start the research paper writing process. Find key sources such as books and academic articles. Think about what needs addressing in your research paper.

Now, it’s time for you to produce an excellent communication research paper.

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100 Best Communication Research Topics For College Students

communication topics

Interesting communication topics are not impossible to find. Communication is the conveyance of meanings through the use of signs and symbols that are mutually understood. Communication can be divided into information theory, communication studies, and biosemiotics. Communication can be verbal, nonverbal, written, business, political, interpersonal, and lots more.

The channels of communication could be visual, auditory, etc., and is unique in that it uses abstract languages extensively. The many innovations in transportation, computing, and telecommunication have necessitated finding means to increase the frequency and ease of communication around the world.

Choose Our Communication Research Topics!

Nowadays, there are many interestingly complex areas that the communication discipline covers. This makes choosing the best communication topics a challenge for students. However, we have prepared 100 communication topics covering many diverse fields of communication. These topics about communication include:

Communication research paper topics Business communication topics for presentation Communication essay topics Communication phenomenon topics Other possible topics for communication research

So, you can explore this list of communication research topics spanning all major communication areas and make your pick! Ready to choose? Let’s roll!

Interpersonal Communication Topics

Every human being communicates one way or the other with other humans. This forms the basis for the field of interpersonal communication. For this, you may need some interpersonal communication research paper topics for your thesis or research. This is why we have made a pick of 10 interpersonal communication research topics for you!

  • The Influence of culture on interpersonal discourse
  • How context impacts the quality of interpersonal dialogue
  • Methods to simulate interpersonal dialogue
  • How effective interpersonal dialogue can promote success both professionally and personally
  • How interaction via computers impacts communication
  • What roles do communication mediums play in interpersonal communication?
  • How to facilitate information exchange and persuasion
  • The concept of dysfunctional interpersonal communication
  • The role and challenges of interpersonal dialogues in mass media campaigns
  • How the concept of competence applies to interpersonal dialogue

Business Communication Topics

To succeed in business, one must be able to communicate effectively! Here are 15 business communication topics for the research paper. You can also take a look at our business ethics topics .

  • How excellent public relations facilitate business success
  • English as the universal language in business communication
  • Effective managerial communication
  • Comparisons between internal and external communication
  • How presentation and oral skills boost business success
  • The impact of public relations on global and local communities
  • How social media use can influence business communication
  • The impact of online interactions on outcomes of business communication
  • How does organizational structure affect business communication
  • How to reach customers via email
  • Best practices for effective business communication
  • Effective business to business (B2B) communication
  • How creative designs can help to communicate business ideas
  • Best practices for email writing in the workplace
  • Creating brand awareness through communication

Intercultural Communication Topics

Sometimes, difficulties arise when people of different cultures try to communicate. Here are five intercultural communication research topics for you!

  • How to facilitate intercultural information exchange
  • How culture affects intercultural communication
  • How to build competence in intercultural dialogue
  • How intercultural students can adapt to American colleges
  • How studying abroad can facilitate better intercultural dialogue competence

Mass Communication Research Topics

The world is a global village connected by the wildfire-like spread of information. Technology continuously spins new ways of reaching and communicating with a large number of people at a time. You may require some research topics in media and communication, and thus we have made this pick. Here are ten excellent mass communication topics for your research.

  • How advertisement influences consumer behavior
  • How social media affects student performance
  • Press freedom: the pro and cons
  • Comparisons of the effect of various mass communication methods on consumer behavior
  • How social media influences the effectiveness of political campaigns
  • Evolving patterns of mass communication over the last three decades
  • How mass communication facilitates rebellious social movements
  • How to effectively communicate ideas to a large audience
  • How Information Communication Technology (ICT) affects modern-day broadcast journalism
  • Social interaction across media

Health Communication Topics

Communication is essential in the field of health, whether it is communication between healthcare providers and patients or caregivers, or among healthcare providers. Here is a list of some excellent health communication research topics.

  • Communication problems between healthcare providers and patients
  • How social media and the spread of health news affect the health of citizens
  • How to effectively pass health-related information to health workers
  • Effective vertical and horizontal health communication techniques among health care providers
  • How to communicate health schemes to the public

Technical Communication Topics

Technical communication is a means of conveying scientific, engineering, law, or other technical information. Only people in these technical fields fully understand what is written and said in technical language. This is why technical communication is vital. Here are ten technical communication topics for you!

  • How cultural expression affects virtual dialogue
  • Virtual Classrooms: Less effective than traditional classroom learning?
  • Virtual reality and interpersonal communication
  • How technology has changed the game in journalism
  • How technical language differs from everyday language in corporate communication
  • How to seek and find information in the Law field
  • How to make technical textbooks more informative and accessible
  • Communicating intellectual property law to the public
  • How to teach technical communication to non-majoring English students
  • How the general public can make sense of technical essays

Organizational Communication Research Topics

Organizational communication refers to communication channels and forms within an organization as well as public-facing communications. Here are 15 great organizational communication research topics for you!

  • How supervisors can communicate better in an organization
  • How to write an effective organizational communique
  • Best organizational communication practices to teach in every organization
  • How to facilitate and enhance better leadership communication in an organization
  • Organizational channels, communication, and systems
  • Removing barriers to effective organizational communication
  • How personality traits and leadership communication styles affect organizational productivity
  • How social media impacts organizational communication
  • How organizational communication can allow for better organizational transition
  • Exploring the types of organizational communication
  • Vital problems in organizational communication
  • How to deal with uncertainties in an organization
  • How to manage communication crises in an organization
  • How organizations can benefit from the press
  • How to effectively change management culture in an organization

Nonverbal Communication Research Topics

Nonverbal communication is a fascinating field of communication. It refers to the use of tone of voice, gestures, facial expressions, posture, body language, eye contact (or lack thereof), and other techniques. Here are ten nonverbal communication topics for you!

  • Nonverbal communication in virtual dialogue environments
  • How nonverbal communication can pass wrong messages
  • How to effectively fine-tune nonverbal communication skills
  • How facial expressions could help close bigger business deals
  • Social media and its effect on nonverbal communication
  • The history and development of nonverbal communication
  • The crucial roles of nonverbal skills in interpersonal communication
  • Comparisons and contrasts between verbal and nonverbal communication
  • How to effectively combine the art of verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Nonverbal communication practices in the workplace

Communication Topics for Research

Here are some communication topics for your research. This list also covers communication research topics for college students and communication thesis topics!

  • How the style of a leader’s communication influences employee satisfaction
  • Leadership outcomes and communication styles
  • How gender affects communication effectiveness
  • Communication in relationships versus friendships
  • Going back in time: The history of communication
  • Analyzing the theories of communication
  • New communication technologies over the past decade
  • Why is radio communication still popular?
  • How international journalism grew
  • How communication determines productivity

Communication Topics for Presentation

You may be required to give a business presentation or speech. To captivate your audience, you must choose communication speech topics and business communication presentation topics that are not only easy to grasp but enjoyable to hear. Here’s our pick of 10 communication topics to serve this purpose!

  • Models of communication
  • Types of communication
  • The importance of communication in life and business
  • The dos and don’ts of nonverbal communication
  • How to grow social and personal relationships
  • Is print media still competitive?
  • The media and terrorism
  • The media and virtual reality
  • How effective communication enhances negotiation
  • The media and wrong information

So here we are! One hundred communication topics just for you! Make your pick and get ready to have an A+! Contact our thesis writers for further help!

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Behavioral and Community Sciences > Communication Sciences and Disorders > Theses and Dissertations

Communication Sciences and Disorders Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Narrative Language Assessment and Intervention: Applications with Children with and without Disabilities , Norah M. Almubark

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Head Movement Behaviors in Various Communication Environments , Angkana Lertpoompunya

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Towards Precision Audiology: Perceptual Profiles & Their Relation to Ecologically Valid Communication Assessments , Dana Cherri

Transitioning from Face-to-Face to Telehealth Speech and Language Services Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perceptions of Persons with Aphasia and their eHelpers , Emma Logan

The Effect of AAC-Modeling Intervention (AAC-MOD) Within Dialogic Reading on Vocabulary Learning in Children with Down Syndrome , Emily A. Mchugh

Cortical Organization for Encoding and Perception of Auditory Spectral and Temporal Cues in Younger and Older Adults , Jitpakorn Pichaitanaporn

Impact of Language Sampling Context on Language Productivity and Complexity , Trina J. Tolentino

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

A New Age of Telehealth: Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond , Deborah R. Campbell

Directing Attention in Second Language Phonological Contrast Learning , Laura Conover

The Perceptions of Speech-Language Pathologists Toward Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Thailand , Wansiya Kamonsitichai

Successful Aging in Adults Who Stutter: Exploring Predictors of Physical and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life , Amanda Kelly

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Balance Function: A Potential Early Indicator of Mild Cognitive Impairment , Karen L. Bell

Aligning Voice and Communication with Identity – A Survey on Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations , Rachel T. Chalom

Hearing Aid Acclimatization in the Context of Central Gain Mechanisms , Peter J. Hutchison

Auditory Perception and Neural Encoding of Spectral Modulation , Sittiprapa Isarangura

Indicators of Mild Cognitive Impairment Associated with Language Processing and Production , Diana Julbe-Delgado

Enhancing Intergenerational Conversation Using Visual Cues: Effects of a Historical Timeline , Allyson Lindsay

Potential Roles of Speech-Language Pathologists in Advancing Early Intervention and Prevention within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Framework , Meaghan A. McKenna

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Supporting Persons with Dementia in Communicating their Care Preferences , Vanessa L. Burshnic

Effects of External Memory Aid Assessment and Treatment on Everyday Task Performance of Individuals with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder , Alyssa M. Lanzi

Neuro-correlates of Word Processing among Four-and-Five-Year-Old Children from Homes Varying in Socio-Economic Status , Wendy Olsen

Optimizing Early Intervention for Preschoolers' Vocabulary Development , Lindsey A. Peters-Sanders

Script Training for Adults who Stutter , Courtney M. Rankin

The Effect of Narrative Language Intervention on the Language Skills of Children with Hearing Loss , Stephanie M. Raymond

Book-Sharing as a Context for Fathers and Mothers to Enhance Language Development of their Preschool Children , Yagmur Seven

Lexical Influence in Phoneme Perception with Non-degraded and Spectrally-degraded Speech , Jane Bradley Smart

Effects of a Spanish Phonological Awareness Intervention on Latino Preschoolers' Dual Language Emergent Literacy Skills , Xigrid T. Soto

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Relationship Between Vocal Fatigue and Physical/Psychological Factors in Prospective Vocal Professionals , Camille C. Gray

Articulatory Patterns in Children who use Cochlear Implants: An Ultrasound Measure of Velar Stop Production in Bilingual Speakers , Katherine Javier

Relationship Between Intelligibility and Response Accuracy of the Amazon Echo in Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Exhibiting Mild-Moderate Dysarthria , Caroline A. Layden

The Impact of Vocabulary Knowledge on Nonword Judgments in Spanish-English Bilinguals , Marisa E. Leyden

Cue Competition During Phonotactic Processing in Bilingual Adults as Measured by Eye-Tracking , Katherine Manrique

Early Literacy Abilities in Spanish-English Emergent Bilingual Children from Varied Dialectal Backgrounds , Antonietta Mastrota

Validity of a Dynamic Spanish Assessment of Phonological Awareness in Emergent Bilingual Children , Kelsey R. Wyman Chin

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Selection of memory book content: Agreement in content as a function of informant relationship to memory book recipient , Rebecca J. Allen

Validity of a New Measure of Phonemic Awareness that Does Not Require Spoken Responses in Children with Complex Communication Needs , Tiffany Chavers

Neural and Behavioral Mechanisms of Clear Speech , Jenna Silver Luque

The Effect of Clinical Experience on Perceived and Self-Reported Empathy in Novice Speech- Language Pathology Clinicians , Erline Vieira Nakano

Perceptual Differences in Natural Speech and Personalized Synthetic Speech , Katherine Overton

Perceptual and Physiologic Analysis of Dystussia in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , Stephanie Anne Watts

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Effects of Visual Arts on Expressive Language in Participants with Dementia , Shannon Valentine Daly

Analyzing Spelling Errors by Linguistic Features among Children with Learning Disabilities , Christine Johnson

Effects of a Novel Right Brain Intervention on Stuttering in Familiar and Structured Speech Tasks , Josalyn Elizabeth Perry

Tongue Twisters Quantified: Ultrasound Analysis of Speech Stability and Speech Errors , Karen Reddick

Static and Dynamic Spectral Acuity in Cochlear Implant Listeners for Simple and Speech-like Stimuli , Benjamin Anderson Russell

Interspeech Posture in Spanish-English Bilingual Adults , Merrily Rose Shary

Effects of a Novel Right Brain Intervention on Stuttering Frequency in Unfamiliar Speech Tasks , Chelsea Beatrice Stewart

Analysis of Patterns in Handwritten Spelling Errors among Students with Various Specific Learning Disabilities , Laura Ann Winkler

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Hesitation Rate as a Speaker-Specific Cue in Bilingual Individuals , Jamie Lynn Armbrecht

Anticipatory Coarticulation and Stability of Speech in Typically Fluent Speakers and People Who Stutter Across the Lifespan: An Ultrasound Study , Alissa Joy Belmont

Validity Testing of a Preschool Reading Screening Device for Pediatricians , Erika Elaine Blue

Neurophysiological Activity Related to Speech Production: An ERP Investigation , Adithya Chandregowda

Script Training: The role of Written Cues , Hallie Cohen

Mindfulness Attributes as Predictors of Treatment Outcomes in Children Who Stutter , Jenna Lee Graepel

Outcomes of a Combined Mindfulness, Stuttering Modification, and Fluency Shaping Intervention for Children who Stutter , Jennifer Kordell

Validity of a Nonspeech Dynamic Assessment of Phonological Awareness in Children from Spanish-speaking Backgrounds , Bianca Angelica Loreti

Attentional Allocation in Language Processing in Adults Who Stutter: ERP Evidence , Wendy Lorraine Olsen

Modeling Alphabet Skills as Instructive Feedback within a Phonological Awareness Curriculum , Arnold Olszewski

The Impact of Lingual Resistance Training in Two Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Series , Raele Donetha Robison

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Spelling of Derivationally Complex Words: The Role of Phonological, Orthographic, and Morphological Features , Sofia Benson-Goldberg

Using Auditory Feedback to Improve the Performance of Judokas during Uchi Komi , Taylor Easton Ferguson

Accuracy of /t/ Productions in Children with Cochlear Implants as Compared to Normal-Hearing, Articulation Age-Matched Peers , Terry Gier

Top-Down Processes in Simulated Combined Electric-Acoustic Hearing: The Effect of Context and the Role of Low-Frequency Cues in the Perception of Temporally Interrupted Speech , Soo Hee Oh

