The Organization of a Speech
Title: Down Syndrome
General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience……about Down syndrome
Introduction
I. Attention Getter/Listener-Relevance Link/Speaker Credibility: Take a moment and think
about which Alabama football coach had an impact on the Special Needs community in
Tuscaloosa. The coach that had an impact is Gene Stallings. According to the book Another
Season by Gene Stallings, he and his wife had a son with Down syndrome named Johnny.
II. Preview of Points: Today, we will discuss what Down syndrome is, the characteristics of
Down syndrome, and how it is to live with someone that has Down syndrome.
Body
I. First, let’s discuss what Down syndrome is.
A. According to the webpage titled “What is Down syndrome” on the National Down
Syndrome Society website, Down syndrome is a genetic mutation where there is an extra or
partial copy of Chromosome 21, which alters the course of development. There are three types
of Down syndrome. They are Trisomy 21, which is the most common, Mosaicism, which
accounts for only one percent of Down syndrome cases, and Translocation, which accounts for
only four percent of Down syndrome cases.
B. The same source states that one in every 691 babies in the US are born with Down
syndrome, making it the most common genetic condition. Approximately 400,000 Americans
have Down syndrome today.
II. Now that we know more about what Down syndrome is, let’s examine the characteristics of
Down syndrome.
A. There are many distinct characteristics of Down syndrome, according to
“Understanding Down syndrome” webpage on the webmd.com website.
B. The source states that characteristics of Down syndrome include low muscle tone, flat
facial features, a small nose, an upward slant to the eyes, abnormally shaped ears, single deep
crease across the center of the palm, extra space between the big toe and the second toe, an
enlarged tongue that tends to stick out, and hypermobility.
C. According to the Medical Dictionary webpage on thefreedictionary.com website,
hypermobility is where joints have an unusual range of flexibility.
C. According to the “Health and Medical Issues” webpage on the Down syndrome
Education International website, people with Down syndrome commonly have respiratory
infections, heart defects, increased risk of Leukemia, Thyroid disorders, hearing problems, vision
problems, and sleep issues.
III. Finally, after learning what Down syndrome is and the characteristics are, let’s discuss how
it is to live with someone who has it.
A. According to the article “Living with Down syndrome” by Sue Buckley on the Down
Syndrome Organization website, kids and adults with Down syndrome are just like us. They
want to be treated the same as others in their age group. They have strengths and weaknesses
like everyone else.
B. The same source states that they may have additional health and educational needs.
However, due to advances in integrating individuals with Down syndrome in society and
community organizations such as schools, health care systems, work forces, and social and
recreational activities, individuals with Down syndrome and their families can live happy,
productive lives in their community. Also, due to the advances in technology, individuals with
Down syndrome are experiencing longer and healthier lives.
C. I know and agree with these facts because of my experiences. I have a little sister that
has Down syndrome and she is a blessing to my family and me. Her name is Kaitlyn. She is
fourteen years old and attends Hillcrest Middle School. She has many of the characteristics that
we discussed earlier. The major medical issue was a heart defect when she was born, which was
corrected with surgery when she was four months old. Now, she is a rambunctious teenager who
wins the heart of every one she comes in contact with.
Conclusion
I. Review of Points: In conclusion, we have discussed what Down syndrome is, the
characteristics of Down syndrome, and how it is to live with someone that has Down syndrome.
II. Clincher: Think back to Coach Gene Stallings and how his son, Johnny, became a valuable
part of his family, community, and his father’s career. Hopefully, with this information, when
you see an individual with Down syndrome, you will see their abilities, not their disabilities.