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How to write a good speech in 7 steps
By: Susan Dugdale
- an easily followed format for writing a great speech
Did you know writing a speech doesn't have be an anxious, nail biting experience?
Unsure? Don't be.
You may have lived with the idea you were never good with words for a long time. Or perhaps giving speeches at school brought you out in cold sweats.
However learning how to write a speech is relatively straight forward when you learn to write out loud.
And that's the journey I am offering to take you on: step by step.
To learn quickly, go slow
Take all the time you need. This speech writing format has 7 steps, each building on the next.
Walk, rather than run, your way through all of them. Don't be tempted to rush. Familiarize yourself with the ideas. Try them out.
I know there are well-advertised short cuts and promises of 'write a speech in 5 minutes'. However in reality they only truly work for somebody who already has the basic foundations of speech writing in place.
The foundation of good speech writing
These steps are the backbone of sound speech preparation. Learn and follow them well at the outset and yes, given more experience and practice you could probably flick something together quickly. Like any skill, the more it's used, the easier it gets.
In the meantime...
Step 1: Begin with a speech overview or outline
Are you in a hurry? Without time to read a whole page? Grab ... The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist And come back to get the details later.
- WHO you are writing your speech for (your target audience)
- WHY you are preparing this speech. What's the main purpose of your speech? Is it to inform or tell your audience about something? To teach them a new skill or demonstrate something? To persuade or to entertain? (See 4 types of speeches: informative, demonstrative, persuasive and special occasion or entertaining for more.) What do you want them to think, feel or do as a result of listening the speech?
- WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic) - You'll want to have thought through your main points and have ranked them in order of importance. And have sorted the supporting research you need to make those points effectively.
- HOW much time you have for your speech eg. 3 minutes, 5 minutes... The amount of time you've been allocated dictates how much content you need. If you're unsure check this page: how many words per minute in a speech: a quick reference guide . You'll find estimates of the number of words required for 1 - 10 minute speeches by slow, medium and fast talkers.
Use an outline
The best way to make sure you deliver an effective speech is to start by carefully completing a speech outline covering the essentials: WHO, WHY, WHAT and HOW.
Beginning to write without thinking your speech through is a bit like heading off on a journey not knowing why you're traveling or where you're going to end up. You can find yourself lost in a deep, dark, murky muddle of ideas very quickly!
Pulling together a speech overview or outline is a much safer option. It's the map you'll follow to get where you want to go.
Get a blank speech outline template to complete
Click the link to find out a whole lot more about preparing a speech outline . ☺ You'll also find a free printable blank speech outline template. I recommend using it!
Understanding speech construction
Before you begin to write, using your completed outline as a guide, let's briefly look at what you're aiming to prepare.
- an opening or introduction
- the body where the bulk of the information is given
- and an ending (or summary).
Imagine your speech as a sandwich
If you think of a speech as a sandwich you'll get the idea.
The opening and ending are the slices of bread holding the filling (the major points or the body of your speech) together.
You can build yourself a simple sandwich with one filling (one big idea) or you could go gourmet and add up to three or, even five. The choice is yours.
But whatever you choose to serve, as a good cook, you need to consider who is going to eat it! And that's your audience.
So let's find out who they are before we do anything else.
Step 2: Know who you are talking to
Understanding your audience.
Did you know a good speech is never written from the speaker's point of view? ( If you need to know more about why check out this page on building rapport .)
Begin with the most important idea/point on your outline.
Consider HOW you can explain (show, tell) that to your audience in the most effective way for them to easily understand it.
Writing from the audience's point of view
To help you write from an audience point of view, it's a good idea to identify either a real person or the type of person who is most likely to be listening to you.
Make sure you select someone who represents the "majority" of the people who will be in your audience. That is they are neither struggling to comprehend you at the bottom of your scale or light-years ahead at the top.
Now imagine they are sitting next to you eagerly waiting to hear what you're going to say. Give them a name, for example, Joe, to help make them real.
Ask yourself
- How do I need to tailor my information to meet Joe's needs? For example, do you tell personal stories to illustrate your main points? Absolutely! Yes. This is a very powerful technique. (Click storytelling in speeches to find out more.)
- What type or level of language is right for Joe as well as my topic? For example, if I use jargon (activity, industry or profession specific vocabulary) will it be understood?
Step 3: Writing as you speak
Writing oral language.
Write down what you want to say about your first main point as if you were talking directly to Joe.
