Select a Pattern of Arrangement
Consider how you will make your argument. It is important that you use a sequential step discussion? Will you need to discuss points in a chronological order?

Often, speakers use a topical pattern of organization. If there are three to five major ideas that you need to cover, start with those ideas that are most familiar for your audience and move to the more complex and unfamiliar.

In a persuasive talk, you might choose a problem-solution pattern of organization. The Monroe Motivated Sequence is one of these. What is the problem and what suggestions have you for addressing it?

Develop Supportive Arguments
How will you prove that your main points are accurate, reliable and consistent? Support items include the following:

• Examples and illustrations (including visuals)
• Statistics (be frugal with these)
• Testimonials and quotations (from experts, please)
• Demonstrations (show us while you discuss the process)

Be sure to cite your sources of this information!

Suggest an Introduction and Conclusion
As you are exploring the discussion of your talk, it is likely and an attention-getting device may emerge. This may be a startling statistic, a compelling story, or a pithy quotation.

It's a good idea to begin and end your talk with similar rhetorical devices. You might, for instance, begin your talk with a narrative and then, at the end, tell us the rest of the story.

Learn more at the Allyn & Bacon site.