Creating a Speech Outline and Speaking Notes

Two things are important to you as a public speaker.

A speech outline is something that you create before writing a speech.  It can help you develop and order your ideas.

Speaking notes are something that you write after you write your full speech or full speech outline. It’s a short version of the main points that you ended up with in the speech, a version that you can consult easily as you deliver your speech.

Usefulness of a Speech Outline

A speech outline is a working outline to help you with speech preparation and planning. This is not what you will use for speaking.

Putting together an outline will enable you to do the following:

• Organize your materials following the pattern you’ve selected for your speech. The outline structure will give you a clear picture of your idea structure.

• Since each main point should have a similar length and number of supporting materials, an outline allows you to visually identify any imbalances in the length or depth of your main points.

• An outline will show gaps in material or support. For example, you might notice you’ve got strong examples and testimony for your second main point, but that some research findings or statistics are still needed.

• Assessing your outline will enable you to double-check the flow or order of your speech. For instance, when you see your main points in an outline format, you might decide to rearrange them to have the most unexpected main point be the last one.

• A speech outline will empower you to give your best delivery. With a logical structure and flow that is easier for you to remember, you’ll be able to deliver your message with confidence and clarity.

• Overall, assembling your outline requires you to critically evaluate every piece of content along with its organization so that your speech is well edited and logical.

Parts of a Speech Outline

A speech outline is essentially the entire content of your speech written in an outline format, along with a few other elements. Writing this detailed version of your outline is a critical step in your speech preparation.

A speech outline includes:

1. Title: This is optional based on your and your instructor’s preferences, but can be useful, e.g., you might use it on the title page of a PowerPoint presentation or refer to it in your introduction.
2. Central Idea: Write your central idea at the top of your outline so you can refer to it frequently and verify that every component of your speech is directly tied to it.
3. Labeled Sections: Label your introduction, main points, conclusions, transitions, and bibliography.
4. Uniform Indentation: Use uniform indentation to indicate main points, sub-points, sub-sub points, etc. Use the following symbols for each level of entry:
   1. Main Point
      1. Sub-Point
         1. Sub-Sub Point
            1. Sub-Sub-Sub Point
            2. Second Sub-Sub-Sub Point
         2. Second Sub-Sub Point
      2. Second Sub-Point
   2. Second main point
5. Full Sentences: Use full sentences for each entry, to help develop the details of your message.
6. Bibliography: Include a bibliography for every source you’ve included in your speech, including interviews. Your instructor will determine which format you should use and how many citations you need.

Usefulness of a Speaking Notes

While it is possible, but not usually recommended, to read every word of a speech you’ve written, out loud, speaking notes are an effective way to whittle down the speech information into malleable chunks. These notes help both the audience and the speaker. The audience appreciates the clear organization of the information, while the speaker benefits from a simplified structure that helps them recall small sections at a time.

Most public speaking is presented extemporaneously where speakers have diligently planned and practiced their speech (practicing early on with their preparation outline), but the actual delivery is done using limited speaking notes. This means the speakers are well-prepared, but the actual wording of their speech will be determined during delivery. This allows you to be “present” in delivery rather than tied to reading a manuscript or detailed outline. Using speaking notes will enhance your delivery with greater eye contact, vocal variety, gestures, and expressiveness.

What to Include in Speaking Notes

Once you’ve completed a detailed preparation outline, you are ready to adapt it to speaking notes. Speaking notes:

• include only high-level key phrases in the outline order

• may highlight or bold certain key words to remind you to emphasize them or slow down in your delivery at that point.

• include a specific quote or statistic only if it’s important enough to read verbatim.

• list transitions from point to point, if you think you will need them

• may include personal notes, such as “smile,” “pause,” or “repeat more slowly”

• do not include the title, fully-written-out central idea statement, or bibliography

When you create your speaking notes, also make sure to:

• use a large font so it’s easily readable when held at chest level

• double or triple space so it’s easy to keep track of where you are

• use note cards, or, if you print on paper, print only on one side to move more easily from page to page

Samples

These samples are for a persuasive speech written to encourage listeners to switch to reusable water bottles.

Compare the Speech Outline with the Speaking Notes.

Speech Preparation Outline

Speaking Notes