Speech Outlining

** Please note: This sample outline provides some general guidelines for good speech outlines (i.e. formatting rules to follow). However, it fails to go into the necessary depth at times (i.e. the "clincher"). This is merely to guide your outlining experience. Specific criteria you must adhere to will be covered in class.

Specific Purpose: To enable you to prepare a formal speech outline in the proper format.

Introduction

I. Open with impact: Imagine you are going to build a house.

A. Wouldn't you want a set of plans before you started construction?

B. A speech also requires planning?

C. That's why each speech should be outlined.

II. Connect with audience: Outlining your speech provides several advantages to you.

A. It enables you to organize your ideas clearly.

B. It enables you to easily rehearse your presentation.

C. It enables you to easily revise and refine your speech.

III. Preview: Today I will tell you how to prepare a proper heading, how to use proper format, and how to follow basic outlining rules.)

Body

I. Main point: There are three requirements for the heading.

A. List your name, the class and the instructor.

B. State the title of the speech.

C. State the specific purpose of the speech.

(Transition: Now that you know how to prepare a proper heading, let's learn how to use standard outlining format.)

II. Main point: The format requires roman numerals for main points.

A. Subpoints are indicated by capital letters.

1. Supporting points are indicated by Arabic numerals.

a. Lowercase letters may be used for further subdivisions.

b. There should always be a "b" to match an "a".

2. There should always be a "2" to match a "1".

B. There should always be a "B" to match an "A".

C. The preview and the transitions between the main points should be written in parentheses as illustrated in this sample outline.

(Transition: You must also understand the rules of outlining, which brings me to my final point.)

III. Main point: Several rules should be followed in outlining.

A. Divide your outline into the introduction, body and conclusion.

1. Begin each section with Roman numeral I.

2. The introduction has three main parts.

a. It should open with impact.

b. It should have a thesis statement.

c. It should connect with the audience.

3. The body contains the preview, main points and the transitions.

4. The conclusion has two parts:

a. It should summarize the main points.

b. It should close with impact.

B. Use complete sentences throughout.

1. Use only one sentence per letter or number.

2. Separate distinct ideas into different sentences.

C. When citing sources, put the author's name and date in parentheses after the point (American Psychological Association, 1994).

1. If you are quoting directly, also include the page numbers (American Psychological Association, 1994, p. 69).

2. Include the full citation in your references.

3. Also, remember to orally cite your sources when presenting your speech.

D. Type your outline or prepare it on a word processor.

Conclusion

I. Summarize: In conclusion, correct speech outlining involves a few simple principles.

A. You must have a proper heading.

B. You must follow standard outlining format.

C. You must use complete sentences, develop two or three main points, and use proper source citation.

II. Close with impact: Good luck on your first outlining assignment!

References

American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.