FULL-SENTENCE
OUTLINE FORMAT
Name: (include in all outlines)
Specific Purpose: After listening to my speech, my audience will know or understand (select know or understand, not both and insert your subject and predicate here).
Introduction (include in all outlines)
I. Attention-Getter: Use one of the recommended techniques described in Introductions and Conclusions.
II. Personal Credibility: State your connection and/or experience with this topic to establish your credibility.
III. Thesis: Use your thesis statement here (includes subject, predicate, and information hunger) in one single sentence.
[Transition into body of speech, e.g. Let’s start with... ]
Body (include in all outlines)
I.
First
main point: Write in complete
sentences. Main Points are never
questions, quotes, or information that requires a source citation.
A.
Subpoint: Make
sure your sentences wrap to the start of the sentence to maintain the outline
formatting as illustrated here.
1.
Sub-subpoint: How much development you need depends upon
your speech
2.
Sub-subpoint Outlining Rule: No 1 without a 2
a.
Sub-sub-subpoint: How much development you need depends upon
your speech
b.
Sub-sub-subpoint Outlining Rule: No a without a b
i.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint: How much development you need depends upon your
speech
ii.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint Rule: No i without a
ii
B.
Subpoint
1.
Sub-subpoint
2.
Sub-subpoint
a.
Sub-sub-subpoint
b.
Sub-sub-subpoint
i.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
ii.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
[Transition into second main point, e.g. We’ve discussed .... now let’s look at.....]
II.
Second
main point: Make your main points clear by using parallel language when
possible
A.
Subpoint
1.
Sub-subpoint
2.
Sub-subpoint
a.
Sub-sub-subpoint
b.
Sub-sub-subpoint
i.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
ii.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
B.
Subpoint
1.
Sub-subpoint
2.
Sub-subpoint
a.
Sub-sub-subpoint
b.
Sub-sub-subpoint
i.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
ii.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
[Transition into third main point, e.g. We’ve discussed .... now let’s look at.....]
III.
Third
main point: No less than two main points, but no more than five main points
A.
Subpoint
1.
Sub-subpoint
2.
Sub-subpoint
a.
Sub-sub-subpoint
b.
Sub-sub-subpoint
i.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
ii.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
B.
Subpoint
1.
Sub-subpoint
2.
Sub-subpoint
a.
Sub-sub-subpoint
b.
Sub-sub-subpoint
i.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
ii.
Sub-sub-sub-subpoint
[Transition into conclusion: Make this clear, e.g. In conclusion, to sum up, etc.]
Conclusion (include
in all outlines)
I. Summary: Paraphrase the thesis here in one single declarative statement.
II. Clincher: Use one of the recommended techniques described in Introductions and Conclusions. I always recommend the technique called “Reference to the Introduction” because it provides such strong closure.
Reference List
Alphabetize references using the MLA Handbook style.
RULES OF
OUTLINING
1. Identify at least two, but no more than five main points in a speech
2.
Use Roman Numerals for main points; Capital Letters
for subpoints; Arabic Numbers for sub-subpoints; small letters for
sub-sub-subpoints, and small roman numbers for sub-sub-sub-subpoints
3.
Show logical relationships of ideas through proper
indentation
4.
Wrap-around sentences MUST indent to the point
where the first word of the sentence starts
5.
Only one sentence per letter or number in an
outline
6.
Rule of Division: Never have a 1 without a 2 or an
A without a B.