COMM 1010: A GUIDE FOR OUTLINING YOUR SPEECH
(This document consists of three pages.)
Your outline must include all of the following elements in this order:
Audience and Occasion Analysis:
SPECIFIC GOAL: My audience will be informed about earthquake preparedness.
SPEAKER ETHOS: For the majority of my life I have lived in areas where earthquakes are
a common occurrence. I have experienced several major earthquakes in California and
Central America.
PATTERN OF ORGANIZATION: I’ve chosen the chronological pattern of organization
because is one of the most common uses for giving step by step instructions.
AUDIENCE ANALYSIS: We live in an area where major earthquakes are a real possibility,
but have not occurred in recent history. Thus, in the event of a major earthquake many
are unsure of what steps to take.
OCCASION ANALYSIS: This will be an informative discourse on what to do during an
earthquake.
Speech Outline:
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. Hook: It was a warm and sunny Tuesday afternoon. To be exact it was October the
17th 1989. Children were playing outside after a day at school, men and women were
making the long commute home. It was a special day for millions of people of people
across Northern California. The San Francisco Bay area’s 2 baseball teams were playing
against each other in the World Series; the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants.
Some people were able to make it home early from work to watch this once in a life
time event. As the two teams were warming up and the game was about to start…the
world suddenly changed. I remember that afternoon, I was young, but I remember it
vividly. The earth was moving below my feet, the walls were bouncing up and down,
there was screaming, there was confusion, and it felt like it lasted for an eternity. The
Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 was the first major earthquake that I experienced. It
lasted only 10 to 15 seconds, but thousands were injured, left homeless, and
tragically…63 people lost there lives. Here in Utah we live in an actively seismic region.
According to the Utah Geological Survey, major earthquakes occur on the Wasatch fault
every 350 years. So, how long ago did the last major earthquake occur? Well, about 350
years ago! So the likelihood of an earthquake occurring locally increases every day.
Today, were not going to concentrate on the gloom and doom scenarios of what could
happen if an earthquake strikes here in Utah. Instead we are going to take a proactive
approach. How can we prepare for the unexpected? How can we prepare for a major
earthquake?
B. I was only 8 years old when the earthquake occurred, but despite the commotion
and confusion, I knew exactly what to do as every school aged child in California does. I
ran for a doorway for protection. Every child that has attended school in California is
familiar with earthquake drills, and knows exactly what to do when one strikes. That
was the first earthquake I ever experienced, but by no means the last. I have lived in
several actively seismic areas throughout my life, including time I spent living abroad.
C. Thesis: Because an earthquake can occur at anytime, at any place, when least
expected, we all need to be prepared.
D. Preview: Well this afternoon I’m going to take you step by step though an
earthquake. We are going to examine three main objectives….
First, what should we do before an earthquake occurs to minimize our
vulnerability?
Second, what should we do during an earthquake to avoid injury?
Third, what steps should we take after an earthquake strikes, and what should
we expect in the aftermath?
II. BODY:
A. Let’s start with the first point…What should we do before an earthquake?
1. Check for hazards at home
a. Secure shelves, pictures, plasma television’s, bookcases, water heater, etc.
b. No heavy objects on walls where people sit or sleep
c. Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations… Check for cracked ceilings,
foundations, unreinforced masonry, vulnerable plumbing. Consult a contractor.
2. Identify safe places indoors and outdoors and make a plan
a. Analyze the rooms in your home…Look for sturdy furniture. Heavy desks,
tables..
b. Maintain an evacuation and reunion plan with family.
3. Have disaster supplies on hand
a. Flashlight, radio with batteries. (Where I lived no electricity for more than 2
weeks, depended on radio for information from the news)
b. First Aid Kit, cash, extra medication, fire extinguisher.
c. Emergency Food and Water. (After the Loma Prieta Earthquake, in our
community a trip to the grocery store took hours, long lines just to get in, limited
supplies. No water for close to two weeks.)
Well, now we have everything we need to be prepared for an earthquake. But how should we
react when one strikes? Well, it depends on the situation and where we are at.
2. So what should we do during an earthquake?
1. If we are inside a building.
a. Drop, Cover, Hold on.
b. Stay away from glass and windows.
c. Run to a doorway only if it is near and load bearing
d. Do not go outdoors! Example of 1933 earthquake in Long Beach. 120 killed
running outside, killed by wall collapsing outside building.
2. Safety outdoors
a. Move away from buildings, street lights and power lines.
b. Once in the open stay there until shaking stops
3. How to proceed to safety if you are in a vehicle
a. Stop as quickly and safely possible. Avoid stopping near bridges and buildings.
b. Once earthquake stops proceed, but be cautious with bridges and roads
possibly damaged.
Well, what a ride it has been! You made it, you survived. Now what should you do afterwards?
What can you expect?
C. What to do and expect after an earthquake
1. Expect aftershocks.
a. Usually less intense
b. Can cause additional damage
2. Inspect utilities
a. Check for gas leaks
b. Look for electrical system damage
3. Listen for instructions and help others.
a. Turn on radio for instructions and advisories.
b. Help injured elderly, people with special needs, infants.
III. CONCLUSION: As we discussed earlier, an earthquake can last only a few seconds, but
change lives forever. A major earthquake is a real possibility here on the Wasatch Front.
However, we don’t need to live in panic and fear. It is imperative that we take a proactive
approach and prepare now. By doing so we can reduce the risk of damage to our homes and
property, but most importantly we can protect our lives and those of our family. So now is the
time to prepare, because we never know when the big one will strike!
WORKS CITED:
Calin Ortin, Universe, When will Utah have an earthquake? March 23rd, 2011,
www.universe.byu.edu
Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, What to do
during and earthquake, August 11th 2010, www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake
Southern California Earthquake Center at USC, Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety, July, 1st ,2009,
www.earthquakecountry.info