Word Recognition in Noise among Young and Older Listeners: A Combined Behavioral and Electrophysiological Study , Victoria Ann Williams-Sanchez

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Nonword processing in bilingual five year olds: Do phonotactics count? , Kyna Betancourt

Exploring Elaborated Noun Phrase Use of Middle School English Language Learners Following Writing Strategy Instruction , Stephanie R. Cooper

Supporting Speech-Language Pathologist Evidence-Based Practice Use: A Mixed-Methods Study in Skilled Nursing Facilities within the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services Framework , Natalie Franko Douglas

Examining the Effectiveness of Intensive Language Action Therapy in Individuals with Nonfluent Aphasia , Rachel A. Goff

Effects of Speech Production Ability on a Measure of Speech Perception Capacity in Young Children with Cochlear Implants and their Articulation-Matched Peers , Victoria Beatriz Gonzalez

Does the Use of Personally Relevant Stimuli in Semantic Complexity Training Facilitate Improved Functional Communication Performance Compared to Non-Personally Relevant Stimulus Items among Adults with Chronic Aphasia? , Stephanie Karidas

Brain electrophysiological correlates of masked picture priming in fluent and stuttering adults , Kalie B. Morris

The Effect of Rate Change on the Relative Timing of Speakers with Multiple Sclerosis , Brandlynn N. Reister

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Exploring Picture Word Priming Effects in Healthy Aging Adults Using Event Related Potentials , Sasha C. Christopher

Inspiratory Breathing Exercises for Vocal Tremor: A Preliminary Study , Jessica Tayseer Hilo

Semantic feature distinctiveness and frequency , Katherine Marie Lamb

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Assessing Relational Networks: An Evaluation of Derived Relational Responding With Children With ASD and Typically Developing Children , Gianna Delayce Lozano

Perspective Shifting in Relative Clauses by Elementary-Aged Spanish-English Bilinguals: A Cross-Linguistic Study , Xigrid Tayri Soto

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Effects of Aging on Temporal Masking , Susan E. Fulton

Perspective Taking and Relative Clause Comprehension: A Cross-Modal Picture Priming Study , Nicola C. Jones

Spanish Spelling Errors of Emerging Bilingual Writers in Middle School , Diana Julbe-Delgado

N400 Activations in Adults who Stutter in a Picture-Word Priming Task Requiring Attention to Probe Word Phonology , Angela A. Pizon-Moore

Clinical Decision-Making in Aphasia Therapy: A Survey of Perceived Levels of Evidence for Common Treatment Approaches , Erin T. Rowe

Spelling Errors in Children with Autism , Khalyn I. Wiggins

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Exploring Writing of English Language Learners in Middle School: A Mixed Methods Study , Robin L. Danzak

Dialectal and Developmental Influences on Real Word and Non-Word Spelling Tasks , Stephanie Joy Dickerson

Beyond Orthographic Segmentation: Neurophysiological Evidence That Pseudo-Derived Word Stems Are Processed Semantically , Theresa Herbert

Semantic and Phonological Priming Effects on N400 Activation in People Who Stutter , Jessica Lauren Huffman

The morphological complexity of spelling, ages 8 to 15 years , Courtney R. Mossing

Effects of dialect use on the fast mapping skills of African American school-age children , Jessica Pierre

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Effects of Bilingualism on Speech Recognition Performance in Noise , Mitzarie A. Carlo

Idiom Comprehension In Bilingual And Monolingual Adolescents , Belinda Fusté-Herrmann

Relationships Among Language Use, Phonological Skill, and Vocabulary in English Language Learning Preschoolers , Timothy D. Hill

Factors Affecting Message Intelligibility of Cued Speech Transliterators , Katherine Pelley

Effects of Age and Hearing Loss on Perception of Dynamic Speech Cues , Mei-Wa Tam Szeto

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

Naming and Inhibition in Aphasia , Lori R. Bartels-Tobin

Effects of Clear Speech and Linguistic Experience on Acoustic Characteristics of Vowel Production , Michelle Bianchi

Clear Speech Effects for Vowels Produced by Monolingual and Bilingual Talkers , Teresa DeMasi

The Influence Of Dialect On The Perception Of Final Consonant Voicing , Stacy Nicole Kile

Psychometric functions of clear and conversational speech for young normal hearing listeners in noise , Jane Smart

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Are Respiratory Behaviors Affected in Individuals With Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia? , Katie Biedess

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Dissertations for Speech Communication

Aggen, sandra m., the impact of technology and teachers' perceptions of changes in student learning, alkins, arthur charles, verbal interaction and immediacy in a videoconference environment, almasri, rana, the use of mobile technology in education by international students in united states universities: perceptions regarding mobile applications for english language learning, al-shalawi, hamdan ghareeb, politeness strategies in saudi esl computer-mediated communication, altemose, rodney e., comparing the efficacy of distance learning and traditional classroom instructional methods in public speaking courses, anderson, scott victor, mental muscularity: shaping implicit theories of intelligence via metaphor, arnold, marion nike, computer-mediated communication: writing to speak without foreign language anxiety, aumiller, betsy b., the meaning of health-related e-mail messaging at the worksite and its relationship to health behavior change, bachman, desirae, computer-mediated communication: a qualitative study exploring community, identity, and relationships among residence life students, bailey, tabitha l., exploring expression-based apprehension in online and traditional sections of a general education, introductory communication course, barnes, bridget a., face to face versus distance education parenting course: formats assessment, beale, nancy ann, effects of utilizing educational tv shows and conversational recasting on language skills of preschoolers with specific language impairments, bejerano, arleen rei, the effects of computer-mediated and face-to-face instructor evaluations on students' affect toward the teacher and course selection decisions, bell, philip laverne, designing for students' science learning using argumentation and classroom debate, berner, karen vida, teachers' perceptions about electronic communication and professional community in schools, blocher, j. michael, self-regulation of strategies and motivation to enhance interaction and social presence in computer-mediated communication, booth, sharon elizabeth, cultivating knowledge sharing and trust in online communities for educators: a multiple-case study, boulter, marla lynn, the influence of socratic questioning in online discussions on the critical thinking skills of undergraduate students: an exploratory study based on a business course at a proprietary university, bragg, william pierce, constructivist learning and web-based computer conferencing: qualitative analysis of online interaction among graduate students, bruno, robert jay, social differentiation, participation inequality and optimal collaborative learning online, sign in or register, sign in using email & password.

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Home > School, College, or Department > CLAS > Speech and Hearing Sciences > Dissertations and Theses

Speech and Hearing Sciences Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2022 2022.

The Effects of Language Proficiency on Narrative Macrostructure in Spanish-English Bilinguals , Jenny Magallon

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Ancillary Data for Refining Computer Adaptive Algorithms for the Assessment of Anomia , Emily Kathryn Tudorache

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Implicit Learning of Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder Across Auditory and Visual Categories , Wanchi Yu

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Training and Application of Correct Information Unit Analysis to Structured and Unstructured Discourse , Audrey Bretthauer Cohen

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Current Assessment and Treatment Practices for Children with Autism and Suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Survey of Speech-Language Pathologists , Elsa Jayne Dawson

Investigation of Speech Samples from Typically Developing Preschool Age Children: A Comparison of Single Words and Imitated Sentences Elicited with the PABA-E , Matthew William Olsen

Bilingual Spanish-English Speaking 4-Year-Old-Children: English Normative Data and Correlations with Parent Reports , Brooke Leann Powers

A Comparison of Single Word Identification, Connected Speech Samples, and Imitated Sentence Tasks for Assessment of Children with a SSD , Emily Katherine Snyder

Theses/Dissertations from 2003 2003

High Frequency Pure Tone Audiometry and High Frequency Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions: A Correlational Analysis , Kimberly J. Lavoie

Theses/Dissertations from 2000 2000

The Effect of Using Averaged Versus Custom Real-Ear to Coupler Difference Values in the Desired Sensation Level Approach to Prescribing Hearing Instrument Gain , John Aaron Coverstone

Teacher Self-Disclosure From the Perspective of International Students in the Communication Classroom : A Case Study , Darlene J. Geiger

An Evaluation of Earobics I in Improving Phonological Awareness in 6- And 7-Year-Old Boys Who Are At-Risk for Reading Disabilities , Wendy Goughnour Gunter

Effects of Three Training Components in an AAC Intervention for an Adult With Severe Broca’s Aphasia , Bradley Josef Hendershott

International Students' Experiences in Higher Education: A Case Study Examining Uncertainty Reduction Theory in Communication Classrooms , Susan Kuhn

Theses/Dissertations from 1998 1998

A Longitudinal Study of the Career Maturity Patterns of Individuals with Clefts , Joyce Johnson Anderson

The Effectiveness of Hypermedia Training vs. Traditional Classroom Instruction in Stuttering , Micheal Dean Baran

Speech Production Patterns Following Management of Velopharyngeal Inadequacy , Debra Lynn Childs

Impact of Singing Intervention on Vocal Fatigue Effects : A Single Subject Study , Nancy Devine Ferguson

Speech Intelligibility of 4-Year-Old Children , M. Jane Firestone

Career Orientation Levels in Adolescents : A Comparison of Cleft and Noncleft Subgroups , Tara Darice Gaddis

Role of the Warrant in Presidential Debates : 1960, 1976, & 1996 , Aaron Nicole Kaio

Concurrent Validity of Mental Ability Screening Tools : A Comparison of Normal Students’ Performance on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test and the Shipley Institute of Living Scale-Revised , D. Melanie Peters

The Effect of Diastema Closure on the Remediation of Lateral /S/: A Case Study , Reta Price

Information Content in American Television Advertising : A Replication and Update , Laura Kathleen Sandgren

Theses/Dissertations from 1997 1997

Examination of Benefits of Binaural Auditory Stimulation for Children with a Cochlear Implant and a Hearing Aid in the Contralateral Ear , Evonne Nicol Altesleben

Perceptions of Stuttering Intervention Services Received at Portland State , Franklin Wayne Bender

The Juice Is Loose?: A Qualitative Study of Employees’ Perceptions of Informal and Formal Communication Channels , Warren Jerome Brown

A Survey of Swallowing Symptoms Associated With the Premenstrual Cycle , Jill Gigi Calcagno

The Effectiveness of Planned Transitions Therapy in the Treatment of Three Children with Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia , Emily M. Campbell

An Ethnographic Study of Chinese Adolescent Identity in Taipei, Taiwan : Franchise Hangouts , Jui-fang Ruby Chen

Gross Estimation: A Study of the Clinical Validity for Measuring Intelligibility , Heather Gail Clarke

"Blame It on Intake” : A Critical Ethnography of the Negotiation of Access to Shelter Services in a Shelter for Homeless and Battered Women , Kathleen Marie Drew

First Language and Gesture Acquisition in Children with Cerebral Palsy , Ann Christine Friel

The Language of Transformation in a "Conversation for Possibility": A Metaphor Analysis , Deborah Jean Gabbert

Conflict Is Optional, Difference Is Not : Toward a Difference-Based Approach to Interpersonal Communication , James Arthur Gieseking Jr

An Ethnography of Classroom Interaction in Hoshuko : A Case Study of the Japanese Supplementary School Classroom , Nobuko Higashi

A Study of the Level of Knowledge of Adult Foster Care Home Providers in Multnomah County in the State of Oregon About Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids and Communication Strategies , Marsha Peters Johnson

Temporal Characteristics of Fluent Speech in the Stuttered Utterances of Children , Dixon Ira Kirsch

Oregon Survey of Initial Nursing Care for Infants with Cleft Lip ± Palate , Kirsten Joy Lindaas

A Comparison of Parent Interview and Direct Assessment of Receptive Language in Preschool-aged Children with Cerebral Palsy , Susan Kathleen Livick

A Lay Theory of Relational Satisfaction with Best Friends in Japan , Eriko Maeda

Effects of Orofacial Clefts on Early Career Maturity , JeannieKay McCall

Rethinking Appropriateness: A look at Hegemonic Ideals as Related to Perceived Communication Competence In Women , Kristi L. Meade

Comparison of Intelligibility Estimation and Orthographic Transcription Methods by Preprofessional Speech-Language Pathologists , Kristi M. Mowe

Effects of Lifestyle Change and Satisfaction with Voice on Psychosocial Adjustment of Laryngectomees , Susan M. Nicks

The Generalization of Stridency from Treated to Untreated Misarticulated Phonemes , Kathleen Ann Ozanich

Receptive Language and Cognitive Skills in Preschool-Aged Children with Cerebral Palsy , Susan Elizabeth Panton

Real Ear to Coupler Differences in Children and The Effects of Hearing and Microphone Location , Cindy Richardson

A Comparison of Speech Onset Latencies Between Persons Who Stutter and Persons Who Do Not Stutter Across Varied Phonological Priming Conditions , Brian Joseff Riffel

Voice Measures and Listener Acceptance of Tracheoesophageal Speech , Heidii Ilona Roberts

A Comparison of Listener and Speaker Perception of Stuttering Events , Anne Jocelyn Schagen

Ethnography of Communication as on Organizational Communication Assessment Tool: A Test of the Method , Francisca Inez Trujillo-Dalbey

Gangstas, Niggas, Bitches and Hos : A Narrative Analysis of Gangsta’ Rap Lyrics , Darnell A. Watson

Sexual Intercourse : A Feminist Reading of Strip Joint Discourse , Regina Marie Howard Yaroch

Theses/Dissertations from 1996 1996

Children with Early Language Delay: A Group Case Study of Outcomes in Intermediate Grades , Tracey Abild-Lane

Using a Computer Program about Pediatric Hearing Evaluations to help Educate Parents , Jeanne E. Aleskus

Parental Perceptions of the Efficacy of Clinical Intervention for Speech-Language Disorders at Portland State University's Speech and Language Clinic , Deborah Ellen Anderson

Examining the Relationship between Three Speech Features and Intelligibility Ratings of Black English Preschoolers as Judged by Standard English Listeners , Britteny Sue Asher

Intervention History of Children with Slow Expressive Language Development , Kathleen Belfiore

An Analysis of Spondee Recognition Thresholds in Auditory-only and Audio-visual Conditions , Brenene Marie Brady-Herbst

Influence of Articulation and Phonology Intervention on Children's Social and Emotional Characteristics , Tracy Lynn Carlisle

A Comparison of Speech Intelligibility Measures Between Unsophisticated Listener Judgements and Orthographic Transcription , Carla J. Dukart

Effects of Posttraining Maintenance Sessions on Aphasic Subjects' Verbal Labeling , Connie Allene Freed

Speech Understanding in Noise as a Function of Microphone Placement in Hearing Aids , Erin Marlene Flowers Hand

A Study of the Narrative Skills of 7-Year Olds with Normal, Impaired, and Late Developing Language , Rita F. Hernandez

An Organizational Profile: Members' Understanding of Discrimination , Debra Cay Hornibrook

