When a speaker has given careful thoughts to the selection of his subject, analyzed his audience, considered the influence of his own personality and determined that the occasion is appropriate, he is ready to plan his speech.

The first thing he does is to select his general purpose. Does he wish to present factual information only; that is to inform. Does he wish to change beliefs or actions; that is to persuade? Does he wish merely to amuse his audience; that is to entertain? Having selected his general purpose his next step is to write out a statement of his objective. This is specific purpose.

Example of specific purposes is as follows:

Informative. Explain to a speech class how milk is pasteurized.

Persuasive. Persuade a civics class that the United States Congress should adopt Daylight Savings Time for the United States.

Entertaining. Amuse the school assembly with a discussion of the habits of teachers.

The main ideas are the next step to select the main ideas or main divisions of the subject as stated in the specific purpose. In information speeches the main ideas should define the specific purpose by answering the questions who, where, when, why, what and how? In persuasive speeches the main ideas should be the principal reasons for the desired belief or action. In entertaining speeches the main ideas should be the principle divisions of the subject that can be made amusing.

Supporting material after the main ideas have been selected then the next step is to choose the supporting material. This material includes description, narration, comparisons, examples, testimony, statistics, visual aids, slides, maps, working models to name just a few. The next step is to plan the introduction usually having two parts the opening and the statement of a specific purpose.

The outline with all foregoing has been done if the speech was well prepared. Next in line is the conclusion being the summary of the main ideas and specific purpose. If the speaker has done his duty delivering a proper effective speech the audience will be satisfied with their time well spent.