Orendorff Aaron Orendorff Professor Aaron Orendorff SPE 111.01 1 April 2013 [Speech Title] I.

Introduction Hook/Motivator James Allen, the 19th century British philosopher and pioneer of the self-help movement, once wrote, In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result. Thesis Statement In keeping with Allens industrious maxim, The Three Little Pigs is a short fable designed to teach a simple yet profound lesson: the effort a person puts into establishing their foundation will determine the shape of their life. Overview By comparing three different pigs and their fateful choices in building materials, the story asks its reader to decide what they will build their life with: straw, wood, or bricks. A. B. C. II. Body A. Main Point 1 Transition and Main Point 1 First, the author introduces the pig who built with straw. Main Point 1 Straw Main Point 2 Wood Main Point 3 Bricks

Orendorff 1. Supporting Idea / Evidence / Detail 1 Define straw in a complete sentence: Straw is the cheapest and easiest of all building materials. It is also the weakest. 2. Supporting Idea / Evidence / Detail 2 Compare straw to weak building materials for life. a. b. 3. B. Example 1: Straw is like . . . Example 2: Similarly, straw is also like . . .

Optional: Explanation/Summary/Restatement

Main Point 2 Transition and Main Point 2 Second, the author moves on to the pig who built with wood. 1. Supporting Idea / Evidence / Detail 1 Define wood in a complete sentence: Unlike straw, wood may at first appear strong. But, as the story proves, appearances can be deceiving. 2. Supporting Idea / Evidence / Detail 2 Compare wood to superficially strong but ultimately unreliable life foundations. a. b. 3. Example 1: Wood is like . . . Example 2: In much the same way, wood is also like . . .

Optional: Explanation/Summary/Restatement

C.

Main Point 3 Transition and Main Point 3 Third, the author closes the story by introducing the pig who built with brick. 1. Supporting Idea / Evidence / Detail 1 Define brick.

Orendorff 2.

Supporting Idea / Evidence / Detail 2 Defend brick-like foundations that last a lifetime: While costly, weighty, and difficult to build with, brick is by far the most stable of the three materials. As the story concludes, the picture that develops hinges on both the effort involved in building with brick as well as the ultimate results. a. b. Example 1: In life, brick is like . . . Example 2: So too, brick is also like . . .

3. III. Conclusion

Optional: Explanation/Summary/Restatement

Concluding Transition Taking these three seemingly childish examples as a model, the story of the Three Little Pigs is as profound as it is simple. Overview (Reword) (Main Point 1, 2, and 3) Straw may be cheap and wood superficially strong, but in the end nothing compares to brick. Thesis Statement (Reword) In the same way, taking short cuts in life rarely pays off. Final Thought From tragedy to triumph, the world has a way of testing a person and if James Allen and The Three Little Pigs are right then the effort put into establishing solid foundations is by far the most important of lifes endeavors.