SPEECH ORGANIZATION
Selecting a topic

Subject - a broad area of knowledge

Topic- some specific aspect of a subject
Identifying subjects

What a subject areas are important to you?

What subject areas you know something about?

Setting the location and occasion for a speech

General goal- type of speech

Specific goal- a complete sentence that specifies the
exact response you want from the audience.

Thesis Statement- a sentence that outline the specific
elements of the speech that support your goal.

Topic Order- Organizing the main points of the
speech by categories or divisions of a subject.

Time/chronological Order – organizing main pts,
as a sequence of ideas or events, focusing on
what comes first, second, third.

Space Order – Organizing main pts. By following
a spatial or geographic progression.

Logical reasons order – organizing main pts.
With statements that indicate why the audience
should believe something or behave in a
particular way.
Goal of an Introduction

get attention

set off the tone of a speech

create a bond of goodwill

establish credibility

lead into content of speech
Types of introductions

startling statement

rhetorical questions

story

personal references

quote

suspense
Types of conclusions

Summary

Stories

Appeal to action- describes behaviors you
want your listeners to follow.

Emotional impact
Gathering Ideas and Materials
Common Organizational Problems
Taking Too Long to Get to the Point
Including Irrelevant Material
Leaving Out Necessary Information
Getting Ideas Mixed Up
Gathering Ideas and Materials
Sample Outline for an Effective Presentation
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter
B. Thesis
II. Body
A.
B. (no more than five main points)
C.
Etc.
III. Conclusion
A. Review
B. Closing statement
Organizing the Body
Identify Main Points and Subpoints
Choose the Best Organizational Pattern
Chronological
Spatial
Topical
Cause-Effect
Problem-Solution
Organizing the Body
Figure 11-2: A logic tree illustrates the relationship between the
thesis, main points, and subpoints.
Organizing the Body
Rules for Main Points
Main Points Should be Stated as Claims
All Points Should Develop the Thesis
A Presentation Should Contain No More
than Five Main Points
Each Main Point Should Contain Only
One Idea
Main Points Should be Parallel in
Structure Whenever Possible
Planning the Introduction
Functions of the Introduction
Capture the Listener’s Attention
Give Your Audience a Reason to Listen
Set the Proper Tone for the Topic and
Setting
Establish Your Qualifications
Introduce Your Thesis and Preview Your
Presentation
Planning the Introduction
Types of Opening Statements
Ask a Question
Tell a Story
Present a Quotation
Make a Startling Statement
Refer to the Audience
Refer to the Occasion
Use Humor
Planning the Conclusion
Functions of the Conclusion
The Review
The Closing Statement
Planning the Conclusion
Types of Closing Statements
Return to the Theme of Your
Opening Statement
Appeal for Action
End with a Challenge
Adding Transitions
Functions of Transitions
They Promote Clarity
They Emphasize Important Ideas
They Keep Listeners Interested
Adding Transitions
Characteristics of Effective Transitions
They Refer to Both Preceding and
Upcoming Ideas
A Bridge to Get Listeners From One
Point to Another