Informative Speech Outline Example
Names Here
Communication 103
Informative Outline
October 7, 2014
General Purpose: To inform the class about the Maasai.
Specific Purpose: To teach the audience certain aspects of the Maasai such as their culture, food, living conditions, and language.
I. Introduction:
A. Attention Gainer: Mika: “Mambo rafiki! Maji maju?” Kelsey: “Ah poa, asante sana dada!” Mika: “Karibu sana.”
B. Reason to Listen: This is an example of a simple conversation between the Maasai, a unique African tribe whose culture is starting to diminish. According to Rogei, The language and cultural practices of the Maasai are threatened (Rogei, 2012).
C. Speaker Credibility: In addition to researching scholarly articles, Mika has traveled to Africa and seen the Maasai first hand.
D. Thesis Statement: Today we will be discussing certain aspects of the Maasai culture including their language, food, and living conditions.
E. Preview Main Points: First we will talk about the beliefs and customs in the Maasai culture. Next, we will discuss the living conditions followed by their food.
II. Body
A. Main Point #: There are some similarities and differences in the lifestyle of Maasai men and women. According to Burton & Kirk, “Maasai culture and social organization provide the basis of interpretation of the substantial sex differences found” (Burton & Kirk, 1979, p.841).
1. (Sub-Point #1): Around the ages of 13-14, girls are initiated into the adult community by an emurata, which is a circumcision rite. This operation makes the girl ready to be married and have children. By the time girls reach the ages of 14-16, they are married and they are not allowed to date beforehand. According to Sommer, they also have no say in who their husbands will be and their husbands are usually double their age (Sommer, 2009). After negotiations, a male suitor will pay the girl’s family a dowry of livestock and handicrafts; then they will wed.
2. (Sub-Point # 2): On the other hand, Maasai boys go through puberty in
Communication 103
Informative Outline
October 7, 2014
General Purpose: To inform the class about the Maasai.
Specific Purpose: To teach the audience certain aspects of the Maasai such as their culture, food, living conditions, and language.
I. Introduction:
A. Attention Gainer: Mika: “Mambo rafiki! Maji maju?” Kelsey: “Ah poa, asante sana dada!” Mika: “Karibu sana.”
B. Reason to Listen: This is an example of a simple conversation between the Maasai, a unique African tribe whose culture is starting to diminish. According to Rogei, The language and cultural practices of the Maasai are threatened (Rogei, 2012).
C. Speaker Credibility: In addition to researching scholarly articles, Mika has traveled to Africa and seen the Maasai first hand.
D. Thesis Statement: Today we will be discussing certain aspects of the Maasai culture including their language, food, and living conditions.
E. Preview Main Points: First we will talk about the beliefs and customs in the Maasai culture. Next, we will discuss the living conditions followed by their food.
II. Body
A. Main Point #: There are some similarities and differences in the lifestyle of Maasai men and women. According to Burton & Kirk, “Maasai culture and social organization provide the basis of interpretation of the substantial sex differences found” (Burton & Kirk, 1979, p.841).
1. (Sub-Point #1): Around the ages of 13-14, girls are initiated into the adult community by an emurata, which is a circumcision rite. This operation makes the girl ready to be married and have children. By the time girls reach the ages of 14-16, they are married and they are not allowed to date beforehand. According to Sommer, they also have no say in who their husbands will be and their husbands are usually double their age (Sommer, 2009). After negotiations, a male suitor will pay the girl’s family a dowry of livestock and handicrafts; then they will wed.
2. (Sub-Point # 2): On the other hand, Maasai boys go through puberty in
References: Arhem, K. (1989). Maasai food symbolism: The cultural connotations of milk, meat, and blood in the pastoral Maasai diet Burton, M. , & Kirk, L. (1979). Sex differences in Maasai cognition of personality and social identity Coast, E. (2002). Maasai socioeconomic conditions: A cross-border comparision. Human Ecology, 30(1), 79-105. Rogei, D. (2012). We, Maasai. Culture Survival Quarterly, 36(4), 24. Talle, A. (2003). Maasai. In Carol R. Ember and Melvin Ember (Eds.), Encyclopedia of sex and gender: Men and women in the world’s cultures. Rukwaro, R. , & Mukono, K. (2001). Architecture of societies in transition – the case of the Maasai of Kenya Sommer, M. (2009). Ideologies of sexuality, menstruation and risk: Girls experiences of puberty and schooling in northern Tanzania Wright, T. (2000). The Maasai: East Africa 's vanishing culture. Skipping Stones, 12(4), 18.