lastname
TITLE:
This would normally also appear on your cover slide.
AUDIENCE:
Who is your audience? Analysis of the non-expert audience, its knowledge of the
subject, attitude and expectations with respect to your topic. Do they agree that
there is a real need to change?
RELEVANCE
It is common knowledge that people resist change. Why is it important for your
audience to make the change that you are proposing? What is it in the audience’s
current working practices that is problematic and would be made easier/ more
effective using solution?
SPECIFIC PURPOSE:
CLAIM (Thesis):
PATTERN
Is your purpose to convince your audience to take action? Are you suggesting an
approach to a problem? Recommending a plan of action? or Promoting a particular
viewpoint?
What are you claiming that is true/false or would be better/worse using your proposed
solution/strategy? This claim is usually stated at the end of your presentation in the
conclusion (e.g., Option A is the best solution to client X’s problem of… because it…).
Which of the following patterns do you intend to use? (1) Recommending an option, (2)
recommending an option, (3) statement-of-logical-reasons,
(4) problem-solution, (5) comparative advantages, (6) requirement-satisfaction, or (7)
“straw man” pattern.
INTRODUCTION
Capture audience’s attention: (Why is your topic relevant or important for the client? What is the
client’s current situation? What problems have resulted from their current practices?)
Establish credibility: (Who am I? Why should they believe me?)
Purpose: (What solution are you presenting that will help the client to overcome/avoid their problem?)
Overview: (How have you divided up your talk? Briefly list your main topic areas: 1, 2, 3)
(Transition phrase: previewing your first main point)
BODY
1. FIRST TOPIC AREA
A. Sub-topic one
 sub-item
B. Subtopic two
 sub-item
(Transition phrase: Restate-forecast)
2. SECOND TOPIC AREA
A. Sub-topic one
 sub-item
 sub-item
(Transition phrase: Restate-forecast)
3. THIRD TOPIC AREA
A. Sub-topic one
B. Sub-topic two
(Transition phrase: signal move to the conclusion)
CONCLUSION
Summarize the main points: (What has the audience learned today about each of your topic areas?)
Recommend one option: (Which option is best? Why is it the best choice?)
Encourage action: (Suggest steps for implementing this new solution)
Return to the client’s problem or need: (How will the listeners’ world be changed by your solution?)
Encourage questions: (Show that you are interested in hearing your listeners’ questions)
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