HACC, Lancaster Campus
Speech Organization & Outline
Prof. C. J. Fernandes HACC, Lancaster Campus
This handout contains examples of information required in the various parts of your speeches.
Use the following speech organization and outline format for all assigned speeches
THE INTRODUCTION
1: Attention Getting Step: The Attention Getting Step acts as an orientation device, assisting
the audience in moving into a frame of mind that will allow them to get the most from your
message. A short story or anecdote which creates a mental picture of the setting and situation
(context) is particularly effective as an attention getting device. Further to emphasize the
relevance of your topic to the audience, let’s say you follow such a story with a powerful and/or
shocking statement, pointing out a likely percentage of your fellow classmates who will fall
victim to a drinking driver. At this point you will have done two important things: One you
will have grasped attention, and two you will have made the audience part of the situation. Now
they can better relate to what you are about to say in your speech. No matter what form you
choose, the attention getting device must prepare the audience for the spirit of your talk as well
as set the stage by providing a point of reference. What you choose depends on what you are
most comfortable with and what you think will be best received.
2: Personal Introduction: Normally, speakers are introduced by another person. However you may want to introduce yourself as it allow you to link your good name to what comes next in your speech.
It might sound like this: "Good evening, I'm Jerry Fernandes") This self introduction can set the stage for a coming promise of benefit and purpose (thesis) in our next step.
3: Motivational Step: I our format, the Motivational Step acts as a Thesis because it clearly points to an
assertion held by the speaker. Very importantly though, the Motivational Step is also designed to
motivate the audience to listen carefully to your speech. It is a promise of benefit to come. If some
members of the audience still do not know what your speech has for them, now is time to tell them
clearly what the benefit of your message is for them personally. Let the audience know
what they will get from listening carefully to your speech. (i.e... Help in solving a common
problem; being better armed to take action in dealing with key issues and concerns; or perhaps
gaining a broader understanding of issues. A motivational statement can look like this:
"Tonight, I'll provide you with some vital information which can
increase your chances for surviving on the roadways we share in
Lancaster County with people who drink and drive."
This "Motivational Step", also clearly defines the purpose/thesis of your speech.
4: Overview: On the heels of the Motivational Statement, the Overview is a listing of main
point broad topical areas you will cover in your speech in order to make good on the promise
made in the Motivational Statement. (As you will see, main points are statements - They are and must be complete
sentences, while overview topical areas are short words or phrases which describe the general
areas you will be covering.) The overview might sound like this:
*In doing this, I'll discuss* (this is a transition to the overview)
I. The Lancaster County accident record of those injured and killed by
drinking drivers.
*Then I'll cover*
II. Current law enforcement efforts to remove drinking
drivers from our roadways
*And finally, I'll provide*
III. Tips on recognizing and avoiding particularly dangerous times and
places commonly frequented by drinking drivers
THE BODY
5: Main Points (at least two and not more than three): Here, the main points act as frame on which to
hang the muscle, blood, and life force of your message. A main point must be a strong and complete
sentence. The best main points contain the qualifiers/elements which will identify the scope of their
developmental areas. Let’s state and develop our sample first main point: (Remember to use consistent
(parallel) language: wording from respective overview areas should be contained in the appropriate
main points.)
I. The Lancaster County accident record indicates we are all at serious
risk of being injured or killed by drinking drivers in Lancaster County.
Main points must be sharp, clear statements that we support with development. Development
qualifies or explains our main points. Development looks like this:
I. The Lancaster County accident record indicates we are all at serious
risk of being injured or killed by drinking drivers in Lancaster County.
- The Lancaster County Law Enforcement Report
-- Who conducted it (Experts?) (A source citation and qualification opportunity)
-- What did they study? (Times, places, conditions?)
-- What did the report determine? (our odds: 1 in 50)
- Interview with Ms. Mary Towers, Lancaster County: (A specific interview source)
Chairperson of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers)
-- Briefly, what does MADD do?
-- What did Ms. Towers say?
(Note: When you say that Ms. Towers is the president of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers,
you have qualified the source.)
-- Ms. Tower’s personal experience with drinking drivers?
-- Is the problem becoming more or less of a threat?
- Any other conclusions or relevant input
-- Personal experience?
-- Other information or observations?
