Chapter 10
Organizing and Outlining the Speech
By Boundless
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Good organization is the key to effective communication because it helps make your ideas accessible to your audience.
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Learning how to think critically is a vital part of the organizational process of crafting an effective speech.
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A speech should have four components: the main points, introduction, conclusion, and transitions.
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The three main categories of speech are: informative, persuasive, and commemorative.
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The process of creating an outline can help speechwriters organize their main points and evidence.
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The needs, interests, and expertise of the audience should be the central consideration in choosing main points.
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There are 9 different ways to organize your speech and the type of speech can help you decide which one is best to use.
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If you want your audience to follow your main points, you should highlight them using visual and textual cues.
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The introduction should convince the audience that your speech will be relevant and useful by providing a general overview of what's to come.
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In order to win the audience's attention and interest, write a dynamite opening and then give a quick overview of your speech.
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To establish credibility, public speakers should earn the audience's trust and respect by presenting themselves as authorities on the topic.
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Provide an overview of your topic, thesis, and main points early on to show your listeners why they should be interested in your speech.
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The conclusion of a speech functions as a summary of the most important points so that the audience can best remember them.
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Summaries succinctly communicate lengthy ideas; your conclusion is the perfect place to summarize the main points of your speech.
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Signaling the end of your speech and managing a Q&A session afterwards are crucial steps to leaving your audience satisfied and informed.
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Transitions allow your audience to follow your presentation; they help maintain the flow of a speech.
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Various types of transactions include: transitional phrases, internal previews, internal summaries, and signposts.
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When using transitions, pair them with body language to make them even more effective.
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Outlining is an important first step in speech-making; it allows you to ensure your speech flows smoothly and covers all your main points.
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As its name suggests, a preparation outline helps you lay out the main topics and sub-points of your speech.
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Speaking outlines help presenters with the timing, pacing, and overall delivery of the speech.
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Rough draft outlines serve as a precursor to the speech's rough draft and help organize the speakers' ideas into a cohesive topic.