Informative Speech Outline

Writing an informative speech outline is simple and easy if you remember the basic elements of any good presentation. Every good speech has an introduction, a body with logically organized main points and sub points, and a conclusion. An outline includes the same elements.

To create an informative speech outline determine your topic and decide what the focus of your presentation will be. For example, you may want to talk about dogs as a general topic.

Choose whether you will talk about different breeds of dogs, training dogs, proper feeding and care of dogs or any other aspect of dogs that you choose. Narrow down your topic according to the amount of time you have for the speech you are giving.

Determine how you will open your speech. Asking a question or making a bold statement are two possible ways to get the attention of your audience. In the introduction you will also let the audience know what you are going to talk about in the body of the speech.

Then decide what the main point and sub points will be for your speech. The body of your informative speech outline will be made up of the main points and sub points.

Make sure your points are distinct and carry equal weight in terms of importance. Determine the logical order of your main points depending on the type of organization you will use.

Your informative speech outline can be organized topically, chronologically or spatially.

• Topical speech organization means that the main points are different parts of the whole or different categories.

• In a chronological organization the points are presented in the order of events.

• Points in a spatially organized speech are presented by how they are placed in relation to each other, for example, left to right, east to west or north to south.

Finally, create a conclusion for your speech that summarizes your main points and leaves the audience with a positive impression.

Let's imagine you have chosen to speak about the characteristics of three different breeds of dogs. Your informative speech outline might look something like this:

Introduction:

1. How many people here are dog lovers?

2. I have loved dogs as long as I can remember and today I will talk about my three favorite breeds.

Body:
I. Great Dane
i. Appearance
ii. History
iii. Personality
II. St. Bernard
i. Appearance
ii. History
iii. Personality
III. Bloodhound
i. Appearance
ii. History
iii. Personality

Conclusion:

1. When it comes to dogs, everyone has their favorite. Today I hope you've learned something about the three breeds I love best, the Great Dane, St. Bernard and the Bloodhound.

This informative speech outline is an example of a very simple topically organized speech. In a more focused speech presenting a detailed history of the Great Dane, a chronological order might be used and the main points would be specific events that are important in the history of the Great Dane.

The important elements of writing an informative speech outline are having an introduction, a body with main points and sub points, and a conclusion. Be sure to put your main points in a logical order according to a topical, chronological or spatial organization and you'll have a great informative speech outline!