A SPEAKER’S GUIDEBOOK4TH EDITIONCHAPTER 7

General Speech Purpose

Purposes for Speaking

TO INFORM

TO PERSUADE

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

To Inform

Define, describe, explain, or demonstrate your knowledge on the topic.

Increase the audience’s understanding and awareness of the topic.

Build on the knowledge your audience already has about the topic.

General Informative Topic Categories

issues

processes

concepts& theories

events

people

objects

InformativeTopic

Categories

Brainstorming Informative Topics Brainstorming is the spontaneous

generation of ideas through word association or topic mapping.

ACTIVITY: Go back to the diagram on the previous slide and as a group write down 3 ideas for each topic category. Now you have a list of possible topics from which to choose for your informative speech assignment.

Narrowing Down Your Topic

All speeches are confined by a time limit.

As a student, your speeches will be timed by your instructor.

You will not have time to cover all of the information that exists on your topic.

Narrow your topic down to be more specific.

Determining Your Specific Purpose To inform the audience about

________________.

ACTIVITY: Jot down your specific purpose statement and keep it near you while you are writing your speech!

From Topic & Purpose to Thesis

Step 1: Determine your topic.

Step 2: Decide on your general purpose.

Step 3: Write down your specific purpose statement.

Step 4: Devise your thesis statement.

Thesis Statement

Clearly expresses the central idea of your speech

Concisely identifies your speech topic for the audience

Typically includes phrases about each of your main points

Indicates your perspective on a persuasive topic

Guides your speech preparation and keeps you on track while you are writing

A SPEAKER’S GUIDEBOOK4TH EDITIONCHAPTER 7Determining Your Purpose for a Persuasive Speech

Purpose of a Persuasive Speech To change the audience’s attitudes,

beliefs, or values on a topic To change or reinforce the audience’s

behaviorControversial issues, such as immigration reform, stem cell research, and underage drinking, work best for persuasive speeches because people hold strong opinions about these topics.

Thinking about Your Persuasive Speech Begin by thinking about a variety of

controversial issues. Listen to the news or read about

some current events which you could turn into a speech topic.

Don’t choose a topic on which you’ve heard many speeches throughout your lifetime.

Question

Class poll: About which persuasive topic on this list would you would MOST like to hear a speech?

A. AbortionB. ImmigrationC. Conversion to a particular religionD. Death PenaltyE. Environmental Concerns

Question

Class poll: About which persuasive topic on this list would you LEAST like to hear a speech?

A. AbortionB. ImmigrationC. Conversion to a particular

religionD. Death PenaltyE. Environmental Concerns

Discussion: Can a topic be overused?

When you answered the previous questions, your decision may have depended on how many speeches/messages you’ve heard on that topic.

Why wouldn’t an overused topic work for your classroom speech? After all, research information is readily available.

Determining Your Specific Purpose To convince the audience to

________________. To persuade the audience to

________________.

ACTIVITY: Brainstorm: Choose your topic and write it in the blank.

Keep your specific purpose statement near you while you are writing your speech!

Chapter 7 Key Terms for Reviewgeneral speech purpose

informative speech

persuasive speech

special occasion speech

brainstorming

word association

topic map

specific speech purpose

thesis statement