This document provides guidance on developing the purpose and topic for a speech. It discusses determining the general purpose as either to inform, persuade or entertain. It also covers brainstorming possible topics by considering interests, audience and resources. The document outlines identifying the specific purpose and forming a thesis statement. It provides tips for building an outline to guide topic development and keep focused on the general purpose. Finally, it discusses the typical parts of an introduction, body and conclusion for a speech.
2. General Purpose
The speaker’s overall objective
• To inform
• To persuade
• To entertain
3. Determining Your General Purpose
Speaking to inform
Speaking to persuade
Speaking to entertain
Keeping your general purpose in mind
4. Brainstorming for Possible Topics
Brainstorming – a free-form way of
generating ideas without evaluating them
5. Evaluating and Selecting Topic Ideas
Consider your own interests
Consider the audience
Consider resource availability
Consider time
Consider the setting and speaking event
6. Identifying Your Speech Purpose
Specific purpose – what you want to
achieve in your speech
What message do you want the audience
to receive from your standpoint
8. Phrasing Your Thesis/ Stand Point
Thesis – summarizes your plan for
achieving the specific purpose; a single
descriptive sentence that captures the
essence or central idea of a speech
Stand point—a physical or mental position
from which view points are examined or
considered
9. Building Your Working Outline
An outline that guides you during the initial
stages of topic development, helping to
keep you focused on your general
purpose and clarify your specific purpose
10. Building Your Working Outline Cont.
Brainstorming for topic development
Grouping ideas to select main points
Constructing your stand point
13. Major Speech Parts
Introduction
Arouse the audience members’ attention with a
quotation, question or short story
Introduce both names (full names)
Greetings
Clearly state the stand point at the end of the
introduction
14. Body of A Persuasive Speech
• Transition into the main point of the discussion
• Focus on Detail/Supporting
Research/Statistics/data
• Attention Getters
• Give examples to build on your argument
• Create a writing style that is conversational &
persuasive
• Make your Audience feel like they are a part of
your discussion
15. Conclusion of A Persuasive Speech
Restate the stand point
Leave the audience something to think
about/findings/supporting materials/data