Chapter 9.3

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the process of organizing a speech

  2. Identify common organizational patterns

  3. Incorporate supporting materials into a speech

  4. Employ verbal citations for various types of supporting materials.

  5. List key organizing signposts

  6. Identify the objectives of a speech introduction

  7. Identify the objectives of a speech conclusion

Key Takeaways:

  • The speech consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. When organizing a speech, start with the body.

  • Determine the main points of a speech based on your research and supporting materials. The main points should support the thesis statement, and help achieve the general and specific purposes.

  • The organizational patterns that can help arrange the main points of a speech are topical, chronological, spatial, problem-solution, cause-effect, and Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.

  • Incorporating signposts help connect the introduction, boy, and conclusion of a speech. Organizing signposts should be written using parallel working to the central idea of each main points.

  • A speaker should do the following in the introduction of a speech: get the audience’s attention, introduce the topic, establish credibility and relevance, and preview the main points.

  • A speaker should do the following in the conclusion of a speech: summerize the importance of the topic, review the main points, and provide closure.


Organizing the Body of Your Speech:

Determining Your Main Points:

  • Each main point is like a mini speech

  • Each will have a central idea, meet some part of your specific purpose, and include supporting materials from research in line with your thesis.

  • Parallel Wording: Similar wording among key organizing signposts and main points for structure.

  • Example of Parallel Wording:

  1. The green movement in schools positively affects school buildings and facilities.

  2. The green movement in schools positively affects students.

  3. The green movement in schools positively affects teachers.

Organizing Your Main Points: Common Patterns

Topical Pattern:

  • You are breaking a larger idea or category into smaller ideas or subcategories.

  • Determine order of divisions with the primacy or recency effect.

  • Pri

Chronological Pattern:

Spatial Pattern:

Problem-Solution Pattern:

Cause-Effect Pattern:

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence:

Incorporating Sup