{"id":141,"date":"2022-03-31T15:43:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T15:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/chapter\/outlining-your-speech\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T17:12:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T17:12:13","slug":"outlining-your-speech","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/chapter\/outlining-your-speech\/","title":{"raw":"8.6 Outlining Your Speech","rendered":"8.6 Outlining Your Speech"},"content":{"raw":"<h2 class=\"chapter-title\" style=\"text-align: center;\">8.6 Outlining Your Speech<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"ugc chapter-ugc\">\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1412\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"wp-image-1412 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2022\/03\/patrick-perkins-ETRPjvb0KM0-unsplash-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"sticky notes on a board\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/> Photo by Patrick Perkins via Unsplash.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nMost speakers\u2014and audiences\u2014prefer speeches that are clearly organized. An organized speech is easier to deliver and much easier for listeners to follow. For this reason, public speaking instructors emphasize the importance of outlining and often require students to create one before presenting.\r\n\r\nAn outline is a written plan that organizes all parts of your speech. It helps you structure your ideas before delivery and serves as a guide while you are speaking. Many speakers, especially those using extemporaneous delivery, keep an outline with them to stay on track and make sure they cover all key points.\r\n\r\nCreating an outline also strengthens the speechwriting process. It encourages you to think carefully about your main ideas, known as [pb_glossary id=\"607\"]main points[\/pb_glossary], along with the supporting material that explains and develops those ideas. Overall, an outline functions as both a planning tool and a delivery aid.\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Outline Types<\/h3>\r\nThere are two main types of outlines: the <strong>preparation outline<\/strong> and the <strong>speaking outline<\/strong>.\r\n<h4>Preparation Outline<\/h4>\r\nThe first type is the [pb_glossary id=\"611\"]preparation outline[\/pb_glossary]. This outline is used during the planning stage of your speech. It is sometimes called a rough or working outline because it helps you organize your ideas as you develop your speech.\r\n\r\nAs Lucas (2004) explains, the preparation outline is designed to help you prepare your speech. When creating this outline, you should:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Finalize your specific purpose and thesis<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Organize your main points logically<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Decide where to include supporting material<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Refine the overall structure of your speech<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nWhile working on your preparation outline, you may rearrange points, add or remove evidence, or revise your focus. The final version of a preparation outline typically includes <strong>full sentences<\/strong>, but it is not the same as writing an essay.\r\n<h4>Speaking Outline<\/h4>\r\nThe [pb_glossary id=\"621\"]speaking outline[\/pb_glossary] is a shorter, more concise version used during the actual speech. Instead of full sentences, it includes <strong>key words and brief phrases<\/strong> that remind you of what to say.\r\n\r\nAccording to Beebe &amp; Beebe (2003), a speaking outline should include enough detail to guide you without encouraging you to read directly from it. Many students transfer their speaking outline onto note cards for easy reference while speaking. Always check your instructor\u2019s guidelines for what is allowed.\r\n<h4>Formal Outline<\/h4>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Components of Formal Outlines<\/h3>\r\nEffective outlines follow several important principles, including main points, subordination and coordination, parallelism, division, and clear connections between ideas.\r\n<h4>Main Points<\/h4>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"607\"]Main points[\/pb_glossary] are the central ideas of your speech. They directly support your thesis and represent the key messages you want your audience to remember.\r\n\r\nMain points should:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Be written as clear, complete statements<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Not be phrased as questions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Not be quotations or citations<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nSupporting details\u2014such as examples, evidence, and explanations\u2014are listed as <strong>subpoints<\/strong> under each main point.\r\n\r\nFor most classroom speeches (typically under 10 minutes), you should have <strong>2 to 5 main points<\/strong>, with <strong>3 being the ideal number<\/strong>. If you find yourself with too many main points, you should reorganize and combine ideas.\r\n<h4>Structure<\/h4>\r\nOutlines follow a standard formatting system:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Main points<\/strong> are labeled with <strong>Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.)