If it helps, say it all out loud before you write it down and/or record it.
Use the information below as a guide
(Click to download The Characteristics of Spoken Language as a pdf.)
You do not have to write absolutely everything you're going to say down * but you do need to write down, or outline, the sequence of ideas to ensure they are logical and easily followed.
Remember too, to explain or illustrate your point with examples from your research.
( * Tip: If this is your first speech the safety net of having everything written down could be just what you need. It's easier to recover from a patch of jitters when you have a word by word manuscript than if you have either none, or a bare outline. Your call!)
Step 4: Checking tone and language
The focus of this step is re-working what you've done in Step 2 and 3.
You identified who you were talking to (Step 2) and in Step 3, wrote up your first main point. Is it right? Have you made yourself clear? Check it.
How well you complete this step depends on how well you understand the needs of the people who are going to listen to your speech.
Please do not assume because you know what you're talking about the person (Joe) you've chosen to represent your audience will too. Joe is not a mind-reader!
How to check what you've prepared
- Check the "tone" of your language . Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?
- Check the length of your sentences. You need short sentences. If they're too long or complicated you risk losing your listeners.
Check for jargon too. These are industry, activity or group exclusive words.
For instance take the phrase: authentic learning . This comes from teaching and refers to connecting lessons to the daily life of students. Authentic learning is learning that is relevant and meaningful for students. If you're not a teacher you may not understand the phrase.
The use of any vocabulary requiring insider knowledge needs to be thought through from the audience perspective. Jargon can close people out.
- Read what you've written out loud. If it flows naturally, in a logical manner, continue the process with your next main idea. If it doesn't, rework.
We use whole sentences and part ones, and we mix them up with asides or appeals e.g. "Did you get that? Of course you did. Right...Let's move it along. I was saying ..."
Click for more about the differences between spoken and written language .
And now repeat the process
Repeat this process for the remainder of your main ideas.
Because you've done the first one carefully, the rest should follow fairly easily.
Step 5: Use transitions
Providing links or transitions between main ideas.
Between each of your main ideas you need to provide a bridge or pathway for your audience. The clearer the pathway or bridge, the easier it is for them to make the transition from one idea to the next.
If your speech contains more than three main ideas and each is building on the last, then consider using a "catch-up" or summary as part of your transitions.
Is your speech being evaluated? Find out exactly what aspects you're being assessed on using this standard speech evaluation form
Link/transition examples
A link can be as simple as:
"We've explored one scenario for the ending of Block Buster 111, but let's consider another. This time..."
What follows this transition is the introduction of Main Idea Two.
Here's a summarizing link/transition example:
"We've ended Blockbuster 111 four ways so far. In the first, everybody died. In the second, everybody died BUT their ghosts remained to haunt the area. In the third, one villain died. His partner reformed and after a fight-out with the hero, they both strode off into the sunset, friends forever. In the fourth, the hero dies in a major battle but is reborn sometime in the future.
And now what about one more? What if nobody died? The fifth possibility..."
Go back through your main ideas checking the links. Remember Joe as you go. Try each transition or link out loud and really listen to yourself. Is it obvious? Easily followed?
Keep them if they are clear and concise.
For more about transitions (with examples) see Andrew Dlugan's excellent article, Speech Transitions: Magical words and Phrases .
Step 6: The end of your speech
The ideal ending is highly memorable . You want it to live on in the minds of your listeners long after your speech is finished. Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major points.
Example speech endings
Example 1: The desired outcome of a speech persuading people to vote for you in an upcoming election is that they get out there on voting day and do so. You can help that outcome along by calling them to register their support by signing a prepared pledge statement as they leave.
"We're agreed we want change. You can help us give it to you by signing this pledge statement as you leave. Be part of the change you want to see!
Example 2: The desired outcome is increased sales figures. The call to action is made urgent with the introduction of time specific incentives.
"You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours. Can you do it? Will you do it? The kids will love it. Your wife will love it. Do it now!"
How to figure out the right call to action
A clue for working out what the most appropriate call to action might be, is to go back to your original purpose for giving the speech.
- Was it to motivate or inspire?
- Was it to persuade to a particular point of view?
- Was it to share specialist information?
- Was it to celebrate a person, a place, time or event?
Ask yourself what you want people to do as a result of having listened to your speech.
For more about ending speeches
Visit this page for more about how to end a speech effectively . You'll find two additional types of speech endings with examples.