Gender Differences in the Language Development of Late-talking Toddlers at Age 3 , Nancy Ann Johnson

Temperament Differences in Children with a History of Slow Expressive Language Development and Their Peers with Normal Language Development , Beth Ann Jones

Temperament and Language Development in First Grade Children , Loretta Marcia Kellogg

Comparison of Two Phonological Treatment Procedures for a Child with Phonological Deviations , Katherine Vaughan Kemper

Temporal Characteristics of Words Surrounding a Moment of Stuttering in Preschool-age Children , Gregory Keith Lilly

A Study of the Correlation between the Articulation Competence Index (ACI) and the Percentage of Words Understood in the Continuous Speech of 4- and 5-year-olds of Varying Phonological Competence , Susan Coll Mitchell

Phonological Awareness Skills in Children with Highly Unintelligible Speech , Sheryl Mohwinkel

Parental Perceptions of Articulation Intervention Services Received at Portland State University , Janet Ann Murphy

Reading Abilities and Phonological Skills of Second Grade Children with Three Different Language Histories: Normal, Delayed, and Chronically Delayed , Candace Jane Murray

Speech Recognition with Linear and Non-linear Amplification in the Presence of Industrial Noise , Marcia Ann Olson

Gender Differences in Adaptive Behavior between Two-year-old Boys and Girls with Slow Expressive Language Development , Christine Lee Rusnak

Relationship of Marital Types and Conflict Styles , Lynn Marie Stanek

Understanding Pre-service Teachers' Conceptualizations of Diversity , Terrine Louise Borwn Vogt

A Pilot Study: Normative Data on the Intelligibility of 3 1/2 Year Old Children , Karen Mary Ware

The Effectiveness of a Self-directed Inservice Program to Educate Teachers about the Classroom Needs of Students with Hearing Impairment , Teresa Michelle Whiteley

Adolescents and Sex on the Soaps: A Content Analysis , Jenelle Gay Winter

Theses/Dissertations from 1995 1995

Effects of Oral and Silent Reading on the Reading Comprehension Performance of Left Hemisphere-damaged Individuals , Paul K. Akers

Validity and Efficiency of the Check-Slash Transcription Method for Measuring Intelligibility , Vicky Jo Bacon

Methods of Language Assessment: A Survey of Oregon Public School Speech-language Pathologists , Staci Lee Johnson Ball

The Effectiveness of the Phonological Cycling Approach in Treating an Unintelligible Child in the First Two Cycles of Intervention , Anne Cole

A Study Comparing Musical Abilities of Stutterers and Nonstutterers , Megan Creswell

A Correlational Study: the 1-Minute Measure of Homonymy and Intelligibility , Tamra Leanne Day

Dialogue and Critical Thinking in Personal Action , Amanda Elizabeth Feller

Effects of Receptive Language Deficits on Persisting Expressive Language Delays , Traci Lee Giacherro

Limiting Noise Exposure Associated with Hearing Aid Use , Alison Mary Gilbert

Comparison of Prescribed Versus Actual Gain for Children with Profound Hearing Impairments , Kristin Rashelle Gilmer

The Effects of Ear Canal Pressure Variation on Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions , Jodi L. Head

The Affects of Vocal Fatigue on Fundamental Frequency and Frequency Range in Actresses as Opposed to Non-Actresses , Ruth Ann Jenkins

Silence: A Comparison of Japanese and U.S. Interpretation , Mimi Murayama

An Exploration of Theoretical Issues Related to Mediation Found in the Social Science Literature , Cheryl E. Nally

Independent Acoustic Stimulation of the Amphibian and Basilar Papillae of Rana pipiens , Mark Parker

A Study of the Duration of Words Surrounding a Moment of Stuttering , Jennifer Dawn Peterson

Clinical Application of Two Phonological-based Treatment Approaches , Holly Kiesz Royer

Using a Computer Program to Influence the Expectations Senior Adults have Regarding Hearing Aids , Carol I. Sayre

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Chapter 1: The Speech Communication Process

The Speech Communication Process

  • Listener(s)

Interference

As you might imagine, the speaker is the crucial first element within the speech communication process. Without a speaker, there is no process.  The  speaker  is simply the person who is delivering, or presenting, the speech.  A speaker might be someone who is training employees in your workplace. Your professor is another example of a public speaker as s/he gives a lecture. Even a stand-up comedian can be considered a public speaker. After all, each of these people is presenting an oral message to an audience in a public setting. Most speakers, however, would agree that the listener is one of the primary reasons that they speak.

The listener is just as important as the speaker; neither one is effective without the other.  The  listener  is the person or persons who have assembled to hear the oral message.  Some texts might even call several listeners an “audience. ” The listener generally forms an opinion as to the effectiveness of the speaker and the validity of the speaker’s message based on what they see and hear during the presentation. The listener’s job sometimes includes critiquing, or evaluating, the speaker’s style and message. You might be asked to critique your classmates as they speak or to complete an evaluation of a public speaker in another setting. That makes the job of the listener extremely important. Providing constructive feedback to speakers often helps the speaker improve her/his speech tremendously.

Another crucial element in the speech process is the message.  The  message  is what the speaker is discussing or the ideas that s/he is presenting to you as s/he covers a particular topic.  The important chapter concepts presented by your professor become the message during a lecture. The commands and steps you need to use, the new software at work, are the message of the trainer as s/he presents the information to your department. The message might be lengthy, such as the President’s State of the Union address, or fairly brief, as in a five-minute presentation given in class.

The  channel  is the means by which the message is sent or transmitted.  Different channels are used to deliver the message, depending on the communication type or context. For instance, in mass communication, the channel utilized might be a television or radio broadcast. The use of a cell phone is an example of a channel that you might use to send a friend a message in interpersonal communication. However, the channel typically used within public speaking is the speaker’s voice, or more specifically, the sound waves used to carry the voice to those listening. You could watch a prerecorded speech or one accessible on YouTube, and you might now say the channel is the television or your computer. This is partially true. However, the speech would still have no value if the speaker’s voice was not present, so in reality, the channel is now a combination of the two -the speaker’s voice broadcast through an electronic source.

The context is a bit more complicated than the other elements we have discussed so far. The context is more than one specific component. For example, when you give a speech in your classroom, the classroom, or  the physical location of your speech, is part of the context  . That’s probably the easiest part of context to grasp.

But you should also consider that the  people in your audience expect you to behave in a certain manner, depending on the physical location or the occasion of the presentation  . If you gave a toast at a wedding, the audience wouldn’t be surprised if you told a funny story about the couple or used informal gestures such as a high-five or a slap on the groom’s back. That would be acceptable within the expectations of your audience, given the occasion. However, what if the reason for your speech was the presentation of a eulogy at a loved one’s funeral? Would the audience still find a high-five or humor as acceptable in that setting? Probably not. So the expectations of your audience must be factored into context as well.

The cultural rules -often unwritten and sometimes never formally communicated to us -are also a part of the context. Depending on your culture, you would probably agree that there are some “rules ” typically adhered to by those attending a funeral. In some cultures, mourners wear dark colors and are somber and quiet. In other cultures, grieving out loud or beating one’s chest to show extreme grief is traditional. Therefore,  the rules from our culture  -no matter what they are -play a part in the context as well.

Every speaker hopes that her/his speech is clearly understood by the audience. However, there are times when some obstacle gets in the way of the message and interferes with the listener’s ability to hear what’s being said.  This is  interference  , or you might have heard it referred to as “noise. ”  Every speaker must prepare and present with the assumption that interference is likely to be present in the speaking environment.

Interference can be mental, physical, or physiological.  Mental interference  occurs when the listener is not fully focused on what s/he is hearing due to her/his own thoughts.  If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming in class during a lecture, you’re experiencing mental interference. Your own thoughts are getting in the way of the message.

A second form of interference is  physical interference  . This is noise in the literal sense -someone coughing behind you during a speech or the sound of a mower outside the classroom window. You may be unable to hear the speaker because of the surrounding environmental noises.

The last form of interference is  physiological  . This type of interference occurs when your body is responsible for the blocked signals. A deaf person, for example, has the truest form of physiological interference; s/he may have varying degrees of difficulty hearing the message. If you’ve ever been in a room that was too cold or too hot and found yourself not paying attention, you’re experiencing physiological interference. Your bodily discomfort distracts from what is happening around you.

The final component within the speech process is feedback. While some might assume that the speaker is the only one who sends a message during a speech, the reality is that the  listeners in the audience are sending a message of their own, called  feedback  .  Often this is how the speaker knows if s/he is sending an effective message. Occasionally the feedback from listeners comes in verbal form – questions from the audience or an angry response from a listener about a key point presented. However, in general, feedback during a presentation is typically non-verbal -a student nodding her/his head in agreement or a confused look from an audience member. An observant speaker will scan the audience for these forms of feedback, but keep in mind that non-verbal feedback is often more difficult to spot and to decipher. For example, is a yawn a sign of boredom, or is it simply a tired audience member?

Generally, all of the above elements are present during a speech. However, you might wonder what the process would look like if we used a diagram to illustrate it. Initially, some students think of public speaking as a linear process -the speaker sending a message to the listener -a simple, straight line. But if you’ll think about the components we’ve just covered, you begin to see that a straight line cannot adequately represent the process, when we add listener feedback into the process. The listener is sending her/his own message back to the speaker, so perhaps the process might better be represented as circular. Add in some interference and place the example in context, and you have a more complete idea of the speech process.

Fundamentals of Public Speaking Copyright © by Lumen Learning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Home > School of Health Sciences > Speech-Language Pathology > Theses and Dissertations

Speech-Language Pathology Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2021 2021.

Thesis: SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF BILINGUAL DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CHILDREN , Joanne J. Ryu

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Thesis: Visual Feedback In Voice Therapy for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease , Rachel Brooke Convey

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Thesis: Aphasia Couples Therapy: A Case Study of Conversational Coaching for a Man with Conduction Aphasia , Adriana Joma

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted: The effect of phonological and semantic cues on word retrieval in adults , Katheryn Elizabeth Burrill

Theses/Dissertations from 1980 1980

Thesis: A comparsion of verbal abilities of adult aphasic speakers : PICA verbal subtests and word-morpheme means , Joann Uhley

Theses/Dissertations from 1976 1976

Thesis: A comparison of comprehension of rate controlled speech by young aphasic and normal children , Deborah Gomez

Theses/Dissertations from 1973 1973

Thesis: The effects of time-altered speech on the auditory discrimination ability of aphasics , Frank DeRuyter

Theses/Dissertations from 1972 1972

Thesis: Relationship between electrical and acoustical characteristics of amplification systems and reduced auditory sensitivity , Carolyn Margaret Normoyle

Theses/Dissertations from 1971 1971

Thesis: Oral stereognosis and two-point discrimination ability of anterior tongue thrusters and normal swallowers , Lawrence Jay Friedman

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Enjoy a completely custom, expertly-written dissertation. Choose from hundreds of writers, all of whom are career specialists in your subject.

110 Communication Essay Topics for You

check Communication Essay Topics

Communication is the act of exchanging information with other people. It can be verbal, written, or non-verbal. It can also be direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional. In intentional communication, we’re aware that we’re trying to communicate something to another person when we send them a message, email, or text message. 

In unintentional communication, we don’t know that what we say or do is sending a message to someone else.

It is important to note that all forms of communication can result in some degree of misunderstanding between two people. For example, if one person says, “Your shoes look great today,” but the other person hears, “Your shoes look great today ,” (meaning they didn’t look so great on other days), then there has been some kind of misunderstanding between them. And this can result in hurt feelings for both parties involved.

Since communication is a sensitive field, you may need some help selecting good communication topics.  

Why Do You Need Help Choosing Communication Topics?

There are a lot of reasons why you should get help when selecting topics on communication.

  • Firstly, communication is a very important and sensitive topic. So, usually, you’ll need an expert who can guide you through the process of choosing the right topic for your needs. This person can be a friend or family member, but ideally, it should be someone who has experience with the topic you’re interested in learning more about.
  • Secondly, it’s important to have someone who can answer any questions that might come up when you want to select a topic. Since communication is a broad topic, you might not know what topic to choose, where to start learning about a topic, or what resources are available for further reading and researching. A professional can provide these answers for you!
  • Finally, there’s no way around it: communication skills improve over time. An expert can help you hone your skills by providing feedback as you work through the topic selection process. So, whether you need communications research topics or topics for essays, we’ve got you covered.  

How to Choose a Topic in Communication?

Choosing a topic for your communication essay or paper is one of the most important things you need to do. The topic will set the tone for your entire piece and reflect the needs and interests of your audience.

You’ll want to choose something relevant but also something they’ll want to hear about. If you’re writing a blog post, for example, you might want to write about how people should always watch out for non-verbal communication cues. But if they don’t want to hear that advice, they may not read your article!

It’s also important to pick something that will be interesting and informative for both you and your audience. If you choose something too boring or trivial, then no one will care. On the other hand, if you choose something too complicated or technical for anyone except a few experts in the field, then it will probably turn off everyone else who reads it.

Some Communication Topics You Can Choose From

Life is greatly dependent on communication. It is the method by which we communicate with others, exchange knowledge, and exert influence on one another. If you’re seeking a communication topic for your essay, here are 10 communication topics you can choose from:

  • What is communication and how has it evolved over the last century?
  • How does culture influence human behaviors?
  • When does communication end in a discussion?
  • Communication involves effective listening and good feedback.
  • How fast should communication feedback be?
  • How can you improve your communication skills?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of communication?
  • How can you get better at communicating with different people?
  • What is the purpose of communication?
  • How can you improve your listening skills?

Interpersonal Communication Topics

When it comes down to interpersonal communication, keep in mind that it is a very broad, emotional, and heart-filled field. So when selecting an interpersonal communication topic, make sure it reflects that. To help you, we have compiled 10 interpersonal topics on communication below.

  • Discuss the importance of interpersonal communication skills in our day-to-day life.
  • Types of interpersonal communication
  • The language of interpersonal communication
  • Rules of interpersonal communication
  • How to communicate with people who have accents or other communication difficulties.
  • Is listening truly a part of communication?
  • How to give feedback when someone hasn’t done something correctly.
  • How to handle sensitive situations like conflict and confrontation.
  • What makes a great conversation between people or groups?
  • Can you communicate with yourself?

Business Communication Topics

When trying to select a business communication topic, you should keep in mind that business communication involves you making effective use of words to persuade your audience of your ideas or opinions.

Usually, you’ll need to use persuasion techniques such as logic, emotion, or appealing to authorities. Here are 10 business communication topics for research, essays, blogs, etc.:

  • Is business communication primarily interpersonal or transactional?
  • How to use non-verbal communication in business communication
  • Business communication beats talent and ideas.
  • Business communication involves audience perception
  • How to be more effective in your communication with your team members
  • The best way to get the most out of a meeting or conference call
  • The biggest communication mistakes people make when doing business
  • How to deal with difficult people at work and in life
  • How to write an email that communicates your thoughts effectively
  • Does workplace etiquette include business communication?

