INFORMATIVE SPEECH OUTLINE TEMPLATE
When completing the final typed copy of your outline, remove all RED TEXT from this template
Name:_________________________________________Date: _________________________
Specific Purpose Statement:
Audience analysis/adaptation plan:
(Use the A.U.D.I.E.N.C.E Analysis template sheet to help develop this paragraph)
Credibility plan:
(Explain how you will exhibit your credibility throughout the speech; use the 4 C’s to develop your paragraph)
Visual aid plan:
(Use the suggestions from class and from Chapter 14 on using visual aids)
I.
Introduction (10-15% of total speaking time)
A. Attention-Getter: (STAR) (Your goal here is to provide “listener hunger” and hook us into your speech...) This part of the speech
helps us focus our attention on you and your message. It is suggested that you begin with a story, quote, statistic, definition, use of
suspense, etc. Never begin with, "Hi, I am _____ and today I am going to talk about ___.")
B. Credibility: (Here the speaker tells the audience why he or she is credible, can be trusted, knows the materials, etc. Explain how
you know about this subject-matter and/or why you are interested in this topic, etc.)
C. WIIFY/Audience connection;/listener relevance: (This step lets the audience know of your topic and how your topic will relate
to them—the WIIFM. Be specific about how this information benefits us)
D. Core message: (thesis sentence) (Try to state your core message in one sentence—this is your essential/key point of the entire speech.
The
core message is a general statement and the main ‘take-away’ for the listener; it lets the audience know what they will learn in the speech and/or
what you intend to “prove” in your speech)
E. Preview statement (this sets the agenda for the listener and asks you to distinctly list each main point of your speech--e.g., “Today I will
tell you about the following, first, ___________________, second _________________, lastly, ______________...
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Transition Sentence: (this statement moves your listeners into the body/main points of your speech –e.g., “now that you know the
agenda for this speech, let’s get to the first point…”)
II.
Body 75-80% of total speaking time (here is where you will apply your data support/ research material --use SAFEST [don’t forget to
parenthetically cite your sources within your outline)
A. Main Point #1: _____________________________________________________________ (One clear statement that tells
the audience what this section is about). Your main points are the key ideas of your speech. They are the ideas necessary in
supporting/proving/explaining your core message/thesis. They are "reasons why," or the primary elements of," etc… Most
informative speeches are organized into 2-5 main points. I included a space for two main points in this worksheet. However, feel
free to modify this format as you see necessary)
Source:
1. Subpoint #1: (The subpoints are the breakdown of the main point into smaller units. They are typically your examples,
stories, statistics, testimony, etc. In other words, the subpoints explain the main points. Tip: variety helps keep the
listener’s interest…so try to use one hard piece of fact or statistics, (logos) and another containing pathos, such as an
example or story, and then a piece of testimony/quote from an authority on the subject).
Source:
2. Subpoint #2:
Source:
Transition Sentence: into main point #2 – e.g., “Now that we have covered __________, let's discuss the next aspect of… “ (good
transitions need review your last point AND preview your next point. They show a connection and they are a good time to remind the
audience why this information is important.)
B. Main Point #2: __________________________________________________________________
Source:
1. Subpoint #1:
Source:
2. Subpoint #2:
Source:
Brakelight/Transition sentence into conclusion... (begins with brakelight transition to signal the end is near, e.g., "To sum things up…"
or something more creative.)
III. Conclusion 5-10% of total speaking time
A. Recap statement: (succinctly remind the audience of what you just covered; i.e., review/list the main points of the speech in the
order covered
B. Recall the core message: (remind us of your bottom-line purpose; you can also remind us of how you started the speech;
i.e., recall your attention-getter; tie-back to your introduction to create a cohesive, full-circle ending)
C. Reaffirm the WIIFM (tell us again how we benefit from knowing this and why your topic matters; show the connection between
you and the audience—in some speeches you can offer a challenge to your audience or call to action)
D. Reinforce/Clincher (drive home your core message with a strong, memorable clincher --never end on "that's it"… most
strategies used for the attention-getter can also be used for the clincher)
Annotated Bibliography
(Include a minimum of three credible and different sources. Use APA 6th edition for listing each source)