LESSON 9 • OUTLINING SKILLS

Proving Outlines with Main Topics & Subtopics

Bridge your outlines into flowing speech paragraphs! Synthesize the report title, main topics, and subtopics into three structured sentences.

🔎 Model Example: Muscle Cramps
MUSCLE CRAMPS
   I. What causes them
      A. Overstress
      B. Heat injury with dehydration
      C. Injured muscle
  II. How can they be prevented
      A. Drink plenty of water
      B. Stretch muscles before and after exercising
Synthesized Proof Sentences:
• Proof 1 (Title + I & II): “What causes MUSCLE CRAMPS, and how can MUSCLE CRAMPS be prevented?”
• Proof 2 (Topic I + Subtopics): “MUSCLE CRAMPS are caused by (A) overstress, (B) heat injury with dehydration, and (C) injured muscle.”
• Proof 3 (Topic II + Subtopics): “MUSCLE CRAMPS can be prevented if you (A) drink plenty of water and (B) stretch muscles before and after exercising.”

Practice Task: How to Speak Effectively in Public

3 Sentences • 7 Blanks • 20 Points
HOW TO SPEAK EFFECTIVELY IN PUBLIC
I. Put yourself in audience’s place
A. Practice before friends
B. Watch yourself on video
II. Hold listeners’ attention
A. Determine beforehand what audience needs
B. Express main idea in one sentence near beginning
C. Make your eyes and hands work for you
1. Sentence 1 (Title + Main Topics I & II)
To speak effectively in public, you must (I) , and (II) .
2. Sentence 2 (Topic I + Subtopics A & B)
You can put yourself in the audience’s place if you (A) , and (B) .
3. Sentence 3 (Topic II + Subtopics A, B, & C)
You can hold the listeners’ attention if you (A) , (B) , and (C) .