Write Specific Purpose for Speech

5 basic tips for creating specific purpose:

1.       Write the purpose statement as a full infinitive phrase, not as a fragment.

Example 1:

Ineffective: Calendars

More Effective: To inform my audience about the four major kinds of calendars used in the world today.

Example 2:

Ineffective: Stem cell research
More Effective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should increase funding for stem cell research.

2.       Avoid figurative language in your purpose statement.

Example 1:

Ineffective: To inform my audience that yoga is extremely cool.

More Effective: To inform my audience how yoga can improve their health.

Example 2:

Ineffective: To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student car parking is really stinks.
More Effective: To persuade my audience that the campus policy on student car parking should be revised.

3.       Limit your purpose statement to one distinct idea.

Example:

Ineffective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors and to donate time to the Special Olympics.
More Effective (1) To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors.
More Effective (2) To persuade my audience to donate time to the special Olympics.

4.       Make sure your specific purpose is not too vague or general.

Example 1:

Ineffective: To persuade my audience that something should be done about medical care.
More Effective: To persuade my audience that the federal government should adopt a system of national health insurance for all people in the United States.

Example 2:

Ineffective: To inform my audience about hot-air balloons.
More Effective: To inform my audience about the scientific use of hot air balloons.

5.       Express your purpose as a statement, not as a question.

Example 1:

Ineffective: What is Deepavali?

More Effective: To inform my audience about Hindu’s celebration, Deepavali.

Example 2:

Ineffective: Is National Training Program necessary for Malaysian students.