Informative speech needed very soon!
Formatting Outlines for Speeches
The organizational structure below illustrates the typical format that a speech outline follows. However, student should recognize that the actual number of main points, sub points, and the organizational pattern within each of the speech parts will vary according to topic, content, style, and general purpose (i.e., to inform or to persuade). Please pay close attention to the use of Roman numerals and letters (including capitalization), as these are the CORRECT way to format an outline, despite what MS Word or Google Docs might auto produce.
This outline should be a full-sentence outline. As you rehearse from this outline, you will narrow it down to those things you have a difficult time remembering. It is those things that you should write on the notecards you will use while presenting your speeches.
SPEAKER’S NAME
TOPIC: (What is the general subject you will be speaking about?)
PURPOSE: (In one sentence, tell the Instructor what you intend to accomplish with your speech. Please be specific. For example: By the end of my speech, my audience will understand the hazards of texting while driving.)
THESIS: (In one sentence, sum up the entire point of the speech. What is the “take-home message” of your speech?)
INTRODUCTION*
Attention Getting Device: (Get us listening. Be creative!)
Thesis Statement: (Tell us your take-home message.)
Credibility Statement: (Why should we listen to YOU? Demonstrate your expertise.)
Relevance Statement: (Why should the audience listen to you? What’s in it for US?)
Preview of Main Points: (Let us know the major areas you will cover, so we know what is coming.)
*With the exception of the AGD being first and the Preview of Main Points being last, the other parts of the Introduction can be in any order.
BODY
I. Transition into 1st main point (i.e., sentence that establishes the first topic area)
A. 1st sub point (i.e., expansion and development of idea)
1. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
2. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
B. 2nd sub point (i.e., expansion and development of idea)
1. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
2. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
C. 3rd sub point (if needed)
II. Transition into 2nd Main Point (i.e., sentence that establishes the second topic area)
A. 1st sub point (i.e., expansion and development of idea)
1. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
2. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
B. 2nd sub point (i.e., expansion and development of idea)
1. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
2. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
C. 3rd sub point (if needed)
III. Transition into 3rd Main Point (i.e., sentence that establishes the third topic area)
A. 1st sub point (i.e., expansion and development of idea)
1. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
2. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
B. 2nd sub point (i.e., expansion and development of idea)
1. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
2. Support (e.g., narrative, illustration, evidence, statistics)
a. Further development/explanation (if needed)
b. Further development/explanation (if needed)
C. 3rd sub point (if needed)
CONCLUSION
Review of Main Points: (Let us know the major areas you covered. What did we learn about today?)
Thesis Statement: (Reiterate your take-home message, but do it in different words than you used in the introduction.)
Clincher: (End on something memorable. Be creative! If it links back to the intro’s AGD, even better!)
NOTE: On a separate page, provide APA-formatted list of References.