past present future introduction speech

Impromptu Speaking # 1: Past, Present and Future

The genius of impromptu speaking series.

Many years ago, I was asked to speak as the best man at a wedding. I was given only two minutes’ notice.

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The notice was so short because I wasn’t the designated best man. There was no best man.  Many eligible candidates merited that honour so the groom wisely elected not to designate anyone. But he appointed someone to speak.  I wasn’t the person appointed to speak.

The man with that honour and many weeks of preparation under his belt moved across oceans and mountains (from Canada to Abuja) to deliver a compelling speech. But that wasn’t to be.

Confusion arose because someone else instead of the Canadian was given the task to talk – without first clearing it with the groom. The groom would later tell me that he was protesting from the dais for the prepared person to speak – so that he wouldn’t be disappointed and lose his sweat. Surprisingly, no one saw the groom’s protest.

So I spoke. And from the ovation and reactions of the audience, I  thought it went well. So how did I manage to prepare for the speech in 120 seconds?

I used the past, present and future structure. This is the structure in which you can take any topic and discuss it in three moves. The first move is a discussion of the past. You take a step back and sketch a narrative about what used to be, the conditions and the situations that came before. This is easy to do because for every topic, there is a past.  The next is the present where you paint a picture of what is.  You can literally look around you to make this move. Then finally, you talk about the future you envision. Let me give a detail example of how I employed this structure at my friend’s wedding.

“The groom is a quintessential Nigerian, ” I began. Then I told a story of why he was a model Nigerian. His parents came from two different states in the North. My friend grew up in the South and attended many schools in different states and had friends from all over the country. So he had a good exploration of Nigeria. All this was situated in the past.

THE PRESENT

“This is the one!” I related my friend’s excitement when he told me about the bride. He was excited because there were many relationships (ladies he intended to marry) that broke down. So I was delighted too because he had found someone with whom to settle down.

No one knows what the future will bring. You can only talk about it in terms of hopes, desires, plans or prayers. Therefore, it is the easiest part of the template. With the right imagination, you can say what you want – within reason. You can also move the audience when you talk about the future.

So I painted a picture of the future in which I saw my friend with many happy children and a great family.

Quieting the monkey

This mental model is also a good way to take control of our brain chatter. Naturally, we oscillate between the past and the future. We worry about the past and are anxious about how it is going to affect the future. This unstructured chatter is unproductive. Why don’t you take control? For every subject that concerns you, think about it in three moves: the past, present and future. That way, you control the monkey and take back your brain.

In sum, many topics lend themselves to this structure. It is one of my favourite templates. So next time someone gives you short notice to speak, use this structure. Even if you’re already seated at the occasion and a microphone is thrust in your face, take a few seconds to gather your thoughts and cast your talk in the format of the past, the present and the future. Knowing that you can always do this, you will know that you are prepared to give a speech 24/7. This offers you unshakable confidence that can banish the fear of public speaking forever.

PS: This is from my book, “The Genius of Impromptu Speaking: 9  Structures to Move the Crowd and Speak without Fear.” Let me know if you want to buy a copy.

• Daily Trust

Thinking On Your Feet – Use the “Past – Present – Future” Strategy

by Karen Cortell Reisman | Sep 20, 2016

Use the past-present-future model . Perhaps your subject can be divided into what happened in the past, where you are today, and where you hope to be in the future. Then give a summary sentence.

Example: “Robin, how’s your European initiative going?” “Brett, thanks for asking. Five years ago we were getting our foot in the door in Europe. Today we have five subsidiaries in Germany and Switzerland. Looking ahead – we anticipate growing our brand in the United Kingdom and Italy. I’m excited about how our vision is becoming a reality.”

In our example Robin sounds organized and has done a great snapshot answer.

Your Speak For Yourself® Challenge: Use this Past-Present-Future strategy within the next two days. It’s a powerful impromptu speech tool.

Stay tuned for more specific tips on how to sound organized when you’re thinking on your feet.

