c




This speech is worth 100 points. I am using the same rubric as the persuasive speech. The speech
is seven minutes in length and I am expecting an outline to accompany your speech.
Below is the general idea of how to organize an informational speech, please use this example to
help you organize your ideas.

   



 
  




 
 

 
 
 

   

 

 
  

O„ a 
 
To inform
O„  


  
To inform my audience about constructing an effective
outline.
O„  
c 
Constructing an effective outline requires having good research from
which to draw, selecting the best organizational pattern for the purpose, and knowing
proper outline format.
O„ Ô  
   Chronological
O„ ë
 PowerPoint (powerpoints are optional but I am looking for some type of
visual support to your speech.)
c

c  
A. Nine out of ten students report feeling high levels of anxiety when asked to construct an
outline.
B. I would like to show you how to construct an effective outline.
C. Having been a tutor in the Writing Center, I have learned the steps to effective outline
construction, and I would like you to benefit from them as well.
D. Constructing an effective outline requires first having good research from which to draw,
second, selecting the best organizational pattern for your purpose, and finally knowing proper
outline format.
Transition: Let¶s begin our exploration of how to construct an effective outline.
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A. The first important step in constructing an effective outline is having good research from
which to draw.
1. Good research results from knowing where to look for information.
a. Start with the library homepage to conduct a search
i. Catalog- for books
ii. Databases - for periodicals
b. Move on to the Internet to supplement what you've found at the library
i. Search engines
-- Yahoo
-- Google
ii. Organizations associated with your topic
c. You can always ask for help
i. Reference librarians
ii. Contact library staff by telephone or e-mail;
Transition: In addition to knowing where to look, you should also know about quality of the
sources you find.
 2. Good research results from having quality sources.
a. Quality requires that you evaluate the credibility of your sources as you go
(Smith & Jones, 2002)
i. recency
ii. qualifications of the author(s)
iii. source where it appeared
iv. lack of bias in the perspective
b. Quality requires that you have a variety of good sources (Broz, 2002)
i. no over-reliance on one type
ii. aim for at least one each:
-- interview
-- book
-- periodical
-- Internet source
Transition: Now that you have finished conducting your research, you need to consider your
organization options suited to what you wish to cover.
B. The second important step in constructing an effective outline is selecting the best
organizational pattern for your purpose.
1. There are many organizational patterns to choose from, such as:
a. topical format
i. used when there are different topics to cover within a subject
ii. each point is a part of the whole
b. chronological format
i. used when there is a distinct time-related progression
ii. each point moves along that progression
c. spatial format
i. used when there is a clear physical placement of the main points
ii. each point refers to a different location or space
2. There is usually one organizational pattern that will work best for your purpose,
depending on:
a. what the main points are that you want to convey
b. what the best order is for conveying them
3. There are several rules to adhere to when using an organizational pattern
a. avoid overlap between main points (Lucas, 2001)
b. devote about the same amount of time to each main point (Lucas, 2001)
Transition: With your organizational pattern selected, all you have to do is put it all together
into a proper outline.
C. The third important step in constructing an effective outline is knowing proper outline
format.
1. Use the proper numbering/lettering system
a. usually, will be: I, A, 1, a, i, --
b. ask your professor what her or his preference is for numbering/lettering
2. Use the proper subpoints for your main points
a. subpoints should all directly relate to the point they are under
b. subpoints should never stand alone; if you have only one subpoint, either:
i. divide it into two sub-subpoints
 ii. develop another subpoint to go along with the one that is by itself
iii. combine the single subpoint with the point it's under
c. subpoints should be short and concise
i. avoid using direct quotations for subpoints (Broz, 2002)
ii. avoid using paragraphs for subpoints
Transition: Even the best arrangement of points and subpoints, however, does not mean they
will flow well.
3. Use the proper connectives to help your outline flow
a. transitions help audience know when a speaker has completed a thought (Lucas,
2002)
b. internal previews within the speech tell the audience where the speaker is going
next (Fujishin, 2002)
c. internal summaries within the speech remind the audience where they have been
d. signposts provide a numerical guide for the audience
Transition: There you have it ± you¶re ready to construct that fabulous outline!
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Now that you know three simple steps ... , having good research ..., selecting the best
organizational pattern ..., and knowing proper outline format, you can start earning higher grades
on papers, speeches, and of course, OUTLINES!
„