Introduction to Human Communication

Public Communication
Organization and Support
Chapter #12
Claudia Robuck
Fall 2020
ORGANIZATION & SUPPORT

Structuring Speeches
Outlines
Logical Patterns
Transitions
Introductions and Conclusions
Supporting Materials
ORGANIZATION & SUPPORT

Structuring your Speech

Good Organization
Helps refine idea
Construct clear message
Tell what you’re going to say, say it, then tell
what you’ve said
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Structuring your Speech

Outlines: Conceptual Roadmaps
Working outline maps out your speech
Formal required at time of presentation
Speaking notes are for your use only
ORGANIZATION & SUPPORT

Structuring your Speech

Principles of Outlines
Standard format: Rules of division
Parallel wording mutually exclusive sub-points
worded consistent with main point
I. Capital punishment not effective
II. Capital punishment not constitutional
III. Capital punishment not civilized
ORGANIZATION & SUPPORT

Logical Patterns
Time sequential, chronological order
Space arranged according to area
Topic based on types or categories
Problem – solution analysis
Cause and effect examination
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Transitions
Functions
Mortar that holds speech together
To either prove or show exception
Repeat or emphasize
Provide continuity
Serve as internal previews
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Transitions
Functions
Connect points into a unified whole
Keep your message moving
Demonstrate sequence
Indicate passage of time
Show how each point relates to thesis
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Introductions
Be vibrant, creative, dynamic
Use a technique to supports your style and topic
Engage your audience
Provide conceptual roadmaps
Establish relationship with audience
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Introductions
Functions
Motivate the audience toward your topic
Transform attention into interest
Preview main points
Set the mood and tone of your speech
Demonstrate importance of topic
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Introductions: Use References

Audience, Connect
Occasion or
common audience to
setting
ground topic
something Cite a startling,
familiar to unexpected fact Ask a question
audience
Tell an Quotation or
Use humor, tell
anecdote or testimony
a joke
personal story
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Introductions
Common mistakes
Before I begin… you’ve already started
I’m not really prepared…
Being too dramatic
Introduction that is too long or irrelevant
Use of stock phrases or clichés
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Conclusions
Essential speech component

Craft conclusions directed for a specific

outcome before preparing presentation

Audiences most likely remember the last

part of a speech
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Conclusions
Functions
Restate thesis
Review main points
Signal the end of your speech
Provide a memorable final remark
Effective conclusions deliver logical and
psychological closure
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Conclusions
Common mistakes
Ending abruptly
Trailing off or rambling
Introducing new ideas
Apologizing or thanking audience
Saying “that’s it”
Insincerely saying “in conclusion”
ORGANIZATION & SUPPORT

Conclusions
Sample words and phrases
To summarize…
Summing it up…
To conclude…
In conclusion…
As said/shown earlier…
Consequently…
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Class Exercise
Customize presentation based on topic, audience
and logical pattern
• Create event: environment and reason to
gather
• Find common ground to connect to audience
• Develop value profile for audience
• Discuss (minimum) 2 mutually exclusive points
• Craft effective introduction & conclusion
ORGANIZATION & SUPPORT
Class Exercise
Binge Drinking
Introduction technique
Thesis/purpose statement
Mutually exclusive points
Logical pattern used
Conclusion technique
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Supporting Materials
Functions
Clarify and support thesis
Justify assertions
Prove/disprove
Generate interest
Basis for beliefs
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Supporting Materials
Types
Definitions
Examples
Statistics
Analogies: compare or contrast
Anecdotes
Quotations and testimony
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Supporting Materials: Research

Fact vs. fiction on the Web

Anyone can publish on line

Not everything is double checked

The Web is not maintained by experts

Web’s biggest weakness: lack of oversight

ORGANIZATION & SUPPORT

Supporting Materials: Research

The Invisible Web
Visible Web indexed by search engines is 1/500th
of entire web
Most information is password protected, behind a
firewall or not indexed
Scholarly or academic journals peer reviewed,
forum for new or existing research
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Supporting Materials: Research
Wikipedia
Advantages
Truly democratic
Good place to start
Provides location of credible sources
Disadvantages
Anyone can edit or contribute
Information can be disorganized
Quality of content can be questionable
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Supporting Materials: Research

Avoid bias and slanting
Be neither an advocate or opponent of your topic
Remain impartial and objective
Requires imagination, persistence
Consider multiple points of view
I. Introduction: Text written in your words
Craft an introduction to gain audience's attention and demonstrate importance of your topic. Engage audience by providing a conceptual roadmap, find
common ground with them to establish relationship. Connect yourself to your topic through anecdotes and narratives. Choose an effective introduction
technique that supports your style and topic: lead with a question; relay something applicable to audience, how your presentation meets their needs, relevant
quote, startling fact, reference the reason for gathering, use humor or refer to something familiar.
 
II. Thesis Statement: Text written in your words
State your thesis – what you are going to discuss. For an informative speech, tell us what you plan to teach us. If you’re giving a persuasive speech identify
topic to be discussed through analogies that compare/ contrast multiple perspectives; state your position on the issue and your proposal followed by the main
points that you will develop in your argument. For informative and persuasive speeches, determine suitable pattern: time, space, topic, problem-solution or
cause – effect.
 
III. Body: Use phrases, not sentences or single words
Use standard format: rules of division, parallel wording, transitions to connect and relate points to thesis. Key and sub point explanations/evidence includes
data, statistics, credible sources you’ve learned through scholarly research.
 
First Key Point, Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence
a. Sub-point c. Sub-point
b. Sub-point d. Transition
Second Key Point, Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence
a. Sub-point c. Sub-point
b. Sub point d. Transition
Third Key Point, Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence
a. Sub point c. Sub-point
b. Sub point d. Transition
Persuasive Speeches only
Clearly state your appeal with a desired outcome and how audience can achieve it.

IV. Conclusion: Text written in your words

Your conclusion needs to provide logical and psychological closure as demonstrated through verbal and non-verbal communication to clearly signal end of
speech. Summarize and re-emphasize your thesis, reviewing your key points and evidence supporting it in a fresh way, reinforce your desired outcome, show
how you have achieved your purpose. Make a memorable final statement, audiences most likely to remember last part of speech.