Intercultural Communication Topic

Our globe is more interconnected than ever, and culture is one of the things that makes humanity unique and beautiful. Your intercultural communications research topics should reflect this as much as possible. This is why we have compiled a list of 10 intercultural communication topics that you can select from below:

  • What is intercultural communication?
  • Who are the people involved in intercultural communication?
  • How do different cultures communicate?
  • What are the main elements of intercultural communication?
  • How do we study intercultural communication and why is it important?
  • Why should you care about intercultural communication?
  • What skills do you need to be good at intercultural communication?
  • Is there a better way to learn about other cultures than by being exposed to them yourself?
  • How can you be more aware of your biases when interacting with people from different cultures?
  • How has technology changed intercultural communication?

Mass Communications Research Topics

Mass communication has evolved over the years. People all over the world can now receive information at their convenience. Do you need some mass communication research topics for your essay? Here are 10 top topics you can choose from:

  • A brief history and evolution of mass communications
  • How has technology impacted mass communication?
  • Mass communication theories and models
  • How do people respond to advertising?
  • The importance of mass communication research
  • A discussion on the popular mass communication methods today
  • How can you communicate effectively with millions of people at a time?
  • Should public speakers care about mass communication degrees or training?  
  • Future directions for mass communications research
  • Is non-verbal communication important in mass communication?

Communication Phenomenon Topics

It can be challenging to find a topic that is related to something factual while trying to choose a phenomenon communication research topic for your essay. For your convenience, we have listed ten phenomenon-related subjects below:

  • How does the brain work when we communicate?
  • Communication styles of people with different personalities
  • The importance of speaking up when there’s something you need or want
  • How to resolve conflict in your relationships with others
  • Understanding personality types
  • How to start a conversation with someone you’ve just met
  • How to ask for help from others
  • Why it’s important to give compliments
  • How to make people feel better about themselves
  • How to recognize your communication style and work on it if necessary

Communication Thesis Topics Examples

Usually, you would need to conduct extensive research to come up with a worthwhile thesis topic. Here are 10 communication research topics to guide you in your selection of thesis topics.

  • Communication and its impact on society
  • How people communicate with each other in social settings
  • How people communicate with each other during meetings or conferences
  • How do groups of people use language to communicate?
  • What are the best methods to communicate with the public?
  • How do you communicate with colleagues in an academic environment?
  • The effect of communication on the development of a country.
  • The best communication methods in business.
  • The best communication methods in schools.
  • How do you communicate with other scientists? What are some of the barriers?

Business Communication Topics for Presentation

It is common knowledge that choosing topics for presentations usually requires a lot of time and effort because you need to make sure the audience will find your work engaging and the points make sense. Here are 10 corporate communication topics below to help you avoid making a mistake.

  • The best business communication skills to have.
  • How to write a business communication plan
  • The different types of business communication
  • How communication affects corporate decision-making
  • How effective marketing is impacted by communication
  • How to utilize effective communication to persuade consumers to purchase goods
  • Why does your business’s ability to grow and thrive depend on effective communication
  • The diverse functions played by communication theories in the business world
  • How efficiently do marketing and corporate communication work together?
  • Overcoming business obstacles with dialogue

Organizational Communication Research Topics

Organizational communication research is a subfield of organizational behavior that studies human-to-human interactions within organizations and how they affect the success of an organization. Are you looking for some organizational communication topics? Here are the top ten!

  • How do employees feel about their employer’s communication?
  • How satisfied are employees with their workplace freedom for interpersonal communication?
  • How much impact do organizational culture and communication have on the organization’s success?
  • How does the structure of a company affect how it communicates with its employees?
  • How do you know if your communication efforts are effective for your company?
  • What is the best way to use email as an organizational tool?
  • What are the most effective ways to communicate with customers?
  • What are the most effective ways to communicate with employees?
  • Leadership and organizational communication
  • How much impact does organizational communication have on the organization’s success?

Virtual Communication Topics

Virtual communication is one of the most common forms of communication today. People across continents can communicate without barriers through virtual communication. Are you looking for virtual communication topics? We’ve compiled a list of 10 virtual communication topics for you!

  • How to make virtual communication more effective
  • The importance of building relationships with virtual communication before you start discussing business
  • How to avoid misinterpretation in virtual communication
  • How do you feel about working with people who don’t have an office?
  • What’s the best part about working and communicating from home?
  • What are the tips for managing distractions while working remotely?
  • What’s your take on virtual meetings?
  • Which is most preferable between face-to-face and virtual communication?
  • How to make sure everything is recorded correctly when using video chat software.
  • How to deal with trolls in the virtual world

Nonverbal Communication Research Topics

Nonverbal communication is any form of communication that does not involve speech (i.e., body language). Nonverbal communication includes things like nodding or shaking the head, smiling or frowning, and touching someone on the shoulder while talking to them right in front of their face.

If you’re looking for communication topics for research on non-verbal, take a look at the best 10 non-verbal topics below.

  • The effect of nonverbal cues on the perception of dominance
  • The role of nonverbal communication in the formation of trust
  • The effect of context on the organization and interpretation of nonverbal cues
  • The interplay between nonverbal communication and facial expressions
  • The impact of nonverbal communication on relationships
  • How social class affects nonverbal communication
  • The effect of culture on nonverbal communication
  • How does gender impact our perception of facial expressions and body language?
  • How our surroundings can influence our behavior
  • Nonverbal as a tool for self-expression

Oral Communication Speech Topics

The term “oral communication” refers to verbal communication that involves using the mouth to convey thoughts or ideas. Sometimes, finding an oral speech topic might be challenging. That’s why we have put up a list of 10 oral speech communications topics for you:  

  • The history of oral communication
  • Oral communication as a way to learn a foreign language
  • Oral communication in education
  • Oral communication in business and the workplace
  • Oral communication in sports and entertainment
  • How to give a persuasive speech
  • How to give an informative speech
  • How can you improve your interpersonal communication skills
  • The importance of a good speaking voice
  • Oral Communication in a Parent-Child Relationship

Communication Speech Topics

Are you searching for topics about speech and communication? Here is a list of the top 10 communication speech essay topics you can choose from.

  • The importance of communication in the workplace
  • The power of good communication skills
  • How to make a good first impression with your boss or client
  • How to express gratitude for a job well done or a favor returned
  • The value of making others feel comfortable about speaking up
  • How to interact with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities
  • The importance of communication skills
  • How to give a presentation
  • How to deal with difficult people and situations at work or school
  • How to speak in front of a group of people

Cultural Communication Essay Topics

Cultural communication refers to understanding how people from different cultures communicate with each other through verbal and non-verbal means. Do you need to write an essay about cultural communication? Below are 10 fascinating cultural communication topics:  

  • Communication is a two-way street, not a one-way street. Discuss.
  • The importance of cultural communication
  • What is cultural communication in the modern world?
  • Cultural communication and intercultural dialogue
  • Does cultural communication affect our understanding of the world?
  • How to communicate with people from other cultures.
  • Cultural differences in communication styles
  • How does cultural communication affect business?
  • Is the importance of cultural communication slowly fading?
  • What is the most common mistake people make when trying to communicate with someone from another culture?

Communication is a crucial aspect of life. It’s the key to everything, whether we’re trying to sell a product, tell someone we’re sorry, or just say “hi.”

Communication research paper topics can be challenging to find. With these 110 communication topics, you can choose a topic faster! And if you need help with your paper or essay, you can always turn to trusted writing companies to help you!

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speech communication thesis topics

Master's Thesis Topics

2023 graduates.

Master’s Student: Ellen Alley

Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Anita Vangelisti

I CAN SEE HOW YOU FEEL: FRAMEWORKS FOR EMOTION RECOGNITION AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS WITH RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Master’s Student: Dewi Rosfalianti Azizah

Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Stacey Sowards 

IN AND BEYOND THE GATE OF PESANTREN:  ISLAMIC FEMINISM AND FEMALE ULAMA CONTRIBUTIONS TO ISLAMIC DISCOURSE IN INDONESIA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Master’s Student: Faith Osterberg

Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Jeffrey Treem 

UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS OF WORK THROUGH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS' NOTIONS OF WORK, CALLING, AND SELF-ADVANCEMENT IN FULLY REMOTE ROLES                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Master’s Student:  Karissa Marie Hernandez

PARENTS, PRIVACY, PARENTIFICATION: EXPLORING PARENTAL DISCLOSURES OF FAMILY SECRETS, PARENTIFICATION, PRIVACY MANAGEMENT, AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Master’s Student:  Vanessa Lopez

Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Nik Palomares & Dr. Roselia Mendez Murillo (Co-Chair)  

HOW HISPANIC ACCENTS MAKE ONLINE DATING PROFILES MORE SOCIALLY ATTRACTIVE:  DOES INTERCULTURAL SENSITIVITY PLAY A ROLE?         

Master’s Student:  Katherine McChurch 

Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Rene Dailey 

SURVIVORS' DISCLOSURE AND THEIR ABILITY TO RECALL AND COPE WITH THEIR SEXUAL ASSAULT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Master’s Student:  Margaret E Solice

Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Johanna Hartelius 

PRIVILEGING HISTORIES: AN HOSPITABLE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE FIRST ALL-WOMAN STATE SUPREME COURT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Master’s Student:  Yating Yang

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF OPEN COMMUNICATION ON COUPLES' RELATIONSHIP AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING DURING MENOPAUSE: AN EXAMINATION OF THE MEDIATING EFFECTS OF COMMUNAL COPING WITH AN ACTOR-PARTNER INTERDEPENDENCE MODEL                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

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14 Crafting a Thesis Statement

Learning Objectives

  • Craft a thesis statement that is clear, concise, and declarative.
  • Narrow your topic based on your thesis statement and consider the ways that your main points will support the thesis.

Crafting a Thesis Statement

A  thesis statement  is a short, declarative sentence that states the purpose, intent, or main idea of a speech. A strong, clear thesis statement is very valuable within an introduction because it lays out the basic goal of the entire speech. We strongly believe that it is worthwhile to invest some time in framing and writing a good thesis statement. You may even want to write your thesis statement before you even begin conducting research for your speech. While you may end up rewriting your thesis statement later, having a clear idea of your purpose, intent, or main idea before you start searching for research will help you focus on the most appropriate material. To help us understand thesis statements, we will first explore their basic functions and then discuss how to write a thesis statement.

Basic Functions of a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement helps your audience by letting them know, clearly and concisely, what you are going to talk about. A strong thesis statement will allow your reader to understand the central message of your speech. You will want to be as specific as possible. A thesis statement for informative speaking should be a declarative statement that is clear and concise; it will tell the audience what to expect in your speech. For persuasive speaking, a thesis statement should have a narrow focus and should be arguable, there must be an argument to explore within the speech. The exploration piece will come with research, but we will discuss that in the main points. For now, you will need to consider your specific purpose and how this relates directly to what you want to tell this audience. Remember, no matter if your general purpose is to inform or persuade, your thesis will be a declarative statement that reflects your purpose.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

Now that we’ve looked at why a thesis statement is crucial in a speech, let’s switch gears and talk about how we go about writing a solid thesis statement. A thesis statement is related to the general and specific purposes of a speech.

Once you have chosen your topic and determined your purpose, you will need to make sure your topic is narrow. One of the hardest parts of writing a thesis statement is narrowing a speech from a broad topic to one that can be easily covered during a five- to seven-minute speech. While five to seven minutes may sound like a long time for new public speakers, the time flies by very quickly when you are speaking. You can easily run out of time if your topic is too broad. To ascertain if your topic is narrow enough for a specific time frame, ask yourself three questions.

Is your speech topic a broad overgeneralization of a topic?

Overgeneralization occurs when we classify everyone in a specific group as having a specific characteristic. For example, a speaker’s thesis statement that “all members of the National Council of La Raza are militant” is an overgeneralization of all members of the organization. Furthermore, a speaker would have to correctly demonstrate that all members of the organization are militant for the thesis statement to be proven, which is a very difficult task since the National Council of La Raza consists of millions of Hispanic Americans. A more appropriate thesis related to this topic could be, “Since the creation of the National Council of La Raza [NCLR] in 1968, the NCLR has become increasingly militant in addressing the causes of Hispanics in the United States.”

Is your speech’s topic one clear topic or multiple topics?

A strong thesis statement consists of only a single topic. The following is an example of a thesis statement that contains too many topics: “Medical marijuana, prostitution, and Women’s Equal Rights Amendment should all be legalized in the United States.” Not only are all three fairly broad, but you also have three completely unrelated topics thrown into a single thesis statement. Instead of a thesis statement that has multiple topics, limit yourself to only one topic. Here’s an example of a thesis statement examining only one topic: Ratifying the Women’s Equal Rights Amendment as equal citizens under the United States law would protect women by requiring state and federal law to engage in equitable freedoms among the sexes.

Does the topic have direction?

If your basic topic is too broad, you will never have a solid thesis statement or a coherent speech. For example, if you start off with the topic “Barack Obama is a role model for everyone,” what do you mean by this statement? Do you think President Obama is a role model because of his dedication to civic service? Do you think he’s a role model because he’s a good basketball player? Do you think he’s a good role model because he’s an excellent public speaker? When your topic is too broad, almost anything can become part of the topic. This ultimately leads to a lack of direction and coherence within the speech itself. To make a cleaner topic, a speaker needs to narrow her or his topic to one specific area. For example, you may want to examine why President Obama is a good public speaker.

Put Your Topic into a Declarative Sentence

You wrote your general and specific purpose. Use this information to guide your thesis statement. If you wrote a clear purpose, it will be easy to turn this into a declarative statement.

General purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform my audience about the lyricism of former President Barack Obama’s presentation skills.

Your thesis statement needs to be a declarative statement. This means it needs to actually state something. If a speaker says, “I am going to talk to you about the effects of social media,” this tells you nothing about the speech content. Are the effects positive? Are they negative? Are they both? We don’t know. This sentence is an announcement, not a thesis statement. A declarative statement clearly states the message of your speech.

For example, you could turn the topic of President Obama’s public speaking skills into the following sentence: “Because of his unique sense of lyricism and his well-developed presentational skills, President Barack Obama is a modern symbol of the power of public speaking.” Or you could state, “Socal media has both positive and negative effects on users.”

Adding your Argument, Viewpoint, or Opinion

If your topic is informative, your job is to make sure that the thesis statement is nonargumentative and focuses on facts. For example, in the preceding thesis statement, we have a couple of opinion-oriented terms that should be avoided for informative speeches: “unique sense,” “well-developed,” and “power.” All three of these terms are laced with an individual’s opinion, which is fine for a persuasive speech but not for an informative speech. For informative speeches, the goal of a thesis statement is to explain what the speech will be informing the audience about, not attempting to add the speaker’s opinion about the speech’s topic. For an informative speech, you could rewrite the thesis statement to read, “Barack Obama’s use of lyricism in his speech, ‘A World That Stands as One,’ delivered July 2008 in Berlin demonstrates exceptional use of rhetorical strategies. 

