Chapter 7 Selecting a Topic and Connecting to the Audience Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Selecting a Speech Topic Select an Appropriate Topic Choose a meaningful topic Choose a topic that allows you to convey an important thought to your audience Choose a familiar and/or interesting topic Think like a listener Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Techniques for Finding a Topic https://www.yahoo.com/ Techniques for Finding a Topic Surfing the Web Brainstorming Reviewing the Current Media Engaging Listeners with Social Media Self-Inventory Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Self-Inventory Hobbies/Personal Events People Sports/ Recreation Objects Books/Movies/Music Running Halloween Barack Obama Football Snowy Owls The Hunger Games Eating Breast Cancer Awareness Gandhi Yoga iPhone 6s Hip Hop Traveling Black Death Princess Diana Table Tennis Jewelry American Horror Story Health Yom Kippur Kanye West Fitness Clubs Houston Zoo Top Books of 2015
Assessing the Appropriateness of a Topic Is your topic appropriate for you, your assignment, and your audience? Narrowing the Topic My granddaughters Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Determining the General Purpose, Specific Purpose, and Thesis General Purpose or overall goal Informative speeches enhance audience knowledge Persuasive speeches attempt to change listeners’ beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors Entertainment speeches provide enjoyment and amusement Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Purpose The Specific Purpose The Thesis A single phrase that defines precisely what you intend to accomplish in your speech Identifies the general purpose of the speech, the audience, and the exact topic to be covered The Thesis A sentence that states specifically what is going to be delivered in a speech Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Example Topic: Dogs General Purpose: To inform Specific Speech Purpose: To inform my audience about Bichon Frises. Thesis Statements: Bichon frises are hypoallergenic, sturdy, and cheerful household pets.
Audience Analysis: Connecting with the Listeners The collection and interpretation of data about characteristics, attributes, values, and beliefs of an audience. Understanding the Listeners’ Point of View Captive versus Voluntary Participants Captive participants are required to hear a particular speech Voluntary participants choose to listen to a particular speech Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Audience Information Key Audience Information Demographic Analysis Age Gender Cultural or ethnic background Education Occupation Religion Geographical origins Group membership Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Wide World Photos Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ways to Learn About the Audience Observation Survey Interview Questionnaires Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Activity: Audience Analysis Using the sticky note provided, write a question that you could ask an audience member, that will aid you in gathering additional information about the audience. Try to think of a question that addresses audience demographics.
Chapter 7 Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.