<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Subpoints<\/strong> are labeled with <strong>capital letters (A, B, C, etc.)<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Supporting details may use:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Numbers (1, 2, 3)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Lowercase letters (a, b, c)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nEach level should be <strong>indented<\/strong> to show how ideas connect. This structure makes your outline easy to read and helps both you and your instructor see how your ideas are organized.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong style=\"text-align: center;\">Example:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nLet\u2019s work on understanding how to take main points and break them into smaller ideas by subordinating them further and further as we go by using the following outline example:\r\n\r\n<strong>Topic<\/strong>: Dogs Make Great Pets\r\n\r\n<strong>Specific Purpose<\/strong>: To inform my audience on why dogs make great pets\r\n\r\n<strong>Thesis<\/strong>: Today, I am going to inform you on why dogs make greats pets by discussing how they are loyal, lovable, and entertaining.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<strong>Introduction:<\/strong> Before I begin, I would like to draw your attention to the screen. How many of you know what breed of dog this is? Correct, it\u2019s a Dalmatian. What about this one? Yes, it\u2019s a German Shepherd. Last one, what about this one? Yes, it\u2019s a Yorkie. Today, I am going to inform you on why dogs make great pets by discussing how they are loyal, lovable, and entertaining.\r\n\r\nI. Dogs make great pets because they are loyal.\r\n<ol type=\"A\">\r\n \t<li>Dogs are protective.\r\n<ol type=\"1\">\r\n \t<li>They will take a bullet for you.\r\n<ol type=\"a\">\r\n \t<li>According to Detective John Smith in a 2021 interview with ABC News, he stated that 65% of canine police dogs take a bullet in the line of duty.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Here are a couple of pictures of police dog Kuno when he was shot in 2018 chasing a suspect and fully recovered in 2020.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dogs are also loyal because they will fight for you if they feel like you are being threatened.\r\n<ol type=\"a\">\r\n \t<li>They will fight other animals.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>They will also fight other people.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dogs are also loyal because they are obedient.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nII. Now that you know how dogs are loyal, next, let\u2019s discuss how they are lovable.\r\n<ol type=\"A\">\r\n \t<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ol type=\"A\">\r\n \t<li>Dogs are lovable because they show affection.\r\n<ol type=\"1\">\r\n \t<li>They love to cuddle.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>They also love to lick you.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dogs are also lovable because they love to sleep beside you.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong>Do the same thing for the third main point.<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Conclusion<\/strong>: Today, I\u2019ve informed you on why dogs make great pets, by discussing how they are loyal, lovable, and entertaining. So, the next time you are thinking about getting a pet, you just might want to consider a dog. Thank you for your time and attention.\r\n<h5><strong>References<\/strong><\/h5>\r\nSmith, John, Detective (2021). <em>Interview<\/em>, USA: ABC News.\r\n<div class=\"ugc chapter-ugc\">\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subordination and Coordination<\/h4>\r\nWhen you look at your outline, you should be able to see a clear hierarchy of ideas. One helpful way to think about this is as a <strong>staircase<\/strong>, where each step adds more detail.\r\n\r\nThis structure is called [pb_glossary id=\"625\"]subordination[\/pb_glossary]. Subordination means that supporting ideas clearly relate to the larger idea above them.\r\n\r\nFor example, in your outline:\r\n\r\nI. Dogs make great pets because they are loyal.\r\nA. Dogs are protective.\r\n1. They will take a bullet for you.\r\na. According to Detective John Smith\u2026\r\n\r\nEach level adds more detail to the point above it:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Main point I introduces the general idea (loyalty)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Subpoint A explains one way dogs show loyalty (protection)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Point 1 provides a specific example<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Point a gives supporting evidence<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAll of these ideas are connected, which shows proper subordination.\r\n\r\nAt the same time, your outline demonstrates [pb_glossary id=\"381\"]coordination[\/pb_glossary]. Coordination means that ideas at the same level are similar in type.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\u201cDogs are protective\u201d and \u201cDogs are obedient\u201d are both characteristics of loyalty<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cThey will fight other animals\u201d and \u201cThey will fight other people\u201d are both examples of protective behavior<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nBecause these ideas match in purpose and level, they are properly coordinated. If one item were unrelated (for example, switching to a different topic entirely), the outline would no longer be organized correctly.