1. Selecting A Topic And Purpose
“I don’t know what to talk about!”
Ed101.bu.edu

2. How To Choose Topics
I. Methods Used For Choosing Topics A. Choose topics you know a lot about. (80%) B. Choose topics that interest you. (5%) C. Choose topics that you hold strong opinions and beliefs about. D. Brainstorming (12%) 1. people, processes, things, places, natural phenomena, concepts, plans & policies, problems, events

3. How To Choose Topics, cont’d
The Internet (3)%
academictechdoit.wisc.edu

4. General Purpose: To Inform Specific Purpose: Central Idea:
If this isn’t done effectively in this course,
anything else will only confuse you.
The Skeleton Outline
Name:
Topic:
General Purpose: To Inform
Specific Purpose:
Central Idea:
16 Font Point

5. How To Choose Topics, cont’d
II. Determining A General Purpose
A. To Inform
1. When your purpose is to inform, you become a teacher. You are to communicate the information accurately, clearly, and interestingly.
B. To Persuade
1. When your purpose is to persuade, you become an advocate. Your delivery should indicate your advocacy toward the proposition.
mpread.com

6. Narrowing Down Topics Broad Topic Subject Aspect Specific Purpose
Central Idea
Main points

7. The Specific Purpose
The specific purpose focuses on an ASPECT of the topic.
The key to good specific purposes is to find the “right” verb to use.
It must include an infinitive phrase, acknowledgement of the audience, and a narrowing down of the subject.

8. Tips For Writing Specific Purposes
allspammedup.com

9. Specific Purpose, cont’d
Make sure the specific purpose is not a fragmented sentence.
Keeping a Web blog.(no)!
To inform my audience about three benefits of keeping a Web blog. (Better)!
agreedo.com

10. Examples
The specific purpose statement should not be stated in a form of a question.
What is Blackboard Learning? (no)!!!!!!!
To inform my audience about three positive effects Blackboard Learning can have on college students’ class preparation.
utdallas.edu

11. Avoid figurative language in the specific purpose statement.
To inform my audience about how awesome the latest Apple I-Phone 6 is and I am telling you that it’s got it going on. (no)!
To tell you that the Madden ‘14 video game on X-Box 360 is like crazy mad!
To tell you three advantages Madden ‘14 video game on X-Box 1 has on it’s closest rival. (better)!
Examples, cont’d

12. Examples Limit your purpose to one idea.
To persuade the audience that the federal government should not ban all cigarette advertising and that smoking should not be prohibited in all campus buildings. (no)!
To persuade my audience that the federal government should not ban all cigarette advertising. (better)!

13. Examples Make sure your statement is not too vague or too general.
To inform my audience about 9/11.
(no)!
To inform my audience about the role the
government may have played in the 9/11
attack on the World Trade Center.

14. How To Choose Topics, cont’d
IV. Questions to Ask About Your Specific Purpose
A. Does my purpose meet the Assignment?
B. Can I Accomplish My purpose in the Time Allotted?
C. Is My Purpose Relevant to the Audience?
D. Is the Purpose Too Trivial to My Audience? (A duh….) Topic
E. Is the Purpose Too Technical for My Audience?

15. How To Choose Topics, cont’d
V. Determining the Central Idea
1.The central idea, tells the audience precisely what the speech will cover.

16. Let’s See If You Have Been Listening…
Let’s See If You Have Been Listening…. Here is the tactile part of the class.
Relationships
Law
Technology
Music
Education
Five Extra Credit Points

17. Informative Example
Topic: Tennis Courts General Purpose: To Inform Specific Purpose: To inform you about the four types of tennis courts. Central Idea: The four types of tennis courts are clay, hard, grass and carpet courts.
collegerentals.com

18. Persuasive Example Topic: Sororities & Fraternities
General Purpose: To Persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to join a sorority or fraternity.
Central Idea: I want you to join a sorority or fraternity because of the social, academic, and economic benefits.

19. Source:
Lucus, S. A. (2013)The Art of Public Speaking. 12th ed., McGraw-Hill Publishers, N.Y.
Some examples provided by yours truly.