Strive for a Unified, Coherent, and Balanced Outline

A well-organized speech is characterized by unity, coherence, and balance. Try to adhere to these principles as you arrange your speech points.

TABLE 11.2 Principles of Coordination and Subordination

  • Assign equal weight to ideas that are coordinate.
  • Assign relatively less weight to ideas that are subordinate.
  • Indicate coordinate points by their parallel alignment.
  • Indicate subordinate points by their indentation below the more important points.
  • Every point must be supported by at least two points or none at all (consider how to address one “dangling” point in the point above it).

A speech exhibits unity when it contains only those points that are implied by the purpose and thesis statements. Each main point supports the thesis, and each supporting point provides evidence for the main points. Each subsupporting point supports each supporting point. Finally, each point should focus on a single idea.

A speech exhibits coherence when it is organized clearly and logically, using the principles of coordination and subordination to align speech points in logical progression (see Table 11.2). In addition, the speech body should follow logically from the introduction, and the conclusion should follow logically from the body. Within the body of the speech itself, main points should follow logically from the thesis statement, and supporting points should follow logically from the main points. Transitions (see "Use Transitions to Give Direction to the Speech") serve as logical bridges that help establish coherence.

Inexperienced public speakers may give overly lengthy coverage to one point and insufficient attention to others, or they might provide scanty evidence in the body of the speech after presenting an impressive introduction. The principle of balance suggests that appropriate emphasis or weight be given to each part of the speech relative to the other parts and to the thesis. The body of a speech should always be the longest part, and the introduction and the conclusion should be of roughly the same length. Stating the main points in parallel form is one aspect of balance. Assigning each main point at least two supporting points is another. If you have only one subpoint, consider how you might incorporate it into the superior point. Think of a main point as a tabletop and supporting points as table legs; without at least two legs, the table cannot stand.

DO THE SPEECH POINTS REFLECT UNITY, COHERENCE, AND BALANCE?

  1. ____ 1. Does each main point refer directly to your specific purpose or thesis statement?
  2. ____ 2. Does each point focus on a single idea?
  3. ____ 3. Do your main points follow logically from your thesis statement?
  4. ____ 4. Do your supporting points follow logically from the main points?
  5. ____ 5. Do you spend roughly the same amount of time on each main point?
  6. ____ 6. Is each main point substantiated by at least two supporting points?
  7. ____ 7. Are speech points stated in parallel form?