© 123RF Stock Photo

© Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with decision makers on how to speak with gravitas. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Karen also speaks about her cousin, Albert Einstein, in a message about hope, resilience and brassieres.

Read more at  www.SpeakForYourself.com/blog .

Did you know that we also do customized workshops on how to think on your feet? Click here: https://www.karencortellreisman.com/seminar-what-i-didnt-say.html

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In My Bag Speech Outline

Public speaking (cmst a110), orange coast college, recommended for you, students also viewed.

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My Speech General Purpose: To Inform Specific Purpose: To inform my classmates about 3 important that have helped to shape me. Thesis: going to share 3 objects or images that are meaningful to me. anecdote Intro: Clarification Step: talk about what has shaped me as a person. Thesis: going to share 3 that are meaningful to me. Preview: discuss first, an object that represents my past. Second, discuss an object that represents my present. And third, discuss an object that represents my future. Body: I. My Lesson learned a. Introduce and discuss why you chose it. b. Explain what this represents to you about your past. Transition: II. My Lesson learned a. Introduce and discuss why you chose it. b. Explain what this represents to you about your present. Transition: Now that discussed the past, discuss my present. Now that discussed the present, discuss my future. My Lesson learned a. Introduce and discuss why you chose it. b. Explain what this represents to you about your past. Conclusion: Review: Today discussed 3 objects that represent my past, present and future. Concluding Statements: Revert back to hook Anecdote)

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Course : Public Speaking (CMST A110)

University : orange coast college.

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Impromptu speech outline: 7 formats

How to prepare for an impromptu speech.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

Using a speech outline to prepare an impromptu speech seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? After all, impromptu means of the moment, spontaneous, without preparation. So, what is an impromptu speech outline?

Quite simply it’s the structure, or format of your speech. It’s how you order your material from the time you open your mouth at the beginning of your speech, until you close it at the end.

An outline doesn’t need to be a written document or put on note cards to be effective. An experienced impromptu speaker will have an assortment of structural patterns memorized. When they’re asked to speak, they’ll mentally flick through them and choose the most appropriate.

Following an outline lessens the possibility of rambling aimlessly off topic. And, given my flibberty gibbet tendencies it's vital! Maybe yours too?☺

What's on this page

Seven structural patterns , each with example impromptu speech outlines and a printable blank outline template to download.

How to use these structural patterns : guidelines for practice

About the printable impromptu speech outlines

How to reframe a topic : examples of openings showing how to adapt a topic.

The patterns are: 

• Point, Reason, Example, Point (PREP)
• Past, Present, Future
• Problem, Solution
• Pros/Cons, Positives/Negatives, For/Against, Advantages/Disadvantages
• Cause, Effect, Remedy
• Before/The Event/The Result
• Local, National, International

 How to use these structural patterns

To become a competent impromptu speaker you need to get familiar with them. So initially just play with them for practice either with a friend or by yourself.

• Get a subject to talk about. (Click for 150 impromptu speaking topics ).
• Choose yourself a pattern to form the body of speech.
• Now go. Open your mouth and speak.

You’ll need an introduction followed by your material organized according to whatever pattern you’ve selected, and then a conclusion.

Keep it simple. You don’t need to try hard to say devastatingly intelligent insightful things. The starting goal is to get used to thinking, then speaking, without a great deal of prior preparation.

This is impromptu speaking, ‘off the cuff’, largely spontaneous. Be honest and where you can, add personal stories. Your own experiences, plus your knowledge of the subject, will establish rapport and credibility. Don’t be afraid to experiment, or 'fail', as that's how you'll learn.

If your content at this stage is trite nonsense and you putter out of ideas too soon, so be it. 

Once you’re used to a pattern, and can follow it easily without having to stop and think about which part comes next, you’ll naturally come up with better material.

Along with examples to illustrate each impromptu speech outline structure there's a link to a blank printable. There are seven of them: one for each pattern. They are there for you to use as a guide. You'll find the links for them below the example outlines. 

Each outline has the same four step format.

