How to Write a Speech Outline
Public speaking is an art that requires careful planning and organization. One of the most crucial steps in preparing for a speech is creating a detai
Public speaking is an art that requires careful planning and organization. One of the most crucial steps in preparing for a speech is creating a detailed outline. This helps to ensure that your ideas are presented in a clear, logical order, keeping your audience engaged and making your speech more effective. In this article, we will explore the common challenges faced when writing a speech outline and provide a step-by-step guide to overcome these issues.
The Common Challenges in Writing a Speech Outline
Many individuals struggle with writing a speech outline due to several reasons:
Lack of Clarity: Not knowing where to start or how to organize thoughts can be overwhelming.
Fear of Missing Key Points: Speakers often worry about forgetting important details or points during their speech.
Time Management: Allocating appropriate time for each section of the speech can be challenging.
Engagement Issues: Keeping the audience engaged throughout the speech requires a well-structured outline.
Creating a speech outline can help address these challenges, ensuring your speech is coherent, comprehensive, and captivating.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Speech Outline
1. understand your purpose and audience.
Before diving into the outline, it’s crucial to understand the purpose of your speech and your audience. Are you informing, persuading, or entertaining? Knowing this will guide the tone and structure of your outline.
2. Gather Your Main Points
Identify the main points you want to convey. These should be the core messages that align with your speech's purpose. Aim for 3-5 main points to keep your speech focused and manageable.
3. Create a Thesis Statement
Your thesis statement is the central idea of your speech, summarizing what you aim to achieve. It should be clear and concise, guiding the direction of your outline.
4. Organize Your Main Points
Arrange your main points in a logical order. Common organizational patterns include:
Chronological: Ordering events or steps in the sequence they occurred or should occur.
Spatial: Organizing information based on location or direction.
Topical: Dividing the subject into subtopics, each of which becomes a main point.
Problem-Solution: Presenting a problem followed by a solution.
5. Develop Supporting Points
For each main point, list supporting points or evidence. These can include statistics, anecdotes, examples, or quotes. Ensure they reinforce your main points and add depth to your speech.
6. Write the Introduction
The introduction should capture the audience’s attention and provide a preview of your speech. Include:
Hook: An interesting opening to grab attention.
Thesis Statement: Your main idea.
Preview of Main Points: Briefly mention the points you will cover.
7. Write the Body
The body of your speech should elaborate on your main points and supporting evidence. Each section should transition smoothly to the next, maintaining the audience’s interest.
8. Write the Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize your main points and reinforce your thesis. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.
9. Review and Revise
Review your outline for clarity, coherence, and completeness. Make necessary revisions to ensure your speech flows smoothly and covers all key points.
Enhancing Your Speech with FlowPrompter
Writing a great speech outline is just the beginning. Delivering your speech effectively is equally important. This is where FlowPrompter can make a significant difference. FlowPrompter is a powerful teleprompter software designed to help you present your speech confidently and professionally.
Key Features of FlowPrompter
Automatic Scrolling Teleprompter: Easily paste your speech script and start automatic scrolling, ensuring you stay on track.
Multi-terminal Synchronization: Synchronize your text content across multiple devices, allowing for seamless transitions between computers.
Outline Teleprompting: Quickly switch script positions using an outline, perfect for speeches with multiple sections.
Invisible Teleprompting: Display teleprompter content only on your screen without showing it in recorded videos, ideal for professional presentations.
Simple Operation: Start teleprompting with one click, and customize text size, color, and transparency to suit your needs.
Fast Updates: Benefit from rapid updates based on user feedback, ensuring the software evolves with your needs.
Desktop Software: Enjoy the robust functionality of the leading desktop PC teleprompter software.
Script Records: Keep records of each teleprompted content with cloud storage, ensuring your scripts are never lost.
Low Cost: Use FlowPrompter without the need for expensive professional equipment, making it accessible for personal bloggers, small live broadcast teams, or Zoom meetings.
How FlowPrompter Can Help
Using FlowPrompter, you can:
Maintain Eye Contact: Read your script without looking down, maintaining better eye contact with your audience.
Ensure Smooth Delivery: Avoid losing your place or skipping important points with automatic scrolling and outline teleprompting.