\r\n<h4>Parallelism<\/h4>\r\nAnother important principle is [pb_glossary id=\"609\"]parallelism[\/pb_glossary], which means using similar wording and structure for similar ideas.\r\n\r\nYour outline already shows some parallelism:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\u201cDogs are protective\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cDogs are also loyal because they are obedient\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cDogs are lovable because\u2026\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThese phrases follow a consistent pattern, which makes the speech easier to follow.\r\n\r\nParallel structure might look even more consistent if phrased like this:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Dogs are loyal because they are protective<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dogs are loyal because they are obedient<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nParallelism improves clarity and helps your audience stay focused, especially since they only hear your speech once.\r\n<h4>Division<\/h4>\r\nThe principle of [pb_glossary id=\"423\"]division[\/pb_glossary] ensures that your ideas are fully developed and balanced.\r\n\r\nIn your outline:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Under \u201cDogs are protective,\u201d you include multiple supporting ideas (taking a bullet, fighting threats)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Under \u201cDogs are lovable,\u201d you include examples (cuddling, licking, sleeping beside you)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nYou follow the division rule because:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>When you introduce a subpoint (A), you also provide another (B)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>When you break down an idea further (1), you support it with another (2)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf you ever find a point that cannot be divided into at least two parts, it may need to be combined with another idea rather than standing alone.\r\n<h4>Connecting Your Main Points<\/h4>\r\nA strong outline also helps you clearly connect ideas during your speech.\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"631\"]Transitional statements[\/pb_glossary] guide your audience from one point to another. Your example already includes a strong transition:\r\n<blockquote>\u201cNow that you know how dogs are loyal, next, let\u2019s discuss how they are lovable.\u201d<\/blockquote>\r\nThis is effective because:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>It summarizes the previous point (loyal)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>It previews the next point (lovable)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nYou can also use <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"617\"]signposts[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>\u201cFirst\u2026\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cNext\u2026\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\u201cFinally\u2026\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThese help your audience recognize where they are in the speech.\r\n<h4>Example with Clear Connections<\/h4>\r\nI. Dogs make great pets because they are loyal.\r\n\r\n(Transition)\r\nNow that we have discussed loyalty, let\u2019s move on to another reason dogs make great pets.\r\n\r\nII. Dogs make great pets because they are lovable.\r\n\r\nThis example shows how a well-structured outline improves clarity and organization. Each idea builds logically on the one before it, and transitions guide the audience through the speech.\r\n\r\nBeginning speakers sometimes focus heavily on introductions or visuals, but the <strong>body of the speech\u2014where your ideas are organized and developed\u2014is the most important part<\/strong>. By using principles like subordination, coordination, parallelism, and division, you can create speeches that are easy to follow and more effective overall.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nThis annotated outline shows how different levels of organization work together:\r\n<div class=\"ugc chapter-ugc\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Roman numerals (I, II)<\/strong> = main points<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Capital letters (A, B)<\/strong> = subpoints<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Numbers (1, 2)<\/strong> = supporting details<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lowercase letters (a, b)<\/strong> = evidence and examples<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nNotice how:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Each level becomes more specific (<strong>subordination<\/strong>)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Items at the same level match in type (<strong>coordination<\/strong>)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The consistent phrasing supports <strong>parallelism<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Each idea is developed with at least two parts (<strong>division<\/strong>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nRemember that outlining is an essential step in creating a strong speech. A well-developed outline helps you:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Organize your ideas clearly<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Support your main points effectively<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Deliver your speech with confidence<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nA clear outline leads to a clear message\u2014and a more effective presentation.