how to create a speech outline

The Writing Process

Making expository writing less stressful, more efficient, and more enlightening, search form, you are here.

• Step 2: Plan and organize

Creating a Detailed Outline

To construct a detailed outline:

• Use a hierarchical structure of main ideas, supporting ideas; supporting details. (Use the outline numbering system of your word processor or Google/One Drive to start at the top level with Roman number I, then A, then i, then (a), then 1...)
• Except for your (working) thesis statment, don’t feel you need use complete sentences unless you particularly like one from your freewrite). You may often omit articles, pronouns, prepositions, and often the verb “to be” (see sample outline);
• Do NOT omit other verbs, though; for example, “Economic development” is not an idea, but rather a topic. “Economic development stagnated mid-1990s” is an idea…
• Once you have transferred all the ideas from Step 1, look over the outline and see if you have enough evidence to adequately prove your thesis. If not, or if some places need evidence, either DO MORE OF STEP 1 or do some research to fill in vacant parts of your outline. Remember, your outline should contain EVERY POINT that you're going to write in your paper (although of course new ideas or questions may arise in your mind as you write, but that's good! It means your paper will be even more sophisticated.)

Click here to practice constructing your own detailed outline .

Speech delivery practice

A speech is not an assignment that can be done the night before; practice is essential.  Practicing a speech will boost your confidence as a speaker and ease potential anxiety.

Podium/lectern practice

Using or not using a podium does not make or break a speech. If using a podium, it should not be used to hide from the audience.  

• Stand tall—do not hold or lean on the podium
• Makes an impact especially at the conclusion of the speech
• Allows audience to see you as a person, not just a face behind the podium
• Be sure gestures can be seen
• It is easy with a podium to look down especially if you have notes or outlines
• Maintain eye contact with the audience

Notes can be helpful. Know your instructor’s preference as some allow notes and some don’t. 

• Make sure to look at the audience
• Know your notes well enough to find what you need
• Know at what point(s) in your speech you may need to look down at your notes
• Notes should be simple enough to keep the speech on track

A gesture is the movement of your hands to express an idea. When practicing your speech, do not practice gestures, let them occur naturally.

• Use natural gestures. Gestures should be relaxed and enhance your speech
• If the topic is exciting, then be excited
• Make gestures visible, even if using a podium/lectern
• Use gestures sparingly. Gestures should not be what the audience remembers about your speech

Vocal delivery

Your voice should be loud enough to be heard and have variation (not monotone). This occurs naturally in conversation with friends—so your speech should sound the same.

Try practicing the following to work on vocal variations and delivery.

• Tongue twisters
• Funny voices

 These will help you transition to a natural variation in volume and tone.

Adapt to length of the speech

In extemporaneous speaking, there are no ties to a manuscript, so there is flexibility in structure.

• Move to conclusion of the speech
• The audience doesn’t know what was planned—they just experience the speech as it is delivered
• Understands your topic
• Remembers your thesis and key points

Be direct in speaking

For clarity and time constraints, watch for places where phrases can be more concise. Practicing your speech will allow you to hear where phrases can be shortened and made more concise. For example, instead of “due to the fact” say “because”. 

Beebe, S. A., & Beebe, S. J. (2012). A concise public speaking handbook . Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Lucas, S. (2012). The art of public speaking . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Sprague, J. & Stuart, D. (2013). The speaker's compact handbook, 4th ed . Portland: Ringgold, Inc.

Vrooman, S. S. (2013). The zombie guide to public speaking: Why most presentations fail, and what you can do to avoid joining the horde . Place of publication not identified: CreateSpace.

Write better speeches by including these six elements

What are the elements of a powerful speech? When writing remarks for a nonprofit leader , expert or other spokesperson, there are a number of elements that you should always include; not only to amplify the power of your words, but also to make speech writing much easier.

Here are six elements to include when writing any speech:

A grabber is used to open your remarks, connect with your audience and capture their attention. There are many techniques you can use to draw listeners in, including:

• Literary references
• Jokes (use with caution!)
• Commentary about a news story or current event
• Relevant personal experiences*
• Feelings or insights the speaker has about the audience*
• Traits, feelings or experiences the speaker has in common with audience*

*These are my personal favourites.

Explicitly state the subject of your remarks.

Doing so can be as simple as this example: “I’m here today to talk about the role of mentors in our work.”

Stating your subject might feel like stating the obvious, but it expresses a commitment to your audience. A stated subject shows that you have a plan and have prepared for your talk; that you value the time they spend listening to you and that you’re going to stay on topic.

Related to the subject but more specific, the message is a single sentence that encapsulates what it is you will communicate through your speech. Your message includes the thesis or point you intend to illustrate for your audience.

Following on the example above, a message might be, “Introducing mentors has allowed us to double the effectiveness of our programs.”

State your message within your speech introduction , and restate it in your conclusion to summarize your remarks.

A theme can be an image, a metaphor or a powerful word that adds interest to your remarks. A theme offers language that unifies the points in your speech, pulling your words together.

