Write down every bit of information you think you might want to use in your speech. Do not worry right now about order, relevance or anything else. This is like a brainstorming session for a creative project, only you are listing facts rather than ideas. Once you have a list of all the facts you will present in your speech, re-write each point on its own 3x5 or index card.
Read through all of the index cards. Then read through them a second time, but this time begin putting the cards in piles, grouping information that fits into the same main idea. Do not worry about how many ideas you have right now. Any card that does not fit into a pile should be given its own pile for now.
Assess your piles of index cards. Look at the cards that do not fit with any of your main points. Ask yourself if these cards really fit the topic of the speech. If they do not, throw them out. If they are vital to the speech, you need to add more information to bulk up this point. If any of your piles have significantly more cards than the other piles, look through the pile to see if any of the information can be weeded out.
Determine the order of the main points for your speech and write them down on a piece of paper, labeling them with Roman numerals. Next go through each point and arrange the cards in the order you will mention the information in your speech. On your paper, make bullet points for the information on each individual index card you made under the proper main points. Summarize each of these bits of information in a few words for a short speech or one sentence for a long speech.
Write an introduction and a conclusion for your speech outline. Unlike the rest of the speech, you should actually write out word-for-word what you want to say for these parts of your speech in case you get hit with a case of nerves. Remember, the introduction should include a thesis statement that tells the audience what you are going to tell them about. The conclusion should summarize what you just told them.
Transfer your speech to index cards. Write each main idea on the top of a card in large print and write down the bullet points underneath it. Each card will then have all the information you need for one main point of your speech. This will make it easier to get through your speech in an organized and professional manner.