ENGLISH 203: Informative Speech Outline

Topic

How nature benefits your health.

General Purpose

[Highlight one]

To describe define

To explain

To demonstrate

To

Specific Purpose

[What will the audience learn?]

The benefits of being in nature and why everyone should take advantage of it.

Audience Makeup

[Who is your audience? What are their attitudes, interests, experiences, and needs?]

My audience is anyone who is above 18 years old. My audience interests are the outdoors, and creating a healthier lifestyle. My audience is into holistic health, improving their mental wellness and they are from all over the world.

Audience Strategy

[What will you do to make this topic matter to your audience?]

I will make this topic matter by emphasizing how important nature is and giving facts and statistics on how being in nature has benefited my own health and others.

Thesis

[In one sentence, what will your audience learn?]

Everyone should go outside for at least thirty minutes a day.

Source #1

Delegran , L. (2023). How does nature impact our wellbeing?. Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing.

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impa ct-our-wellbeing

Source #2

Jim Robbins Jnuary 9, Jim Robbins, Jim Robbins, Jim Robbins is a veteran journalist based in Helena, Robbins →,

M. about J., Schwägerl, C., Schwägerl, C., Grabar, H., Grabar, H., Pearce, F., & Pearce, F. (2020). Ecopsychology: How immersion in nature benefits your health. Yale E360. https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion

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Source #3

UC Davis Health. (2023, June 4). 3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health. health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getti ng-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05

Introduction

Attention Getter

[How will you capture your audience’s attention?]

I will start out by talking about my personal experience when I was struggling with depression and I found out how beneficial stepping outside for just 30 minutes a day was for my well being.

Reason to Listen

[Why should your audience care?]

Nature is a free solution to many problems someone can have and it can benefit you in a lot of ways. Global warming is also a real issue, and appreciating nature more will promote others to help protect our environment.

Credibility Statement

[Why should the audience believe you?]

My audience will believe me based on my experience with nature and my own well being and different statistics I will provide from credited sources.

Thesis & Main Points

Being outside can provide significant health benefits for the mind, body and soul. The first reason is, nature improves our thinking, reasoning and mental capabilities, the second reason is, nature improves your physical

[State your thesis and preview your three main points.]

wellness, and the third reason is, nature boosts your mental health.

Transition

How will you transition from your intro to Main Point 1?

I will transition by talking about a personal experience I had that helped improve my thinking capabilities by stepping out into nature.

Main Point 1

Statement of Main Point

[A one sentence summary of your main point.]

Nature improves your thinking, reasoning, and mental capabilities.

Your Supporting Points

[List your explanations, ideas, stories, evidence, and relevant experiences.

Include in-text citations for any sources you reference.]

When I am feeling down, or stuck on an assignment, I feel anxious and frustrated but when I take a break and step outside into nature and go for a short walk and come back I feel much better. Nature has also inspired me to be more creative with my journaling and photography.

According to the National Library of Medicine, studies have shown that our minds and bodies relax in a natural setting and nature gives feelings of pleasure that helps us concentrate and focus. (Delegran, 2023).

Stepping into nature gives you a mental break from the effect of the trees, sunshine, fresh air, and your surroundings. This can help with problem solving skills and creativity.

Transition

How will you transition from Main Point 1 to Main Point 2?

Now we know that nature can affect our thinking skills that we can use in everyday life, what’s something else it can affect? Our physical wellness!

Main Point 2

Statement of Main Point

[A one sentence summary of your main point.]

Nature improves our physical wellness, stepping outside forces us to move!

Your Supporting Points

[List your explanations, ideas, stories, evidence, and relevant experiences.

Include in-text citations for any sources you reference.]

I started taking 30 minute to an hour walks everyday about a year ago. Not to lose weight just because I noticed how happy my walks make me. However, an added plus was I became more in shape and happy with my body. Not only was I enjoying the walks but it was improving my physical wellness and it’s free!

Being outside forces us to move! We can bike, walk, run, hike, and try many more activities that can help you get into better shape or share with another person.

According to the University of California Davis, “Studies have also shown that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems. Being out in nature often may lead to lower rates of heart disease. The great outdoors can also help you increase your vitamin D level, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system.” (UC Davis Health 2023.)

Transition

How will you transition from Main Point 2 to Main Point 3?

So we already know that nature can help us think, improve our physical well being, another important factor that it helps with is our mental health!

Main Point 3

Statement of Main Point

[A one sentence summary of your main point.]

Nature boosts your mental health.

Your Supporting Points

[List your explanations, ideas, stories, evidence, and relevant experiences.

Include in-text citations for any sources you reference.]

I went through a dark time in my life where I didn’t want to get out of bed, I had no motivation to do anything, and I was depressed. My mom told me no matter how hard it is I have to force myself to get out of the house for 30 minutes a day and it will help me. I didn’t listen to her at first, finally I took her advice and I wish I took it sooner because I noticed myself falling in love with life again. I started to grow a new appreciation for my surroundings. I noticed how fresh air, flowers, clouds, trees just make me happy and seeing how beautiful nature can be makes you love life a little more.

Studies have shown that being outside and embracing fresh air and sunshine reduces depression by decreasing your anxiety and increasing happiness.You may also find that you sleep better when you are regularly outside.

According to University of California Davis, “Daily exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep/wake cycles” (UC Davis Health, 2023.)

Better sleep means better days ahead! Embracing nature is also a great way to socialize and get together with friends or family for a walk, which is great for mental

health. There are so many free activities to do! You can go for picnics, hikes, or just lay on the grass and look at the clouds.

Transition

How will you transition from Main Point 3 to your conclusion?

In conclusion, nature is something we all have access to, it's free, and we all should use it!

Conclusion

Review of Main Points

[Restate or re-summarize your three main points without adding new information.]

Being in nature is important because it helps out thinking skills, it improves our physical health, and it improves our mental health.

Restate Thesis

[Restate or re-emphasize your thesis in one sentence.]

In a study of 20,000 people at the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter, it was found that people who spent two hours a week in nature were more likely to report good health and psychological well being than those who don’t (Robins, 2020.) Make yourself go outside for at least 30 minutes each day.

Engaging Closure

[End your speech in a memorable, unique, and engaging way.]

Next time you're feeling down, having a mind block, wanting to improve your physical health, just step outside and let nature work its magic!