Too Much of a Good Thing
Outline
In the extemporaneous method of speaking, an outline is created to make sure all material is clearly developed and well-organized. For practicing and delivering the speech, the speaker does not use the outline, but instead uses brief notes that are based on the outline.
Too Much of a Good Thing Arlene Chico Lugo
General Purpose: To persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to be cautious in using medicines and supplements that are usually considered beneficial
Central Idea: Medicines and supplements that can be beneficial are sometimes harmful if ingested in large amounts.
INTRODUCTION
I. Attention Material
A. Here is an old saying. (Show poster.) “Too much of a good thing is wonderful.” Is this always true? (Remove poster.)
B. A young woman went out on her sailboat one Friday afternoon. (Harvard
Women’s Health Watch)
1. Shesufferedabackinjury,causingterriblebackpain.
2. Forpainrelief,shetookapainkiller,acetaminophen(mostcommontype,
Tylenol).
3. Forthenextthreedays,sheingestedthepillsatmorethantwicethe recommended dosage.
4. OnTuesday(fourdaysaftershestartedthepills),shediedenroutetothe hospital from liver damage.

II. OrientingMaterial
A. She apparently didn’t know that you can take too much pain medicine.
1. Iftherecommendeddoseistaken,acetaminophenissafe,butiftoomuch is taken, liver damage and even death can result.
2. Each year in the U.S., overdoses of this painkiller cause 56,000 emergency room visits and 458 deaths. (Harvard Women’s Health Watch)
B. A common trap is to think that if a little bit of something is good, then a great deal (double the dosage) is even better.
C. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be bad for you.
(Transition: Let’s examine the problem in more detail.)
BODY
I. Many people don’t know that taking excessive amounts of medicines and supplements can be dangerous.
A. Ambien, a sleeping pill, makes you sleepy, so will you go to sleep faster if you increase the dosage?
1.
In the extemporaneous method of speaking, an outline is created to make sure all material is clearly developed and well-organized. For practicing and delivering the speech, the speaker does not use the outline, but instead uses brief notes that are based on the outline.
Too Much of a Good Thing Arlene Chico Lugo
General Purpose: To persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to be cautious in using medicines and supplements that are usually considered beneficial
Central Idea: Medicines and supplements that can be beneficial are sometimes harmful if ingested in large amounts.
INTRODUCTION
I. Attention Material
A. Here is an old saying. (Show poster.) “Too much of a good thing is wonderful.” Is this always true? (Remove poster.)
B. A young woman went out on her sailboat one Friday afternoon. (Harvard
Women’s Health Watch)
1. Shesufferedabackinjury,causingterriblebackpain.
2. Forpainrelief,shetookapainkiller,acetaminophen(mostcommontype,
Tylenol).
3. Forthenextthreedays,sheingestedthepillsatmorethantwicethe recommended dosage.
4. OnTuesday(fourdaysaftershestartedthepills),shediedenroutetothe hospital from liver damage.

II. OrientingMaterial
A. She apparently didn’t know that you can take too much pain medicine.
1. Iftherecommendeddoseistaken,acetaminophenissafe,butiftoomuch is taken, liver damage and even death can result.
2. Each year in the U.S., overdoses of this painkiller cause 56,000 emergency room visits and 458 deaths. (Harvard Women’s Health Watch)
B. A common trap is to think that if a little bit of something is good, then a great deal (double the dosage) is even better.
C. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be bad for you.
(Transition: Let’s examine the problem in more detail.)
BODY
I. Many people don’t know that taking excessive amounts of medicines and supplements can be dangerous.
A. Ambien, a sleeping pill, makes you sleepy, so will you go to sleep faster if you increase the dosage?
1.
Bibliography: “Ambien.” Drug Information Online. 2006. Retrieved 14 Mar. 2006 . “Avoiding Acetaminophen-Related Liver Injury.” Harvard Women’s Health Watch Mar. 2006: 1. Hamilton, Joshua, Ph.D., professor of toxicology, Dartmouth College, e-mail interview. 7 Mar. 2006. Kemper, Kathi J., M.D. The Holistic Pediatrician. 2nd ed. New York: Harper, 2002. Kripke, Daniel F., M.D. The Dark Side of Sleeping Pills. San Diego: University of California, San Diego, 2002. Newman, Cathy. “Twelve Toxic Tales.” National Geographic May 2005: 3–9. “Research Briefs: Ibuprofen Risk to Healthy People.” General Practitioner 4 Nov. 2005: 5–6.