Sample IOP Outline

In your oral presentation you will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of your material and evidence of clear organisation. You will have only 10-15 minutes to achieve all this, so you must plan carefully. A good outline will help keep your presentation efficient and purposeful.

The sample structure below shows what this might look like, using a selection of Seamus Heaney's poems.

Proposed Topic: "Childhood and loss of innocence as portrayed in Death of a Naturalist"

Introduction

General comments on the secure happy childhood and the pain of oncoming adolescence

Main body

a) Relationship with father

• admiration for father (and grandfather)
• Wishing to follow in footsteps
• Now wants to write, not farm the land
• Father now stumbling behind him
• Has to take adult responsibility when father cannot cope with tragedy

b) Innocence of the free-spirited young boy and the loss of this innocence

• Love of nature
• Security of home and school life
• Acts according to instincts
• Nightmare images which destroy security
• Nature's "revenge" and broken promises

c) The explorer and the writer

• the wells of his childhood
• The fear of the unknown
• What the adults must do

Conclusion

Synthesis e.g. discuss how Heaney deals with loss of innocence but also sense of freedom.


One whole marking criterion is devoted to organisation and presentation. Contact us if you have questions about your IOP structure.