7.2: The Body

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The Why of the Body of an Outline

The body of a speech is where the speaker builds their case, explains their ideas, and delivers the evidence that supports their message. While the introduction grabs attention and the conclusion leaves a lasting impression, it’s the body that carries the weight of the speech. Think of it like the middle of a sandwich—without it, you’re left with just the bread. For example, when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson gave his 2020 graduation speech online, he used the body of his talk to tell personal stories about failure and perseverance, helping students connect with his message in a real and emotional way (MTV News, 2020). A strong body is organized with clear main points, logical reasoning, and supporting facts, which helps the audience follow along and understand complex topics. According to communication scholars, well-structured speeches improve comprehension and audience retention (Lucas, 2020). Whether explaining climate change, presenting a business pitch, or sharing a personal story, the speaker’s message must be developed clearly and with purpose. Learning how to outline and organize the body of a speech teaches students to think critically, speak logically, and communicate more effectively. These are important skills not only for school but also for careers, leadership, and everyday conversations.

The body of a speech is vital because it contains the main content and core message the speaker wants to deliver. It provides structure and detail through organized main points and supporting evidence, helping the audience understand and retain the information. A well-developed body builds credibility by showing the speaker’s knowledge and preparation. It also keeps the audience engaged through examples, stories, and clear explanations. Without a strong body, the speech lacks depth and substance, making it difficult to persuade or inform effectively. In short, the body is where the speech’s purpose truly comes to life.

The Body of the Speech

Important note – complete the body of your speech before developing the introduction and conclusion!

Completing the body of your speech outline first is essential because it helps you clearly organize your main ideas and supporting points, which are the core of your message. Once the body is fully developed, it becomes much easier to craft an introduction that accurately previews what you’ll cover and a conclusion that effectively summarizes and reinforces those points. This approach also ensures better logical flow and coherence throughout your speech. Without a well-structured body, your introduction and conclusion may feel disconnected or lack focus.

Main Points and Sub-points

Main points in a speech outline are the key ideas or arguments that support your overall message or purpose. They serve as the backbone of your speech, organizing the content into clear, manageable sections for both the speaker and the audience. Main points are important because they provide structure, help maintain focus, and guide the audience through your message in a logical and impactful way. Without well-defined main points, a speech can feel scattered and hard to follow.

Sub-points in a speech outline are the specific details, examples, or evidence that support and develop each main point. They add depth and clarity by breaking down the broader ideas into more understandable and convincing parts. Sub-points are important because they help strengthen your argument, keep your speech organized, and make your message more engaging and credible. Without sub-points, your main ideas may seem vague or underdeveloped.

Here are 15 types of sub-points you can use in a speech outline to develop and support your main points:

Examples – Specific instances that clarify or prove your point (e.g., “For instance, schools that offer free lunch programs see higher student attendance.”).
Statistics – Numerical data that provides factual support (e.g., “According to the CDC, 1 in 5 teens experiences a mental health disorder each year.”).
Expert Testimony – Insights or statements from credible authorities (e.g., “Dr. Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist, states that anxiety can be a normal and healthy part of adolescent development.”).
Definitions – Clarifying key terms or concepts for better understanding (e.g., “Resilience is defined as the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.”).
Anecdotes – Brief, engaging personal or relevant stories (e.g., “I’ll never forget the first time I spoke in front of a crowd—it was a total disaster, but I learned more from that moment than any textbook could teach.”).
Descriptions – Sensory details that help paint a vivid picture (e.g., “The classroom buzzed with nervous energy, and the scent of dry erase markers filled the air.”).
Comparisons – Showing similarities to explain or strengthen a point (e.g., “Just like a battery needs recharging, so do our minds after a long week of stress.”).
Contrasts – Highlighting differences to show distinctions or oppositions (e.g., “Unlike traditional lectures, interactive discussions keep students actively involved and improve learning.”).
Historical References – Events from the past that relate to your topic (e.g., “The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s shows how collective action can lead to powerful social change.”).
Quotations – Powerful or relevant statements from known figures (e.g., “As Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’”).
Analogies – Comparisons between two things to explain a concept (e.g., “Learning to speak in public is like learning to ride a bike—it takes practice, balance, and a few falls.”).
Cause and Effect – Showing how one event or action leads to another (e.g., “When students sleep less than six hours, their ability to focus and retain information drops significantly.”).
Problem and Solution – Identifying an issue and proposing a way to address it (e.g., “Teen vaping is on the rise, but increasing education and regulation can help reverse the trend.”).
Visual Aids/Descriptions of Visuals – Describing or referencing images, charts, or graphs (e.g., “As shown in this pie chart, over 40% of energy consumption comes from fossil fuels.”).
Personal Experience – Sharing your own story to build connection and authenticity (e.g., “As someone who grew up in a bilingual household, I know how language can shape identity and understanding.”).

