309

A speaking outline is a short outline that expresses your ideas in brief phrases, key words, or abbreviations rather than in complete sentences or detailed phrases. You will use this outline when you actually deliver your speech. Like the brief set of driving directions we talked about earlier, this brief outline (often written on note cards rather than manuscript paper) provides quick notes that you refer to, rather than read, as you deliver your speech.

The purpose of a speaking outline is to facilitate extemporaneous delivery. As we discuss in both Chapter 2 and Chapter 13, extemporaneous delivery requires that you speak with limited notes—not recite from memory or read word-forword from a manuscript. Your limited notes are a reminder of what idea comes next, but when you trust yourself to deliver the details more spontaneously, your speech feels fresh and conversational.

310