1. Chapter 13
Organizing, Writing,
and Outlining
Presentations

2. • Organize and support your main
points
• Choose an appropriate
organizational pattern for your
speech
• Move smoothly from point to point
• Choose appropriate and powerful
language
Chapter Outcomes

3. Chapter Outcomes
(cont.)
• Develop a strong introduction, a
crucial part of all speeches
• Conclude with the same strength as
in the introduction
• Prepare an effective outline

4. Organizing Your
Speech Points
• Main points are…
– The central claims that support your
specific purpose and thesis statement
– Ideas that will lead the audience to
accept or consider what you are asking
them to do, believe, or consider

5. Organizing Your
Speech Points (cont.)
• Identifying Your Main Points
– Include about 3-4 per speech.
– Each main point should be one major
idea.
– Ask yourself:
• Does this point prove my thesis?
• Does it help me achieve my specific
purpose?

6. Organizing Your
Speech Points (cont.)
• Supporting Your Main Points
– Subpoints support the main points.
• Represent a clear hierarchy of ideas
– Ask yourself:
• Does this bit of information back up my main
point?
– Sub-subpoints support the subpoints.

7. Organizing Your
Speech Points (cont.)
• Supporting Your Main Points (cont.)

8. Organizing Your
Speech Points (cont.)
• Arranging Your Points
– Chronological patterns organize
points by time.
– Topical patterns organize points by
category.
• Primacy-recency effect: save the best
for last
– Spatial patterns organize points by
proximity to each other.

9. Organizing Your
Speech Points (cont.)
• Arranging Your Points (cont.)
– Problem-solution patterns arrange
three key points:
• problem, possible solutions, best solution
– Cause-effect patterns follow cause-to-
effect or effect-to-cause relationships.
– Narrative patterns arrange points
using stories.

10. Organizing Your
Speech Points (cont.)
• Arranging Your Points (cont.)
– Motivated sequence patterns follow
five phases:
• Attention
• Need
• Satisfaction
• Visualization
• Action

11. Organizing Your
Speech Points (cont.)
• Connecting Your Points
– Use transitions such as “in addition
to” or “next, let me describe.”
– Use signposts such as “next,” “once,”
“on the other hand.”
– Use internal previews to show
what’s coming.
– Use internal summaries to remind
the audience of what’s been covered.

12. Using Language That
Works
• Respect your audience.
• Keep it simple.
• Use vivid language.
• Use language to make a
lasting impression through
– Repetition
– Allusion
– Comparisons (similes, metaphors)

13. Writing a Strong
Introduction
• Capture your audience’s attention
by...
– Using surprise
– Telling a story
– Starting with a quote
– Asking a question
– Making them laugh

14. Writing a Strong
Introduction (cont.)
• Introduce Your Purpose and Topic
– Incorporate your thesis statement.
• Preview Your Main Points
– Tell listeners the points you will discuss in
the order in which you will discuss them.
• Connect with Your Audience
– Show them why they should care.
– Appeal to their personal needs.

15. Writing a Strong
Conclusion
• Signal the End
– Use a transitional phrase.
• Reinforce Your Topic, Purpose, and
Main Points
– Give listeners a mental check-list.

16. Writing a Strong
Conclusion (cont.)
• Make an Impact
– Use quotes, statements, questions, or a
final story.
• Challenge the Audience to Respond
– Encourage them to use their “new”
information.
– Encourage a call to action where
appropriate.

17. Outlining Your Speech
• An outline is a structured form of
your speech content that...
– Confirms your points are arranged
clearly
– Ensures you’ve cited your research
– Assists you in your delivery

18. Outlining Your Speech
(cont.)
• Outlining Essentials
– Use standard symbols.
– Use subdivisions properly.
– Separate the parts of your speech.
– Call out your specific purpose and thesis.
– Cite your sources.
– Give your speech a title.

19. Outlining Your Speech
(cont.)
• Styles of Outlines
– Sentence outlines use the full text of
your speech.
– Phrase outlines use key phrases.
• Key-word outlines use key words to jog
your memory.
• Phrase / Key-word are best for speaking
outlines

20. Outlining Your Speech
(cont.)
• From Preparation Outline to
Speaking Outline
– Preparation (working) outline:
• Firms up thesis, creates main points and
supporting points
– Speaking (delivery) outline:
• Final speech plan; includes delivery cues,
oral citations