general purpose: to inform
specific purpose: to inform my audience about Mastiffs
central idea: Although Mastiffs are huge, their behavior makes them great house pets.
Introduction
For us New Yorkers, having a pet probably means owning something small and
apartment sized. But what if I told you that some people have pets the size of a pony, pets
which could weigh twice as much as their owner and could be taller than a pro basketball
player? After having done extensive research, including interviews with veterinarians, and living
with both a Bull Mastiff and an English Mastiff, I’m going to explain what it’s like to live with a
huge pet. Maybe you’ll be inspired to do research on your own pet, or the pet of a family
member, so you can better appreciate a beloved companion. Now, let me explain to you that
while Mastiffs are huge dogs, they make great house pets.