Write and test
Write your ending and test it out loud. Try it out on a friend, or two. Is it good? Does it work?
Step 7: The introduction
Once you've got the filling (main ideas) the linking and the ending in place, it's time to focus on the introduction.
The introduction comes last as it's the most important part of your speech. This is the bit that either has people sitting up alert or slumped and waiting for you to end. It's the tone setter!
What makes a great speech opening?
Ideally you want an opening that makes listening to you the only thing the 'Joes' in the audience want to do.
You want them to forget they're hungry or that their chair is hard or that their bills need paying.
The way to do that is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with a "hook".
Hooks to catch your audience's attention
Hooks come in as many forms as there are speeches and audiences. Your task is work out what specific hook is needed to catch your audience.
Go back to the purpose. Why are you giving this speech?
Once you have your answer, consider your call to action. What do you want the audience to do, and, or take away, as a result of listening to you?
Next think about the imaginary or real person you wrote for when you were focusing on your main ideas.
Choosing the best hook
- Is it humor?
- Would shock tactics work?
- Is it a rhetorical question?
- Is it formality or informality?
- Is it an outline or overview of what you're going to cover, including the call to action?
- Or is it a mix of all these elements?
A hook example
Here's an example from a fictional political speech. The speaker is lobbying for votes. His audience are predominately workers whose future's are not secure.
"How's your imagination this morning? Good? (Pause for response from audience) Great, I'm glad. Because we're going to put it to work starting right now.
I want you to see your future. What does it look like? Are you happy? Is everything as you want it to be? No? Let's change that. We could do it. And we could do it today.
At the end of this speech you're going to be given the opportunity to change your world, for a better one ...
No, I'm not a magician. Or a simpleton with big ideas and precious little commonsense. I'm an ordinary man, just like you. And I have a plan to share!"
And then our speaker is off into his main points supported by examples. The end, which he has already foreshadowed in his opening, is the call to vote for him.
Prepare several hooks
Experiment with several openings until you've found the one that serves your audience, your subject matter and your purpose best.
For many more examples of speech openings go to: how to write a speech introduction . You'll find 12 of the very best ways to start a speech.
That completes the initial seven steps towards writing your speech. If you've followed them all the way through, congratulations, you now have the text of your speech!
Although you might have the words, you're still a couple of steps away from being ready to deliver them. Both of them are essential if you want the very best outcome possible. They are below. Please take them.
Step 8: Checking content and timing
This step pulls everything together.
Check once, check twice, check three times & then once more!
Go through your speech really carefully.
On the first read through check you've got your main points in their correct order with supporting material, plus an effective introduction and ending.
On the second read through check the linking passages or transitions making sure they are clear and easily followed.
On the third reading check your sentence structure, language use and tone.
Double, triple check the timing
Now go though once more.
This time read it aloud slowly and time yourself.
If it's too long for the time allowance you've been given make the necessary cuts.
Start by looking at your examples rather than the main ideas themselves. If you've used several examples to illustrate one principal idea, cut the least important out.
Also look to see if you've repeated yourself unnecessarily or, gone off track. If it's not relevant, cut it.
Repeat the process, condensing until your speech fits the required length, preferably coming in just under your time limit.
You can also find out how approximately long it will take you to say the words you have by using this very handy words to minutes converter . It's an excellent tool, one I frequently use. While it can't give you a precise time, it does provide a reasonable estimate.
Step 9: Rehearsing your speech
And NOW you are finished with writing the speech, and are ready for REHEARSAL .
Please don't be tempted to skip this step. It is not an extra thrown in for good measure. It's essential.
The "not-so-secret" secret of successful speeches combines good writing with practice, practice and then, practicing some more.
Go to how to practice public speaking and you'll find rehearsal techniques and suggestions to boost your speech delivery from ordinary to extraordinary.
The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist
Before you begin writing you need:.
- Your speech OUTLINE with your main ideas ranked in the order you're going to present them. (If you haven't done one complete this 4 step sample speech outline . It will make the writing process much easier.)
- Your RESEARCH
- You also need to know WHO you're speaking to, the PURPOSE of the speech and HOW long you're speaking for
The basic format
- the body where you present your main ideas
Split your time allowance so that you spend approximately 70% on the body and 15% each on the introduction and ending.
