Sample Preparation Outline
General Purpose: My general purpose is to inform.
Specific Purpose: At the end of my speech, my audience will be able to correctly create an outline.
Thesis and Preview: Today I’m going to be discussing the proper way to create an outline. This process includes the components of full sentences, transitions, and a distinct system of lettering and numbering.
Introduction: (You will write out your entire introduction. It should include an attention getting device, introduction transition, your thesis and preview of your main points and a transition to your first point.)
Attention Getter:
Relevance Statement:
Credibility:
Thesis Statement:
Preview:
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Main Point I. First, full sentences are important in any outlining procedure.
A. A full sentence consists of a subject and a predicate.
B. A full sentence should have punctuation at the end.
Transition: Not only is sentence structure important in outlining, but indicating transitions in your speech is also essential.
Main Point II. Second, you should have a transition between all of your points.
A. Transitions happen between main points.
1. You should create your transitions before you give your speech.

2. You are required to type your transitions on your planning outline.
B. Transitions happen between subpoints.
1. Transitions between subpoints link ideas together.
2. Transitions between subpoints make it easier for the audience to
follow you.
Transition: Although full sentences and transitions are the essence of an outline, correct numeration is needed as well.
Main Point III. Finally, there is a distinct system of lettering and numbering used in outlining.
A. Every main point should be indicted by a Roman numeral.
1. You must have at least two Roman numerals in an outline.
2. Your written introduction and conclusion should not have Roman
numerals.
B. Every sub-point should be indicated by a capital Arabic letter.
1. You must have at least two capital Arabic letters.
2. It is not necessary to limit yourself to two capital Arabic letters.
3. If your main point has a subpoint, it must have at least two
subpoints.
C. Every sub-point should be indicated by Arabic numbers.
1. You must have at least two Arabic numbers.
2. If your subpoints have sub-subpoints it must have at least two.
Transition: At this point you must be wondering what is required of you when you write your conclusion.
Conclusion: You will write out your entire conclusion. It should include a review of your thesis, the main points and a memorable closing statement that bookends with your attention getter.
Summary:
Memorable Close:
References

Include references at the end in APA or MLA style (I don’t have a preference, but you must use one of these two).
If you use references, indicate the point at which you will be using the reference on the outline, in parenthetical form
(Jones, 2008). This is much like what you would do in a paper. This helps me see where your information should have been referenced, should you forget to orally cite a source during the speech.