# Speech Architecture > Structure any presentation, argument, or extended persuasive communication using classical arrangement patterns for maximum impact. - Skill: `sethmblack/speech-architecture` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add sethmblack/speech-architecture` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sethmblack/speech-architecture/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - License: MIT - Author: sethmblack (https://skillmd.com/u/sethmblack) - Updated: 2026-09-08 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sethmblack/speech-architecture --- # Speech Architecture Structure any presentation, argument, or extended persuasive communication using classical arrangement patterns for maximum impact. --- ## When to Use - User says "How should I organize this?" or "What's the best structure?" - Preparing any extended argument or presentation - Content is good but "disorganized" or "all over the place" - Need to transform bullet points into flowing narrative - Restructuring existing content that isn't landing --- ## Inputs | Input | Required | Description | |-------|----------|-------------| | content | Yes | The material, points, or draft to organize | | goal | Yes | What audience should think, feel, or do | | audience | No | Who will receive this (affects structure choice) | | time_constraint | No | Length in minutes or word count | | context | No | Formal/informal, hostile/friendly, etc. | --- ## The Classical Six-Part Structure ### 1. Exordium (Introduction) **Purpose:** Capture attention, establish goodwill, preview the journey **Techniques:** - Start with a surprising fact - Open with a relevant story - Ask a provocative question - Invoke shared experience - Quote an authority - State the problem dramatically **Establish your thesis or goal:** By the end of the exordium, the audience should know (at least roughly) where you're taking them. **Common mistakes:** - Starting with "Today I'm going to talk about..." (boring) - Excessive throat-clearing or apologies - Not connecting to audience interests immediately --- ### 2. Narratio (Background/Context) **Purpose:** Provide the story or context that frames everything else **Techniques:** - Tell the history of the problem - Describe the current situation - Build common ground with audience - Establish shared facts before contested claims **Key principle:** Narrate; don't argue. This section builds the frame; the arguments come later. **Common mistakes:** - Dumping all information here (save proof for Confirmatio) - Making this too long (lose momentum) - Assuming audience knows context they don't --- ### 3. Partitio (Division/Outline) **Purpose:** Preview the structure so audience can follow **Techniques:** - "I'll cover three areas..." - "First... then... finally..." - Create mental scaffolding - Signal what's coming **This can be brief:** Sometimes a single sentence: "Let me walk you through the problem, the options, and my recommendation." **Common mistakes:** - Skipping this (audience gets lost) - Making it too detailed (boring; loses surprise) --- ### 4. Confirmatio (Proof) **Purpose:** Present your arguments and evidence **Ordering strategies:** - **Strongest first** - If audience is hostile or skeptical - **Strongest last** - If audience is neutral (end on high note) - **Nestorian order** - Strong, then weak, then strongest (classic) - **Chronological** - For historical or process arguments - **Problem-solution** - For proposals **For each point:** 1. State the claim 2. Provide evidence (data, example, authority) 3. Explain why it matters (so what?) 4. Transition to next point **Common mistakes:** - Presenting arguments without evidence - Not explaining significance ("so what?") - Equal time for unequal points (weight them) --- ### 5. Refutatio (Refutation) **Purpose:** Address counterarguments and objections **Strategies:** - **Inoculation** - Address objections before opponent/audience raises them - **Direct refutation** - "Some argue X, but..." - **Concession and pivot** - "While it's true that X, this is outweighed by..." - **Reframing** - "That's not the right question. The real question is..." **Position options:** - Before Confirmatio (clear the field first) - After Confirmatio (standard position) - Woven throughout (address objections as they naturally arise) **Common mistakes:** - Ignoring obvious objections (audience notices) - Strawmanning opponents (lose credibility) - Dwelling too long on opponent's case --- ### 6. Peroratio (Conclusion) **Purpose:** Summarize, move emotionally, call to action **Three-part classical structure:** 1. **Recapitulation** - Brief summary of main points 2. **Emotional appeal** - Pathos climax; make them feel 3. **Call to action** - Specific next step; what should they do? **Techniques:** - Return to opening image/story (circular closure) - Paint the vision of success - Invoke values and stakes - Make the ask explicit **Common mistakes:** - Adding new arguments (should be concluding, not extending) - Trailing off ("So... yeah... that's it") - No clear call to action (audience doesn't know what to do) --- ## Alternative Structures ### Monroe's Motivated Sequence (for action-oriented speeches) 1. **Attention** - Hook the audience 2. **Need** - Establish the problem 3. **Satisfaction** - Present your solution 4. **Visualization** - Show the future with/without solution 5. **Action** - Call for specific action ### Problem-Solution-Benefit (for proposals) 1. **Problem** - What's wrong? 