Organize Your Ideas From Speak Well by Liz O’Brien

Support Your Thesis  Narrowed Topic  Build main points  Use an organizing term to generate main points  Arrange your main points using a pattern of organization

Narrowed Topic  Elephants  Elephant social circles : An elephant’s place within the herd is determined by which category of social circle it belongs to. (topical)  Training elephants for circus performance is cruel : The training steps elephants endure in order to prepare for circus performance are against their nature. (chronological)  Elephant populations are declining : African elephant populations are declining, and you’ll learn several human-related causes behind this development. (causal)

Arrange Main Points  Topical pattern  Chronological pattern  Causal pattern  Comparison or contrast pattern  Spatial pattern  Problem-solution pattern  Monroe’s motivated sequence

Topical  Explanation  Main points are based on some sort of classification system or identifiable grouping.  Potential Organizing Terms  Kinds, classes, varieties, brands, breeds, features, legacies, categories, techniques, schemes  Example  Italy deserves its reputation as one of the Western world’s greatest cultures because of its legacies in art, music, and science.

Chronological  Explanation  Main points relate to each other according to time.  Potential Organizing Terms  Steps, stages, periods, phases, chapters, epochs, historical eras  Example  Italy’s history over the last 150 years is often divided into the three eras of Kingdom, the Fascist era, and the Republic.

Causal  Explanation  Main points show causes and effects of something  Potential Organizing Terms  For a cause speech: causes, reasons, grounds, sources, roots  For an effect speech: effects, results, consequences, impacts, outcomes, upshots, and results  Example  Its rich soil and the moderate climate in which the grapes are grown are among the reasons Italy enjoys its reputation as a producer of world remounted wines.

Comparison or Contrast  Explanation  Main points show how one idea compares or contrasts with another.  Potential Organizing Terms  For a comparison speech: similarities, parallels, resemblances, analogies  For a contrast speech: differences, dissimilarities, distinctions, disparities  Example  Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece share many similarities in their architecture, political systems, and contributions to the art of public speaking.

Spatial  Explanation  Main points relate to each other according to placement or location.  Potential Organizing Terms  Districts, sections, boroughs, neighborhoods, regions, areas, cities, segments, sectors, divisions, layers, strata, components  Example  When visiting Rome, be sure to visit its district neighborhoods, including the religiously significant area of the Vatican, the tourist area of Piazza Navona, and the older, quieter areas of Trastevere.

Problem-Solution  Explanation  Main points consist of a problem and a proposed solution for the problem.  Potential Organizing Terms  Other terms for problem: challenge, obstruction, difficulty, crisis, predicament, dilemma, question, uncertainty, reservation  Other terms for solution: answer, key, resolution, response, cure, antidote, way out, escape  Example  Italy could face the challenge of cleaning up the Po River if Milan would resolve to implement modern systems to treat sewage and wastewater.

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence  Variation of the problem-solution speech  Used only in persuasive speeches

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence  Explanation  Relies on five steps: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action.  Potential Organizing Terms  Use similar organizing terms to a problem-solution pattern.  Example  Visit Italy’s Amalfi coast on your next vacation. [Use the five steps to motivate your audience to action.]