Adapt Quickly: Make last-minute changes easily with multi-terminal synchronization and quick script switching.
Professional Appearance: Deliver your speech confidently with invisible teleprompting, ensuring your presentation looks professional and polished.
Writing a speech outline is an essential skill for effective public speaking. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a clear and organized speech that captures your audience’s attention and conveys your message effectively. Additionally, using tools like FlowPrompter can enhance your delivery, ensuring you present your speech with confidence and professionalism.
Start writing your speech outline today, and experience the difference that a well-structured plan and the right tools can make in your public speaking endeavors.
- Games, topic printables & more
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- How to plan a speech
Planning your speech
- a complete, unabridged guide with multiple examples to help plan a successful speech ☺.
By: Susan Dugdale | Last modified: 06-05-2023
Planning your speech is where your success begins. I do not jest!
In your imagination you may hear yourself being stunning, the audience clapping wildly as they rise to their feet to give you a standing ovation.
You may see yourself being deluged in red roses and offered several speaking contracts. Obviously, they are all lucrative but you choose the one with optional extras: an extended holiday in the South of France …
But first you have to begin at the beginning: planning your speech. Without a plan you are whistling in the wind, dreaming.
What's on this page:
How to plan a speech step by step:
- gathering the information to write your speech
- brainstorming : what is a brainstorm, examples of brainstorms, getting started, with full step by step explanations and examples
- how to shape material to fit an audience, the speech setting, and time allocation
- an example speech outline
- how and why to research
- how to meet varying learning style needs: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic
- links to other useful pages: how to rehearse, make cue-cards...
Planning your speech from the start
A note about these notes.
These notes are general guidelines for ALL types of speeches. I know they are long.
(Actually that's an understatement! They are very long.)
I also know if you take the time to go through them they'll give you a solid introduction to thorough speech preparation.
They cover the basics of good presentation planning, research, writing and rehearsal: aspects you’ll want to consider regardless of the type of speech you’re giving.
Gathering your information
Once you have information about:
- WHY you are going to speak (the purpose of your speech),
- WHO you are going to speak to (your audience),
- WHAT your general or specific subject matter is,
- HOW long the speech is to be,
- and WHERE it is...,
you are ready to make a rough or draft outline.
This will be your guide for writing.
You may alter the outline as you go along, as better or different ideas occur to you and that’s OK. It shows you’re flexible and thinking but before we can change anything we have to have something to start with.
To get to the outline stage in the speech planning process we first need to collect up all the "why", "who", "what", "when", "how", and "where" information needed. And that begins with a brainstorm * .
* What is a brainstorm?
A brainstorm is the name given to a commonly used, and effective, technique for generating lots of ideas on a topic, or theme, fast.
Using a heading as a prompt to get you thinking, you quickly note everything you can think of relating to it. You do not edit yourself. You simply let the ideas flow until you can think of no more, making no judgements about whether it's a good idea, a silly idea, or a right or wrong one.
Ultimately, some will be more useful than others. You will sort through and order them later. However, the first step in the brainstorming process, is to accept everything you think of without hesitation. Stopping to decide what's OK and what's not breaks the flow.
If you'd like to see what a completed brainstorm looks like I have examples of them on my site. You'll see they provided the ideas that were then used to write the example speeches.
- one for a maid of honor speech
- one for a 50th wedding anniversary speech
- and another for a farewell speech for a colleague
Return to Top
Brainstorm to begin planning your speech
The brainstorm you are going to do is about making sure you thoroughly understand everything you possibly can about the speech you intend to give.
On a large piece of paper or in a word document write these headings with enough space between them for notes.
WHY are you giving this speech?
What is the purpose of the speech? Do you intend to inspire? To motivate? To entertain? To inform? Or perhaps you want to combine several, like to inform, motivate and inspire?
Knowing what you want your audience to think, feel and do as a result of listening to your speech is the WHY underpinning your presentation. It will help guide what content you use and how you structure it.
WHO is your audience?
Write down as much as you know about the audience.
This will give you ideas about what they will want to hear and be interested in. It will also be your guide when it comes to shaping your material. (More about this later!)