For example, a relevant theme in a speech about mentors might be ‘navigation’. The incorporation of language that reflects the theme of navigation (e.g. direction, compass, pathways, journey) can add interest, imagery and power to your speech. It can also support idea generation for other speech elements.

5. Structure

There are a number of ways you can structure your remarks. It’s best to think of your message as your thesis or position and then structure your remarks in terms of making the case.

A number of different structural approaches can be used depending on the message and subject matter. For example, a speech can be structured by:

• A chronological comparison such as ‘past’ vs ‘present’ or ‘present’ vs ‘future’
• The ‘ways’ or ‘reasons’ your main idea or message is true
• The ‘steps’ that have been taken or are underway for achieving a goal or vision mentioned in your message
• The ‘challenge’ you are facing and your ‘response’ to it

Once a structure is established it forms your speech outline; state it in your introduction to offer a roadmap of your remarks and to provide listeners with a feeling of anticipation.

For example, “Today I’m going to tell you what the mentorship program has done for our organization. First it has attracted new volunteers from our priority communities. Second, it has allowed for a more meaningful connection between participants and our organization. And third, it has created an opportunity for that connection to be ongoing.”

Having introduced your speech structure in the introduction, restate each argument or section as you proceed, to make your speech easy to follow.

6. Call to action

Every speech should have a call to action that is related to your message. It might be a big bold rallying cry or a simple step audience can take with them and implement. Close your remarks with a call to action  to help your audience feel part of your message.

Use these speech writing elements to connect with your audience

These elements can make a huge difference in how your speech is received. By building them in, you’ll show your audience that you have thought about them and not just what you want to say. And using these structural elements as a framework prevents you from seeming disorganized or writing a speech built on lists of facts, statistics or accomplishments without cohesion.

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How to Conclude a Speech

A good conclusion of a speech comes from a good introduction. The conclusion and the introduction are somewhat linked together. Whatever you said you in your introduction must be reiterated in the conclusion but of course with different structure and approach. It is like saying again what you intended to say in the first place.

The Closing Speech for an Event

Closing any special occasion speech or event is one of the most important parts of an event. It sets the tone and leaves everyone something to think of after the event. However, it not an easy job and in fact, the trickiest. But the key to an effective closing speech is to make it short and simple.

How to Conclude a Speech?

Closing a speech in pdf  is not that hard, but it is not that easy either. To help you conclude your speech, here are some suggestions.

• The simplest way and a more practical in closing a speech is to say thank you.  That alone gives the signal to the audience to applaud.
• But if you want something more interesting, try asking a question.  A question that is related to the talk. This way, it will get the people thinking and may be discussed it on their own.
• Or try something that makes the audience move or do something.  They have been sitting there for too long, give them something that will make their energy come up again.

How to Deliver a Powerful Closing to a Speech

• Summarize what you have said.  Summarizing your speech in the end is advisable as it helps your audience connect back to your speech.
• Use your introductory speech in the closing.  You know what they say, the opening can be a great ending.
• Make use of quotations.  What better way to close your speech is to quote a quotation from a notable writer.
• Give a dramatic statement.  Provide your audience a lively ending—it’s the key to  motivational speeches .

Tips for Ending a Speech with a Bang

• Plan your conclusion speech word for word.  Aside from using a speech outline , the best way you can make your conclusion memorable and remarkable is to plan every word of your closing speech.
• Make use of a call to action.  The call to action will provide your closing statement with strength and power
• Always summarize your speech at the end.  As stated above, summarizing your whole speech will give the audience a flashback of what your speech is all about.
• Use a story.  It might make your thank you speech a little longer but it makes the audience to hold on to their seat and listen for more.
• Make them laugh.  Nothing more satisfying that making your audience laugh at your closing speech.
• Use poem.  There are lots of poems out there that has a relevant to your speech, use them and make it to your advantage.

What Are the Techniques to Make an Effective Conclusion?

Below are the techniques used to make effective conclusions.

• Summarizing all the main points in your speech template .
• Asking a provocative question.
• Using quotations.
• Provoke a strong image.
• Using a call to action statements .
• Ending it with a warning.
• Using or comparing other situations.
• Suggesting possible outcomes or consequences.

Speech Conclusion Generator

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Create a Speech Conclusion for a talk on climate change

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Sadiq Khan vows to make London a ‘byword for opportunity’ in third term as mayor

L ondon mayor Sadiq Khan will kick off his third term on Tuesday and will pledge to use the next four years to make London the “best city in the world to grow up in”.

The Labour incumbent won a historic third term of office on Saturday, becoming the first London mayor to do so, with a majority of some 275,000 over Conservative rival Susan Hall.

In a speech on Tuesday, Mr Khan will outline his commitment to improving the lives of young Londoners.

He will say his work is about “giving the next generation a chance” and ensuring Londoners can reach their potential from birth to buying a house and getting a job.

In an advanced copy of his speech, seen by PA news agency, he will say: “Over the next four years, City Hall will provide that vital helping hand young Londoners need to move forwards and achieve their aspirations.

