How to write a speech outline: A step-by-step guide to crafting a winning speech

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re preparing to write a speech. Maybe it’s for a wedding, a presentation, a pitch, or even a TED Talk. Whatever the occasion, one thing is certain: you need a speech outline.

You might be tempted to skip this step—just jot down a few ideas and wing it. But trust me, that’s a risky move. A good speech outline is like a recipe for success. It keeps you focused, organized, and ensures your audience actually understands and remembers what you’re saying.

So, how do you write one? In this guide, I’ll break it down step by step, share examples, and give you practical tools and tips to create an outline that works for you.

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Why an effective speech outline matters

Think of a speech outline as the scaffolding for a successful speech—without it, everything might collapse. Imagine embarking on a road trip without a GPS or even a map. You might eventually reach your destination, but not without unnecessary detours, missed landmarks, and a lot of frustration. A speech outline isn’t just a tool; it’s your blueprint for an effective presentation. Here’s why outlining your speech is crucial:

Keeps your audience engaged: An outline ensures that your key message and main points are clear, helping your audience follow your logic and digest your ideas. For example, starting with an anecdote as an attention-getter can hook your audience, while transitional phrases guide them seamlessly from one point to the next point.

Organizes your ideas: With a logical order, your speech flows naturally. Whether you’re writing a thesis statement or structuring the body of your speech, outlining allows you to connect sub-points and supporting material to your main ideas. This makes even a complex informative speech easy to follow.

Saves time and effort: When your ideas are laid out clearly, writing and practicing your speech becomes smoother. You can focus on refining parts of your speech, such as the introduction or call to action, instead of scrambling to piece together your thoughts at the last minute.

Makes a strong impression: A good outline helps you craft a clear introduction and concisely summarize your key ideas in the conclusion, leaving the audience with a memorable takeaway. Want to leave the audience wanting more? A carefully structured speech does exactly that.

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Steps to create a perfect outline for a speech (main points)

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Step 1: Define your purpose and audience

Creating an effective speech outline starts with clarity about your goal and audience. This foundation acts as the blueprint for your entire speech and helps organize your main points logically. Ask yourself two key questions:

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1. What do I want to achieve with this speech? Your purpose will determine the type of speech you’re giving. Are you informing, persuading, inspiring, or entertaining? For example:

• Informative speech: “I want to explain the benefits of using visual aids to simplify data presentation.”
• Persuasive speech: “I want to convince my team to adopt a new project management tool.”
• Entertaining speech: “I want to share humorous anecdotes about workplace mishaps to lighten the mood at a team event.”
• Inspirational speech: “I want to motivate students to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.”

Knowing your purpose also helps you write your speech with a strong thesis statement—a single sentence summarizing your main message. This will serve as a signpost for your audience, letting them know what you’re going to talk about.

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2. Who am I speaking to? Understanding your audience is critical. Consider their:

• Background
• Level of knowledge
• Interests in your speech topic

Example: If you’re presenting to busy executives, focus on key ideas and use statistics or testimonials to back your claims. Executives are more likely to engage if you emphasize efficiency and ROI while maintaining a concise structure.

Why it matters: Defining your purpose and audience ensures your speech is tailored to keep your audience’s attention. For instance:

• If you’re giving a presentation to students, you might include anecdotes or stories to build a personal connection.
• When addressing professionals, you might make a note to include relevant data, first point and supporting points for credibility.
• For an entertaining speech, you’ll want to emphasize humor, vivid anecdotes, and a conversational tone.
• In an inspirational speech, the focus might be on emotional storytelling and a compelling call to action.

This step also sets the stage for the next phases of writing your outline, ensuring each section of your speech aligns with your goals. Whether it’s crafting an attention-getter, outlining subpoints, or identifying the transitions from one point to another, everything depends on your initial clarity.

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Step 2: Hook them in the introduction

Your introduction is the most critical part of your speech outline. It sets the tone, grabs the audience’s attention, and lays the foundation for a successful speech. Think of it as your opening scene in a movie—you wouldn’t start with the credits, right? Instead, you’d kick things off with action, intrigue, or something unexpected. In public speaking, your goal is to make an impact right from the first sentence. Ideas for a great hook:

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1. Ask a provocative question
Engage curiosity by posing a question that gets the audience thinking:
“What would you do if you only had five minutes to convince your audience of something that could change their lives?”

