University:
Montclair State University
Course:
CMST 101 | Fundamentals of Speech: Communication Requirement
Academic year:

2021
Views:

342

Pages:

1
Author:

Leilani Contreras

Selecting the topic of your speech isn’t just about picking a subject area. You must narrow your topic appropriately, as described on the above link. This is only the first step in the process, though. There are three major steps that will help focus your topic, and thus, will focus your research for a higher quality speech. General Purpose What is your purpose for speaking? This is very important because it will help you direct your research. In a speech, you have several options for the general purpose of your speech. These are very simple: To inform To persuade To mark a special occasion Specific Purpose With the specific purpose, you focus your general purpose to your speech topic. For example if my topic is college education, depending on the general purpose of my speech, the specific purpose might be: To inform my audience of the benefits of a college education. To persuade my audience to pursue a college education. Can you see how this would affect your research? While you might cover the benefits of college if you are trying to persuade someone to go to college, you will likely also talk about the alternative if one doesn’t attend college, how to make a college education within reach, etc. The Hidden Next Step You won’t see this in your book, but you will find it very useful if you determine the main points of your speech before you move on. Keep in mind that these may change a bit as you do research, but you should be familiar enough that you can reasonable figure out your main points. You can adapt them later if need be. Thesis Once you have your specific purpose, it is time to draft your thesis statement. This is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE OF YOUR SPEECH!!!! Don’t take it lightly. And of each of the elements we are discussing in developing your topic, the thesis is the only one you will actually say orally during your speech (the GP and SP are really for your personal guidance). You thesis statement will sum up your entire speech in one sentence. For example: College education changes students’ lives in a positive way. Notice, the thesis does NOT include a preview of the main points of the speech as you would in a paper. There are a few things you should keep in mind when drafting a thesis: It should clearly and boldly state exactly what you plan to talk about in your speech. Avoid figurative language—no metaphors, similies, etc. Avoid flowerly adjectives, etc. Previews the entire speech Is a SINGLE sentence