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Boundless Communications
Communications Textbooks Boundless Communications
Communications Textbooks
Communications

Chapter 10

Organizing and Outlining the Speech

Book Version 5
By Boundless
Boundless Communications
Communications
by Boundless
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Section 1
Principles of Organization
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The Importance of Organization

Good organization is the key to effective communication because it helps make your ideas accessible to your audience.

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Critical Thinking

Learning how to think critically is a vital part of the organizational process of crafting an effective speech.

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Components of a Speech: Main Points, Introduction, Conclusion, and Transitions

A speech should have four components: the main points, introduction, conclusion, and transitions.

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Patterns of Organization: Informative, Persuasive, and Commemorative

The three main categories of speech are: informative, persuasive, and commemorative.

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Building a Speech: Starting with an Outline

The process of creating an outline can help speechwriters organize their main points and evidence.

Section 2
Main Points
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Choosing the Main Points

The needs, interests, and expertise of the audience should be the central consideration in choosing main points.

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Ordering the Main Points

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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Highlighting the Main Points

If you want your audience to follow your main points, you should highlight them using visual and textual cues.

Section 3
Introduction
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The Role of the Introduction

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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Getting Attention and Interest

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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Establishing Credibility

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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Introducing the Topic, Thesis, and Main Points

Provide an overview of your topic, thesis, and main points early on to show your listeners why they should be interested in your speech.

Section 4
Conclusion
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The Role of the Conclusion

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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Summarizing Ideas

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 Q&A

Signaling the end of your speech and managing a Q&A session afterwards are crucial steps to leaving your audience satisfied and informed.

Section 5
Transitions
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The Role of Transitions

Transitions allow your audience to follow your presentation; they help maintain the flow of a speech.

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Types of Transitions

Various types of transactions include: transitional phrases, internal previews, internal summaries, and signposts.

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Using Transitions

When using transitions, pair them with body language to make them even more effective.

Section 6
Outlining
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Reasons to Outline

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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The Preparation Outline

As its name suggests, a preparation outline helps you lay out the main topics and sub-points of your speech.

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The Speaking Outline

Speaking outlines help presenters with the timing, pacing, and overall delivery of the speech.

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The Rough Draft Outline

Rough draft outlines serve as a precursor to the speech's rough draft and help organize the speakers' ideas into a cohesive topic.

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Boundless Communications by Boundless
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Chapter 9
Supporting Your Ideas
  • Deploying Supporting Materials
  • Using Examples
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Chapter 10
Organizing and Outlining the Speech
  • Principles of Organization
  • Main Points
  • Introduction
  • Conclusion
  • Transitions
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Wording the Speech
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