Speech ClassWriting an Outline
andMaking Cue Cards
Overview
• An outline breaks down the parts of your speech in a clear, hierarchical (top-down) manner.
• Most students find that writing an outline before beginning to write the speech is most helpful in organizing one’s thoughts. If your outline is good, your speech should be easy to write.
• The format for an outline uses an alternating series of numbers and letters – indented accordingly – to indicate levels of importance.
Indent (verb) – to start a line of text further from the margin than the main part of the text.
A Dent in a Car
Title of SpeechI. Introduction
II. Main Point #1A. Information / Sub-pointB. Information / Sub-point
III. Main Point #2A. Information / Sub-point
1. Info specific to Sub-Point A2. Info specific to Sub-Point A
a. More detailed info for A2b. More detailed info for A2
B. Information / Sub-pointC. Information / Sub-point
IV. Main Point #3A. Information / Sub-pointB. Information / Sub-point
V. Conclusion
Four Main Components
for Effective Outlines
Ideally, you should follow these 4 principles to create an effective outline.
1. Parallelism
2. Coordination
3. Subordination
4. Division
1. ParallelismEach heading and subheading must preserve parallel structure.
1st heading is a noun 2nd heading must be a noun1st heading is a verb 2nd heading must be a verb
Example:
• Choose Desired Colleges• Prepare Application
("Choose" and "Prepare" are both verbs.)
2. Coordination
All the information contained in Headings 1 & 2 must have the same significance.
The same is true for the subheadings(which must be less significant than the headings).
Example:
I. Visit and evaluate college campusesII. Visit and evaluate college websites
A. Note important statisticsB. Look for interesting classes
(Campus and website visits are equally significant, as are statistics and classes found on college websites.)
3. Subordination
The information in the headings is general, while the
information in the subheadings is more specific.
Example:
I. Describe an influential person in your lifeA. Favorite high school teacher
B. Grandparent
(“Favorite teacher” and “Grandparent” are specific examples of influential people.)
4. Division
Each heading must be divided into 2 or more parts.
Example:
I. Compile resumeA.List relevant coursework
B.List work experience
C.List volunteer experience
How to Build a Kite
I. Introduction – Preview the 3 steps to building and testing a kite
II. Designing the kiteA. The FrameB. The “Skin”C. The Tail
III. Building the KiteA. Getting the MaterialsB. Putting the frame togetherC. Adding the skinD. Attaching the tailE. Adding the final touch – the string
IV. Testing the KiteA. Choosing the right wind and weather conditionsB. Launching the kite – best techniquesC. Keeping it in the air and avoiding obstaclesD. Reeling it in
• Conclusion – Final thoughts on being creative in building a kite
Tips for Making Cue Cards
Consider using cue cards
(sometimes called note cards)
to help you remember the
main points of your speech.
“Cue” means:
“anything serving as a signal
to do – or say – something”
Tips for Making Cue Cards
Transfer Your Outline to Your Cue Cards
How to Build a Kite
I. Introduction
Preview the 3 steps to building and testing a kite
Put each part of your speech on a separate card.
•Your Introduction should go on one card, the Body (Main Points) on the next few cards, and the Conclusion on a final card.
•This will minimize confusion as you are flipping through your cards during the speech.
II. Designing the Kite
A. The Frame
B. The “Skin”
C. The Tail
Use large, bold lettering to make your notes easier to read.
•If it helps you, use different colors to highlight important points.•Use underlining, as well.
III. Building the Kite
A. Getting the Materials
B. Putting the Frame together
C. Adding the Skin
D. Attaching the Tail
E. Adding the final touch – the String
Use no more than 5 or 6 lines per note card.If you put too much on one card, you will end up confusing yourself.
III. Building the Kite 3.
A. Getting the Materials
B. Putting the Frame together
C. Adding the Skin
D. Attaching the Tail
E. Adding the final touch – the String
Number Your Cards.It’s very easy to lose track of your place while speaking. If you number each card, you can quickly recover in the event that your cards get out of order.
IV. Testing the Kite 4.
A. Choosing the right wind and weather conditions
B. Launching the kite – the best techniques
C. Keeping it in the air and avoiding obstacles
D. Reeling it in
Write on only one side of each card.If you write on both sides, you increase the chances of getting mixed up and losing your place.
Use your cue cards to makecomments to yourself.
• Put notes in the margins of a card to prompt yourself of something you might want to do during the speech.
• For example, you might write “Pause”, “Take a breath”, or “Slow down” on a few cards to remind yourself to speak at a nice, even pace.
• Just be careful not to write too many notes, or your cards will get cluttered and confusing.
IV. Testing the Kite (Take a Breath!) 4.
A. Choosing the right wind and weather conditions
B. Launching the kite – the best techniques
C. Keeping it in the air and avoiding obstacles
D. Reeling it in
V. Conclusion 5.
Final thoughts on being creative in building a kite
I hope you enjoyed this speech. If you build a kite, let me know how it turns out, OK? Maybe we can fly our kites together!
When you conclude your speech,don’t simply say, “That’s all”!!!
Make sure your conclusion is not too abrupt (i.e., a sudden ending).