The first step is mentally preparing yourself: sorting out your topic, considering your audience and working out what tone best fits with them, as well as your speech purpose. 

The second step covers preparing the introduction, the third, the body, and the fourth and final step, the conclusion.

Your chosen structural pattern is the body  

The third step, the body of your speech, holds the specific pattern you’re working with. It’s this step, the body, you’ll want to focus on first when you’re practicing. After you’ve set your topic allow yourself a few minutes to think it through (or make notes) using the pattern headings as a guide.

Once you feel comfortable with the body, you’ll find the openings and conclusions become much easier.

Getting the time and content balance right

The overall length of your speech or the time you take to deliver it is, to a large part, determined by how much information you put into the body. Obviously one or two main points and their supporting material will take less time than three or four.

( Practice will help you confidently and reliably get the balance of time to content right. Click the link for  examples of one minute speeches  prepared using the Point-Reason-Example-Point (PREP) pattern. They'll give you an idea of what's required.)

Practice, practice, and then do it some more

You don’t need to follow each of the four steps of the outline slavishly. However, to use that old cliché, before you can run, you need to know how to walk. So before giving yourself permission to try to improvise and dazzle publicly, ground yourself in structure. Give yourself a solid baseline to work from.

There’s no secret behind becoming more confident and competent reasonably quickly. It’s practice. Lots of it.

Time and record yourself. Play it back and listen carefully.

• Is there a good opening?
• Have you followed the pattern you chose in the body of the speech? Is it clear?
• Have you got clean transitions between each part of your speech and the one following it?
• Is there a strong ending?
• And are the words you’ve chosen, as well as the way you use them, right for your subject, the purpose of the speech and your intended audience?

Lastly, learn one pattern well before you work with another.

Fun effective impromptu speech activities 

If you teach a public speaking or communication class or lead a public speaking group, here's a comprehensive bundle of  17 proven fun and effective impromptu speech activities , complete with full guidelines and printables.

They ease, rather than jettison, students into impromptu speaking one step at a time.  

How to reframe an impromptu speech topic

Sometimes when you're asked to speak on a topic you'll find yourself needing to modify it before going ahead.

Or maybe you want confirmation that you've understood what you're being asked to speak about.

Here are examples of three ways to reframe the topic as part of your opening. They are particularly useful for Question and Answer sessions.

Add them to your practice too.

1. Give the topic a scope. This establishes what you're prepared to cover.  

For example: Thanks. That’s a great question. I am happy to share what has happened since I joined the organization in 2020.

Or:  Thanks, that’s a great, and very big question. I don’t have time right now to cover all aspects of it. So here’s the first part. If anybody would like me to follow up with the second and third, please see me later and we’ll make a time.

2. Summarize and ask for confirmation. Use this technique to  make sure you’ve understood what’s being asked of you before you answer. 

Example:  Thank you for your question. It's an important one and I want to make sure I’ve understood it correctly before answering. You want to know why we’re not mobilizing the Defense Force to clear protesters from the streets, is that right?

3. Redirecting, reshaping the question or angle, before responding . This can be useful when you want to give a bigger picture, or establish context - something the original question didn't allow for.

Example: You’ve asked about using the Defense Force to clear the streets. Let’s consider the precedents for that: the 1951 Waterfront Dispute, Bastion Point, 1978, and the anti-Springbok rugby tour protest in 1981. What have they taught us?

7 impromptu speech outline patterns

(Please note, the examples for each of the patterns are not complete speech outlines. In most instances they don't include the opening or the conclusion. And some of the examples are more fleshed out than others.)

 1. PREP: Point, Reason, Example, Point

PREP is an acronym for: Point, Reason, Example, Point. The pattern adapts well to most situations.

Here are two PREP impromptu speech outline examples: one for a social setting and one for business or workplace audiences. You can also see it in action on this page of one minute speech topics where I've used it in three sample one minute speech outlines.

PREP impromptu speech outline: workplace 

Topic: Cameras off during a virtual team meeting

Point: Human Resources are reporting numerous requests from employees to be allowed to leave their cameras off during routine virtual (zoom) meetings.

