Speech Topic and Purpose Chapter 5 Recap/Lecture Speech Topic and Purpose

Choosing a Topic Topics you want to learn about Topics you know a lot about Introduction speeches Brainstorming for topics Personal inventory, clustering, internet search

Defining the purpose General purpose (to persuade, to inform….to introduce) Specific purpose 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”

Central Idea 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 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

Chapter 6 Recap/Lecture Audience analysis

Audience Centered Speeches 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

Learning your audience: Audience analyses Demographic audience analysis Age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, group membership Avoid stereotypes and insensitive language Situational audience analysis Size, physical setting (consider uncontrollable circumstances), disposition (towards speaker, topic, and occasion) Gathering information Adapting to the audience

In-Class Speech Workshop What is your topic? List out a rough draft of: Your general purpose Your specific purpose Your central idea 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 Partner speeches – practicing Audience Centered speeches