How to write the speech
- Write your main ideas out incorporating your examples and research
- Link them together making sure each flows in a smooth, logical progression
- Write your ending, summarizing your main ideas briefly and end with a call for action
- Write your introduction considering the 'hook' you're going to use to get your audience listening
- An often quoted saying to explain the process is: Tell them what you're going to tell them (Introduction) Tell them (Body of your speech - the main ideas plus examples) Tell them what you told them (The ending)
TEST before presenting. Read aloud several times to check the flow of material, the suitability of language and the timing.
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Speech Writing
The 10 Key Steps for Perfect Speech Writing
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Writing a good speech is tough. Many get stuck not knowing how to organize their thoughts, leading to boring speeches.
Our guide breaks it down step by step, so you can write speeches that really connect. Plus, we’ve added some topics, examples, and tips to inspire you and give you a kickstart.
So, let’s start with the basics!
- 1. What is Speech Writing?
- 2. Elements of Good Speech Writing
- 3. How to Write a Speech?
- 4. Speech Writing Format
- 5. Types Of Speech Writing
- 6. Speech Writing Topics
- 7. Speech Writing Examples
- 8. Speech Writing Tips
What is Speech Writing?
A speech is a verbal presentation given to an audience as a means to express ideas, share information, or persuade others. A speech can serve various purposes such as informing, persuading, entertaining, or inspiring the listeners.
Speech writing is the process of creating a clear and organized script for a spoken presentation. This involves planning the content, choosing the right tone, and structuring the speech so the message is communicated clearly to the audience.
Speech writers carefully choose words , phrases , and rhetorical devices to maximize the impact of the spoken words. They aim to engage, inform, persuade, or inspire the listeners. Good speech writing is a skill that requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail.
Elements of Good Speech Writing
Writing a great speech is all about getting a few things right. Let's break down what makes a speech really work:
- Clear and to the Point: Make sure your message is crystal clear and focused. Know what you want to say and stick to it.
- Know Your Audience: Understand who you're talking to. What do they care about? What do they already know? Customize your speech to fit their interests and level of understanding.
- Start Strong: Grab your audience's attention from the get-go. Use a catchy opening line or an interesting fact to hook them in right away.
- Keep it Organized: A good speech flows smoothly from one point to the next. Divide it into sections—beginning, middle, and end—and make sure each part connects logically to the next.
- Stay on Topic: Don't overload your speech with too much information. Stick to your main message and use examples that support it.
- End Strong: Finish your speech with a bang. Summarize your main points and leave your audience with something to think about or act on.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your speech until you're confident. Pay attention to your pace, tone, and body language to make sure you're delivering your message effectively.
Now that you know what elements make a good speech, let’s look into the steps to write one.
How to Write a Speech?
Writing a good speech that engages your audience requires careful planning and execution.
Whether you're preparing a persuasive presentation or an informative talk the following ten steps will guide you from the initial concept to the final delivery:
Step 1: Define Your Purpose and Audience
Begin by identifying the main objective of your speech. Are you looking to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire your audience? Understanding your purpose will shape the tone, content, and structure of your speech.
Know your audience's demographics, interests, and expectations. Consider factors such as age, education, beliefs, and cultural background. Tailor your speech to resonate with your specific audience.
Step 2: Choose a Topic
Select a topic that aligns with your purpose and audience's interest . Ensure your topic is not too broad or too narrow. You should be able to cover it effectively within your allotted time.
Step 3: Research and Gather Information
Thoroughly research your chosen topic . Utilize reputable sources such as books, articles, academic journals, and trusted websites.
Take detailed notes during your research to have a wealth of information and supporting evidence for your speech.
Step 4: Create a Strong Thesis or Central Message
Your thesis statement is the core message of your speech. It should be clear, concise, and specific. It encapsulates the key idea you want to convey to your audience. This statement will guide the content and structure of your speech.
Step 5: Develop an Outline
Divide your speech into three main sections: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion . Each section serves a distinct purpose.
Outline the main points you want to cover within the body of the speech. Organize them logically, and ensure each point supports your thesis.
Step 6: Write the Introduction
Craft a compelling introduction that captures your audience's attention . Use a hook, such as a relevant quote, story, or question, to pique their interest.
Provide context to help your audience understand the topic, and introduce your thesis statement to set the direction for your speech.
Step 7: Build the Body
In this section, expand on the main points outlined earlier. Each main point should be a clear and distinct idea.
Support your points with evidence, examples, and data. Use transitions to guide your audience smoothly from one point to the next, creating a coherent flow.
