Public Speaking

Summary (^65)
When you actually give your speech, incorporate your thesis statement into your
introduction, and follow it with a preview, or short summary of the major points you’ll
use to develop your thesis. Linnea previewed her speech like this:
I will explain some problems associated with coffee production, show how Fair
Trade certified products provide a solution, and challenge you to take action to
promote and consume only fairly traded products.
The text of Linnea’s speech appears on the book’s online resources where you can
watch it on video.
In summary, topic and purpose selection are important aspects of speech-making.
Select and narrow an interesting subject, formulate general and specific speech pur-
poses, and then write a thesis statement or central idea that summarizes your major
ideas. During your speech, state your thesis in the introduction, and add a preview of the
main points you will use to develop your central idea.

Summary

When you choose a speech topic, look for something that interests you, a subject that

meets your audience’s need to know and that you can treat in a novel manner. Then,

examine your personal experiences, other courses, current events, and international or

cultural possibilities for significant subjects. If you do careful work early in the term, you

can produce a list or develop a series of files on topics that will interest both you and

your listeners.

After selecting your topic, decide on your general intention or purpose for

speaking. Will you inform, persuade, entertain, or commemorate? Follow that

decision by writing your specific purpose statement that names the cognitive, affective,

or behavioral response you want from your listeners. Focus on the speech’s content

by writing out the thesis statement or central idea, a single sentence that names the

subject, alerts the audience to its significance, and establishes your goal. Begin to

formulate this statement early in the speech, but revise it if necessary as you proceed

in your research and preparation. Finally, write a preview of the major ideas you will

develop in the speech.

Study and Review

Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society offers a broad range of

resources that will help you better understand the material in this chapter, complete

assignments, and succeed on tests. Your MindTap resources feature the following:

•   Speech videos with viewing questions, speech outlines, and transcripts

•   Activities to help you check your understanding and to apply what you’ve learned

to your own life

•   Stop and Check and Critical Thinking exercises

•   Outline Builder

•   Web Links related to chapter content

•   Study and review tools such as self-quizzes and an interactive glossary

You can access your online resources for Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a

Diverse Society at cengagebrain.com using the access code that came with your book

or that you purchased online.

preview short summary

of the major points you’ll

develop in the speech

Reflect on what you’ve

learned.

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