Communication Assessment & Learning Lab
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Outlining Your Speech 

1. Decide the purpose of your speech (e.g., are you informing or persuading, educating or entertaining?)
2. Identify the most logical key points
3. Begin your outline with a strong topic sentence
4. Look at your research to organize and establish your main points without necessarily covering every possible point on your subject
5. Establish sub-points that support your main points
6. Add examples and facts to your sub-points
7. Incorporate transitions between sub- and main points
8. Memorize your outline
9. Decide where your supports (props, software etc.)  will be used and list them within your outline
10. Make sure that all of your points and props support the main purpose or goal of your speech