For now, make notes covering:
- the number of people expected to be in your audience,
- their age group,
- ethnicity, if appropriate,
- and the common, or uniting factors they share,
- and specific interests they may have.
Why is knowing who you're talking to vital?
Find out more about why being in harmony with your audience is so important. Check out building rapport.
Examples of WHY, WHO, WHAT...brainstorm notes
Meet Martha Brown. She's fictional. I've made her, and the presentation she's preparing for up, to show you how the brainstorming part of the planning process works.
Martha's been asked to give a motivational speech to a group of women whose background is similar to her own. She, too, came from a family who struggled financially.
Today she is one of the few amongst her relatives who has maintained a marriage, raised children and has a successful business. Her small catering firm specializes in delivering beautifully presented gourmet meals and finger food on demand.
The organizer of the event wants her to share her life story as a guide or inspiration.
Martha is conscious of her good fortune but also knows the starting point, or the seed, lay within her. She desired the change of circumstances so much she enabled them to happen.
WHY is Martha giving this presentation?
What's the principal purpose behind Martha's speech? What does she want her audience to think, feel or do as a result of listening to her?
Let's put ourselves in her shoes.
She wants to:
- motivate and inspire her audience
- give them hope
- show them there is a way out of the circumstances they find themselves in
WHO is Martha's audience?
These are Martha's notes covering the key points about her audience.
- Approximately 25 people ( number )
- Mostly mid to late 30s (age)
- All women (gender)
- Mixed ethnic background but all speak English (ethnicity)
- City dwellers (uniting factor)
- Mostly work inside the home (uniting factor)
- Many have children (uniting factor)
- Interested in achieving work/life balance for themselves and their families and in particular a better financial situation (interest/uniting factor)
- All belong to the same church group (uniting factor)
WHAT are you going to talk about?
Write down the title and/or type of speech you have been asked to prepare. Now using your notes from the WHO section of your brainstorm, begin another set.
This time you are looking to see how WHAT you're going to talk about can be specifically shaped to meet and serve the interests of your audience.
Let's look at an example of WHAT
How does martha shape her life story to fit her audience.
She doesn't want to overwhelm them with information so they can’t think straight or digest it. That will turn them off.
They will think it’s too difficult and beyond them. They may listen, be interested, but they won’t identify with it.
She wants them to feel they can take from her experience and use it to enrich their own lives.
Her notes for WHAT may look like this:
- S peech Title How to win a future for your family when the kids need feeding and the bills want paying.
- Content - main points
- I am like you – I get too busy to plan ahead, I have a tendency to deal with what or whoever squeals loudest, I get tired …
- Before and after – life before I made the decision to start my own business – life after I made the decision. Comparisons – several examples.
- The hardest part of making the decision and acting on it was … Examples.
- The best part of making the decision … Examples. People who inspired me to act.
- What I’ve learned in the process about my family, others and myself … Examples.
- How I keep myself inspired … goal setting, listening and learning from others
- The future – a possible way forward for you, the women in the audience listening.
It’s not a speech yet but you can see the beginnings of its shape and how she’s used her knowledge of the audience to ensure giving them something they’ll enjoy listening to and identify with.
How? (How long will I speak for? How will I deliver my speech?)
There are two important 'hows' to consider.
1. How long have I got to speak?
The first is HOW long have I got to speak.
The time allocation you have been given will determine what you put into your speech and what you will leave out.
If you have a relatively short time, 3-5 minutes, you will need to either focus on one major topic with examples to illustrate or settle for covering a maximum of three lightly.
The purpose of your speech and your audience will help you make the most relevant choice. A longer time gives you more freedom to develop several ideas/themes fully.
2. How will I deliver my presentation?
The second 'how' relates to the method of presentation. HOW will you deliver this speech?
For example:
- Will this be a speech told with humor?
- Will you have a 'show and tell'? (This is when you take objects relevant to your speech to illustrate your points. It could be photographs or other items if they are suitable to transport.)
- Could you give a demonstration?
Shaping delivery to meet different learning styles
When you consider this 'how' bear in mind the different needs of your audience. Most people have a preferred mode for receiving information. That is their learning style.
