Speech Organization and Outlining

Two Types of Outlines

Preparation vs. Speaking

Preparation Outline

• Also called the working or practice outline

• Is a work in progress (draft)

• Helps establish and refine your

organizational pattern

• The final draft is your full sentence outline

– you will turn this in on your speech day

Speaking Outline

• Also known as a key-word outline

• Includes words and phrases only

• Should be organized on notecards for

ease of handling

• Not turning this in

Great Outline Examples

On class website under

“Resources” > “Sample Speeches

and Outlines”

Outline Process

• First…

–Write out your specific purpose

– “To inform my audience of the benefits

of meditation”

Outline Process

• Second…

–Write out your thesis statement

– “Meditation can be a great way to

relieve anxiety, increase your

productivity and even improve your

memory.”

Outline Process

• Third…

– Develop your main points

– The primary pieces of knowledge

(informative)

– Key claims (persuasive)

Outline Process• Look at your main points and ask

yourself:

–Will these main points make my

message clear to my audience?

– Is this the most appropriate order in

which to develop them?

– Have I left out anything important?

Outline Process

• Fourth…

– Develop sub-points

– Facts, statistics, testimony, examples,

narratives/anecdotes

Outline Process

• Sub-points should support main

points and answer the following

questions:

–What do you mean?

–Why should I care?

– How do I know this is true?

Outline Process

• Lastly…

– Complete your working outline

– The final draft will be your full sentence

outline

– You will turn this in

Supporting Materials

Facts and Statistics

• Facts: statements that can be

independently verified

• Stats: numerical facts

• Repeatedly confirmed by numerous

sources

• Both add credibility to your speech

IMPORTANT:

• Any fact or statistic you use should

be consistent across a variety of

reputable sources

Testimony

• Citing the opinions or conclusions of

other people or institutions to clarify,

support and strengthen a point

Three Types of Testimony

• Expert: comes from people who are

qualified by training or experience

• Lay: comes from people who have first-

hand experience

• Prestige: comes from a respected

public figure (not necessarily an expert)

X

Examples

• Serve as verbal illustrations to an

oral message

• Make your points more concrete and

clear

Examples

• According to Dr. Oz, the benefits of

meditation are numerous. For

example, meditation has been shown

to boost the immune system, lower

blood pressure, and improve

emotional balance.

Narratives

• Stories that illustrate ideas

• Humans are natural storytellers

• Helps to draw your listeners into your

message

NarrativesHeather Lerch had her whole life ahead of her. Just 19 years old, the young woman had recently graduated from Tumwater High School.

Heather was on her way home from work on the night of February 23, 2010. While driving she was reading and sending text messages on her cell phone. She was just 3 miles from her house.

The texting and driving caused Heather to became distracted. She then lost control of her vehicle and drove through a guardrail. The impact caused the driver’s side door to collapse several feet inside the vehicle. Heather died instantly.