PUBLIC SPEAKING

PUBLIC SPEAKING

CHAPTER 4SELECTING A TOPIC & A PURPOSE

CHOOSING A TOPIC

Topic the subject of a speech

First step in speechmaking

Two categories of potential topicsTopic you know a lot aboutTopic 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 TOPICSA method of generating idea for speech topics

Brainstorming procedures:-Personal InventoryAnything that relate with ourselves such experiences, interests, hobbies and etc. ClusteringDivide the general topic into several categories Internet SearchFind the topic through a subject-based Web site, an online encyclopedia or some other reference portal

DETERMINING THE GENERAL PURPOSEGeneral purpose the broad goal of a speechTwo categoriesTo inform - as a teacher or lectureGoal is to convey information clearly, accurately and interestingly

To persuade - as an advocateGo beyond giving information to espousing a causeChange or structure the attitudes or action of your audiencePrimary goal is to win over your listeners to your point of view, to get them to believe something or do something as a resultof 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 STATEMENTWrite the purpose statement as a full infinitive phrase, not as a fragmentE.g. : Ineffective: 3-D technologyMore Effective: To inform my audience about three major kinds of current 3-D technology.Express your purpose as a statement, not as a questionE.g. : Ineffective: What is the benefits of reading?More Effective: To inform my audience about the benefits of readingamong the students

Avoid figurative language in your purpose statementE.g.: Ineffective : To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student parking really stinksMore Effective: To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student parking should be revised to provide more spaces for students before 5p.m

TIPS FOR FORMULATING THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE STATEMENTLimit your purpose statement to one distinct ideaE.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 Make sure your specific purpose is not too vague or generalE.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

Does my purpose meet the assignmentCan I accomplish my purpose in the time allottedIs the purpose relevant to my audienceIs the purpose too trivial for my audienceIs 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 : -

be expressed in a full sentenceShould not be in the form of a questionShould avoid figurative languageShould not be vague or overly general

End Of Chapter