1. QUESTION

   Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler    

   How to Create a Full-Sentence Speech Outline
   The following uses a traditional outline structure. When you get ready to develop your sentence outline, read through this handout first, then begin your outline. Also, keep this handout nearby as you develop your outline. If you get stuck in the outlining process, refer back to this to explain how to handle or approach a particular part of your outline.

   ***At the top, please indicate if you are striving towards an AA (Associate of Arts), AS (associates of Science) or AAT (Associate of Arts in Teaching). If you do not know, you can ask your advisor OR the default is AA.

   I. Introduction: Don’t worry about developing an introduction to the speech until you’ve actually developed your speech. In fact, it is one of the last parts of the speech to worry about. Once you’ve developed the body of the speech, then turn to working on your introduction. Keep in mind that the introduction is your opportunity to help your audience create its “first impression” of your message. With this in mind, effective introductions consist of the following five parts:

   A. Attention getter: What do you want to use to interest your audience to listen to your speech? An amazing quote? an impressive image? a startling statistic? an engaging anecdote (story)? a realistic hypothetical situation?

   B. Topic Statement: If it hasn’t already been made apparent in your attention getting material, then your goal here is to let your audience know your specific topic. You don’t have to your central idea or thesis just yet. (Name the person you’re speaking about)

   C. Link to the audience (WIIFM): Ask yourself: Why should the audience listen to my particular speech? What’s in it for them? How does it affect them? For some topics, this is quite easy to do (Developing better study habits, for example). For others, it takes some creative maneuvering to make the connection (learning more about origami, for example). Regardless, make sure to let the audience know how it will benefit from listening to what it is you have to say. (Your topic is highly relevant in today’s society.)

   D. Credibility Statement: Your goal here is to establish your credibility with the audience. In essence, what makes you qualified to speak on this particular topic? A strong personal interest? Actual experience? Having done lots of research? Whatever it happens to be, make sure to mention it to your audience.

   E. Preview Statement: Your audience is ready to hear what you are claiming. In other words, share your central idea, your thesis. Once you’ve done that, then move into telling the audience the three main points of your speech. Keep in mind that the main points of your speech must work to explain and support your central idea/thesis.
   *Everyone’s Preview will be: Their early years, major accomplishment, and death/and or legacy

   Transition/Signpost to body of speech: In order for your delivery to be smooth, as well as to “connect the dots” for your listeners, it is necessary to transition your listeners from one point in your speech to the next. Like a tour guide explaining the sights and sounds of the city as you approach them, you, too, have to “guide” the audience to the next “destination” in the speech as you approach it. Doing this helps with two things: it “signposts” to the audience that you are moving on, and it also announces to the audience what they are going to hear next.

   II. Main Point I: List your first main point here. (Early Years)
   A. Subpoint A: List your first subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   1. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   2. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

   B. Subpoint B: List your second subpoint–that is the second thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point
   1. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   2. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

   Transition/Signpost to next main point: When you transition between main points, your objective is to do two things for your audience: 1) briefly summarize what you’ve just talked about, and 2) preview your next main point. Remember, it is your job as a speaker to help the audience remember your message by providing a clear structure it can follow. So a transition from one main point to the next main point could sound something like this: “Now that you know about Raul Jimenez and his restaurant legacy in San Antonio, I know will tell you more about the annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner.”

   III. Main Point II: List your second main point here. (Major accomplishment)
   A. Subpoint A: List your first subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   1. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   2. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

   B. Subpoint B: List your second subpoint–that is the second thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   1. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   2. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

   Transition/Signpost to next main point: When you transition between main points, your objective is to do two things for your audience: 1) briefly summarize what you’ve just talked about, and 2) preview your next main point. Remember, it is your job as a speaker to help the audience remember your message by providing a clear structure it can follow. A transition from one main point to the next main point could sound something like this: “Now that you know about you more about the annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, I’d like to let you know how you can either work or attend the dinner.”

   IV. Main Point III: List your third main point here. (Death/and or legacy)

   A. Subpoint A: List your first subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   1. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   2. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

   B. Subpoint B: List your second subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   1. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   2. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

   Transition to conclusion: When you transition between main points, your objective is to do two things for your audience: 1) briefly summarize what you’ve just talked about, and 2) preview your next main point. Remember, it is your job as a speaker to help the audience remember your message by providing a clear structure it can follow. So a transition from one main point to the next main point (or in this case, the conclusion) could sound something like this: “Thanksgiving is our country’s annual ritual to take time and be thankful. Today, I’ve shared with you just one of many annual events that takes place in San Antonio every year on Thanksgiving day since 19XX. ”

   V. Conclusion: The conclusion to your message should be brief, but it shouldn’t be rushed. You don’t want your audience feeling as if you have awkwardly and abruptly ended your message without giving it time to soak in your words. Your conclusion should accomplish the following:

   Summary & Restatement of Main points: This is your last chance to drive your point home. Don’t introduce any new material here. In other words, don’t bring another main point. Instead, remind the audience of the three main points that your developed in your speech that served to support your central idea/thesis. (Their early years, major accomplishment, and legacy)

   Concluding Remarks that Provide Closure(Make a strong last impression!): What do you want to use to use to reinforce your message for your audience to remember your speech? Consider mentioning again whatever it was that you used in the attention getter in the introduction–a quote, image, statistic, anecdote (story),or a hypothetical situation.

   How to Create a Full-Sentence Speech Outline

   The following uses a traditional outline structure. When you get ready to develop your sentence outline, read through this handout first, then begin your outline.  Also, keep this handout nearby as you develop your outline. If you get stuck in the outlining process, refer back to this to explain how to handle or approach a particular part of your outline.

