Purpose Statements

Speakers who have difficulty writing a purpose statement that states exactly what the expected outcome of the speech will be, often do not have a clear idea of what they are trying to say.

The purpose statement typically consists of three parts:

1. the goal of the speech

2. the statement of the topic

3. the method or process to be used to develop the speech

If you are not specific in your topic choice, your listeners may never grasp your point.

Ineffective Purpose Statement: I will tell my audience that the college’s plan to reduce the number of campus parking spaces assigned to students is a real bummer.

More Effective: I will inform my audience about Maui Community College’s plan to reduce the number of campus parking spaces assigned to students.

or

More Effective: I will persuade my audience that the Maui Community College plan to reduce student parking passes is not only unfair, but also dangerous and counterproductive.

To inform: To inform your audience, you'll need to provide relevant facts and details about a subject that reveals information that allows your audience to see an ordinary subject in a more complicated light, or to learn about a completely foreign subject.

To persuade: To persuade your audience, you'll need to use rhetorical techniques, metaphors, and convincing evidence from experts to show them that they should do something, whether it's to elect you for office, recycle more, or take the time to volunteer in their communities.

To entertain: To entertain your audience, you'll need to draw on personal or anecdotal examples, tell funny stories, show off your wit, and make your audience crack up, even if you're communicating an underlying serious message.

To celebrate. If you're celebrating a specific person or event, you'll need to show your audience what makes that person or thing so special, and to garner enthusiasm for your subject.

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