Troy University Writing Center
2005
OUTLINING THE SPEECH OR ESSAY
I. Purpose of Outlining
A. Brings order to the topic because it lays out important points and shows how they fit
together.
B. Defines the structure of the speech or essay
C. Helps speaker or writer place related items together
D. Helps speaker or writer ensure that ideas flow from one point to another
II. Types of Outlines
A. Sentence Outline (or Formal Outline): should be representative of the spoken or written
message. All elements of the outline of the speech or essay are written in complete
sentences.
B. Phrase Outline (or Keyword Outline): key words or phrases are used to convey the
points of the speech or essay.
III. Elements of a Good Outline
A. Each item should contain only one unit of information.
B. Less important items should be subordinate to more important ones.
C. The relation of items should be shown by proper indentation.
D. A consistent set of symbols should be used.
E. The number of major points should be limited so that the audience will not have to
assimilate too much information or relevant details.
F. Parallel wording should be used for main points.
G. Outline should include introduction, body, and conclusion.
1. Introduction should perform one or more functions:
a. Get the attention of the audience
b. Introduce the topic
c. Show the importance of the topic
d. Present the thesis
e. Forecast the major ideas
2. Body may be developed in a number of formats:
a. Topical: presents several ideas, one idea naturally preceding the other;
useful for informative and entertaining speeches and essays
b. Chronological: uses time sequence for a framework; useful in informative
and persuasive speeches and essays, both of which require background
information
c. Spatial: organizes material according to physical space
d. Classification: puts things into categories
e. Problem/Solution: first part of speech or essay describes a problem and the
second part presents a solution
f. Cause/Effect: first part of speech or essay describes the cause of a problem
and the second describes its effect
3. Conclusions should perform one or more functions:
a. Inform the audience that the speech or essay is concluding
b. Summarize major ideas
c. Leave the audience with an idea to remember
IV. References
A. Chapter 10: Outlining the speech. (n.d.) Retrieved August 21, 2001, from
http://www.cameron.edu/~mikel/speech/chapter10.html/
B. Outlining the speech. (n.d.) Retrieved August 28, 2001, from
http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/~shortens/outliningthespeech.htm/
C. Outlining your points. (n.d.) Virtual Presentation Assistant. Retrieved August 21,
2001, from http://www.ukans.edu/cwis/units/coms2/vpa/vpa6.htm/