\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<h3>Licenses and Attribution<\/h3>\r\n<h4>CC Licensed Content, Original<\/h4>\r\n<em>Speech Communication<\/em> was created by Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres. Independently created original and AI-assisted content developed specifically for this book is licensed under a <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.\r\n\r\nThis educational material includes content generated or revised with the assistance of large language models. Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres reviewed, edited, and take responsibility for the final published content.\r\n<h4>CC Licensed Content, Previously Shared<\/h4>\r\n<h5>Outlining Your Speech<\/h5>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/louis.pressbooks.pub\/publicspeaking\/chapter\/outlining-your-speech\/\">\u201c8.6 Outlining Your Speech\u201d<\/a> by Douglas Marshall, James Yeargain, June Pulliam, Sara Kim, and Victoria VanNest, published in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/louis.pressbooks.pub\/publicspeaking\/\">It\u2019s About Them: Public Speaking in the 21st Century<\/a><\/em> by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network, was adapted for this section.\r\n\r\nThe source material is licensed under a <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>. The material was revised, reorganized, expanded, and supplemented with original and AI-assisted content for this edition.\r\n\r\nAdapted portions derived from this source, including revisions to those portions, are licensed under the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>. Independently created portions developed specifically for <em>Speech Communication<\/em> are licensed under the book\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.\r\n<h4>Other Licensed Content Included<\/h4>\r\n<h5>Sticky Notes on a Board<\/h5>\r\nPhotograph by Patrick Perkins, available through Unsplash.\r\n\r\nTerms of use: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\">Unsplash License<\/a>.\r\n\r\nChanges: The photograph was resized, and its alternative text and caption were revised for this edition.\r\n<h4>Other Content Included<\/h4>\r\n<h5>The Art of Public Speaking<\/h5>\r\nLucas, S. E. (2004). <em>The art of public speaking<\/em>. McGraw-Hill.\r\n\r\nThis source informed the explanation and purpose of the preparation outline. The publication remains subject to the rights of its author and publisher and is not included under the Creative Commons licenses applied to <em>Speech Communication<\/em>.\r\n<h5>Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach<\/h5>\r\nBeebe, S. A., &amp; Beebe, S. J. (2003). <em>Public speaking: An audience-centered approach<\/em>. Allyn &amp; Bacon.\r\n\r\nThis source informed the discussion of speaking outlines, key words, brief phrases, and the use of notes during an extemporaneous presentation. The publication remains subject to the rights of its authors and publisher and is not included under the Creative Commons licenses applied to <em>Speech Communication<\/em>.\r\n<h5>Illustrative Speech Outline<\/h5>\r\nThe outline about dogs as pets, including the reference to Detective John Smith, ABC News, and police dog Kuno, is presented as an instructional example of outline structure, subordination, coordination, supporting details, and transitions.\r\n\r\nThe example should not be interpreted as documenting a verified interview, statistic, news report, or historical event. Any factual claims retained in the example should be replaced with credible, verifiable sources before being used in an actual speech.\r\n<h4>Third-Party References and Links<\/h4>\r\nBooks, photographs, examples, organizations, news outlets, trademarks, interviews, and other third-party materials referenced in this section remain the property of their respective authors, photographers, publishers, organizations, and rights holders.\r\n\r\nThe inclusion of these names, examples, citations, and links does not imply endorsement and does not place the underlying third-party materials under the Creative Commons licenses applied to <em>Speech Communication<\/em>.\r\n\r\nUnless a separate license or public-domain status is specifically identified, third-party content may not be copied, redistributed, or adapted independently of the permissions provided by its copyright holder or applicable law.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<h2 class=\"chapter-title\" style=\"text-align: center;\">8.6 Outlining Your Speech<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ugc chapter-ugc\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_1412\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1412\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1412 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2022\/03\/patrick-perkins-ETRPjvb0KM0-unsplash-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"sticky notes on a board\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1412\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Patrick Perkins via Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div>\n<p>Most speakers\u2014and audiences\u2014prefer speeches that are clearly organized. An organized speech is easier to deliver and much easier for listeners to follow. For this reason, public speaking instructors emphasize the importance of outlining and often require students to create one before presenting.