Chapter 5- Selecting a Topic and a Purpose Phrasing the central idea

What is the Central Idea? Central Idea: A one sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech Also known as the thesis statement More precise than your topic or specific purpose Also known as the residual message: What a speaker wants the audience to remember after it has forgotten everything else in a speech It is common to come after research has been done and the main points have been decided on

What is the Central Idea? Example: Topic: Music Therapy General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the benefits of music therapy for people with psychological or cognitive disabilities Central Idea: Music Therapy developed as a formal mode of treatment during the 20th century, utilizes a number of methods, and is explained by several theories that accounts for its success

What is the Central Idea? Example: Topic: Dia de los Muertos General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about history of Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos celebration Central Idea: Dia de los Muertos can be traced to the Aztecs, was moved from summer to fall by Spanish priests, and today is celebrated in a number of ways in different regions of Mexico

Guidelines for the Central Idea The Central Idea should: Be expressed in a full sentence Not be in the form of a question Should avoid figurative language Not be vague or overly general

Guidelines for the Central Idea Informative Example: Ineffective: South Africa is an awesome place to vacation More effective: South Africa has many attractions for vacationers, including beautiful scenery, exotic, wildlife, and bustling cities

Guidelines for the Central Idea Persuasive Example: Ineffective: Paying college athletes a monthly stipend 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 $300 monthly stipend as part of their scholarship

Now You Try! For each set of main points, supply the general and specific purpose and the central idea The first even in a triathlon is swimming The second event in a triathlon is cycling The third event in a triathlon is running

Now You Try! General Purpose: Specific Purpose Central Idea: To Inform Specific Purpose To inform my audience about the many stages of a triathlon Central Idea: Triathlons are not comprised of only one event, but three separate events Main Points: The first event in a triathlon is swimming The second event in a triathlon is cycling The third event in a triathlon is running

Lets Review! What three brainstorming methods can you follow if you are having trouble choosing a topic for your speech What are the two general purposes of most classroom speeches? How do they differ? Why is determining the specific purpose such an important early step in speech preparation? Why is it important to include the audience in the specific purpose statement?

Lets Review! What three brainstorming methods can you follow if you are having trouble choosing a topic for your speech Personal Inventory, Clustering, Internet Search What are the two general purposes of most classroom speeches? How do they differ? To inform and to Persuade. To explain, report or demonstrate vs. to sell, advocate, or defend Why is determining the specific purpose such an important early step in speech preparation? Why is it important to include the audience in the specific purpose statement? It allows you to indicate precisely what you want to accomplish with your speech. If you do not include the audience in your purpose statement, you may incorrectly prepare for your speech and lose your audience’s attention