Some people understand well through listening. They are called 'auditory'.
Some people get most of their understanding through looking. They are called 'visual'.
Others receive and understand information best when they can touch, feel or do what is being explained to them. These are the 'kinesthetics'.
Most of us have a preference for one or two modes. For instance, I am 'auditory' and 'visual'. I want to hear and see.
A considerate speaker tries to include all three modes (learning styles) in their speech.
(For more on catering for learning styles with examples see the foot of the page.)
Delivery and time are yoked together
How you to choose to deliver your presentation is governed by the time you have available. If it is short, you may have to leave out a 'show and tell' or a demonstration but you will always be able to include something to meet all three modes satisfactorily.
'HOW' example from Martha's brainstorm notes
Let’s return to Martha’s Notes to see what she does with the 'how' segment of her brainstorm.
How long? Time available = 10 minutes. (Maybe a little more but that depends on the rest of the agenda of the meeting and how well it flows. Could be some space for questions from the audience and answer.)
How to present? Definitely with humor! Also take some fliers, business cards and samples of finger food along. These can be available for people to pick up at the end of the presentation.
WHEN will this speech be given?
WHEN has two aspects you'll want to take into consideration.
The first is the actual date you have to have it ready for delivery. That lets you know how much time you have for preparation. Is it three weeks, six weeks, or two days?
You'll use that information to plan your workflow. For example, allocating yourself one week to get your preliminary outline and any research required, completed.
The second aspect is the actual time of day and season you deliver a speech. This can have an impact on what you do and say.
For example: You can use an early bird start in the middle of winter on a wet Monday morning effectively by acknowledging the efforts people have made to be there, and by making sure the heaters are on and there's hot coffee available.
Finding ways of tying in what is happening in the 'here and now' is a good way to connect with your audience.
A word of warning : Be conscious about presenting difficult or challenging material when people are either both tired and hungry (just before lunch or dinner) or when they’ve just eaten! Concentration spans are not at their best in either situation. If possible save this type of content for a mid-morning or afternoon slot.
Martha’s Notes, WHEN: 2.45pm, Wednesday, 2nd August – Summer heat
WHERE will this presentation take place?
The environment/room/space you are to speak can play a big role in shaping the final presentation of your speech.
Points to consider are:
- Where will I be in relation to the audience?
- Will they see me easily?
- Will they hear me easily?
- Do I need a microphone?
- Is there a place to put notes if I’m using them?
- Where can I set up my samples for people to take them easily?
- Are there power points if I want to use any electronic devices?
- Do I have to provide everything I want to use (e.g.: computer, screen, leads…)?
Many fully prepared, beautifully rehearsed speeches fail because insufficient thought has gone into where they are to take place.
It’s no fun when people can neither see nor hear you or the carefully thought through demonstration is stymied through lack of an electric socket in the right place!
Martha’s Notes, WHERE: Church meeting room. It can seat everybody comfortably and there’s room for a table to put out a display of fliers and trays of food, paper napkins etc. Arrange the chairs in a horseshoe or semi-circle so everybody can see clearly.
Pulling the brainstorm notes together in an outline
Once you've worked your way through making notes under your WHY, WHO, WHAT, HOW, WHEN, and WHERE headings, you're ready for the next step.
That's picking and choosing, then re-ordering and re-writing the material you've taken from the WHAT and HOW segments of your brainstorm until you're satisfied it flows well and meets your speech purpose.
After you’ve completed outlining your speech, you’ll be ready to do any extra research required, and then you’re on to the task of writing your speech.
Martha's completed outline
Here's Martha’s Finished Outline as an example.
Speech length : 15 minutes with extra time for a 'Question and Answer' session at the end of the presentation.
Speech title : How to win a future for your family when the kids need feeding, and the bills want paying
Introduction (2.5 minutes): Thanks for coming today … Summer heat, we’d all rather be at beach reading a book under a sun umbrella….etc. But I hope I’ve got something for you that’ll more than make up for it. I look around the hall and I see a lot of women just like me: women, who work hard, love their families, etc., … want the best for them.
(Insert anecdotal humor, perhaps a small personal story about credit cards. For instance, the only way I could manage them was to banish them the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet. Or use them to test how sharp my scissors were.)
