Organize Your SpeechPresented by Ranga Rodrigo based on Toastmasters Competent Communication Manual

Main Points

Opening Body Conclusion

General-Specific-General

Steps

Select your topicMake an outlineDevelop the openingDraft the bodyThe conclusion

Steps

Select your topicMake an outlineDevelop the openingDraft the bodyThe conclusion

Sample Outline Opening

Capture audience attention

Leads into speech topic Body

Main point▪ Subpoint▪ Support material

Main point▪ Subpoint▪ Support material

Main point▪ Subpoint▪ Support material

Conclusion Review or summary Call to action or

memorable statement

Make an Outline

Assemble your ideas logically.

Use a good sequence.

Outline: Sequence I

Chronological• Department’s 40th anniversary speech

Spatial• Expose floor plan

Causal (effect cause)• Hurricanes

Outline: Sequence II

Comparative• Two proposals to improve literacy skills

Topical• Splits main topic into subtopics: How can

E-club serveProblem-Solution• Illiteracy educate parents

Main Points

Opening Body Conclusion

Catch Audience’s Attention

A startling question or challenging statementAn appropriate quotation, illustration or storyA display of some object or pictureAn attention-getting generalization

Avoid

An apologetic statement Unrelated story or joke A commonplace observation

delivered in a commonplace manner A long or slow-moving statement or

story A trite question, such as “Did you

ever stop to think … ?”

Main Points

Opening Body Conclusion

Body

Main partThree to five main ideas or factsSmall note cards, one per ideaMain points and sub points

Developing the Body

Main point Subpoint Support material

Main point Subpoint Support material

Main point Subpoint Support material

Example: Benefits of Eating Fruits and Vegetables Eating fruits and vegetables provides

nutrients your body needs to function.

Easting fruits and vegetables protects against the effects of aging.

Eating fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Example: Illiteracy in Sri Lanka

Reasons for illiteracy

Vicious cycle of illiteracy

Solving illiteracy by education

Subpoints

Clarify

EmphasizeProve

Sub Points Can Include:

Statistics Testimony Examples, stories, anecdotes Visual aids Facts

Example: Vegetables and Fruits “They contain carbohydrates,

proteins and fats the body uses to generate energy or build cells.”

Example: Illiteracy

According to the findings of Prof. Chandra Gunawardana, one out of four children attribute absenteeism to economic reasons, but only one out of six parents do so. Although parents do not want to accept, children suffer do to the family economic situation.

Transitions

Help audience move smoothly from one point to the next.

Transition Words

Afterwards Also But Consequently Consider Finally Instead Later Meanwhile

Moreover Next Than Yet

Transition Phrases

According to As a result For Example For instance In addition Let’s begin with More importantly This means To illustrate

Questions

“We must consider three things in developing this new product. First is …. Second is … .Third is ….”

“Illiteracy is real, but why does it continue? “

Main Points

Opening Body Conclusion

Conclusion

Convey main points memorably.

Leave a lasting impression.

Suggest a course of action.

Final remark: challenge, question, anecdote or quotation.

Main Points

Opening Body Conclusion