What is a common brainstorming technique for selecting speech topics?

Free writing and mind mapping are effective brainstorming techniques for selecting speech topics because they encourage the generation of ideas without the constraints of judgment or structure.

Free writing involves jotting down thoughts and ideas as they come to mind without worrying about grammar, spelling, or coherency. This process can help tap into a speaker's creativity and uncover unique topics that they may not have initially considered. It allows for a flow of ideas, which can be revisited and refined later.

Mind mapping, on the other hand, visually organizes ideas around a central theme. It encourages the exploration of relationships between different concepts and can help in identifying subtopics that might be worth pursuing for the speech. By creating a visual representation of thoughts, speakers can better see the potential directions their topic can take.

Engaging in either of these techniques fosters an open brainstorming environment where a range of ideas can be explored, making it easier to find an engaging and suitable topic for a speech.