Chapter 11 Outlining Your Speech

Outlining Your Speech: Introduction Outlining helps you visually represent your ideas, enabling you to see if your speech flows logically and covers your subject matter adequately. Use your outlines to practice your speech.

Outlining Your Speech: Introduction

Outlining Your Speech: Overview In order to understand outlines, this chapter will discuss: –Two stages of outlining –Creating your working outline Sample working outline: Robin McGehee, “A Deadly Mistake” –Creating your speaking outline Sample speaking outline: Robin McGehee, “A Deadly Mistake”

Two Stages of Outlining: The Working Outline A working outline helps you plan and prepare. It is a detailed or preparation outline that: –Contains all points written out in full sentences or detailed phrases –Illustrates hierarchy of ideas in your speech –Is used to plan and develop your speech –Is not meant to be read during speech delivery

Two Stages of Outlining: The Speaking Outline A speaking outline is used for the extemporaneous delivery of your speech. This brief outline includes: –Limited notes in the form of keywords or phrases –Delivery guidelines to use during the speech

Working vs. Speaking Outlines

Creating Your Working Outline A working outline contains the following three sections: –Introduction –Body –Conclusion

Creating Your Working Outline: Outlining the Body of Your Speech Consider the body the “meat” of the speech. Use proper labeling and indentation. –Use a traditional outline form. –Include two to four subpoints under each main point.

Creating Your Working Outline: Outlining the Body of Your Speech Use full sentences or detailed phrases. This will help you to practice and prepare and will help your instructor evaluate you.

Outlining the Body of Your Speech: Use Full Sentences or Detailed Phrases

Creating Your Working Outline: Outlining the Body of Your Speech Check for subordination: –Supporting materials should show subordination to their corresponding main points. –For example, you should be able to say, “This supports the point I am making because ________.”

Creating Your Working Outline: Outlining the Body of Your Speech

Include full information for citations, quotations, and other evidence.

Creating Your Working Outline: Outlining the Body of Your Speech Insert transitions in the form of words, phrases, or sentences that indicate movement between: –The introduction and the body –Main points –The body and the conclusion

Outlining the Body of Your Speech: Insert Transitions

Creating Your Working Outline: Outlining Your Introduction Outline introduction after outlining the body of your speech. Start with an attention-getter. State your topic or thesis statement. Establish a connection with the audience. Establish your credibility as a speaker. Give a preview of the main points.

Creating Your Working Outline: Outlining Your Conclusion Outline the conclusion after outlining your introduction. Summarize your main points. Use a clincher to end on a strong note.

Creating Your Working Outline: Creating a Bibliography List the sources that you cited or used in your speech. Follow your instructor’s guidelines for an MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual style of documentation.

Creating a Bibliography

Creating Your Working Outline: Inserting the Title, Specific Purpose, and Thesis Add these details at the top of your working outline, if assigned. Including these can help develop main and supporting points.

Sample Working Outline Robin McGehee, “A Deadly Mistake” On pages 337–43 of Speak Up there is a very detailed working outline for a persuasive speech about prescription drug errors. The three main points of the speech are: –The serious consequences of drug errors –Causes of these errors –Immediate solutions to reduce the errors

Tips for Creating Your Working Outline Tip: Use your outline to plan and practice your speech. Tip: The more detailed your working outline is, the easier it will be to detect and correct flaws in your organization.

Creating Your Speaking Outline In most public speaking situations, extemporaneous speaking gives the best results. Extemporaneous speaking calls for only a limited number of notes, therefore, it is best for you to deliver from a speaking outline.

Creating Your Speaking Outline: Formatting Your Speaking Outline Use index cards or note paper. Keep it brief, using only keywords or brief phrases. Use the same structure as the working outline.

Creating Your Speaking Outline: Elements of Your Speaking Outline Keep all points to two or three keywords or phrases. Use abbreviations. Include the citation information for your evidence. Include words that are difficult to remember or pronounce. Include reminders for each transition, as well as delivery reminders for speaking challenges (“Slow down!” or “Look up.”).

Creating Your Speaking Outline: Elements of Your Speaking Outline

Sample Speaking Outline Robin McGehee, “A Deadly Mistake” There is a sample speaking outline of this speech on pages 348–50 of Speak Up.

Tips for Creating Your Speaking Outline Tip: Be sure to use the working outline that you have carefully prepared and practiced with to create your speaking outline. Tip: Many speakers find the best speaking outlines are only one or two pages that they can set down and glance at easily to determine their place.

Outlining Your Speech