   ***At the top, please indicate if you are striving towards an AA (Associate of Arts), AS (associates of Science) or AAT (Associate of Arts in Teaching).  If you do not know, you can ask your advisor OR the default is AA.

    

    

   1. Introduction: Don’t worry about developing an introduction to the speech until you’ve actually developed your speech. In fact, it is one of the last parts of the speech to worry about. Once you’ve developed the body of the speech, then turn to working on your introduction.  Keep in mind that the introduction is your opportunity to help your audience create its “first impression” of your message.  With this in mind, effective introductions consist of the following five parts:

    

   1. Attention getter: What do you want to use to interest your audience to listen to your speech? An amazing quote? an impressive image? a startling statistic? an engaging anecdote (story)? a realistic hypothetical situation?

    

   1. Topic Statement: If it hasn’t already been made apparent in your attention getting material, then your goal here is to let your audience know your specific topic. You don’t have to your central idea or thesis just yet.  (Name the person you’re speaking about)

    

   1. Link to the audience (WIIFM): Ask yourself: Why should the audience listen to my particular speech? What’s in it for them?  How does it affect them?  For some topics, this is quite easy to do (Developing better study habits, for example).  For others, it takes some creative maneuvering to make the connection (learning more about origami, for example).  Regardless, make sure to let the audience know how it will benefit from listening to what it is you have to say. (Your topic is highly relevant in today’s society.)

    

   1. Credibility Statement: Your goal here is to establish your credibility with the audience. In essence, what makes you qualified to speak on this particular topic? A strong personal interest?  Actual experience?  Having done lots of research?  Whatever it happens to be, make sure to mention it to your audience. 

    

   1. Preview Statement: Your audience is ready to hear what you are claiming. In other words, share your central idea, your thesis. Once you’ve done that, then move into telling the audience the three main points of your speech.  Keep in mind that the main points of your speech must work to explain and support your central idea/thesis.

   *Everyone’s Preview will be: Their early years, major accomplishment, and death/and or legacy

    

   Transition/Signpost to body of speech: In order for your delivery to be smooth, as well as to “connect the dots” for your listeners, it is necessary to transition your listeners from one point in your speech to the next.  Like a tour guide explaining the sights and sounds of the city as you approach them, you, too, have to “guide” the audience to the next “destination” in the speech as you approach it. Doing this helps with two things:  it “signposts” to the audience that you are moving on, and it also announces to the audience what they are going to hear next. 

    

   1. Main Point I: List your first main point here. (Early Years)
   2. Subpoint A: List your first subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   3. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   4. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

    

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references. 

    

   1. Subpoint B: List your second subpoint–that is the second thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point
   2. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   3. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

    

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

    

   Transition/Signpost to next main point: When you transition between main points, your objective is to do two things for your audience: 1) briefly summarize what you’ve just talked about, and 2) preview your next main point.  Remember, it is your job as a speaker to help the audience remember your message by providing a clear structure it can follow.  So a transition from one main point to the next main point could sound something like this: “Now that you know about Raul Jimenez and his restaurant legacy in San Antonio, I know will tell you more about the annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner.”

    

   III. Main Point II: List your second main point here. (Major accomplishment)

   1. Subpoint A: List your first subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   2. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   3. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

    

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references. 

    

   1. Subpoint B: List your second subpoint–that is the second thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   2. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   3. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

    

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

    

    

   Transition/Signpost to next main point: When you transition between main points, your objective is to do two things for your audience: 1) briefly summarize what you’ve just talked about, and 2) preview your next main point.  Remember, it is your job as a speaker to help the audience remember your message by providing a clear structure it can follow.  A transition from one main point to the next main point could sound something like this: “Now that you know about you more about the annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, I’d like to let you know how you can either work or attend the dinner.”

    

   1. Main Point III: List your third main point here. (Death/and or legacy)

    

   1. Subpoint A: List your first subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   2. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   3. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

    

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

    

   1. Subpoint B: List your second subpoint–that is the first thing you want to say, claim, demonstrate, or explain about your first main point.
   2. Supporting Material 1: This could be any of the types of supporting material–quote, statistic, example, explanation, etc.
   3. Supporting Material 2: Same here.

    

   Citation of Source(s): Include the citation(s) (the bibliographic entry[ies]) for the research you used for your supporting material. You’ll need the information near where you used it since you are required to orally cite your references.

    

   Transition to conclusion: When you transition between main points, your objective is to do two things for your audience: 1) briefly summarize what you’ve just talked about, and 2) preview your next main point.  Remember, it is your job as a speaker to help the audience remember your message by providing a clear structure it can follow.  So a transition from one main point to the next main point (or in this case, the conclusion) could sound something like this: “Thanksgiving is our country’s annual ritual to take time and be thankful.  Today, I’ve shared with you just one of many annual events that takes place in San Antonio every year on Thanksgiving day since 19XX.  ”

    

   1. Conclusion: The conclusion to your message should be brief, but it shouldn’t be rushed. You don’t want your audience feeling as if you have awkwardly and abruptly ended your message without giving it time to soak in your words.  Your conclusion should accomplish the following:

    

   1. Summary & Restatement of Main points: This is your last chance to drive your point home. Don’t introduce any new material here.  In other words, don’t bring another main point.  Instead, remind the audience of the three main points that your developed in your speech that served to support your central idea/thesis. (Their early years, major accomplishment, and legacy)

    

   1. Concluding Remarks that Provide Closure(Make a strong last impression!):  What do you want to use to use to reinforce your message for your audience to remember your speech?  Consider mentioning again whatever it was that you used in the attention getter in the introduction–a quote, image, statistic, anecdote (story),or a hypothetical situation.

    

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