This document provides guidance on organizing and structuring a speech. It discusses dividing the body of the speech into 2-5 main points and using different patterns of organization like chronological order. The introduction should grab the audience's attention and establish credibility, while the conclusion restates the central idea and main points. Outlining is important to tie related ideas together and ensure the speech flows coherently from one point to the next.

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Bullseye! Hitting the target with your speech
“Developing Your Speech”
I. Organizing the Body of the Speech
"Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up." —A. A. Milne, 1882–1956
A. A speech is like a hamburger
1. Top Bun = Introduction
2. Meat and Vegetables = Body (main points)
a. all your facts, figures, examples, and illustrations
3. Bottom Bun = Conclusion
a. help your audience take your thoughts away with them
B. A speech must be clear and coherent because it enhances your credibility (trustworthiness) and is easier for your audience to
understand your message
C. You shouldn’t have more and 2 to 5 main points: Choose the points carefully; Phrase them precisely; Organize them
strategically
D. Five Basic Patterns of Organization (depends on your topic, your purpose, your audience)
a. Chronological (time) ­ best for informative speeches
b. Spatial (directional) ­ best for informative speeches
c. Causal (cause­effect) ­ great for informative and persuasive speeches
d. Problem­Solution ­ best for persuasive speeches
e. Topical ­ can be used with any type of speech
E. Three Tips for Preparing Main Points
a. Keep the main points separate
b. Use the same pattern of wording
c. Balance the amount of time for each point
F. Supporting materials are important because
a. Listeners need to accept what you say! (Examples, statistics, testimony)
b. Organize directly with the main point ­ misplaced materials are confusing
G. Connecting Ideas ­ Unity and Coherence
a. Connectives ­ join ideas and show relationships
i. Transitions
1. Now that we have ..., let me share ...
2. I have spoken so far of ..., but it was ...
3. Keeping these points in mind ..., let’s return to ...
ii. Internal previews
1. In discussing how ..., we’ll look first at ... and second at ...
2. [Transition]: Now that we have seen ..., let’s look at ... [Internal Preview]: I will focus on three
solutions ...
iii. Internal summaries
1. [Internal Summary]: Let’s pause for a moment to summarize what we have found so far. First, ...
Second, ... [Transition]: We are now in a position to see ...
iv. Signposts
1. The first cause of this problem is ... The second cause is ... The final cause is ...
2. The most important thing to remember ...
3. Be sure to keep this in mind ...
4. This is crucial to understanding the rest of the speech ...
5. Above all, you need to know ...

2. II. Beginning and Ending the Speech
"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions." ­­ Benjamin Franklin, 1706–1790
A. The Introduction
a. Get the attention and interest of the audience
i. HOOKS: Relate the topic to the audience; State the importance of your topic; Startle the audience; Arouse the
curiosity of the audience; Question the audience; Begin with a quotation; Tell a story; Tell a joke; Use audio
or visual aids
b. Reveal the topic of your speech
c. Establish your credibility and goodwill
i. Establishing credibility means that you tell the audience why you are qualified to speak on the topic at hand;
Establishing goodwill (friendship) may be necessary if your point of view is unpopular.
d. Preview the body of the speech with the preview statement:
i. Identifies the main points to be discussed in the body
ii. Gives specialized information (i.e. definitions or background) that listeners will need to understand your
speech
e. Introduction Tips
i. Keep it brief; Lookout for possible material; Be creative (try 2­3 different openings); Don't worry about exact
wording; Practice, practice, practice!; Before speaking, establish eye contact with the audience, smile, and
then begin
B. The Conclusion
a. Lets the audience know you are ending your speech
b. Reinforces your central idea (the message your want your audience to remember)
c. How to end your speech
i. Signal Words
1. In conclusion,...
2. My purpose has been...
3. Let me end by saying...
ii. Use of Voice: tone, pacing, intonation, and rhythm
a. crescendo ending
b. dissolve ending
iii. Reinforce your central idea: Restate the main points; End with a quotation; Make a dramatic statement; Refer
to the ideas in the introduction
d. Conclusion Tips
i. Lookout for possible material; Be creative ­­ hit the hearts and minds of your audience; Keep it brief (only
5­10% of your speech); Work out every detail; Practice, practice, practice
III. Outlining the Speech
"The beginning of an acquaintance whether with persons or things is to get a definite outline of our ignorance." ­­ George Eliot,
1819–1880
A. Outlining your speech is important because…
a. You can tie related ideas together
b. Your thoughts will flow from one to another
c. The structure of your speech will be coherent
B. Types of outlines
a. Preparation (detailed): title, specific purpose, central idea, introduction, main points and sub­points, connectives,
conclusion, bibliography
b. Speaking (brief): key words and phrases, essential statistics and quotations, cues for delivering the speech
IV. RESOURCE
Presentation Planner at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (​http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/tools/presplan.aspx​) helps you...
● Plan your speech
● Write your speech
● Make a script, note cards, and a slide show
Maggie Bell
ESL Teacher
1926804784@qq.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiesue