Sample Preparation Outline (Informative)

Quick Summary Table (Do NOT delete) Topic: Bicycle Safety General Purpose: To inform Sample Preparation Outline (Informative) Statement of Purpose: To inform my audience about bicycle safety Central Idea (includes main points): Bicycle safety involves knowing the statistics, using proper safety equipment, and being properly trained. How Speech is Organized (Topical or Chronological): Topical This Quick Summary Table provides your instructor with a snapshot of your speech. It is required on all outlines. Note that some of the information placed here will also be in the INTRODUCTION section of your outline. Use the appropriate organization pattern (topical, chronological, problem-solution, problem-causesolution) here. Critical Note: See the Additional Information and Tips (p. 4) for help in completing this template. In addition, although the template here includes three main points, with two subpoints, two sub-subpoints, and two key ideas; every speech is different; therefore you must adjust the number of these to fit your topic, and your personal style. Note: This example includes lots of extra space for notes INTRODUCTION Notice the headings and labels. INTRODUCTION is Bold and underlined. All five components are included in the introduction (i.e. attention, purpose, credibility, reasons, preview, and transition. Attention: Within the next 12 months, one out of every five people in this audience will be injured or killed in a bicycle accident or know someone who gets injured or killed. Did you know that over the past nine months, 27 children have been injured while riding their bicycle on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)? Did you know that of the 27 children, ten were transported to the emergency room and of those ten, two died and one, a 10-year old girl, is still in a coma and may not make it? Purpose/Topic: My purpose today is to inform you about bicycle safety Credibility (competence, trustworthiness [honesty], and caring/goodwill): because, like most of you here today, I have children who love to ride their bikes all over the place. To be honest, I never gave much thought to bicycle safety, but after hearing about the alarming number of bicycle accidents involving children, I wondered if I had done all that I could to protect my children. After thinking through the situation and conducting 1

some extensive research, I concluded that, like many parents in America, I was completely ignorant of the fact that hundreds of children are injured or die from bicycle accidents every single day. Reason(s) to listen: With the information I present today, you will be able to decide for yourself whether you have done all that can to protect your children. Preview Main Ideas: To help you decide, I will begin by discussing some statistics associated with bicycle accidents, then go over some required and recommended safety equipment, and conclude with training specific to bicycle safety. Notice how this this information includes the same points as those contained in the Central Idea information from the Quick Summary Table. Transition (to first MP): As important as safety equipment and training is, I believe it beneficial to begin with some of the statistics associated with bicycle accidents. Notice the transition is both smooth and utilizes the backward-forward format BODY Notice the headings BODY is bold and underlined. MP 1. (Topic Sentence) Statistics associated with bicycle accidents is quite alarming. Notice MP 1 begins with the first subject in the preview and uses a complete topic sentence that captures the gist of the subpoints. Also notice how this sentence and the topic sentence for main points 2 and 3 begin in a similar fashion this is an example of parallelism. Subpoint 1. (Signpost) For example, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 49,000 people were injured and 726 people killed during 2014 while riding a bicycle. From these numbers, 9,000 children were injured and 58 were killed. Notice the consistent use of signposts (First, Second, Finally, For example, Another example, etc.). Also notice the entire subpoint is indented (no hanging lines). Subpoint 2. (Signpost) Another example is, out of the 49,000 people injured nationwide, over 400 of them occurred right here in Washington according to the Washington State Department of Transportation W-DOT. Furthermore, the W-DOT reports on average, 88 deaths with 17 usually involving children age 14 and under. Subpoint 3. (Signpost) Finally, of the 400 injuries and 88 deaths that occur in Washington as a result of bicycle accidents, JBLM must claim 27 of those injuries, and at least two of the 88 deaths, according to the JBLM Safety officer. 2

