Student Writing Handbook Fifth+Edition

Outlines / 281

STEP 1: Prewriting—Planning the Contents of the

Speech

Probably you must prepare a specific kind of speech: introductory, demonstrative,
informative, persuasive, and so on. No doubt you have suggestions for possible topics,
either from a textbook, from the instructor, or from the person who has asked you to
make the speech.

Use the same kinds of prewriting activities as you would for writing a paper. [See
Chapter 1, Prewriting, and refer to specific sections in Parts II and III.] When you have
developed lists of main and supporting ideas, you are ready to begin your outline.

STEP 2: Writing—Developing the Body of the Speech

As you prepare your outline, do not concern yourself with the introduction or con-
clusion. Think only about the main ideas of the speech.

List your main ideas on separate note cards. Arrange them in order but, for the pres-
ent, omit number or letter designations. On each card, under the main idea, list the
supporting points you want to include. Use the indented form. When you have listed
all the necessary supporting details, arrange them in order. Finally, when you feel
satisfied with the content and organization, add number and letter designations.

STEP 3: Writing—Forming the Introduction and

Conclusion

Many speakers make an effort to memorize their opening and closing statements.
They believe that by so doing they can get into the speech smoothly and so proceed
extemporaneously. Likewise, rather than risk a rambling search for just the right
concluding words, they memorize the final sentence, and so they present a smooth,
concise end.

As a result, many speakers develop a special outline form that permits them to
include the introduction and conclusion. Here’s a sample format:

Title

Purpose: (A sentence here indicates the purpose of the speech, which may be, for
instance, to persuade the audience to vote for a specific candidate for class
office. Think of this sentence as a thesis sentence for a speech.)
I. Introduction: (The introductory sentences appear here, written out word
for word.)