* What is the speaker trying to achieve? Are they trying to persuade, inform, entertain, or something else?
* What is the central message or argument they are trying to convey? What is the "take away" the speaker wants you to remember?
Here's why identifying the purpose and main idea is so important:
* It sets the framework for your analysis. Knowing the speaker's goals helps you understand why they chose certain arguments, examples, and language.
* It helps you focus your attention. By understanding the central message, you can identify the key supporting points and how they contribute to the overall goal.
* It allows you to critically evaluate the speech. You can determine if the arguments are effective, if the evidence is credible, and if the speaker's strategies are persuasive.
Here are some practical tips for identifying the speaker's purpose and main idea:
* Listen carefully to the introduction. Speakers often state their purpose and main idea directly in the introduction.
* Pay attention to the repetition of key phrases and ideas. These often signal the central message.
* Consider the context of the speech. Who is the speaker addressing? What is the occasion? This can provide clues about their purpose and main idea.
Once you've identified the purpose and main idea, you can move on to analyzing other aspects of the speech, such as the speaker's tone, the use of rhetoric, and the overall effectiveness of the message.