The Speaker Should Avoid Questioning the Audiences Knowledge Analysis

Below are five specific purpose statements for classroom speeches. If you would like, you can add one own example.

1. To inform my audience how they can protect their apartment or dorm room against burglaries.
2. To inform my audience about the principles of aerodynamics that allow an airplane to fly.
3. To inform my audience about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of eating disorders.
4. To persuade my audience that the federal government should impose stronger safety standards for school buses in the United States.
5. To persuade my audience to participate in intramural sports.

Choose 2-3 of the specific purpose statements and answer the following questions for each. See pages 103-105 about situational audience analysis for your reference.

• What steps would a speaker with this specific purpose statement need to take to adapt her or his speech to the interests of this class?
• What steps would a speaker with this specific purpose statement need to take to adapt her or his speech to the knowledge of this class?
• What steps would a speaker with this specific purpose statement need to take to adapt her or his speech to the attitudes of this class?
• What type of visual aids (pictures, diagrams, graphs) and research materials could you use to engage the audience?