This document provides guidance on developing the purpose and topic for a speech. It discusses determining the general purpose as either to inform, persuade, or entertain. It also covers brainstorming possible topics by considering interests, audience, resources, and time. The document emphasizes identifying the specific purpose or message for the audience. It recommends formulating a thesis statement that captures the central idea. Finally, it offers tips for building an outline to guide topic development and keep the speaker focused on the general and specific purposes.

1. Developing Your
4 Purpose and Topic

2. General Purpose
 The speaker’s overall objective
• To inform
• To persuade
• To entertain

3. Determining Your General Purpose
 Speaking to inform
 Speaking to persuade
 Speaking to entertain
 Keeping your general purpose in mind

4. Brainstorming for Possible Topics
 Brainstorming – a free-form way of
generating ideas without evaluating them

5. Evaluating and Selecting Topic Ideas
 Consider your own interests
 Consider the audience
 Consider resource availability
 Consider time
 Consider the setting and speaking event

6. Identifying Your Speech Purpose
 Specific purpose – what you want to
achieve in your speech
 What message do you want the audience
to receive from your standpoint

7. General Purpose, Topic, &
Specific Purpose

8. Phrasing Your Thesis/ Stand Point
 Thesis – summarizes your plan for
achieving the specific purpose; a single
descriptive sentence that captures the
essence or central idea of a speech
 Stand point—a physical or mental position
from which viewpoints are viewed

9. Building Your Working Outline
 An outline that guides you during the initial
stages of topic development, helping to
keep you focused on your general
purpose and clarify your specific purpose

10. Building Your Working Outline Cont.
Brainstorming for topic development
Grouping ideas to select main points
Writing the thesis/standpoint

11. Types of Outlines

12. Introduction
Intro
Greeting Name
Attention
Getter
Standpoint

13. Major Speech Parts
Introduction
Arouse the audience members’ attention with a
quotation, question or short story
Introduce both names (full names)
Greetings
Clearly state the standpoint at the end of the introduction

14. Body of A Persuasive Speech
• Transition into the main point of the
discussion
• Focus on Detail/Supporting
Research/Statistics/data
• Attention Getters
• Give examples to build on argument/ view
point
• Create a writing style that is
conversational
• Make Audience feel like they are a part of
your discussion

15. The Conclusion of A Persuasive Speech
Restate the standpoint
Leave the audience something to think
about/finding/supporting materials/data

16. Relevant Websites
 Developing your thesis
 Framing a thesis statement