Example Of An Informative Speech Outline

Example Of Informative Speech Outline

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about one of the most famous tragedies in history, the Titanic. Thesis: From the disaster to the movie, the sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most famous tragedies in history.

Introduction

A. Attention Getter: An American writer named Morgan Robertson once wrote a book called The Wreck of the Titan. The book was about an “unsinkable” ship called the Titan that set sail from England to New York with many rich and famous passengers on board. On its journey, the Titan hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank. Many lives were lost because there were not enough lifeboats. Interestingly, Robertson wrote this story 14 years before the Titanic sank.

B. Reveal Topic Statement: From the disaster to the movie, the sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most famous tragedies in history.

C. Credibility Statement: I have been fascinated by the history of the Titanic for as long as I can remember. I own several books on the subject and have conducted extensive research for this speech.

D. Preview of Main Points: I will discuss three main points: 1. The Titanic itself, 2. The sinking of the ship, 3. The movie made about the Titanic.

Transition: From the disaster to the movie, the sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most famous tragedies in history.

Body

A. The Titanic was believed to be the largest, safest, and most luxurious ship ever built. It was 882 feet long and weighed about 46,000 tons (Tibbals, 1997). The ship carried 2,345 passengers and 860 crew members (Thresh, 1992). The first-class dining room was the largest on any liner, capable of serving 500 passengers at once. Other first-class amenities included a squash court, swimming pool, library, barber’s shop, Turkish baths, and a darkroom for photographers. Tibbals (1997) described the Titanic as having a double hull, designed to keep water out if the outer layer was breached.

Transition: Despite its impressive features, the Titanic's luxury was tragically short-lived.

B. The disaster struck when the Titanic hit an iceberg four days after departing from Queenstown, Ireland, heading for New York. The collision occurred at approximately 11:40 pm on April 14, 1912, and the ship began sinking shortly afterward (Tibbals, 1997). Unfortunately, the ship was inadequately equipped for such an emergency; there were only 20 lifeboats, enough for about half of those onboard, and they filled quickly with women and children (Thresh, 1992). In total, 1,522 lives were lost due to the sinking (Lynch, 1992).

Transition: The sinking itself has become a defining moment in maritime history, inspiring numerous recreations and stories.

C. The story of the Titanic’s sinking was popularized by James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic. Cameron conducted six months of research, including multiple dives to the wreck site, to ensure accuracy in the film’s depiction of events (Marsh, 1997). The production involved a highly detailed recreation of the ship, cost over $250 million, and used a full-sized replica built in Baja California for filming. Cameron’s dedication led to the film becoming the highest-grossing movie of its time, earning approximately $600 million worldwide and winning four Golden Globe Awards (Kramer, 1998).

Transition: The film’s success underscores the enduring fascination with the Titanic tragedy.

Conclusion

A. Review of Main Points: The Titanic was an enormous, luxurious vessel; its sinking resulted in a tragic loss of life; and the film Titanic immortalized its story for a global audience.

B. Restate Thesis: The tragic story of the Titanic and the film based on its sinking are etched into history and popular culture alike.

C. Closure: The story of the Titanic, including Morgan Robertson’s prescient novel, reminds us of the importance of safety and human error. It remains an enduring symbol of tragedy and resilience that continues to inspire and educate future generations.

References

• Ballard, R. (1988). Exploring the Titanic. Toronto, Ontario: Madison Press Books.
• Kramer, P. (1998). Women First: ‘Titanic’ (1997), Action Adventure Films and Hollywood’s Female Audience. Historical Journal of Films, Radio, and Television, 18.
• Lord, W. (1955). A Night to Remember. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
• Lynch, D. (1992). Titanic: An Illustrated History. New York, NY: Hyperion.
• Marsh, E. (1997). James Cameron’s Titanic. New York, NY: Harper Perennial.
• Thresh, P. (1992). Titanic: The Truth Behind the Disaster. New York, NY: Crescent Books.
• Tibbals, G. (1997). The Titanic: The Extraordinary Story of the “Unsinkable” Ship. Pleasantville, NY: Reader’s Digest.
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