Body
Audiences will
forgive a speaker many faults, but they will not forgive a poorly organized speech.
(For more on organizing the body of your speech see pp. 150-165 in Metcalfe.)
Planning Tools
To create the body of your speech, start with the
planning tools for your speech: specific purpose statement (the statement of what you want the speech to
accomplish with the audience) and your central idea (a statement of your point of view toward your
topic).
Main Points
The next step is to decide on your main points.
Typically, a speaker will have three to four main points. You must have at least two main points. More than
four points in a 5-7 minute speech is often confusing to an audience.
Your main points elaborate on your central idea. Here
are a few tips to help you with your main points:
1. Limit each
main point to a single idea.
2. Keep the
wording as simple as you can. That helps the audience grasp your point.
3. As far as possible, keep the
wording of the main points grammatically similar. Don't switch back and forth
between sentences and phrases.
Sub-points
Sub-points provide the detail, explanation, or
illustrations necessary to help understand the main point. This supporting
material provides the "A" and "B" (and "C" and
"D," if necessary) under the main point. Sometimes it is necessary
for sub-points to have their own sub-points, or sub, sub-points. These are the
"1" and "2" under the capital letter. So the format looks
like this:
I.
A.
1.
Remember, if you have "I." you must have
"II." If you have "A." you must have "B." If you
have "1." You must have a "2." Your points and sub-points
are always paired. You may have more than two, but you must have two of each.
Transitions
Place a transition between each main point. It helps
the audience keep the points clear and separate from each other.
Introduction/Conclusion
While it may seem counter-intuitive, the introduction
to the speech is written after the main points have been decided and the body
of the speech drafted.
Additional Information
Additional Information to help you
with the organization of your speech can be found in two class handouts: "Make It Easy
to Listen" and "Preparing
the Informative Speech."
