Use Sentences, Phrases, or Key Words

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Speeches can be outlined in complete sentences, phrases, or key words. Working outlines typically contain full sentences, reflecting much of the text of the speech; speaking outlines use phrases or key words.

In a sentence outline, each main and supporting point is stated in sentence form as a declarative statement (one that makes an assertion about a subject). The following is an excerpt of a working outline in sentence format from a speech by Mark B. McClellan on keeping prescription drugs safe:1

  1. The prescription drug supply is under unprecedented attack from a variety of increasingly sophisticated threats.
    1. Technologies for counterfeiting—ranging from pill molding to dyes—have improved across the board.
    2. Inadequately regulated Internet sites have become major portals for unsafe and illegal drugs.

A phrase outline uses partial construction of the sentence form of each point. Phrase outlines encourage you to become so familiar with your speech points that a glance at a few words is enough to remind you of exactly what to say. McClellan’s sentence outline would appear as follows in phrase outline form:

  1. Drug supply under attack
    1. Counterfeiting technologies more sophisticated
    2. Unregulated Internet sites

The key-word outline uses the smallest possible units of understanding to outline the main and supporting points.

  1. Threats
    1. Counterfeiting
    2. Internet

The type of outline you select will affect how well you deliver the speech. The less you rely on your outline notes, the more eye contact you can have with audience members—an essential aspect of a successful speech.

For this reason, many speaking experts recommend using key-word or phrase outlines over sentence outlines for delivery, with the more succinct key-word outline often being the preferred format. Key-word outlines permit not only the greatest degree of eye contact but also greater freedom of movement and better control of your thoughts and actions than either sentence or phrase outlines. With sufficient practice, the key words will jog your memory so that the delivery of your ideas becomes more natural.

It is important to remember that outlining requirements differ among instructors. Be sure you understand your instructor’s specific outlining and formatting requirements before you begin outlining your speech.