Organizing your speech:
connectives, introductions and
conclusions
1.
I. The first area in the recycling plant is the
collection room.
II. Beyond the collection room we come to the
sorting area.
III. Conveyer belts from the sorting area take like
materials to the processing facilities.
IV. From the processing facilities, the processed
raw materials are shipped to manufacturers.
2.
I. Recycling has its roots in pioneer culture.
II. Modern recycling efforts emerged in the 1970s
with the rise of environmentalism.
III. Today, recycling has become a multimillion
dollar industry.
3.
I. Communities are turning to municipal recycling
programs for various reasons.
II. The effects of municipal recycling programs
include reduced use of landfills and reduced
pollution.
4.
I. The United States faces a serious landfill crisis.
II. The United State’s landfill crisis can be met by
the adoption of mandatory recycling programs.
5.
I. One way to recycle is to reduce your use of
packaging.
II. Another way to recycle is to reuse materials
whenever possible.
III. A final way to recycle is to collect and turn in
used materials that can be remanufactured into new
material.
The key to making your speech
listener-friendly.
Transitions: move the audience quickly
from one main point or sub-point to the
next.
Increasing the amount of money spent on education is
only one part of the solution. The other part is to ensure that
the money is spent wisely.
Now that we have explored the ancient origins of astrology,
let us turn to its modern popularity.
So much for the present; what about the future?
We have spent a lot of time talking about the problem.
It’s time now to discuss the solution.
In discussing how Asian Americans have been
stereo-typed in the mass media, we’ll look first at
the origins of the problem and second at its
continuing impact today.
As we look at America’s deteriorating public works
system, we shall deal first with our streets and
highways, second with our bridges, and third with
our water systems.
[Transition]: Now that we have seen how serious
the problem of faulty credit reports is, let’s look at
some solutions. [Internal Preview]: I will focus
on three--instituting tighter government
regulation of credit bureaus, holding credit
bureaus financially responsible for their errors,
and giving individuals easier access to their
credit reports.
In short, palm reading is an ancient art. Developed
in China more than five thousand years ago, it was
practiced in classical Greece and Rome, flourished
during the Middle Ages, survived the Industrial
Revolution, and remains popular today.
[Internal Summary]: Let’s pause for a moment to
recapitulate what we have found so far. First, we
have seen that America’s criminal justice system
does not effectively deter crime. Second, we have
seen that prison programs to rehabilitate criminals
have failed miserably. [Transition]: We are now
ready to explore solutions to these problems.
SIGNPOSTS CAN BE:
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Numbers: “first”, “second”, “third”
Other signals: “next”, “finally”
Underscoring: “The most important thing to
remember,” “Above all”, “Let me repeat,” “This will
be on the exam”
I.
Booker T. Washington is best known for
founding the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
A. The growth of Tuskegee under Washington’s guidance
was nothing short of phenomenal.
B. Today, Tuskegee remains a leader in applied research
and practical education.
II.
Booker T. Washington was also known as one
the ablest speakers in American History
A. All told, Washington delivered some 4,000 public
speeches during his 30 year career.
B. Washington’s most famous speech is his “Atlanta
Exposition Address” of 1895.
I. Booker T. Washington is best known for founding the Tuskegee
Institute in Alabama.
TRANSITION: “Washington’s legacy lives on not only in
the institution he founded, but also in the speeches he
gave throughout his career.”
II. Booker T. Washington was also known as one the ablest speakers
in American History
A. All told, Washington delivered some 4,000 public speeches during
his 30 year career.
TRANSITION: “Though he gave many speeches in many
places, his most influential was the “Atlanta Exposition
Address” delivered in1895.”
B. Washington’s most famous speech is his “Atlanta Exposition
Address” of 1895.
INTERNAL PREVIEW: “The speech is still interesting
because it contains the heart of Washington’s political
and economic policy and because it continues to provoke
controversy.”
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Credibility and Goodwill
Attention and Interest
Relate to Audience
Reveal Topic
Preview the Body
Typical order in a speech: Attention and
Relate to Audience, Reveal Topic,
Credibility, Preview
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Attention:

Relating to Audience:

Topic revealed:

Credibility:
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Preview:
◦ recreation of move in scene, curiosity is aroused
with the insertion of wind chimes.
◦ dorm scene; “college students like us;” vocabulary
of “you” and “our”
◦ “all because of feng shui.” More important, the
topic is defined.
◦ personal experience; mom as resource; cited a
source; claim “I decided to research this topic
some more on my own.”
◦ clearly signals two main points.
A six-year old collie lay battered and helpless by
the side of the road. The car that hit her had
broken her pelvis, dislocated her hip, and smashed
her jaw. It had also blinded her, and she
whimpered in pain and fear.
Unfortunately, this true story happens much too
frequently because of the growing problem of pet
overpopulation. Having grown up on a farm with
animals of all kinds, I care deeply about their
welfare, and I have become aware through my
veterinary courses how serious the problem of pet
overpopulation is.
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signal the end
◦ verbally
◦ non-verbally

reinforce the central idea
◦ summary
◦ dramatic statement
◦ reference back to the introduction
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In conclusion, we have taken a look at one of
China’s most time-honored traditions. We’ve
seen what feng shui is and then put this ancient
art into practice. Although we looked at how feng
shui works in a typical dorm room, you can apply
the principles of feng shui to your home, office,
or apartment.
Now as I walk into my dorm room, I no longer
cringe at those wind chimes’ loud clanging or
avoid touching them at all costs. Instead I swing
the door right into them and smile. It may be
noisy, but it sure is good chi.
Now you know about the problem of pet
overpopulation. Together we can make a
difference. Any questions?
Christopher Anderson and
Brian Burmeister
 Can
you hear the structure?
 Can you hear all the parts of the
Introduction?
 Can you hear all the parts of the
Conclusion?
 Can you see how the visual aids are
used?
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Specific Purpose: To inform my audience
about the uses of insects in our diet.
Central Idea: Insects have been, are and will
continue to grow as an important part of the
human diet because of their nutritional value.
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Taylor’s and Brandie’s sections: Relating to
and engaging the audience
Katie’s and Joe’s sections: Structure—main
points and connectives
Dave’s and Stuart’s sections: Support
materials
Valerie’s section: Delivery comments
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Christopher’s sections: Relating to and
engaging the audience
Eric’s and Brian’s sections: Structure—main
points and connectives
Dave’s and Stuart’s sections: Support
materials
Brandie’s sections: Delivery comments
I. Insects are already a part of our daily diet.
II. Insects have been used by humans
throughout history as a food source.
III. Insects have impressive nutritional value.
IV. Insects are likely to become a greater part
of our diet in the future.
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Good organization is linked to audience
comprehension of your message.
Good organization is linked to retention of
your message.
Good organization is linked to the audience’s
ability to use your information.
Good organization improves your credibility
and persuasiveness.

What?
◦ Create a recording of a
book for the Iowa
Department of the Blind
(IDB)

Where?
◦ Will require multiple trips
to the temporary IDB
studio in Ankeny
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Process:
◦ Get info from the website
◦ Audition on campus
◦ Schedule with the IDB
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Make a difference
◦ Give access to literature
that won’t be available to
someone otherwise
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Practice your skills
◦ Narration is an opportunity
to work on vocal delivery
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Take control of your
work
◦ Substitute this project for
the special occ. speech
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Go online to get more info
◦ www.public.iastate.edu/~aslagell or through the
link on the 212 lecture notes site.
Schedule an audition appointment Sept. 12-21.
Limited to about a dozen successful students
Meet in Labs Friday
Informative Speech Topic
Forms Due on WebCT