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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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