Reason: The reason most frequently given is fatigue due to  strain 

Examples: It is hard to:

• maintain focus while looking at a grid of faces for the length of an entire meeting,
• see yourself on camera and NOT respond to it,
• be physically constrained in a small space in order to remain on camera,
• arrange life so it doesn’t intrude in the form of kittens, babies or anything else while on camera,
• have your colleagues in your home without having issued the invitation yourself.

Point: And that’s why we’ve asked Human Resources to develop a set of guidelines to cover when cameras should be on, and when they can be turned off. If you have any suggestions or points you’d like them to consider, please get them by Friday.

For more: 

• Bailenson, J. N. (2021). Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue . Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 2(1). 
• Should We Require Students to Turn Their Cameras On in the Zoom Classroom?   Anna Lännström, Stonehill College. Published by Wabash Center, 2020  

PREP impromptu speech outline example: social

A toast to acknowledge friend’s engagement

Point: It’s a joy to join you celebrating Ryan and Mary’s engagement.

Reason(s): There’s dozens of reasons for my being pleased to be here. We haven’t got time for them all. So here’s three. The first goes back a long way to when we were ten years old. I’m never going going to get married, he said. Thanks to Mary, look at you now! I am delighted you have to eat those words. The second reason is quite selfish. At least the field is cleared now because he’s well and truly spoken for. Hi ya singletons out there! And the third and most important is because I’ve never seen Ryan quite so deliriously crazy happy, ever, in all the years I’ve known him.

Example(s): This is the man who has spent all his weekends for last year renovating the house they share. You know it’s got to be the real thing when unclogging drains, getting rid of rat nests and replacing rotten window frames is better than time out with me and the boys. When you add making significant positive changes to his eating and drinking habits, throw in running a kilometer or two or three or more, several times a week, it’s proof. You’ve got be happy to do any of that!

Point: Which in turn, makes me happy too. Here's to Ryan and Mary!

Download PREP impromptu speech outline

Click the link to download a printable pdf file to use: PREP impromptu speech outline

2. Past, Present, Future

Use this pattern if you want apply a time line treatment to a subject.

Topic: In your experience what's an effective way of getting children to eat vegetables?

In the past:

When I was a child not eating whatever was served was not an option. It didn’t matter if it was something dreaded like cauliflower, broccoli or spinach. It was on the plate. Therefore it needed to be chewed and swallowed. If it wasn’t you were in for a long sit at the table. Because both you and the plate of food remained in place until the plate was cleared. This as a technique was a failure. It built resentment rather than a love of vegetables.

That kind of stand off would not happen nowadays. I have more tolerance than my parents for children whose taste buds do not thrill to strong tasting vegetables. The only thing I ask of my kids, is that they try a little of each new one when it is served. If they don’t like it, they can put it to one side. Alongside that, we use vegetables as snacks, sneak them into purees and sauces, get the kids involved in choosing and cooking them, and set an example by eating copious quantities of them ourselves.

Our diets are changing. They are becoming increasingly plant based. Vegetables are no longer an accompaniment, an after-thought. Instead they’re center plate – up front and proud. 

Perhaps the infamous battle over vegetables will disappear entirely. It’s my hope that through showing greater tolerance of our children’s preferences and by being more creative with how we introduce them into their diets, that the issue will simply cease to be one.

Vive la broccoli!  

Topic: What are the most popular and enduring toys for children?

Past : Toys that sold well: Teddy bears, named after Theodore Roosevelt 1902, yo-yos – 1928, Silly Putty, 1955, GI Joe – dolls for boys, 1960s, including two that have kept right on selling;

Present: Lego from Denmark, 1932, and Barbie from USA, 1959

Future : More Lego, more Barbies who are more diverse, more skin types and shapes. Both seem set for along time yet.

Download Past, Present, Future outline

Click the link to download a printable pdf file to use:  Past, Present, Future impromptu speech outline

3. Problem, Solution

This is a simple two part pattern: here’s the problem. Now here’s the solution.