Step 8: Craft a Memorable Conclusion
Summarize the key points you've made in the body of your speech. Reiterate your thesis statement to reinforce your central message .
End with a compelling closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. This can be a call to action, a thought-provoking statement, or a memorable quote.
Step 9: Edit and Revise
Review your speech for clarity , grammar , and coherence . Check for any inconsistencies or unclear language and make the necessary changes.
Step 10: Practice and Rehearse
Practice your speech multiple times to become familiar with the content and the order of your points.
Work on your delivery skills , including tone, pace, and body language. Practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself can help you identify areas for improvement.
Bonus Step: Get Feedback
If possible, conduct a practice run in front of a small audience. This can be friends, family, or classmates.
Listen to their feedback and address any concerns or suggestions. Incorporating feedback can significantly enhance your speech.
Speech Writing Format
Creating an impactful speech requires following a structured speech format to ensure that your message is conveyed clearly and engages your audience.
Here is a standard speech writing pattern to guide you through the process:
1. Introduction:
- Hook: Start the speech with a compelling hook, such as a question, quote, anecdote, or startling fact, to grab the audience's attention.
- Provide Context: Give your audience a brief overview of the topic and its relevance.
- Thesis Statement: Present your central message or thesis statement, which sets the direction for the speech.
- Main Points: Divide the body of your speech into two to five main points or sections, each supporting your thesis statement.
- Supporting Evidence: For each main point, provide supporting evidence, data, examples, or anecdotes to make your argument compelling.
- Transitions: Use clear transitions between points to maintain a smooth and coherent flow throughout the speech.
3. Conclusion:
- Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the main points you've covered in the body of your speech.
- Restate Thesis: Rewrite your thesis statement to reinforce your central message.
- Closing Statement: End with a memorable closing statement that leaves a lasting impression, which can be a call to action, a thought-provoking idea, or a final quote.
To get started, you can check out this speech writing template:
Learn more about speech format in this insightful read to get a better understanding!
Types Of Speech Writing
There are many types of speeches , and they are combined into different categories. We will take a look at some basic types of speech writing:
Informative Speeches
Persuasive speeches, entertaining speeches, motivational speeches, special occasion speeches.
Now, let's explore each type in more detail:
An informative speech aims to educate or provide information to the audience. These speeches typically focus on facts, data, and explanations.
Examples: Informative speeches can cover a wide range of topics, such as scientific discoveries, historical events, technological advancements, or explanations of complex concepts.
A persuasive speech aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. These speeches often employ persuasive techniques and emotional appeals.
Examples: Persuasive speeches can address issues like climate change, social justice, political candidates, or consumer choices, urging the audience to support a particular stance or take action.
Entertaining speeches are designed to amuse and entertain the audience. They often include humor, anecdotes, and storytelling.
Examples: Stand-up comedy routines, humorous storytelling, and funny anecdotes are examples of entertaining speeches.
Motivational speeches are meant to motivate and uplift the audience. They often incorporate personal stories, motivational quotes, and themes of resilience and hope.
Examples: Speeches by notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" address social change. Others like commencement speeches inspire graduates to embrace the future.
Special occasion speeches are delivered during specific events or celebrations. These speeches can include toasts, eulogies, wedding speeches, and more.
Examples: A eulogy at a funeral, a wedding toast, or a commencement address at a graduation ceremony are all examples of special occasion speeches.
Speech Writing Topics
The topic is the first and foremost thing that you need to write a speech. Here are some amazing speech-writing topic ideas to help you get started.
Persuasive Speech Topics
- The impact of climate change on our future
- Social media and mental health: is it time for regulation?
- The importance of vaccination in preventing disease outbreaks
- The ethics of artificial intelligence and privacy
- The benefits of renewable energy for a sustainable future
Find more persuasive speech topics in our extensive list.
Demonstration Speech Topics
- How to create a delicious and healthy smoothie bowl
- DIY home renovation: painting techniques and tips
- The art of crafting homemade natural soap
- Mastering Yoga: a guided sun salutation sequence
- Gardening for beginners: planting your first vegetable garden
Impromptu Speech Topics
- If I could travel anywhere in the world right now, I would go to...
- The most influential person in my life and why.
- What superpower I wish I had and how I'd use it.
- A book that changed my perspective on life.
- The best piece of advice I've ever received and how it impacted me.
For more inspiring topics check out our impromptu speech topics blog!
Entertaining Speech Topics
- The art of dad jokes: Making people laugh with cheesy humor.
