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The Art of Public Speaking ——Outlining The Speech Think what might happen if you tried to build
a house without a floor plan or an architect's blueprint. You build
the kitchen next to the driveway to make it convenient for carrying
in groceries. But the dining room turns up at the other end of the house.
When you cook and serve a meal, you have to run with the plates to keep
the food from getting cold. You put the bathroom at the head of the
stairs to make it accessible to visitors. But the door opens in such
a way that the unwary guest is catapulted down the steps.1
Plans and blueprints are essential to architecture. So, too, are outlines
essential to effective speeches. An outline is like a blueprint for
your speech. By outlining, you make sure that related items are together,
that ideas flow from one to another, that the structure of your speech
will "stand up" —and not collapse. Probably you will use two
kinds of outlines for your speeches — one very detailed, for the planning
stage, and one very brief, for the delivery of the speech. Now let us look at pieces of guidelines for the preparation outline. The specific purpose statement should be a separate unit that comes before the text of the outline itself. Including the specific purpose with the outline makes it easier to assess how well you have constructed the speech to accomplish your purpose. Some teachers prefer that the central idea be given immediately after the purpose statement. Others prefer that it be given and identified in the text of the outline itself. If you label the parts of your speech, you will be sure that you indeed have an introduction and conclusion and have accomplished the essential objectives of each. Usually the names of the speech parts are placed in the middle of the page or in the far left margin. They are technical labels only and are not included in the system of symbolization used to identify main points and supporting materials. In the most common system of outlining, main points are identified by Roman numerals and are indented2 equally so as to be aligned down the page. Subpoints (components of the main points) are identified by capital letters and are also indented equally so as to be aligned with each other. Once you have organized the body of your speech, you should have identified the main points. You need only flesh out3 your outline with subpoints and sub-subpoints, as necessary, to support the main points. But suppose, as sometimes happens, you find yourself with a list of statements and are not sure which are main points, which are subpoints, and so forth. Such a list might look like this: There were 13 people at the Last Supper — Jesus and his 12 disciples. One of the most common sources of superstition is number. In the United States, 13 is often omitted in the floor numbering of hotels and skyscraper. The number 13 has meant bad luck as long as anyone can remember. Which statement is the main point? The second
statement, which is broader in scope than any of the other statements.
This would be one of the main ideas of your speech. The fourth statement
is the subpoint; it immediately supports the main point. The other two
statements are sub-subpoints; they illustrate the subpoint. Rearranged
properly, they look like this: Your speaking outline should use the same
visual framework — the same symbols and the same pattern of indentation
— as your preparation outline. This will make it much easier to prepare
the speaking outline. More important, it will allow you to see instantly
where you are in the speech at any given moment while you are speaking.
Your speaking outline is all but worthless unless it is instantly readable
at distance. When you make your outline, use dark ink and large lettering,
leave extra space between lines, provide ample margins, and write or
type on one side of the paper only. If your notes are too detailed,
you will have difficulty maintaining eye contact with your audience.
To guard against having too many notes, keep your speaking outline as
brief as possible. In one word, a good speaking outline reminds you
not only of what you want to say but also of how you want to say it. The preparation outline helps you prepare your speech. In this outline you state your specific purpose and central idea, label the introduction, body, and conclusion, and designate transitions, internal summaries, and internal previews. You should identify main points, subpoints, and sub-subpoints by a consistent pattern of symbolization and indentation. It is usually advisable to state at least main points and subpoints in full sentences. Your teacher may require a bibliography with your preparation outline. The speaking outline consists of brief notes
to help you while you deliver the speech. It should contain key words
or phrases to jog your memory, as well as essential statistics and quotations.
In making up your speaking outline, follow the same visual framework
used in your preparation outline. Keep the speaking outline as brief
as possible, and be sure it is plainly legible. You can also give yourself
cues for delivering the speech — when to speak more softly or more slowly,
when to pause, and so forth. |