What is the primary purpose of a signpost in a speech?

The primary purpose of a signpost in a speech is to clarify a key point. Signposts function as verbal cues that help guide the audience through the speaker's arguments or narrative. By highlighting significant ideas or important transitions, signposts enhance understanding and retention of the information presented.

While summarizing the speech can help reinforce key concepts towards the end, this is not the main function of signposts. Transitioning between topics is indeed an essential part of a speech, but signposts specifically aim to draw attention to the most critical points rather than just moves from one topic to another. Engaging the audience is important for effective communication, but signposts serve a more precise role in clarifying and indicating the structure and progression of the speech content.