Notice the transition is both smooth and utilizes the backward-forward format Transition: (to MP 2): Nearly all of these injuries and fatalities could have been prevented through the use of basic safety equipment. MP 2. (Topic Sentence) Safety equipment associated with bicycle safety falls into two major categories. Subpoint 1. (Signpost) The first category is Personal Protective Gear, which includes helmets, gloves, shoes, and elbow and knee pads. Notice the consistent use of signposts (first, second Sub-subpoint 1. There are many types of helmets and not all helmets are created equal. Look for helmets with a Department of Transportation s (DOT) stamp of approval. The DOT requires rigorous testing of helmets to ensure they can take a severe blow from any angle and still protect the rider. Also, ensure the helmet has adjustable, quick disconnect straps for both safety and convenience. According to the National Bicycle Association of North America (NBANA), the best helmets protect the rider s head without blocking or limiting vison and movement. Sub-subpoint 2. Also, bicycle riders should wear covered shoes and light gloves. Sub-subpoint 3. For new and inexperienced riders, elbow and knee pads are also highly recommended. This is especially important for young riders because the NBANA (Source Support) says that riders below the age of seven fall off their bicycle up to five times more than older riders. Subpoint 2. (Signpost) The second category is bicycle protective equipment, which includes reflectors, lights, and horns. Sub-subpoint 1. According to NBANA, bikes should have white reflectors mounted on the front of the bike, centered on the handlebars, and red reflectors mounted on the on back of the seat. Both reflectors should be visible from at least 200 feet at night. Notice the transition is both smooth and utilizes the backwardforward format Sub-subpoint 2. If riding at night the W-DOT requires bicycles to have a battery- or pedal-powered light capable of being seen from at least 500 feet. Sub-subpoint 3. Finally, the W-DOT and NBANA recommend bicyclists equip their bikes with a horn that can be heard from at least 100 feet away. Transition: (to MP 3): Having and using personal protective gear and bicycle protective equipment are very important, but they are not much good if the bicyclist is not well trained. 3

Again, notice the parallelism among main points 1, 2, and 3. Also the use of Signposts. MP 3. (Topic Sentence) Training associated with bicycle safety involves understanding state and local traffic laws and proactive bicycle maintenance. Subpoint 1. (Signpost) First, according to the W-DOT, when riding on a roadway, bicyclists must adhere to the same rules as vehicle drivers. Bicyclists are not allowed on the interstate and many other highways are restricted as well. Parents or guardians are responsible for teaching their children/wards the rules of the road. Cyclist may ride no more than two side-by-side. Subpoint 2. (Signpost) Second, according to the City of Lakewood and Pierce County, bicyclists must adhere to all of the W-DOT rules. In addition, bicyclists must wear a helmet. Subpoint 3. (Signpost) Third, according post/base officials, bicyclists must adhere to both the state and country requirements. In addition, everyone should be aware of the restricted and unrestricted areas for bicyclists on post/base. Sub-subpoint 1: Unrestricted areas for cyclists include all areas of post/base housing to include sidewalk and roadways, parking lot areas of Post Exchange shopping centers, and bike paths in and around recreation areas. Sub-subpoint 2: Restricted areas for cyclists include all military training compounds, school playgrounds, shooting ranges, 4-lane roads, and the sidewalks in and around the Post Exchange shopping centers and gas stations. On noted exception is cyclists may walk their bike to/from the air pump located at most gas stations. Subpoint 4. (Signpost) Finally, performing a proactive 10-point safety check is the key to having a safe and reliable bicycle. Sub-subpoint 1: The first items to check include the brake cables and brake pads. The cables should not be worn, frayed, or corroded, they should move freely within the cable sleeve, and have a slight tension. Inspect the brake pads for excessive or uneven wear. Brake pads should be adjusted so the wheel turns freely with only the slightest friction. Sub-subpoint 2: The next set of items include the seat, pedals, chain, and gears. The seat should be at the proper height for the rider (knee slightly bent when pedal is in the down position) and secured well enough so it does not move up/down or side-to-side. Pedals should be secure, turn freely, and grip the rider s footwear. The chain should be well-oiled, have some tension (depends on style of gear shift), and firmly seat in between the teeth in the gears. Finally, the gear shifter level should move freely when shifting gears, the cable should not be worn, frayed, or corroded, and the shift mechanism should well-oiled, turn freely, and be free of dirt and debris. 4

