Why Organize?
A speech should feel like a connected message, not this.
A collection of unrelated facts
The three major parts of most speeches
Introduction, body, conclusion
Describing a museum’s entrance, first floor, and second floor
Spatial
This pattern answers the question “When?”
Temporal
An outline is called this for a speech
The blueprint
This number of main points gives many classroom speeches a useful, memorable structure.
Three
It answers the question “What is the central message of my speech?”
The thesis statement
Explaining how voting rights developed from one historical period to the next
Temporal
This pattern moves between ideas without a clear conventional sequence
Rambling
In standard outline format, Roman numerals identify these
Main (major) points
Organizing ideas into a few main points helps because audiences have this while listening.
Limited capacity to process information
This part of the speech develops the main points with explanations, examples, and supporting material
The body
Describing a lack of campus study spaces, then proposing extended library hours
Problem solution
The two types of temporal arrangement
Historical and narrative
Capital letters identify these, and Arabic numerals identify these
Supporting points; more specific details
Name two ways organization helps the audience
Any two: identify main points, understand relationships between ideas, follow a logical path, follow and remember the message
Besides gaining attention, the introduction does these two things
Introduces the topic and thesis, and previews the main points
Explaining what contributes to traffic congestion and how it affects commuters
Cause and effect
With this pattern, the speaker can usually choose whichever order makes the most sense
Topical
This condensed outline uses key words and short phrases to guide you during delivery
The speaking outline
Even if three is “magic,” the number of main points should still fit these two things
The speech’s purpose and the available time
In our social media example, name all three main points
Academic focus, relationships, well-being
Discussing college life through academics, campus culture, and student services
Topical
Rambling can happen in these two ways, but it makes a formal speech hard to follow
In spontaneous conversation, or used deliberately
Put these in order: Practice, Deliver, Build the preparation outline, Develop your ideas, Condense into speaking notes
Develop ideas -> Build preparation outline -> Practice -> Condense into speaking notes -> Deliver