How to Outline a Speech for a Procedural Speech

Be prepared to give your speech.

Great speeches come from great outlines. Constructing an outline for a procedural or informative speech can seem overwhelming. However, speakers can follow easy steps to create a well-structured outline, and eventually, a well-delivered speech. The purpose of a procedural speech is to inform your audience about something. What will your audience be able to do after listening to your speech? Like all other well-written works, speeches have an introduction, body and conclusion. Before you begin writing your outline, it is important to do some brainstorming.

Instructions

1. Write a specific purpose statement for your proposed topic. Ask yourself what the purpose of your speech is. Typically, the purpose of a procedural or informative speech is to increase your audience's knowledge of a particular subject or teach listeners how to do something new. Perhaps the specific purpose is that your audience will be able to explain the steps for taking care of a dog.

2. Write a thesis statement for your proposed topic. This is one clear, complete and declarative sentence. The thesis statement is like the backbone of your outline. Refer to the following sentence as an example of a thesis statement: "The ability to care for a pet, such as a dog, can provide lifelong lessons in responsibility."

3. Write Introduction in bold at the top of your page. Under the word Introduction, create the following five sections with roman numerals I, II, III, IV and V: Attention Getter, Audience Relevance Link, Credibility, Thesis, Preview. Leave space under each section to further construct your outline.

   Under Attention Getter write a statement or question that grabs the audience's attention. Going back to the previous example, you could ask, "How many of you are animal lovers?

   Under Audience Relevance Link, write a sentence that lets your audience know why your topic is important or how it relates to them. For example, "I'm sure many of you have owned or plan on owning a dog at sometime in your life. If not, you might know someone who does."

   Under Credibility, write a sentence that tells your audience why you are credible to speak on the topic. "I have had my dog, Cleo, for 10 years," for example.

   Under Thesis, rewrite your thesis statement as discussed above.

   Under Preview, write a sentence that lets the audience know what main points you will be covering in the body of your speech. For example, "Today, I will talk to you about first, providing the right nutrition for your dog, then how to choose a training program, and finally exercise."

4. Write Body in bold below your preview statement. Under Body, include roman numeral sections for each main point you want to make. Your first point concerning nutrition would be that dogs need to eat twice a day. Leave space under the main points for sub-points that help support your main ideas. List any sub-points under its main point with capital letters starting with "A." Note that sub-points are a great place for you to include any references or sources that help support your main points. Include the reference's name, title, year of publication and any other information to the outline to later help you in orally giving credit to the source. For example, the first sub-point could be "According to 'Healthy Pup Magazine, in 2004, canine nutritionist specialist Douglas Spear suggested it is best to feed dogs once in the morning and once in the evening."

5. Write the word Transition followed by a colon under each main point's group of sub-points. You might have several transitions. Write a sentence that guides the audience into your next main point or into your conclusion. Remember, transitions are essential because they act as a guide for the audience as well as help the speaker stay organized. For example, "Now that we have discussed proper nutrition methods for your dog, I am going to talk to you about how to choose a training program."

6. Write Conclusion in bold under your final transition. Under Conclusion, create the following three sections with roman numerals: Review Main Points, Restate Thesis and Decisive Closing.

   Under Review Main Points, briefly restate all of your main points and tell the audience what you have covered. These are listed as the roman numerals in the Body section. Under Restate Thesis, rewrite your thesis statement as a complete sentence. Under Decisive Close, write a sentence that pleasantly brings your outline to complete close.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek feedback from a mentor or friend.

• Write key words from your outline on a note card and practice your delivery.

• Practice again and again.

References

• You Speak: Skills for the Engaged Speaker, Daniel West, 2010