Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 32

NEED OF AN OUTLINE

The importance of an outline in making a clear and understandable presentation may be illustrated in a reverse sense by the Bible. Therein are recorded many prophecies, prophecies that were not to be understood until these "last days". One of the means of hiding their under-

standing is the fact that they often follow no chronological order. One verse may relate to Christ's first coming, the second to the gathering of the "other sheep" now taking place. After that a verse may deal with Christ's coming to the temple in 1918 or his enthronement in 1914. By following no strict chronological order the understanding of the prophecy is made more obscure, held in safekeeping until Jehovah's due time to reveal it through the King at the temple and by the operation of his holy spirit.

Again, the Bible does not generally discuss doctrines under a topically outlined arrangement, but merely touches upon them in running style as they come into the account. Texts bearing upon a particular subject are scattered throughout, not placed under one heading where a complete discussion is given. Such special treatment of fundamental doctrine was not needed back there at the time of writing, because all understood those things. Religion has brought in confusion. As a result, at this time this lack of outlining of doctrine presentations complicates the understanding of Jehovah's Word. His servants must "run to and fro" through its pages to draw together topically outlined discussions on doctrine, that such may be presented clearly and forcibly to those blinded by religion. When Jehovah bids his witnesses to say "Come" to others to partake of the Kingdom truths, he purposes that a clear and logical presentation be made. It is the day of Jehovah and time for the light to shine brightly. Whereas ordinary outlining principles were not followed in the recording of certain prophecies, for the very purpose of hiding their meaning, in these "last days" of gospel-preaching those principles of outlining must be diligently adhered to to assure clear understanding.

words to instantly convey the thought to the speaker's mind. How is an outline formed? A speaker knows the subject, else he could not gather material on it. He knows the theme. By careful reflection before and even during his gathering of material he can determine the main ideas that will be required to support that theme, and likewise under each of these main points he can list subheadings necessary to establish the main heading. In this way he forms a skeleton or outline for the talk to follow. This outline will serve as a topical index in filing into proper place the material gathered on the subject.

The outline not only acts as a classifier of the material one has gathered, but also serves as an eliminator. When the outline is complete, including all the points one wishes to use in the particular presentation, it will receive in some part of its framework all the material that one has gathered that is germane to the discussion. If other material is at hand that does not lend itself to classification in the outline, that is strong evidence that the material does not contribute to the development of the outlined theme. Throw it out. The outline separates the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.

The outline and the classification of material gathered under it shows one which points are amply supported and which ones require further proof. If a point of lesser importance has much supporting material, cut it drastically. Also, so much time for delivery can be assigned for each point in the outline and thus assure a proper allotment of lime according to the importance of the material. Another service performed by the outline is that it assures coherence. Flaws of continuity are easily seen in the outline and can be corrected. Thus one can see to it that each main heading of the outline follows logically the one preceding and contributes and adds to the development of the theme; and with every point under those main headings rendering proper support, the talk developed therefrom cannot help but be coherent, presenting a logical flow of thought. Any

gaps or defects can be easily detected by studying the outline. If there is a flaw in the outline it will be magnified as the talk is built thereon. It is as in the construction of a building. If the foundation is slightly off, the error will be more and more noticeable as the structure is raised nearer to its completion. Coherence in the outline will mean coherence in the talk.

There are three parts to every outline and talk, namely: the introduction, which introduces or brings the audience to the subject; second, the body, which is the main argument or discussion of the subject; and, third, the conclusion. In the preparation of these the body comes first. Work should start on the body. When the body is completed the full picture or theme should be developed. Have all rays of thought focused on the main subject and completed at the ending of the body of the talk. Do not wait until the conclusion to flash additional thought-rays on the subject, because the conclusion is for binding together all the rays already presented in the body. Thus the body of a good outline should contain the complete picture.

Having completed the body and hence knowing what is to be introduced, prepare the introduction. The purpose of the introduction is to bring one's audience to the body of the subject. To illustrate this one may well use a bridge. The main part is the span, which is built first. The span being completed, the constructor must provide a means whereby the span can be reached. This is done by developing an approach to the bridge. That approach is not an actual part of the primary construction, but merely a means of getting to the main section, the span. So it is with a talk; an introduction is essential as an approach to the talk body. Have the approach or introduction so developed that it is of sufficient strength to bear the audience over to the body.

With introduction and body completed, draw the presented theme to a speedy end. This is accomplished in the conclusion of the talk. The conclusion is illustrated by the

other end of the bridge, the part that carries from the main span to the opposite side, the successful ending. The conclusion should summarize points already made in the body, showing they have been properly handled in developing the theme of the talk. The purpose for constructing a bridge is to successfully go over an obstacle. Hence a span was built, then a proper approach to and exit from the span. The builder accomplished his purpose. The same is true with a talk. The speaker has in mind to go over a certain subject thoroughly. The introduction approaches or leads into the body that spans the subject, and by a conclusion the thought-journey is ended. The speaker has carried the minds of his audience over the obstacle or subject. A gap in the bridge would halt passage over it and forestall a successful crossing. Do not leave gaps in your outline if you expect others to follow you.