Main Idea 1 (3 minutes): Introduce business and what it is.
Explain how it functions on a daily basis. Briefly outline long-term goals.
(Quick show-and-tell with flyers and food. Invite people to sample at end and ask questions.)
Main idea 2 (3.5 minutes): My life before the business (tie to women in audience). My life after business started. What I have achieved. The hardest part about starting, staying in business. The best part about starting, staying in business. People who have inspired me.
Main idea 3 (3.5 minutes): What I’ve learned in the process about my family, others and myself … Examples. How I keep myself inspired … goal setting, listening and learning from others
Summary : (2.5 minutes): Very quick round up of principal points. The future – the way forward for you, the women in the audience listening. Invite questions if time. Remind them about the fliers and the food! Thank organizers.
Summary - Core speech planning questions
That’s it! Very short, sweet and simple.
There’s nothing magical about planning your speech. It's just methodical: one-step-after-another. If you find yourself flustered go back to the core brainstorm headings and ask yourself the key questions once more.
- WHY am I giving this presentation? What is my purpose?What do I want my audience to do, think, or feel as a result of having heard me speak?
- WHO is this speech for?
- WHAT am I going to tell them that’s relevant and interesting?
- HOW long is the speech expected to be?
- HOW am I going to present it?
- WHEN is the speech for? (Date, day, time, season)
- WHERE is the speech going to happen? (Hall, outdoors, stadium…)
Write your answers down and let them be your guide.
Remember this is not your finished speech.
It’s your outline * : a map of what you’re going to cover.
Don’t spend too much time trying to get it perfect. You’ll want that energy for researching, writing and rehearsing!
And guess what is coming up next?
* If you'd like more about outlining a speech, including a printable outline template to use, go to sample speech outline .
Getting from planning to delivery
Here are links to articles on:
- how to research your speech . The reasons for research are discussed under the heading below -"When and What to Research"
- how to write your speech
- how to prepare and use cue cards. The benefits of using cue cards over reading from a word-for-word script are enormous. Because you are freed from having to focus on your notes you can interact with your audience directly. Your speech becomes more spontaneous and "in-the-moment".
- how to use story telling to enrich your speech . Do consider weaving your personal stories into your speech. They add tremendous audience appeal.
- how to use props. If you're planning a "show and tell" type speech, this page is essential reading.
- how to rehearse. Rehearsal will lift your speech from ordinary to extraordinary. You'll find out privately where the glitches are, rather than publicly. It gives you an opportunity to refine your delivery. I think it's absolutely essential!
When and what to research
If you already know your subject thoroughly, inside out, back to front and sideways, there will be no need to research and you can skip this part of planning your speech.
BUT if you don’t, the outline should point up the gaps needing to be filled with specific information.
In our example it there seems little need for Martha to do any further research, as this speech is her personal story.
However, there are a number of ways she could strengthen her speech and add real benefits for her audience.
For example: she could bring along fliers from local training institutions providing courses especially geared for women setting up business on their own or she could provide a list of business women in the community willing to mentor and advise women in start-ups. A reading list would be helpful, as would a resource list.
All of these ideas need researching before presenting.
Careful research adds authority to your work. It shows care, thought and dedication to getting it right. Your audience will appreciate and respect you for it.
NB. If you are presenting material as fact rather than as opinion, check it! Make sure you know rather than think you know. If you can’t find out, then say so.
PS. Remember those modes or preferred learning styles?
Did you pick how Martha planned to meet each of them in her outline?
For the 'auditory' learners she would tell her story using her voice in a lively, interesting-to-listen-to way! Nothing turns an auditory focused person's ears off faster than a monotone drawl.
For the 'visual' people, she would provide fliers and food to see. Plus her appearance and body language would 'say' to them, this is a vibrant, purpose-filled person who loves what she does.
And lastly, she would use 'word pictures' to illustrate the points she made in her speech. The 'visual' would literally 'see' where she was coming from by using their imagination to recreate her images in their own minds!
For the 'kinesthetics', Martha planned to actively tell her story. She would use vivid 'action' words describing how she did things.