<\/p>\n<p>An outline is a written plan that organizes all parts of your speech. It helps you structure your ideas before delivery and serves as a guide while you are speaking. Many speakers, especially those using extemporaneous delivery, keep an outline with them to stay on track and make sure they cover all key points.<\/p>\n<p>Creating an outline also strengthens the speechwriting process. It encourages you to think carefully about your main ideas, known as <button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-607\">main points<\/button>, along with the supporting material that explains and develops those ideas. Overall, an outline functions as both a planning tool and a delivery aid.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Outline Types<\/h3>\n<p>There are two main types of outlines: the <strong>preparation outline<\/strong> and the <strong>speaking outline<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h4>Preparation Outline<\/h4>\n<p>The first type is the <button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-611\">preparation outline<\/button>. This outline is used during the planning stage of your speech. It is sometimes called a rough or working outline because it helps you organize your ideas as you develop your speech.<\/p>\n<p>As Lucas (2004) explains, the preparation outline is designed to help you prepare your speech. When creating this outline, you should:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Finalize your specific purpose and thesis<\/li>\n<li>Organize your main points logically<\/li>\n<li>Decide where to include supporting material<\/li>\n<li>Refine the overall structure of your speech<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While working on your preparation outline, you may rearrange points, add or remove evidence, or revise your focus. The final version of a preparation outline typically includes <strong>full sentences<\/strong>, but it is not the same as writing an essay.<\/p>\n<h4>Speaking Outline<\/h4>\n<p>The <button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-621\">speaking outline<\/button> is a shorter, more concise version used during the actual speech. Instead of full sentences, it includes <strong>key words and brief phrases<\/strong> that remind you of what to say.<\/p>\n<p>According to Beebe &amp; Beebe (2003), a speaking outline should include enough detail to guide you without encouraging you to read directly from it. Many students transfer their speaking outline onto note cards for easy reference while speaking. Always check your instructor\u2019s guidelines for what is allowed.<\/p>\n<h4>Formal Outline<\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Components of Formal Outlines<\/h3>\n<p>Effective outlines follow several important principles, including main points, subordination and coordination, parallelism, division, and clear connections between ideas.<\/p>\n<h4>Main Points<\/h4>\n<p><button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-607\">Main points<\/button> are the central ideas of your speech. They directly support your thesis and represent the key messages you want your audience to remember.<\/p>\n<p>Main points should:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be written as clear, complete statements<\/li>\n<li>Not be phrased as questions<\/li>\n<li>Not be quotations or citations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Supporting details\u2014such as examples, evidence, and explanations\u2014are listed as <strong>subpoints<\/strong> under each main point.<\/p>\n<p>For most classroom speeches (typically under 10 minutes), you should have <strong>2 to 5 main points<\/strong>, with <strong>3 being the ideal number<\/strong>. If you find yourself with too many main points, you should reorganize and combine ideas.<\/p>\n<h4>Structure<\/h4>\n<p>Outlines follow a standard formatting system:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Main points<\/strong> are labeled with <strong>Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Subpoints<\/strong> are labeled with <strong>capital letters (A, B, C, etc.)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Supporting details may use:\n<ul>\n<li>Numbers (1, 2, 3)<\/li>\n<li>Lowercase letters (a, b, c)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each level should be <strong>indented<\/strong> to show how ideas connect. This structure makes your outline easy to read and helps both you and your instructor see how your ideas are organized.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong style=\"text-align: center;\">Example:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Let\u2019s work on understanding how to take main points and break them into smaller ideas by subordinating them further and further as we go by using the following outline example:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Topic<\/strong>: Dogs Make Great Pets<\/p>\n<p><strong>Specific Purpose<\/strong>: To inform my audience on why dogs make great pets<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thesis<\/strong>: Today, I am going to inform you on why dogs make greats pets by discussing how they are loyal, lovable, and entertaining.