A SPEAKER’S GUIDEBOOK 4TH EDITION CHAPTER 12 Organizational Arrangements

Informative Types of Arrangement Topical Chronological Spatial Causal (Cause-Effect) Problem-Solution Narrative Circular

Imagine Arrangement Frames Each of your three main ideas must be of the same organizational pattern. Each main idea has sub-points which do not have to follow the same pattern as the main ideas as long as they match each other.

Arrangement The strategic process of organizing speech points into a coherent and convincing pattern for your topic and your audience. Outlining is the physical process of plotting those speech points on the page in hierarchical order of importance. Your outline will give you a visual snapshot of your speech organization and serve you better than writing a manuscript or essay.

Topical Pattern of Arrangement Each main point is a subtopic or category of the speech topic. Some speech writers term this categorical design. Usually main ideas can go in any order in a topical pattern; however, careful consideration of the order may help your audience understand your speech more easily.

Chronological Pattern of Arrangement Follows a natural sequential order: For example, most people eat breakfast, lunch, then dinner. Historical topics or supporting materials should also follow a chronological pattern from most to least past events, then current events, and then predictions for the future. Medically speaking, you are born, you live, and then you die. Follow the steps in a process in sequential order.

Spatial Pattern of Arrangement Describes or explains the physical arrangement of a place, a scene, or an object in order of relationship to the other elements contained wherein. Pretend you are giving your audience a tour of the Eiffel Tower – do you begin the tour at the top or at the bottom of the Tower?

Causal Pattern of Arrangement (Cause-Effect) Typically a causal pattern contains only two main points: first, the cause, and second, the effect. However, you can have multiple causes for a single effect, or a single cause with multiple effects. A few topics allow the speaker to reverse the pattern and list the effect followed by the cause. For example: In May 2007, the city of Greensburg, Kansas was completely destroyed by a F-5 Tornado.

Problem-Solution Pattern of Arrangement Organizes main points to show the nature or significance of the problem and to provide justification for the solution An informative speech may explain the facts of a solution that has been proposed by someone else. A persuasive speech attempts to convince the audience that the solution will work. The simple design includes two main points: problem and solution. The complex design breaks down the problem into multiple points and provides solutions that have been tried and failed, as well as, the new proposed solution.

Narrative Pattern of Arrangement Speech is arranged like telling a familiar story with characters, setting, and plot. Most narratives follow another pattern of arrangement, such as a chronological order of events. The stories told in the speech must illustrate the theme of the speech topic.

Circular Pattern of Arrangement As each idea is developed by the speaker, it leads into the next idea in a logical line of reasoning. The theory of the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy is one example of a circular pattern.

Question You want to give a speech showing how to reduce your carbon footprint. What would be the best pattern of arrangement? A. Topical B. Causal C. Chronological D. Narrative E. Circular

Types of Persuasive Arrangement Monroe’s Motivational Sequence Refutation Comparative Advantage *Persuasive types will be covered in detail in Chapter 26.

Chapter 12 Key Terms for Review topical pattern of arrangement chronological pattern of arrangement spatial pattern of arrangement causal (cause-effect) pattern of arrangement problem-solution pattern of arrangement narrative pattern of arrangement circular pattern of arrangement