selecting topic and purpose for public speaking

Zig Ziglar

SELECTING A TOPIC AND A PURPOSE

Selecting a Topic and a Purpose

CHOOSING A TOPIC

Topic – the subject of a speech

First step in speechmaking

Two broad categories of potential topics for classroom speeches

1)Topic you know a lot about2) Topic you want to know more about


TOPIC YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT

Most people speak best about subjects with which they are most familiar

Either relate to ourselves, relate to our experiences and with something that familiar with

TOPIC YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT

Topic which you already have some knowledge or expertise but not enough to prepare a speech without doing additional research.


BRAINSTORMING FOR TOPICS

Brainstorming – a method of generating idea for speech topics by free association of words and ideasBrainstorming procedures:-

Personal Inventory- Anything that relate with ourselves such experiences, interests, hobbies and so forth. Clustering- Divide the general topic into several categories Internet Search-Find the topic through a subject-based Web site, an online encyclopedia or some other reference portal until you come across what might be a good topic.


DETERMINING THE GENERAL PURPOSEGeneral purpose – the broad goal of a speechTwo categories

To inform – act as a teacher or lecture - your goal is to convey information clearly, accurately and interestingly

To persuade – act as an advocate- go beyond giving information to espousing a cause- change or structure the attitudes or action of your

audience - primary goal is to win over your listeners to your point of view

>> to get them to believe something or do something as a result

of your speech


DETERMINING THE SPECIFIC PURPOSEOnce have chosen a topic and a general purpose, then need to narrow the topic to determine the specific purpose of the speech.

Specific purpose – a single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech

E.g. : Topic : Blood DonationGeneral Purpose : To informSpecific Purpose : To inform my audience about the benefits

of blood donation for our health


TIPS FOR FORMULATING THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE STATEMENT

1.Write the purpose statement as a full infinitive phrase, not as a fragment E.g. : Ineffective: 3-D technology

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

2.Express your purpose as a statement, not as a question E.g. : Ineffective: What is the benefits of reading?

More Effective: To inform my audience about the benefits of readingamong the students

3.Avoid figurative language in your purpose statement E.g.: 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 p.m

TIPS FOR FORMULATING THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE STATEMENT

4.Limit your purpose statement to one distinct idea E.g.: Ineffective: To persuade my audience to stop smoking and the important of having a healthy lifestyle.

More effective: To persuade my audience to stop smoking OR

: To persuade my audience the important of having a healthy lifestyle. 5.Make sure your specific purpose is not too vague or general E.g.: Ineffective: To persuade my audience that something should be

done about unsafe school buses.More effective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should impose stronger safety

standards for school buses in Malaysia


QUESTION TO ASK ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC PURPOSE

1.Does my purpose meet the assignment2.Can I accomplish my purpose in the time allotted3.Is the purpose relevant to my audience4.Is the purpose too trivial for my audience5.Is the purpose too technical for my audience


PHARSING THE CENTRAL IDEA

Central idea – a one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speechIs a concise statement of what you expect to sayResidual message – what a speaker wants the audience to remember after it has forgotten everything else in a speech


GUIDELINE FOR THE CENTRAL IDEA

The central idea should : -1) be expressed in a full sentence2)Should not be in the form of a question3)Should avoid figurative language4)Should not be vague or overly general

END OF CHAPTER

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selecting topic and purpose for public speaking

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