Deck 13: A: Organizing, Outlining, and Writing Presentations

Question 1

What are the three crucial tasks the introduction of a speech must accomplish? Explain how a speaker can accomplish those tasks.

Answer 1

Ideal answers will include a discussion of the following: •Capture the audience's attention-Use a startling statement, tell a story, begin with a strong quotation, ask questions, or tell the audience a joke to capture their attention. •Introduce your purpose and thesis-Clearly establish what your speech is about and what you hope to achieve by speaking by incorporating your thesis statement. •Preview the main points-Provide the audience with a map of the speech so that they know what to expect. Knowing this information puts the audience at ease because they know the speaker is prepared and well organized. •Connect with the audience-Provide the audience with a sense of who the speaker is, why the topic was chosen as well as why the speaker should be trusted (why he or she is credible or qualified to talk about the specific topic), and why the audience should care about the topic. Speakers might emphasize proximity or timeliness to emphasize relevance or might focus on how the audience will benefit from listening to the speech (usefulness of the information).

Question 2

Compare and contrast the working and speaking outlines. How does the speaker transition from a working outline to a speaking outline? Among the sentence, phrase, and key word styles of outlines, which ones work best for working outlines and which ones work best for speaking outlines?
*Note: if testing is done after coverage of Chapter 14, this question can be adapted to synthesize information about delivery by adding: How might the style of outline used impact the effectiveness of the speaker's delivery?

Answer 2

Ideal answers will articulate an understanding that the working outline is a rough draft outline that is used throughout the preparation of the speech-usually revisited and revised continually throughout the process. The speaking outline is the final speech plan that usually includes complete details, delivery tips, and notes about presentational aids. The working outline should be revised several times as the speaker continues to research and develop his or her ideas. Once the speaker is satisfied with the organization of the speech, the working outline becomes the raw material for the speaking outline. Working outlines are usually written in full sentences, ensuring that the ideas are clearly developed and articulated. However, as the speaker transitions to the speaking outline, the working outline should be pared down to phrases or key words, and additional delivery cues and notes about oral citations should be added. Whereas sentence style outlines work best for working outlines, phrase and key-word style outlines work best for speaking outlines because they allow the speaker to speak conversationally in the spontaneous and adaptable extemporaneous style (discussed in Chapter 14) and to make eye contact with the audience (because the speaker is not tied to reading the speech word for word from the manuscript).

Question 3

There are some essential guidelines for writing a good outline, regardless of whether it is a working or speaking outline, or whether it is a sentence, phrase, or key-word outline. Describe, in detail, what you understand those guidelines to be.

Answer 3

Ideal answers will include a discussion of all of the following guidelines: •Use standard symbols-Each subdivision should have a unique symbol, and those symbols should be used consistently. Most instructors articulate the symbols that should be used to mark each level, and the student should identify those specific markers. •Use subdivisions properly-A main point or subpoint cannot be divided by fewer than two subideas. If there is a I there needs to be a II, and if there's an A there needs to be a B. Subpoints should be subordinate ideas to the main point ideas, and so on. •Separate the parts of the speech-A complete outline will include the introduction, body, and conclusion of the speech. It is usually helpful to label these sections. •Call out the specific purpose and thesis-Many instructors want students to include this pertinent information at the top of the outline, so check with your instructor to determine his or her preference. •Cite the sources used-Including parenthetical notations or footnotes crediting the source where information was obtained will help ensure that the speaker gives credit to the proper source when delivering the presentation. •Give the speech a title-Most speakers give their speeches a catchy title that captures the essence of their presentation.

Question 4

What are the three functions of a well-written conclusion? Describe some of the options a speaker has for accomplishing those functions.

Question 5

Explain why the language a speaker uses is critical to his or her success as a speaker. Based on what you have learned in this chapter, what advice do you have for how a speaker can use language effectively and avoid some common pitfalls that can get in the way of the speech's success?
*This question can be used to synthesize information from Chapter 12 by specifically referencing the idea of ethics by adding: Why is it an ethical obligation of the speaker to use language appropriately in his or her speech? or How can the use of inappropriate language undermine the dignity of the audience, and how can a speaker demonstrate his or her integrity through the use of appropriate language? or How can appropriate language usage help a speaker demonstrate to an audience that he or she is trustworthy, respectful, responsible, and fair?
Answer Key

Question 6

Describe the following organizational patterns and the types of speeches each would work well to organize: chronological pattern, topical pattern, spatial pattern, problem-solution pattern, cause-effect pattern, and motivated sequence pattern.

Question 7

Describe how transitions, signposts, internal previews, and internal summaries are used in the body of the speech.