Organizational Structure

If you lose your train of thought, you need to have an overall organizational structure to fall back upon. Note: All speeches should follow the following organizational structure (even If one of the sections Is only a few seconds long).

1. INTRODUCTION

   Grab the audience’s attention. Establish your credibility. Use a story, a joke, or a quote. Present provocative statistical information, a problem, or a mental image.

2. TITLE

   Have a great title ready to engage your audience even further.

3. OBJECTIVE

   State your thesis. Tell the audience members what you are going to tell them.

4. OVERVIEW

   A simple, short agenda that details the main points you will make. Introduce important source material.

5. THE BIG PICTURE

   Provide a synopsis of the subject or field.

6. BODY

   This is where you make your argument, ( see Body Structures, below )

7. SUMMARY

   Summarize your five main points in a manner that relates them to your main theme. Your summary should reflect your organizational structure.

8. QUESTIONS

   ( see Questions from the Audience, other side )

9. CONCLUSION

   Address any ideas that may have confused your audience. Re-emphasize your one main theme. Allow your audience to view your support materials or to contact you in the future to give you feedback or ask questions.