Making a Presentation

 

Getting Organized: Writing an Outline

 

Why bother with an outline? Why not just skip to the speech writing itself? There are several good reasons why you should take the time to make an outline:

1. An outline shows you the entire structure of your speech. This enables you to see whether you've arranged main ideas and supporting details in the best possible way. It also helps you make sure that you have given each part of your speech enough emphasis.

2. Outlines let you see at a glance if you've forgotten anything important.

3. When you stand before your audience, you will have a visual image of your speech's structure. As a result, you will have more confidence that comes with being well prepared.

4. Your outline can be the basis for your note cards that you use during your speech.

 

Different types of outlines

Two types of outlines are used for public speaking: the full-text outline and the key word outline.

 

Full-Text Outline

As its name suggests, the full-text outline is the complete speech in outline form. Each major idea and all supporting ideas are written out in complete sentences.

 

Key Word Outline

This outline provides trigger words rather than complete sentences. Every main idea and supporting detail is reduced to a key word or phrase that the speaker can remember more easily.

 

Outlining Hints: Put only one idea per line and use numbers and letters to distinguish between main ideas and supporting points. Also, use tabs to visually separate your main points from your evidence.

 

WRONG:

1. Circumstance sometime force people to live alone. Grown children leave the nest-they go to college, move to other cities to get jobs, or marry and move away to start families of their own.

 

RIGHT:

Thesis: Circumstances sometimes force people to live alone.

A. Grown children leave the nest.

1. They go to college

2. They move to other cities to get jobs.

3. They marry and move away to start families of their own.