CHAPTER 7
ORGANIZING THE SPEECH BODY
CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter focuses on the organization and outlining processes by describing how to
write a thesis statement, main points, and section transitions. It also explains how to
outline the speech body, focusing on the supporting material and subpoints of the main
points.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction (p. 115): If your speeches are well organized, you are more likely to
achieve your speech goal. This chapter focuses on developing the body of your speech
by describing how to: (1) identify main points and arrange them using an appropriate
outline the speech body.
I. Organize main points; the process of arranging your speech material (p. 115).
A. Identify main points: two to four central ideas that will help you achieve
your speech goal.
2.
Eliminate ideas that your audience already understands.
4.
Check to see if some of the ideas can be grouped together under a
broader theme.
B. Word main points.
1.
Write out a complete sentence for each main area.
2.
This preparation outline provides a draft of main points but doesn’t
specify clearly how each main point is related to the goal of the
speech. To know if you’ve achieved the best wording, apply a two test
question.
a.
Is the relationship between each main point statement and the
goal statement clearly specified?
b.
Are the main points parallel in structure?
C. Select a main point pattern because speeches can be organized in many
ways.
1.
Time order, sometimes called sequential order or chronological
order, arranges main points in sequence or by steps in a process.
II. Construct a clear thesis statement (p. 122).
A. This one– or two-sentence summary of your speech incorporates your
III. Develop main points (p. 122).
A. Identify subpoints and supporting material.
1.
Subpoints are statements that elaborate on a main point.
2.
A main point may have two or more subpoints depending on the
complexity of it.
IV. Create transitions: words, phrases, or sentences that show a relationship
between, or bridge, two ideas (p. 122).
A. Section transitions: complete sentences that bridge major parts of a
speech.
1.
The glue that holds together the macrostructure of your speech.
B. Signposts are words or phrases that connect pieces of supporting material
to the main point or subpoint they address.
2.
Can highlight numerical order: “first,” “second,” or “third.”
A. A formal speech outline is a sentence representation of the hierarchical
and sequential relationships among ideas presented in the speech.
LECTURE IDEAS
1.
Complete at least one example of Activities 4A, 4B, or 4C from the Challenge
textbook on the board. This will help students better understand what is expected of
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.
What is the difference between the outline for your speech and the notes you create
for your actual speech delivery? What purpose does each serve? How are they
similar? How are they different?
CLASS ACTIVITIES
Activity 7.1: Writing Main Points and Thesis Statements
Divide students into groups of three or four. Give each group a speech topic or let them
choose one from a short list. Have each group brainstorm possible central ideas. Have
them choose the best three and write three parallel main points and a thesis statement
NOTE: You can make up fun or timely speech topics. Students appreciate and enjoy
fun, creative topics and appreciate the opportunity to be creative and add humor to
classroom discussions and activities.
Activity 7.2: Evaluating Main Points and Thesis Statements
Divide students into groups of three or four. Give each student a list of topics with
corresponding thesis statements and main points that need to be revised. Have each
Activity 7.3: Organizing Main Points
Can use in conjunction with Activity 7.1.
On the board, list several possible speech topics, which include how-to (process or
demonstration), expository, and persuasive topics. Divide students into groups of 3–4.
Have the groups choose three or four topics. Then have each group write a specific
Activity 7.4: Evaluating and Outlining Famous Speeches
For homework, have students find speeches using InfoTrac in Vital Speeches or other
Activity 7.5: Identifying Main Points (Activity 4A, p. 123 in Challenge)
Give this as a homework assignment to help students work through their speech
assignment. Remind students to use their Online Resources to access Activity 4A.
2.
If you have trouble limiting the number, do the following:
a. Draw a line through each of the ideas that you believe the audience already
3.
From those ideas that remain, choose the two to five you will use as main points in
your speech.
Activity 7.6: Writing a Thesis Statement (Activity 4B, p. 128 in Challenge)
Give this as a homework assignment. You could use this in conjunction with Activity 7.5.
