1. Articulating Your Purpose

2. General Speaking Purposes  To inform: describe, clarify, explain, define  To invite: explore, interact, exchange  To persuade: change, shape, influence, motivate  To introduce: acquaint, present, familiarize  To commemorate: praise, honor, pay tribute  To accept: receive an award, express gratitude

3. Specific Speaking Purposes  Once you determine your general purpose, you must then determine what exactly you want to communicate to your audience.  State your specific speaking purpose clearly.  Keep your audience in the forefront of your mind.

4. Stating Your Thesis  A thesis statement summarizes in a single declarative sentence the main ideas, assumptions, or arguments you want to express in your speech.

5. Go to: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinioneditorials http://www.latimes.com/news/opinioneditorials *read “Fat Frannie and Freddie” and “The U.N.’s Meatless Drive” Write what you believe to be the specific statement of purpose and central idea/thesis statement. Do the writers offer clear statements of purpose? Is a clear thesis identifiable in each opinion? How might the writing have been improved?

6.  Topic prompts: ice cream, peace, substance abuse, poverty, John McCain, Barak Obama  Sample topic: Chocolate Sample Purpose: To inform my audience of how chocolate is derived from cocoa beans.

7.  General Purpose:  Specific Purpose:  Thesis Statement: