Public Speaking Chapter 4 - Developing Your Purpose and Topic

General Purpose

The speaker’s overall objective: to inform, to persuade, or take an active part in a special occasion.

topic

the main subject, idea, or theme of a speech

brainstorming

The free-form generation of ideas for speech topics and content in which individuals think of and record ideas without immediately evaluating them.

specific purpose

A concise statement articulating what the speaker will achieve in giving a speech

thesis statement

A single declarative sentence that captures the central idea of a speech.

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.

internal consistency

A logical relationship among the ideas that make up any main heading or subheading in a speech.