Students can also view a student sample of this activity. Remind them to use their
Online Resources to access Activity 4B.
For homework, direct the students to Speech Builder Express accessed through their
Activity 7.8: Developing the Main Points of Your Speech
(Activity 4C, p. 130 in Challenge)
Give this as a homework assignment to help students work through their speech
assignment. It can be used in conjunction with Activities 7.5 and 7.6. Remind students
to use their Online Resources to access Activity 4C.
The goal of this activity is to help you phrase and order your main points.
1.
Write your thesis statement.
2.
Underline the two to five main points identified in your thesis statement.
Activity 7.9: Outlining
Divide students into groups of 3–4. Provide enough copies of the following outline for all
students. (Before duplicating, the words, letters, and symbols in the left-hand column
should be covered. Then cut each outline apart so that each item is a separate entity.)
SPEECH OUTLINE
Goal I want the audience to understand the three steps involved in executing a
jump shot.
Intro Introduction
I. How many of you enjoy watching or playing basketball?
II. The most common shot you will see is the jump shot.
A. Face the basket with ball in hand.
B. Make sure that the line of your shoulder is
perpendicular to the line to the basket.
II. Balance yourself.
B. Your eyes should be on a spot just over the rim.
C. Jump vertically.
D. At the highest point of the jump, push the ball in an arc.
E. Follow through with your shooting hand.
WORKSHEET: WRITING MAIN POINTS
Instructions: A student is preparing an informative speech on male pattern baldness
with the speech goal: “I want my audience to understand the main effects of male
pattern baldness.” Below are three main points for the speech. They are not written in
I. According to Newsweek magazine, March 8, 1993, serious health risks, especially
heart attacks, may be associated with male pattern baldness.
II. Psychological effects
REWRITTEN MAIN POINTS
I.
II.
Writing Main Points Worksheet, page 2
Questions to Test Your Main Points
1.
Is each main point a full sentence with subject, verb, and period?
Yes ( ) No ( )
2.
In each set of main points, underline the words that were repeated in each main point
to create parallelism.
Did you underline at least a phrase in each main point?
Yes ( ) No ( )
Speech Preparation Action Step Activity Forms:
Speech Preparation Action Step Activity 4.1
Writing Thesis Statements
The goal of this activity is to develop a well-worded thesis statement for your
speech.
1.
Write the specific goal you developed from Speech Activity 4.9:
4.
If no, based on your research, identify and list the specific ideas
your audience must learn about if you are to reach your speech goal:
Speech Plan Action Step Activity 4.2
Determining the main points of your speech.
The goal of this activity is to help you develop your main points.
1.
Write your thesis statement:
4.
Review the main points as a group.
4A. Are main points clear? If not, consider why and revise:
4B. Are the main points parallel in structure? If not, consider why and revise:
Identify the type of order you have used:
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
formal speech outline: a full sentence representation of the hierarchical and
sequential relationships among the ideas presented in the speech
narrative order: organizing the main points as a story or series of stories
organizing: the process of arranging the speech content
parallel structure: when the main points follows the same structural pattern, often
using the same introductory words
preparation outline: a draft of main points and supporting ideas
section transitions: complete sentences that bridge major parts of a speech
signposts: words, phrases, or visual cues that connect pieces of supporting material to
TEST QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 7
Multiple Choice
1.
The process of arranging the speech content is known as .
a.
organizing
b.
outlining
c.
arrangement
d.
transitioning
ANS: a SEE PAGE 115
2.
Main points are .
a.
part of the introduction
b.
part of the supporting material
c.
where you cite the sources for your information
d.
complete sentence statements of the two to four central ideas
3.
A one- or two-sentence summary of your speech that incorporates your general and
specific goals as well as previews the main points of the speech is called the
.
a.
main point identified
b.
purpose statement
c.
thesis statement
d.
specific purpose statement
ANS: c SEE PAGE 122
4.
The first version of wording main points is referred to as .
a.
a formal outline
b.
a preparation outline
c.
a rough draft
d.
a narrative order
ANS: b SEE PAGE 117
5.
