Specific purpose of a speech

Writing Your Specific Purpose and Central Idea (Thesis) General Purpose

 When the general purpose is to inform, speakers act as teachers.

 When the general purpose is to persuade, speakers act as advocates. Once the general purpose is clear, the next step is narrowing to the specific purpose. Formulating the Specific Purpose Statement

 The specific purpose should indicate precisely what the speaker wants the audience to know or believe after the speech.

 There are five tips for forming a good specific purpose statement. 1. It should be a full infinitive phrase, not a fragment.

Ineffective: Avalanches More effective: To inform my audience about the three major kinds of avalanches.

2. It should be phrased as a statement, not a question. Ineffective: What is an Individual Retirement Account? More effective: To inform my audience about the types and benefits of Individual Retirement Accounts.

3. It should avoid figurative language.

Ineffective: To inform my audience that the campus policy on student parking really stinks. More Effective: To inform my audience about the college plans to reduce the number of spaces available to students.

4. It should be limited to one distinct idea. Ineffective: To inform my audience about the benefits of becoming literacy tutors and to donating time to Meals on Wheels. More effective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors. More effective: To persuade my audience to donate time to Meals on Wheels.

You can use the word “and” if it connects to the two related parts or a unified topic. E.g.: To inform my audience about the cause and effects of epilepsy.

5. It should not be too vague or general.

Ineffective: To inform my audience about Portugal. More effective: To inform my audience about the major tourist attractions in Portugal.

Once you have a specific purpose statement, you should ask yourself the following questions: 1. Does the specific purpose meet the assignment? 2. Can this specific purpose be accomplished effectively in the time allotted? 3. Is the specific purpose relevant to the audience? 4. Is the specific purpose too trivial for the audience? 5. Is the specific purpose too technical for the audience?

Phrasing the Central Idea

 The central idea further refines and sharpens the specific purpose statement.  The central idea is a concise statement of what the speaker expects to say in the speech.  Often called a thesis statement, the central idea encapsulates the main points to be developed in the body of the speech.

 Unlike the specific purpose statement, the central idea usually crystallizes late in the process of preparing a speech.

 A well‐worded central idea should meet four criteria: 1. It should be expressed in a full sentence.

Ineffective: Uses of laser. More effective: The laser is a highly versatile device with important uses in many areas, including medicine, industry, telecommunications, and art.

2. It should not be in the form of a question.

Ineffective: What are nanorobots? More effective: Microscopic in size, nanorobots are being developed for use in medicine, weaponry, and daily life.

3. It should avoid figurative language. Ineffective: South Africa is an awesome place for a vacation. More effective: South Africa has many attractions for vacationers, including beautiful scenery, exotic wildlife, and bustling cities.

4. It should not be too vague or general. Examples General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson. Central Idea: Thomas Jefferson was an accomplished writer, president, and architect. Main Points: I. As a writer, Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and

Notes on the State of Virginia. II. As president, Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase and approved the Lewis and Clark expedition.

III. As an architect, Jefferson designed Monticello and the University of Virginia. General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the benefits of the proposed youth center. Central Idea: The youth center will offer teenagers a safe, social, flexible, and free place to

spend their time. Main Points: I. The youth center will offer a range of activities in a safe environment.

II. The youth center will provide social networks for youths from all walks of life. III. The youth center will operate most hours of the day and night. IV. The youth center will be free and open to everyone.