On the other hand, if your topic is persuasive, you want to make sure that your argument, viewpoint, or opinion is clearly indicated within the thesis statement. If you are going to argue that Barack Obama is a great speaker, then you should set up this argument within your thesis statement.

For example, you could turn the topic of President Obama’s public speaking skills into the following sentence: “Because of his unique sense of lyricism and his well-developed presentational skills, President Barack Obama is a modern symbol of the power of public speaking.” Once you have a clear topic sentence, you can start tweaking the thesis statement to help set up the purpose of your speech.

Thesis Checklist

Once you have written a first draft of your thesis statement, you’re probably going to end up revising your thesis statement a number of times prior to delivering your actual speech. A thesis statement is something that is constantly tweaked until the speech is given. As your speech develops, often your thesis will need to be rewritten to whatever direction the speech itself has taken. We often start with a speech going in one direction, and find out through our research that we should have gone in a different direction. When you think you finally have a thesis statement that is good to go for your speech, take a second and make sure it adheres to the criteria shown below.

Thesis checklist questions.

Preview of Speech

The preview, as stated in the introduction portion of our readings, reminds us that we will need to let the audience know what the main points in our speech will be. You will want to follow the thesis with the preview of your speech. Your preview will allow the audience to follow your main points in a sequential manner. Spoiler alert: The preview when stated out loud will remind you of main point 1, main point 2, and main point 3 (etc. if you have more or less main points). It is a built in memory card!

For Future Reference | How to organize this in an outline |

Introduction

Attention Getter: Background information: Credibility: Thesis: Preview:

Key Takeaways

Introductions are foundational to an effective public speech.

  • A thesis statement is instrumental to a speech that is well-developed and supported.
  • Be sure that you are spending enough time brainstorming strong attention getters and considering your audience’s goal(s) for the introduction.
  • A strong thesis will allow you to follow a roadmap throughout the rest of your speech: it is worth spending the extra time to ensure you have a strong thesis statement.

Stand up, Speak out  by University of Minnesota is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Public Speaking Copyright © by Dr. Layne Goodman; Amber Green, M.A.; and Various is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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102 Intercultural Communication Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best intercultural communication topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on intercultural communication, 📌 most interesting intercultural communication topics to write about, ❓ questions about intercultural communication.

  • 6 Barriers of Intercultural Communication Essay Cross cultural or intercultural communication is a part of the interaction of different people from different backgrounds and heritages. In this way, prejudice is inevitable blockage of cross-cultural communication as it is a source to […]
  • Reasons for Not Appreciating Different Cultural Point of View One of the reasons why people may not appreciate the cultural point of view of others is because of the differences in cultural values.
  • Diverse Contexts and Intercultural Communication at Work As the world moves to the global environment, the modern workplace becomes more and more diverse. When individuals are educated about intercultural differences are more likely to alter their communication styles to suit the needs […]
  • The Role of Ethnocentrism in Intercultural Communication The only way to control ethnocentrism is to avoid biases as we find better ways to understand other people’s point of view.
  • Intercultural Communication Perspectives These include the definition of intercultural communication and an overview of the contents involved in teaching it; it also provides a brief overview of personal experience as a teacher in an intercultural learning institution.
  • Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication This education is one that derived from the cultural point of view of the society and hence the early childhood education strove to inculcate this sense in the young minds.
  • Religion in Intercultural Communication The main political message in the scripture explains God’s role as the creator and master of everything in the universe. The excerpt is generally acknowledged as one of the most important verses in the sacred […]
  • Effects of the Language Barrier on Intercultural Communication This paper will argue for some of the major problems of language barriers in the context of intercultural communication, highlighting the severity of the issue and its effect on the practice.
  • The Importance of Intercultural Communication Engaging in dual perspectives is among the concepts I would apply to improve communication of my ideas and needs to the Chinese friend.
  • Intercultural Communication: Self-Awareness’ Importance However, to understand it, a person must be able to connect to the lives of others and to observe these processes in other people.
  • Intercultural Communication and Success at Work Such people have limited abilities to consider alternative behaviours in processes of interpersonal communications that involve different cultures. Such forms of cross-cultural communications are difficult and may lead to interpersonal conflicts in communications.
  • Understanding Intercultural Communication by Ting-Toomey and Leeva Christianity in the North American and European tradition has a hard-hitting history of Christian colonialism, when the faith was imposed on the inhabitants of the territories of the occupied countries, with the belittling of the […]
  • Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication in the UAE Since the business and cultural links established between the UAE and other states are crucial for the process of the states’ development, it is highly required that the root causes of intercultural and intracultural conflicts […]
  • Martin and Nakayama: Intercultural Communication in Contexts In their book, the authors reveal to the readers that there are two types of nonverbal communication. To this end, they state that motivation, knowledge, attitude and behavior are the major components for facilitating intercultural […]
  • Intercultural Communication Led by UNESCO The organization aspires to achieve universal respect for justice, the rule of law, human rights, and freedom for all the communities in the world.
  • Intercultural Communication in “Gran Torino” Movie However, it is also quite peculiar that the scene in question allows viewing the issue of the culture clash on so many different levels; specifically, the fact that the conflict occurs not only between an […]
  • Face Concept in Chinese Culture: A Complication to Intercultural Communication One of the concepts of face in Chinese culture is that of losing face. This paper set out to argue that the concept of face in Chinese culture complicates intercultural communication.
  • Personal Worldview and Intercultural Communications God sacrificed Jesus to wash the sins of people and get rid of the iniquities and curses on the earth. From a Christian worldview, I could easily identify topics and teachings of the Christian religion […]
  • Franco-Italian Intercultural Communication As a result, collective approaches to the problems created by their uprooting and by the necessity of adjusting to the new society tend to be organized along village lines, or at best on the basis […]
  • Reducing Intercultural Communication Barriers To reduce the above challenges, I must be aware of the barriers, be empathetic, pay careful attention to communication cues, and always verify with the receiver that I have understood his or her response. Academically, […]
  • Intercultural Communication Principles In other words, if good interpersonal and international relationships are not managed through intercultural communication, there is no possibility of gaining benefits from all other areas.
  • Australian Education and Intercultural Communication Australian education is among the best globally, offering quality education that has led to the growth and development of the nation socially, culturally, and economically.
  • Intercultural Communication in Business For an organization to be successful in the global market, leaders must conduct extensive research and fully understand the cultural and social values of the foreign country.
  • The Engagement of Christian Intercultural Communication Therefore, the text generally provides the comparison between the Christian Intercultural Communication in the missionaries and theologians concerning the intercultural Communication and its impact on the fulfillment of the great commission.
  • Intercultural Communication in Chinese Business Despite the accelerating processes of globalization, the diversity of cultures still obliges people to be familiar with values and customs in advance to create the best and most delicate communication channel.
  • Local Community and Intercultural Communication: Helping Immigrants I will organize community events and invite both local members of the church and the immigrants in order to create a safe environment for them to meet.
  • Limitations in Intercultural Communication The main barriers that reduce the effectiveness of interactions are the differences in cognitive schemes used by representatives of different cultures 1.
  • Intercultural Communication and Healthcare Delivery: Cranford Population The racial composition of the Cranford population shows that it comprises of different races, which implies that cultural communication is essential in the delivery of healthcare services.
  • Relationship Between Ethnocentrism and Intercultural Communication The scaling for the questions administered ranged from 1 to 5; a score with a mean of 1 showed a low level of ethnocentrism, while a score with a mean of 5 showed a higher […]
  • Intercultural Communication Campaign: Asian Students’ Reticence Issues The given communication campaign will primarily focus on the issues of reticence among Asian international students through the socio-centric and non-argumentative approaches.
  • Intercultural and Cross-Cultural Communication It examines Agar’s specific approach to the notion of culture, the preconditions for intercultural breakdowns, and the appropriate solution to prevent them.
  • Effective Intercultural Communication Culture is collective programming, a system of meanings and notions, which are shared between the members of one culture group and are used to construe the world around them.
  • Intercultural Communication Attitudes It’s important to take into account cultural differences to make intercultural teams effective. It’s also necessary to pay attention to gender, age, and socioeconomic status.
  • Intercultural Communication: Aspects In order to fulfill my interests, I always ensure that I make good use of every opportunity I get by interacting a lot with the people I meet.
  • Intercultural Communication in the Workplace For this to happen, both men and women do not have to be in a relationship as it happens in many cases. In business matters, it is very significant to appreciate the morals and customs […]
  • Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace This intercultural communication can be defined as the process which involves a combination of various skills, knowledge plus the combination of theoretical insights in trying to exchange meaningful and unambiguous information across the cultural boundaries […]
  • The Effect of Global Technology on Intercultural Communication Global technology allows for open access to a wealth of information, resources, and influence that can encourage change in cultures and societies.
  • Personal Worldview and Intercultural Communication Since I believe that living according to the word is the only right thing to do, I tend to disregard other people’s cultures because, in my view, my culture is right and other people’s cultures […]
  • Intercultural Communication in Contexts: Chapters Review As it is clear in this chapter, one of the ways by which the two differ from each other is that; nonverbal communication which includes the use of facial expressions, gestures, and proxemics among other […]
  • Intercultural Communication as Practiced in the US There are certain patterns of nonverbal behavior disclosing a particular communicative idea, but there are cases when it is impossible to display those patterns successfully. Therefore, it is much harder to conceal nonverbal signals that […]
  • Intercultural Communication in the Arabian Gulf Region The concept of intercultural communication is particularly important to the countries in the Arabian Gulf where the rate of cultural diversity is at an all time high.
  • Intercultural Communication Sensitivity Against Ethnocentrism While examining the ethnocentric limitations of the humanistic theory, it is necessary to consider the theoretical concept of ethnocentrism in detail.
  • Intercultural Communication in the Series “Tyrant” Caught up in the middle of a revolt against the ruling family, he loses his father, who died during the coup, and is forced to help his brother and the new president to overcome the […]
  • Culture Shock and Intercultural Communication The challenges of mistreatment of women and religious orientations can be addressed by conducting workshops and trainings aimed at assisting expatriate employees to develop adequate cultural competence on how to deal with culturally diverse others […]
  • Intercultural Communication in Contexts: Fifth Edition Review Another aspect of language to consider is the evolvement of technology in the digital age and the emergence of online communication.
  • Intercultural Communication: Identity and Relationships The other position is the relativist, which provides that the language, which a person speaks, determines the perception of that particular person on different issues in life.
  • Intercultural Communication in the Business World In the context of the case study, one of the mistakes Clyde made was the failure to take time to learn about the culture of Senseyans before interacting with them.
  • Intercultural Communication Barriers There is absolutely no way through which one is able to learn all the norms of every culture and their sub-culture all in a bid to understand the various barriers to intercultural communication.
  • Intercultural Communication: Different Aspects Discussing the main aspects of the inter-cultural communication, Carol Myers-Scotton focuses on the role of globalisation in the process, on differences between collectivistic and individualistic cultures which influence the particular features of the representatives’ communication, […]
  • Intercultural Communication: Workers From Diverse Backgrounds Verderber and Verderber allege that communication is quite intricate in multinational organizations due to a diverse body of workers with distinct educational, cultural, and social backgrounds.
  • Computer Mediated Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication Despite the fact that social media clearly poses a tangible threat to the culture of live communication and, therefore, will contribute to the shriveling of people’s social skills, computer mediated interpersonal and intercultural communication will […]
  • Intercultural Communication: Stereotypes and Perspectives Finally, it is possible to say that being a rather complicated issue; communication also has a great number of different prejudices connected with the culture of people and their behavior.
  • International and Intercultural Communication On the masculinity and femininity dimension, the scores of the two countries are 62 for the United States and 40 for Tanzania.
  • Intercultural Interaction and Communication Plan: Merced, CA The documents help to inform the school and students about the changes in education and ensure communities and parents participate in the process of learning.
  • Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication at the Workplace The interview was explained to the reasons of the interview and the need for the specific information being searched for. The key concept to retain in communication, is that no one component of communication – […]
  • Kinesics and Proxemics in Intercultural Negotiations There are a myriad of kinesics and it will be hard for the US Company to learn all of the applicable kinesics when relating to the Japanese people.
  • Intercultural Communication in Society Unlike other people in New Jersey, Alexander Mathew has a friendly attitude towards tourists, as he likes sharing his cultural beliefs and traditions with different people.
  • Intercultural Communication Experiences: Interview With an Immigrant Sheik Omar is an immigrant to the United States and lives in the Atlantic City, New Jersey. The writer thought that Sheik Omar has adopted American culture since he has lived in the United States […]
  • Intercultural and International Differences in Professional Communication On the other hand, the Americans communication culture is comprised of verbal communication. In this case, the Taiwanese culture is the high context culture while Americans is the low context culture.
  • Intercultural Communication Patterns in the U.S. and UK Additionally, the concept of equality is notable in the American culture. Contrastingly, in the American culture, people are more casual and less formal compared to Britons.
  • Language and Culture: Language Acquisition The process of the first language acquisition is considered to be a psycholinguistic process, while the second language acquisition is the area for study for linguists.
  • Intercultural Communication in Various Contexts Code switching practices have led countries to declare the official languages in a country in order to promote the assimilation of the people in the country.
  • Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Unlike other minority groups in Europe, the Jews face more segregation owing to the stereotype created about them in reference to the past association with the communities there, particularly, Germany and Austria, countries that were […]
  • “Intercultural Communication in Business Ventures” Article Study Upon determining the market potential in the international market, it is critical for firms’ management teams to evaluate the various factors that would be necessary in the exploitation of the market opportunities.
  • Ways to Improve Intercultural Communication There may be lack of understanding between the two parties because information may be misunderstood because of the preconceived beliefs about members of one’s cultural background which may not apply to the individual involved in […]
  • Islamic Living: Effective Cross-Cultural Communication It is not possible to separate Islam as a religion and the way one who professes the faith lives because it has been said to be a way of life.
  • Intercultural Business and Legal Communication Additionally, the scholarly critique shall attempt to identify the goals of the article and the key theories and concepts used and whether are not these theories and concepts achieved the goals of the article. The […]
  • Cross Cultural Communications in the Globalized World Among the cultures that have always been in conflict are the Islamic culture and the American culture. Assimilation in the American and Islamic cultures is desirable if effective communication is to occur between adherents of […]
  • Inter-Cultural Communication Skills in Career Goal at the Contemporary Workplace It will be necessary for me to use emotional intelligence, for example in a scenario where the customer was mean or rude to one of my graphic designers’ due to dissatisfaction, it will be imperative […]
  • Challenges of Effective Intercultural Communication Inter-cultural communications professionals work with global firms to play down the aforementioned results of poor inter-cultural understanding. Lingual acquaintance serves to bridge the cultural bridges and evening lines of communication.
  • Efficient Intercultural Interaction and Communication This way, they will be able to learn the different languages and this is important for communication and good co-existence in the societies. The kind or number of affiliations that a person may have with […]
  • What Are Some Examples of Intercultural Communication?
  • How Can Barriers to Intercultural Communication Be Overcome?
  • What Are the Types of Intercultural Communication?
  • How Does Poor Intercultural Communication Affect International Commerce and Foreign Policy?
  • How Do We Deal With Intercultural Communication?
  • What Are Some Intercultural Communication Problems?
  • What Are Intercultural Communication Skills?
  • What Is Intercultural Communication and Examples?
  • What Makes Intercultural Communication Essential in the Process of Globalization?
  • What Is Intercultural Communication, and Why Is It Important?
  • Why Is It Important to Think Beyond Ourselves as Individuals in Intercultural Interaction?
  • How Does Poor Intercultural Communication Affects International?
  • What Are the Four Forms of Intercultural Communication?
  • What Is the Other Name for Intercultural Communication?
  • What Is the Role of Intercultural Communication in Work-Life?
  • What Are the Three Challenges of Intercultural Communication?
  • Why Do We Need to Understand Intercultural Communication?
  • How Important Is Intercultural Communication to Our Society?
  • What Makes for Good Intercultural Communication?
  • What Are the Four Elements of Intercultural Communication?
  • What Role Does Intercultural Communication Play in Achieving Effective Communication?
  • What Is the Difference Between Cultural and Intercultural?
  • What Are the Six Dichotomies of Intercultural Communication?
  • What Are the Challenges of Intercultural Communication?
  • What Is the Meaning of Intercultural?
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Communication Studies: Dissertations & Theses

Dissertation databases.

