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LIT - SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking

The Central Idea

AKA the thesis of your speech.

  • Summarizes the speech.
  • Guides the audience in their understanding of the speech.
  • Is a complete declarative sentence.
  • Uses direct, specific language.
  • Is a single idea.
  • Is an audience-centered idea.

Check out this power point about developing your central idea:

http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SPH3001.  

At the end there is a quiz to see if you understand how to create a central idea.