Chapter 5- Selecting a
Topic and a Purpose
PHRASING THE CENTRAL IDEA
What is the Central Idea?

Central Idea: A one sentence statement that
sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a
speech
Also known as the thesis statement
 More precise than your topic or specific purpose
 Also known as the residual message: What a speaker
wants the audience to remember after it has forgotten
everything else in a speech
 It is common to come after research has been done
and the main points have been decided on

What is the Central Idea?
Example:
Topic: Music Therapy
 General Purpose: To inform
 Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the benefits of
music therapy for people with psychological or cognitive
disabilities
 Central Idea: Music Therapy developed as a formal mode of
treatment during the 20th century, utilizes a number of methods,
and is explained by several theories that accounts for its success

What is the Central Idea?
Example:




Topic: Dia de los Muertos
General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about history of
Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos celebration
Central Idea: Dia de los Muertos can be traced to the
Aztecs, was moved from summer to fall by Spanish priests,
and today is celebrated in a number of ways in different
regions of Mexico
Guidelines for the Central Idea
 The
Central Idea should:
 Be
expressed in a full sentence
 Not
be in the form of a question
 Should
 Not
avoid figurative language
be vague or overly general
Guidelines for the Central Idea
Informative Example:

Ineffective: South Africa is an awesome place to
vacation

More effective: South Africa has many attractions
for vacationers, including beautiful scenery, exotic,
wildlife, and bustling cities
Guidelines for the Central Idea
Persuasive Example:

Ineffective: Paying college athletes a monthly stipend
is a good idea

More effective: Because college athletes in revenueproducing sports such as football and basketball
generate millions of dollars in revenue for their schools,
the NCAA should allow such athletes to receive a $300
monthly stipend as part of their scholarship
Now You Try!
For each set of main points, supply the general
and specific purpose and the central idea
I.
The first even in a triathlon is swimming
II.
The second event in a triathlon is cycling
III.
The third event in a triathlon is running
Now You Try!




I.
II.
III.
General Purpose:
 To Inform
Specific Purpose
 To inform my audience about the many stages of a triathlon
Central Idea:
 Triathlons are not comprised of only one event, but three separate
events
Main Points:
The first event in a triathlon is swimming
The second event in a triathlon is cycling
The third event in a triathlon is running
Lets Review!
What three brainstorming methods can you
follow if you are having trouble choosing a topic
for your speech
2. What are the two general purposes of most
classroom speeches? How do they differ?
3. Why is determining the specific purpose such an
important early step in speech preparation? Why
is it important to include the audience in the
specific purpose statement?
1.
Lets Review!
What three brainstorming methods can you follow if you are having
trouble choosing a topic for your speech
Personal Inventory, Clustering, Internet Search
2.
What are the two general purposes of most classroom speeches? How
do they differ?
To inform and to Persuade. To explain, report or demonstrate vs. to sell,
advocate, or defend
3.
Why is determining the specific purpose such an important early step in
speech preparation? Why is it important to include the audience in the
specific purpose statement?
It allows you to indicate precisely what you want to accomplish with your
speech. If you do not include the audience in your purpose statement, you
may incorrectly prepare for your speech and lose your audience’s attention
1.