A problem-solution speech order is likely to use which organizational pattern

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate among the common speech organizational patterns: categorical/topical, comparison/contrast, spatial, chronological, biographical, causal, problem-cause-solution, and psychological.
2. Understand how to choose the best organizational pattern, or combination of patterns, for a specific speech.

Figure 7.3.1: Twentyfour Students – Organization makes you flow – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Previously in this chapter we discussed how to make main points flow logically. This section is going to explore a number of organizational patterns to create a logically organized speech. The first organization pattern we’ll discuss is categorical/topical.

Categorical/Topical

By far the most common pattern for organizing a speech is by categories or topics. The categories function as a way to help the speaker organize the message in a consistent fashion. The goal of a categorical/topical speech pattern is to create categories (or chunks) of information that go together to help support the original specific purpose. Let’s look at an example.

Specific PurposeTo explain the different aspect of attending a four-year university.Main PointsI. Life in the dormsII. Life in the classroomIII. Life on campus

In this case, we have a speaker trying to explain to a group of junior highers the different aspects of going away to college. To inform this group, the speaker has divided the information into three basic categories: what it’s like to live in the dorms, what classes are like, and what life is like on campus. Almost anyone could take this basic speech and specifically tailor the speech to fit their own university or college. The main points in this example could be rearranged and the organizational pattern would still be effective because there is no inherent logic to the sequence of points. Let’s look at a second example.

Specific PurposeTo inform a group of parents about the different types of COVID vaccines they can give their children.Main PointsI. Describe Moderna vaccine and FDA's approval groups.II. Describe the Pfizer vaccine and which age groups the FDA has given approval for.III. Describe the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the age groups the FDA has approved to take this vaccine.

Figure 7.3.2: Agência Brasília - COVID-19 Vaccines - CC-BY-2.0

The topical organizational pattern recognizes that there isn't any natural way to organize the main points, except by importance. For example, for a speech on different types of COVID vaccines, the three main points would be the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In describing each vaccine, one is not more important than the other. However, when determining the order of main points, it is important to consider the concept of primacy and recency. If we want our audience to remember one main point more than another, then we would either include it first or last in our discussion.

Comparison/Contrast

Another method for organizing main points is the comparison/contrast speech pattern. While this pattern clearly lends itself easily to two main points, we can also create a third point by giving basic information about what is being compared and what is being contrasted. Let’s look at two examples; the first one will be a two-point example and the second a three-point example.

Specific PurposeTo inform a group of physicians about Drug X, a newer drug with similar applications to Drug YMain PointsI. Show how Drug X and Drug Y are similar.II. Show how Drug X and Drug Y differ.Specific PurposeTo inform a group of physicians about Drug X, a newer drug with similar applications to Drug YMain PointsI. Explain the basic purpose and use of both Drug X and Drug Y.II. Show how Drug X and Drug Y are similar.III. Show how Drug X and Drug Y differ.

Spatial

The spatial speech pattern organizes information according to how things fit together in physical space. This pattern is best used when your main points are oriented to different locations that can exist independently. The basic reason to choose this format is to show that the main points have clear locations. We’ll look at two examples here, one involving physical geography and one involving a different spatial order.

Take a look at Figure 7.3.3 below, an ofrenda [alter] for Dia de los Muertos - a day in November that is dedicated to memorializing family members that have died. We might identify the main parts of the alter as food items, pictures, candles, and flowers. If we were to arrange those main points in a spatial organizational pattern, we would begin with the picture as the first main point; it is at the top of the ofrenda. Moving down the picture, we see candles, so that would be the second main point. The third main point would be the food items, and the last main point would be the flowers, as they are at the bottom of the ofrenda. Essentially, we plan to discuss the ofrenda spatially because we will discuss those main points in the way they are spaced out on the alter.

Figure 7.3.3: Eneas de Troya - Altar de dia de muertos - CC-BY-2.0

Specific PurposeTo explain the different physical aspects of an ofrenda.Main PointsI. Explain the importance of the deceased's picture to the alter.II. Identify where candles are located on the ofrenda and the purpose of the candles.III. Explain the relevance of the food items to the deceased and the ofrenda. IV. Describe the location of the flowers and their purpose to the ofrenda.

Now let’s look at a spatial speech related to geography.

Specific PurposeTo inform a group of history students about the states  that seceded  from the United States during the Civil War.Main PointsI. Locate and describe the Confederate states just below the Mason-Dixon Line (Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee).II. Locate and describe the Confederate states in the deep South (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida).III. Locate and describe the western Confederate states (Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas). 

If you look at a basic map of the United States, you’ll notice that these groupings of states were created because of their geographic location to one another. In essence, the states create three spatial territories to explain.

Figure 7.3.4: Southern United States Civil War Map - CC-SA-3.0

Chronological

The chronological speech pattern places the main idea in the time order in which items appear—whether backward or forward. Here’s a simple example.

