Lecture Notes

COM 165
Chapter 1

Subject Public Speaking

Subject Code COM 165
Chapter Chapter 1 : Selecting a Topic and a Purpose
Course Learning CLO 1 : Prepare effective public speaking skills related to
Outcome issues in communication and media industry.
Domain C2 (Comprehension)
Program Learning PLO 1 : Knowledge
Outcome (PLOs)
Lecturer Nurul Noratikah binti Kamarudzaman

LO 1 What is Public Speaking?

Definition
Public speaking is the act of delivering a speech or presentation to an audience in a live setting,
typically in person.
It involves conveying information, ideas, or opinions to a group of people with the intention of
informing, persuading, entertaining, or inspiring them. Public speaking can take many forms, such
as delivering a keynote address at a conference, giving a lecture in a classroom, presenting a
proposal to a board of directors, or delivering a toast at a wedding. It requires effective
communication skills, including the ability to organize thoughts and ideas, use clear and concise
language, use effective nonverbal communication, and connect with the audience in a meaningful
way. Public speaking is an important skill that is valuable in a wide range of personal and
professional contexts, and it can help individuals to build confidence, increase their influence, and
achieve their goals. As a results, public speaking was ranked first among the personal qualities
of college graduates sought by employers. When employers decide whom to hire and whom to
promote employers rank the ability to communicate above the technical knowledge.
The Speech Communication Process
1. The speaker
- The person who is presenting an oral message to a listener. You must first have
something to say – something that can sparks your own enthusiasm.
2. Message
- Whatever a speaker communicates to someone else. Your goal in public speaking is
to have your intended message be the message that is actually communicated. The
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information, idea, or emotion that the speaker wants to communicate to the audience.
It can take the form of words, images, or other types of communication.
3. Channel (device)
- The means by which a message is communicated. Public speakers may use one or
more of several channels, each of which will affect the message received. This
depends on what you say (verbal message) & on how you say it (non-verbal message).
The medium through which the message is conveyed from the speaker to the audience.
It can be verbal, nonverbal, written, or visual.
4. Listener
- The person who receives the speaker’s message. They interpret the message based
on their own experiences, attitudes, and knowledge.
5. Frame of reference
- The sum of a person’s knowledge, experience, goals, values & attitudes. No two
people can have exactly the same frame of reference.
6. Feedback
- The message sent from a listener to speaker. It helps the speaker to understand how
well the message has been received and whether any adjustments need to be made.
7. Interference
- Anything that impedes the communication of a message. Interference can be external
or internal to listeners. Interference also can refer to any factor that creates a barrier
between the speaker and the listeners, making it harder for the listeners to understand
or engage with the presentation. Interference can come in many forms, such as
distractions, noise, anxiety, or physical barriers, and can make it difficult for the
speaker to communicate effectively.
8. Situation
- The time and place in which speech communication occurs. This includes factors such
as the audience, the purpose of the speech, the location, the time of day, and any
other relevant details that may impact the way the message is delivered and received.
Understanding the situation is important for a speaker to tailor their message and
delivery to be effective and engaging for the specific audience and setting.
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Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Selecting a Topic and a Purpose

