- Your speech thesis will guide the structure of your speech. Evolving from your specific purpose statement, it will inform your audience of your position on the topic and provide insight into your main points.
- The body of your speech contains your main points, which are backed up by your supporting materials.
- The organizational pattern you choose (topical, chronological, spatial, cause-effect, or problem-solution) will help your audience understand and follow your speech's main points.
- Both the introduction and the conclusion serve important purposes in a speech. These are moments when you have the opportunity to gain listeners' attention, disclose your thesis, establish credibility, connect to your audience, preview and summarize your main points, prepare listeners for the end of your speech, and make a final impression.
- Developing preparation and delivery outlines helps you plan the flow and logic of your speech and keep you on task during the actual presentation, making you a more successful speaker.