2. **Solution** - What you propose 3. **Benefits** - Why it's worth it 4. **Implementation** - How it works 5. **Call to action** ### STAR (for case studies and examples) 1. **Situation** - Context 2. **Task** - Challenge faced 3. **Action** - What was done 4. **Result** - Outcome achieved --- ## Workflow ### Step 1: Gather and Review Inputs Collect all relevant information: - Review the provided data and context - Identify key parameters and constraints - Clarify any ambiguities or missing information - Establish success criteria ### Step 2: Analyze the Situation Perform systematic analysis: - Identify patterns and relationships - Evaluate against established frameworks - Consider multiple perspectives - Document key findings ### Step 3: Generate Recommendations Create actionable outputs: - Synthesize insights from analysis - Prioritize recommendations by impact - Ensure recommendations are specific and measurable - Consider implementation feasibility ## Output Format ```markdown ## Speech Architecture: [Topic] ### Recommended Structure **I. Exordium (Introduction)** - [Time/length suggestion] [Opening hook suggestion] [Thesis/preview statement] **II. Narratio (Background)** - [Time/length] [Context to establish] [Story or framing] **III. Partitio (Outline)** - [Brief] [How to preview the structure] **IV. Confirmatio (Proof)** - [Main body time] - Point 1: [Claim + evidence + significance] - Point 2: [Claim + evidence + significance] - Point 3: [Claim + evidence + significance] **V. Refutatio (Objections)** - [Time] [Key objection(s) to address] [Recommended approach] **VI. Peroratio (Conclusion)** - [Time] [Summary approach] [Emotional appeal] [Specific call to action] ### Transitions [Suggested transition language between sections] ### Alternative Structure Considered [If another structure might work better, note it and why] ``` --- ## Constraints - Recommend ONE primary structure, even if alternatives are mentioned - Provide specific language for transitions and openings - Time/length suggestions should be proportional (e.g., 10% intro, 60% body, 10% objections, 20% conclusion for persuasive speech) - Note when to deviate from classical structure and why - Consider audience hostility level in structure recommendations --- ## Outputs **Primary Output:** A structured analysis document that identifies and articulates patterns, insights, and actionable recommendations based on the input data. **Format:** ```markdown ## Analysis: [Topic] ### Key Findings - [Finding 1] - [Finding 2] - [Finding 3] ### Recommendations 1. [Action 1] 2. [Action 2] 3. [Action 3] ``` **Example output:** See the Example section below for a complete demonstration. ## Example **Input:** "I have a 15-minute slot to pitch our startup to investors. I have information about the problem, our solution, the team, traction, and our ask." **Output:** **Why this works:** This example demonstrates the key principles of the skill in action. The approach is effective because: - It follows the systematic workflow outlined above - It shows concrete application of the framework - It produces actionable, specific outputs rather than vague generalizations - The analysis is grounded in observable details - The recommendations are prioritized and implementable **Alternative applications:** This same approach can be applied to: - Different contexts within the same domain - Related but distinct problem types - Scaled up or down depending on scope - Combined with complementary analytical frameworks ## Speech Architecture: Investor Pitch ### Recommended Structure **I. Exordium (1 min)** Open with the problem, made vivid: "Last week, a hospital in Texas lost a patient because they couldn't find the right specialist in time. This happens 40 times a day in the US." Thesis: "We've built the solution, and we're here to ask you to help us scale it." **II. Narratio (2 min)** Brief market context: - Size of healthcare coordination problem - Why existing solutions fail - The moment of insight that led to founding **III. Partitio (30 sec)** "I'll show you the product, share our traction, introduce the team, and tell you exactly what we need." **IV. Confirmatio (8 min)** - **Product** (2 min): Demo or clear explanation. Show, don't tell. - **Traction** (2 min): Numbers that matter. Growth rate, retention, revenue. - **Team** (2 min): Why you can execute. Relevant experience. Key hires. - **Business model** (2 min): How you make money. Unit economics if favorable. **V. Refutatio (1.5 min)** Address the obvious objection: "You might wonder why the incumbents won't just copy this." Answer directly and confidently. **VI. Peroratio (2 min)** - Summary: "We've found product-market fit in a massive market with a team that can execute." - Vision: "In five years, no patient will die waiting for a specialist connection." - The Ask: "We're raising $5M. We've got $3M committed. We'd love to show you a demo and talk terms." ### Transitions - Problem to solution: "That's the problem. Here's what we built." - Traction to team: "These numbers are because of who's building this." - Before the ask: "Let me tell you exactly what we need." ### Note The classical order works well here, but Traction before Product is an alternative if your numbers are your strongest asset. Lead with your best card. --- ## Integration This skill is part of the **Cicero** expert persona and elaborates the Dispositio canon from the Five Canons Analysis. Use Speech Architecture when structure is the primary need; use Five Canons Analysis for comprehensive preparation.