Clarifying the General Purpose of Your Speech

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In the real world, choosing a topic and purpose for a speech are seldom difficult tasks. You speak because you volunteered—or were forced—to speak on a topic for which your expertise is relevant to the situation. For example, you are a public health nurse giving a community presentation on the importance of early screening for breast or prostate cancer, or your candidate for student government president wants you, as campaign manager, to make the nominating speech. Often the parameters for a speech are quite general: a high school valedictorian or keynote speaker, for example, has to write a speech that both honors and inspires a large group. The possibilities for such speeches are endless. This communication class may provide a similar challenge—finding a speech topic and purpose that fit within your instructor’s guidelines, which may range from very specific (“give a five-minute speech defending the constitutional right to free speech”) to quite vague (“give a persuasive speech”).

Speaking assignments usually fit within one of three general purposes: informative, persuasive, and special occasion.