Speech Communication Chapter 7

Questions and Answers

Unless you can clearly identify what you want to say and why you want to say it (your topic and purpose) prior to delivering a speech __________

you won't be able to give one that works

What must you consider regardless of whether you have a specific topic assigned or if you get to choose your own?

You must consider each topic's potential appeal to the audience and its appropriateness to the rhetorical situation.

What are some things to consider when exploring topics for your speech?

Identify Personal Interests, 2) Consider Current Events and Controversial Issues, 3) Survey Grassroots Issues, 4) Steer Clear of Overused and Trivial Topics, 5) Try Brainstorming to Generate Ideas, 6) Utilize Internet Tools

What question does the general speech purpose for any speech answer?

What is my object in speaking on this topic to this audience on this occasion? Signup and view all the answers

What are typically the 3 basic general purposes for a speech?

<ol> <li>To inform, 2) To persuade, 3) To mark a special occasion</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How does the speech occasion influence the speech purpose?

The speech occasion suggests an appropriate general speech purpose. Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps to take once you have an idea for a topic and established a general speech purpose?

<ol> <li>Narrow Your Topic, 2) Form a Specific Speech Purpose, 3) Compose a Thesis Statement</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What should you ask yourself regarding the audience's learning objectives?

What do you want the audience to learn/do/reconsider/agree with? Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the thesis and specific purpose in a speech?

The specific purpose describes what you want to achieve, while the thesis statement identifies what the speech is about. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Selecting a Topic and Purpose

Clearly identifying your topic and purpose is crucial for delivering an effective speech.
Consider the topic's appeal to the audience and its relevance to the rhetorical situation.

Exploring Topics

Identify personal interests to find engaging topics.
Stay informed on current events and controversial issues through resources like CQ Researcher.
Engage with your community to uncover grassroots issues that resonate with your audience.
Avoid overused topics; audiences seek fresh perspectives.
Utilize brainstorming techniques, such as word association and mind mapping, to generate ideas.
Leverage online tools and databases for topic exploration and narrowing.

General Speech Purpose

The general purpose of a speech answers: "What is my object in speaking on this topic to this audience on this occasion?"

Basic General Purposes of Speeches

To inform: Educate the audience about a topic, enhancing their awareness and understanding.
To persuade: Influence the audience’s beliefs or behaviors, encouraging action on a topic.
To mark a special occasion: Celebrate or commemorate events, entertaining or inspiring the audience.

Purpose and Occasion Relationship

The occasion often dictates the purpose; for example, an activist may choose persuasive purposes for civic engagement and informative purposes for explaining project details.

Narrowing Your Focus

Narrow your topic according to audience expectations, occasion nature, and time constraints.
Develop a specific speech purpose detailing what the audience should take away.
Compose a clear thesis statement as the central idea that encapsulates your speech.

Formulating Specific Purpose

Be precise in your aim, articulating what action you want the audience to take, as in the example of consolidating student loans.

Thesis vs. Specific Purpose

Specific purposes are action-driven objectives of the speech, while thesis statements present the main idea succinctly.
Examples illustrate differentiating thesis and specific purpose in informative and persuasive contexts, highlighting their unique roles within a speech.

Description

Test your knowledge of selecting a topic and purpose in speech communication with these flashcards. This chapter emphasizes the importance of clarity and audience appeal in speech preparations. Hone your skills and improve your effectiveness as a speaker.