In which section of your outline should the specific purpose be placed?

Placing the specific purpose at the top of your outline is essential because this positioning gives a clear focus to your speech from the very beginning. The specific purpose is a concise statement that defines what you intend to achieve with your speech, guiding both your preparation and your audience's understanding. By placing it at the top, you establish the main goal right away, which helps to frame the rest of the content that follows in the outline.

Additionally, having the specific purpose at the beginning allows you and your audience to stay aligned throughout the presentation. It serves as a reference point as you progress through your points, keeping the speech coherent and directly related to the intended outcome. This way, the audience can grasp the main idea early on and better follow how each part contributes to achieving that purpose.