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Introduction:<\/strong> Before I begin, I would like to draw your attention to the screen. How many of you know what breed of dog this is? Correct, it\u2019s a Dalmatian. What about this one? Yes, it\u2019s a German Shepherd. Last one, what about this one? Yes, it\u2019s a Yorkie. Today, I am going to inform you on why dogs make great pets by discussing how they are loyal, lovable, and entertaining.<\/p>\n<p>I. Dogs make great pets because they are loyal.<\/p>\n<ol type=\"A\">\n<li>Dogs are protective.\n<ol type=\"1\">\n<li>They will take a bullet for you.\n<ol type=\"a\">\n<li>According to Detective John Smith in a 2021 interview with ABC News, he stated that 65% of canine police dogs take a bullet in the line of duty.<\/li>\n<li>Here are a couple of pictures of police dog Kuno when he was shot in 2018 chasing a suspect and fully recovered in 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Dogs are also loyal because they will fight for you if they feel like you are being threatened.\n<ol type=\"a\">\n<li>They will fight other animals.<\/li>\n<li>They will also fight other people.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Dogs are also loyal because they are obedient.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>II. Now that you know how dogs are loyal, next, let\u2019s discuss how they are lovable.<\/p>\n<ol type=\"A\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol type=\"A\">\n<li>Dogs are lovable because they show affection.\n<ol type=\"1\">\n<li>They love to cuddle.<\/li>\n<li>They also love to lick you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Dogs are also lovable because they love to sleep beside you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Do the same thing for the third main point.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong>: Today, I\u2019ve informed you on why dogs make great pets, by discussing how they are loyal, lovable, and entertaining. So, the next time you are thinking about getting a pet, you just might want to consider a dog. Thank you for your time and attention.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>References<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Smith, John, Detective (2021). <em>Interview<\/em>, USA: ABC News.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ugc chapter-ugc\">\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subordination and Coordination<\/h4>\n<p>When you look at your outline, you should be able to see a clear hierarchy of ideas. One helpful way to think about this is as a <strong>staircase<\/strong>, where each step adds more detail.<\/p>\n<p>This structure is called <button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-625\">subordination<\/button>. Subordination means that supporting ideas clearly relate to the larger idea above them.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in your outline:<\/p>\n<p>I. Dogs make great pets because they are loyal.<br \/>\nA. Dogs are protective.<br \/>\n1. They will take a bullet for you.<br \/>\na. According to Detective John Smith\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Each level adds more detail to the point above it:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Main point I introduces the general idea (loyalty)<\/li>\n<li>Subpoint A explains one way dogs show loyalty (protection)<\/li>\n<li>Point 1 provides a specific example<\/li>\n<li>Point a gives supporting evidence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All of these ideas are connected, which shows proper subordination.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, your outline demonstrates <button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-381\">coordination<\/button>. Coordination means that ideas at the same level are similar in type.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cDogs are protective\u201d and \u201cDogs are obedient\u201d are both characteristics of loyalty<\/li>\n<li>\u201cThey will fight other animals\u201d and \u201cThey will fight other people\u201d are both examples of protective behavior<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Because these ideas match in purpose and level, they are properly coordinated. If one item were unrelated (for example, switching to a different topic entirely), the outline would no longer be organized correctly.<\/p>\n<h4>Parallelism<\/h4>\n<p>Another important principle is <button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-609\">parallelism<\/button>, which means using similar wording and structure for similar ideas.<\/p>\n<p>Your outline already shows some parallelism:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cDogs are protective\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cDogs are also loyal because they are obedient\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cDogs are lovable because\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These phrases follow a consistent pattern, which makes the speech easier to follow.<\/p>\n<p>Parallel structure might look even more consistent if phrased like this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dogs are loyal because they are protective<\/li>\n<li>Dogs are loyal because they are obedient<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Parallelism improves clarity and helps your audience stay focused, especially since they only hear your speech once.<\/p>\n<h4>Division<\/h4>\n<p>The principle of <button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-423\">division<\/button> ensures that your ideas are fully developed and balanced.