Organize, organize, organize. Do you have a theme? Why are you speaking?

Remember that even if you know what you are going to be talking about you audience does not. So as you write your speech you must make it logical. That calls for organization. If your speech is organized, your audience will be better able to follow you. Organization is simply putting your ideas together in an orderly manner. You must make it clear to your audience the main points of your subject. Good organization is the key to success as a speaker. Remember that all good speeches have an opening, an body and a conclusion.

A good approach to keep in mind as you prepare to develop your speech is the old axiom,

"TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO TELL THEM.
TELL THEM.
TELL THEM WHAT YOU'VE TOLD THEM."

Here's what I suggest.

1. Develop a purpose sentence. Write in one sentence the purpose of your speech. This will force you to clarify your aim. If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. The problem with that is that the audience may end up where you did not want them to go. This step is the most important part of your preparation. Figure out what you want people to take away with them. Why is this audience here? Write it down! Put that sentence at the top of the page. As you are writing the rest of your speech, determine if the ideas that are coming to you relate to your objective sentence. If they are great ideas but don't relate to your sentence, file them for another speech. I suggest an index file with 3x5 cards.

2. Develop two or three main points. Write a sentence for each of your main points. Find supporting materials for each of your main points. Develop an illustration for each. An illustration can be a story about you, or some other situation, a word picture or anything that is descriptive or makes your abstract point more concrete.

3. Create an opening. After you have your main points, develop your opening. Your objective here is to grab their attention and prepare the audience for understanding the subject. Your opening must quickly get your audience involved and on the right track.

4. Finally,create a conclusion that lets people know that you are finished.