Speech topics are often assigned but, if you need to pick your own, write a list of subjects that interest you. Choose a subject that you know a lot about or that you'd be eager to research. Then narrow your focus on a specific topic, and make sure it meets the requirements listed in the prompt. Suppose your prompt instructs you to inform the audience about a hobby or activity. Make a list of your clubs, sports, and other activities, and choose the one that interests you most. Then zoom in on one particular aspect or process to focus on in your speech. For instance, if you like tennis, you can't discuss every aspect of the sport in a single speech. Instead, you could focus on a specific technique, like serving the ball. While you may reference your personal experience in the speech, you'll need to conduct research and cite authoritative sources. The right sources depend on your topic, but generally include textbooks and encyclopedias, scholarly articles, reputable news bureaus, and government documents. For example, if your speech is about a historical event, find primary sources, like letters or newspaper articles published at the time of the event. Additionally, include secondary sources, such as scholarly articles written by experts on the event. If you're informing the audience about a medical condition, find information in medical encyclopedias, scientific journals, and government health websites. Make sure you know your topic inside and out; you should be able to describe it clearly and concisely. In addition to conducting research, talking to your family and friends about your topic can help refine your understanding. For instance, if your speech is on growing plants from seeds, explain the process step-by-step to a friend or relative. Ask them if any parts in your explanation seemed muddy or vague. Break down the material into simple terms, especially if you're addressing a non-expert audience. Think about how you'd describe the topic to a grandparent or younger sibling. If you can't avoid using jargon, be sure to define technical words in clear, simple terms. Your thesis conveys your speech's central focus and should be as specific as possible. Check with your instructor about formatting your thesis. They may encourage you to describe your purpose by referencing yourself. However, if your assignment calls for more formal language, you'll need to skip phrases such as "My purpose is" or "I'm here to explain." For example, if your speech is on the poet Charles Baudelaire, a strong thesis would be, "I am here to explain how city life and exotic travel shaped the key poetic themes of Charles Baudelaire's work." While the goal of an informative speech isn't to make a defensible claim, your thesis still needs to be specific. For instance, "I'm going to talk about carburetors" is vague. "My purpose today is to explain how to take apart a variable choke carburetor" is more specific. Keep in mind an informative speech doesn't aim to persuade the audience to accept a claim. Instead of crafting an argument or appealing to emotions, present an objective speech that clearly spells out your subject matter. This means your organization and language need to be step-by-step instead of argumentative. For instance, a speech meant to persuade an audience to support a political stance would most likely include examples of pathos, or persuasive devices that appeal to the audience's emotions. On the other hand, an informative speech on how to grow pitcher plants would present clear, objective steps. It wouldn't try to argue that growing pitcher plants is great or persuade listeners to grow pitcher plants.
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One-sentence summary -- Choose a subject that interests you if the topic isn't assigned. Gather a variety of reliable sources to back your claims. Form a clear understanding of the process or concept you're describing. Come up with a thesis that concisely presents your speech's purpose. Focus on informing your audience instead of persuading them.

You can use any store-bough barbecue sauce you'd like, or you can decide to make your own. Whatever you decide, slather the barbecue sauce onto the meat-side of your ribs generously. Many people choose to add beer to their ribs flavorful beer, not light or watery beer but if you don't want to use beer, you can also add a bit of apple juice instead. Seal up the ribs and the accompanying liquid as airtight as possible while still leaving room for the meat to breathe. Ideally, you don't want moisture leaking out of your aluminum foil enclosure, so make sure it's wrapped securely. This part of the cooking process begins to break down the collagen present in the ribs, leaving you with ribs that are fall-off-the-bone delicious. Check on the ribs after 30 minutes, though they may need longer. (Remember though, you can always cook meat longer, but you can't take doneness away.) This final stint in the oven will firm your ribs up and should leave them ready to be devoured. Enjoy your ribs next to some corn on the cob and coleslaw for a heart dish that screams summer.
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One-sentence summary --
Remove the ribs from your smoker or grill and baste generously with barbecue sauce. Wrap your rack in aluminum foil and add some liquid. Cook your ribs at 225 F for approximately 2 hours. Remove the aluminum foil, baste the ribs (if necessary) with barbecue sauce, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to an hour. Enjoy.