Problem-Solution-Action Outline Worksheet

 Name:                                                              Case:

Our audience is: 

We are: 

Specific purpose: 

Attention Step (arrange in whatever order is most effective for your presentation):

              I.      Gain audience attention:        

           II.      Direct audience to need (Why should we care in general?):

         III.      Credibility-enhancing material (Why should we listen to you?):

        IV.      Preview (What will you be talking about?  Be sure not to give away your solution!):

Transition:

Problem Step:

              I.      Problem: (What, specifically, is the problem?  Note: State as a claim)

a.      Explanation (What are the elements/causes of the problem?)

                                                               i.      Support (What evidence supports these elements/causes?)

                                                             ii.      Support

b.      Who is affected (Why should listeners care about this problem?)

                                                               i.      Support (What evidence verifies who is affected?)

                                                             ii.      Support

c.      Consequences (What will happen if we don’t solve the problem?)

                                                               i.      Support (What evidence verifies the consequences predicted?)

                                                             ii.      Support

Transition

Solution Step:

           II.      Solution (How do you propose to solve the problem?)

a.      Explanation (What, specifically, is your plan to solve the problem?)

                                                               i.      Element of solution

                                                             ii.      Element of solution

b.      Remedy (How will your solution fix the problem?)

                                                               i.      Fit (How does your solution fit with the problem?)

                                                             ii.      Satisfaction (How does your solution satisfy those affected byt the problem?)

                                                            iii.      Workability (Will your solution work?  Is it affordable?)

Transition

Action

         III.      Action

a.      Elements of the action (What, specifically, do you want the audience to do TODAY?)

                                                               i.          

                                                             ii.          

                                                            iii.           

b.      Appropriateness (Why is this action appropriate for your audience?)

c.      Audience support (Ask the audience to support the action)

Transition

Conclusion

I.                    Summary statement

II.                 End memorably