Example: ' I started a business.' is bland. It doesn't communicate any of the effort or feelings involved.
By contrast: ' I started my own business. What a journey! I know you've watched your children learning to walk. Well, that was me! I fell. I skinned my knees and bruised myself. I got up, took two steps and crashed again...'
You get the idea. This is action, living and real.
The 'kinesthetic' folk will appreciate and know what she is talking about.
Additionally, Martha's fliers and food will appeal too. They can hold them, actively read the fliers and taste the food.
Lastly, they will be aware of what Martha does while she's talking to them. Is she conveying energy, excitement and action in her body language? If so, she'll have them with her!
- Return to the top of planning your speech page
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Write A Speech Outline
How to Write a Speech Outline?
13 min read
Published on: Aug 31, 2024
Last updated on: Sep 2, 2024
On This Page On This Page
A speech outline can boost your confidence and help you stay on track, making you appear powerful and in charge. As you compose your speech outline, consider how you will introduce yourself and your topic, the issues you will discuss, and how they have interests.
Why do we create outlines?
Creating a speech plan is important in preparing for a successful presentation. An outline helps to organize your thoughts, provides a logical flow of ideas, and boosts your confidence when speaking. Below, we explain how to develop a speech outline and give examples to demonstrate each step.
1. Introduction:
The introduction sets the stage for your speech and captures the audience's attention. It typically includes the following components:
Attention Getter:
Start with a compelling statement, question, or anecdote that grabs the audience's interest. For example, "Imagine a world where every child has access to quality education—what would that look like?"
Thesis Statement:
Clearly state the main idea or argument of your speech. For instance, "Today, I will discuss the importance of educational reform in ensuring equal opportunities for all children."
Motivation:
Explain why the audience should care about your topic. For example, "Education is the foundation of our society, and by investing in it, we invest in our future."
Preview of Main Points:
Briefly outline the key points you will cover in your speech. For instance, "I will cover three main areas: the current state of education, the challenges we face, and potential solutions."
The body of your speech is where you elaborate on your main points. Organize this section into clear, logical segments:
1. First Main Point:
Present your first key argument or idea. For example, "The current state of education is marked by significant disparities."
Sub-point:
Provide supporting evidence or examples. For instance, "In low-income areas, schools often lack basic resources, affecting student performance."
Evidence:
Include statistics or quotes to back up your claims. For example, "According to a recent study, students in underfunded schools are 30% more likely to drop out."
Transition:
Use a transitional phrase to move to the next point smoothly. For example, "Now that we've examined the current state of education, let's discuss the challenges we face."
2. Second Main Point:
Present your second key argument. For example, "One of the biggest challenges is funding."
Provide supporting details. For instance, "Many districts struggle to secure adequate funding from state and local sources."
Include relevant statistics or anecdotes. For example, "In some districts, teachers are forced to buy their supplies due to budget cuts."
Connect to the next point. For example, "Having addressed funding challenges, let’s explore potential solutions."
3. Third Main Point:
Present your final key argument. For example, "Implementing community-based programs can significantly improve educational outcomes."
Support your argument with evidence. For instance, "Programs that involve parents and local businesses have shown promising results."
Share success stories or data. For example, "In a pilot program in Chicago, student performance improved by 25%."
3. Conclusion:
The conclusion wraps up your speech and reinforces your main message. It typically includes:
Summary:
Briefly recap the main points you covered. For example, "Today, we discussed the disparities in education, the funding challenges, and the potential of community-based programs."
Closure:
Provide a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression. For example, "Together, we can advocate for educational reform that ensures every child has the opportunity to succeed."
Call to Action:
Encourage your audience to take specific steps. For instance, "I urge you to support local initiatives that aim to improve our schools and invest in our children’s futures."
What to Include in a Speech Outline?
Creating a well-structured speech outline is essential for delivering a clear and impactful message. Below are the key components to include in your speech outline, along with detailed explanations and examples for each section.
Introduction:
The introduction is your opportunity to set the tone for your speech and engage your audience from the start. It typically includes the following elements:
A Greeting:
Begin by introducing yourself and acknowledging any relevant parties. This establishes your credibility and creates a connection with the audience.
