Chapter 8: Organizing Your Message
Good organization is vital to a successful speech. Always keep in mind that you should focus on your audience, have a specific purpose, and construct a clear thesis statement. Organize the body of the speech before tackling the introduction or conclusion. Two to five main points should support the thesis statement. These points should have a parallel structure so that your audience can easily track your main points. Develop points by using subpoints and further support. There are several ways to organize the speech body: time, extended narrative, spatial, categorical, problem-solution, refutational, causal, motivated sequence, wave, spiral, star, or call and response. Use signposts as transitional statements to help your audience follow the organization of your speech. The introduction of the speech should have impact, focus on the thesis statement, connect with the audience, and preview the body of your speech. The conclusion to the speech should summarize the main points and close with impact. A formal outline is sometimes required of beginning speakers. Some instructors like to see a complete-sentence outline. Often times, notes on small cards and/or overhead transparencies are used when presenting a speech.
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