SELECTING A TOPIC AND PURPOSE “ I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO TALK ABOUT!” Ed101.bu.edu

How To Choose Topics I. Methods Used For Choosing Topics A. Choose topics you know a lot about. ( 80%) B. Choose topics that interest you. (5%) C. Choose topics that you hold strong opinions and beliefs about. D. Brainstorming (12%) 1. people, processes, things, places, natural phenomena, concepts, plans & policies, problems, events

HOW TO CHOOSE TOPICS, CONT’D  The Internet (3)% academictechdoit.wisc.edu

Name: Topic: General Purpose:To Inform Specific Purpose: Central Idea: 16 Font Point If this isn’t done effectively in this course, anything else will only confuse you. The Skeleton Outline

How To Choose Topics, cont’d II. Determining A General Purpose A.To Inform 1. When your purpose is to inform, you become a teacher. You are to communicate the information accurately, clearly, and interestingly. B. To Persuade 1. When your purpose is to persuade, you become an advocate. Your delivery should indicate your advocacy toward the proposition. mpread.com

Narrowing Down Topics Aspect Broad Topic Specific Purpose Central Idea Main points Subject

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The Specific Purpose The specific purpose focuses on an ASPECT of the topic. ▫The key to good specific purposes is to find the “right” verb to use. ▫It must include an infinitive phrase, acknowledgement of the audience, and a narrowing down of the subject.

Tips For Writing Specific Purposes allspammedup.com

Make sure the specific purpose is not a fragmented statement. Keeping a Web blog.(no)! To inform my audience about three benefits of keeping a Web blog. (Better)! Specific Purpose, cont’d agreedo.com

The specific purpose statement should not be stated in a form of a question. What is Blackboard Learning? (no)!!!!!!! To inform my audience about three positive effects Blackboard Learning can have on college students’ class preparation. Examples utdallas.edu

» Avoid figurative language in the specific purpose statement. To inform my audience about how awesome the latest Apple I-Phone 6 is and I am telling you that it’s got it going on. (no)! To tell you about the Madden ‘15 video game on X-Box 1 is like crazy mad, I mean…..the bomb!! To tell you about three advantages Madden ‘15 video game on X-Box 1 has on it’s closest rival. (better)!

EXAMPLES  Limit your purpose to one idea. To persuade the audience that the federal government should not ban all cigarette advertising and that smoking should not be prohibited in all campus buildings. (no)! To persuade my audience that the federal government should not ban all cigarette advertising. (better)!

Examples  Make sure your statement is not too vague or too general. To inform my audience about 9/11. (no)! To inform my audience about the role the government may have played in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

How To Choose Topics, cont’d IV. Questions to Ask About Your Specific Purpose A. Does my purpose meet the Assignment? B. Can I Accomplish My purpose in the Time Allotted? C. Is My Purpose Relevant to the Audience? D. Is the Purpose Too Trivial to My Audience? (A duh….) Topic E. Is the Purpose Too Technical for My Audience?

How To Choose Topics, cont’d V. Determining the Central Idea 1.The central idea, tells the audience precisely what the speech will cover.

Let’s See If You Have Been Listening…. Here is the tactile part of the class. Relationships Law Technology Music Education Five Extra Credit Points

Informative Example Topic:Tennis Courts General Purpose:To Inform Specific Purpose:To inform you about the four types of tennis courts. Central Idea:The four types of tennis courts are clay, hard, grass and carpet courts. collegerentals.com

Persuasive Example Topic: Sororities & Fraternities General Purpose: To Persuade Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to join a sorority or fraternity. Central Idea: I want you to join a sorority or fraternity because of the social, academic, and economic benefits.

Source: Lucus, S. A. (2013)The Art of Public Speaking. 12 th ed., McGraw-Hill Publishers, N.Y. Some examples provided by yours truly.