Public Speaking Chapter 5 & 15

Why is determining the specific purpose such an important early step in speech preparation? Why is it important to include the audience in the specific purpose statement?

-Indicates precisely what your speech seeks to achieve; -Helps keep the audience at the center of your attention as you prepare your speech

What are three methods you can use to avoid abstractions in your informative speech?

1) Description. 2) Comparison. 3) Contrast.

What two things should you watch out for in making sure your speech is not overly technical?

1) Material that is too technical for the ordinary person. 2) Language/terms that are too technical for the ordinary person

Tips for Formulating the Specific Purpose

1) Write the purpose statement as a full infinitive phrase not as a fragment. 2) Express your purpose as a statement, not as a question 3) Avoid figurative language in your purpose statement. 4) Limit your purpose statement to one distinct idea. 5) Make sure your specific purpose is not too vague or general.

Questions To Ask About Your Specific Purpose

1. Does my purpose meet the assignment? 2. Can I accomplish my purpose in the time allotted? 3. Is the purpose relevant to my audience? 4. Is the purpose too trivial for my audience? 5. Is the purpose too technical for my audience?

What are five questions to ask about your specific purpose?

1. Does my purpose meet the assignment? 2. Can I accomplish my purpose in the time allotted? 3. Is the purpose relevant to my audience? 4. Is the purpose too trivial for my audience? 5. Is the purpose too technical for my audience?

Guidelines for Informative Speaking

1. Don't overestimate what the audience knows 2. Relate the subject directly to the audience 3. Don't be too technical 4. Avoid abstractions 5. Personalize your ideas 6. Be creative

Brainstorming Methods

1. Personal Inventory 2. Clustering 3. Internet Search

What brainstorming methods can you follow if you are having trouble choosing a topic?

1. Personal Inventory 2. Clustering 3. Internet Search

What are five tips for formulating your specific purpose?

1. Write the purpose statement as a full infinitive phrase, not as a fragment 2. Express your purpose as a statement, not as a question 3. Avoid figurative language in your purpose statement 4. Limit your purpose statement to one district idea 5. Make sure your specific purpose is not too vague or general

Concepts

A belief, theory, idea, notion, principle, or the like

Brainstorming

A method of generating ideas for speech topics by free association of words and ideas

Central Idea

A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech.

Informative Speech

A speech designed to convey knowledge and understanding

Contrast

A statement of the differences among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.

Comparison

A statement of the similarities among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.

Description

A statement that depicts a person, event, idea, or the like with clarity and vividness

What is the difference between the specific purpose and central idea of a speech? What are four guidelines for an effective central idea?

Central idea- a one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech Specific purpose- a single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech 1. Should be expressed in a full sentence 2. Should not be in the form of a question 3. Should avoid figurative language 4. Should not be vague or overly general

Why is it important for informative speakers to be creative in thinking about ways to communicate their ideas?

Keep in mind that a good informative speech is not an oral encyclopedia article.

What are the four types of informative speeches discussed in the chapter? Give an example of a good specific purpose statement for each type.

Objects, processes, events, and concepts. Objects- to inform the audience about three major kinds of service dogs. Processes- to inform my audience how flash floods develop. Events- to inform audience about three aspects of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. Concepts- to inform audience of the basic principles of Confucianism.

Why must informative speakers be careful not to overestimate what the audience knows about the topic? What can you do to make sure your ideas don't pass over the heads of your listeners?

So you avoid going over the audiences head and confusing them

General Purpose

The broad goal of a speech. -inform -persuade

Topic

The subject of a speech

What are two general purposes of most classroom speeches? How do they differ?

To inform or to persuade. When informing: your goal is to convey information clearly, accurately, and interestingly. When persuading: you are trying to change or structure the attitudes or actions of your audience.

Personalize

To present one's ideas in human terms that relate in some fashion to the experience of the audience

What should you do as an informative speaker to relate your topic directly to the audience?

Try to tie it in with their interests and concerns. Find ways to talk about your topic in terms of your listeners, and use personal terms such as "you" or "your"

Residual Message

What a speaker wants the audience to remember after it has forgotten everything else in a speech

Specific Purpose

a single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her speech

Processes

a systematic series of actions that leads to a specific result or product

Events

anything that happens or is regarded as happening

Object

anything that is visible, tangible, and stable in form

Types of Informative Speeches

objects, processes, events, concepts

What does it mean to say that informative speakers should personalize their ideas?

to present one's ideas in human terms that relate in some fashion to the experience of the audience