Introduction to Persuasive Speaking Part 8: Key Word Outline John E. Clayton Nanjung University, Spring, 2004

Key Word Outline - Purpose Provide “trigger” words, rather than complete sentences. Main ideas and supporting detail are reduced to a key word or phrase that the speaker can remember more easily.

Key Word Outline – How? Put only one idea per line Use numbers and letters to distinguish between main ideas and supporting points Use tabs to visually separate your main points from your support.

Steps 1.Write your full-sentence planning outline. 2.Underline the most important words of each main point and sub-point in your planning outline. 3.Using the same numerals and letters, write down the key words on index cards 4.Write out any direct quotes, source citations, or important statistics that you need to remember. 5.You may also write out the introduction and conclusion. (But don’t read them if you can help it)

Key Word Outline – Sample WRONG 1. Circumstances sometime force people to live alone. Grown children leave the nest - they go to college, move to other cities to get jobs, or marry and move away to start families of their own. RIGHT Thesis: Circumstances sometimes force people to live alone. A. Grown children leave the nest. 1. Go to college 2. Move to other cities to get jobs. 3. Marry and move away to start families of their own.