Organizational Methods
Lecture Notes
Organizational Methods
A speech that is organized is easy for the audience to listen to, follow, and understand. You are doing your audience a favor when you present ideas that flow well and logically and make sense. Do you remember when you have listened to a speaker deliver a speech that was disorganized? You may have had a feeling of frustration and annoyance in not getting the point. If your audience feels lost, you have pretty much lost their attention. When your speech is organized, you appear prepared and credible.
Main Points
In Lesson 3, you learned how to identify the central idea in your speech. Once you have done this and delineated your main points, you are off to a good start. The main points are the most important element in organizing the body of the speech. 1. Select your main points carefully because they are central features of the body of the speech. These may be evident from your specific purpose. Refer to Lesson 3. 2. Limit your main points to no more than five points. When there are too many, your audience may get overwhelmed. 3. Organize your main points strategically to achieve your purpose. a. Chronological order is when the main points follow a time sequence. b. Spatial order shows a directional pattern; from top to bottom, left to right, east to west. c. Causal order is when the main points show a cause and effect relationship. One deals with cause, the other with the effects. d. Problem-solution order is when a main point shows the existence of a problem, the other presents a solution to the problem. e. Topical order is when the main points divide the topic logically and consistently.
(Source: Lucas, S. E. (2009). The art of public speaking. (10th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Co.)
How to Select the Main Points
Remember that the main points or key ideas of your speech will make up the entire body of your speech. It is important to focus on knowing what information you
Organizational Methods
A speech that is organized is easy for the audience to listen to, follow, and understand. You are doing your audience a favor when you present ideas that flow well and logically and make sense. Do you remember when you have listened to a speaker deliver a speech that was disorganized? You may have had a feeling of frustration and annoyance in not getting the point. If your audience feels lost, you have pretty much lost their attention. When your speech is organized, you appear prepared and credible.
Main Points
In Lesson 3, you learned how to identify the central idea in your speech. Once you have done this and delineated your main points, you are off to a good start. The main points are the most important element in organizing the body of the speech. 1. Select your main points carefully because they are central features of the body of the speech. These may be evident from your specific purpose. Refer to Lesson 3. 2. Limit your main points to no more than five points. When there are too many, your audience may get overwhelmed. 3. Organize your main points strategically to achieve your purpose. a. Chronological order is when the main points follow a time sequence. b. Spatial order shows a directional pattern; from top to bottom, left to right, east to west. c. Causal order is when the main points show a cause and effect relationship. One deals with cause, the other with the effects. d. Problem-solution order is when a main point shows the existence of a problem, the other presents a solution to the problem. e. Topical order is when the main points divide the topic logically and consistently.
(Source: Lucas, S. E. (2009). The art of public speaking. (10th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Co.)
How to Select the Main Points
Remember that the main points or key ideas of your speech will make up the entire body of your speech. It is important to focus on knowing what information you