1. 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
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2. 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
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. Selecting a Topic What are you curious about?
Your enthusiasm for this subject will contribute to a dynamic presentation
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7. Consider the Situation
How many people?
How much time?
What is the size and shape of the room?
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8. Consider the Audience
Before you begin your speech, analyze your audience
How can I adapt my topic to the audience?
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9. 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
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10. 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)
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11. Demographic Factors… Ethnic, Cultural, and Religious Backgrounds
It’s important to keep differences in mind as to not alienate someone in the audience
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12. 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
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13. Audience Characteristics… Attitude
What is your audience’s attitude towards your topic?
Adapt your speech to be best received by your audience.
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14. Audience Characteristics… Needs
Insert Figure 11.1
Page 10
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. Audience Characteristics… Economic Status
What is your audience’s economic status or income level?
Adapt your speech to be best received by your audience
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18. Gathering Information About Your Audience
Observation
Interviews
Surveys
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19. What Is Brainstorming?
A spontaneous method for generating ideas, by listing as many ideas as you can within a given amount of time
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20. 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
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21. The Speech Purpose General Purpose → Your overriding goal is to:
Inform
Persuade
Entertain
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22. The Speech Purpose Specific Purpose → Takes into account:
What you hope to accomplish
Which aspects of the topic you will cover
Your intended audience
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23. 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
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