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2. Share a surprising statistic
Facts and figures can quickly grab attention, especially if they’re unexpected:
“Did you know that over 85% of people fear public speaking more than death, yet learning to embrace it can boost your career by 50%?”

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3. Tell a personal story
A relatable anecdote or story in speeches creates an emotional connection:
“When I was 15, I froze during my first public speaking contest. My voice cracked, my hands shook, and I forgot my main points entirely. But that moment taught me a lesson I’ll share with you today.”

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4. Use a thought-provoking quote
A powerful quote can resonate with the audience and set the tone for your speech:
“As Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.’ That’s the essence of impactful public speaking.”

⚡Pro tip: Transition from hook to roadmap

Once you’ve hooked your audience, it’s time to tell the audience what they can expect. Introduce your thesis and provide a roadmap of your speech.

💡 For example: “Today, I’ll show you three ways to master public speaking: crafting powerful stories, using body language effectively, and connecting emotionally with your audience.”

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Step 3: Build the body of your speech

Now we’re diving into the heart of your speech—the part where you deliver the main parts of a speech and make your message unforgettable. Think of this as the engine that drives your entire presentation. A well-structured body ensures your audience stays engaged, understands your message, and takes action.‍

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1. The Rule of Threes: Your secret weapon

Ever noticed how the best speeches, stories, or even jokes are often grouped in threes? This is no coincidence. The Rule of Threes is a powerful technique that makes your ideas more memorable and easier to digest. As a public speaker, it’s your way to help the audience follow along effortlessly.

Here’s how to apply it:

• Choose three main points that align with the goal of your speech.
• Arrange them in a logical order that flows naturally from one idea to the next.
• Dedicate a mini-section to each point in your outline.

💡 For example, if you’re giving a speech on achieving work-life balance, your three points might be:

1. Prioritize your health.
2. Set boundaries at work.
3. Make time for relationships.

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2. Break it down: Each point should include three essential parts to make it impactful:

Main idea: Clearly state the point you’re making. For example:
“Prioritizing your health isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for productivity.”

Supporting evidence: Back it up with facts, statistics, or a powerful quote. Example:
“Research shows that regular exercise boosts productivity by 25%.”

Takeaway: Tell the audience what this means for them or what they should do next. Example:
“Start small: Take a 10-minute walk during your lunch break to reset and recharge.”

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3. Keep it engaging: To make your speech even more dynamic, include these elements:

Transitions that flow: Use phrases like “Next, let’s explore…” or “Now that we’ve covered…” to guide your audience from one point to another.

Visual aids: A simple slide, chart, or image can help support your main points and make your message stick.

Personal stories: Audiences connect with stories, so don’t hesitate to share anecdotes that illustrate your ideas.

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Step 4: Transition like a pro

Imagine watching a movie where every scene ends abruptly, leaving you confused about what just happened. That’s what a speech without smooth transitions feels like—disjointed and hard to follow. Good transitions are the glue that holds the parts of your speech together, guiding your audience from one idea to the next without losing their attention.

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1. Why do transitions matter?

Transitions are more than just filler phrases—they’re signposts that let your audience know where you’re headed. They depend on the type of speech you’re giving and help maintain flow, clarity, and engagement. A well-placed transition ensures your audience has time to digest your previous point before diving into the next one. It also helps you feel more comfortable and confident as a speaker by creating a natural rhythm in your delivery.

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2. Simple but effective transition phrases: Here are some tried-and-true ways to move between ideas:

Connecting topics: “Now that we’ve covered [X], let’s move on to [Y].”
💡 Example: “Now that we’ve discussed the importance of sleep, let’s explore how exercise can improve mental clarity.”

Building momentum: “Building on that idea…”
💡 Example: “Building on the idea of staying active, let’s look at the role of nutrition in boosting energy.”

Focusing on the audience: “Here’s what this means for you…”
💡 Example: “Here’s what this means for you: Small changes to your routine can lead to big improvements in productivity.”

Introducing the next step: “Let’s dive into the next step…”
💡 Example: “Let’s dive into the next step: How to create a sustainable routine for long-term success.”‍

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3. Beyond words: Creative ways to transition

Transitions don’t always have to be verbal. Consider these creative techniques to keep your audience engaged:

Pausing for effect: A brief pause can signal a shift in focus while giving your audience a moment to absorb what they’ve just heard.

