Chapter 5 Selecting a Topic and a Purpose

What is your general purpose if you are speaking as an advocate?

To persuade

What type of topics do people usually give the best speeches about?

Topics that are very familiar them

What you expect to say in a speech is called the__________ , _________

central;idea

Which of the following is a well-worded central idea?

A negotiation can be broken down into three basic steps: the preparation, the discussion, and the closing.

What is a speech's specific purpose statement?

A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what you hope to accomplish in your speech

"To inform my audience about the process of milking a cow with modern and traditional methods" is an example of what element of a speech?

A specific purpose

According to the textbook, when should you turn to an Internet search to brainstorm for a speech topic?

After doing a personal inventory and clustering

Which of the following statements is an example of a central idea?

Baking a cake is easy if you have the right ingredients, know how to combine them, and use a properly heated oven.

Derek has been assigned to give a two-minute speech about history or government. His audience will be his classmates, who have the same assignment. Derek decides his specific purpose will be to name the U.S. presidents, describing the greatest achievement and reciting a brief quotation from each one. Which question did Derek forget to ask himself about his specific purpose?

Can I accomplish my purpose in the time allotted?

Padma is brainstorming potential speech topics. To do this, she divides a piece of paper into nine columns and labels each column with a different category, including people, places, things, and events. She then writes down the first few ideas that come to mind when she considers each category. Which brainstorming technique is Padma using?

Clustering

Olaf finds golf boring, has never played cricket but thinks it would be interesting to learn about, loves playing lacrosse, and thinks basketball is a waste of time. Of these sports, which two would be the best potential speech topics for Olaf?

Cricket Lacrosse

What are the questions to ask about your specific purpose statement?

Does my purpose meet the assignment? Can I accomplish my assignment in the time allotted? Is the purpose relevant to my audience?

True or false: To capture your audience's attention, you should phrase your central idea as a question.

False

Which categories would be the most relevant in the personal inventory brainstorming technique?

Hobbies and beliefs

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary would be used to brainstorm with which method?

Internet search

While brainstorming, Karl came up with a list of possible topics consisting of coconuts, cathedrals, clouds, concerts, chemistry, and clay. Which technique did he most likely use?

Internet search

Cassie's specific purpose for her speech is to inform her audience about the benefits of homeownership. She gives her speech to her sister's high school history class, and while a couple of her listeners seem interested, most have bored looks on their faces. Which key question did Cassie forget to ask herself about her specific purpose statement?

Is my purpose relevant to my audience?

Jin was assigned to give an informative speech to his classmates. He decided that his specific purpose was to inform his audience about different types of domesticated fruit trees. In giving his speech, he described differences between orange, apple, and lemon trees. Which key question did Jin most likely forget to ask himself about his specific purpose?

Is my purpose relevant to my audience?

Why is "to inform the audience about psychotherapy" an ineffective specific purpose?

It does not state precisely what the speaker hopes to accomplish.

Which of the following statements are true about an effective specific purpose statement?

It includes the general purpose (for example, "to inform"). It states what the speaker wants the audience to know. It focuses on one specific aspect of the broader topic.

Which statement describes a central speech idea?

It is a concise statement of what you expect to say in a speech.

Which of the following are true of the central idea of a speech?

It is expressed as a declarative sentence.

What best describes the process of topic selection for student speakers?

It is often difficult.

Why is "to inform my audience about three steps for managing anger in a positive way" an effective specific purpose?

It is stated in a single, infinitive phrase. It indicates what the speaker hopes to accomplish. It contains a very distinct idea.

Ian submitted his persuasive specific purpose as "the reasons for global warming." Why should he rewrite it?

It is too broad. It does not include a general purpose.

Why is "to make people realize the new taxes are killing us" a poor specific purpose statement?

It uses figurative language.

Which of the following is an example of an effective central idea?

Obesity threatens the health of individuals, can lead to an early death, and has serious financial consequences.

Which of the following topics are associated with the brainstorming technique of clustering?

People, places, and things

Mark, an Army veteran who was stationed in Iraq, decides to give an informative speech about that country. What is he basing his choice of a topic on?

Personal experience

In the process of trying to come up with a speech topic, Lena writes down all her previous jobs, adventures, and interests. Which brainstorming process is she using?

Personal inventory

Kareem wants to brainstorm a list of possible speech topics that are meaningful and relevant to himself. Which technique would be the most suited to his goal?

Personal inventory

Wally has been playing soccer year-round for fourteen years. He started playing tennis and golf last month, and he just read a book about arm wrestling, though he has never done it. On which topic would he probably give the best speech?

Soccer-field positions

What should you always do, regardless the brainstorming technique you use to prepare for a speech?

Start early

How does topic choice for speech students compare to topic choice for other situations?

Students have more freedom

Which broad categories should you choose from when picking a topic for a classroom speech?

Subjects you know a lot about Subjects you want to know more about

The topics of speeches outside the classroom are usually determined by which of the following?

The speaker's qualifications The audience The occasion

What is the relationship between a specific and a general purpose statement?

The specific purpose narrows the focus of the general purpose.

Daryl is going to give a speech in which he tells his audience about the Endangered Species Act. He hopes that by the end of his speech his listeners will be able to define the act. Which of the following is the general purpose of Daryl's speech?

To inform

What is your general purpose when you speak as a teacher or lecturer?

To inform

Which of the following is the most effective specific purpose statement?

To inform my audience of the three key benefits of gluten-free diets.

What should you do if brainstorming with a personal inventory and clustering is unsuccessful?

Try an Internet search

When is it appropriate to speak on a topic you know very little about?

When you are interested in the topic

When would it be especially useful to speak about a topic you have strong beliefs about?

When you are making a persuasive speech

Which of the following examples is an effective central idea?

Writing a good cover letter is possible if you know what to include, what to leave out, and how to close strong.

David constantly notices the cigarette butts littering the sidewalks on campus around the "No Smoking" signs. David cannot ignore this litter, as others seem to do, because he is very concerned about his peers' lack of respect and the administration's inability to enforce the smoking ban. Would enforcement of the smoking policy be a good topic for David's persuasive speech?

Yes, because it is a topic that he has a strong interest in.

Spencer is taking a biology class. He found the discussion on birds, especially crows, fascinating. Would a speech on crows be appropriate for his public speaking class?

Yes, because it is something he wants to know more about

Specifically, how do you record ideas with the brainstorming technique known as clustering?

You put four or five ideas into each of nine columns.

"To inform" or "to persuade" are examples of the ______ purpose of a speech.

general