Outlining
There are two types of Outlines that you should develop for your presentation:
1. Preparation Outline – Is a detailed outline that helps you develop your
presentation.
2. Presentation Outline – An outline that you use while you present. It
includes your message and your presentational cues.
Preparation Outline Tips:
 State the Purpose and Specific Purpose of your Speech.
o Purpose: Inform, Persuade, Entertain/Honor.
o Specific Purpose: What do you hope to accomplish?
 Label each section of your presentation:
o Introduction
o Body
o Conclusion
o Connectives (Transitions, Internal Previews, Internal Summaries,
Signposts)
 Use a consistent pattern so you can easily identify your introduction, main
points, sub-points, supporting evidence, connectives and conclusion.
 Your preparation outline should include full sentences for your main
points, sub-points and supporting evidence. As you prepare your
presentation outline you can easily determine what information to edit.
 Include a Bibliography.
Presentation Outline Tips:
 Label each section of your presentation:
o Introduction
o Body
o Conclusion
o Connectives (Transitions, Internal Previews, Internal Summaries,
Signposts)
 Use a consistent pattern so you can easily identify your introduction, main
points, sub-points, supporting evidence, connectives and conclusion.
 Be brief! Only include the words that you will need to refer to.
 Make sure that your outline is easy to refer to. Increase the font or use
colors if it makes it easier for you to see.
 Include presentation cues! Examples:
o Smile at the audience.
o Look up at the audience.
o Look at all sides of the room.
o Use hand gestures to refer to the presentational aid.
o Increase volume.
 Include the source information so you are ready to cite your sources when
you present your supporting evidence.
Presentation Outline
Name
Date
Class
Instructor
I.
Introduction
A. Attention Getter:
B. Statement to Establish Credibility:
C. Statement to Establish Rapport:
D. Value Statement:
E. Preview of your Main Points:
Transition to Main Point #1:
II. Body
1. Main Point #1:
A. Sub-Point #1:
1. Supporting Evidence:
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Sub-Point.
B. Sub-Point #2:
1. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Presentation Outline
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Sub-Point.
C. Sub-Point #3:
1. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Main Point.
2.
Main Point #2:
A. Sub-Point #1:
1. Supporting Evidence:
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Sub-Point.
B. Sub-Point #2:
1. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
Presentation Outline
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Sub-Point.
C. Sub-Point #3:
1. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Main Point.
3.
Main Point #3:
A. Sub-Point #1:
1. Supporting Evidence:
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Sub-Point.
B. Sub-Point #2:
Presentation Outline
1. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Sub-Point.
C. Sub-Point #3:
1. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
2. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
3. Supporting Evidence
Explanation on the connection between the Evidence, Sub-Point
and Main Point:
Connective: Transition/Preview/Summary to the next Main Point.
*Add additional Main Points only if needed.
III.
Conclusion
A. Transition to Conclusion:
B. Summary of Main Points:
C. Powerful Closing Statement:
Sources/Bibliography
Presentation Outline