What term refers to the desired action a speaker hopes to achieve among audience members?

The desired action a speaker hopes to achieve among audience members is best described by the term "primary audience outcome." This concept encapsulates the specific goal a speaker has in mind for their audience, whether it involves persuading, informing, or entertaining them. The primary audience outcome guides the content and delivery of the speech, ensuring that the speaker remains focused on what they want the audience to think, feel, or do as a result of the presentation.

In contrast, other terms like "general purpose" refer to broader intentions of a speech—such as to inform, persuade, or entertain—without specifying the particular actions expected from the audience. "Specific purpose" refers to a more defined goal or statement about what the speaker wants to achieve, often expressed in a single sentence, but it does not inherently convey the outcome desired by the audience. "Secondary audience outcome" describes additional effects that may be desirable but are not the main focus or primary intention of the speaker. Therefore, "primary audience outcome" is the term that most accurately represents the speaker's primary goal in influencing audience behavior.