Example: The problem is congestion on our main city roads during peak hours.

The solution is to:

• reroute heavy vehicles over those hours
• look carefully at the current design of the roundabouts, on and off ramps and laybys and update them if necessary 
• adjust the speed limit

Example: The problem is maintaining a work routine while working from home

• make yourself a dedicated work space.
• set yourself regular hours for getting up, having breakfast, being at your desk, lunch etc.
• establish clear boundaries around your work time for family and friends. Being in the same room or the next one, doesn’t mean you’re available.
• prioritize your tasks for the day each morning.

Download Problem, Solution outline

Click the link to download a printable pdf file to use: Problem, Solution impromptu speech outline

4. Pros and Cons, Positives and Negatives

This is a useful beginning point toward answering the classic ‘what shall I do?’ dilemmas.

Setting out the pros and cons * of a situation gives us an overview, which we can then use to help make a rational, considered decision.

* 16th century: from Latin  prō  for + con, from  contrā  against

Dilemma:  Whether or not to go to university

• New experiences, new people, broadens outlook
• Builds networking opportunities, long term friendships, & professional relationships
• After graduation enter workforce at different level – a leg up because core competencies already established
• Scholarships available
• Leadership and extension activities/clubs available
• High levels of personal debt
• Difficult to sustain oneself mentally, physically and financially without support
• Doesn’t guarantee a job on graduation
• Doesn’t train you for a specific vocation
• Doesn’t automatically mean entry into higher paying job

Dilemma:  Whether or not to buy cheap or fast fashion

• Affordable – instantly gratifying
• Up to the minute clothing – democratization of fashion – not just for elite rich
• Can follow the trend – included rather than excluded on price
• Can change mind and buy more if don’t like what you have – not going to cause you hardship
• Profitable for retailers and manufacturers
• pollution: people throw out their clothes which then enter land fills
• waste: breeds throwaway mentality – chuck rather than mend
• loss of skills: how to mend clothing: sew on buttons, fix a fallen hem, patch a rip etc.
• exploitation of woman and children in 3rd world countries: low wages, and unsafe workplaces

For more: Fast Fashion by Adam Hayes, April 2021, investopedia.com

Download Pros and Cons outline

Click the link to download a printable pdf file to use:  Pros and Cons impromptu speech outline

5. Cause, Effect, Remedy

 This is a three-part problem solving pattern.

• What is the cause of something?
• What is its effect?
• And what is the remedy?

Topic: Public speaking anxiety

Cause(s) of public speaking anxiety:

• feeling self conscious in front of others
• fearing repeat of past poor experiences
• fear of being judged
• fearing not being as good as you’d like to be, or as good as others
• breathing poorly which doesn’t support the voice
• becoming overwhelmed by symptoms of fear: shaking limbs, quivering voice, racing heart beat, forgetting what had been practiced
• gabbling through speech at break neck speed
• becomes a cycle which intensifies each time a person has to speak in public
• limits personal potential in many ways: at work and socially
• take a public speaking course, join a public speaking club
• practice a great deal,  get good support and practical feedback you can use
• and take every opportunity to speak in front of others as it will lessen the fear.

Topic: Procrastination

Cause(s) of procrastination:

• boredom: not being interested in the task that needs completing
• fear of failure: thinking the task will prove too difficult - would rather not begin it, than risk failure, perfectionism
• unable to prioritize what needs to be done against what isn’t so urgent
• overwhelmed: too many things to do, and too little energy

Effect(s) of procrastination:

• pressure: rushing to catch up on what should have been done which leads to poor decision making
• failure: letting oneself, friends, family and workmates down, compromised work standards, reputation
• losing time, opportunities, limiting your career options
• escalating low self-esteem issues and health risks
• Create incremental to-do lists – a bit at a time rather than one huge overwhelming piece of work.
• Create a stimulating work-place for yourself – surround yourself with what you genuinely like to see.
• Time-line your work realistically - what needs to happen. today, tomorrow and the next day to arrive at the due date with the work completed to your satisfaction.
• Get rid of the temptations you know you are distracted by. Put your phone on mute. Remove bookmarked sites.
• Find a mentor, someone you admire and who will hold you to account.