<\/p>\n<p>In your outline:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Under \u201cDogs are protective,\u201d you include multiple supporting ideas (taking a bullet, fighting threats)<\/li>\n<li>Under \u201cDogs are lovable,\u201d you include examples (cuddling, licking, sleeping beside you)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You follow the division rule because:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When you introduce a subpoint (A), you also provide another (B)<\/li>\n<li>When you break down an idea further (1), you support it with another (2)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you ever find a point that cannot be divided into at least two parts, it may need to be combined with another idea rather than standing alone.<\/p>\n<h4>Connecting Your Main Points<\/h4>\n<p>A strong outline also helps you clearly connect ideas during your speech.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-631\">Transitional statements<\/button> guide your audience from one point to another. Your example already includes a strong transition:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cNow that you know how dogs are loyal, next, let\u2019s discuss how they are lovable.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This is effective because:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It summarizes the previous point (loyal)<\/li>\n<li>It previews the next point (lovable)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can also use <strong><button class=\"glossary-term\" aria-describedby=\"141-617\">signposts<\/button><\/strong> such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cFirst\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cNext\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cFinally\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These help your audience recognize where they are in the speech.<\/p>\n<h4>Example with Clear Connections<\/h4>\n<p>I. Dogs make great pets because they are loyal.<\/p>\n<p>(Transition)<br \/>\nNow that we have discussed loyalty, let\u2019s move on to another reason dogs make great pets.<\/p>\n<p>II. Dogs make great pets because they are lovable.<\/p>\n<p>This example shows how a well-structured outline improves clarity and organization. Each idea builds logically on the one before it, and transitions guide the audience through the speech.<\/p>\n<p>Beginning speakers sometimes focus heavily on introductions or visuals, but the <strong>body of the speech\u2014where your ideas are organized and developed\u2014is the most important part<\/strong>. By using principles like subordination, coordination, parallelism, and division, you can create speeches that are easy to follow and more effective overall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>This annotated outline shows how different levels of organization work together:<\/p>\n<div class=\"ugc chapter-ugc\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Roman numerals (I, II)<\/strong> = main points<\/li>\n<li><strong>Capital letters (A, B)<\/strong> = subpoints<\/li>\n<li><strong>Numbers (1, 2)<\/strong> = supporting details<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lowercase letters (a, b)<\/strong> = evidence and examples<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Notice how:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Each level becomes more specific (<strong>subordination<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>Items at the same level match in type (<strong>coordination<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>The consistent phrasing supports <strong>parallelism<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Each idea is developed with at least two parts (<strong>division<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember that outlining is an essential step in creating a strong speech. A well-developed outline helps you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Organize your ideas clearly<\/li>\n<li>Support your main points effectively<\/li>\n<li>Deliver your speech with confidence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A clear outline leads to a clear message\u2014and a more effective presentation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key\">\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<h3>Licenses and Attribution<\/h3>\n<h4>CC Licensed Content, Original<\/h4>\n<p><em>Speech Communication<\/em> was created by Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres. Independently created original and AI-assisted content developed specifically for this book is licensed under a <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.<\/p>\n<p>This educational material includes content generated or revised with the assistance of large language models. Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres reviewed, edited, and take responsibility for the final published content.<\/p>\n<h4>CC Licensed Content, Previously Shared<\/h4>\n<h5>Outlining Your Speech<\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/louis.pressbooks.pub\/publicspeaking\/chapter\/outlining-your-speech\/\">\u201c8.6 Outlining Your Speech\u201d<\/a> by Douglas Marshall, James Yeargain, June Pulliam, Sara Kim, and Victoria VanNest, published in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/louis.pressbooks.pub\/publicspeaking\/\">It\u2019s About Them: Public Speaking in the 21st Century<\/a><\/em> by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network, was adapted for this section.