mcgraw-hill©stephen e. lucas 2001 all rights reserved. chapter four selecting a topic and purpose

McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.

CH

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FOURSelecting a Topic and Purpose


Steps in Writing a Speech

• The first step in speechmaking is choosing a topic.

• After choosing a topic, speakers need to determine the general purpose of the speech .

• Once the general purpose is clear, the next step is narrowing to the specific purpose .


• The central idea further refines and sharpens the specific purpose statement


Choosing a Topic

1. Topics for classroom speeches can come from subjects about which students already know a great deal.

2. Topics for classroom speeches can come from subjects about which a student is interested and wants to learn more.

3. Topics for classroom speeches can come from issues about which students hold strong opinions and beliefs.


• 4. Use several brainstorming procedures to help select a topic.

• 5. Whatever method students use, they should settle on a topic as early as possible.


Ways to Brainstorm• 1. They can make an inventory of

interests, skills, experiences, and the like.

• 2. They can cluster possible topics into categories such as people, places, events, processes, plans and policies, and so forth.

• 3. They can browse through encyclopedias, dictionaries, or other reference materials in search of a topic.

• 4. They can use a subject-based search engine such as Yahoo to help find a topic via the Internet.


General Purpose

The broad goal of a speech.

The three major kinds of general

purposes are to inform, to persuade,

and to entertain.


Specific Purpose

A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech.


Guidelines for the Specific Purpose Statement

• Write as a full infinitive phrase

• Express as a statement, not a question

• Avoid figurative language

• Limit to one distinct idea

• Avoid being too vague or general


Write the Specific Purpose Statement as a Full Infinitive Phrase, Not as a Fragment

Ineffective: Calendars

More Effective: To inform my audience about the four major kinds of calendars

used in the world today.


Express the Specific Purpose as a Statement, Not as a Question

Ineffective: Is the U.S. space program necessary?

More Effective: To persuade my audience that the U.S. space program providesmany important benefits to people here on earth.


Avoid Figurative Language in the Specific Purpose Statement

Ineffective: To persuade my audience thatthe university’s plan to reducethe number of campus parkingspaces assigned to students isa real bummer.

More Effective: To persuade my audience to petition against the university’splan to reduce the number of campus parking spaces assigned to students.


Limit the Specific Purpose Statement to One Distinct Idea

Ineffective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should ban all cigarette advertising and that smoking should be prohibited in all campus buildings.


More Effective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should ban all cigarette advertising.

More Effective: To persuade my audience that smoking should be prohibited in all campus buildings.

OR,


Make Sure the Specific Purpose Is Not Too Vague or General

Ineffective: To inform my audience about theCivil War.

More Effective: To inform my audience about therole of African-American soldiersin the Civil War.


Questions to Ask about YourSpecific Purpose

• Does my purpose meet the assignment?• Can I accomplish my purpose in the

time allotted?• Is the purpose relevant to my audience?• Is the purpose too trivial for my

audience?• Is the purpose too technical for my

audience?


Central Idea

A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech.


Guidelines for Central Idea

• Avoid being too vague or general

• Express as a complete sentence

• Do not write as a question

• Avoid figurative language


Make Sure the Central Idea Is Not Too General

Ineffective: Paying college athletes a salary is a good idea.

More Effective: Because college athletes in revenue-producing sports such

as football and basketball generate millions of dollars in revenue for their schools, the

NCAA should allow such athletes to receive a $200 monthly salary as part of their scholarships.


State the Central Idea as a Complete Sentence

Ineffective: Uses of the laser

More Effective: The laser is a highly versatiledevice with important uses inmany areas, including medicine,industry, telecommunications,and art.


Phrase the Central Idea as a Statement, Not as a Question

Ineffective: How does indoor soccer differfrom outdoor soccer?

More Effective: Played on a smaller, enclosed field that resembles a hockeyrink with artificial turf, indoorsoccer involves faster action,more scoring, and differentstrategies than outdoor soccer.


Avoid Figurative Language in the Central Idea

Ineffective: Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is an awesome place for a vacation.

More Effective: Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula has many attractions for vacationers, including a warm climate, excellent food, and extensive Mayan ruins.


General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To inform my audienceof the three major racesin alpine skiing.

Central Idea: The three major races inalpine skiing are the downhill, the slalom,and the giant slalom.


Main Points: I. The first major race in alpine skiing is the downhill.

II. The second major race in alpine skiing is the slalom.

III. The third major race in alpine skiing is the giant slalom.

mcgraw-hill©stephen e. lucas 2001 all rights reserved. chapter four selecting a topic and purpose

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classroom speeches

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