THE SPEECH OF INTRODUCTION
and The One-Point Speech
The One-Point Speech
A common first speaking assignment is the one-point speech, in which the speaker’s task is to establish only one main
idea (the thesis). This type of speech requires a thesis that is clear and simple, and it is developed as follows:
Introduction
1. Wake up!
2. This concerns you.
3. Generally speaking
Body
4. For example
Conclusion
5. So what?
Introduction
As indicated, the first three steps enact the introduction to the speech. "Wake up!" is the device to get the audience’s
attention, such as an interesting story, a startling statistic, or an unexpected fact. "This concerns you" shows listeners
how the topic relates to them; it gives them reason to pay attention and to take the speech seriously. "Generally
speaking" states the thesis of the speech and forms a natural transition to the body of the speech.
Body
"For example" develops the thesis by presenting whatever supporting materials are needed to support the claims in the
thesis—experiences, stories, facts, and opinions, arranged in whichever order is most effective.
Conclusion
Finally, "So what?" signals the twofold function of the conclusion: drawing together the important ideas of the speech
and making a final lasting impression on the audience. Answering "So what?" points out what the supporting material
leads to and gives listeners cues about what they should believe or do.
The Speech of Introduction
You can easily adapt the structure of the one-point speech to a speech of introduction if you avoid reciting all the details
of the person’s biography. Such a recitation would have no central theme; besides lacking a sense of unity, the speech
would be dull. Instead, select a key aspect of the individual’s experience, and devise your thesis from that. Then follow
the structure of the one-point speech.
Introduction
For example, you might open with a statement such as "Unlike most of us, John Patterson has never lived out of this
town." The contrast between John and his classmates should capture the audience’s attention and interest. This achieves
the "Wake up!" function of the one-point speech.
Your next statement might be, "John’s experience can give us insight into the sense of roots that many of our ancestors
had but most of us lack today." This identifies how you will make John’s experience relevant to the audience, fulfilling
the "This concerns you" step in the one-point speech. Then you might state the thesis: "This town is so much a part of
John’s identity that he cannot imagine himself apart from it." This step matches "Generally speaking" in the one-point
speech. It both states the idea that you intend to establish and provides a natural transition to the body of the speech.
Body
The next step is to support this thesis. You might do it by referring to key events in John’s life that are closely identified
with the town: growing up where everyone knew everyone else, participating in parades and celebrations, living in the
same house that he occupied as a baby, and watching things change around him as others moved into or out of town.
These experiences are the supporting material, corresponding to "For example" in the one-point speech. Decide which
order to present them in and how much detail to provide.
Conclusion
Finally, conclude by answering the implicit question "So what?" You might say something like, "So, the next time you
read statistics about how often people move, or the next time you think about how many careers you might have during
your life, remember that some people choose to nurture their roots where they stand. John Patterson is a thriving
example."
Outlining Your Speech
Sometimes speakers read a speech, word for word, from a fully written manuscript. This approach may actually hinder
your communication with the audience. On the other hand, neither is it a good idea to speak impromptu—without
preparation, trusting that a flash of inspiration will strike you as you speak. Most successful speakers aim for middle
ground with an extemporaneous speech, meaning that they have a clear sense of the main ideas and how to organize
them, but they have not planned the speech in advance word for word. In speaking extemporaneously, an outline of the
speech is a tremendous help. In fact, two outlines are even more helpful: a preparation outline and a presentation outline.
PREPARATION OUTLINE
Begin developing your speech with a preparation outline, which is more complete than the outline you will use when
presenting the speech. The preparation outline helps you to identify your main ideas and to organize them sensibly, and it
lists supporting materials and how you will use them. Write complete sentences as in this partial example below.
Thesis: John has a clear sense of his roots.
Support
A. He still lives in the same house in which he grew up.
B. He marched in the Fourth of July parade every year.
C. He has never wanted to go anywhere else.
The rest of the speech would be outlined similarly.
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Although the preparation outline is valuable in developing the speech, your interaction with the audience will be limited
if you are busy reading a complete-sentence outline point by point. Instead, prepare a very brief outline of key words that
will jog your memory and remind you of what comes next. You will use this presentation outline during the actual
speech. Here is the previous example reduced to a presentation outline
Main Idea: Sense of roots
Support
A. Same house
B. 4th of July
C. No desire to leave
Because you are familiar with the ideas of the speech, seeing the phrase "Same house" will remind you of the statement
you want to make about how John still lives in the room he occupied as a child and how that experience has affected his
perspective on life. You probably can reduce the presentation outline to fit on index cards, which are easier to handle
than loose sheets of paper. For this speech, you may need only one index card.

The Speech of Introduction As si gnment Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Write down some questions you might ask during your interview.
Interview a classmate with the purpose of getting enough information to write a 1 to 3-minute Speech of
Introduction.
Write a Preparation Outline to be turned in before you speak in front of the class.
Prepare a Presentation Outline of your speech on one or more index cards.
Practice the Speech and time it. Write down the final timing of your speech.
Turn in your Speech of Introduction Assignment Sheet and then give your speech in front of the class.
Turn in your index card(s).
The Speech of Introduction As si gnment Sheet
Who will you introduce? ____________________
Your Name ________________________ Per___
Interview Questions
1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
4.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Preparation Outline
Introduction
Final Timing of Speech (1:00 -- 3:00) ___:_____
1. Wake up!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. This concerns you.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Generally speaking
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Body
4. For example
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion
5. So what?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Speech of Introduction Rubric
Great Job!
Preparation
Organization
Presentation
Content
Points
Total Points _____/ 40
Good Work!
Needs Work
Volume, pacing & pitch
are good  Good eye
contact.
Subject’s name used many
times  Complete
introduction  Good
support for thesis  Strong
conclusion
4 interview questions 
Preparation Outline is
mostly complete and
written in sentences 
Presentation Outline not
on index card.
Mostly follows 1-Point
Speech format  Speech
within 15 seconds of time
limit
Volume, pacing & pitch
are adequate  Frequent
eye contact.
Subject’s name used more
than once  Mostly
complete introduction 
Adequate support for
thesis  Conclusion
3 interview questions 
Preparation Outline is
incomplete and/or not
written in sentences 
Presentation Outline
incomplete
Missing parts of 1-Point
Speech format  Speech
within 30 seconds of time
limit
Volume, pacing or pitch
are lacking  Infrequent
eye contact.
Subject’s name used once
 Incomplete introduction
 Some support for thesis
 Partial Conclusion.
____ X 10 =
____ X 9 =
____ X 7 =
At least 5 interview
questions  Preparation
Outline is complete and
written in sentences 
Presentation Outline on
index card.
Follows 1-Point Speech
format  Speech within
time limit
Needs Effort
2 or fewer interview
questions  Preparation
Outline is mostly
incomplete or missing 
No Presentation Outline
Does not follow 1-Point
Speech format  Speech
more than 45 seconds off
time limit
Volume, pacing & pitch
are poor  Little or no eye
contact.
Subject’s name used at
most once  Incomplete
or missing introduction 
Little support for thesis 
Partial or no Conclusion.
____ X 6 =