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 and resources. The document outlines identifying the specific purpose and forming a thesis statement. It provides tips for building an outline to guide topic development and keep focused on the general purpose. Finally, it discusses the typical parts of an introduction, body and conclusion for a speech.

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 view points are examined or
considered

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
Constructing your stand point

11. Types of Outlines

12. Introduction
Intro
Greeting Names
Attention
Getter
Stand point

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 stand point 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 your argument
• Create a writing style that is conversational &
persuasive
• Make your Audience feel like they are a part of
your discussion

15. Conclusion of A Persuasive Speech
Restate the stand point
Leave the audience something to think
about/findings/supporting materials/data

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