Outlining and Organizing
 Topic
– or title
 General purpose: to inform, persuade,
demonstrate etc.
 Specific purpose:
 Thesis:
 Main points:
SPECIFIC PURPOSE:
To show my audience, through a series of easy
steps, how to perform meditation.
THESIS:
When performed correctly, meditation is an
effective and easy way to reduce stress.
MAIN POINTS:
I.
The first step of meditation is the
“Positioning.”
II.
The second step of meditation is “Breathing.”
III. The third step of meditation is “Relaxation.”
 Show
relationship of parts to one another
Major point
I.
A.
First-level supporting point
1.
Second level supporting point
2.
Second level supporting point
a.
b.
B.
Third-level supporting point
Third level supporting point
First level supporting point
Major point
II.
A.
B.
First level supporting point
First level supporting point
Write points in sentence form
 Construct parallel points
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

Don’t write out some points as questions and others
as statements – be consistent
A main point should not introduce more than one
idea.
INCORRECT:
I. West Texas has its own
Grand Canyon, and South
Texas has its own desert.
CORRECT:
I. West Texas boasts its own
Grand Canyon.
II. South Texas boasts its own
desert.
Two types
 Working outline – the preparation or rough
outline


Organize and firm up main points
Using information collected to develop
supporting points to substantiate them
 Speaking



outline – the delivery
Shortened version of working outline
Has cues and clues for delivery
Written on 4x6 note cards or 8.5x11” sheets of
paper with large print
 Use
full sentences
 Helps with confidence for delivery
 Ideas are clearly stated making delivery
easier
 Do not write out the speech word for word
 Clearly mark where source credits will be
placed.
 Give your speech a title
 Write
out your topic, general purpose,
specific purpose, and thesis
 Establish main points (three is optimum)
 flesh out supporting points
 Check for subordination and coordination
 Label each speech part (intro, body, concl.)
 Write out each speech point in sentence
format
 Label and write out transitions
 Add a list of references to outline
 Assign the speech a title
 Outline

taken to podium
Use note cards








Write legibly or type
Number to keep in order
Write on one side only
Delete nonessential words
Five or six lines per card
Highlight important ideas
Circle/underline words to emphasize
Write delivery reminders – (pause, slow down)
 Leave
some blank space at the margins to
help find your place at a glance.
 Number your note cards or sheets of paper so
you can follow them with ease
 Instead of turning cards or sheets, slide them
under one another
 Do not staple notes or sheets together
 Don’t use the cards or sheets in hand
gestures, as they become distracting.