Page 262 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Chapter 9 Organizing Messages 229

Organic Patterns of Organization

These 10 patterns of organization are primarily linear in nature and are well
suited to audiences rooted in a Western European tradition. For example, scholar
Cheryl Jorgensen-Earp has suggested that women and some ethnic speakers use
less linear, more organic patterns, such as the wave, the spiral, and the star. 3

Wave
Many women and African Americans use the wave pattern. Much like a wave wave pattern
cresting, receding, and then cresting again, a speech following this pattern con- A pattern of organization
tinually returns to the basic theme, repeating a phrase again and again through- in which the basic theme,
out the speech. Perhaps the most familiar example is the “I Have a Dream” often represented by a
speech, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which gets its title from the constant phrase, is repeated again
repetition of that phrase. In addition, King uses the theme “Let freedom ring” and again, much like a
repeatedly as he brings the speech to its dramatic conclusion. Exhibit 9.2 illus- wave cresting, receding,
trates the wave pattern of speaking. and then cresting again.

Spiral
Another pattern suggested by Jorgensen-Earp is a spiral pattern. It too repeats spiral pattern
points, but each point grows in intensity as the speech builds to its pinnacle at A pattern of organization
the conclusion. For example, we recall a motivational speech by one of our for- that employs repetition
mer students, Rick Rigsby. He was speaking of how he learned about life from of points, with the points
the death of his wife, Trina, from breast cancer when she was in her 30s. At one growing in intensity as
point she told him that it wasn’t how long you lived but how you lived that mat- the speech builds to its
tered. As the speech progressed, Rick returned to this theme again and again, conclusion.
each time with more emotional intensity. At the end of his speech he asked the
audience this question: “How are you living?” Thus he spiraled to a climax that
had been foreshadowed throughout the speech. Exhibit 9.3 illustrates the spiral
pattern of organization.
star pattern
A pattern of organization
Star in which all of the points
are of equal importance
A third organic pattern identifi ed by Jorgensen-Earp is the star pattern, in
and can be presented in
which various points all grow from a central idea. Because all of the points of any order to support the
the star are of equal importance, a speaker can present the points in any order common theme.
in support of the common theme that encircles the star and holds the speech

Exhibit 9.2
”I have a dream” ”I have a dream” ”I have a dream” ”Let freedom ring” ”Let freedom ring” Martin Luther King Jr.
Wave Pattern

used a wave pattern in
his speech.