McGraw-Hill Public Speaking

• Preparing the speech
• Outlining your speech
• Documenting your speech
• Organizing your material
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Outlining crystallizes the organization of your main points and supporting points into a cohesive whole.  This phase refines the organization pattern you selected (topical, chronological, spatial, etc.) and the main points within that organization.

Work on the body of your speech first

Each main point should convey a single idea.  State the idea in a single sentence.  Review the sentence for connectors (such as "and") or multiple verbs that actually link two or more distinct ideas. Reword questionable sentences as two or more sentences.  Do the separate parts contain separate ideas for which you have distinct supporting material?  If so, the ideas should be presented as separate points. Whenever possible, use a parallel structure when stating your main points (for example:  the first step is, the second step is, the third step is, and so on). The ideas presented in your main points should be distinct from each other.

Balance the content presented for each main point.  You need to develop each of your main points.  If your outline is extremely unbalanced, two possibilities you should consider are:

1. A main point with many subpoints may encompass more than one idea.  You may need to break it into two main points.
2. A main point with too few subpoints may be a subpoint rather than a main point.   Move it below the appropriate main point.
3. A main point with too few subpoints requires additional research.

Supporting materials can consist of different types of evidence.  Facts and statistics from reliable sources provide strong support.  Examples and testimony also provide support.  A mixture of supporting materials can make your speech more interesting. 

Add connectives

A speech needs transitions between its main points or it will sound choppy.  A simple "first, second, third," connects the main points and indicates a relationship between them. However, not all content lends itself to such obvious transitions. Some common transition phrases include:

• Next, we will explore . . .
• In addition, . . .
• Now that we understand the problem, it's time . . .

Connectives make it easier for your audience to follow along with your speech.   They signal transition to your next main point.

Finish with your introduction and conclusion

Introductions. Introductions serve to capture the interest of your audience and preview your speech.  They also establish your credibility and goodwill. You can use several techniques to get the attention of the audience:

• Relate the topic to their lives or concerns
• Peak their curiosity with an interesting fact
• Ask a question
• Start your speech with a quote
• Startle them
• State the importance of your topic
• Relate an anecdote

You can use any of these methods to hook the audience and lead into your topic.   You must make a clear connection between your attention-getter and your topic to avoid confusion.

Your audience may wonder, especially if you are speaking on a technical subject, what your qualifications are.  Let the audience know the source of your expertise, whether it is solid research or education and experience in your field. 

If you are speaking on a controversial topic or perceived as the representative of a special interest group, you need to build goodwill with the audience.  To do so, you may need to present a reasonable, succinct case for your position that invites the audience to hear you out.