*Now that we know more about our Lancaster County accident record, as it
relates to drinking and driving, let’s take a look at what is being done by
law enforcement agencies to deal with the problem*
(Note: This is a good example of a backward and forward reaching transition)
II. The second and third main points are stated and developed.
NOTE: When deciding what main point will be first, second and third, think of linking ideas
in the order to best be received, processed, and understood by your audience. Arming the
audience with a base of knowledge on which to build to the next most complex point, is a way
of ordering main points. General to specific, and background, current status, then projections,
are other ways of establishing the order of main points. Always ask yourself the following
questions: Does this main point relate to all other main points? Above all, does this main point
and its development help make good on the promise made in the Motivational Step? These
questions are two good quality checks which will help you keep on track. (See text for other
Main Point ordering examples.)
THE CONCLUSION
The conclusion contains a Summary, which is an embellished restatement of main point topical
areas; a Purpose Statement, which is a restatement of the motivational step only worded in the
affirmative this time; and a Closure, which is short statement that provides the audience
directions to go for additional information on the topic, demonstrates the speaker’s openness to
contact, and ends the speech with a definite “Thank you”.
6: Summary: The Summary serves to re-emphasize the two or three main point areas by reminding the
audience of the highlights or spirit and intent of each area. This is done without a lot of detail and cuts
to the bottom line of each main point area quickly.
*Well, today we took a look at* (transition from last covered main point to the Summary)
I. The Lancaster County accident record of those injured
and killed by drinking drivers.
- Remember there are times and places more dangerous than others and each
of us has a 1 in 50 chance of being killed or injured by a drinking driver
*Then we discussed*
II. Current law enforcement efforts to remove drinking drivers from our roadways.
- Extra patrols and increased fines
- inadequacy of measures attempted
*And finally, we considered some*
III. Tips on recognizing and avoiding particularly dangerous times and places
commonly frequented by those who drink and drive in Lancaster County.
- Major participation events such as concerts and large sporting events
- Bar closing times
7: Purpose Statement: In the case of a speech to inform, the Purpose Statement is a simple
affirmation of the promise made in the Motivational Statement. (The Purpose Statement
and Motivational Statement work together.) In our example motivational statement, we
promised the audience that we would provide vital information which could improve their
chances of surviving on roadways shared with people who drink and drive. Our complete
speech has made good on that promise. As a result of our speech, the audience is now better
informed about the problem itself and knows some of the positive actions they can take in order
to avoid harm.
Each audience member is now better armed with potentially life saving information. Our
purpose statement might look like this:
"So, now you know more about the problem of sharing the roadways
with those who drink and drive in Lancaster County and your
chances of surviving on these roadways is increased."
8: Closure: Leaving gracefully can be a difficult thing. The Closure offers completion. The
Closure comes on the heels of the Purpose Statement and follows with little or no pause.
Our Closure might look like this:
"If you would like to know more about the problem of drinking
and driving in Lancaster County, I'll be glad to share my sources with you and answer
any questions you may have after class or during the break. Thank you."
NOTE: For our purposes, questions and comments following each student's speech will be
limited to the structure and delivery of the speech. Fielding questions immediately following
your speech can open a trap door, allowing the additional information in the conclusion
monster to escape.
The Conclusion of the speech is not the place to introduce new information, or to try and "wing
it". Sharp witted members of the audience will find ways of getting you to talk about
information which you may have forgotten to include in your speech, or getting you to launch
into areas that you are not prepared to discuss. This can place you in a very awkward position
and lead you into seriously damaging the credibility you have worked so hard to establish. How
then to avoid questions and answer sessions and yet leave a stimulated audience with direction?
For our classroom purposes, you offer to answer questions, provide a reading list, or provide
brochures after class or during a break. Remember, this tells the audience you care about their
interest in your subject, even as you are about to leave the stage. It also provides a very clear
signal that the speech is about to end, but that you are open to contact and discussion a bit later.
Firmly saying the words, “Thank You”, breaking eye contact, and then heading to your seat is
the final verbal and nonverbal signal that the speech has ended.
What about questions? There will be no questioning of speakers in class, but let’s say someone
approaches you after your class and asks a question concerning your speech. If you are not
100% certain of the correct answer, don't try to fake it. Take the questioner's name and phone
number and get back to them with an answer as soon as possible. Maintaining credibility is
absolutely essential.
