As you rehearse your speech, you will find that you need your original outline or text less and less. Both the structure and content of your speech will become set in your mind. At this point, you are ready to prepare a delivery outline.
A delivery outline, as the name implies, is meant to give you all you will need to present your speech in the way you have planned and rehearsed. However, it should not be so detailed that it encourages you to read it rather than speak to your audience.
Here are a few tips:
- Make the Outline as Brief as Possible, and Write in Single Words or Short Phrases Rather Than Complete Sentences.That said, make certain the information is not so abbreviated that it becomes unclear. In August 2003, NASA blamed the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in part on the fact that an outline on possible wing damage was "so crammed with nested bullet points and irregular short forms that it was nearly impossible to untangle."
- Include the Introduction and Conclusion in Much Shortened Forms. You may feel more comfortable is you have the first and last sentences written in full in front of you. Writing out the first sentence eliminates any fear of a mental block at the outset of your speech. And writing a complete last sentence ensures a smooth ending to your speech and a good final impression.
- Use Standard Outline Form. This will allow you to easily find the exact point or piece of supporting material you are seeking when you glance down at your notes.
Sample Delivery Outline
Introduction
Body
I. Examine
A. Is endemic to academia 1. Wired News, May 1, 2001: Univ of VA nabs 122 students for plagiarizing term papers. 2. Vancouver Sun, January 7. 2002: Simon Fraser Univ. punishes 47 students who turn in same economics paper. 3. CNN Online News, February 7, 2002: Christine Pelter, Piper,Kansas flunks 28 students for plagiarizing biology assignment. |
The introduction is shortened and uses bulleted phrases and abbreviations (such as NCA for National Communication Association and CP for cyber-plagiarism)
|