“Good evening, my name is Jesse Vargas, and I’ve had the honor of working as an outreach coordinator for Transcend Behind Bars for over three years now. Thank you, Andrea, for that charming introduction and for organizing this dinner for all of us.”
An Attention-Getter:
Start with a joke, story, or interesting fact to capture the audience's attention. Tailor your opener to the audience's demographics and interests.
“So, for the first 30 minutes of my speech, we’re going to sit and meditate until the ice melts in our waters… just kidding.”
The Topic and Why It’s Important:
Transition to your speech's topic by explaining its relevance to the audience. If your speech is argumentative, highlight the consequences of inaction. For informative speeches , emphasize the topic's significance.
Argumentative Speech: “By a show of hands, how many people know someone struggling with addiction and incarceration? I’m here to tell you there’s a better way to help people overcome and not get trapped in the system.”
Informative Speech: “Have any of you ever felt like your mind was racing a million miles an hour? Transcendental meditation can help slow down your thoughts and address the root of that reaction in your nervous system.”
The Thesis of Your Speech
Present your thesis statement, which summarizes the main idea you will prove or inform the audience about.
Argumentative Speech: “Including meditation in the prison system is an effective way to combat addiction during and after incarceration, turning repeat offenders into healthy contributors to society.”
Informative Speech: “The brain is the most powerful tool we have, and I'll show you how consciously controlling your breath can turn your brain into a more efficient and happier machine.”
Your Credentials:
Explain why you are qualified to speak on the topic. This could be personal experiences or educational background.
Personal Affectation:
“I used to be part of the system, in and out several times, my addiction growing stronger. Until ten years ago, when I discovered meditation and self-compassion.”
Educational Credentials: “Since the age of 22, I’ve devoted my life to studying neuroscience and meditation, earning a Master’s in Compassionate Psychology and a PhD in Neuroscience.”
A Preview of Your Main Points:
Outline the main points you will cover in your speech, giving the audience a roadmap of what to expect.
Argumentative Speech:
“First, I’ll discuss how the prison system is flawed regarding addiction. Then, I’ll provide evidence on how meditation can aid long-term recovery. Lastly, I’ll present examples of how we can implement these programs in state prisons.”
Informative Speech:
“I’ll explain what transcendental meditation is, the areas of the brain it impacts, and how it can treat mental disorders, improve relationships, and relieve physical pain.”
The body of your speech is where you delve into your main points. Each point should be clearly articulated and supported with evidence.
Present Your First Point:
Begin with your first main point, providing supporting evidence, statistics, or quotes. Organizing this information in bullet points can help during your delivery.
“I. Addiction impacts everyone, and studies show that half of the people in the prison system suffer from addiction. Only one-tenth have access to recovery programs, and over half of released prisoners return within three years. ‘Prison is a second-by-second assault on the soul…’ - Mumia Abu-Jamal. How can we expect those imprisoned to behave as good citizens when the system adds to their trauma?”
Transitioning Between Points:
Use transitions to smoothly connect your points. This helps maintain the audience's engagement and understanding.
“II. Now that we know how the system affects mental health, let’s discuss the proven benefits of meditation. Studies show that meditation decreases stress, anxiety, and aggression. I once thought it was bogus until I tried focused breathing during a panic attack, and it changed my life.”
Conclusion:
The conclusion wraps up your speech and reinforces your main message.
Make a Smooth Transition:
Signal to your audience that you are concluding. This can be a simple statement or a reference back to your introduction.
“In conclusion, now’s the time to fix what isn’t working.”
Summarize Your Main Points:
Reiterate the key points of your speech to reinforce them in the audience's mind.
“As I’ve shown, prisons fail to address addiction and meditation provides relief and helps maintain sobriety.”
Restate Your Thesis
Reemphasize your thesis to ensure it sticks with the audience.
“Now’s the time to implement meditation programs in prisons to decrease suffering and help individuals contribute meaningfully to society.”
End with Something Memorable
Leave your audience with a final thought or call to action that resonates.
“For those of you whose loved ones are affected by addiction, I hope what I’ve shared today inspires hope that there is a way out.”
