Which organizational format will you use?

Chronological

Topical

Spatial

Cause/Effect

Problem/Solution

Why did you choose this pattern?

Now, write the main points in their correct order. You may wish to review the previous wording of your main points to make them more precise.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

Developing Signposts

In order for your audience to move with you through the speech and to help them see the relationships between your ideas, it is important for you to use signposts. There are three types of signposts:

• Transitions "indicate that a speaker has finished discussing one idea and is moving to another. Transitions may be either verbal or nonverbal" (203).

• Previews "introduce and outline ideas that will be developed as the speech progresses" (205). Internal previews occur in each point, while the preview statement occurs at the end of the introduction. You've probably already written a preview statement in the "Generate Main Ideas" stage of the speechmaking process.

• Summaries "provide additional exposure to a speaker's ideas and can help ensure that audience members will grasp and remember them" (206).

In order to get you started writing the signposts for your speech, review pages 203-208 in your book and complete this exercise.

1. Write a verbal transition in the space below.

2. Write a preview in the space below.

3. Write a summary in the space below.

Writing the Introduction and Conclusion

An introduction to a speech must accomplish five objectives:

• Get the audience's attention.

• Introduce the subject.

• Give the audience a reason to listen to the speech.

• Establish your credibility as a speaker.

• Preview your main ideas.

Review pages 214-227 and then complete this activity.

1. First, write a few sentences that get your audience's attention. You might use an illustration, statistic, question, or some other method of gaining your audience's attention.

2. Next, write a sentence that introduces the subject. This is your central idea that you may have already developed. Review your notes in your email software.

3. Now, give the audience a reason to listen to your speech.

4. Now, write a sentence that establishes your credibility.

5. Finally, enter your preview statement that you may have already developed. Review your notes in your email software.

When you receive these statements via email, you'll be able to combine them into an effective introduction!

The conclusion to your speech should achieve four goals:

• Summarize the speech.

• Reemphasize the main idea in a memorable way.

• Motive the audience to respond.

• Provide closure.

Review pages 227-233 and then complete this activity.

1. First, write a sentence that summarizes your speech.

2. Next, write a sentence that reemphasizes your central idea.

3. Now, motivate the audience to respond according to your specific purpose.

4. Now, write a sentence that provides closure.

When you receive these statements via email, you'll be able to combine them into an effective conclusion!