Image Map Select and Narrow a Topic Determine Purpose Develop Central Idea Generate Main Ideas Gather Supporting Material Organize Speech Rehearse Speech Deliver Speech Consider the Audience

The Speechmaking Wheel:
Generate Main Ideas

After you develop the central idea, the next step in the speechmaking process is to generate main ideas. On this page, we'll:

Generate the Main Ideas for Your Speech

It is important that you subdivide your speech into two, three, or four main ideas. Your book's authors identify three ways to generate main ideas.  Review what they say on pages 125-127. Then, consider their three questions:

  1. Does the central idea have logical divisions? (If yes, then follow the link.)

  2. Can you think of several reasons why the central idea is true? (If yes, then follow the link.)

  3. Can you support your central idea with a series of steps or a chronological progression? (If yes, then follow the link.)

Finding Logical Divisions

Here's an example:

The art of mehndi is a 5,000 year old tradition that has been used for artistic, medical, and mystical purposes.

The logical divisions in the above statement are artistic purposes, medical purposes, and mystical purposes. 

Now it's your turn, consider your central idea and identify the logical divisions present. By filling in your email address, your answers will be emailed to you. If your instructor wishes to see your answers, fill in his or her email address in the appropriate space.

Your Name:
Your Email:
Your Instructor's Name:
Your Instructor's Email:

Logical Division #1

Logical Division #2

Logical Division #3

Logical Division #4

Go to the Next Step: Writing the Preview Statement

Establishing Reasons

Here's an example:

Capital punishment should be illegal because it is discriminatory, inhumane, and not necessary.

The three reasons that will compose the speech are that capital punishment is discriminatory, capital punishment is inhumane, and capital punishment is not necessary.

Now it's your turn, consider your central idea and identify the reasons you will use to support your argument.

Reason #1

Reason #2

Reason #3

Reason #4

Go to the Next Step: Writing the Preview Statement

Tracing Specific Steps

Here's an example:

Traveling to another country  involves three steps, obtaining a passport, making travel plans,
and learning about the language and culture of the country you will visit.

Now it's your turn, consider your central idea and identify the steps you will describe in your speech.

Step #1

Step #2

Step #3

Step #4

Writing the Preview Statement

Once you've identified your main ideas, you can combine them in the preview statement, as discussed on page 127. You will also need to recall your central idea, which you should be able to find with your email software if you completed the central idea exercise.

Now it's your turn, consider your central idea and your main ideas and create a preview statement.

Write your preview statement here:

Go To the Next Step in the Speechmaking Process: Gather Supporting Materials

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