Thank the Audience and Organizers
Express gratitude to your audience and acknowledge anyone who helped organize the event.
“Thank you for your attention. A big thank you to Andrea for organizing this wonderful event and to Transcend Behind Bars for saving my life.”
Allow for Questions:
If time permits, invite questions from the audience to clarify or expand on your points.
“Now, for the next 10 minutes, I’ll answer any questions you might have about what I’ve presented today.”
By following this structured outline, you can create a compelling and organized speech that effectively communicates your message to the audience. For more tips and resources on speech writing, visit Perfect Speech Writer for expert guidance tailored to your needs.
Things to Avoid in a Speech Outline:
Data Dumping:
Avoid overwhelming the audience with excessive statistics and numbers. Instead, use visuals like infographics to present the data while you explain its relevance.
Extremely Formal Language:
Keep your language casual, relatable, and conversational. Avoid using overly formal words or phrases that you wouldn't use in everyday discussions.
Writing Every Word Verbatim:
Use keywords in your outline to jog your memory during the speech rather than reading from a script. This will make your delivery sound more natural.
Abrupt Introductions and Conclusions:
Provide necessary background information and context in your introduction. End your speech with a memorable statement or call to action, not abruptly.
Self-Judgment or Depreciation:
Avoid undermining your credibility by apologizing for your public speaking skills or downplaying your presentation. Instead, express your passion for the topic.
By following these guidelines and focusing on engaging the audience with your content and delivery, you can create an effective and impactful speech outline. For more tips and resources, visit Perfect Speech Writer.
Different Types of Outlines:
There are several types of outlines used in the speechwriting process, each serving a different purpose:
1. Preparation Outline
A preparation outline serves as a comprehensive guide for your speech. It includes:
Clear Introduction: Start with a greeting and introduce your topic, establishing the specific purpose of your speech.
Key Ideas: List the main points you will cover, ensuring they align with your overall message.
Transitional Statements: Include phrases that help you smoothly move from one point to the next, maintaining the flow of your speech.
Conclusion: Summarize your key ideas and reinforce your message, leaving the audience with a memorable takeaway.
2. Rough Outline
A rough outline is a preliminary version that helps you organize your thoughts. It may consist of:
Basic of Speech Outlines: Outline the structure of your speech, including the introduction, body, and conclusion.
Whole Speech: Draft a brief version of what you plan to say, focusing on the overall message without getting into full sentences.
Audience Members: Consider who will be listening and tailor your points accordingly to ensure engagement.
3. Full-Sentence Outline
A full-sentence outline provides a detailed framework for your speech. It should contain:
Entire Speech: Write out your speech in full sentences, ensuring clarity and completeness in your ideas.
Reader Success Stories: Include anecdotes or examples that illustrate your points and resonate with the audience.
Public Speech: Focus on how your ideas relate to public speaking, emphasizing the importance of effective communication.
4. Speaking Outline
The speaking outline is a concise reference for your delivery. It typically includes:
Organizational Tool: Use this outline to keep track of your main points and supporting details during your speech.
Organizational Pattern: Decide on the structure of your speech (e.g., chronological, topical) to enhance clarity.
Practice: Use the speaking outline to rehearse your delivery, ensuring you remain natural and engaging without reading verbatim.
5. Final Speech Outline
The final speech outline is what you will use on the day of your presentation. It should include:
Leadership Success: Highlight key points that demonstrate effective leadership and its impact on personal and professional growth.
Sales Success: Incorporate examples of successful sales techniques or strategies relevant to your audience.
Video: If applicable, note where you will include multimedia elements to enhance your presentation.
By utilizing these different types of outlines, you can effectively prepare and deliver a successful speech that resonates with your audience and achieves your communication goals.
Ada L. (Speech Writing)
Hi, I’m Ada L., a Speech Writer and Writing Coach with over 10 years of experience. I love helping people, from students to professionals, improve their writing and reach their goals. I write speeches on all kinds of topics, from history to science, and offer tips to make your writing clearer and more impactful. My coaching is personalized to fit your needs, ensuring you express your ideas with confidence and clarity. I’m all about providing honest, high-quality, and plagiarism-free work. Integrity is at the heart of everything I do.
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