Speech Structure9 Methods of Organizing Your

Speech Information

Philosopher Alfred Korzbyski – “All knowledge is knowledge of structure.”

• No one can understand information as fast as you can speak

• You can’t make any points with an audience if they can’t understand what you are talking about

• So – organize your ideas and give your audience and yourself a chance for success

Structure Building

• Think of constructing a building – individual bricks make up the whole

• Every unit (brick) has something to do with the actual message

Organizing Ideas

• Makes preparation easier

• Guides and streamlines your work

• Even the greatest writers and speakers carefully plan their structure

Why Structure?

• Long time ago – the emphasis used to be on performance o Dictiono Gestureso Postureo Body movemento Eye contact

• Today – the emphasis is on form and content of message

• Speakers are made, not born

#1 Deductive Reasoning

• Think inverted triangle

• Start with the general and work your way to the specific

Baseball Free AgencyMajor Leagues

National League

Central Division

Brewers

#2 Inductive Reasoning• Think pyramid (right

side up)• Specific to General

Teachers are great!

Martin Luther Teachers

English Department

Teachers

Mrs. Dennert

Can’t remember deductive/inductive?

Think

HOURGLASS

#3 Simple to Complex

• Organize information – o Basic components

followed by more advanced or complex ideas

Modems, networking, internet

#4 Part to WholeIn your planning, think large scope first, then break into smaller parts. For your speech, start with smaller parts and expand audience knowledge to understand the whole

The Beatles1. Paul - bass2. John - guitar3. Ringo - drums4. George - Guitar5. Influence of band on music

Parts of an Electric Guitar

BodyNeckFrets

StringsPickupsculture

#5 Cause and Effect

• Works in one of two wayso 1. Identify a change about to occur and describe what effects this

cause might haveo 2. Talk about a problem (effect) and explore what were the causes

that created that problem

CAUSE: The Packers will not win the Super Bowl this yearEFFECT: Everyone in Wisconsin will be near suicidal

Violence and street crime will be on the riseHospitals will be overflowing with PPA

(Playoff Panic Aggression)

#6 Problem - Solution

• Good for proposals for change, new procedures, new laws, new concepts

• Think change• How can you induce

change?• Identify a problem for

your audience and then suggest how they can solve it

PROBLEM: ML has little to offer the non-college bound student

SOLUTION: Create more classes like small engine repair,

landscaping, weldingSOLUTION: Hire more teachers

with technical and labor background

# 7 Chronological Approach

• Think time organization

• Great for step-by-step processes

• Great for telling about or describing historical events

Chronological • U.S. by the Decade

o 1960’s Waro 70’s Economic woeso 80’s Technology revolution - 90’s Boom investments

Changing a Flat Tire-Secure by braking- Raise car by jacking- Remove damaged tire- Replace with spare- Lower car

#8 Spatial Pattern• Think – top to bottom, left to right,

inside to outside

How to Insulate your House- Attic- Living Space- Basement

National Parks in the US- Grand Canyon- Arches National Park- Rocky Mountain NP- Acadia National Park

#9 Topical

• A “catch-all” pattern• A “string of beads” pattern• Organize information under logical headings

SO THINK STRUCTURE

• It is your key to success!

You stay organized, help your audience

understand, and they’ll stand in line to

congratulate you on a fine presentation!