SPCH 1301-4-1
Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Chapter 4
Choosing a Topic: The first step in the speechmaking process. I wanted you to talk about yourself for your first speech, but from here on out, you have to decide what your topic is. Provided, of course, it falls within the general parameters of the assignment.
Two broad categories to select from:
1.Topics you know a lot about
2.Topics you want to know more about
The text offers some insight on the brainstorming process (pages 89-90) to help you find a topic or idea if you are having trouble. Also, you can ask me for help. I cannot pick a topic for you but can help you generate ideas you want to develop in greater detail.
Once you have your topic, you must determine how you can develop it within the framework of the assignment. To do so, first consider the broad goal of the speech, the general purpose. This will be either to inform, to persuade, or to celebrate/entertain. Do not violate the general purpose or you miss the focus or reason the speech is being delivered. In other words, persuading us when you need to be informing us (or vice versa) will result poorly in every way a speech can be measured. This is not hard to do, but do not forget the general reason you are speaking
After this, you must ask yourself what your specificpurpose is for this topic. Essentially, this answers the all-important question of “when I’m done speaking, what do I want my audience to know, think, feel, or do about my speech?” The specific purpose is instrumental in giving you a specific direction and keeping you on track from start to finish. Without asking this question, speakers are apt to drift throughout their topic and make it harder for their audience to follow the flow of their ideas. Everyone in class has the same general purpose, but the specific purpose is as the name suggests—specific to your speech and your goals.
Finally, out of the specific purpose emerges the statement you verbalize for your audience—the central idea or often called the thesis statement. This is stated clearly and concisely for your audience; telling them what your speech topic will cover. Be specific, be clear, be concise.
It is very wise for any speaking to attach at the end of the thesis statement a short preview of main points to be covered. This serves to alert your audience about what is coming in the speech. This serves to set up your speech to be well organized and easy to follow. Audience’s love to hear clear theses and short, clear main point previews. It lets them know what you are going to talk about and the specific points you will develop to support your thesis.
This is critical—do your very best to make your thesis statement and preview of main points as effective as possible.