Purpose and Thesis Statements in Public Speaking

Overview of Purpose and Thesis Statements in Public Speaking

  • Speaker Information:

    • Presenter: Lisa Schreiber, PhD

    • Voice Talent: Jill Sabarro

    • Media Production Specialist: Morgan Hartramp

  • Quote by Zig Ziglar:

    • "A goal properly set is halfway reached."

    • Interpretation: Indicates that understanding one's goal is crucial for achieving it, similarly to how speechwriters must have a clear goal or purpose to write effective speeches.

Importance of Purpose in Speech Writing

  • Need for Clarity:

    • The goal or thesis of a speech must be clearly communicated to the audience for better understanding and logical flow.

  • Aim of Module:

    • To educate beginning speechwriters on differentiating between three critical components:

    • General Purpose Statement

    • Specific Purpose Statement

    • Central Idea

    • These components help create more effective speeches.

Types of Purpose Statements

General Purpose Statement

  • Definition: Helps narrow down the speech topic.

Specific Purpose Statement

  • Definition: Provides focus on the speech's goal during the writing process.

  • Role of Specific Purpose: Serves as a roadmap for speakers, not intended for the audience.

  • Format: Begins with the phrase, "At the end of my speech, my audience will…"

    • Examples:

    1. "At the end of my speech, my audience will know what the four different types of bandages are and when to use them."

    2. "At the end of my speech, my audience will be able to explain what blood diamonds are and how they can avoid buying them."

    3. "At the end of my speech, my audience will become aware of Laureen Williams' accomplishments and why she deserves the employee of the year award."

Central Idea

  • Definition: A one-sentence summary of the speech, explicitly stated in the introduction.

  • Role: Helps the audience understand the thesis and follow the logical flow.

  • Relation to Specific Purpose: Derived from the specific purpose statement.

  • Example:

    • Topic: Preventing erosion

    • General Purpose: To inform

    • Specific Purpose: "At the end of my speech, my audience will be aware of three techniques for controlling erosion."

    • Central Idea: "Erosion can be controlled by terracing, contour farming, and reforestation."

    • Implication: The central idea indicates the three main points of the speech, establishing a clear structure for the audience.

Characteristics of Effective Central Ideas

  • Criteria for Good Central Ideas:

    • Should be specific, clear, and concise.

  • Examples of Poorly Written Central Ideas:

    1. “There is one drink that can improve your health.”

    2. “There are several benefits of drinking red wine.”

    3. “Research has shown that there are a number of benefits of drinking red wine, such as a reduction in tooth decay. It can prevent certain types of cancer. It provides many health benefits for your heart, and it also contains antioxidants that are important to your health as well.”

  • Improved Version of Central Idea:

    • “Drinking red wine is beneficial as it reduces tooth decay, can prevent cancer, is good for your heart, and contains antioxidants.”

Summary of Key Points

  • Three General Purposes of Public Speaking:

    1. To inform

    2. To persuade

    3. To mark a special occasion

  • Specific Purpose Statements:

    • Serve as one-sentence summaries of speaker objectives.

    • Guide the speech writing process, intended only for the speaker.

  • Central Idea:

    • A one-sentence summary stated in the introduction, guiding audience understanding.

  • Final Advice:

    • Setting the goal and determining both the general and specific purposes, as well as writing a strong central idea, are critical steps in preparing for a successful speech.

Closing Remarks

  • Acknowledgment: Thank you for visiting the Public Speaking Project's virtual classroom.

  • Call to Action: Explore additional modules on speech writing available at www.