1.  Prepare a research overview to identify repeated ideas.

    2.  Select main points with regard to your purpose and the needs of your audience.

    3.  Limit your main points to three or fewer for a short speech.

    4.  Use the principle of similarity to develop categories.

    5.  Use the principle of proximity to arrange main points in sequential or spatial patterns.

    6.  Use the principle of closure to provide completeness in causation and problem-solution
          designs.
 

When you choose your supporting materials for your speech, select supporting materials to help to fortify  your message against any doubts of your audience.  Your supporting materials should
answer the basic questions that listeners often ask:

    1.  What is the basis of that idea? (You answer with facts or statistics.)

    2.  How do you know?  Who else says so?  (You supply testimony.)

    3.  How does it work?  Where is it ttue?  (You offer an example.)

    4.  So what?  Why should I care? (You develop a narrative that explains why.)