“We will do our utmost to ensure London becomes a byword for opportunity again. A place where the barriers of class, race and gender are finally broken down forever. And where ladders of advancement are extended upwards for all.

“I’m pledging to help make London the best city in the world to grow up in, working directly with young people to help develop new and innovative policies to support them from birth to feeling safe, securing a job and finding an affordable home.”

To achieve that goal, Mr Khan plans to provide free skills training for unemployed or low-income Londoners and create more than 150,000 new jobs by 2028.

In his speech, Mr Khan said that he will “never compromise” on the idea that everyone should be given a fair shot at fulfilling their potential.

“So we’ll harness the energy, imagination and insights of young Londoners to design positive programmes that work for them.

“I will build on all the promises in my manifesto – including more funding for youth clubs, better mental health support and investment in high-quality mentoring – to ensure we’re truly giving our young people the best start in life.”

He has also vowed to make the nation’s capital a fairer, safer and greener city for all.

Mr Khan said he wants to make free school meals permanent in London’s state primary schools and to fund more youth clubs with a £30 million investment.

Regarding transport, the mayor will pledge to keep Transport for London fares frozen until at least 2025 and never introduce a pay-per-mile road charging scheme in London.

He vows to end rough sleeping by 2030 with government support, to build 40,000 new council homes by 2030 and to build new “rent control” homes.

On policing, he plans to put 1,300 more police on the streets, provide record investment to tackle violence against women and girls and deliver free legal support for victims.

Mr Khan has previously taken a firm stance on making London a greener place to live, a goal set to continue throughout the next four years.

He will promise to continue world-leading climate action with a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030.

He has also pledged to clean up the Thames, planning to make it swimmable within 10 years.

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US House passes controversial bill that expands definition of anti-Semitism

Rights groups warn that the definition could further chill freedom of speech as protests continue on college campuses.

The United States House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would expand the federal definition of anti-Semitism, despite opposition from civil liberties groups.

The bill passed the House on Wednesday by a margin of 320 to 91, and it is largely seen as a reaction to the ongoing antiwar protests unfolding on US university campuses. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Keep reading

The take: university protests spread across the us, at least 200 arrested at may day clashes in turkey, university gaza protests rage on with columbia arrests and violence at ucla.

If the bill were to become law, it would codify a definition of anti-Semitism created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

That is a federal anti-discrimination law that bars discrimination based on shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics or national origin. Adding IHRA’s definition to the law would allow the federal Department of Education to restrict funding and other resources to campuses perceived as tolerating anti-Semitism.

But critics warn IHRA’s definition could be used to stifle campus protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of 34,568 Palestinians so far.

What is the definition?

IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism is “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”.

According to the IHRA, that definition also encompasses the “targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity”.

The group also includes certain examples in its definition to illustrate anti-Semitism. Saying, for instance, that “the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” would be deemed anti-Semitic under its terms. The definition also bars any comparison between “contemporary Israeli policy” and “that of the Nazis”.

However, IHRA does specify that “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic”.

Bipartisan criticism

Rights groups, however, have raised concerns the definition nevertheless conflates criticism of the state of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism.

In a letter sent to lawmakers on Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) urged House members to vote against the legislation, saying federal law already prohibits anti-Semitic discrimination and harassment.

The bill is “therefore not needed to protect against anti-Semitic discrimination”, the letter said.

“Instead, it would likely chill free speech of students on college campuses by incorrectly equating criticism of the Israeli government with anti-Semitism.”

Those fears were echoed within the House of Representatives itself. During a hearing on Tuesday, Representative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat, said the scope of the definition was too broad.

“By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VI’s ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly,” he said.

Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, also criticised the bill in a post on the social media platform X, noting that it only referred to the IHRA definition, without providing the exact language or stating clearly which parts would be enshrined into law.

“To find the legally adopted definition of anti-Semitism, one must go to [the IHRA website],” he wrote.

“Not only is the definition listed there, but one also finds specific examples of anti-Semitic speech. Are those examples made part of the law as well?”

Concerns on campus

The IHRA adopted its current definition of anti-Semitism in 2016, and its framing has been embraced by the US State Department under President Joe Biden and his two predecessors.

The vote on Wednesday comes as renewed protests have swept across college campuses in opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza. April has seen the spread of encampments on university lawns, as students call for university leaders to divest from Israel and for government officials to call for a ceasefire.

The Biden administration and other top Washington officials have pledged steadfast support for Israel, despite mounting humanitarian concerns over its military campaign.

US lawmakers also have upped the pressure on university administrators to quash the protests, which they have portrayed as inherently anti-Semitic.

Protest leaders across the country, however, have rejected that characterisation. Instead, they accuse administrators and local officials of conflating support for Palestinians with anti-Semitism.

They also have said their rights are being trampled by administrators who seek to appease lawmakers, prompting at times violent police crackdowns on the encampments.

On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that several House committees would be tasked with a probe into alleged campus anti-Semitism. But critics fear the investigation could ultimately threaten to withhold federal research grants and other government support from the universities where the protests are occurring.