persuasive speech outline

CA 110 Public Speaking

Presentation Worksheet

University of South Alabama, Department of Communication

Objectives

Presentation Title

Distinguishing name of the presentation

Presentation General Purpose

To inform, persuade, or is a special occasion

Presentation Specific Purpose

What is your goal as speaker?

Thesis Statement

Central idea of the presentation – key concept of speech

Introduction

Attention Material

Focus your attention on the audience and your message.

Gain attention and interest- Begin with a story, quote, statistic, question, definition, use of suspense, etc.

Do not begin with, "Hi I am ___ and today I am going to talk about…”

Tie to the Audience

Inform the audience how the speech topic relates to them. Be specific about how we can USE this information in our everyday lives. Give the audience an incentive to listen.

Credibility Material

Tell the audience why you are credible and you know the material – How do you know about this? Why are you interested?

Thesis and Preview

What is your central idea (thesis)? Summarize the speech and continue by previewing the main points of the speech.

Body

Main Point

Main points are the main ideas of the speech or the ideas necessary in supporting/proving/explaining the thesis. They are "reasons why," "primary types," "steps," etc. Presentations are organized into 2-4 main points.

Sub-point

Subpoints are the breakdown of the main point into smaller units and usually are examples, narratives, statistics, testimony, etc. They explain the main points. After the last subpoint, transition into the next main point, “Let’s move onto…” or “Next we will discuss…”

Main Point 1

Main Point 1 Sub-point 1

Main Point 1 Sub-point 2

Main Point 1 Sub-point 3

Main Point 2

Main Point 2 Sub-point 1

Main Point 2 Sub-point 2

Main Point 2 Sub-point 3

(Transition)

Main Point 3

Main Point 3 Sub-point 1

Main Point 3 Sub-point 2

Main Point 3 Sub-point 3

Conclusion

Brake light

Signal the end, "To sum things up…" or be more creative

Summary

Review the main points of the presentation in the order covered

Tie back to the Audience

Explain the benefits of the information and connection to the audience

Clincher

End with a strong or interesting statement – memorable ending