Elements of Your Speaking Outline

• Main points. Write each main point as a brief phrase or as a single sentence. Stating your main points using similar words or parallel structure will signal to your listeners that these points are important.
• Subpoints and sub-subpoints. Write just enough to remind yourself of the key idea.
• Abbreviations. To condense your outline, use abbreviations whenever possible. However, as you have probably realized when going back to study notes you took in class, it is essential to use abbreviations that you will recognize.
• Evidence. When providing evidence for your claims in your speaking outline, include necessary citation information and also word-for-word quotations or accurate paraphrases of evidence from the original source.
• Difficult words. If you’ll be using words that are difficult to pronounce or remember, include them in your speaking outline. For example, in the sample outline on pages 322, the speaker included the term “silicon nitride” to ensure that he would remember the exact name of the compound.
• Transitions. Include a brief reminder of each transition in your speech. These reminders don’t need to be word-for-word, but make them detailed enough to indicate to your audience that you’re done with one idea and you’re moving on to the next. Consider using brackets to set your transitions apart from your points.
• Delivery notes. Consider jotting down a delivery reminder to handle any speaking challenges effectively. For example, write “SLOW DOWN!” in places where you tend to rush, or “LOOK UP!” if you often read from your notes rather than making eye contact while presenting. Consider writing “KEY POINT” or “EMPHASIS!” to remind yourself to use inflections or gestures to highlight an important idea. Try writing “COVER WHEN DONE!” as a reminder for what to do after you’ve finished using a visual aid. To make reminders stand out, circle them, write them in capital letters, use a different colored ink, or highlight them.