Chapter 11 Selecting a Speech Topic and Adapting to the Audience Communication Embracing Difference Fourth Edition Dunn and Goodnight Chapter 11 Selecting a Speech Topic and Adapting to the Audience This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program. PowerPoint edited by Kristin Harkin Jurczak, Purdue University Calumet Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Selecting a Topic Look at Yourself You will deliver a more interesting and effective speech if you’re comfortable with the topic Draw from your own concerns, experiences, knowledge, and curiosity Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Selecting a Topic What are your concerns? By selecting a topic that is important to you, it will be easier to concentrate during the delivery Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Selecting a Topic What are your experiences? When you speak from your own experiences, it will be easier to visualize what you are talking about Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Selecting a Topic What knowledge do you have? There is a distinct advantage having knowledge about a specific topic than having to research something unfamiliar Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Selecting a Topic What are you curious about? Your enthusiasm for this subject will contribute to a dynamic presentation Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Consider the Situation How many people? How much time? What is the size and shape of the room? Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Consider the Audience Before you begin your speech, analyze your audience How can I adapt my topic to the audience? Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Demographic Factors… Age Some topics are better suited to one age group than another Choice of words may change with audience’s age Analyze the audience’s frame of reference in relation to your topic Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Demographic Factors… Sex Very few topics are considered strictly “male” or “female” topics Take into account some audience members may not be familiar with a particular topic (from either sexes) Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Demographic Factors… Ethnic, Cultural, and Religious Backgrounds It’s important to keep differences in mind as to not alienate someone in the audience Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Audience Characteristics… Knowledge How much knowledge does your audience already know about your topic? If your audience is unfamiliar, take the elementary approach and define all terms Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Audience Characteristics… Attitude What is your audience’s attitude towards your topic? Adapt your speech to be best received by your audience. Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Audience Characteristics… Needs Insert Figure 11.1 Page 10 Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Audience Characteristics… Societal Roles What roles do your audience members play outside the classroom? Understanding these roles (mother, son, spouse, cashier, intern) will help you better adapt your speech to your audience Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Audience Characteristics… Occupation Presenting a speech on the job offers the opportunity to connect with an audience with specific shared knowledge This audience will understand technical jargon and will help you relate your topic more easily Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Audience Characteristics… Economic Status What is your audience’s economic status or income level? Adapt your speech to be best received by your audience Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gathering Information About Your Audience Observation Interviews Surveys Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What Is Brainstorming? A spontaneous method for generating ideas, by listing as many ideas as you can within a given amount of time Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Adapting to the Audience Make a personal connection to the audience Be sure to define all terms Address the audience’s needs, concerns, and interests Use vivid examples or stories to make your topic come alive Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Speech Purpose General Purpose → Your overriding goal is to: Inform Persuade Entertain Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Speech Purpose Specific Purpose → Takes into account: What you hope to accomplish Which aspects of the topic you will cover Your intended audience Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Speech Purpose Thesis Statement → Includes the major ideas of your speech and at the same time, refines your specific purpose In one complete sentence Avoid general or vague language Preview the main ideas Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.