公共演讲的艺术

 　　The Art of Public Speaking ——Outlining The Speech

　　Think what might happen if you tried to build a house without a floor plan or an architect's blueprint¹. You build the kitchen next to the driveway to make it convenient for carrying in groceries. But the dining room turns up at the other end of the house. When you cook and serve a meal, you have to run with the plates to keep the food from getting cold. You put the bathroom at the head of the stairs to make it accessible to visitors. But the door opens in such a way that the unwary guest is catapulted down the steps.1 Plans and blueprints² are essential to architecture. So, too, are outlines essential to effective speeches. An outline is like a blueprint for your speech. By outlining, you make sure that related items are together, that ideas flow from one to another, that the structure of your speech will "stand up" —and not collapse³. Probably you will use two kinds of outlines for your speeches — one very detailed⁴, for the planning stage, and one very brief, for the delivery of the speech.

　　The Preparation Outline

　　The preparation outline is just what its name implies — an outline that helps you prepare the speech. Writing a preparation outline means actually putting your speech together. It is the stage at which you decide what you will say in the introduction, how you will organize the main points and supporting materials in the body of the speech, and what you will say in the conclusion.

　　Now let us look at pieces of guidelines for the preparation outline. The specific purpose statement should be a separate unit that comes before the text of the outline itself. Including the specific purpose with the outline makes it easier to assess how well you have constructed the speech to accomplish your purpose. Some teachers prefer that the central idea be given immediately after the purpose statement. Others prefer that it be given and identified in the text of the outline itself. If you label the parts of your speech, you will be sure that you indeed have an introduction and conclusion and have accomplished⁵ the essential objectives of each. Usually the names of the speech parts are placed in the middle of the page or in the far left margin⁶. They are technical labels only and are not included in the system of symbolization⁷ used to identify main points and supporting materials. In the most common system of outlining, main points are identified by Roman numerals and are indented2 equally so as to be aligned¹⁰ down the page. Subpoints (components of the main points) are identified by capital letters and are also indented⁹ equally so as to be aligned with each other.

　　Once you have organized the body of your speech, you should have identified the main points. You need only flesh out3 your outline with subpoints and sub-subpoints, as necessary, to support the main points. But suppose, as sometimes happens, you find yourself with a list of statements and are not sure which are main points, which are subpoints, and so forth¹¹. Such a list might look like this:

　　There were 13 people at the Last Supper — Jesus and his 12 disciples¹².

　　One of the most common sources of superstition¹³ is number.

　　In the United States, 13 is often omitted in the floor numbering of hotels and skyscraper¹⁴.

　　The number 13 has meant bad luck as long as anyone can remember.

　　Which statement is the main point? The second statement, which is broader in scope than any of the other statements. This would be one of the main ideas of your speech. The fourth statement is the subpoint; it immediately supports the main point. The other two statements are sub-subpoints; they illustrate¹⁵ the subpoint. Rearranged properly, they look like this:

　　A. One of the most common sources of superstition is numbers.

　　a. The number 13 has meant bad luck as long as anyone can remember.

　　1. There were 13 people at the Last Supper — Jesus and his 12 disciples.

　　2. In the United States, 13 is often omitted in the floor numbering of hotels and skyscrapers¹⁶.

　　The Speaking Outline

　　Today most people speak extemporaneously4 — which means the speech is thoroughly¹⁸ prepared and carefully practiced in advance, but much of the exact wording is selected while the speech is being delivered. Your speeches will probably be of this type. You should know, then, about the speaking outline — the most widely recommended form of notes for extemporaneous¹⁷ speeches. The aim of a speaking outline is to help you remember what you want to say. In some ways it is a condensed version of your preparation outline. It should contain key words or phrases to jog5 your memory, as well as essential statistics and quotations¹⁹ that you do not want to risk forgetting. But it should also include material not in your preparation outline — especially cues to direct and sharpen your delivery.

　　Your speaking outline should use the same visual framework — the same symbols and the same pattern of indentation — as your preparation outline. This will make it much easier to prepare the speaking outline. More important, it will allow you to see instantly where you are in the speech at any given moment while you are speaking. Your speaking outline is all but worthless unless it is instantly readable at distance. When you make your outline, use dark ink and large lettering, leave extra space between lines, provide ample margins²⁰, and write or type on one side of the paper only. If your notes are too detailed, you will have difficulty maintaining eye contact with your audience. To guard against having too many notes, keep your speaking outline as brief as possible. In one word, a good speaking outline reminds you not only of what you want to say but also of how you want to say it.

　　Summary

　　Outlines are essential to effective speeches. By outlining, you make sure that related ideas are together, that your thoughts flow from one to another, and that the structure of your speech is coherent. You will probably use two kinds of outlines for your speeches — the detailed preparation outline and the brief speaking outline.

