Chapter Six
Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Chapter Six
Table of ContentsWhat do I Speak AboutThe General Speech PurposeSelecting a TopicRefining the Topic and Purpose From Topic and Purpose to Thesis*
What Do I Speak About?
Public speakers are either given a topic, or asked to choose one of their own*
What Do I Speak About?
When Topics Are Assigned
When the topic of a speech is assigned, the speaker still has to adapt the speech to the audience, and the occasion
The speaker must also decide on a purpose or goal for the talk*
What Do I Speak About?
When Topics Are Self-Selected
Often, the speaker will be asked to select a topic that meets some or all of the following criteria: A specific purpose A time constraint A challenge*
The General Speech Purpose
There are three general speech purposes To inform To persuade To celebrate or commemorate a special
occasion*
The General Speech Purpose
Speaking to Inform
The general purpose of an informative speech is to increase the audience’s understanding or awareness of a topic
Try to gauge the audience’s knowledge of the subject to avoid boring, or confusing the audience*
The General Speech Purpose
Speaking to Persuade
The general purpose of a persuasive speech is to effect some change in the audience, by accepting the speaker’s alternate view *
The General Speech Purpose
The Special Occasion Speech
Special occasion speeches include, but are not limited to: acceptance speeches, toasts, after dinner speeches, and eulogies*
Selecting A Topic
Along with choosing a general speech purpose, the speaker must select a topic that is appropriate for the audience*
Selecting A Topic
Personal Interests
Select a topic with which you are familiar and enthusiastic This can help the audience to perceive
you as a knowledgeable and competent speaker
Personal interests can include: Hobbies or favorite activities Specific subject areas*
Selecting A Topic
Audience Concerns and Interests
Review your topic in light of the audience’s demographic and psychological profile
How does the topic fit with the audience’s: Age Gender Ethnicity Political or religious status Socioeconomic status*
Selecting A Topic
Current And Controversial Events
Current events Society is constantly barraged with
newsworthy topics, but few people have time to research all the facts
Controversial issues Issues such as abortion, gun control, and
drug abuse profoundly affect us as a society, and as a result, many people hunger for more information on the topic*
Selecting A Topic
Local Issues
Consider events that are specifically connected to school, community, and state The majority of
people react with interest to issues that affect them directly*
Selecting A Topic
Unusual Information
Another source for topics can be new or unusual information about a well-known subject
You might consider information that: Has recently been discovered Has been reinvestigated, resulting in new
conclusions Involves an influential person that has
reversed his or her opinion on a topic*
Selecting A Topic
Brainstorming
Brainstorming An individual or
group problem-solving technique that involves the spontaneous generation of ideas either by lists or word association*
Selecting A Topic
Brainstorming
Lists Create a list of interesting topics
that you could comfortably prepare to speak about.
Narrow the list to two or three topics Choose one of the remaining topics
based on your audience’s interests and demographics*
Selecting A Topic
Brainstorming
Word Association Begin by writing down one topic which would
be of interest to you and your audience Write down the first thing that comes to mind
when you read the words you have just written As soon as your words remind you of
something, write it down Once you have generated a list, review it and
pick two or three topics as possible final choices*
Refining The Topic and Purpose
Once you have selected a topic and general speech purpose, these must be refined or narrowed
This process helps develop a topic and purpose that will appeal to the greatest number of people in your audience*
Refining The Topic and Purpose
Narrowing the Topic
Narrowing the topic involves focusing on specific aspects of it and excluding others
Consider time and research constraints when focusing on a specific topic
Brainstorming can also be used to narrow your focus by categorizing different aspects of your topic*
Refining The Topic and Purpose Forming a Specific Speech Purpose
Specific Speech Purpose Expresses both the topic and general
purpose in action form and in terms of the speaker’s objectives
What is it that you want your audience to learn, do, reconsider, or agree with?*
From Topic and Purpose to Thesis
Thesis statement A single statement that expresses the
theme or central idea of the speech and serves to connect all parts of the speech
The thesis statement concisely identifies what the speech is about*
From Topic and Purpose to Thesis
Making a Claim
The thesis statement makes a statement, claim, or assumption about the topic
The nature of the thesis statement varies according to the speech purpose*
From Topic and Purpose to Thesis
Making it Relevant
The thesis statement needs to be expressed in a way that will motivate the audience to listen This can often be accomplished by
pointing out the relevance of the topicWith a well-worded phrase, the thesis
statement provokes enthusiasm from the audience because the topic’s relevance has been established*
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