STRUCTURING YOUR SPEECH

Using Outlines Outline provides a framework Contains your main ideas Shows how main ideas relate to one another and support your thesis.

Working Outline Rough draft of your speech Work in progress Will move to a formal outline

Formal Outline Uses a specific format Provides a clear structure to a speech

Principles of outlining There are specific rules and principles to follow when constructing an outline These rules are based on the use of standard symbols and format Outlines either include full sentences, or keyword statements

Standard Symbols A speech outline uses the following symbols: I. Main point (Roman Numeral) A. Subpoint (capital letter) 1. Sub-subpoint (standard number) a. Sub-subsubpoint (lowercase letter) ***The major divisions of the speech—introduction, body and conclusion—are not given symbols

The rule of division Main points and subpoints always represent a division of the whole you always have to have at least two main points for each topic ***Never a I. without a II., or a 1. without a 2., or an A. without a B.

Remember: Make sections equal to one another The ideal number of main points is three to five The ideal number of subpoints is also three to five Each point should include only one idea

The rule of parallel wording Your main points should be worded in a similar or “parallel manner” Subpoints should also be worded in a parallel manner

There are many ways to organize a speech: Time patterns Space patterns Topic patterns Problem-solving patterns Cause-effect patterns

Motivated Sequence Another way to structure a speech Variation of the problem-solving pattern Should be used when constructing a persuasive speech

Five steps of the motivated sequence: Attention Step The Need Step The Satisfaction Step The Visualization Step The Action Step -

Using Transitions Transitions- keep your message moving forward Take place when moving to a new main point

Transitions perform the following functions: Relate introduction to the body of the speech Relate one main point to the next main point

Effective Transitions should… Refer to the previous point and to the upcoming point, showing how they relate to one another and support the thesis Provide smooth connections between two main points

In conclusion It is clear that a formal outline is an important element in constructing a successful speech Transitions are used to help guide listeners smoothly from one point to the next