1. Chapter 7: Selecting a Topic and Purpose

2. Where to begin? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdcPZc21agk Ever feel like this?

3. Exploring Topics for Your Speech Methods ◦Make an inventory of your expertise. ◦Focus on social issues of consequence. Pick a topic that ◦You are drawn to; ◦You want to know more about; ◦Is current and relevant.

4. Steer Clear of Overused and Trivial Topics Stay away from overused topics. Consider topics that yield fresh insights. Beware of choosing highly charged topics.

5. Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas Brainstorming ◦Ideas generated suddenly ◦Ideas connected through word association, topic mapping, and Internet browsing

6. Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas (cont.) Word association ◦Write down a single topic. ◦Write things that come to mind. ◦Continue until you have fifteen to twenty items. ◦Narrow the list. ◦Select the best topic.

7. Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas (cont.) Topic (mind) mapping ◦Write a potential topic on paper. ◦Write down related ideas around it. A topic map ◦Allows you to visualize relationships; ◦Spurs creative thinking.

8. Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech General speech purpose ◦Answers the question, “What is my objective in speaking on this topic to this audience on this occasion?”

9. Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech (cont.) Three general purposes for a speech 1.To inform or educate 2.To persuade 3.To mark a special occasion

10. Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech (cont.) Inform or educate ◦Increase the audience’s awareness ◦Enhance understanding of the topic by defining, describing, explaining, or demonstrating Persuade ◦Effect a change in attitudes, beliefs, and values of the audience

11. Identify the General Purpose of Your Speech (cont.) Speech occasion often suggests a purpose ◦To entertain, celebrate, commensurate, inspire, or set a social agenda ◦Speech could be an introduction, acceptance, or after-dinner speech, a eulogy, or a roast and toast

12. Refine the Topic and Purpose Consider what the audience already knows. Consider what aspects are most relevant. Pick a discrete topic category. Restrict your main points. Should be between two and five

13. Narrow Your Topic Brainstorming can help narrow your topic. ◦Brainstorm by category. ◦Use an online subject directory. ◦Browse through related subtopic links.

14. Form a Specific Speech Purpose Specific speech purpose ◦Is what you want listeners to learn, do, reconsider, or agree with; ◦Is specific to your aim; ◦Is state in action form; ◦Is seldom articulated in the speech itself.

15. Compose a Thesis Statement Thesis statement (central idea) ◦Theme of the speech ◦Stated in a single, declarative sentence ◦Expresses what you attempt to demonstrate ◦Must be clearly stated ◦Entire speech rests on it

16. Let’s Practice Pull out a scratch sheet of paper Pick a partner Make thesis statements for these speech topics: ◦History of NASA ◦History of dinosaurs ◦Caffeine ◦Literacy ◦Comedy films

17. Summary Questions What are the various sources a speaker can use to select a topic? What is brainstorming, and how is it used to generate ideas for topics? What kind of techniques can be used to narrow the topic? How can a speaker clearly state a specific speech purpose? What are some ways of composing an effective thesis statement in support of the topic?