If you are preparing to speak outside of class and questions may be forthcoming, be sure you
have anticipated as many questions as possible and have prepared for them. Should someone
ask a question which you can not answer, say so. Never apologize, it does not erase not
knowing. Apologizing only calls more attention to the not knowing or to any other rough spot.
Assure the questioner that you want to make certain of the correct answer and then offer to get
the answer and get back with them as soon as possible. Don't forget to follow through.
Organization is critical to any presentation, spoken or written. Always keep the purpose for your
presentation in mind as you go about organizing and developing. Also, keep in mind that
human communication takes work. If the audience is to get the message as you intend, you'll
have to work at presenting it in a neat bundle. Tying the parts of this bundle together with the
use of transitions, makes the total package smooth and enjoyable while leading the audience
through the speech. Remember, just because you know what you mean is no guarantee the
ONE FINAL WORD: Credibility is a speaker's stock and trade. You will work to earn it,
and absolutely must have it in order to be an effective speaker. Credibility is not only a hard
won prize, it is also very fragile. Be sure to keep the necessity of credibility in mind at all times.
A SAMPLE WORKING SPEECH OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION:
1. ATTENTION GETTING STEP:
- Anecdote: Driving along a peaceful county road when tragedy nearly strikes
- Lancaster Country Accident Record: We all have a 1 in 50 chance of being
killed or injured by a drinking driver.
2. PERSONAL INTRODUCTION: (If used) (Remember to say my first and last name)
3. MOTIVATIONAL STEP/THESIS:
- Today, I will provide you with some vital information which can increase
chances for surviving on roadways we share with drinking drivers in
Lancaster County
4. OVERVIEW:
I. The Lancaster County accident record of those injured and killed by
drinking drivers
*Then I'll cover*
II. Current law enforcement efforts to remove drinking
drivers from our roadways
. *And finally, I'll provide*
III. Tips on recognizing and avoiding particularly dangerous times and
places commonly frequented by drinking drivers
*First let’s take a look at the Lancaster County Accident Record*
(Note: this is an example of a transition to the body of the speech)
( S A M P L E N O T E C A R D # 1 )
BODY:
I. The Lancaster County accident record indicates we are all at serious
risk of being injured or killed by drinking drivers in our county.
- The Lancaster County Law Enforcement Report
-- Who conducted it (Experts?)
-- What did they study? (Times, places, conditions?)
-- What did the report determine? (our odds: 1 in 50)
- Interview with Ms. Mary Towers, Lancaster County
Chairperson of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers)
-- Her personal experience - Lost best friend to drinking driver at age 16
-- MADD’s studies say there are more drinking drivers on our roadways
*Now that we have taken a look at the Lancaster County Accident Record, we will
see what Law Enforcement has been doing to try to deal with this problem.*
II. SECOND MAIN POINT (Must be a strong and complete sentence)
Development: (Such as qualification, explanation, anecdotes, evidence, etc.)
Note: - Don't forget to both cite and qualify your source or sources.
* TRANSITION TO THIRD MAIN POINT - backward and forward reaching *
III. THIRD MAIN POINT (If there is a 3RD) (Must be a strong and complete sentence)
Development: (Such as qualification, explanation, anecdotes, evidence, etc.)
Note: - Don't forget to both cite and qualify your source or sources.
* TRANSITION TO THE CONCLUSION (Verbal and Non verbal) *
*Well, today we took a look at*
( S A M P L E N O T E C A R D # 2 )
CONCLUSION:
1. SUMMATION:
I. The Lancaster County accident record of those injured
and killed by drinking drivers.
- Remember there are times and places more dangerous than others and each
of us has a 1 in 50 chance of being killed or injured by a drinking driver
*Then we discussed*
II. Current law enforcement efforts to remove drinking drivers from our
roadways.
- Extra patrols and increased fines
*And finally, we considered some*
III. Tips on recognizing and avoiding particularly dangerous times and places
commonly frequented by those who drink and drive in Lancaster County.
- Most dangerous times
- Most dangerous places
2. PURPOSE STATEMENT:
- So now you have the vital information which can increase your chances for
surviving on the roadways we share in Lancaster County with people who
drink and drive.
3. CLOSURE:
- "If you would like to know more about the problem of drinking
and driving in Lancaster County, I'll be glad to share my sources with you and
answer any questions you may have after class or during the break.
Thank you.
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