1. topic
The subjectof a speech.
Usually the speech topic is determined
by the occasion, the audience, and the speaker’s qualifications.
There are two broad categories of potential topics for your classroom
speeches: (1) subjects you know a lot about and (2) subjects you want to know
more about.
subjects you know a lot about and
Here are a few more examples of speech topics based largely on the students’
personal knowledge and experience:
Interning at a Crime Lab
The Basics of Backpacking
Performing with the Native American Dance Troupe
How to Have a Successful Job Interview
subjects you want to know
more about.
- topic that you want to explore for the first time.
- Your interest
- For example your interested in gardening and you know nothing about it.
brainstorming
A method of generating ideas for
speech topics by free association of
words and ideas.

2. Topic – the subject of the speech
- usually determined by the occasion, audience and the speaker’s qualification.
2 Broad Categories of potential topics for classroom:
1) Topics you know about
2) topics you want to know more about.
Brainstorming – is a method of generating ideas for speech topic by free association ofwords and ideas.
Brainstorming Procedures.
1) Personal Inventory – write everything that comes to your mind.Like experiences,interests,hobbies,skills.
If the first brainstorming procedure didn’twork you could try:
2) Clustering – make a category like : People,Places,Things,Events,Processes,Concepts,Natural Phenomena.
By clustering mostpeople could generate their topic quickly, but if it still doesn’twork you could try:
3) internetsearch – you could try browsing encyclopedia,do Google search for hot topics,browse dictionary.
note: It is very useful to write down everything rather than thinking it and keeping the topics on your brain.
general purpose - The broad goal of a speech.
- Usually it will fall into one of two overlapping categories—1) to inform 2) is to persuade.
1) to inform - When your general purpose is to inform, you act as a teacher or lecturer.
2) to persuade - When your general purpose is to persuade, you act as an advocate(supporter, believer) or a
Partisan - You want, convince your audience.
specific purpose
A single infinitive phrase thatstates
preciselywhata speaker hopes to
accomplish in his or her speech.
Once you have chosen a topic and a general purpose, you must narrow your
choices to determine the specific purpose of your speech.
for example: topic : animal cruelty
General Purpose: to persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade people from the food industries that the practice of production of foi gras
by force feeding or gavage should be abolished because it is cruel to the animals and because there are natural
ways to produce foi gras without force feeding.
on the example: Specific purpose should include audiences

3. TIPS FOR FORMULATING THE SPECIFIC
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Write the Purpose Statement as a Full Infinitive Phrase,
Not as a Fragment.
for example:
ineffective: 3d- technology
effective : To inform my audience about the three major kinds of current
3-D technology.
ANOTHER ONE:
ineffective : Supercars
Effective: To inform car enthusiasts about the latest Features of the new 2015 Ferrari 458
note: the audience is specific, and also the car is specific too.
Express Your Purpose as a Statement, Not as a Question
Ineffective: What is Día de los Muertos?
More Effective: To inform my audience about the history of Mexico’s Día de
los Muertos celebration
Avoid Figurative Language in Your Purpose Statement
Ineffective: To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student
parking really stinks.
More Effective: To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student
parking should be revised to provide more spaces for students
before 5 p.m
Limit Your Purpose Statement to One Distinct Idea
Ineffective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors and to donate
time to the Special Olympics.
This purpose statement expresses two unrelated ideas, either of which could
be the subject of a speech. The easiest remedy is to select one or the other
as a focus for your presentation.
More Effective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors.
Or:
More Effective: To persuade my audience to donate time to the Special
Olympics.

4. Make Sure Your Specific Purpose Is Not Too Vague or General
Ineffective: To persuade my audience that something should be done
about unsafe school buses.
More Effective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should
impose stronger safety standards for school buses in the
United States.
The second specific purpose statement is more specific.
Another example:
Topic: Hot-air balloons.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about hot-air balloons.