Page 258 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Chapter 9 Organizing Messages 225

the speaker would seek to create a sympathetic portrayal of Jim, who becomes
the protagonist. Of course, each point would be developed in detail, and the
audience should be held in suspense as the story unfolds. The moral of the story
should not have to be stated explicitly but should be apparent to the audience.
This is one of those speeches in which stating the thesis at the beginning would
actually undermine the effectiveness of the speech. By the end of the speech,
however, no one would doubt the speaker’s central idea.

Alphabetical

Another useful way to organize a speech is so that the main points are in an
alphabetical pattern or so they spell out a common word. For example, der-
alphabetical pattern
matologists have developed what they call the A-B-C-D method of detecting Main points are in alpha-
1
skin cancer through self-examination. These steps form a useful way of organiz-
betical order or spell out
ing a speech and help the audience remember what to look for. This pattern is a common word.
particularly suited for informative speeches where the goal is for the audience
to remember what they’ve learned. For example, here are the things we should
look for in examining moles for skin cancer:
I. Asymmetry—one half unlike the other half.
II. Border irregularity—scalloped or poorly circumscribed border.
III. Color varies from one area to another.
IV. Diameter—larger than 6 mm (diameter of a pencil eraser).
problem–solution
pattern
Problem–Solution
A pattern of organization
Sometimes we speak to propose a solution to an ongoing problem. This is fre- that analyzes a problem
quently the case when we speak persuasively. One way to approach this type of in terms of (1) harm,
speech is to use the problem–solution pattern, a pattern of organization (2) signifi cance, and
(3) cause, and proposes
that analyzes a problem in terms of (1) harm, (2) signifi cance, and (3) cause,
a solution that is (1) de-
and proposes a solution that is (1) described, (2) feasible, and (3) advantageous.
scribed, (2) feasible, and
A specifi c example of this pattern might be a speech about the need for better
(3) advantageous.
health care. In this case, we might organize the speech in the following way:
I. Millions of Americans are denied access to adequate health care. [problem]
A. People suffer and die without this care. [harm]
B. More than 46 million Americans lack basic health insurance. [signifi cance]
C. There is a gap between government-sponsored health care (Medicaid [cause]
and Medicare) and private insurance.
II. We need a program of national health insurance to fi ll the gap. [solution]
A. All businesses will be taxed to provide national health insurance. [description]
B. Similar programs exist in almost every other industrialized country in [feasibility]
the world.
C. No longer will people be denied access to medical care simply because [advantages]
they cannot pay.
The relationship between harm and signifi cance is important. Harm has to
do with the bad consequences of the problem—in this case, potential suffering
and death. Signifi cance has to do with the extent of the problem. If 100 people
in a nation of 300 million were at risk of suffering or death because of an inad-
equate health care system, this would be unfortunate. If millions were at risk,
however, then the problem would be signifi cant.