Public Speaking

5) Selecting Topic & Purpose

Choosing a Topic

• Subjects you know a lot about

• Subjects you want to know more about

Brainstorming

Generating ideas by free association of words or ideas

- personal inventory

- clustering

- Internet search

General Purpose

Broad goal of speech

a) Inform

b) Persuade

Specific Purpose

• Single infinitive phrase that states what speaker hopes to accomplish. Eg

- To inform my audience about…

- To persuade my audience to…

Guidelines:

• Full infinitive phrase, no fragments

• Statement, not question

• Avoid figurative language

• Limit to ONE distinct idea

• Avoid being vague

Full Infinitive Phrase

Ineffective: 3-D Technology

More Effective: To inform my audience about the three major kinds of current 3-D technology

Statement, Not Question

Ineffective: What is Hungry Ghosts Festival?

More Effective: To inform my audience about the history that led to the Hungry Ghost Festival

Avoid Figurative Language

Ineffective: To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student parking really stinks

More Effective: To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student parking should be revised to provide more spaces for students before 5 pm

One Distinct Idea

Ineffective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors and to donate time to the Special Olympics

More Effective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors.

More Effective: To persuade my audience to donate time to the Special Olympics

Specific Purpose

- Does my purpose meet assignment?

- Can accomplished in allotted time?

- Is purpose relevant to audience?

- Is purpose suitable for audience?

- Is the purpose too technical?

Meet Time Allocation

- Average speaking rate: 120 – 150 words per minute

Purpose Relevant?

- To inform my audience how to choose retirement homes

- To inform my audience we should continue the milk program in primary schools

Purpose Suitable?

- To inform my audience about the parts of a backpack

- To...