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Speech outline template for COM 102 (informative and persuasive speech)

Remember that your entire outline should be written in complete sentences, and you need to include in-text citations and a References list (in APA or MLA style) for any information you find in outside sources.

Speech Title

1. Introduction
   1. Attention getter: [Keep it short—and no gimmicks necessary! With a short statement, question, or story, connect your topic with your audience.]
   2. Audience connection: [Continue this sense of audience connection by stressing the relevance or importance of your topic to this particular group of people, or by connecting the topic to something they care about or a shared value.]
   3. Credibility statement: [What knowledge or experience makes you a credible speaker on this topic? Only one sentence needed.]
   4. Thesis: [Be specific! Summarize the specific purpose of your speech in one complete sentence.]
   5. Preview of main points: [Briefly tell us what 2-3 things you will tell us about:]

Transition: [Take us smoothly from your preview to your first main point. For example, “First…”, “To begin…”]

1. Body
   1. [First main point. This should be written in one complete sentence, like a “topic sentence” you include when you are writing a paragraph. It should also match the first main point in your introduction’s “preview of main points.”]
      1. [Sub-point. One sentence that directly supports main point A.]
         1. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
         2. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
      2. [Sub-point. One sentence that directly supports main point A.]
         1. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
         2. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]

Transition: [Take us smoothly from your first main point to your second main point. Consider using an “internal summary,” an “internal preview,” or both.]

1. [Second main point. This should be written in one complete sentence, like a “topic sentence” you include when you are writing a paragraph. It should also match the second main point in your introduction’s “preview of main points.”]
   1. [Sub-point. One sentence that directly supports main point B.]
      1. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
      2. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
   2. [Sub-point. One sentence that directly supports main point B.]
      1. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
      2. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]

Transition: [Take us smoothly from your second main point to your third main point. Consider using an “internal summary,” an “internal preview,” or both.]

1. [Third main point. This should be written in one complete sentence, like a “topic sentence” you include when you are writing a paragraph. It should also match the third main point in your introduction’s “preview of main points.”]
   1. [Sub-point. One sentence that directly supports main point C.]
      1. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
      2. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
   2. [Sub-point. One sentence that directly supports main point C.]
      1. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]
      2. [Sub-sub-point, or supporting evidence.]

Transition: [Take us smoothly from your final main point to your conclusion. Consider using an “internal summary,” an “internal preview,” or both.]

• Conclusion
  1. Recap of thesis: [One sentence.]
  2. Review of main points: [Briefly recap all three main points, so your audience has a clear memory of what they learned.]

1. Confident closer: [End strong with one memorable sentence! Consider memorizing this, so that you can close with confidence.]

References

List your references here, in APA or MLA style.