Consider Your Purpose

Make sure that every main point you select relates to the specific purpose of your speech. For example, consider the following two sets of main points for a speech to the campus community with the following specific purpose—to persuade your college to adopt a plan to minimize food insecurity.

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FIRST SET OF MAIN POINTS

  1. The elements of a healthy diet

  2. Symptoms of malnutrition

  3. Our college should adopt a food insecurity plan.

SECOND SET OF MAIN POINTS

  1. Many students on our campus experience malnutrition.

  2. Rising costs of tuition and living expenses are depleting students’ food budgets.

  3. Our college should establish a food pantry and offer students emergency meal cards for the campus dining hall.

Which set of main points would be a better option? In the first set, main points I and II do not relate to the specific purpose but provide general background information about malnutrition and healthy diets. Only main point III relates to the specific purpose. Conversely, in the second set, each main point relates to the specific purpose: the first demonstrates the problem of malnutrition on campus, the second discusses the causes of the problem, and the third presents steps the college can take to reduce the problem. Given this contrast, the second set of main points would be a better alternative.