Sample Outline Using Problem-Cause-Solution Format
Adapted from a sample outline provided by marietta.edu
I. Introduction
A. (Attention Getter) (Narrative)Tammie Marie Delong is a loving mother. She wants more than
anything to be able to provide for her children in every aspect imaginable Tammie, however,
is unable to follow recipes, drive her children places, read them stories, or help them with
their homework. Why? Tammie does not know how to read. Tammie suffers from a learning
disability known as illiteracy (“Learning”).As a child, this disability went unnoticed, or in
several cases, ignored. Tammie struggled through school and barely graduated from high
school.
B. (Reason to Listen)All of us at one point or another have experienced academic frustration.
Try to imagine what it would be like if you could not read your assignments or tests.
(Statistic)This scenario is a reality for Tammie, the 923 million other Americans who suffer
from illiteracy, and the 40 million Americans over the age of 16 who have only rudimentary
reading and writing skills, which means they read and write below a fifth grade level
(Castle). Reading is a fundamental skill that many of us take for granted.
C. (Thesis) I hope to help you all realize when illiteracy does become a life-long disability,
several problems can occur.
D. Today, let’s discuss the problems associated with illiteracy, the causes of illiteracy, and
some of the solutions that are available to eradicate illiteracy.
II. Body
A. (Problems)The three main problems associated with illiteracy are an increased likelihood of
criminal behavior, difficulties in the workplace, and medical complications.
1. The first problem associated with illiteracy is its relationship to criminal acts
(Cassidy).
a. (Testimony)According to literacy experts, children with poor reading skills are more
likely to become criminals because it is difficult for them to succeed in school
(Cassidy).
i. (Example)This frustration leads students to turn to crime as a method of handling
their frustration (Cassidy).
ii. (Example) Students drop out of school, are unable to find jobs, and therefore
turn to crime as a means of making money (Cassidy).
b. (Statistic) Of the ten to fifteen percent of students who drop out of high school, over
seventy-five percent report difficulty in reading (Castle).
i. Studies show that fifty percent of all prison inmates and
individuals with criminal records are illiterate or functionally illiterate
(Cassidy).
ii. Seven out of ten prisoners do not possess basic reading and writing skills
(“Consortium”).’
2. The second problem associated with illiteracy is its negative impact on the
workforce.
a. The economy today demands high levels of literacy and technical skills.
i. Many adults do not have the skills necessary to find or keep jobs,
support their families or participate actively in civic life because of
their learning disability (Castle).
ii. Employers are hesitant to hire workers who can neither read nor write-and with good reason (Dilworth).
iii. Currently, 15 million adults holding jobs are functionally illiterate
(“Reading”).
3. Health illiteracy is another problem associated with illiteracy.
a. Health illiteracy occurs when patients can not read their prescriptions, correctly
fill out medical forms, or comprehend medical instructions (“Doctors”).
i. The AMA estimates that about 90 million Americans have difficulty
comprehending medical information and acting on it (“Doctors”).
ii. This includes not being able to read notices from school or office health
offices. Health illiteracy can be devastating, resulting in visits to the
emergency room, medical complications and even death (“Doctors”).
(Transition: Now that we understand some of the main problems associated with illiteracy, let’s
describe its causes.)
B. (Causes) Illiteracy may be caused or linked to families, learning disabilities or the media.
1. Parents are often the first cause of illiteracy in children (Glover).
a. Language and literacy skills of parents are critical to the development and school
performance of children (Glover).
b. The reading-readiness skills of a child in the first grade are provided by parents
during the first five years of life.
c. Children cannot learn to read from illiterate parents, and subsequently start
school behind their peers.
“I look at my seventeen year-old son and my twelve year-old daughter and I
i.
want to help them with their homework, but I can’t,” said one illiterate
woman (Glover).
ii. “My son was supposed to repeat the ninth grade for the third time this
year…He finally said he wanted to drop out…I see my handicap being passed
on to my son…and this is scary” (Glover).
2. Learning disabilities play a major role in the causes of illiteracy (“Learning”).
a. Often these disabilities go unnoticed or ignored, and therefore the children fall
behind in school and are never able to catch up.
b. Fifty to eighty percent of all adults affected by learning disorders received little
or no help growing up (“Learning”).
3. (Testimony) According to researchers, the impact of the media, especially TV, is
generally believed to be a significant factor in causing illiteracy (Glover).
a. The majority of television programming is designed for people at the mental age
of twelve (Glover).
b. Therefore, although the television might expand the horizons of younger
children, the programs might actually stunt the intellectual growth of older
children and adolescents (Glover).
(Transition: Now that we understand the problems and causes associated with illiteracy, let’s
explore the solutions that are available to help stop this devastating problem.)
C. Illiteracy is a problem that affects everyone and must be stopped.
1. There are several ways that you and I can help solve this problem.
a. Recognize the importance of literacy by encouraging individuals who are
illiterate to contact their local literacy foundation (“Learning”).
b. Become a tutor and volunteer your time to help struggling children become
better readers (“Learning”).
c. Become involved in a local literacy foundation or literacy program.
2. On a larger scale, state and local governments should be encouraged to continue
recognizing the problem and implementing changes (Castle).
a. Recently the “No Child Left Behind” Education Reform Law was enacted.
i.
This law includes a new early Reading First program, that will enhance
reading readiness for children ages three to five (Castle).
ii. This program will also help to ensure that every child knows how
to read by the end of third grade (Castle).
b. Former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, directed the donation of $31.5
million to the state of New York to establish 21,000 school libraries
(Goodnough).
III. Conclusion
A. (Review) Through my speech today, you are now aware of the problems associated with
illiteracy, the causes of illiteracy, and ways that you and I can help solve the problems.
B. (Tie Back to Attention Getter) Tammie, frustrated with not being able to read, decided to
enroll in a literacy program. She and her tutor focused on learning to read sources that
would help her parenting skills (“Learning”). Tammie studied the basics; she learned
pronunciation and reading and writing techniques. Tammie is now able to read at a fifth
grade level and is able to read bedtime stories to her children. With the help of her tutor,
Tammie was also able to pass her driver’s exam, once she was able to read the driver’s
manual (“Learning”).
C. (Reason to Remember)Though Tammie overcame her difficulty, she is just one of 90
million Americans suffering from illiteracy (“Learning”). Ninety million Americans can’t
read a story to a child, pass a driver’s test, or read instructions to bake a cake. Ninety
million Americans suffer from illiteracy.
D. (Final Plea) Artist Aleksei Radakov eloquently states (analogy) "The illiterate man is like
a blind man. Failure and misfortune lie in wait for him on all sides." Don't let failure
await another man, become a tutor or join a literacy program, and strive for solutions to
this debilitating problem.
Works Cited
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Jennings. World News Tonight ABC. 29 Mar. 2002. Lexis-Nexis. Dawes Memorial Lib.,
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Cassidy, Sarah. “Poor Reading Skills Make Life of Crime More Likely.” The
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2002 <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.
Castle, Michael. “Literacy Partnership that Works.” Capitol Hill. 8 Oct. 2002. Lexis-Nexis.
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“Consortium Targets ‘Get Ready For Life’ Campaign to Fight Low Literacy.”
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Dilworth, Thomas. “Employment Policies Institute.” Investor’s Business Daily. 13 Jan.
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“Doctors Stress Literacy as a Prescription for Good Health.” Dateline. Washington. 3
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Goodnough, Abby. “How to Make 21,000 Classroom Libraries.” The New York Times
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