Page 252 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Chapter 9 Organizing Messages 219

Focusing on the Thesis Statement

Recall from Chapter 2 that a thesis statement focuses our audience’s attention
on the central point of the speech. Our analysis of the audience may determine
when and how to present our thesis statement. Normally, the thesis statement
comes in the introduction. However, in a persuasive speech, a hostile audience
may tune us out as soon as they hear a position with which they disagree. In that
case, it’s advisable to hold off stating our position until the end of the speech,
beginning with common ground and working up to controversy.
Once we refi ne the specifi c purpose and formulate the thesis statement, it
is time to organize the body of the speech. Although you might think that the
introduction should be written fi rst, this is rarely the case. Until we have con-

structed the body of the speech, it is difficult to fi nd an appropriate introduction.
Also, in sifting through our ideas and research, we might fi nd something that
makes a perfect introduction.

Organizing the Body of the Speech

As Plato suggested, every speech needs parts that are “composed in such a way
that they suit both each other and the whole.” Thus, our speech needs a well-
organized body to support the thesis statement and achieve our purpose. Care-
fully thought-out main points, subpoints, and supporting points will provide that
organization.

Main Points

As we discussed in Chapter 2, the key ideas that support the thesis statement of
a speech are the main points. They should fully develop the thesis statement. As
a result of understanding these points, our audience should be informed, per-
suaded, or entertained in accordance with our specifi c purpose. In developing
our main points, we should keep the following fi ve guidelines in mind.

Tips and Tactics
Guidelines for Developing Main Points
• Limit the number of main points.
• Focus each main point on one main idea.
• Construct main points so that they are parallel in structure.
• State main points as simply as the subject will allow.
• Give all main points equal treatment.

Number

Every speech needs to be anchored around two or more main points. (If there is
only one main point, then that is, in effect, the same as the thesis statement, and
the subpoints are in fact the main points.) In our experience, more than fi ve main