"To inform my audience of the recent progress in cancer research" is an example of which of the following?

The statement "To inform my audience of the recent progress in cancer research" is indeed a specific purpose. This type of statement clearly outlines the intent of the speech and what the speaker aims to achieve. A specific purpose goes beyond a general purpose by narrowing the focus to a particular aspect of the subject, in this case, recent advancements in cancer research. This clarity helps both the speaker in organizing the content and the audience in understanding the direction of the speech.

A general purpose would focus on the broader intention, such as to inform, persuade, or entertain, without going into detail about the specific subject matter. A thesis statement is typically a declarative sentence that encapsulates the main point or argument of a speech. A topic sentence provides the main idea of a specific paragraph or section within a piece of writing. Unlike these, the specific purpose statement pinpoints exactly what the audience will learn, making it essential for effective speech preparation and delivery.