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Steps in Writing a Speech
• The first step in speechmaking is choosing a topic.
• After choosing a topic, speakers need to determine the general purpose of the speech .
• Once the general purpose is clear, the next step is narrowing to the specific purpose .
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
• The central idea further refines and sharpens the specific purpose statement
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Choosing a Topic
1. Topics for classroom speeches can come from subjects about which students already know a great deal.
2. Topics for classroom speeches can come from subjects about which a student is interested and wants to learn more.
3. Topics for classroom speeches can come from issues about which students hold strong opinions and beliefs.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
• 4. Use several brainstorming procedures to help select a topic.
• 5. Whatever method students use, they should settle on a topic as early as possible.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Ways to Brainstorm• 1. They can make an inventory of
interests, skills, experiences, and the like.
• 2. They can cluster possible topics into categories such as people, places, events, processes, plans and policies, and so forth.
• 3. They can browse through encyclopedias, dictionaries, or other reference materials in search of a topic.
• 4. They can use a subject-based search engine such as Yahoo to help find a topic via the Internet.
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General Purpose
The broad goal of a speech.
The three major kinds of general
purposes are to inform, to persuade,
and to entertain.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Specific Purpose
A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Guidelines for the Specific Purpose Statement
• Write as a full infinitive phrase
• Express as a statement, not a question
• Avoid figurative language
• Limit to one distinct idea
• Avoid being too vague or general
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Write the Specific Purpose Statement as a Full Infinitive Phrase, Not as a Fragment
Ineffective: Calendars
More Effective: To inform my audience about the four major kinds of calendars
used in the world today.
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Express the Specific Purpose as a Statement, Not as a Question
Ineffective: Is the U.S. space program necessary?
More Effective: To persuade my audience that the U.S. space program providesmany important benefits to people here on earth.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Avoid Figurative Language in the Specific Purpose Statement
Ineffective: To persuade my audience thatthe university’s plan to reducethe number of campus parkingspaces assigned to students isa real bummer.
More Effective: To persuade my audience to petition against the university’splan to reduce the number of campus parking spaces assigned to students.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Limit the Specific Purpose Statement to One Distinct Idea
Ineffective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should ban all cigarette advertising and that smoking should be prohibited in all campus buildings.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
More Effective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should ban all cigarette advertising.
More Effective: To persuade my audience that smoking should be prohibited in all campus buildings.
OR,
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Make Sure the Specific Purpose Is Not Too Vague or General
Ineffective: To inform my audience about theCivil War.
More Effective: To inform my audience about therole of African-American soldiersin the Civil War.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Questions to Ask about YourSpecific Purpose
• Does my purpose meet the assignment?• Can I accomplish my purpose in the
time allotted?• Is the purpose relevant to my audience?• Is the purpose too trivial for my
audience?• Is the purpose too technical for my
audience?
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Central Idea
A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Guidelines for Central Idea
• Avoid being too vague or general
• Express as a complete sentence
• Do not write as a question
• Avoid figurative language
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Make Sure the Central Idea Is Not Too General
Ineffective: Paying college athletes a salary is a good idea.
More Effective: Because college athletes in revenue-producing sports such
as football and basketball generate millions of dollars in revenue for their schools, the
NCAA should allow such athletes to receive a $200 monthly salary as part of their scholarships.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
State the Central Idea as a Complete Sentence
Ineffective: Uses of the laser
More Effective: The laser is a highly versatiledevice with important uses inmany areas, including medicine,industry, telecommunications,and art.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Phrase the Central Idea as a Statement, Not as a Question
Ineffective: How does indoor soccer differfrom outdoor soccer?
More Effective: Played on a smaller, enclosed field that resembles a hockeyrink with artificial turf, indoorsoccer involves faster action,more scoring, and differentstrategies than outdoor soccer.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
Avoid Figurative Language in the Central Idea
Ineffective: Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is an awesome place for a vacation.
More Effective: Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula has many attractions for vacationers, including a warm climate, excellent food, and extensive Mayan ruins.
McGraw-Hill ©Stephen E. Lucas 2001 All rights reserved.
General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audienceof the three major racesin alpine skiing.
Central Idea: The three major races inalpine skiing are the downhill, the slalom,and the giant slalom.