Speech Outline Template | Example
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Similar to writing a paper, an outline can help you through the process of creating a speech in several ways. Perhaps most importantly, it will let you organize all the information you wish to convey in a logical way, which is critical because you could confuse the audience if you speak about a subject that is not relevant to your topic or that you should have discussed at an earlier part of your speech.
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Generally, outlines are important for a range of projects because they force you to construct the main pillars of your project early on so you can fill out the more minute parts later. For speeches, these main pillars will be the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.
How to Write
The introduction in a speech varies from a paper’s introduction in that it is more important to grab the audience’s attention when beginning a speech. Like a paper, you must state the overarching argument of the speech—the thesis—during your introduction. State some interesting statistic or other fact related to your topic that will spark the audience’s interest as well. Briefly stating your main points is a good idea as well, as this will give your audience a general idea of the body of your speech so they are better able to follow along.
The body of your speech will revolve around your main points. These are claims you make that help prove your thesis. They will be the subheadings of the body section, and they may have sub-points under them that provide evidence for the main points and relate them to the thesis.
The conclusion should restate your thesis and perhaps briefly mention how your main points support it. Including transitional statements in a speech is very important because these provide signals to your audience that help them avoid confusion. Thus, you should indicate when you are moving into your closing remarks. Similarly, let the audience know when you’re transitioning from discussing one major point to your next point.
Think of a compelling way to conclude your speech as well so that your audience remembers it.
Although your outline need not be written entirely in complete sentences, you should write the thesis and main points in complete statements, and perhaps a few other important parts of your choice.
Example
Here is a template for an informative speech outline:
INTRODUCTION
The intro must include your thesis statement, and it helps to state facts that would grab the audience’s attention. You may also explain the importance of your topic here.
(Transitional statement)
BODY
I. First Main Point:
A. Subpoint:
1.
2.
3.
B. Subpoint:
C. Subpoint:
(Transitional statement)
II. Second Main Point:
A. Subpoint:
1.
2.
3.
B. Subpoint:
C. Subpoint:
(Transitional statement)
III. Third Main Point:
A. Subpoint:
1.
2.
3.
B. Subpoint:
C. Subpoint:
(Transitional statement)
CONCLUSION
Summarizing statement
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