Download Cause, Effect, Remedy outline

Click the link to download a printable pdf file to use: Cause, Effect, Remedy impromptu speech outline

6. Before, The Event, The Result

This three-part pattern is a time line centered around an event. The result of event (eg. a natural disaster or a personal or societal change, large or small) profoundly changes what came before it. Sometimes the end result is much better, and sometimes far worse.

It’s a pattern much loved by advertisers who imply that the event (the purchase and use of whatever product or service they are selling) will result in whatever is desired: health, wealth, beauty, popularity, longevity, peace, love, intelligence... It's the classic Before and After format.    

Topic: Covid-19 - its impact on the tourism industry in NZ

Total annual tourism expenditure had increased by almost $15 billion, or 55%, in the seven years prior to 2020. 

• Tourism was New Zealand’s biggest export industry, contributing 20.1% of total exports. 
• Tourism generated a direct annual contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $16.4 billion, or 5.5%, and a further indirect contribution of $11.3 billion, another 3.8% of New Zealand’s total GDP.  

Then along came Covid–19.  The borders were closed in an effort to keep it out for as long as possible. Good for the population: fewer deaths and hospitalizations compared to other first world countries: USA, UK, Australia but not so good for tourism.

The result:  

• total tourism expenditure was $26.1 billion, a decrease of 37.3 percent ($15.6 billion) from the previous year.
• international tourism’s overall contribution to New Zealand’s total exports of goods and services fell to 2.1 percent from 20.0 percent
• tourism generated a direct contribution to GDP of $8.5 billion, or 2.9 percent, a decrease of 47.5 percent ($7.7 billion), or 2.6 percentage points

Reference:  https://www.tia.org.nz/about-the-industry/quick-facts-and-figures/

Here’s a feel-good-hard-work-pays-off story using the format, the sort you might hear on your local TV or radio station.

Topic: the house makeover

Before the makeover:

• dark and dingy – very few windows, dated décor
• very poor heat retention – no insulation
• no outdoor – indoor flow
• small poky kitchen with limited storage
• one bathroom – not adjacent to either living areas or bedrooms

The Event:   the makeover of the worst house in the best street,  a perfect project for husband (builder) and wife (interior decorator), 12 month time line, carefully planned

The Result:

• jump in value of property
• a house which is a pleasure to live in, fabulous garden, everybody is happy, reporters come calling for house and garden magazine before and after spreads☺
• an inspirational example of talent plus effort

Download Before, The Event, The Result outline

Click the link to download a printable pdf file to use:  Before, The Event, The Result impromptu speech outline

7. Local, National, International

This structure is excellent for comparisons and overviews spanning spatial areas.

Topic: Deaths from Covid-19 in New Zealand as at 22nd February 2022

Local: none

National: 56

International:  5,905,942

Reference: Google News - Covid 19 map - New Zealand  

Topic: Who follows the news?  A survey of 38 countries, 2018

Local news :  Global median = 78%. 78% of respondents are  more likely to follow the news if in own area and own country. 

National news : Global median = 86%. 86% of respondents are more likely to follow if the news is about own country.

International news : Global median = 57%. Comparatively significantly less of the respondents are likely to follow the news. That changes with the amount of education a person has. If they have more education, they are more likely to follow the news.

Reference:  Publics around the world follow national and local news more closely than international : Pew Research Center report, 2018

Download Local, National, International outline

Click the link to download a printable pdf file to use:  Local, National, International impromptu speech outline

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Why Successful Speech Outlines follow the Rule of Three

In this article, we will learn how the rule of three improves speeches at the macro -speech level when applied to speech stories or to entire speech outlines.

