Outline on Outlining
Student Name
Instructor Name
Public Speaking: COMM 203 – Section #
Date: (dd/mm/year)
Title: “Sample Outline on Writing an Outline”
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the proper format and techniques to use when constructing a preparation outline
Thesis: Writing an outline involves careful organization and the use of certain formatting guidelines
Introduction
Begin your outline by drafting your thesis and then working on the body of the speech.
After the body is developed, return to outlining your introduction.
Be sure to remember the objective of your introduction: gain audience’s attention, establish your credibility, motivate your audience, state your thesis, and preview major ideas.
Transition: now that you have effectively introduced the speech, you should review the body.
Body
You should have between 2 and 4 major points depending on the assignment.
Sub-points are explanations (or specific parts) of your main points.
They elaborate and give substance to the point itself.
Remember to cite your sources in the body of your outline just as you would in a research paper.
Transition: now that you know the functions of the main and subpoints, you may begin to put them to paper.
Preparation outlines must always be written in complete sentences. (subject, verb, and predicate)
A complete sentence equals a complete thought.
Use only one sentence per letter or number.
Transition: In addition to using complete sentences and proper grammar, the outline will also have a certain structure.
Notice the indentations are all lined up in this sample.
Each letter and number are lined up evenly.
The letter or number starts where the text above it starts.
Be sure to use your “tab” key rather than relying on the “space bar.”
The order for letters and numbers should be in this consistent pattern.
Main points are denoted by Roman Numerals. (I, II, III, etc.)
Sub-points are indicated by Capital Letters. (A, B, C, etc.)
Sub-sub-points are indicated by Arabic Numerals. (1, 2, 3, etc.)
Sub-sub-sub points are indicated by lower-case letters. (a, b, c, etc.)
You may need to turn off the automatic outline function in Microsoft Word.
Bill Gates thinks he knows how you want to do outlines, so if you try to create an outline it will automatically do the next number/letter and indentation.
To turn off the automatic function, you will need to do the following:
Start by clicking on “Tools” on your top menu bar.
Under “Tools” go to “Auto Correct.”
You should then select the “Auto Format As You Type” tab.
Finally, uncheck the box by “Automatic Numbered Lists,” and you should be able to do your outline as you want.
Remember to cite your sources in the body of your outline just as you would do a research paper.
Transition: In addition to the formal structure, there are other important guidelines to follow.
Remember to utilize the “Rule of Twos.”
In other words, if you have an I, you must also have a II. (The same is true for sub-points as well. If you have an A, you must also have a B.)
To have only one probably means that it is not a sub-point, but a part of the main point above it.
Each “explanation” or “elaboration” should have more than one element.
Some people mistakenly do the opposite.
They make the mistake of labeling everything as a main or sub-point.
Basically, this amounts to them using too much information.
For instance, ten major body points is far too many.
The same is true if you end up with fifthteen sub-points under one main point.
In these cases, you should probably group several of these points together.
Remember to cite your sources in the body of the outline, just like you would in a research paper.
Conclusion
Remember to write a meaningful conclusion that meets the criteria we discussed in class.
Signal the end.
Summarize the main points.
Create closure.
Restate the thesis.
Reinforce the main idea.
Remember that a well-written outline supports a well-delivered speech.
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