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Chapter 10

Organizing Messages

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Organizing Your Message

• Focus on your audience: refine your specific purpose focus on your thesis statement

• The first part of a speech you write is the ...

Introduction Body Conclusion

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Organizing the Main Points

• Key ideas that support the thesis statement

• Identified by I., II., III. • Limit the number of main points (2-5)• One main point = one main idea• Parallel structure • Equal treatment• Keep it simple

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Subpoints and Supporting Points

• Subpoints are ideas that support the main point subpoints are identified by A., B., C. each main point should have 2-5 subpoints

• Supporting points are ideas that support subpoints supporting points are identified by 1., 2., 3. divide supporting points if necessary by a., b.,

c.

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Figure 9.1: Relationship of Points in Traditional

Speech

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Patterns of Organization

• Time Based on chronology or a sequence of events

• Extended narrative The entire body of the speech is telling a story

• Spatial Based on physical space or geography

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• Categorical Based on natural divisions in the subject matter

• Alphabetical Spell out word or acronym, e.g., A, B, C, D for skin cancer

• Problem-solution Analyzes a problem in terms of harm, significance, and cause; then proposes a solution

• Stock Issues Ill, Blame, Cure, Cost

Patterns of Organization

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• Refutational 1. State the argument 2. State the objection 3. Prove the objection 4. Present the impact

• Causal Moves from cause-to-effect or effect-to-cause

Patterns of Organization

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Monroe’s motivated sequence 1. Attention2. Need3. Satisfaction4. Visualization5. Action

Patterns of Organization

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Non-traditional Patterns of Organization

• Wave Continuously returning to the basic theme, repeating a phrase throughout the speech

• Spiral Repeats a certain point but with increasing intensity towards its pinnacle at the conclusion

• Star All points are equally important, so order of presentation is insignificant

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Figure 9.2: Wave

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Figure 9.3: Spiral

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Figure 9.4: Star

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Introduction

• Open with Impact

tell a storygive a quotationmake a startling statementrefer to the audience, occasion, or a current eventuse appropriate humorshare personal experienceask a thought-provoking question

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Introduction

• Focus on thesis statement review the thesis statement that you

have developed if you don’t want to reveal the thesis

this early, indicate the general topic area and an area of common agreement

• Connect with your audience• Preview your speech

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Conclusion

• Summarize your speech review briefly and concisely what you

told your audience throughout the speech

• Close with impact give a quotation tell a brief anecdote make a concrete call to action return to your opening theme

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Putting It All Together

• Use signposts to make transitions among your main points

• Prepare a formal outline• Prepare speaker’s notes

use a few note cards with key words use visual aids that reflect the main

points

©2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 9.5: Speaker’s note cards