LO 1: 1.1 Choosing a Topic
1.1.1 Topics that you know a lot about
- When choosing a topic for a speech or presentation, it can be helpful to consider any
special expertise or knowledge you may have.
- This might include topics related to sports, hobbies, travel, or personal experiences
that you are particularly knowledgeable or passionate about. Drawing on your own
expertise and interests can help you deliver a more engaging and authentic speech,
as you will be speaking from a place of knowledge and enthusiasm. Additionally,
selecting a topic that you know a lot can make the process of preparing and delivering
the speech more enjoyable and rewarding. However, it's important to also consider
the audience and the purpose of the speech, and ensure that the chosen topic is
relevant and interesting to the intended listeners.
1.1.2 Topics you want to know more about
- Choosing a topic that you want to learn more about can be a great way to create a
learning experience for both yourself and your audience.
- By selecting a topic that is new or unfamiliar to you, you can engage in a process
of exploration and discovery that can be both rewarding and enlightening. At the same
time, sharing this new knowledge with your audience can be a great way to educate
and inform others, while also showcasing your own growth and development.
- When choosing a topic, you want to explore for the first time, it's important to
consider the level of research and preparation that will be required. Selecting a
subject that you have some prior knowledge of can be helpful, as this can provide a
foundation for your research and help guide your exploration. However, you'll also
want to ensure that the topic is not so familiar that it becomes repetitive or uninteresting
for you or your audience. To make sure that your speech is interesting and instructive,
try to strike a balance between familiarity and originality.
1.1.3 Brainstorming for Topic
- Brainstorming is method of generating ideas for speech topics by free association of
words and ideas
- Brainstorming is a powerful method to generate ideas for speech topics, and there are
several ways to approach it. Here are 4 methods you can use to brainstorm ideas for
speech topics:
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1. Personal inventory: This method involves taking an inventory of your own experiences,
interests, and knowledge. You can ask yourself questions such as "What are my
hobbies?" "What am I passionate about?" or "What are some challenges I have
overcome?" to identify potential topics that you can speak about with confidence and
enthusiasm.
2. Clustering: This method involves creating a visual diagram of related ideas. Start by writing
down a broad topic in the center of a piece of paper and then brainstorm related ideas and
subtopics around it. Draw lines to connect related ideas and group them together. This
method can help you identify themes and connections between different topics that you
may not have considered otherwise.
3. Reference search: This method involves looking for inspiration from external sources such
as books, articles, or speeches. You can start by browsing through your personal library,
or visiting a library or bookstore. Look for topics that interest you or that relate to your
expertise. You can also look for references related to your field of study or industry to find
inspiration.
4. Internet search: This method involves using search engines to look for inspiration on the
internet. You can start by typing in keywords related to your interests or expertise, and
then browse through the search results. You can also use social media platforms or forums
to find discussions related to your interests and gather ideas from the conversations.
LO 2: 1.2 Determining the General Purpose
The general purpose of a speech refers to the overall objective or intention of the speaker in
delivering the speech. There are 2 general purposes of a speech:
- Informative Speech: The goal of an informative speech is to provide the audience with
new or useful information about a specific topic. The speaker aims to educate and
enlighten the audience and help them gain a deeper understanding of the subject
matter. You can act as a teacher or a lecturer to convey information clearly, accurately
and interestingly
- Persuasive Speech: The goal of a persuasive speech is to convince the audience to
adopt the speaker's viewpoint or take a specific action. The speaker aims to persuade
the audience by presenting strong arguments and evidence in favor of their position.
For persuasive speech, you can act as an advocate or a partisan to change or
structure the attitudes or actions of your audience, also to win over listeners to your
point of view as to get them believe or do something.
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It's important to identify the general purpose of your speech early on in the planning process, as
it will help you determine the content, structure, and tone of your presentation.

LO 3: 1.3 Determining the Specific Purpose

Specific Purpose
- A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in
his or her speech.
You need to focus on one aspect of a topic.
- Example: ( to inform about……. OR to persuade my audience to……..)
As for your guideline:
Topic: Music Therapy
General Purpose: To Inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the benefits of music therapy for people with
psychological or cognitive disabilities

If WITHOUT include audience:

Specific Purpose: To inform the benefits of music therapy for people with psychological or
cognitive disabilities
Also, you need to explain to whom (your audience).

LO 4: 1.4 Phrasing the Central Idea

Central Idea
- A one sentence statement that sum up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech
of what you expect to say, major thought.
- Or you can use the residual message as it is an idea or thought that stays with your
audience well after the speech.
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As for your guideline:

Topic: Music Therapy
General Purpose: to Inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the benefits of music therapy for people with
psychological or cognitive disabilities

Central Idea: Music therapy developed as a formal mode of treatment during the twentieth
century, utilizes a number of methods, and is explained by several theories that account for its
success.
Lastly, guidelines for the central idea are:
1. You should be expressed in a full sentence. (In 1 sentence ONLY)
2. You should not use in the form question.
3. You should avoid figurative (abstract) language.
4. You should not be vague or overly general.