Use one of the following databases to find dissertations.  Once you have identified the dissertations you need, submit an interlibrary loan request to get a copy if it is not available at UW or online.  You can also buy copies of many dissertations via ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global .  

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Find UW Communication Dissertations

The UW Libraries hold physical copies of dissertations written by UW students before 2013.  From 2013 forward, most UW dissertations will only be hosted online through UW Libraries ResearchWorks Service .  To locate physical and online dissertations, use UW Libraries Search .  Try using the Advanced Search in the following ways:

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All UW dissertations are now published only online.  This provides 24/7 access to your dissertation and supports open access to scholarly information.  UW Communi cation dissertations are available online through UW ResearchWorks.  

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  • Bellinger, M. (2018). The rhetoric of Bitcoin : Money, politics, and the construction of blockchain communities.
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  • Fichet, E. (2018). Creativity readiness in crisis communications : How crisis communicators' ability to be creative is impacted at the individual, work team, and organizational levels.
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  • Oishi, T. (2019). Tinder-ing desire : The circuit of culture, gamified dating and creating desirable selves.
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  • Tanweer, A. (2018). Data science of the social : How the practice is responding to ethical crisis and spreading across sectors.
  • Woolley, S. (2018). Manufacturing consensus : Computational propaganda and the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.
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Communication Subject Guide

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Tips for Choosing a Topic

What is a thesis statement, what is a strong thesis statement, building a thesis statement.

  • Scholarly vs. Popular
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  • Make sure you understand the assignment. Ask questions if you are unsure.
  • Choose a topic that interests you.
  • Brainstorm. On a sheet of paper, write down every idea that comes to mind. Even ideas that seem ridiculous can spark a great paper topic.
  • Once you have selected a topic, write a summary of it in three or four sentences or explain it to a friend or classmate. If it takes you less than three sentences, then your topic may be too narrow. If it takes you more than three or four sentences, your topic may be too broad.       

A thesis is the central idea/argument of a piece of writing with the entire work developing and supporting the idea.  Though sometimes unstated, a thesis should always govern a paper.  It usually appears as a thesis sentence somewhere in the paper, primarily in the opening paragraph.

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Informative Speaking

The topic, purpose, and thesis.

Before any work can be done on crafting the body of your speech or presentation, you must first do some prep work—selecting a topic, formulating a purpose statement, and crafting a thesis statement. In doing so, you lay the foundation for your speech by making important decisions about what you will speak about and for what purpose you will speak. These decisions will influence and guide the entire speechwriting process, so it is wise to think carefully and critically during these beginning stages.

I think reading is important in any form. I think a person who’s trying to learn to like reading should start off reading about a topic they are interested in, or a person they are interested in. – Ice Cube

Questions for Selecting a Topic

  • What important events are occurring locally, nationally and internationally?
  • What do I care about most?
  • Is there someone or something I can advocate for?
  • What makes me angry/happy?
  • What beliefs/attitudes do I want to share?
  • Is there some information the audience needs to know?

Selecting a Topic

Painting of a person reading a book

“The Reader” by Shakespearesmonkey. CC-BY-NC .

Generally, speakers focus on one or more interrelated topics—relatively broad concepts, ideas, or problems that are relevant for particular audiences. The most common way that speakers discover topics is by simply observing what is happening around them—at their school, in their local government, or around the world. This is because all speeches are brought into existence as a result of circumstances, the multiplicity of activities going on at any one given moment in a particular place. For instance, presidential candidates craft short policy speeches that can be employed during debates, interviews, or town hall meetings during campaign seasons. When one of the candidates realizes he or she will not be successful, the particular circumstances change and the person must craft different kinds of speeches—a concession speech, for example. In other words, their campaign for presidency, and its many related events, necessitates the creation of various speeches. Rhetorical theorist Lloyd Bitzer [1] describes this as the rhetorical situation. Put simply, the rhetorical situation is the combination of factors that make speeches and other discourse meaningful and a useful way to change the way something is. Student government leaders, for example, speak or write to other students when their campus is facing tuition or fee increases, or when students have achieved something spectacular, like lobbying campus administrators for lower student fees and succeeding. In either case, it is the situation that makes their speeches appropriate and useful for their audience of students and university employees. More importantly, they speak when there is an opportunity to change a university policy or to alter the way students think or behave in relation to a particular event on campus.

But you need not run for president or student government in order to give a meaningful speech. On the contrary, opportunities abound for those interested in engaging speech as a tool for change. Perhaps the simplest way to find a topic is to ask yourself a few questions. See the textbox entitled “Questions for Selecting a Topic” for a few questions that will help you choose a topic.

There are other questions you might ask yourself, too, but these should lead you to at least a few topical choices. The most important work that these questions do is to locate topics within your pre-existing sphere of knowledge and interest. David Zarefsky [2] also identifies brainstorming as a way to develop speech topics, a strategy that can be helpful if the questions listed in the textbox did not yield an appropriate or interesting topic.

Starting with a topic you are already interested in will likely make writing and presenting your speech a more enjoyable and meaningful experience. It means that your entire speechwriting process will focus on something you find important and that you can present this information to people who stand to benefit from your speech.

Once you have answered these questions and narrowed your responses, you are still not done selecting your topic. For instance, you might have decided that you really care about conserving habitat for bog turtles. This is a very broad topic and could easily lead to a dozen different speeches. To resolve this problem, speakers must also consider the audience to whom they will speak, the scope of their presentation, and the outcome they wish to achieve. If the bog turtle enthusiast knows that she will be talking to a local zoning board and that she hopes to stop them from allowing businesses to locate on important bog turtle habitat, her topic can easily morph into something more specific. Now, her speech topic is two-pronged: bog turtle habitat and zoning rules.

Formulating the Purpose Statements

bog turtle

“Bog turtle sunning” by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Public domain.

By honing in on a very specific topic, you begin the work of formulating your purpose statement . In short, a purpose statement clearly states what it is you would like to achieve. Purpose statements are especially helpful for guiding you as you prepare your speech. When deciding which main points, facts, and examples to include, you should simply ask yourself whether they are relevant not only to the topic you have selected, but also whether they support the goal you outlined in your purpose statement. The general purpose statement of a speech may be to inform, to persuade, to inspire, to celebrate, to mourn, or to entertain. Thus, it is common to frame a specific purpose statement around one of these goals. According to O’Hair, Stewart, and Rubenstein, a specific purpose statement “expresses both the topic and the general speech purpose in action form and in terms of the specific objectives you hope to achieve.” [3] For instance, the bog turtle habitat activist might write the following specific purpose statement: At the end of my speech, the Clarke County Zoning Commission will understand that locating businesses in bog turtle habitat is a poor choice with a range of negative consequences. In short, the general purpose statement lays out the broader goal of the speech while the specific purpose statement describes precisely what the speech is intended to do.

Success demands singleness of purpose. – Vince Lombardi

Writing the Thesis Statement

The specific purpose statement is a tool that you will use as you write your talk, but it is unlikely that it will appear verbatim in your speech. Instead, you will want to convert the specific purpose statement into a thesis statement that you will share with your audience. A thesis statement encapsulates the main points of a speech in just a sentence or two, and it is designed to give audiences a quick preview of what the entire speech will be about. The thesis statement for a speech, like the thesis of a research- based essay, should be easily identifiable and ought to very succinctly sum up the main points you will present. Moreover, the thesis statement should reflect the general purpose of your speech; if your purpose is to persuade or educate, for instance, the thesis should alert audience members to this goal. The bog turtle enthusiast might prepare the following thesis statement based on her specific purpose statement: Bog turtle habitats are sensitive to a variety of activities, but land development is particularly harmful to unstable habitats. The Clarke County Zoning Commission should protect bog turtle habitats by choosing to prohibit business from locating in these habitats. In this example, the thesis statement outlines the main points and implies that the speaker will be arguing for certain zoning practices.

  • Bitzer, L. (1968). The rhetorical situation. Philosophy & Rhetoric , 1 (1), 1 – 14. ↵
  • Zarefsky, D. (2010). Public speaking: Strategies for success (6th edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. ↵
  • O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., Rubenstein, H. (2004). A speaker’s guidebook: Text and reference (2nd edition). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. ↵
  • Chapter 8 The Topic, Purpose, and Thesis. Authored by : Joshua Trey Barnett. Provided by : University of Indiana, Bloomington, IN. Located at : http://publicspeakingproject.org/psvirtualtext.html . Project : The Public Speaking Project. License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
  • The Reader. Authored by : Shakespearesmonkey. Located at : https://www.flickr.com/photos/shakespearesmonkey/4939289974/ . License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial
  • Image of a bog turtle . Authored by : R. G. Tucker, Jr.. Provided by : United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Located at : http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bog_turtle_sunning.jpg . License : Public Domain: No Known Copyright

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Home > Education > Communication Disorders > Theses and Dissertations

Communication Disorders Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Speech-Language Pathologists' Perspectives on Working With Couples Impacted by Aphasia , Jannelyse Allred

Survey of Parental Perspectives in Dialogic Book Reading Practices in Parents of Preschool-Aged Children , Hind Otba Taiseer Alsboul

Flexible and Rigid Endoscopic Evaluation of In Vivo Rabbit Larynges: A Pilot Study , Shauntel Mei Li Anderson

Prosodic Speech Rate, Utterance Duration, Interruption Rate, and Turn-Taking Latency in Autistic and Neurotypical Adults , Grace Madeline Bell

Toward Overcoming the Double Empathy Problem: Bridging Autistic and Neurotypical Minds Through Science and Art , Elizabeth Rose Bessey

A Rabbit Model of Voice Function Changes Caused by the Administration and Subsequent Withdrawal of Asthma Inhalers , Savannah Forbes Bullock

Marriage and Family Therapists' Perspectives of Working With Couples Impacted by Aphasia: General Perceptions and Response to Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training , Madison Rae Christensen

The Effect of Context Diversity in Virtual Reality Environments on Speech Motor Learning in a Person With Aphasia and Apraxia of Speech , Shelby Keeler Holloway

Caregiver and Clinician Impressions on the Development of Spoken Language in Autistic Cochlear Implant Users , Courtney Dawn Marks

Perceptual, Acoustic, and Kinematic Measures of Speech Precision and Steadiness , Jessica Jamiel Martin

Measuring the Effects of Selective and Divided Attention Conditions on Language Production: Comparing Across Age Groups for Aphasia Assessment , Emily McDonald

Neurobiological Underpinnings of Autistic Traits, Sensory Processing, and Mental Health in Young Adult Males and Females , Miranda Jane McQuarrie

Speech Prosody in People With Non-fluent Aphasia: A Descriptive Study of Between and Within Utterance Pause , Makayla Brielle Newcombe

Exploring the Effects of Delayed Auditory Feedback on Speech Kinematics: A Comparative Analysis of Monologue Speech and Tongue Twisters , Abbey Corinne Persons

Parent Perspectives of a Dialogic Book Reading Workshop , Camille Slocum

The Impact of Divided Attention Tasks on Stress: Insights From Heart Rate Variability and Galvanic Skin Response , Kira Stefanie Uluave

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Interference Between Speaking and Computer Tasks in Younger and Older Adults , Paige Elise Asay

The Reversibility of Effects of Combination Inhaled Corticosteroids on Sustained Phonation Pressure and Flow in Ex Vivo Rabbit Larynges , Elisabeth Barlow

Microaggressions That Students From Underrepresented Groups Experience in Communication Sciences and Disorders , Samantha Berryhill

The Effects and Reversibility of Combination Inhaled Corticosteroids on Phonation Threshold Pressure (PTP) and Phonation Threshold Flow (PTF) in Ex Vivo Rabbit Larynges , Melanie Elizabeth Blauer

Validating a Predictive Early Kindergarten Dynamic Assessment of Word Level Reading and Language , Taylor Jordan Cena

The Effect of Speaking Context on Articulatory Kinematics in Habitual and Clear Speech , Lauren Elizabeth Clarke

Survey of Reading Habits and Dialogic Book Reading Practices in Parents of Preschool-Aged Children , Kimberly Cronin

Prosodic Pitch and Intensity in Autistic Individuals , Cassidy Gooch

Emotion, Sensory Processing, and Prosody in Neurotypical and Autistic Young Adults , Annika Henderson

Quantifying Speech Pause Durations in Typical English Speakers , John Hoffer

The Effects of an Oral Narrative and Expository School-Age Language Intervention: A Low-Dosage Study , Giana H. Hunsaker

Behavioral and Physiologic Relationships Between Sensory Processing, Attention, and Prediction in Autistic Children: An Eye Tracking Study , Courtney Hunter

The Impact of Speech Pause on the Perceived Effectiveness and Likability of a Speaker's Communication , Rebecca Lyman

Accounting for Oral Language Skills in Children With Dyslexia: A Systematic Review of the Literature , Natalie Kay Olsen Miller

The Acceptability of Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training for Couples Impacted by Aphasia: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study , Kathryn-Anne Pertab

Examining the Validity of the CUBED Narrative Language Measures Listening and Reading Subtests , Trevor David Read