- Embarrassing moments at family gatherings: A humorous take.
- Hilarious autocorrect fails in text messaging.
- The funny side of pets and their quirky behaviors.
- Epic food mishaps in the kitchen: Tales of culinary disasters.
Check out our blog for more entertaining speech topics !
Informative Speech Topics
- The science behind Covid-19 vaccines
- Exploring the history and impact of the internet
- The art of sustainable gardening and urban farming
- Understanding cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
- The wonders of space exploration: mars missions and beyond
Find more interesting topics for informative speeches to get inspired.
Motivational Speech Topics
- “I’m proud of you my son” someday, my dad will say this to me
- Positive thinking boosts your self-confidence.
- It is perfectly fine for a boy to cry.
- Same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt a child
- I will make my parents proud
Looking for more inspirational speech topics? Read our motivational speech topics blog to get inspired!
Speech Writing Examples
When it comes to learning the art of speech writing practical guidance is important. To show effective speech writing techniques and structure, here are some short speech writing examples for students.
These speech writing samples will help you understand how to craft compelling speeches that resonate with your audience.
Example#2
Here is another example of speech writing class 11:
For additional samples, read through our speech examples blog!
Speech Writing Tips
Follow these tips for writing a speech that not only informs but also inspires and persuades.
- Audience Analysis: Before you start, conduct a thorough audience analysis. Understand their interests, knowledge, and expectations.
- Engaging Speech: Craft an engaging speech that captures your audience's attention from the start. Use rhetorical questions or captivating anecdotes.
- Short Sentences: Keep your sentences concise and easy to follow. Short sentences are more impactful.
- Connect with the Audience: Make your audience feel involved. Use relatable examples and stories to establish a connection.
- Great Speech Structure: Organize your speech with a clear structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Rhetorical Questions: Utilize rhetorical questions to stimulate thought and engagement.
- Memorable Sentence Structures: Create memorable sentence structures that stick in their memory and the audience remembers the key message.
- Public Speaking: Remember that public speaking requires practice, so rehearse your speech multiple times to boost confidence and delivery.
Moving towards the end , for effective communication, speech writing is a skill that can empower you to inform, persuade, and inspire your audience. This comprehensive guide has walked you through the essential steps, outlines, and examples to help you craft a compelling and memorable speech.
If you think you are good at speaking but not so good at writing and this thing bothers you a lot, then there is no harm in getting some help. We at MyPerfectWords.com can save you from embarrassment by helping you write an outstanding speech.
With our custom essay writing help, you'll buy speech that not only communicates your message effectively but also grabs your audience's attention.
So request ' just do my essay ' today and get solution to all your writing worries!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good sentence starter for a speech.
In speech writing starting lines play a crucial role. You can start your speech with the following:
- Thought provoking question: "Have you ever wondered what it takes to change the world?"
- A powerful quote: "As Nelson Mandela once said, 'It always seems impossible until it's done.'"
- A surprising fact: "Did you know that every minute, over 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube?"
- An engaging story: "Let me tell you about a young girl who defied all odds to achieve her dreams."
What are the 10 principles of speech writing?
- Clarity: Make sure your message is clear and easily understandable.
- Purpose: Define the main objective of your speech and stick to it.
- Audience Awareness: Understand your audience's demographics, interests, and expectations.
- Structure: Organize your speech into introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Content Relevance: Choose topics and information that are relevant and meaningful to your audience.
- Engagement: Use storytelling, humor, and rhetorical devices to keep your audience interested.
- Authenticity: Speak sincerely to establish trust and connection with your audience.
- Language: Use simple and concise language appropriate for your audience.
- Impact: Deliver a memorable message that leaves a lasting impression.
- Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times for smooth delivery and confidence.
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- Speech Topics For Kids
- How To Write A Speech
How to Write a Speech: A Guide to Enhance Your Writing Skills
Speech is a medium to convey a message to the world. It is a way of expressing your views on a topic or a way to showcase your strong opposition to a particular idea. To deliver an effective speech, you need a strong and commanding voice, but more important than that is what you say. Spending time in preparing a speech is as vital as presenting it well to your audience.
Read the article to learn what all you need to include in a speech and how to structure it.
Table of Contents
- Self-Introduction
The Opening Statement
Structuring the speech, choice of words, authenticity, writing in 1st person, tips to write a speech, frequently asked questions on speech, how to write a speech.
