Ms Verma
Speech to Inform
The Problem-Solution Outline
A. First, identify the problem and your proposition.
 Explain why this is a problem worth addressing, how it may affect the
audience, why they should care about it.
 Use a hook opening to grab the audience’s attention and alert them to the
importance of this problem: give an anecdote, have them imagine a scenario,
bring in an object or images, ask them questions, etc. Involve the audience
directly into the problem.
 State your proposition—avoid all the common mistakes (it’s not futile, it
doesn’t assume, it isn’t ambiguous, it doesn’t contain more than one central
idea).
B. Discuss the history of the problem, the causes of the problem.
 Do thorough research on credible and official websites. For example, if it’s a
medical issue, look up information from the American Medical Association
(AMA), NOT blogs or Yahoo articles, etc.
 Get statistics and quotes only from credible research institutes, specialized
magazines and journals related to your topic, educated and established experts
with authority on this topic.
 Share the appropriate combination of facts, testimonials, narratives,
comparisons, examples, etc. to educate your audience.
 You must use a minimum of THREE pre-approved credible sources presented
in an official Annotated Bibliography (more info later).
C. Suggest 2-3 other possible solutions (propositions) other than your own.
 What are common solutions that have been tried or implemented to solve this
problem in the past or currently (in other states, countries, etc)?
 While explaining the other propositions, be fair, thorough, accurate and
respectful. Let the audience know that you have credibility—they can believe
you—you are not relying on misinformation, evasion and manipulation.
 Respectfully explain the weaknesses in the other propositions.
D. Present the “Best” Proposition—your proposition.
 Explain what your proposition offers that other propositions do not.
 Address other problems that your proposition/solution might cause indirectly;
explain why these other problems shouldn’t stop people from believing in this
proposition.
 Conclude by summarizing your main points, reinforcing your proposition and
end with a motivating call to action. What can the audience do themselves to
help remedy this problem, to help put this proposition into motion?