The Effects of Time Pressure on Speech Fluency in Aging Adults: Comparisons With Divided Attention , Caleb Henderson Sanford

Investigating Speech Perception in Children With Speech Delay, Dyslexia, and Speech Delay and Dyslexia , Lauren Marie Spencer

Bidirectional Interference Between Speech and Mathematical, Language, or Visuospatial Tasks in Younger and Older Adults , Chanelle Thomas

Exploring Posttraumatic Growth in Aphasia: A Qualitative Investigation , Camille Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

A Comparative Study on the Expository Writing Abilities of Kindergarten Students With and Without Developmental Language Disorder , Kristine Michelle Dayley Andrus

Interference Between Speaking and Computer Tasks and Their Effects on Physiologic Arousal , Tiana Walker Bateman

Intolerance of Uncertainty, Sensory Processing, and Related Correlates in Autistic Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Mollie Bradley

The Behavioral and Neurophysiologic Relationships Between Sensory Processing and Autistic Traits in Emerging Adults , Savanah Calton

Auditory Brainstem Response in Autistic Children: Potential Implications for Sensory Processing , Madelyn Cate

Examining the Preliminary Validity of a Dynamic Assessment of Narrative Language in Mandarin Chinese , Lok Yee Sarah Cheung

External Laryngeal Oscillation and Aerodynamic Measures of Voice Onset: A Translational Study , Erik McLeod Christensen

Diagnostic Accuracy of Nonword Repetition Tasks for the Clinical Assessment of Spanish-English Dual Language Learners: A Preliminary Investigation , Audrey Czirr

The Effects of Dialogic Reading on the Oral Language of Diverse Kindergarten Students , Abigail Figgins

The Impact of Background Noise on the Communicative Experience of People With Mild to Moderate Aphasia: A Qualitative Study , Riley Robertson Hegewald

Comparing Relative and Absolute Reliability of Short Versus Long Narrative Retells , Jenna Hollis

The Effects of Stimulus Type on Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Speech Perception in Typical Adults , Melannee Wursten Ipsen

Effects of an External Oscillation Device on Phonation Threshold Pressure (PTP) , Brittany Tiffany Jones

Effects of Background Noise on the Spoken Language of Young and Older Adults During Narrative Discourse , Erin LeCheminant

The Effect of Two Rate Change Approaches on Speech Movement Patterns , Noelle Marie Lewis

Interprofessional Education for School-Based Settings , Brittney M. Mack

Speech Pause in People With Aphasia Across Word Length, Frequency, and Syntactic Category , Lana Mitchell

Defining Dyslexia Within and Across Disciplines: A Systematic Review of the Literature , Ann Marie Trumbo

An Exploratory Study of Behavioral Engagement in People With and Without Aphasia: Comparisons and Relationships , Vivian Elisabeth Ward

The Analysis of Omission and Substitution Errors in Various Language Tasks in Bilingual Children , Macy Whiting

A Randomized Control Trial Examining the Effects of a Multi-Tiered Oral Narrative Language Intervention on Kindergarten Expository Writing , Shaylee Rae Woods

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Variability of the Aerodynamic Measures of Leporine Larynges Exposed to Inhaled Corticosteroids , Miriam Angela Cannon Bake

Autistic Traits, Sensory Processing, and Intolerance of Uncertainty: Neurobiological and Behavioral Correlates , Maggie Buckhannon

Atypical Sensory Processing and Semantic Language in Autistic Children , Charlene L. Cooper

Dynamic Assessment of Narrative Language for Diverse School-Age Children With and Without Language Disorder: A Large-Scale Psychometric Study , Anahi Kamila DeRobles

Effects of Background Noise on the Speech Acoustics of People With Aphasia , Kirsten Dixon

Norming a Dynamic Assessment of Narrative Language for Diverse School-Age Children With and Without Language Disorder: A Preliminary Psychometric Study , Ashley Elizabeth Frahm

Measuring Speech Perception in Children With Speech Sound Disorders Using the Wide Range Acoustic Accuracy Scale , Briel Francis Garner

The Effect of Rate Control Cueing Modality on Articulatory Patterns , Amelia Caroline Jackson

Spatial Resolution of Quantitative Electroencephalography and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging During Phoneme Discrimination Tasks: An Abbreviated Meta-Analysis , Emily Jean Jacobs

Physiological Arousal, Emotion, and Word Retrieval in Aphasia: Effects and Relationships , Angela Lynne Johnson

The Use of Nonword Repetition Tasks in the Assessment of Developmental Language Disorder in Bilingual Children , Kirsten Kelly

Improving the Oral Narrative and Expository Language of Kindergarten Students and Reducing the Matthew Effect , Taylor Camille Magleby

Correlations Between Cognitive Pause Patterns and Listener Perceptions of Communicative Effectiveness and Likeability for People With Aphasia , Heidi Raylene McConaghie

Effects of Inhaled Combination Corticosteroid Drugs on Aerodynamic Measures of Phonation and Visual-Perceptual Measures of Vocal Fold and Arytenoid Tissue in Excised Rabbit Larynges , Christina Lynn Pang

The Perceived Effect of Pause Length and Location on Speaker Likability and Communicative Effectiveness , Julia M. Price

Phonation Threshold Pressure and Phonation Threshold Flow in Rabbits Treated With Inhaled Corticosteroids Versus Controls , Heidi Joan Robison

The Impact of Background Noise on the Spoken Language of People With Mild to Moderate Aphasia: A Preliminary Investigation , Brenna DeLyn Scadden

How Word Characteristics Affect Language-Mediated Eye Movements in Preschoolers With Varying Language Ability , Shelby Nicole Slocum

Quantifying Speech Pause Durations in Speakers With Nonfluent and Fluent Aphasia , Brooke K. Thomas

Behavioral and Neural Correlates of Sensory Processing and Anxiety in Autistic Children , Kelsey Lee Ustach Tindall

The Influence of Pause on Listeners' Perceptions in Speech of People With Aphasia , Emily Wright

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Kinematic and Acoustic Adaptation to a Bite Block During Syllable Production , Allison Marie Barney

Kinematic and Acoustic Adaptation in Response to Electromagnetic Articulography Sensor Perturbation , Emily Adelaide Bartholomew

The Effects of Distracting Background Audio on Speech Production , Camille Margaret Cowley

The Development and Preliminary Evidence of Validity and Reliability of a Spanish Static and Dynamic Assessment of Decoding , Kayla Brooke Ditty

The Classification Accuracy of a Dynamic Assessment of Language in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children When Using Response to Intervention as a Measure of Language Ability , Yuberkys Fryer

A Longitudinal Investigation of the Effects of a Kindergarten Multi-Tiered Oral Narrative Language Intervention on Later Literacy Outcomes , Tristin Carolyn Hampshire

Aerodynamic Measurement Stability During Rabbit Versus Pig Benchtop Phonation , Megan Caroline Hoggan

Effects of a Large Group Combined Narrative and Expository Language Intervention on Oral Language in Third Graders , Kylie Lynn Lee

Effects of Positive and Negative Emotional Valence on Response TimeDuring a Confrontational Naming Task: Findings from People with Aphasia and Young Adults , Corinne Jones Loveridge

Speech Perception of Global Acoustic Structure in Children with Speech Delay, with and Without Dyslexia , Mikayla Nicole Madsen

Speech Perception of Global Acoustic Structure in Children With Speech Delay, With and Without Dyslexia , Mikayla Nicole Madsen

The Classification Accuracy of a Dynamic Assessment of Inferential Word Learning for School-Age Children With and Without Language Disorder , Britney Ann Newey

Language-Mediated Eye Behaviors During Storybook Reading as aFunction of Preschool Language Ability , Emily Joy Nicholls

Effect of Positive and Negative Emotion on Naming Accuracy in Adults with Aphasia , Courtney Paige Nielsen

The Effect of Laryngeal Activity on the Articulatory Kinematics of /i/ and /u/ , Mendocino Nicole Peacock

The Efficacy of EPG Assisted L2 Pronunciation Instruction: An Audio-Perceptual Analysis of the Speech of Native Japanese Learners of English , Emily Louise Peterson

A Comparison of Phonation Threshold Pressure and Phonation Threshold Flow Between Pig and Rabbit Benchtop-Mounted Larynges , Amber Christeen Prigmore

Using Parallel Narrative-Based Measures to Examine the Relationship Between Listening and Reading Comprehension , Collette Leifson Warr

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

A Social Communication Intervention to Facilitate Emotion Word Learning in School-Age Children with Developmental Language Disorders , Sara Elise Avila

A Large-Scale Clustered Randomized Control Trial Examining the Effects of a Multi-Tiered Oral Narrative Language Intervention on Kindergarten Oral and Written Narratives and Oral Expository Language , Mollie Paige Brough

The Effects of Distracting Background Audio on Spontaneous Speech , Kacy Nicole Chapman

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Introduction to Speech Communication

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Sarah E. Hollingsworth, Oklahoma State University

Megan Linsenmeyer, Oklahoma State University

Terrisa Elwood, Oklahoma State University

Sasha Hanrahan, Oklahoma State University

Mary Walker, Oklahoma State University

Kathryn Weinland, Oklahoma State University

Copyright Year: 2021

ISBN 13: 9781957983059

Publisher: Oklahoma State University

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Table of Contents

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Acknowledgements
  • Chapter 1: Why Public Speaking Matters Today
  • Public Speaking in the Twenty-First Century
  • Why is Public Speaking Important?
  • The Process of Public Speaking
  • Chapter 2: Building Confidence
  • What is Communication Apprehension?
  • Classifying Communication Apprehension
  • Learning Confidence
  • Chapter 3: Delivery
  • The Importance of Delivery
  • Methods of Speech Delivery
  • Preparing for Your Delivery
  • Practicing your Delivery
  • What to do When Delivering Your Speech
  • Public Speaking Online
  • Chapter 4: Ethics
  • The Ethics Pyramid
  • Ethics in Public Speaking
  • Free Speech
  • Chapter 5: Audience Analysis
  • What is Audience Analysis?
  • Why Conduct an Audience Analysis?
  • Three Types of Audience Analysis
  • Conducting Audience Analysis
  • Using Your Audience Analysis
  • Chapter 6: Culture and Communication
  • Foundations of Culture and Identity
  • Exploring Specific Cultural Identities
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Intercultural Communication Competence
  • Chapter 7: Organizing and Outlining
  • Why is Organizing and Outlining Important?
  • The Topic, General Purpose, Specific Purpose, and Thesis
  • Organizational Patterns of Arrangement
  • Outlining Your Speech
  • Chapter 8: Researching Your Speech
  • Library Resources
  • What is Research?
  • Developing a Research Strategy
  • Citing Sources
  • Chapter 9: Supporting Ideas and Building Arguments
  • Crafting Supporting Ideas
  • Using Research as Support
  • Exploring Types of Support
  • Using Support and Creating Arguments
  • Chapter 10: Introductions and Conclusions
  • Introductions
  • Conclusions
  • Chapter 11: The Importance of Listening
  • Importance of Listening
  • Listening vs. Hearing
  • Listening Styles
  • Why Listening is Difficult
  • Stages of Listening
  • Listening Critically
  • Chapter 12: Language
  • What Language Is and Does
  • Standards for Language in Public
  • Using Effective Language in Public Speaking
  • Chapter 13: Presentation Aids
  • What Are Presentation Aids
  • Functions of Presentation Aids
  • Types of Presentation Aids
  • Using Presentation Slides
  • Low-Tech Presentation Aids
  • Chapter 14: Informative Speaking
  • What is an Informative Speech
  • Types of Informative Speeches
  • Guidelines for Selecting an Informative Speech Topic
  • Guidelines for Preparing an Informative Speech
  • Giving Informative Speeches in Groups
  • Sample Informative Speech Outline
  • Chapter 15: Understanding Small Group Communication
  • Communicating in Small Groups
  • Understanding Small Groups
  • Small Group Development
  • Small Group Dynamics
  • Chapter 16: Small Groups & Decision Making
  • Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups
  • Leadership and Small Group Communication
  • Group Member Roles
  • Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups
  • Chapter 17: Persuasive Speaking
  • Why Persuade?
  • A Definition of Persuasion
  • Why is Persuasion Hard?
  • Traditional Views of Persuasion
  • Theories of Persuasive Communication
  • Constructing a Persuasive Speech
  • Sample Persuasive Speech Outline
  • Chapter 18: Special Occasion Speaking
  • Understanding Special Occasion Speaking
  • Types of Special Occasion Speeches
  • Special Occasion Language
  • Special Occasion Delivery
  • Sample Special Occasion Speech Script
  • Links by Chapter

Ancillary Material

About the book.

Introduction to Speech Communication is used to support teaching, learning and research for SPCH 2713 at Oklahoma State University (OSU). In addition to inclusion of original work authored by the editors to meet the needs of their course at OSU, the editors adapted portions of Exploring Public Speaking: 4th Edition,  Stand Up, Speak Out, and Fundamentals of Public Speaking. Please see the Acknowledgements chapter for full citations. We at Oklahoma State University Libraries acknowledge our gratitude for the expertise and generosity of the scholars at Affordable Learning Georgia, College of the Canyons, the Open Education Network and elsewhere for creating and sharing customizable versions of their work. This book also includes an audio version funded by Women for OSU, as well as updated images enabled by a grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

About the Contributors

Sarah E. Hollingsworth , Oklahoma State University

Megan Linsenmeyer , Oklahoma State University

Terrisa Elwood , Oklahoma State University

Sasha Hanrahan , Oklahoma State University

Mary Walker , Oklahoma State University

Kathryn Weinland , Oklahoma State University

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10.1 Introductions

Young OSU Cowboy fan saying hello to a crowd.

“Never lose the first impression which has moved you.” -Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

  • Capture the audience’s attention.
  • Self introduce and establish your credibility/ethos.
  • Reveal the topic of the speech through a clear thesis and relate it to the audience.
  • Preview the body of the speech by specifically outlining the main points you will cover.

Capture the Audience’s Attention.

Audience members do not attend a presentation with the intention of losing interest or being bored to tears. Truth be told, audience members do not give a speaker a terribly long time to win them over either. You may only have several sentences and, possibly, a chance to actually introduce the topic of the speech before the audience mentally votes “Yes, I want to listen further ” or “No, I’m tuning out and thinking about lunch. ” This opening statement is known as an attention getter .

Depending on the overall time limit of a presentation, an ideal introduction should last no more than around one or two minutes -and this includes your thesis and preview of your main points. This seems like a long time, but in truth, it is not. Hence, you have a short, yet precious window, to lure your audience and hope to keep them there. Here are top attention-gaining strategies to try in your upcoming speeches:

Student raising hand asking question.

Ask a Question

Ask insightful, meaningful questions. Better yet, ask a series of questions designed to draw the audience further and further into your speech.