Using visual aids: Displaying a new slide or image can help bridge one point to the next, especially in an informative speech.

Restating key ideas: Recap your previous point before introducing the next one. Example:
“As we’ve seen, sleep plays a crucial role in health. Now, let’s discuss how balanced nutrition complements this.”

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Step 5: Nail the conclusion

Your conclusion is the grand finale—it’s your last chance to leave a lasting impression. Think of it as the fireworks display at the end of a celebration. A lackluster conclusion can undo all the work you’ve put into the parts of your speech. To ensure your audience leaves inspired and engaged, make your conclusion count.

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1. What a great conclusion includes:

Summary: Quickly recap your main points to reinforce what the audience has learned.
💡 Example: “So, to recap: Better nutrition, regular exercise, and quality sleep are the cornerstones of a healthier life.”

Core Message: End with a powerful restatement of your thesis. This ties your conclusion back to your opening and reinforces the message you want the audience to remember.
💡 Example: “If you take away one thing from this speech, let it be this: small changes lead to big results.”

Call to Action: Inspire your audience to act or leave them with a thought-provoking idea. A good presentation doesn’t just inform—it moves people.
💡 Example: “So tonight, take one small step. Swap soda for water, go for a short walk, or plan your next healthy meal. Small steps today create a healthier tomorrow.”

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2. How to create a memorable conclusion:

Circle back to your opening: If your speech started with a story, statistic, or quote, revisit it in your conclusion to bring your speech full circle.
💡 Example: “Remember that story about my first failed speech? Today, I’ve shared the tools that helped me turn fear into confidence. I hope you’ll use them to transform your challenges too.”

Inspire Emotion: A keynote speaker often uses emotion to leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s inspiration, hope, or determination, evoke a feeling that resonates with your audience.

Leave Them Thinking: End with a rhetorical question or thought-provoking statement that lingers.
💡 Example: “What small change will you make today to create the life you want tomorrow?”

⚡ Pro tip: Practice your last line

Your final words matter more than any other part of your speech. Write them out in full sentences and practice delivering them with confidence. The way you end will shape the audience’s first impressions of your overall message and leave them with something to remember.‍

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3. Why your conclusion matters

The conclusion isn’t just the last section of your speech—it’s your chance to seal your message and ensure your audience feels the impact. A weak ending can dilute even the most well-structured speech, while a strong one solidifies your credibility and leaves the audience wanting more.

A great conclusion is what transforms a collection of bullet points into an inspiring call to action. It’s the moment when your speech outline truly serves its purpose: delivering an informative one, a persuasive argument, or an emotional connection that sticks.

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How Prezent can actually help with a speech outline

You might be thinking, “Wait, isn’t Prezent just for making slides?” Not quite. While it’s true that it’s amazing for designing presentations, a lot of its features can really come in handy when you’re outlining a speech.

1. Gives you a starting point when you feel stuck: One of the hardest parts of writing a speech outline is figuring out how to organize your ideas. Prezent has these pre-made frameworks— build storylines, they call them—that give you a head start. Think of it like opening a map before a road trip: instead of wondering, “Where do I even begin?” you’ve already got the route planned.

2. Helps you visualize your speech: Sometimes, just writing down certain points on paper doesn’t help you see how the whole thing fits together. That’s where Prezent’s visual tools come in. You can create slides for each main point and use them as a blueprint for your outline. It’s like creating puzzle pieces—when you arrange them, you’ll see how everything connects.

For example:

• Slide 1 = Your hook (a shocking fact or a question).
• Slide 2 = The problem you’re addressing.
• Slide 3 = Your first solution.
• And so on…

By the time you’re done, you’ll have not only an outline but a visual flow that ensures your ideas make sense. Plus, if you need to tweak the order, it’s as simple as dragging things around.

3. Keeps your speech audience-focused: The best speeches are the ones that feel like they’re made just for the audience sitting in front of you. Prezent has AI features that help you tailor your content to specific people. Communication Fingerprint is one such feature that helps you know the communication style of your colleagues in advance.

If you’re the kind of person who gets overwhelmed trying to organize your thoughts, or if you just want a tool to help you work smarter, Prezent is worth a try. Sign up for a free trial account or connect with our experts for a quick demo.