chapter 5 Selecting a Topic & Purpose

Selecting a Topic Brainstorming Personal Inventory Clustering Reference Search Internet Search Break students into groups of four, one for each category and have them brainstorm.

Selecting a Topic Brainstorming Personal Inventory Summary of Experiences Hobbies Interests Skills

Selecting a Topic Brainstorming Clustering People, Places, Things, Events, Natural Phenomena, Problems, Plans and Policies

Selecting a Topic Brainstorming Reference Search Scan through a periodical database for ideas (encylopedia)

Selecting a Topic Brainstorming Internet Search BCCC databases dir.yahoo.com www.lii.org Turn to pages 78-80

Topic Peace Corp Family Athlete Musician Politician

Purpose Topic General Purpose Specific Purpose Central Idea

General Purpose To…. Inform Persuade Inspire Entertain

Specific Purpose Single phrase Includes three pts General purpose Your audience Attitude, knowledge, belief, behavior from audience

Specific Purpose Guidelines Full infinitive phrase Statement, not question Limit to one distinct idea Avoid being vague

Full Infinitive Phrase Ineffective: Calendars

Full Infinitive Phrase More Effective: To inform my audience about the four major kinds of calendars used in the world today.

One Distinct Idea Ineffective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors and to donate time to the Special Olympics.

One Distinct Idea To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors. More Effective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors. To persuade my audience to donate time to the Special Olympics.

Central Idea One-sentence statement Encapsulate major ideas of speech (Also called thesis.)

Central Idea Guidelines Express as full sentence Don’t express as question Don’t be vague

Complete Sentence Ineffective: Problems of fad diets.

Complete Sentence More Effective: Fad diets can lead to serious health problems by creating deficiencies in vitamins and minerals and by breaking down muscle tissue as well as fat.

Example Outline To inform General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the three major races in alpine skiing. Central Idea: The three major races in alpine skiing are the downhill, slalom, and giant slalom.

Example Outline The first major race in alpine skiing is the downhill. Main Points: The first major race in alpine skiing is the downhill. The second major race in alpine skiing is the slalom. The third major race in alpine skiing is the giant slalom.

Evaluations Learn how to give evaluations Look for Eye contact Speech format Introduction Body – Points clear Conclusion

Evaluations Like a sandwich… Say something positive Followed by room for improvement Rounded off by the positive

Topic: General Purpose: Specific Purpose: Central Idea: Page 94

Topic: General Purpose: Either To Inform or To Persuade Topic: General Purpose: Either To Inform or To Persuade  Specific Purpose: To xxxx my audience to… Should indicate precisely what the speaker wants the audience to know or believe after the speech.   Central Idea: Concise statement of what the speaker expects to say in the speech Why?   Main Points: I. II. III.

Topic: General Purpose:   Specific Purpose:   Central Idea:   Main Points: I. You should study abroad because it will enhance your personal development. II. You should study abroad because it will enhance your academic development. You should study abroad because it will enhance your career development.

Topic: Studying abroad General Purpose: To persuade Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to study abroad during their college career. Central Idea: You should study abroad because it will enhance your personal development, your academic development, and your career development.  Main Points: I. You should study abroad because it will enhance your personal development. II. You should study abroad because it will enhance your academic development. III. You should study abroad because it will enhance your career development.

Topic: General Purpose: Specific Purpose:  Central Idea:  Main Points: I. The first step in getting a tattoo is shaving and sterilizing the skin. II. The second step in getting a tattoo is outlining the design. III. The third step in getting a tattoo is applying pigments to the design. IV. The fourth step in getting a tattoo is sterilizing and bandaging the tattoo.  

Topic: Getting tattoos General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the four major steps in getting a tattoo. Central Idea: The four major steps in getting a tattoo are shaving and sterilizing the skin, outlining the design, applying pigments to the design, and sterilizing and bandaging the tattoo. Main Points: I. The first step in getting a tattoo is shaving and sterilizing the skin. II. The second step in getting a tattoo is outlining the design. III. The third step in getting a tattoo is applying pigments to the design. IV. The fourth step in getting a tattoo is sterilizing and bandaging the tattoo.  

  Topic: General Purpose: Specific Purpose: Central Idea: Main Points: I. As a writer, Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and Notes on the State of Virginia. II. As President, Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase and approved the Lewis and Clark expedition. III. As an architect, Jefferson designed Monticello and the University of Virginia.

  Topic: Thomas Jefferson General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson. Central Idea: Thomas Jefferson was an accomplished writer, president, and architect. Main Points: I. As a writer, Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and Notes on the State of Virginia. II. As President, Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase and approved the Lewis and Clark expedition. III. As an architect, Jefferson designed Monticello and the University of Virginia.

Material from the following unless indicated otherwise: Lucas, Stephen. The Art of Public Speaking. 11th ed. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2012. Print. Clipart from Microsoft Office