Chapter 13

Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations

Chapter Outcomes

•Organize and support your main points

• Choose an appropriate organizational pattern for your speech

•Move smoothly from point to point

• Choose appropriate and powerful language

Chapter Outcomes (cont.)

•Develop a strong introduction, a crucial part of all speeches

•Conclude with the same strength as in the introduction

•Prepare an effective outline

Organizing Your Speech Points

•Main points are

– The central claims that support your specific purpose and thesis statement

– Ideas that will lead the audience to accept or consider what you are asking them to do, believe, or consider

Organizing Your Speech Points (cont.)

• Identifying your main points

– Include about three to four per speech.

– Each main point should be one major idea.

– Ask yourself:

•Does this point prove my thesis?

•Does it help me achieve my specific purpose?

Organizing Your Speech Points (cont.)

• Supporting your main points

– Subpoints support the main points.

•Utilize research

•Represent a clear hierarchy of ideas

•Sub-subpoints support the subpoints

– Ask yourself:

•Does this bit of information back up my main point?

Organizing Your Speech Points (cont.)

•Supporting your main points (cont.)

Organizing Your Speech Points (cont.)

•Arranging your points– Chronological patterns organize

points by time.– Topical patterns organize points

by category.•Primacy-recency effect: save the

best for last

– Spatial patterns organize points by physical proximity to each other.

Organizing Your Speech Points (cont.)

•Arranging your points (cont.)

– Problem-solution patterns arrange three key points•Problem, possible solutions, best

solution

– Cause-effect patterns follow cause-to-effect or effect-to-cause relationships.

– Narrative patterns arrange points using stories.

Organizing Your Speech Points (cont.)

•Arranging your points (cont.)

– Motivated sequence patterns follow five phases•Attention•Need•Satisfaction•Visualization•Action

Organizing Your Speech Points (cont.)

• Connecting your points– Use transitions such as “in addition

to” or “next, let me describe.”– Use signposts such as “next,”

“once,” or “on the other hand.”– Use internal previews to show

what’s coming.– Use internal summaries to remind

the audience of what’s been covered.

Using Language That Works

• Respect your audience.• Keep it simple.•Use vivid language.•Use language to make a

lasting impression through– Repetition– Allusion– Comparisons (similes, metaphors)

Writing a StrongIntroduction

• Capture your audience’s attention by– Using surprise– Telling a story– Starting with a quote– Asking a question– Making them laugh

Writing a StrongIntroduction (cont.)

• Introduce your purpose and thesis.– Incorporate your thesis statement.

• Preview your main points.– Tell listeners the points you will

discuss in the order in which you will discuss them.

• Connect with your audience.– Show them why they should care.– Appeal to their personal needs.

Writing a Strong Conclusion

• Signal the end. – Use a transitional phrase.

•Reinforce your topic, purpose, and main points.– Give listeners a mental checklist.

Writing a StrongConclusion (cont.)

•Make an impact.– Use quotes, statements, questions,

a final story, or a reference to the introduction.

• Challenge the audience to respond.– Encourage them to use their “new”

information.– Encourage a call to action where

appropriate.

Outlining Your Speech

•An outline is a structured form of your speech content that– Confirms your points are

arranged clearly– Ensures you’ve cited your

research– Assists in your speech delivery

Outlining Your Speech (cont.)

•Outlining essentials– Use standard symbols.– Use subdivisions properly.– Separate the parts of your

speech.– Call out your specific purpose and

thesis.– Cite your sources.– Give your speech a title.

Outlining Your Speech (cont.)

• Styles of outlines

– Sentence outlines use the full text of your speech.

– Phrase outlines use key phrases.

– Key-word outlines use key words to jog your memory.

•Phrase and key-word outlines are best for speaking

Outlining Your Speech (cont.)

• From preparation outline to speaking outline

– Preparation (working) outline

•Firms up thesis; creates main points and supporting points

– Speaking (delivery) outline

•Final speech plan; includes delivery cues and oral citations