Specific Purposes and Central Ideas

1. Specific Purposes and Central Ideas

2. Choosing A Topic The first step in speechmaking. Pick a topic that: You know a lot about. You want to know more about. Your audience can relate to or enjoy.

3. What if I can�t think of anything? Brainstorm List hobbies, interests, attitudes, experiences Google interesting topics to find a starting point for your speech

4. The Specific Purpose A single infinitive sentence that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his/her speech. Example: To inform my audience about the causes of global warming. Example: To demonstrate to my audience how to change a flat tire. Example: To persuade my audience to participate in the campus blood drive.

5. Tips for Writing the Specific Purpose Write a full infinitive sentence. Incorrect: Down�s Syndrome. Correct: To inform my audience about the symptoms of down�s syndrome. Write a statement, not a question. Incorrect: What are panda bears? Correct: To inform my audience about the history of the panda bear. Avoid figurative language. Incorrect: To inform my audience that sky diving is awesome. Correct: To inform my audience about the process of sky diving. Limit the specific purpose to one idea. Incorrect: To inform my audience about NASA and the space shuttle Discovery. Correct: To inform my audience about the space shuttle Discovery.

6. The Central Idea Also called a thesis statement. A one-sentence statement that sums up the major ideas of a speech. A concise statement of what you expect to say in you speech. It�s what you want your audience to remember after they have forgotten everything else in your speech.

7. Guidelines for the Central Idea A complete sentence. Incorrect: Problems with fad diets. Correct: Fad diets can cause health problems and weight gain. Should not be in the form of a question. Incorrect: How do you know if you have good car insurance? Correct: Good car insurance requires three basic coverages. Should avoid figurative language. Incorrect: Politicians are nothing but skum. Correct: Term limits should be set for all politicians. Should not be too vague or general. Incorrect: Donating blood is good. Correct: Becoming a blood donor can save the lives of four people each time you donate.

8. Specific Purposes To inform about genetic mapping and prescription drug research. To inform my audience about genetic mapping. To persuade my wonderful audience. To persuade my audience to ban stem cell research. To tell my audience about the reason for the Brady Bill on handguns in the United States for people who want to purchase guns. To persuade my audience to support the Brady Bill. To demonstrate to my audience the correct way to install a fire alarm. Correct Persuade them to purchase my product. To persuade my audience to purchase my hand cleaner.

9. Central Idea Statements Genetic mapping in the United States. Although still in its infancy, genetic mapping is making great strides to cure many life-threatening diseases. The United States Congress should ban stem cell research. Correct The awesome Brady Bill is a superior form of legislation. The Brady Bill saves lives through background checks and waiting periods when purchasing guns.

10. Central Idea Statements Fire alarms save lives. To install a fire alarm, you need to choose the correct alarm, install the alarm in the correct area of the house, and regularly check to battery. Why should you buy my hand cleaner? Grease-Be-Gone can get your hands clean while also adding moisture to your dry, rough skin.