Organizing The Body of the Speech Chapter 9

The Number of Main Points In Western culture, 3 is significant Depends on length of speech. For classroom speeches, 3 is perfect, but between 2 and 4 is acceptable.

Strategic Order of Main Points Chronological Order Follows a timeline. Spatial Order Follows a directional pattern. Causal Order A two-point design showing cause and effect. Problem-Solution Order A two-point design showing a significant problem and its solution. Topical Order When a speech has sub-topics of equal importance.

Tips For Preparing Main Points Keep main points clearly separate. Use parallel wording where possible. Balance the amount of time spent on each main point. Supporting material should be in sub-points and sub-sub-points.

Connectives Transitions Internal previews Internal summaries Signposts “additionally,” “on the other hand,” “moving on to. . .” Internal previews Preview in the body of (usually longer) speeches Internal summaries Summaries in the body of (usually longer) speeches Signposts Brief, often numerical statements showing where you are in a speech.

FRANCESCA’S “TRANSITION STATEMENT” It is a combination internal summary/preview In the body of the speech between each main point Summarize what you have just covered and preview what is next

Guess the Organizational Method To inform my audience about the US court system Spatial To inform my audience about the rise of communism in the 20th Century Chronological To inform about types of Native American art Topical To persuade my audience that the legislature should enact stiffer penalties for child abuse. Problem-solution

Organization Exercise Write two main points (in complete sentences)and arrange the following sub-points under them: The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting foreign aid The federal deficit could be reduced by imposing a luxury tax The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting defense spending The federal deficit could be reduced by increasing income taxes The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting welfare spending The federal deficit could be reduced by imposing a national sales tax The federal deficit could be reduced by cutting aid to states The federal deficit could be reduced by better collection of taxes