Speech ClassWriting an Outline

andMaking Cue Cards

Overview

• An outline breaks down the parts of your speech in a clear, hierarchical (top-down) manner.

• Most students find that writing an outline before beginning to write the speech is most helpful in organizing one’s thoughts. If your outline is good, your speech should be easy to write.

• The format for an outline uses an alternating series of numbers and letters – indented accordingly – to indicate levels of importance.

Indent (verb) – to start a line of text further from the margin than the main part of the text.

A Dent in a Car

Title of SpeechI. Introduction

II. Main Point #1A. Information / Sub-pointB. Information / Sub-point

III. Main Point #2A. Information / Sub-point

1. Info specific to Sub-Point A2. Info specific to Sub-Point A

a. More detailed info for A2b. More detailed info for A2

B. Information / Sub-pointC. Information / Sub-point

IV. Main Point #3A. Information / Sub-pointB. Information / Sub-point

V. Conclusion

Four Main Components

for Effective Outlines

Ideally, you should follow these 4 principles to create an effective outline.

1. Parallelism

2. Coordination

3. Subordination

4. Division

1. ParallelismEach heading and subheading must preserve parallel structure.

1st heading is a noun 2nd heading must be a noun1st heading is a verb 2nd heading must be a verb

Example:

• Choose Desired Colleges• Prepare Application

("Choose" and "Prepare" are both verbs.)

2. Coordination

All the information contained in Headings 1 & 2 must have the same significance.

The same is true for the subheadings(which must be less significant than the headings).

Example:

I. Visit and evaluate college campusesII. Visit and evaluate college websites

A. Note important statisticsB. Look for interesting classes

(Campus and website visits are equally significant, as are statistics and classes found on college websites.)

3. Subordination

The information in the headings is general, while the

information in the subheadings is more specific.

Example:

I. Describe an influential person in your lifeA. Favorite high school teacher

B. Grandparent

(“Favorite teacher” and “Grandparent” are specific examples of influential people.)

4. Division

Each heading must be divided into 2 or more parts.

Example:

I. Compile resumeA.List relevant coursework

B.List work experience

C.List volunteer experience

How to Build a Kite

I. Introduction – Preview the 3 steps to building and testing a kite

II. Designing the kiteA. The FrameB. The “Skin”C. The Tail

III. Building the KiteA. Getting the MaterialsB. Putting the frame togetherC. Adding the skinD. Attaching the tailE. Adding the final touch – the string

IV. Testing the KiteA. Choosing the right wind and weather conditionsB. Launching the kite – best techniquesC. Keeping it in the air and avoiding obstaclesD. Reeling it in

• Conclusion – Final thoughts on being creative in building a kite

Tips for Making Cue Cards

Consider using cue cards

(sometimes called note cards)

to help you remember the

main points of your speech.

“Cue” means:

“anything serving as a signal

to do – or say – something”

Tips for Making Cue Cards

Transfer Your Outline to Your Cue Cards

How to Build a Kite

I. Introduction

Preview the 3 steps to building and testing a kite

Put each part of your speech on a separate card.

•Your Introduction should go on one card, the Body (Main Points) on the next few cards, and the Conclusion on a final card.

•This will minimize confusion as you are flipping through your cards during the speech.

II. Designing the Kite

A. The Frame

B. The “Skin”

C. The Tail

Use large, bold lettering to make your notes easier to read.

•If it helps you, use different colors to highlight important points.•Use underlining, as well.

III. Building the Kite

A. Getting the Materials

B. Putting the Frame together

C. Adding the Skin

D. Attaching the Tail

E. Adding the final touch – the String

Use no more than 5 or 6 lines per note card.If you put too much on one card, you will end up confusing yourself.

III. Building the Kite 3.

A. Getting the Materials

B. Putting the Frame together

C. Adding the Skin

D. Attaching the Tail

E. Adding the final touch – the String

Number Your Cards.It’s very easy to lose track of your place while speaking. If you number each card, you can quickly recover in the event that your cards get out of order.

IV. Testing the Kite 4.

A. Choosing the right wind and weather conditions

B. Launching the kite – the best techniques

C. Keeping it in the air and avoiding obstacles

D. Reeling it in

Write on only one side of each card.If you write on both sides, you increase the chances of getting mixed up and losing your place.

Use your cue cards to makecomments to yourself.

• Put notes in the margins of a card to prompt yourself of something you might want to do during the speech.

• For example, you might write “Pause”, “Take a breath”, or “Slow down” on a few cards to remind yourself to speak at a nice, even pace.

• Just be careful not to write too many notes, or your cards will get cluttered and confusing.

IV. Testing the Kite (Take a Breath!) 4.

A. Choosing the right wind and weather conditions

B. Launching the kite – the best techniques

C. Keeping it in the air and avoiding obstacles

D. Reeling it in

V. Conclusion 5.

Final thoughts on being creative in building a kite

I hope you enjoyed this speech. If you build a kite, let me know how it turns out, OK? Maybe we can fly our kites together!

When you conclude your speech,don’t simply say, “That’s all”!!!

Make sure your conclusion is not too abrupt (i.e., a sudden ending).