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Chapter 7: Selecting a Topic and Purpose
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Where to begin? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdcPZc21agk Ever feel like this?
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Exploring Topics for Your Speech Methods ◦Make an inventory of your expertise. ◦Focus on social issues of consequence. Pick a topic that ◦You are drawn to; ◦You want to know more about; ◦Is current and relevant.
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Steer Clear of Overused and Trivial Topics Stay away from overused topics. Consider topics that yield fresh insights. Beware of choosing highly charged topics.
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Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas Brainstorming ◦Ideas generated suddenly ◦Ideas connected through word association, topic mapping, and Internet browsing
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Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas (cont.) Word association ◦Write down a single topic. ◦Write things that come to mind. ◦Continue until you have fifteen to twenty items. ◦Narrow the list. ◦Select the best topic.
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Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas (cont.) Topic (mind) mapping ◦Write a potential topic on paper. ◦Write down related ideas around it. A topic map ◦Allows you to visualize relationships; ◦Spurs creative thinking.
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Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech General speech purpose ◦Answers the question, “What is my objective in speaking on this topic to this audience on this occasion?”
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Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech (cont.) Three general purposes for a speech 1.To inform or educate 2.To persuade 3.To mark a special occasion
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Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech (cont.) Inform or educate ◦Increase the audience’s awareness ◦Enhance understanding of the topic by defining, describing, explaining, or demonstrating Persuade ◦Effect a change in attitudes, beliefs, and values of the audience
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Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech (cont.) Speech occasion often suggests a purpose ◦To entertain, celebrate, commensurate, inspire, or set a social agenda ◦Speech could be an introduction, acceptance, or after-dinner speech, a eulogy, or a roast and toast
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Refine the Topic and Purpose Consider what the audience already knows. Consider what aspects are most relevant. Pick a discrete topic category. Restrict your main points. Should be between two and five
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Narrow Your Topic Brainstorming can help narrow your topic. ◦Brainstorm by category. ◦Use an online subject directory. ◦Browse through related subtopic links.
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Form a Specific Speech Purpose Specific speech purpose ◦Is what you want listeners to learn, do, reconsider, or agree with; ◦Is specific to your aim; ◦Is state in action form; ◦Is seldom articulated in the speech itself.
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Compose a Thesis Statement Thesis statement (central idea) ◦Theme of the speech ◦Stated in a single, declarative sentence ◦Expresses what you attempt to demonstrate ◦Must be clearly stated ◦Entire speech rests on it
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Let’s Practice Pull out a scratch sheet of paper Pick a partner Make thesis statements for these speech topics: ◦History of NASA ◦History of dinosaurs ◦Caffeine ◦Literacy ◦Comedy films
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Summary Questions What are the various sources a speaker can use to select a topic? What is brainstorming, and how is it used to generate ideas for topics? What kind of techniques can be used to narrow the topic? How can a speaker clearly state a specific speech purpose? What are some ways of composing an effective thesis statement in support of the topic?
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