A single sentence that summarizes the major ideas of a speech is referred to as which of the following?

The term that refers to a single sentence summarizing the major ideas of a speech is known as the central idea. This sentence captures the overarching theme or the primary message that the speaker intends to convey, serving as a guiding focus for both the speaker's content and the audience's understanding. The central idea succinctly encapsulates the core argument or message, allowing listeners to grasp the primary takeaway of the speech readily.

In the context of public speaking, having a clearly defined central idea is crucial because it helps organize the speech structure and ensures that all parts of the speech relate back to this main point. This clarity enhances audience engagement and retention of information presented in the speech.