Finding The Topic: Chapter 2

Finding the Topic : 

Chapter 2 Finding the Topic

Five (5) Topic Selection Guidelines : 

Five (5) Topic Selection Guidelines Personal Interest in the Topic Desire to Explore the Topic Further Ability to Handle the Topic Suitability for the Audience Fit for the Occasion

Topic Selection Strategies : 

Topic Selection Strategies Brainstorming: an unrestricted technique of generating ideas in the form of words and phrases Listing: writing down anything that comes to mind that could turn into speech topics Mapping: to delineate ideas for speech topics as if on a map (also called clustering or webbing)

Topic Selection Strategies Continued : 

Topic Selection Strategies Continued Reading Searching Online Resources Search Engine: an internet program used to search for people, places, and objects by using key words Web Site: a group of pages regarded as a single topic or several closely related topics World Wide Web (WWW): a network of computers consisting of a collection of Internet sites that contain text and graphics and sound and animation Narrowing the Topic

The Purpose of the Speech : 

The Purpose of the Speech General Purpose: The reason for a speech Three (3) General Speaking Purposes To inform To persuade To entertain Specific Purpose: a declarative statement emphasizing the goals of the speech stated in an active form. The specific purpose is determined after your general purpose. The specific purpose keeps the speech in focus.

Guidelines in Formulating the Specific Purpose : 

Guidelines in Formulating the Specific Purpose Begin Specific Purpose with an Infinitive Infinitive: a verb that begins with to Examples: to inform, to explain, to show, to demonstrate Limit the Specific Purpose to One Main Idea Include the Listeners in the Specific Purpose Express as a Statement (not as a question) Avoid Technical Language in the Specific Purpose Make the Specific Purpose Clear and Concise

2 Examples of General and Specific Purpose : 

2 Examples of General and Specific Purpose Example #1 Topic: Causes of Divorce General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To tell my listeners about the three major causes of divorce Example #2 Topic: Organ Donation General Purpose: To persuade Specific Purpose: To persuade my listeners to realize that thousands of people could be helped if more of us were to become organ donors.

The Central Idea : 

The Central Idea Central Idea: the main thought, agenda, or thesis of your speech as expressed in one sentence After your specific purpose, putting together the central idea is the next step. The central idea restates the topic. The central idea shows the contents of a speech.

Guidelines for Writing the Central Idea : 

Guidelines for Writing the Central Idea Express the Central Idea as a Declarative Statement. Avoid Expressing the Central Idea as a Question. Make the Central Idea Clear and Precise

Example: The Central Idea : 

Example: The Central Idea Topic: Causes of Divorce General purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To tell my listeners about the three major causes of divorce Central Idea: The three leading causes of divorce are due to financial problems, lack of communication, and infidelity.