Real Communication An Introduction

370 Part 4  Public Speaking

of coordinating subpoints, each carrying equal weight, as well as sub-subpoints

that carry less weight. The resulting structure reflects a pyramidlike hierarchy

of ideas: a foundation of many sub-subpoints supports a structure of fewer but

larger subpoints, which in turn supports a few main points, which together

support the thesis statement and ultimately your specific purpose. This struc-

tural hierarchy of points, depicted in Figure 13.1, ensures that you’ve presented

a coherent and sturdy argument in support of your thesis and specific purpose.

Later in the chapter, we’ll show you how to use an outline to detail this hierar-

chy of points in a text format, but next we’ll consider helpful ways to arrange

your points.

Arranging Your Points

Think about creating a Facebook photo album of your recent trip to Europe.

How would you arrange all of your pictures? You could work chronologically,

simply uploading individual photos to one album in the order in which they

were taken. Alternatively, you might arrange them by topic with separate albums

for specific cities or countries visited or by types of activities (like one album for

historical sites visited and another album for silly photos with friends).

You have similar options when preparing a speech. During the process of

sorting out your main points and subpoints, you are taking the initial step of

arranging your ideas in some sequence. Here are some common arrangements,

or patterns, to consider.

Chronological Pattern

Often it makes sense to organize your points according to time: what happened

first, second, and so on. A chronological pattern presents the main points

of a message forward (or backward) in a systematic, time-related fashion. For

example, you might use a chronological presentation when speaking about

the development of Picasso’s style over the course of his life. A chronological

THESIS STATEMENT

Main Point 1

Subpoint 1 Subpoint 2 Subpoint 3

Sub-subpoints

FIGURE 13.1

HIERARCHY OF

POINTSNote how many

sub-subpoints support a

smaller number of subpoints.

Each subpoint supports the

main point. And the main

point supports your thesis.

Organizing your main points

and subpoints for a speech

may seem overwhelming,

but you’ve likely done this

type of work before. Good,

clear writing—whether

an academic paper or an

important letter—requires

similar organization. Think of

a particular piece of writing

you were nervous about—a

term paper or a private mes-

sage to a potential romantic

partner. What was the pur-

pose of your writing? How

did you go about organizing

your main points?

AND YOU?