Imagine that you’re about to set off on a car trip to a place you’ve never been before. Unless you have GPS and can type in the address of your destination, there are two steps you probably would take before you begin. First, you’d likely consult a Web site like Google Maps to assess where you need to go, how you might get there, and how long it would take. You’d study the route, commit the general picture to memory, and figure out any tricky portions. Second, you might print out a brief set of directions that summarize the information from the map (“Take this highway to that exit, turn right at this street,” and so on) so that you could glance at the printout while driving.

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In much the same way as you’d take these two steps to ensure a safe journey, many speech instructors suggest taking two steps when outlining your speech. In fact, many instructors require two versions of your outline for each presentation. The first is usually known as a working outline, which functions as a road map to help you prepare your speech. The second is known as a speaking outline, which, like a brief set of directions, provides you with quick and easy-to-follow notes you can refer to without really “taking your eyes off the road”—or, in this case, your audience.

In this section, we take a look at these two types of outlines, each of which represents an important step in the development of your presentation. But it’s essential for you to check with your instructor about his or her requirements for outlining in your speech course. Individual instructors have different philosophies about creating outlines, so be sure to follow your instructor’s requirements.