Sub-subpoint 3: The next items are the tires. Check the tire rim, it should be perfectly round, have no visible damage, not wobble when turned, and all spokes should have slight tension on them. The tire rubber should have tread, be free of bulges, cuts and tears, and have the correct tire pressure. Sub-subpoint 4: The next set of safety items includes the handlebars, reflectors, light, and horn. The handlebars should be adjusted so the rider can reach the handles, brake and gear shift levers comfortably while in a seated positon. Also, the handle bars should be tight, centered, and perpendicular to the front tire. The front reflector should be white, securely attached to the front frame, face forward, not be cracked or loose and be visible for at least 200 feet at night. The light should be secured to the handlebars (or front frame), face forward while remaining level, and be visible for at least 500 feet at night. The horn or bell should be securely attached to the handlebar close to the rider s preferred hand for using the horn/bell. The horn must be capable of being heard from at least 100 feet away. Sub-subpoint 5: Finally, the last item on the safety checklist calls for a check of all nuts and bolts to ensure they are secured to the required tightness (i.e. footpounds of torque), free of corrosion, and have no visible damage. Transition (to conclusion): Let me conclude by reemphasizing how bicycle safety equipment and maintenance go hand-in-hand and together they can help reduce injuries and fatalities. With that in mind, let s quickly recap what we ve learned today. Notice how this final transition (1) Begins with a signal that the speech is about to end (Let me conclude by ); (2) Utilizes a backward look that captures the central ideas of the speech; and (3) Utilizes a forward-look to let the audience know you intend to review what was talked about. 5

CONCLUSION (Summary) Notice the consistent use of signposts (i.e. First, Second, Finally): this is the same format as used for the subpoints within the body. Also notice the Key Ideas are indented and capture what the author believes to be the most important take ways from each main point. MP 1 (signpost/topic sentence): First, we learned that national, state, and local statistics indicate thousands of cyclists are injured and hundreds are killed every year Key Idea 1. the national numbers include over 9000 children age 14 and under, and Key Idea 2. the local numbers include over 400 injuries and 88 deaths with 17 children age 14 and under and that 27 of those injuries and at least two occurred right here on Ft Lewis. MP 2: (signpost/topic sentence): Next, we learned that bicycle safety equipment includes personal protective gear and bicycle protective equipment. Key Idea 1. For example, personal protective gear includes helmets and elbow and knee pads and, although there are many types of helmets, riders, especially young riders, should only wear helmets with a Department of Transportation s (DOT) stamp of approval. Key Idea 2. In addition, we learned that bicycle protective equipment includes reflectors, lights, and horns and when riding at night, a front light is required and it must be capable of being seen from at least 500 feet. MP 3: (signpost/topic sentence): Finally, we learned that bicycle training involves understanding state and local traffic laws and proactive bicycle maintenance. Key Idea 1. For example, when riding on roadways in Washington state, cyclists must adhere to the same rules as vehicle drivers and there are certain areas of Ft. Lewis that are off-limits to riders such as military training compounds, school playgrounds, and 4-lane roads. Key Idea 2. In addition, we learned the key to having a safe and reliable bicycle is a the 10-point safety check, which covers everything from the handlebars to the brakes to the tires. 6

Closure Statement: I believe that all of the bicycle injuries and fatalities on JBLM could have been prevented through the use of safety equipment and training. As parents, and armed with the right knowledge and the proper training, we have the ability to prevent next year s bicycle safety statistics from looking like last year s. When you consider the number of children who were transported to the emergency room and consider that two children died and one 10-year old is still in a coma then you must also consider whether you have done all that you can to protect your children. Your goals with the closure statement are (1) to end on a strong, positive note that leaves your audience feeling good about what they just heard and (2) to clearly indicate the speech has ended without diminishing your credibility (or in the case of a persuasive speech, momentum you ve built up to persuade your audience to actively or passively agree with you. Statements that end with the phrase I hope diminish both your credibility and your momentum. The most effective way to end on a strong, positive note is to tie back to your attention step and reasons to listen. 7