Writing a speech on any particular topic requires a lot of research. It also has to be structured well in order to properly get the message across to the target audience. If you have ever listened to famous orators, you would have noticed the kind of details they include when speaking about a particular topic, how they present it and how their speeches motivate and instill courage in people to work towards an individual or shared goal. Learning how to write such effective speeches can be done with a little guidance. So, here are a few points you can keep in mind when writing a speech on your own. Go through each of them carefully and follow them meticulously.
Self Introduction
When you are writing or delivering a speech, the very first thing you need to do is introduce yourself. When you are delivering a speech for a particular occasion, there might be a master of ceremony who might introduce you and invite you to share your thoughts. Whatever be the case, always remember to say one or two sentences about who you are and what you intend to do.
Introductions can change according to the nature of your target audience. It can be either formal or informal based on the audience you are addressing. Here are a few examples.
Addressing Friends/Classmates/Peers
- Hello everyone! I am ________. I am here to share my views on _________.
- Good morning friends. I, _________, am here to talk to you about _________.
Addressing Teachers/Higher Authorities
- Good morning/afternoon/evening. Before I start, I would like to thank _______ for giving me an opportunity to share my thoughts about ________ here today.
- A good day to all. I, __________, on behalf of _________, am standing here today to voice out my thoughts on _________.
It is said that the first seven seconds is all that a human brain requires to decide whether or not to focus on something. So, it is evident that a catchy opening statement is the factor that will impact your audience. Writing a speech does require a lot of research, and structuring it in an interesting, informative and coherent manner is something that should be done with utmost care.
When given a topic to speak on, the first thing you can do is brainstorm ideas and pen down all that comes to your mind. This will help you understand what aspect of the topic you want to focus on. With that in mind, you can start drafting your speech.
An opening statement can be anything that is relevant to the topic. Use words smartly to create an impression and grab the attention of your audience. A few ideas on framing opening statements are given below. Take a look.
- Asking an Engaging Question
Starting your speech by asking the audience a question can get their attention. It creates an interest and curiosity in the audience and makes them think about the question. This way, you would have already got their minds ready to listen and think.
- Fact or a Surprising Statement
Surprising the audience with an interesting fact or a statement can draw the attention of the audience. It can even be a joke; just make sure it is relevant. A good laugh would wake up their minds and they would want to listen to what you are going to say next.
- Adding a Quote
After you have found your topic to work on, look for a quote that best suits your topic. The quote can be one said by some famous personality or even from stories, movies or series. As long as it suits your topic and is appropriate to the target audience, use them confidently. Again, finding a quote that is well-known or has scope for deep thought will be your success factor.
To structure your speech easily, it is advisable to break it into three parts or three sections – an introduction, body and conclusion.
- Introduction: Introduce the topic and your views on the topic briefly.
- Body: Give a detailed explanation of your topic. Your focus should be to inform and educate your audience on the said topic.
- Conclusion: Voice out your thoughts/suggestions. Your intention here should be to make them think/act.
While delivering or writing a speech, it is essential to keep an eye on the language you are using. Choose the right kind of words. The person has the liberty to express their views in support or against the topic; just be sure to provide enough evidence to prove the discussed points. See to it that you use short and precise sentences. Your choice of words and what you emphasise on will decide the effect of the speech on the audience.
When writing a speech, make sure to,
- Avoid long, confusing sentences.
- Check the spelling, sentence structure and grammar.
- Not use contradictory words or statements that might cause any sort of issues.
Anything authentic will appeal to the audience, so including anecdotes, personal experiences and thoughts will help you build a good rapport with your audience. The only thing you need to take care is to not let yourself be carried away in the moment. Speak only what is necessary.
Using the 1st person point of view in a speech is believed to be more effective than a third person point of view. Just be careful not to make it too subjective and sway away from the topic.
- Understand the purpose of your speech: Before writing the speech, you must understand the topic and the purpose behind it. Reason out and evaluate if the speech has to be inspiring, entertaining or purely informative.
- Identify your audience: When writing or delivering a speech, your audience play the major role. Unless you know who your target audience is, you will not be able to draft a good and appropriate speech.
- Decide the length of the speech: Whatever be the topic, make sure you keep it short and to the point. Making a speech longer than it needs to be will only make it monotonous and boring.
- Revising and practicing the speech: After writing, it is essential to revise and recheck as there might be minor errors which you might have missed. Edit and revise until you are sure you have it right. Practise as much as required so you do not stammer in front of your audience.
