I.
INTRODUCTION
A. Attention Step (method used in gaining initial attention)
B. Limited Objective (statement of exactly what you are to talk about)
C. Motivation
1. Appeal (statement of how the audience will benefit)
2. Support (an example making the appeal sound realistic)
II.
EXPLANATION
A. First Main Point (sentence of fact or idea to be covered)
1. Support (fact, example, analogy, etc., clarifying first point)
2. support
3. support
B. Second Main Point (sentence of fact or idea to be covered)
1. Support (fact, example, analogy, etc., clarifying first point)
2. support
3. support
III.
SUMMARY
A. Recap the Main Points (restatement of what you have said)
B. Reemphasize motivation (why the audience should remember what you said)
C. Forceful Conclusion (method used in ending the talk)
Figure 6-1.—Key word outline.
on points that seem to need more explanation or
of your ideas and the order in which to present them.
emphasis and shortening or even skipping some areas
entirely. This is next to impossible with several pages of
fully worded text.
Also, the outline takes up less space than a full text.
The outline of a five-page speech might fit on one or two
5-by 7-inch index cards, or at the most, one typewritten
page. The fewer pages you have to rustle around the
lectern, the better off you are (particularly if there is not
a lectern).
Remember that speaking extemporaneously
requires the speaker to memorize the sequences in his
talk, but not the exact words. The easiest method of
doing this is by preparing and using a key word outline.
This outline is a skeleton of the talk, a sort of structural
blueprint from which you speak. You condense what you
intend to say into “key words” that serve to remind you
Regardless of where you speak, the key word outline is
an invaluable friend when it is used properly. A diagram
of this outline appears in figure 6-1.
The “explanation” (Part II of the outline) is geared
for a talk with two main points. If you had three main
points, “C” would appear after “B.” If you had only one
main point, you would not need A or B because the main
point would follow directly after “explanation.” The
remainder of this section will concentrate on developing
the key word outline. Explanations and examples will
be given on all three major steps: the introduction, the
explanation and the summary. Also, the number of
supports under any main point is flexible, depending
upon the main point and the supporting material
available.
6-6