<\/p>\n<p>The source material is licensed under a <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>. The material was revised, reorganized, expanded, and supplemented with original and AI-assisted content for this edition.<\/p>\n<p>Adapted portions derived from this source, including revisions to those portions, are licensed under the <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>. Independently created portions developed specifically for <em>Speech Communication<\/em> are licensed under the book\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.<\/p>\n<h4>Other Licensed Content Included<\/h4>\n<h5>Sticky Notes on a Board<\/h5>\n<p>Photograph by Patrick Perkins, available through Unsplash.<\/p>\n<p>Terms of use: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\">Unsplash License<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Changes: The photograph was resized, and its alternative text and caption were revised for this edition.<\/p>\n<h4>Other Content Included<\/h4>\n<h5>The Art of Public Speaking<\/h5>\n<p>Lucas, S. E. (2004). <em>The art of public speaking<\/em>. McGraw-Hill.<\/p>\n<p>This source informed the explanation and purpose of the preparation outline. The publication remains subject to the rights of its author and publisher and is not included under the Creative Commons licenses applied to <em>Speech Communication<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h5>Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach<\/h5>\n<p>Beebe, S. A., &amp; Beebe, S. J. (2003). <em>Public speaking: An audience-centered approach<\/em>. Allyn &amp; Bacon.<\/p>\n<p>This source informed the discussion of speaking outlines, key words, brief phrases, and the use of notes during an extemporaneous presentation. The publication remains subject to the rights of its authors and publisher and is not included under the Creative Commons licenses applied to <em>Speech Communication<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h5>Illustrative Speech Outline<\/h5>\n<p>The outline about dogs as pets, including the reference to Detective John Smith, ABC News, and police dog Kuno, is presented as an instructional example of outline structure, subordination, coordination, supporting details, and transitions.<\/p>\n<p>The example should not be interpreted as documenting a verified interview, statistic, news report, or historical event. Any factual claims retained in the example should be replaced with credible, verifiable sources before being used in an actual speech.<\/p>\n<h4>Third-Party References and Links<\/h4>\n<p>Books, photographs, examples, organizations, news outlets, trademarks, interviews, and other third-party materials referenced in this section remain the property of their respective authors, photographers, publishers, organizations, and rights holders.<\/p>\n<p>The inclusion of these names, examples, citations, and links does not imply endorsement and does not place the underlying third-party materials under the Creative Commons licenses applied to <em>Speech Communication<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Unless a separate license or public-domain status is specifically identified, third-party content may not be copied, redistributed, or adapted independently of the permissions provided by its copyright holder or applicable law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-607\" hidden><p>the main ideas in the speech<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-611\" hidden><p>used to work through the various components of your speech in an organized format<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-621\" hidden><p>much more succinct than the preparation outline and includes brief phrases or words that remind the speakers of the points they need to make, plus supporting material and signposts<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-625\" hidden><p>a hierarchy to the order of the points of a speech<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-381\" hidden><p>all of the numbers or letters of points should represent the same idea<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-609\" hidden><p>the repetition of grammatical structures that correspond in sound, meter, or meaning<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-423\" hidden><p>if you have an A, then you need a B; if you have a 1, then you need a 2, and so on<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-631\" hidden><p>phrases or sentences that lead from one distinct-but-connected idea to another<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"glossary__tooltip\" id=\"141-617\" hidden><p>transition using just a word or short phrase<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"menu_order":7,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["liapicco","mtorres54"],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[61,62],"license":[57],"class_list":["post-141","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","contributor-liapicco","contributor-mtorres54","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"part":130,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1916,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/141\/revisions\/1916"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/130"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/141\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=141"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=141"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}