Specific PurposeTo inform my audience about the books written by Winston ChurchillMain PointsI. Examine the style and content of Winston Churchill’s writings prior to World War II.II. Examine the style and content of Winston Churchill’s writings during World War II.III. Examine the style and content of Winston Churchill’s writings after World War II.

In this example, we’re looking at the writings of Winston Churchill in relation to World War II (before, during, and after). By placing his writings into these three categories, we develop a system for understanding this material based on Churchill’s own life. Note that we could also use reverse chronological order and start with Churchill’s writings after World War II, progressing backward to his earliest writings.

Biographical

The biographical speech pattern is generally used when a speaker wants to describe a person’s life—either a speaker’s own life, the life of someone they know personally, or the life of a famous person. By the nature of this speech organizational pattern, these speeches tend to be informative or entertaining; they are usually not persuasive. Let’s look at an example.

Specific PurposeTo inform my audience about the early life of Marilyn MansonMain PointsI. Describe Brian Hugh Warner’s early life and the beginning of his feud with Christianity.II. Describe Warner’s stint as a music journalist in Florida.III. Describe Warner’s decision to create Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids.

In this example, we see how Brian Warner, through three major periods of his life, ultimately became the musician known as Marilyn Manson.

In this example, these three stages are presented in chronological order, but the biographical pattern does not have to be chronological. For example, it could compare and contrast different periods of the subject’s life, or it could focus topically on the subject’s different accomplishments.

Causal

The causal speech pattern is used to explain cause-and-effect relationships. When using a causal speech pattern, the speech will have two basic main points: cause and effect. In the first main point, typically the speaker will talk about the causes of a phenomenon, and in the second main point will then show how the causes lead to either a specific effect or a small set of effects. Let’s look at an example. A causal organizational pattern can begin with an effect and then explore one or more causes or vice versa. In the following example, the effect is the number of arrests for domestic violence.

Specific PurposeTo inform local voters about the problem of domestic violence in our cityMain PointsI. Explain that there are significantly more arrests for domestic violence in our city than in cities of comparable size in our state.II. List possible causes for the difference, which may be unrelated to the actual amount of domestic violence.

In this example, the possible causes for the difference might include stricter law enforcement, greater likelihood of neighbors reporting an incident, and police training that emphasizes arrests as opposed to other outcomes. Examining these possible causes may suggest that despite the arrest statistic, the actual number of domestic violence incidents in the city may not be greater than in other cities of similar size.

Problem-Cause-Solution

Another format for organizing distinct main points in a clear manner is the problem-cause-solution speech pattern. In this format we would describe a problem, identify what we believe is causing the problem, and then recommend a solution to correct the problem.

Specific PurposeTo persuade a civic group to support a citywide curfew for individuals under the age of eighteenMain PointsI. Demonstrate that vandalism and violence among youth is having a negative effect on our community.II. Show how vandalism and violence among youth go up after 10:00 p.m. in our community.III. Explain how instituting a mandatory curfew at 10:00 p.m. would reduce vandalism and violence within our community.

In this speech, the speaker wants to persuade people to pass a new curfew for people under eighteen. To help persuade the civic group members, the speaker first shows that vandalism and violence are problems in the community. Once the speaker has shown the problem, the speaker then explains to the audience that the cause of this problem is youth outside after 10:00 p.m. Lastly, the speaker provides the mandatory 10:00 p.m. curfew as a solution to the vandalism and violence problem within the community. The problem-cause-solution format for speeches generally lends itself to persuasive topics because the speaker is asking an audience to believe in and adopt a specific solution.

Selecting an Organizational Pattern

Each of the preceding organizational patterns is potentially useful for organizing the main points of a speech. However, not all organizational patterns work for all speeches. For example, as we mentioned earlier, the biographical pattern is useful when telling the story of someone’s life. Some other patterns, particularly problem-cause-solution is well suited for persuasive speaking. The challenge is to choose the best pattern for the particular speech topic and purpose.

Key Takeaways

• Speakers can use a variety of different organizational patterns, including categorical/topical, comparison/contrast, spatial, chronological, biographical, causal, and problem-cause-solution. Ultimately, speakers must really think about which organizational pattern best suits a specific speech topic.

Exercises

1. Imagine that you are giving an informative speech about your favorite book. Which organizational pattern do you think would be most useful? Why? Would your answer be different if your speech goal were persuasive? Why or why not?
2. Working on your own or with a partner, develop three main points for a speech designed to persuade college students to attend your university. Work through the preceding organizational patterns and see which ones would be possible choices for your speech. Which organizational pattern seems to be the best choice? Why?
3. Use one of the common organizational patterns to create three main points for your next speech.

7.3: Using Common Organizing Patterns is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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