Current Event Speech Organization and Research

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on organizing current event speeches, outlining, and research.

Cause and effect

The idea that events occur because of prior causes; events don’t happen by accident.

Chronological order

Organizing information by time to help the audience follow the sequence easily.

Past-Present-Future (Informative structure)

A three-part chronological format for informative speeches: background (past), current event (present), and implications or outcomes (future).

Justification (Persuasive main point)

Reasoning that explains past behaviors and harms to justify addressing the issue.

Root of the problem

The core causes or factors that allow the problem to exist, including what is being done or not done.

Advocacy

The proposed actions or solutions to address the identified problem.

Outline

An organizational tool that shows the structure and hierarchy of a speech’s main points, subpoints, and details.

Subordination

The rule that each main point must be subdivided into at least two subpoints (A→B, 1→2), creating a clear hierarchy.

Three by three by three

An outlining pattern with three main points, each with three subpoints, and each subpoint with three details.

Outline format rules

Main points use Roman numerals, subpoints use capital letters, sub-subpoints use numbers, and details use lowercase roman numerals; consistent indentation marks levels.

Five Ws and H

Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How—the essential questions to define an event.

Hard news

News about significant events with real-world impact (economy, security, politics, science, etc.) presented factually.

Soft news

News focused on entertainment, sports, or human-interest topics; generally less about broad impact.

Initial search

The first search to locate background information and potential topics for a current event speech.

Research

Synthesis of information from multiple sources to support a claim, going beyond simple reporting.

Current event article window

Articles published within a defined date range (e.g., today to the following Tuesday) to be considered current.

Prospectus

An outline or plan of the research topic used to guide a major project; often requested by professors before writing.

Outline vs. paragraph writing

Speeches are delivered from outlines; essays are written in paragraph form.

Syntax

The arrangement and formation of words and sentences to convey meaning.

Morphology

The structure and organization of sentences and paragraphs in writing.

Topic selection parameters

Choosing a topic that fits assignment guidelines, including relevance, scope, and academic rigor.

Current event vs event definition

An event is a happening; a current event is a timely, newsworthy occurrence defined by its five Ws and H and its date.