Descriptive speech outline structure and techniques

¶ … Speech Outline description of the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of exercising.

To inform through description

Specific purpose: To describe for my audience the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of exercise.

Central idea: Working out helps the body, mind, and spirit

Get the Audience's Attention: What would you do if I told you something could make you look better, feel better, and think better? You'd want to give it a try, wouldn't you? Well, it's not something you can buy over the Internet, and it's not something that comes in a bottle.

Working out is an easy and satisfying way to reconnect with your body, to refresh you mind in preparation for a mentally taxing day at school or after a hard week at the office, or simply to feel like a kid again.

Establish Credibility: According to almost every major health authority, from the Mayo Clinic to the American Medical Association, exercise reduces cholesterol, high blood pressure, and your risk of developing obesity or osteoporosis later in life. It also reduces the physical complaints caused by everyday stress, like sleeplessness and depression.

IV. Preview: You might say you don't have the time to exercise -- but I say, you don't have the time for feeling less than 100% today and for the rest of your life!

Body:

Main point I. Exercise has many health benefits.

Sub-point

A. Exercise reduces 'bad' cholesterol.

Sub-point

B. Exercise reduces high blood pressure.

Transition) By strengthening your heart and lungs, exercise reduces your risk of most major chronic illnesses, and when you feel better, you think more clearly as well.

Main point II. Exercise improves your mind.

Sub-point A. By reducing body weigh, increasing muscle, exercise makes you feel better about your body and improves your self-image.

Sub-point

B. Exercise enables you to set goals for yourself, and is an important way to reduce stress and put problems in perspective.

Transition) This also ties in with the spiritual component of exercise.

Main point III. Imagine running along the beach on a cool summer morning, or saluting the sun in a yoga pose after a long day. Exercise reconnects you with your inner child, and with the natural rhythms of nature and your body.

Sub-point

A. Exercise gives you an important time to relax and focus on your body and mind. It is a 'time out' from so many of life's other pressures.

Sub-point

B. Exercise allows you to play, while you still gaining the benefits of 'working out,' helping your body and mind stay young, so you feel younger.

Transition) Think of how much you enjoyed playing on a playground as a child -- working out was no work at all! And you felt better coming back into the classroom -- no one had to tell you this was good for you! So why not allow yourself a bit of recess, even though you're all grown up?