08 Mar Informative Speech Outline Template

Informative Speech Outline Template
Speech Title

Introduction
I. Attention getter:
(Start all formal presentations with an attention getter. Avoid starting with “hi, my name is….”  You can ask the
audience a question, offer a quote or a statistic that is relevant to the topic that will get the audience’s attention.)
II. State the topic:
(Tell the audience your topic.)
III. Speaker credibility:
(Tell the audience why you are credible to speak on this topic. Tell them if you have experience with it or if you have
conducted research on the topic.)
IV. Thesis Statement:
(The thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of what you plan to cover for the presentation.)
V. Preview:
(State the key ideas in the order you plan to cover them).
Body
I. First key idea (The main points you want to discuss are called key ideas. Key ideas should be labeled with I, II, III. For a
speech four to seven minutes long, you should have at least two key ideas and no more than five key ideas.)
A.   (Supporting details for each of the key ideas are called subpoints. Subpoints should be indented underneath the
main key ideas. You can decide how many supporting details you provide for each key idea. You should have at
least an A and B. Label them A, B, C, then 1, 2, 3 and then a, b, c. In order for the outline to be balanced, If you have
an A, you also need a B. If you have an a, you need a b. If you have a 1, you need a 2.)
B.
<Transition sentence> (Add a transition sentence between the key ideas. The transition sentence should summarize
the previous key idea and introduce the next key idea. This lets the audience know where you are within the speech.
Example: Now that we’ve gathered the materials for a blood draw, let’s discuss how to prepare the patient for a
blood draw.)
II. Second key idea
A.
1.
2.
a. (Some of your key ideas may have one or two layers of sub-ideas, particularly where you have
incorporated information from your sources.)
b.

B.
1.
2.
C.
1.
2.
<Transition sentence> (Add a transition sentence between the key ideas. The transition sentence should summarize
the previous key idea and introduce the next key idea. This lets the audience know where you are within the speech.

III. Third key idea
A.
1.
2.
B.
1.
2.
Conclusion
(The conclusion is used to summarize what you’ve already discussed and then provide closure for the speech. Do not
introduce new or information in the conclusion – it’s for recapping and summarizing only.)
I. (Summarize and recap what you’ve discussed. If you’ve demonstrated steps to a process, then restate the steps here. If
you offered three reasons or ways to do something, restate those reasons or ways here.)
II. (Provide a strong closure for the speech – concluding statement at the end. Don’t just end the speech abruptly or by
saying “thank you for listening.” Have a plan for ending strong! It’s the last impression the audience will have of you and your topic.)

References