Transitions

A transition is simply a complete sentence summarizing previous main point and introduction next main point. But why is it essential to a speech?

Transitions between main points are essential because they guide the audience smoothly from one idea to the next, helping maintain clarity and flow throughout the speech. Without effective transitions, a speech can feel disjointed or confusing, making it harder for listeners to follow and stay engaged. Examples of strong transitions include phrases like “Now that we’ve covered the causes, let’s look at the effects,” or “Next, I’ll explain how this solution works in real life.”

Format of the body of the outline

I. First Main Point (write it out as a complete sentence)

Subpoint: (write it out as a complete sentence)
1. Supporting Material
2. Supporting Material
Subpoint: (write it out as a complete sentence)
1. Supporting Material
2. Supporting Material

Transition: A complete sentence summarizing previous main point and introduction next main point (i.e. I just talked about I and now I will talk about II)

II. Second Main Point (write it out as a complete sentence)

Subpoint: (write it out as a complete sentence)
1. Supporting Material
2. Supporting Material
Subpoint: (write it out as a complete sentence)
1. Supporting Material
2. Supporting Material

Example $\PageIndex{1}$

I. Starting early gives college students a powerful advantage when it comes to investing.

Subpoint: Compound interest allows your investments to grow significantly over time.
1. Supporting Material: According to the SEC (2021), starting at age 20 with just $50/month could grow to over $115,000 by retirement.
2. Supporting Material: Waiting even 10 years to start could cut your total by more than half, even if you invest more later.
Subpoint: Beginning early builds discipline and long-term financial habits.
1. Supporting Material: Learning to invest with small amounts builds confidence and reduces risk.
2. Supporting Material: Early experience with investing can lead to smarter financial decisions later in life

Transition: I just talked about the long-term benefits of starting early, and now I will talk about simple and accessible ways college students can begin investing today.

II. College students can begin investing using simple, beginner-friendly tools.

Subpoint: Investing apps and platforms make it easy to start with small amounts.
1. Supporting Material: Apps like Acorns, Robinhood, and Fidelity allow students to invest with as little as $5.
2. Supporting Material: Many platforms offer educational content and automatic investing features.
Subpoint: Index funds and ETFs are smart choices for beginners.
1. Supporting Material: Index funds spread your money across many companies, lowering your risk.
2. Supporting Material: Warren Buffett recommends index funds for most investors because they are low-cost and diversified.

Key Takeaways

A well-developed speech body is essential for clearly communicating your main message to the audience.
Strong organization, including clear main points and transitions, makes your speech easier to follow and more impactful.
Supporting material such as facts, examples, and expert testimony strengthens your argument and adds credibility.

Exercises

Main Point Mapping: Students choose a topic and create a speech body outline with three main points, each supported by at least two subpoints and pieces of evidence. They then trade outlines with a peer for feedback on clarity, organization, and logical flow.
Evidence Builder Workshop: Students are given a sample main point and must brainstorm different types of supporting material examples, statistics, expert quotes, and anecdotes—to strengthen it. This activity helps them understand how to develop and support arguments effectively in the body of a speech.
Using this information, complete the body of the outline by matching the number to the corresponding part in the body:

Fix The Outline
I.First Main Point ____	1. While it allows for connection, it can also lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
	2. We’ve just talked about how social media has transformed communication, now let’s look at how it affects our mental health.
1 Subpoint ____	3. According to Pew Research, over 70% of Americans use social media to stay in touch with family and friends.
	4. Social media can have both positive and negative effects on mental health.
a. Supporting material ____	5. Social media has significantly changed the way we communicate with others.
	6. People now rely on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok to stay connected and share their lives.
Transition____	7. Supporting Material: A study published in The Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that reducing social media use led to significant improvements in well-being.

I.Second Main Point ____

1 Subpoint ____

a. Supporting material ____

Answer

First Main Point: Social media has significantly changed the way we communicate with others.
1. Subpoint: People now rely on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok to stay connected and share their lives.
2. Supporting Material: According to Pew Research, over 70% of Americans use social media to stay in touch with family and friends.

Transition:We’ve just talked about how social media has transformed communication, now let’s look at how it affects our mental health.

Second Main Point: Social media can have both positive and negative effects on mental health.
1. Subpoint: While it allows for connection, it can also lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
2. Supporting Material: A study published in The Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that reducing social media use led to significant improvements in well-being.

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