Outline template for persuasive speech

Audience Analysis:

· Knowledge: [What do your listeners know about the topic?]

· Attitudes: [How does your audience feel about the topic? What can you do to create or reinforce a positive attitude?]

· Expectations: [Why will your audience be present for your speech? What are they expecting to hear?]

· Demographics: [Describe the audience’s demographics. How might those factors influence your presentation?]

· Setting: [What will your speech setting be?]

Speech Purpose: [Write a specific purpose that expresses in action form what you hope to achieve with your speech.]

Thesis Statement: [Write a single declarative sentence expressing the theme or central idea of your speech.]

Introduction:

· Getting Attention: [Gain the audience’s attention.]

· Topic and Purpose: [Summarize your topic and purpose.]

· Main Points: [Preview the main points.]

· Relevance: [Make the topic relevant for your audience.]

· Credibility: [Establish credibility as a speaker.]

Organizational Pattern: [Enter the organizational pattern used for your main points.]

Body:

[Replace the bracketed information with the contents of your speech. Revise the outline by editing your points, rearranging them if necessary, and adding supporting points.]

I. [First idea (strongest)] (* Note any visual aid(s) you plan to include)

A. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

B. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

C. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

Transition: [Write a sentence that will help your audience connect one main point to the next.]

II. [Second idea (second strongest)] (* Note any visual aid(s) you plan to include)

A. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

B. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

C. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

Transition: [Write a transition that will help your audience make the connection from one main point to the next.]

III. [Third idea (weakest)] (* Note any visual aid(s) you plan to include)

A. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

B. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

C. [Support] (* Note visual aids)

1. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

2. [Example] (* Note visual aids)

Conclusion

Closing Signal: [Signal the close of your speech.]

Main Points: [Summarize your main points.]

Topic and Purpose: [Repeat your topic and speech purpose.]

Audience Response: [Challenge the audience to respond.]

Memorable Close: [Make the conclusion memorable.]