Chapter 5 Recap/Lecture
SPEECH TOPIC AND PURPOSE
CHOOSING A TOPIC
Topics you want to learn about
 Topics you know a lot about
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Introduction speeches
Brainstorming for topics
 Personal
inventory, clustering, internet search
DEFINING THE PURPOSE
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General purpose (to persuade, to inform….to introduce)
Specific purpose
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Full infinitive phrase
Statement, not question
No figurative language
Focus on one idea
Avoid vague statements
Ask yourself:
Does it work?
 Does it fit in my time frame?
 How will my audience feel (Relevant? Trivial? Too Technical?)

WHAT’S WRONG?
“To persuade my audience that the U.S.
government should increase funding for stem cell
research and support the development of
hydrogen-fuel vehicles”
 “What is an individual retirement account?”
 “To inform my audience about New Zealand”
 “Donate blood”
 “To persuade my audience that something has to
be done about the problem of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria”
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CENTRAL IDEA
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One, concise statement
A.K.A. thesis statement, subject sentence, major
thought, residual message
Answers the question: “what are you going to say?
What’s the overall point/message?”
Similar to summing up main points in one sentence
Guidelines
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Full sentence
Statement, not question
No figurative or vague language
EXAMPLE
Topic: The benefits of living in Georgia
 General Purpose: To inform
 Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about
the several benefits of living in Georgia
 Central Idea: Living in Georgia can be a
wonderful experience because of its rich
culture, various forms of entertainment, and
the beautiful surroundings
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Chapter 6 Recap/Lecture
AUDIENCE ANALYSIS
AUDIENCE CENTERED SPEECHES
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Ask yourself
 Who
is your audience?
 What is your goal/desired result?
 How can you effectively reach that goal/desired
result?
Create some type of bond
 Make them choose to listen
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LEARNING YOUR AUDIENCE:
AUDIENCE ANALYSES
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Demographic audience analysis
Age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, group
membership
 Avoid stereotypes and insensitive language
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Situational audience analysis
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Size, physical setting (consider uncontrollable
circumstances), disposition (towards speaker, topic,
and occasion)
Gathering information
 Adapting to the audience
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IN-CLASS SPEECH WORKSHOP
What is your topic?
 List out a rough draft of:
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 Your
general purpose
 Your specific purpose
 Your central idea
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Chat with 4+ of your classmates. How do they
feel about the topic? Do they know anything
about the topic?
IN-CLASS SPEECH WORKSHOP FOR THURSDAY
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Partner speeches – practicing Audience
Centered speeches