Storytelling and the Rule of Three

Last week, my daughter and I visited our local library to fetch another bounty of  children’s books. We returned with a diverse collection that included:

• the educational Sesame Subjects: My First Book About Fish ,
• the hilarious Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business ; and
• the classic The Golden Goose from the Brothers Grimm.

(Note to parents: All highly recommended!)

The Golden Goose is the story of three brothers who attempt to chop down the thickest tree in the forest. First, the oldest brother fails; then, the middle brother fails; finally, the youngest brother succeeds — a three-part plot structure .

“ Every great movie, book or play that has stood the test of time has a solid Three-Act structure. ”

The three-part story outline is a common structure in folk tales, Biblical tales, and Hollywood plots:

• Three Little Pigs — The first two pigs get eaten because their houses are weak; the third pig’s house of bricks is strong.
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears — The porridge was too hot; the porridge was too cold; the porridge was just right.
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff — The first two goats sneak past the troll, while the third goat defeats the troll.
• The Good Samaritan [New Testament, Bible] — The first traveller passes. The second traveller passes. The third (the Samaritan) helps the injured man.
• Boy meets girl ; boy loses girl; boy gets girl in the end.

The Three Act Structure

These fall under a general pattern known as a Three Act Structure . It is widely used in storytelling and screenwriting because it is a proven formula . Stephen J. Cannell claims that “ Every great movie, book or play that has stood the test of time has a solid Three-Act structure. ”

Syd Field (author of The Screen Writer’s Workbook and other instructive screenwriting guides) asserts that most successful screenplays follow a structure like this:

• Act I: Setup (approximately 30 minutes of a 2-hour movie)
• Act II: Confrontation (approximately 60 minutes)
• Act III: Resolution (approximately 30 minutes)

He further asserts that these acts are separated by two plot points : events that thrust the plot in a new direction. For example, plot point #1 might be the pivotal moment when the reluctant hero is convinced to join the crusade for justice (after spending most of Act One refusing to do so). Plot point #2 might be the moment when the momentum swings from the villain to the hero, eventually leading to a triumphant climax.

This three-part structure is so pervasive in movies, books, and other storytelling forms that audiences feel naturally comfortable when it is used. This comfort can be leveraged by a skillful public speaker.

Three-Part Speech Outlines

When you apply the rule of three to your speech outline, you gain all the benefits of the three-part structure. Your presentation gains warmth, familiarity, and understandability. With the three-part outline framing your ideas, your speech will be easier to follow and remember.

Let’s examine a variety of three-part speech outlines, beginning with the most basic.

Speech Outline #1A: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

It doesn’t get any simpler than this. Even if you don’t read the rest of this article, you will improve as a speaker if you consistently apply this generic speech outline.

It seems obvious . Almost too obvious. Yet two of the most common speaking blunders are:

• Result : The audience wonders “ How did we get here? “
• Result : The audience feels stranded, far from the point of origin, wondering “ That’s it? What does it mean? “

Speech Outline #1B: Tell them what you’re going to say, Say it, Tell them what you said

“ Repetition is a powerful speechwriting technique. ”

This isn’t a new speech outline, but a slight elaboration of the first:

• Tell them what you’re going to say (Introduction)
• Say it (Body)
• Tell them what you said (Conclusion)

Some may say that this speech structure is almost too simplistic . If it is accompanied by boring content and lifeless delivery, that’s a fair critique.

However, repetition is a powerful speechwriting technique , and you can do much worse than repeating your key points three times during a speech to persuade your audience. Take inspiration from Lewis Carroll in The Hunting of the Snark :

I have said it thrice: What i tell you three times is true.

Speech Outline #2: Past, Present, Future

This speech outline can either stand on its own:

• Past, Present, Future

or take the place of “Body” in the pattern above to make:

• Introduction, Body [= Past, Present, Future], Conclusion

A common application is a persuasive speech where you pitch a solution to a business problem:

• Past – You set the context by identifying a problem facing your company, and describing how it came to be.
• Present – You lay out the decision to be made now , and the alternatives to choose from.
• Future – You paint a picture of prosperity that will be realized if the right choice is made (perhaps you use a successful case study).

