Page 399 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

In Their Own Words

Sample Informative Speech Outline

CHOOSING YOUR BABY: THE METHODS OF SEX PRESELECTION
by Arin Larson
Specifi c Purpose: To inform the au-
dience of the methods of sex selec-
tion and the pros and cons of each.

Introduction
Speaker begins with an I. Open with Impact: Imagine you
analogy her classmates can have decided to add a pet to your
relate to. family.
A. Some may prefer to get a cat,
some a dog, and some both
but would choose one before
the other. Arin Larson
B. Some people also have a
preference of which sex of child they would like to add to their family.
C. Sex selection is the way to do just that.
II. Thesis Statement: Sex selection has two methods; the method used depends on the
individual.
III. Connect With the Audience: Sex selection can benefi t you in many ways.
She clearly states the ben- A. It allows families to choose the birth order/sex of their children.
efit for audience members B. t allows families with multiple same sex children to conceive a child of the opposite

I
of learning this information. sex.
C. It allows people to select against sex-linked defects and disease.
IV. Preview: Today, I will explain the two types of sex selection methods: MicroSort and the
Shettles method, as well as the foundational facts that make it possible.
Body

The science behind sex I. Main Point: Sex selection is based on the fundamental understanding that there are two
preselection is explained in types of sperm.
an accessible manner. A. When cells become reproductive cells, they divide their chromosomes—including the
23rd pair that codes for sex.
B. Since males all carry an “XY” chromosomal pair, half of the haploid or sperm cells
have an “X” and half have a “Y.”
C. Since females are “XX” all eggs are “X” after division. Sex of the baby depends on
whether an “X”-bearing sperm or a “Y”-bearing sperm reached it fi rst.
(Transition: Now that you know how the sex of the baby is determined, I will explain the fi rst
method for selecting for a certain sex.)
II. Main Point: This method is called MicroSort and is used in conjunction with
in vitro fertilization.
A. The man produces a sperm sample.
B. The sperm DNA is stained with fl uorescent dye.
1. A laser is shined on them.
a. Sperm is sifted using a cell sorter.
b. Each cell’s DNA is measured.
2. This process takes a full day to sort one sperm sample.
C. The desired sperm are then implanted in the woman’s uterus to join with her egg.
366 (Transition: Now that you know the laboratory method, I will explain the method you can do
right at home.)