When you ask your audience a question, they have to think. In the process of thinking, they are paying attention. Even if your question does not call for an oral reply, they will be thinking what they would answer if called upon.

“How many of you would categorize yourselves as ‘givers’? How many of you search for the perfect Christmas or birthday gift each year for your best friend or perhaps your Mom? You go all out, right? Then, how many of you have signed up to be an organ donor? Isn’t that the ultimate gift? The gift of life?

“How many of you have ever had a couple of glasses of wine while dining with friends, then driven yourself home? Did you ever consider that you might not be “okay ” to make it home? ” Is it possible that you were over the legal limit?

Find a Quotation

It could be a historical quote, a humorous one, even a song lyric. Ensure you credit the originator of the quote. Ensure the quote is relevant to your topic. A word of caution here is to be careful to avoid reading to your audience. If you use a quote, it should be impactful and cause your audience to want to hear more. When used effectively, the quote is relatively short and memorized by the speaker.

“Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening. “ – Dorothy Sarnoff “Courage is being scared to death- but saddling up anyway. “ – John Wayne

Shock the Audience

Use a startling statistic or a shocking statement. Share a personal revelation.

“During the five minutes of my speech, seven individuals will die of AIDS or HIV-related complications in the world. “ “Statistics show that one in every four women will be assaulted in her lifetime. “ “Today, I want to talk to you about a recent loss I’ve had. I lost my best friend, my consoler, my buddy who could always be counted on to party all night. I lost all of that when I finally accepted that I am an alcoholic. Six months ago, I gave up alcohol. “

Find a Direct Connection to the Audience

Reference a local event, place, or activity. Use a recent news story, tragedy, or occurrence that your audience would be sure to recall.

“I’m sure all of you will recall the news story a few months back in which a car went over the Buckman Bridge, sideswiped by a drunk driver. Today, I want to discuss how you can be a defensive driver -and hopefully -save yourself from becoming the next headline. “

Tell a Story

Engage us, draw us in, and make the details of the story vivid and real to us.

“When I was four years old, I became separated from my parents while visiting the zoo. One minute they were there; the next, they were gone. While you might imagine that I was frightened, I wasn’t. I continued to look at the snakes in each display, fascinated. I tagged along with other visitors following the same path, staring in awe at each new exhibit. I certainly didn’t realize then what we all know now. How dangerous the world can be for a child alone. “

If you ever listened to a scary story told by a camp counselor at night when all were sitting near a camp fire, you know the power of a good story. Religious leaders know the power of a good story also. That is why they often include Bible stories in their sermons. Plan to tell your audience a story, and you will have them listening as attentively to you as campers listen to a counselor’s scary story. Use vivid details; paint a mental picture in the minds of your listeners. You want them to relate -to smell the cookies baking, to see the tears in your Grandmother’s eyes, to feel the softness of a baby in your arms.

Find a Compelling Visual Aid

  • Poignant, shocking, funny. A picture IS worth a thousand words.
  • A photo of a homeless child
  • A picture of a crystal clear lake and mountain range
  • A cartoon depicting a political news story

A young black man speaks into a microphone at the Mr. OSU contest

Self Introduce and Establish Your Credibility.

An audience may or may not have a preconceived notion about you when you stand before them, but you can bet that your audience will make up its mind about you quickly. Humans are notoriously quick to judge and often form a first impression about a date, a stranger, or a speaker within the first 30 seconds. It becomes imperative, then, for you to introduce yourself and establish your credibility after you have grabbed the audience’s attention. While some in your audience will form a first impression of you based upon your outfit or your smile, most will judge your credibility based upon two crucial factors: your perceived competence and character  .

Competence ensures your audience that you know your subject well. You have a strong knowledge base, and you are well prepared to share the topic with your listeners. Reveal your expertise in the introduction, so your audience knows from the beginning that you can be trusted. If you have a special relationship to the topic, either personal or professional or by association, the beginning of your presentation is the time to share that. If you do not have in-depth knowledge of the topic, it’s time to hit the books, access the Internet, or talk with the experts. You have the ability to become a minor expert on most any topic by doing some research. Then ensure that your audience knows of your research; they want to know that your information is valid.

A second component of credibility comes from the audience’s  assessment of your character   . Can you be trusted? Do you have their best interests at heart? Will the information you provide be useful and relevant to their lives or do you have your own agenda? This aspect of credibility is often referred to as “ethos ” -simply the Greek word for character. A great example is the stereotype of a used car salesman. You need a car, but you are not sure which one is right for you and which one you can really afford. The salesman knows all the necessary information -gas consumption, mileage, and accessories. But you just do not trust that s/he has your best interest at heart. Is s/he trying to get rid of a particular car or make more commission? Is the car you are being shown best for you or best for the salesman? While you feel confident of the salesperson’s competence, you are doubtful of his/her character. It is important that you show your audience that you are credible in both areas (Banks).

Reveal the Topic of the Speech Through a Thesis Statement & Preview the Body of the Speech.

After you grab your audience’s attention and before you reach the actual body of the speech, you will reveal your thesis statement. Remember, a thesis statement is a singular thought that tells the audience what the speech is about. It should be a strong, single, declarative sentence that captures the main point of your presentation. For example, if you are giving an informative speech on how to properly use a fire extinguisher, your thesis may be:

“Knowing how to operate a fire extinguisher by following four simple steps can be beneficial and potentially life saving.” or ” Using a fire extinguisher can be accomplished by following four simple steps.”

A preview statement is also an important component of your introduction. While many people attempt to combine the thesis and preview statement, it is more thorough to include them as separate distinct items. The preview statement is usually the last sentence of the introduction. The preview is like giving your audience a map for a car trip: They will have an overview of where you will be taking them. It will be easier for them to pay attention as you present your information and it will help them retain the main points of your presentation.

Using the same topic as used above, a preview statement might sound like:

“Today we will cover four specific steps that you should follow when using a fire extinguisher, specifically, pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep, easily remembered by the acronym, PASS.” 

Or perhaps it will be spoken this way:

“In our time today, we will discuss how you should pull the pin, aim the nozzle, squeeze the trigger and use a sweeping motion when using a fire extinguisher in an emergency situation.”

Notice that in each case, the speaker laid out the roadmap for what was going to be presented during the presentation. The audience had a framework to fill in when the supporting material was presented.

To prepare yourself, review the main points you intend to cover and write one sentence that previews each of those points, separated by commas. You can also write three shorter sentences and use periods.  Beware of going into the details reserved for the main body of the speech while previewing your topic.  This will confuse the audience, and they will wonder what else you plan to discuss.

Pistol Pete acknowledging OSU fans with pride and excitement

Pistol Pete found himself nestled in a quiet corner of the Edmon Low Library, a notepad in front of him filled with facts, stories, and quotes about Oklahoma State University’s traditions. Now that he had done his research, it was time for Pete to craft a compelling speech. He knew he needed to start with an attention-getter — a memorable opening that would capture the audience’s interest right from the start.

As he racked his brain for ideas, he thought about what defines OSU — the Cowboy spirit, the community, and of course, the traditions. Suddenly, an idea came to him. One of the most loved traditions at OSU was the singing of the alma mater song, with its captivating melody and heartfelt lyrics that captured the spirit of the university.

For his attention-getter, Pete envisioned starting his speech with the powerful strains of the alma mater song playing softly in the background. As the audience recognized the familiar tune, they would be immediately engaged, their attention piqued.

Then, Pete would step onto the stage, and with the music still playing, he would recite the first few lines of the song: “Proud and immortal, Bright shines your name, Oklahoma State, we herald your fame.” As he spoke, the music would fade, leaving the audience with the resonating words and the emotions they stirred.

With this, Pete would have not only caught the attention of his audience but also connected with them on a deeper, emotional level. And most importantly, he would have set the stage for his speech, immersing his audience in the spirit of OSU traditions right from the start.

Feeling a rush of excitement at his idea, Pete jotted it down on his notepad, eager to shape the rest of his speech. He knew that with this attention-getting opener, his audience would be hooked, ready to join him on the journey through OSU’s cherished traditions. What do you think of Pete’s attention getter?

* Pistol Pete scenarios are all based on hypothetical events and were written with the use of Chatgpt and careful editing by Speech Communication faculty. 

This resource is available at no cost at https://open.library.okstate.edu/speech2713/.

first sentence of a speech that is meant to pull the audience's attention to the speaker and topic at hand

the perception the audience holds of you regarding your competence and character

demonstrated skill or knowledge in a particular area or topic

a person's reputation in regards to trustworthiness and goodness

single, declarative sentence that captures the essence or main point of your entire presentation

a sentence that provides a clear outline of the main points that will be discussed in the presentation

Introduction to Speech Communication Copyright © 2021 by Individual authors retain copyright of their work. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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50 Persuasive Speech Topics for High School Students

September 9, 2024

speech communication thesis topics

Throughout high school, students will be asked to write about topics and make compelling arguments for certain positions. These persuasive speeches and other writing assignments train a student's communication skills. Creating a compelling, persuasive speech is a powerful skill that will help students in all aspects of their careers, not just in writing courses. The ability to write persuasively will especially have a huge effect on your admissions results when writing your personal statements and essays for college. 

With a powerful speech, students can express their opinions, influence others, and develop critical communication skills for school and the workplace. Choosing the right topic for a speech is often as important as how well it's written. To help you find the right topics for your audience, here are 50 persuasive speech topics you can use to help you get started with your writing. 

Want an expert's opinion on your college applications? Book a free strategy call and begin your admissions journey today! 

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

Compelling persuasive speech topics are relatable, debatable, and relevant. Students should investigate a topic they're passionate about and will intrigue an audience. Don't just take an easy position everyone can agree with—audiences are interested in ideas they may have never heard before, expressed enthusiastically by a passionate speaker. 

When ideating a topic, find something with clear, opposing viewpoints. Research the available arguments and present your speech in a way that promotes a meaningful discussion. For example, topics regarding the use of social media, the right to freedom of speech, and the Supreme Court are general and can engage a wide audience. 

Topics that everyone agrees with, have no opposing viewpoints, and require no research will not make for interesting speeches. Choose a topic that will challenge you and your audience, but avoid being offensive or controversial for its own sake. A topic you're genuinely interested in—like renewable energy for engineering students or social media platforms for communications students will make writing a compelling speech much more natural. With additional research and effective writing techniques, you can craft a speech to captivate an audience. 

How to Choose the Right Persuasive Speech Topic for Your Audience

Choosing the right topic starts with knowing your target audience. While ideating, consider:

  • Who are you targeting? 
  • What do you want to convince them? 
  • What counter-arguments may they have? 

Think about those who would agree with you, be on the fence with you, and who would directly oppose your viewpoint. Writing persuasively is not just about presenting facts and hoping others agree. It's about making an emotional connection with your audience and using that impression to shift their thinking. 

Once you've given careful thought to those you'd be presenting to, brainstorm persuasive speech topic ideas that may resonate with them. Make a list of potential ideas and interrogate their merit. Consider current events, personal experiences, and issues others may relate to. Then, narrow down your list to the persuasive topics you would be most interested in—as an audience member and a researcher. 

Once you've landed on a few interesting topics, don't rest on them. Ask for feedback and get insights from family, friends, and teachers. Outside perspectives are important; others may have experiences that could provide you with valuable knowledge to use when refining your topic. 

50 Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas

School topics.

  • The Benefits and Drawbacks of Mandatory School Uniforms
  • How Effective is the School Grading System?
  • How Students can Shape their Curriculum
  • Is Homework Beneficial or Harmful?
  • How Would Schools Handle a Four-Day Week?

Art and Humanities Topics

  • Art or Vandalism: The History of Graffiti
  • Art vs STEM: What Should Schools Prioritize?
  • AI-Generated Media: How Do Humans Value Art?
  • The Correlation Between Art and Mental Health
  • Are Video Games the Ultimate Artform?

Social Issues Topics

  • The Right to Protest: Traditional Movements vs Digital Activism
  • Why do Wealthy Countries have Declining Birth Rates?
  • Should For-Profit Prisons be Permanently Abolished?
  • Is Healthcare a Human Right?

Environmental Issues

  • Why Corporations Need Stricter Plastics Regulation
  • Environmental Ethics: Human Development vs Species Preservation
  • The Benefits and Drawbacks of Fully Electric Vehicles
  • History of Geo-Engineering: Can Society Reverse Climate Change?
  • What is Dark Oxygen? The Effect of Deep Sea Mining

Technology and Media Topics

  • Should the Government Regulate the Coming AI revolution?
  • Where Does Online Misinformation Come From?
  • Why Does Social Media Affect Self-Image?
  • The Right to Privacy: How Online anonymity affects people's behavior
  • Why All Messaging Apps Should Have End-to-End Encryption
  • Should Artificial Intelligence be Used in Creative Works?
  • Should Social Media Platforms be Accountable for their Users?

Politics and Government

  • Should Voting be Compulsory?
  • How Public and Private Funding Affect Political Campaigns
  • What is gerrymandering? 
  • Why Do Some Countries Have Mandatory Military Service?
  • The benefits and drawbacks of term limits for elected officials

Sports Topics

  • Should esports be officially recognized as part of the Olympic Games?
  • MMA and Boxing: The Ethics of Broadcasting Violence
  • Has Football Become More Dangerous?
  • Should Men and Women compete in the same Leagues? 
  • Restrictor Plates: Why Did NASCAR Make Racing Slower?

Economy and Finance

  • Should Cryptocurrency be Regulated?
  • Does a minimum wage help or hurt the economy?
  • Employees vs contractors: How freelance work Affects commerce
  • Is Universal Basic Income a Viable Option?
  • When should the Government regulate the Market?

STEM Topics

  • What are the Benefits of Mars Colonization?
  • City Planning: How US Infrastructure Affects the Environment
  • Why Nuclear Energy is the Cleanest, Safest, and Cheapest Option
  • Why the US Hasn't Returned to the Moon Yet
  • Where will Technological Implants take Human Evolution?

Culture and Entertainment Industry Topics

  • How Binge-Culture Has Affected Our Attention Spans
  • How Streaming Services Caused the 2023 Writers Strike
  • Why are actors paid so highly? Hollywood's income inequality
  • Should IP Copyright be abolished? 

Enhance Your Academic Profile With InGenius Prep

Crafting a persuasive speech isn’t just about presenting facts—it’s about connecting with your audience, understanding their perspectives, and sparking meaningful conversations. These skills are especially important in the college admissions process, where every aspect of your college application is trying to convince an Admissions Officer you're worthy of acceptance. 

For more on college applications, InGenius Prep's counseling services are designed to guide high school students through every step of the admissions process. With a focus on story-telling, candidacy building, and highlighting the most impactful aspect of your student profile, we’ll help you capture the attention of your admissions officers. 

Ready to take the next step? Book a free strategy call with an advisor today to start your admissions journey.

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COMMENTS

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