1. Organizing The Body of the Speech
Chapter 9

2. The Number of Main Points
In Western culture, 3 is significant
Depends on length of speech.
For classroom speeches, 3 is perfect, but between 2 and 4 is acceptable.

3. Strategic Order of Main Points
Chronological Order
Follows a timeline.
Spatial Order
Follows a directional pattern.
Causal Order
A two-point design showing cause and effect.
Problem-Solution Order
A two-point design showing a significant problem and its solution.
Topical Order
When a speech has sub-topics of equal importance.

4. Tips For Preparing Main Points
Keep main points clearly separate.
Use parallel wording where possible.
Balance the amount of time spent on each main point.
Supporting material should be in sub-points and sub-sub-points.

5. Connectives Transitions Internal previews Internal summaries Signposts
“additionally,” “on the other hand,” “moving on to. . .”
Internal previews
Preview in the body of (usually longer) speeches
Internal summaries
Summaries in the body of (usually longer) speeches
Signposts
Brief, often numerical statements showing where you are in a speech.

6. FRANCESCA’S “TRANSITION STATEMENT”
It is a combination internal summary/preview
In the body of the speech between each main point
Summarize what you have just covered and preview what is next

7. Guess the Organizational Method
To inform my audience about the US court system
Spatial
To inform my audience about the rise of communism in the 20th Century
Chronological
To inform about types of Native American art
Topical
To persuade my audience that the legislature should enact stiffer penalties for child abuse.
Problem-solution

8. Organization Exercise
Write two main points (in complete sentences)and arrange the following sub-points under them:
The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting foreign aid
The federal deficit could be reduced by imposing a luxury tax
The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting defense spending
The federal deficit could be reduced by increasing income taxes
The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting welfare spending
The federal deficit could be reduced by imposing a national sales tax
The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting aid to states
The federal deficit could be reduced by better collection of taxes