Toilet Paper Orientation

Lesly Austin

General Purpose: To persuade

Specific Purpose: To persuade my listeners of the advantages of each toilet paper
orientation option.

INTRODUCTION
I.

Start with brief overview.

A. Option one, the over hang.
1. The toilet paper hangs over (in front of) the roll.
B. Option two, the under hang
1. The toilet paper hangs under (behind) the roll.

II.

Focus on the purpose of the presentation

A. Many people are not aware of all the advantages that with each toilet paper orientation
option.

III.

Capture the audience

A. Even if you dont care which way the toilet paper hangs, there are probably many pros and
cons that you have not thought about yet.

IV.

Preview
A. I will explain the advantages of the over hang
B. Second, I will explain the advantages of the under hang.
C. Third, I will show some surveys between preference, sex, and age, and some famous people
that have been noted to prefer one way or the other.

BODY
I.

The Over Hang

A. Over reduces the chance of brushing the wall.
1. Potentially transferring germs.
B. Over is easier to locate and grab the end of the toilet paper.

C. Over allows room service to fold over the last sheet showing the room has been cleaned
D. Over allows for the manufacturers design to be visible.
II.

The Under Hang

A. Under is a tidier, cleaner look
B. Under is harder for a pet or child to unroll the paper
C. Under conserves more paper.
1. Because the paper tears at the side of the roll, rather than at the top.

III.

Statistics and Preferences

A. Book The First Really Important Survey of American Habits
1. 68% chose over
i. On average 69% of males chose over
ii. On average 67% of females chose over
B. Surveys

1. 1993 Practices and Preferences of Toilet Paper Users

i. Of 1,200 respondents, 73% chose over.

2. 1994 Toilet Paper Report

i. Of 1,000 respondents, 59% chose over.

3. 2010 Cottonelles Great Debate Survey

i. Out of 1,000 respondents, 72% chose over.

1. Cottonelle found that "overs" are more likely than "unders" to

notice a roll's direction (74 percent), to be annoyed when the
direction is incorrect (24 percent), and to have flipped the
direction at a friend's home (27 percent).

C. Famous People That Prefer Over

1. Jay Leno, Tori Spelling, Martha Stewart, Seth Wheeler

D. Famous People That Prefer Under

1. Ann Landers, Dean McDermott

CONCLUSION
I.

Summary
A. The over hang is easier to grab, and allows for paper design.
B. The under hang is a cleaner look, and harder for pets and children to unroll.
C. In general, more people prefer over to under.