6: Finding a Purpose and Selecting a Topic
- Page ID
- 14600
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 6.1: Prelude to Finding a Purpose and Selecting a Topic
- This page emphasizes the importance of discovering a purpose and topic for speech preparation, using a musical metaphor. It addresses concerns related to topic relevance and scope, aiming to guide readers through the process of identifying their speech's general purpose, selecting an appropriate topic, overcoming creative blocks, and formulating a specific purpose.
- 6.2: General Purposes of Speaking
- This page discusses the objectives and philosophies of public speaking, focusing on informative, persuasive, and entertaining speeches. It emphasizes clear intention in speech-making, exploring the fine line between informing and persuading. The text references Daniel Everett's research on the Pirahã tribe, challenging established linguistic theories and the implications for language understanding.
- 6.3: Selecting a Topic
- This page discusses the process of selecting and narrowing speech topics for public speaking, emphasizing four key constraints: purpose, audience, context, and time frame. It advises starting with broad subjects and refining them into specific topics, using a funnel analogy. The text provides practical exercises to practice aligning topics with these criteria and highlights the importance of specificity in preparing effective speeches.
- 6.4: What If You Draw a Blank?
- This page provides strategies for selecting engaging speech topics, emphasizing personal inventory and audience polling to identify interests and knowledge gaps. It critiques informal methods of assessing knowledge and promotes a formal needs analysis to understand and address these gaps.
- 6.5: Specific Purposes
- This page highlights the necessity of a clear, focused specific purpose in public speaking, advising against covering multiple unrelated topics. It emphasizes clarity and alignment with the audience's needs, enhancing speech effectiveness. The text also notes time constraints for speeches, typically three to eight minutes, stressing the importance of selecting a manageable topic.
- 6.6: Conclusion
- This page focuses on understanding speech purpose and selecting engaging topics. It uses the song "Purpose" from Avenue Q to illustrate the quest for meaning. By the conclusion, readers will be equipped to identify their general purpose, choose interesting topics, and create specific purpose statements for speeches.
- 6.7: Chapter Exercises
- This page discusses Rona's involvement in Gerry Mitchell's mayoral campaign, highlighting the ethical dilemma of advocating for a candidate who intends to cut elderly program support without public acknowledgment. It questions the manipulative nature of persuading retirees without disclosing this information, while addressing the ethical responsibilities of political operatives and analyzing the purposes and types of speech in political contexts.