PSOutlining

Your name

Your teacher’s name

Public Speaking

1 October 2003

Outlining: Format and Rules

I.     The outlining function in Word Perfect
        A.   No, you do not HAVE TO type your outline, but it is recommended
        B.   Type your MLA heading first with a title, _____________ Outline (Use the MLA Template if
               you want–Go to “File” then “New” and load the MLA Report template.
        C.   Turning on WP’s outlining function
             1.   Find the icon across the top that looks like a numbered list (1.______ 2. ________ 3.
              ____________)
               2.   Click on the small down arrow directly to its right
               3.   From the menu that appears, click on the box that looks like the outline format
                     (middle one on the top row)
               4.   A Roman numeral I. Should then appear. Outlining is now on.
        D.   Getting around in the outlining feature
               1.   “Return” takes you to the next level. If you were typing in A., it will go to B. when you hit return
               2.   To go in a level to the right, hit the “Tab” key
               3.   To go back out a level to the left, hit “Shift” and “Tab” together
               4.   If you hit “Backspace” and your numbers and letters disappear, go back up to your previous line and hit “Enter”

II.    Outlining formatting rules to follow
        A.   The progression of letters and numbers is:
             1.   Roman numerals: I, II, III, IV, etc.
               2.   Capital letters: A, B, C, etc.
               3.   Regular numbers: 1, 2, 3, etc.
               4.   Lower-case letters: a, b, c, etc.
       B.    Each level of the outline should be indented so that the number/letter of a subcategory lines up with the first letter of the
               heading directly above it.
       C.    First letters of each line should be capitalized
       D.    After each A. or B., 1. or 2., etc., there should be a period, not a bracket!
       E.     If you have an A., you must have a B.; if you have a 1., you must have a 2. You cannot simply have one subcategory
               underneath a point. See me if you are having trouble breaking your topics and/or information down.
       F.    Make sure your subcategories and ideas really belong under the larger headings you put them under!
       G.   Choose and stick to an outline format
              1.   Word outlines--a single word appears on each line. Can be hard to limit each point to a word.
              2.   Phrase outlines--a phrase or sentence fragment. Easiest to do--you don’t have to write a complete sentence nor
                    work a topic down to a single word
              3.   Sentence outlines--Every line is a complete sentence. This one takes more time to put together, but you ultimately
                    get more of your speech written just a little sooner.
       H.   Most importantly--The order and content of this outline will be the same as your speech!!!!!

The Outline for Information Speeches

I.      Introduction
        A.   An attention-getter is extremely necessary
        B.   A clear preview of points, however many you are going to have is absolutely vital!
        C.   An explanation of this topic’s relevance, importance, connection to our lives, either current or future, is also needed
        D.   Optional: If you have personal and previous experience/knowledge with your topic, explain it to us to establish your credibility.

II.   First of your main points named
        A.   There is nothing magical about three main points! Some people may have 4 or more main ideas.
        B.   Organize it logically
        C.   Try to balance your information in your points
        D.   Use headings to write clear topic sentences to show changes of ideas

III.   Second main point named
        A.   You can get as detailed as you want with the outline
        B.   The more detailed you get now, the easier the speech is to write later.
        C.   I recommend having both A’s and B’s as well as 1's and 2's

IV.   Third main point named
        A.   Make sure the points you put under each heading really belong logically under that heading
        B.   Ultimately, the number of points and subpoints is up to YOU and your information

V.   The Conclusion
        A.   A summary and review of the information presented
        B.   A reminder of the topic’s importance or relevance
        C.   A final, clever, creative, closing device

AND FINALLY:
If you make major changes between the time you turn in the outline and the day of your speech, you need to turn in a revised and corrected copy of the outline.