1. Informative Speeches Barry 2010

2. The central idea is a concise statement of what you expect to say. The central idea is comparable to a thesis statement of an essay. It should be a declarative sentence that sums up your speech in a single sentence. It should be more precise than your specific purpose statement. From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

3. It is a good idea to consider your residual message when writing your central idea. residual message: what a speaker wants the audience to remember after they have forgotten everything else in a speech From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

4. Topic: Día de los Muertos General purpose: to inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the history of Mexico’s Día de los Muertos Central Idea: Día de los Muertos can be traced to the Aztecs, was moved from summer to fall by Spanish priests, and today is celebrated in a number of ways in different regions of Mexico. From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

5. Complete sentence Statement rather than question Clearly encapsulates the main points to be discussed in the body of the speech Can be adequately discussed in 4 to 8 minutes Is appropriate to the audience (not too trivial or technical) Is relevant to the audience From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

6. Ineffective: Problems of fad diets Effective: Although fad diets produce quick weight loss, they can lead to serious health problems by creating deficiencies in vitamins and minerals and by breaking down muscle tissue as well as fat. From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

7. Ineffective: What are nanorobots? Effective: Microscopic in size, nanorobots are being developed for use in medicine, weaponry, and daily life. From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas

8. Ineffective: Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is an awesome place for a vacation. Effective: Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has many attractions for vacationers, including a warm climate, excellent food, and extensive Mayan ruins. From The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas