SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR AN INFORMATIVE SPEECH
By Mike Busch
Introduction
A Gallup Poll shows that 60% of the children under 10 listed an E.T. item as their 1
st
,
2
nd
or 3
rd
choice most-wanted Christmas gift the year following the release of
Steven Spielberg=s best loved movie
Many of you in this room stood in long lines to see this movie. Chances are if you saw
"ET you also saw that same year's biggest horror thriller, "Poltergeist." One man, who
has been called a genius, a mad man, an artist and a freak, is responsible for these two
films.
This morning I want to take a look at the life of Steven Spielberg to determine how he
combines the elements of fear and fantasy, using his own childhood fears and dreams,
to bring an emotional magic to the silver screen.
(transition) (Let's begin with his early life.)
Body
I. In order to understand the methods behind his madness it is important to examine
Spielberg's early life to see what is later reflected in his films.
A. Spielberg was not a model child.
1. He tormented his sisters.
2. At 12, with his first camera he filmed model train wrecks.
(examples and details)
B. In high school he was often lonely
1. He took refuge in the theatre program.
2. He learned he wanted to make movies. (explanation)
C. His 2 years at C.S.U. preceded his 1st jobs
1. He got an interview with Sid Sheinberg of Universal TV.
2. At 20 he became the youngest director with a long-term contract.
(narration)
D. The rest is history.
1. "Jaws" - $410 million
2. "Close Encounters" - $250 million
3. "Raiders" - #310 - million
4. "Poltergeist" - $225 million
5. "ET" - $390 million and counting (statistics)
(internal (So you can see that Spielberg's childhood easily could have led to the super-director
summary) he has become today.)
(internal (Now let me show you how he has used his childhood in his films. I'll begin with
transition) childhood fears.)