Supporting material may include all of the following except .
a.
definitions
b.
evidence cards
c.
examples
d.
statistics
6.
“Impressionistic painting is characterized by unique subject matter, use of color, and
technique” is an example of a .
a.
general goal
b.
specific goal
c.
thesis statement
d.
main point
7.
We use to teach and to learn, to entertain, and to make sense of the
world around us.
a.
main points
b.
specific goals
c.
thesis statements
d.
stories
8.
A sentence representation of the hierarchical and sequential relationships between
ideas presented in a speech is called a(n) .
a.
formal speech outline
b.
topic outline
c.
preparation outline
d.
outline
9.
means the main points follow the same structural pattern, often using
the same introductory words.
a.
main points
b.
linear goals
c.
parallel structure
d.
slanted verbiage
10.
organizes the main points and conveys ideas through a story or series
of stories.
a.
time order
b.
narrative order
c.
topical order
d.
logical reasons order
11.
Which organizational pattern should be used for an informative speech explaining
how to make a piñata?
a.
time order
b.
topical order
c.
logical reasons order
d.
narrative order
12.
arranges your main points using some logical relationship among them.
a.
time order
b.
topical order
c.
logical reasons order
d.
narrative order
13.
Organizing the main points of a speech according to reasons for accepting the thesis
as desirable or true is known as:
a.
time order
b.
topical order
c.
logical reasons order
d.
narrative order
14.
Main points, subpoints, and sub-subpoints should be written in
and checked to make sure that they are clear, parallel in structure, meaningful, and
limited in numbers to four or fewer.
a.
run-on sentences
b.
rhyming sentences
c.
developing sentences
d.
complete sentences
ANS: d SEE PAGE 130
15.
To avoid unintentional plagiarism, you should as you organize and
outline the speech body.
a.
look for relationships between and amongst ideas
b.
minimize the number of sources
c.
include internal reference for items of information
d.
use good structure
ANS: c SEE PAGE 122
16.
Personal experiences, examples, illustrations, statistics, and quotations are
examples of .
a.
main points
b.
supporting material
c.
material only for the introduction
d.
types of introductions
ANS: b SEE PAGE 122
17.
Words, phrases, or sentences that show a relationship between, or bridge, two ideas
are called:
a.
main points
b.
supporting material
c.
section transitions
d.
transitions
18.
Complete sentences that show the relationship between, or bridge, major parts of a
speech are called:
a.
main points
b.
supporting material
c.
section transitions
d.
transitions
19.
Using “first,” “second,” or “third” to highlight your main points is an example
of .
a.
transitions
b.
second transitions
c.
signposts
d.
section markers
ANS: c SEE PAGE 125
20.
Previewing main points in the thesis statement, stating each main point clearly, and
providing transitions will:
a.
help the audience follow the speech and retain the information
b.
overwhelm the audience with too much information
c.
make your speech boring
d.
shorten your speech
True-False
21.
T F The number of main points should be limited to help audience
members keep track of the ideas.
22.
T F A statement alerting listeners to why the main point is important to them is
known as the listener relevance link.
23.
T F The first draft of a main point frequently does not need additional work.
24.
T F Thesis statements should be used to transition from the body of the
speech to the conclusion.
ANS: F SEE PAGE 122
25.
T F Main points are always easy to identify.
26.
T F A speech about the sequential steps involved in assembling a personal
computer would likely be organized using the time order pattern.
27.
T F A speech can be organized in only one way.
28.
T F Narrative order organizes the main points of your speech based upon aspects
of a story or series of stories.
29.
T F Unlike main points, subpoints should not be written in complete sentences.
30.
T F Signposts are usually one-word references such as “foremost.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Cahill, B. (2004). Speech! Speech! Writing, 27(2), 12–14.
Kennedy, J. F. (2004). Star-quality speeches. Writing, 26(5), 12–16.
Scully, M. (2005, February 2). Building a better state of the union address.
The New York Times, p. A21.