Table of Contents, Engage and Inspire Your Audience

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Westside Toastmasters is located in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California

Before You Speak: Test Your Organization

You've focused, researched, outlined, written, polished, and you're ready to speak. Check your preparation against the following list of key characteristics of a well-organized speech:

þ	A clear purpose.
þ	A topic inherently interesting to the audience.
þ	Strong, logical, and clear sequence of ideas.
þ	Points presented in a consistent way that is easy to follow.
þ	Speech is adapted to the attitude of the audience and to any special circumstances.
þ	Transitions are clear, definite, and well thought out.
þ	There isn't too much information, and what is there relates directly to your main points.
þ	Plenty of support backs up your assertions.
þ	Frequent summaries aid the audience and emphasize your main points.
þ	The conclusion restates what it is you want your audience to know, do, or feel.

Once you have an outline you're comfortable with, it will be tempting to fill it in with as much information as possible to support your points. Avoiding that temptation is central to avoiding the next speaking fault, "too much information."

You are a project manager in a large management consulting firm. You have been asked to give a presentation to a potential client on the benefits of using your company. Your purpose is to get a commitment from the client to use your company.

You must make a presentation to your staff on the importance of teamwork.

Develop your organization through these two methods:
1. Comparison and contrast.
2. Problem and solution.
Check out the chapter outlines in the nonfiction books you have in your library and see what other ways they could have been organized. Also look for points that could be added or omitted.