Real Communication An Introduction

Chapter 12  Preparing and Researching Presentations 351

Thesis statement: Volunteers who read with local elementary school

children through programs such as Read to a Child improve young lives by

enhancing children’s self-esteem and expanding their possibilities for aca-

demic success.

Can you see how the thesis statement works? Offering a solid thesis statement
your audience will remember long after your visual aids have faded from their
minds will help you achieve your general purpose and your specific purpose: to
persuade your listeners to get out there and read with local kids. For additional
examples of thesis statements, see Table 12.2.

Researching the Topic

Anyone can make a speech. A good speech, however, should offer listeners some-
thing new, some information, insight, perspective, or idea that they didn’t have
before. Such original thoughts are usually the product of both deep reflection
and careful research.
In a speech, research is information that helps support the points that you
make, strengthening your message and credibility. For many students, the pros-
pect of researching for a speech or presentation might seem boring, overwhelm-
ing, or both—and it can be. But if you are working with a topic that intrigues
you and you approach your research in a practical way, the research process can
be better than you think.

TABLE 12.2

GENERATING A THESIS STATEMENT

Topic General Purpose Specific Purpose Thesis Statement

Low-carbohydrate

diets

To inform To inform listeners about

low-carbohydrate diets so

that they can make good

decisions about their own

eating habits

Before choosing to start a low-

carbohydrate diet, it is important to have

a thorough understanding of how carbo-

hydrates affect your body and what the

possible benefits and risks of the diet

are so that you can make an informed

decision about your health.

Study-abroad

programs

To persuade To have listeners realize

that studying abroad is an

exciting opportunity and

encourage them to consider

spending a semester taking

classes in another country

Studying abroad is an amazing

opportunity to learn about another

culture, to enhance your educational

experience, and to make yourself more

appealing to prospective graduate

schools and employers.

My grandparents To honor an amaz-

ing couple on their

fiftieth wedding an-

niversary (special

occasion)

To celebrate with my

family and my grandparents’

friends in light of this happy

milestone in their lives

In big and small ways, my grandparents

have shared their fifty years of love

and commitment with their family, their

congregation, and their students, hav-

ing been dedicated teachers for three

decades.