Exam 5: Selecting a Topic and a Purpose  

Explain what is wrong with the following poorly written specific purpose statement for a persuasive speech: "To persuade my audience that something must be done about America's national debt."

"The three major expenses for people traveling abroad are transportation, food, and lodging" is an example oan effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

"To inform my audience about the causes and effects obullying" is an example oan effective specific purpose statement for a speech.

"To inform my audience about the contributions oNavajo code talkers to the U.S. military during World War II" is an example oa

"To inform my audience how our local water treatment facility ensures the safety oour drinking water" is an example oa

"What are the four steps in making pottery?" is a poorly phrased central idea for an informative speech because

According to your textbook, what is the most important early step in the process odeveloping a successful speech?

"The three main methods oharvesting trees in professional logging are selective cutting, clear cutting, and row thinning" is an example oa

According to your textbook, brainstorming is especially helpful when you are having trouble

"To inform my audience about the history and rules ocurling" is an example oa

The central idea oa speech should be expressed as a full sentence.

"The three most distinctive traits oChow Chows are their black tongues, their thick coats, and their manes" is an example oa well-worded central idea for a speech.

As a specific purpose statement, "To inform my audience about climate change" is too

"The three major types obows used in archery are the long bow, the recurve bow, and the compound bow" is an example oa

After choosing a topic, the next step in speech preparation is determining your general purpose.

The difference between informing and persuading is like the difference between explaining and entertaining.

You should usually avoid drawing on your personal knowledge or experience when choosing a speech topic.

It is important to keep your audience in mind as you formulate the specific purpose for your speech.

"Denying a college education to children oillegal immigrants is like cutting ofyour nose to spite your face" is a poorly phrased central idea for a persuasive speech because it is

"To persuade my audience that the federal government should require seat belts on all school buses" is an example oa well-worded specific purpose statement for a persuasive speech.