Chapter Seven Selecting a Topic and Purpose

Chapter Seven Table of Contents zAssigned Versus Self-Selected Topics zIdentifying the General Speech Purpose zChoosing a Topic zUsing Brainstorming to Generate Ideas zRefining the Topic and Purpose zFrom Topic and Purpose to Thesis*

Selecting a Topic and Purpose zThe first task in preparing a speech is to select a topic and purpose that are appropriate for the audience and the occasion.*

Assigned Versus Self-Selected Topics zPublic speakers are either given a topic, or asked to choose one of their own. zYou may be given a: ypurpose ytime constraint ychallenge*

Identifying the General Speech Purpose zThe general speech purpose for any speech addresses the question of why you are speaking on your topic for your particular audience and occasion.*

Identifying the General Speech Purpose zWhen the General Speech Purpose is to Inform zWhen the General Speech Purpose is to Persuade zThe Special Occasion Speech*

Identifying the General Speech Purpose: When the General Speech Purpose Is to Inform zThe general purpose of an informative speech is to increase the audience’s understanding or awareness of a topic. zTry to gauge the audience’s knowledge of the subject to avoid going over—or under—their heads.*

Identifying the General Speech Purpose: When the General Speech Purpose Is to Persuade zThe general purpose of a persuasive speech is to effect some degree of change in the audience. yControversial issues are natural persuasive speech topics because people hold strongly contrasting opinions.*

Identifying the General Speech Purpose: The Special Occasion Speech zSpecial occasion speeches are prepared for a special occasion and for a purpose dictated by that occasion. zThey include: acceptance speeches, toasts, after- dinner speeches, and eulogies.*

Choosing a Topic zYou can begin by focusing on broad social issues of national or global consequence, or by considering your own interests and experiences.*

Choosing a Topic zPersonal Interest: Looking Within zCurrent Events and Controversial Issues zGrassroots Issues*

Choosing a Topic: Personal Interests: Looking Within zSelect a topic with which you are familiar and enthusiastic. yThis can help the audience to perceive you as a knowledgeable and competent speaker. zPersonal interests run the gamut from from favorite activities to deeply held values.*

Choosing a Topic: Current And Controversial Events zCurrent events ySociety is constantly barraged with newsworthy topics, but few people have time to research all the facts. zControversial issues yIssues such as abortion, gun control, and drug abuse profoundly affect us as a society, thus many people hunger for more information on these topics.*

Choosing a Topic: Grassroots Issues yThe majority of people react with interest to issues that affect them directly.*

Using Brainstorming to Generate Ideas zBrainstorming yA problem-solving technique that involves the spontaneous generation of ideas*

Using Brainstorming to Generate Ideas zLists zWord Associations zTopic Mapping*

Using Brainstorming to Generate Ideas: Lists zLists: yCreate a list of interesting topics that you could comfortably prepare to speak about. yNarrow the list to two or three topics. yChoose one of the remaining topics based on your audience’s interests and demographics.*

Using Brainstorming to Generate Ideas: Word Association zWord Association yBegin by writing down one topic which would be of interest to you and your audience. yWrite down the first thing that comes to mind when you read what you have just written. yAs soon as your words remind you of something, write it down. yOnce you have generated a list, review it and pick two or three topics as possible final choices.*

Using Brainstorming to Generate Ideas: Topic Mapping zTopic Mapping: yIf you find it more helpful to visualize ideas, draw a topic map. Put your initial topic in the middle of the paper, and as new ideas come to you cluster them together to form groups demonstrating how closely they relate both to one another and to your original topic.*

Refining the Topic and Purpose zOnce you have selected a topic and general speech purpose, these must be refined or narrowed with regards to time constraints, audience expectations, and the nature of the occasion.*

Refining the Topic and Purpose zNarrowing the Topic zForming a Specific Speech Purpose*

Refining the Topic and Purpose: Narrowing the Topic zNarrowing the topic involves focusing on specific aspects of it and excluding others. zConsider time and research constraints when focusing on a specific topic. zBrainstorming can also be used to narrow your focus by categorizing different aspects of your topic.*

Refining the Topic and Purpose: Forming a Specific Speech Purpose zThe specific speech purpose expresses both topic and general purpose in action form and in terms of the speaker’s specific objectives. zIt answers the question, “What is it about my topic that I want to affect the audience with?”*

From Topic and Purpose to Thesis zAfter you have a topic and general and specific purposes, you need to formulate a thesis statement (the theme or central idea of the speech). zThe specific purpose describes what you want to achieve with the speech; the thesis statement concisely identifies, in a single idea, what the speech is about.*

From Topic and Purpose to Thesis zMaking a Claim zMaking the Thesis Statement Relevant and Motivating*

From Topic and Purpose to Thesis: Making a Claim zThe thesis statement proposes that the statement being made is true or is believed. zWithout the claim, or thesis, the audience cannot easily follow the ideas that make up the speech body.*

From Topic and Purpose to Thesis: Making the Thesis Statement Relevant and Motivating zCreating relevant statements can be accomplished by adding a few key words or phrases to the claim. zThe exact phrasing of your thesis depends on the type of audience you’re speaking to.*