Lesson 1 Criteria for Success

Please note that your central idea will emerge and evolve as you research and write your speech, so be open to where your research takes you and anticipate that formulating your central idea will be an ongoing process.
Below are four guidelines for writing a strong central idea.

1. 
   Your central idea should be one, full sentence.
   
2. 
   Your central idea should be a statement, not a question.
   
3. 
   Your central idea should be specific and use concrete language.
   
4. 
   Each element of your central idea should be related to the others.
   

Using the topic “Benefits of Yoga for College Students’ Stress,” here are some correct and incorrect ways to write a central idea.

Strong formulation of the central idea	Weak formulation of the central idea
Yoga practice can help college students improve the quality of their sleep, improve posture, and manage anxiety.	Yoga is great for many things. It can help you sleep better and not be so stiff. Yoga also helps you feel better. (This central idea is not one sentence and uses vague words.)
Yoga practice can help college students focus while studying, manage stress, and increase mindfulness.	What are the benefits of yoga for college students? (This central idea should be a statement, not a question.)
Yoga is an inclusive, low-impact practice that offers mental and physical benefits for a beginning athlete, a highly competitive athlete, and everyone in between.	Yoga is great and everyone should try it! (This central idea uses vague language.)
Yoga practice can help college students develop mindfulness so they can manage anxiety, increase their sense of self-worth, and improve decision-making.	Yoga practice increases mindfulness, but can lead to some injuries and it takes at least 200 hours of training to become an instructor. (The elements of this central idea are not related to one another.)

Lesson 15