Page 61 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Speaking of . . .

Brainstorming for Topics

In a group of about three to fi ve people, brainstorm different • When you think everyone is out of ideas, try to get at
possible speech topics. During brainstorming the following least one more from each group member.
rules apply:
• After all the ideas are listed, go through the list and
• The goal is quantity of ideas; even silly ideas should select the best ones. Look for ideas that fi t the as-
be listed. signment, are feasible given the time limits, and would
be appropriate for this class. Cross off ideas that
• No criticism or evaluation is allowed during the brain-
don’t seem to apply.
storming process.
• Now rank the remaining ideas in order of value. You
• One person is designated to write down every idea.
may want to modify or combine ideas in this process.
Ideally, write ideas on a chalkboard or an easel so that
Which ones are most promising? How well do these
everyone can see them.
possible topics fi t the assignment? Will they be inter-
• “Hitchhiking” ideas is encouraged. If you can add to esting and worthwhile for the members of the class?
or improve on someone else’s idea, do it.

Tips and Tactics
Six Criteria for an Appropriate Speech Topic

1. The topic should be interesting to you.
2. It should be interesting to your audience—or at least be capable of being
made interesting to them.
3. It should be appropriate to the situation.
4. It should be appropriate to the time available.
5. It should be manageable.
6. It should be worthwhile.

specifi c purpose Writing Your Specifi c Purpose Statement
The goal or objective a
speaker hopes to achieve
You may be assigned a general purpose—to inform, to persuade, or to entertain—
in speaking to a particu-
for your early speeches. But you will not be assigned a specifi c purpose. The
lar audience.
specifi c purpose is the goal or objective you hope to achieve in speaking to a

particular audience. What you want to accomplish specifically with your audi-
ence rests with you. For example, assume you are asked to introduce yourself to
www.mhhe.com/brydon6
the rest of the class. What do you want your classmates to think and feel about
To view a video of Jonathan you? As the speech in the box “Speech of Introduction” on page 30 shows, one
Studebaker’s Speech of Intro-
duction, click on the Speech of our former students, Jonathan Studebaker, used the opportunity of a speech
i
Coach link on our Online of self- ntroduction to inform his audience about his disability. More than that,
Learning Center Web site, and however, he sought to educate them to understand that persons with a disability
go to Segment 2.1.
are really just like everybody else. Even in early speech assignments, you should
28 try to articulate a specifi c purpose for your speech.