Researching, Organizing, and Outlining Your Speech

Characteristics of a Formal OutlineOutline is written in complete sentencesOutline includes all important and relevant

informationOutline is typedOutline includes citations within textOutline includes two-five (2-5) main points (I, II,

III…)Outline includes supporting information as sub

points (A, B, C…) Each main point must contain a minimum of two supporting details.

If needed, outline includes elaborated information as sub sub-points (1, 2, 3…)

Organizing the body of your speech

Identify 2-5 main points (central ideas you want to present to your audience)

Consider organizational pattern of main points

Write a thesis statement with main points

Develop the main points of your speech through research

Outline the speech body

Organizational Patterns of a Speech (page 282)

Topical / Logical pattern (based on types or categories)The Division of College Students: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior,

SeniorDiabetes: What is Diabetes, What Causes Diabetes, What are

Symptoms of Diabetes, What are Treatments of DiabetesChronological pattern (based on how things occur in

time)Oprah: Oprah’s Childhood, Oprah’s rise to success, Oprah’s

future ambitionsSpatial pattern (based on where things are located in

space)Places to visit in Alabama: Huntsville, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa,

Montgomery, MobileCompare & Contrast (Informative or Persuasive)

Shelton vs UA, Wedding Rituals: India vs UA

Organizational Patterns of a speechCause & Effect pattern

Binge Drinking: The effects of binge drinking on a college campus, the causes of binge drinking on a college campus OR discuss 2-5 causes OR discuss 2-5 effects

Problem & SolutionOvercrowded Prisons: The problem of

overcrowded prisons, the solution to overcrowded prisons OR the problem of overcrowded prisons, why this has become a problem, the solution to overcrowded prisons

Don’t Forget……

Make sure you use transitions to create a parallel structure (flow between main points and sub points)….

Transitions – words, phrases, or sentences that show a relationship between, or bridge, two ideas

Supporting Materials (page 268)

Supporting materials are used to clarify an idea, make an idea interesting, make an idea memorable, or prove an idea

Types of Supporting MaterialsFactsStatisticsExamplesExpert opinionsStories /AnecdotesAnalogiesQuotations / TestimoniesDefinitions

Locating Supporting Materials (page 263)

BooksProfessional JournalsNewspapersReference Works (Encyclopedia, Dictionary,

Almanac, etc)Internet-based sources (Websites)MagazinesNon-print Materials (Audio, Audiovisual,

etc)Personal Interviews

Locating GOOD supporting materials (page 265)

Authority / Credibility: Anyone can establish a website. Evaluate!

Objectivity: Is the information bias? Is it an advertisement?

Currency: When was this information produced? Is it updated?

Citing Sources: (include this in oral & written citations)

Title of ArticleTitle of PublicationAuthor of ArticleDate of ArticleWebsite (name of organization, institution, etc.)Webpage