The X's and O's of Organizing a Speech

How quickly can you organize a speech? An evaluation? A table topic response? One outline that demonstrates good organization is:

• Introduction
• Give Roadmap of Topics to Cover
• Transition Into Topics
• Topic #1
• Topic #2
• Topic #3
• Transition Out of Topics
• Summarize Topics Covered
• Closing

This sequence can help you organize your thoughts in a way that makes presenting them easier. And there's an easy way to remember the steps. Just think X's and O's!

This progression is easily represented with a version of Tic-Tac-Toe, as shown in this diagram:

When you are planning to speak, whether a prepared speech or an impromptu one, consider starting off with a blank Tic-Tac-Toe board, and fill in the center row of squares with the ideas you want to present. Then form your "roadmap" giving the audience an initial overview, and a summary of what you've just covered. Finally, add the double punch of an attention grabbing opening, and a close worth remembering!

This technique allows you to focus on your topics, while organizing them immediately as you write them down. And the visual simplicity makes it a snap to remember!

I'd like to thank one of our experienced members, Marty May, for this great suggestion, and one I'm happy to pass on to you as he did to me!