The key is to make your
main points thematically connected. In
other words—avoid a set of points that look like this:
1.
History of the Zapatistas
2.
What defines a person as a Zapatista?
3.
Things the Zapatistas do
Notice that the only
thing connecting these main points together is the fact that they are about the
Zapatistas. That isn’t going to make a cohesive speech. Instead, try these
kinds of main points:
Example for a speech on
Zapatista culture:
1.
Zapatista dance and music
2.
Zapatista conversation expectations
3.
Zapatista games
4.
Zapatista romance
TYPICAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR AN INFORMATIVE SPEECH
How to speech: 4 key steps to doing the thing you
are talking about.
Example: Step One: Reformat the hard drive. Step
Two: Place the CD into the computer and begin installation. Step Three: Fine
tune your operating system.
History/what
happened speech: Points listing out from the beginning to the latest thing you
want to discuss in your speech.
Example: First, the people inhabited the territory. Second,
there were great conflicts. Third, there were good and sad after-effects.
What is
it speech: 2 to 4 main points that discuss the key elements of your subject.
Example: First, there must be small numbers;
Second, a focus on general rather than specialized education; Third, a focus on
more intellectual rather than practical or technical knowledge.
Explain it speech: 2 or 4 main points that go through the key elements of something to explain it.
Example: A plane flies by first, its wing design; second,
engine forward movement; third, direction of wing flaps.
Typical organizations for an
TYPICAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR A PERSUASIVE SPEECH
Problem-solution: First point shows there is a harmful problem; Second point shows a
proposal and proof that it would solve the problem; it is good to get the judge/audience
involved in taking their own actions to help solve the problem.
Demonstration that something is wrong/right: First, list out an agreeable standard for judging
(things that kill should be rejected; things that intrude on our civil
liberties should be rejected); Second, show that the thing you are talking
about does indeed violate the standard you set.
Main reasons approach: Just list out the reasons why your thesis is true.
First, because of x; Second, because of y; Third, because of z.