If you apply this speech outline well, your audience will more easily understand your message. On the other hand, your audience is more likely to be confused if you jump forward and backward in time repeatedly (talk about the decision first, then the future prosperity, then the root cause of the past problem, then another alternative, then…)

Speech Outline #3: Complication, Resolution, Example

Another three part speech outline for persuasive speeches is the S.Co.R.E. method offered by Andrew Abela in Advanced Presentations by Design: Creating Communication that Drives Action ( read the Six Minutes book review ).

Abela recommends starting your speech (Introduction) by establishing the S ituation, and then iterating through a three-element series of C omplication, R esolution, E xample. In a sequence form, your speech might look like:

• Introduction – Situation
• Complication, Resolution, Example
• …, …, …

The three-part Complication-Resolution-Example structure can be repeated once (e.g. a five-minute speech) or many times (e.g. a one-hour seminar).

Speech Outline #4A: Three Main Points

“ Limit yourself to your best three points. Any fewer, and your message won’t be compelling. Any more, and your message risks becoming tedious. ”

A basic three-part informative speech outline is as follows:

• Introduction — Establish topic and core message; list supporting points
• Supporting Point One
• Supporting Point Two
• Supporting Point Three
• Conclusion — Recap main points; summarize core message; call-to-action

In this case, the rule of three magic lies in limiting yourself to your best three points . Any fewer, and your message won’t be compelling. Any more, and your message risks becoming tedious. Brainstorm many, but select your best three.

The Decker Grid System (from You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard – reviewed here ) is built on this foundation. Bert Decker goes on to say that, for longer speeches, each of your three supporting points can be reinforced with (no surprise) three sub-points each.

Speech Outline #4B: Three Stories

Stories can strengthen any type of speech, but are especially powerful in motivational speeches where making an emotional connection with your audience is required. When you tell stories, pattern them on the three-act structure for maximum impact.

The Three Main Points speech outline can be given a storytelling slant with the following:

“ When you tell stories, pattern them on the three-act structure for maximum impact. ”

• Attention grabbing opening which introduces the topic and core message
• Make point #1.
• Make point #2.
• Make point #3.
• Memorable conclusion which ties together all three stories to support the core message.

Speech Outline #5: Pros, Cons, Recommendation

We’ll conclude with a common speech outline used for persuasive speeches where you are recommending a course of action.

• Introduction – Brief setup of problem and proposal
• Pros – What are the benefits of this proposal?
• Cons – What are the drawbacks of this proposal?
• Recommendation – Why do the pros outweigh the cons?
• Conclusion – Restate the pros and repeat the recommendation

Other Three-Part Speech Outlines?

Do you use other speech outlines that follow the rule of three? Please share in the comments.

Conclusion of the Rule of Three Article Series

The final article addresses how the rule of three applies to speech humor .

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This is a great article on the rule of threes. The thing to remember is that the power comes from grouping three different things together. Merely repeating something 3 times doesn’t have the same effect. That’s why the “tell em what you’re going to say, say it, and tell em what you said” is NOT effective. It came from the Army in WWII, and it’s merely repetition, not art. Repetition has to be with a difference to be effective! I’ve blogged about this many times; here’s one example: http://publicwords.typepad.com/nickmorgan/2009/03/the-rule-of-threes.html

Also a good book or supporting example on this would be Cliff Atkinson’s book, Beyond Bullet Points!

Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! “This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here. Keep it up!”

The outline is usually the hardest part to writing anything for me, this has helped me improve my outline usefulness exponentially!

Is this is also reason for 7 seas and mountains,7 dwarfs,7 heavens and 12 days of X-mas ? I rather follow survival rule of 2, you or me ? Do you know many that do not ?

superb articles … very useful for public speaking students

Hi from Down Under, Imagine you are a senior citizen and the defendant in a trial where your car caused death because you had a seizure. How would you apply the power of 3 in your opening and closing statement?. Your article is very informative. Thank you.

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