　　The preparation outline helps you prepare your speech. In this outline you state your specific purpose and central idea, label the introduction, body, and conclusion, and designate transitions, internal summaries, and internal previews. You should identify main points, subpoints, and sub-subpoints by a consistent pattern of symbolization and indentation. It is usually advisable to state at least main points and subpoints in full sentences. Your teacher may require a bibliography²¹ with your preparation outline.

　　The speaking outline consists of brief notes to help you while you deliver the speech. It should contain key words or phrases to jog your memory, as well as essential statistics and quotations. In making up your speaking outline, follow the same visual framework used in your preparation outline. Keep the speaking outline as brief as possible, and be sure it is plainly legible. You can also give yourself cues for delivering the speech — when to speak more softly or more slowly, when to pause, and so forth.

　　1. 但门开的方向不对，客人如果不小心，就会被撞下楼梯。 catapult:（猛）投。

　　2. indent⁸: 缩排。

　　3. flesh out: 充实……的内容。

　　4. extemporaneously/!k;stemp2#re!n!2sl!/:(经过准备但)不用讲稿的（或不是背熟的）。

　　5. jog:（用提示等）触动，唤起（记忆）。

1 blueprint   

n.蓝图，设计图，计划；vt.制成蓝图，计划

参考例句：

• All the machine parts on a blueprint must answer each other.设计图上所有的机器部件都应互相配合。
• The documents contain a blueprint for a nuclear device.文件内附有一张核装置的设计蓝图。

2 blueprints   

n.蓝图，设计图( blueprint的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Have the blueprints been worked out? 蓝图搞好了吗？ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• BluePrints description of a distributed component of the system design and best practice guidelines. BluePrints描述了一个分布式组件体系的最佳练习和设计指导方针。 来自互联网

3 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

4 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

5 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

6 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

7 symbolization   

n.象征，符号表现

参考例句：

• The death of Hai Zi a heavy symbolization of post-new-poem-tide. 海子之死是后新诗潮的沉重象征。 来自互联网
• The important function and meaning of colors-psychological and folk-custom symbolization were discussed. 摘要色彩是产品包装设计的重要元素，论述了色彩的心理象征性和民俗象征性的重要作用和意义。 来自互联网

8 indent   

n.订单，委托采购，国外商品订货单，代购订单

参考例句：

• A firm order is often called an indent.确定的订单常称作订货单。
• Bid will be evaluated strictly in accordance with the indent specifications.投标将按照订货单的技术条件严格评估。

9 indented   

adj.锯齿状的，高低不平的；缩进排版

参考例句：

• His voyage was down Chile's indented coastline.他的航行沿智利参差曲折的海岸线行进。
• Each paragraph of the body is usually indented five blocks.正文每段开始，一般缩进五个英文字母。

10 aligned   

adj.对齐的，均衡的

参考例句：

• Make sure the shelf is aligned with the top of the cupboard.务必使搁架与橱柜顶端对齐。

11 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

12 disciples   

n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一

参考例句：

• Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. 犹大是耶稣十二门徒之一。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• "The names of the first two disciples were --" “最初的两个门徒的名字是——” 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

13 superstition   

n.迷信，迷信行为

参考例句：

• It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信。
• Superstition results from ignorance.迷信产生于无知。

14 skyscraper   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• The skyscraper towers into the clouds.那幢摩天大楼高耸入云。
• The skyscraper was wrapped in fog.摩天楼为雾所笼罩。

15 illustrate   

v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图

参考例句：

• The company's bank statements illustrate its success.这家公司的银行报表说明了它的成功。
• This diagram will illustrate what I mean.这个图表可说明我的意思。

16 skyscrapers   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• A lot of skyscrapers in Manhattan are rising up to the skies. 曼哈顿有许多摩天大楼耸入云霄。
• On all sides, skyscrapers rose like jagged teeth. 四周耸起的摩天大楼参差不齐。

17 extemporaneous   

adj.即席的，一时的

参考例句：

• She made an extemporaneous speech on the ceremony.她在典礼上做了一次即兴演讲。
• Nixon carried away with it all,delivered his extemporaneous toast.尼克松对一切都很满意，颇有些情不自禁地发表了他的即席祝酒词。

18 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

19 quotations   

n.引用( quotation的名词复数 )；[商业]行情（报告）；（货物或股票的）市价；时价

参考例句：

• The insurance company requires three quotations for repairs to the car. 保险公司要修理这辆汽车的三家修理厂的报价单。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• These quotations cannot readily be traced to their sources. 这些引语很难查出出自何处。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

20 margins   

边( margin的名词复数 )； 利润； 页边空白； 差数

参考例句：

• They have always had to make do with relatively small profit margins. 他们不得不经常设法应付较少的利润额。
• To create more space between the navigation items, add left and right margins to the links. 在每个项目间留更多的空隙，加左或者右的margins来定义链接。

21 bibliography   

n.参考书目；(有关某一专题的)书目

参考例句：

• There is a useful bibliography at the end of each chapter.在每一章后附有一份有用的参考书目。
• The production of this bibliography is totally automated.这个目录的编制过程全是自动化的。