- Mention your takeaways at the end of the speech: Takeaways are the points which have been majorly emphasised on and can bring a change. Be sure to always have a thought or idea that your audience can reflect upon at the end of your speech.
How to write a speech?
Writing a speech is basically about collecting, summarising and structuring your points on a given topic. Do a proper research, prepare multiple drafts, edit and revise until you are sure of the content.
Why is it important to introduce ourselves?
It is essential to introduce yourself while writing a speech, so that your audience or the readers know who the speaker is and understand where you come from. This will, in turn, help them connect with you and your thoughts.
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Writing a speech
Topic outline.
The purpose of a speech is often to inform or persuade an audience.
Speeches are usually written to be spoken directly to an audience and can be used to entertain, influencing the listeners that the viewpoint of the speaker is correct.
Speeches can also be used to encourage the audience to take action or to change their behaviour in some way; for example, to join a particular school club or society, or to recycle more.
The ways you use language and vocabulary when writing the words of a speech will depend on the audience and the purpose you are writing for; for example, in a speech to a group of teachers and parents giving your views on a recent proposal, formal language is most appropriate.
- think about the audience that the speech is for – are you giving your speech to a group of people you know, or do not know, or a mixture of both? If you know your audience well, you may be able to relax a little, but a speech is still a formal kind of talk and would usually not include slang
- whether your audience are likely to disagree with what you say – you will need to consider any possible objections and deal with them. Use language carefully to make objections seem less significant; for example, using phrases like ‘A few people may still think, however’
- the reason you are giving this speech and how you feel about this topic – try to imagine the words of your speech as you would speak them out loud. Your tone of voice must match your message, so choose words that appeal to the emotions of your listeners. Focus on what you want your audience to know and feel by the end of your speech
- how to engage your listeners – f or example, you might use inclusive words or phrases like ‘we’, ‘all of us’ and ‘our’ to make your listeners feel that you are all on the same side.
- Plan where you want to finish your speech and how you will get there before you start writing – t h e structure of a speech is usually in three parts. For example:
- An opening that grabs your audience's attention and makes the overall topic of your speech clear – for example, pose a question to the audience where you can predict the answer.
- A well-structured, supported and developed argument – for example, to support your argument you might use real life examples or anecdotes.
- A powerful conclusion – for example, group your final words or ideas in threes to help make them memorable or end with a thought- provoking question or image and thank your audience for listening.
- Organise your ideas into paragraphs as appropriate – this will help you to develop and support your points convincingly, to build your argument and/or offer a full explanation of a particular point of view.
- S how the connectio ns between ideas in sentences and paragraphs – where a new point or idea follows on from what you have already said you might use linking words or phrases such as, ‘in addition’, ‘likewise’ or ‘similarly’.
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Oct 28, 2024 · Before moving on to the next stage of writing a speech, organize your ideas into a clear outline. This way, you can visualize where each piece of information will fit into the speech. 3 Write a compelling introduction. As you write the speech’s introduction, focus on crafting an engaging hook that captures listeners’ attention and keeps ...
I know there are well-advertised short cuts and promises of 'write a speech in 5 minutes'. However in reality they only truly work for somebody who already has the basic foundations of speech writing in place. The foundation of good speech writing These steps are the backbone of sound speech preparation.
The ways you use language and vocabulary when writing the words of a speech will depend on the audience the purposeand you are writing for ; for example, in a speech to a group of teachers and parents giving your views on a recent proposal, formal language is most appropriate. Tips for writing a speech . Language – think about: •
A speech is an informative talk given to an audience. Watch this video to learn about the key features of writing a powerful speech. Think carefully. If you were listening to a speech, what ...
Reading some famous and incredible sample speeches before writing your own speech is really a good idea. The other way to write an impressive speech is to follow the basic tips given by professional writers. Audience Analysis: Understand your audience's interests, knowledge, and expectations. Tailor your speech to resonate with them.
Speeches are a powerful way of expressing your ideas to others. When writing a speech, you need to think carefully about how you structure it to make sure it is easy for listeners to follow. In ...
Direct speech can be written in a speech first sentence or a speech second sentence. Direct speech always starts with a capital letter. After forming a capital letter, you need to lift your pencil to start the next part of the word. The writing is legible and the letter sizing is consistent.
What is Speech Writing? A speech is a verbal presentation given to an audience as a means to express ideas, share information, or persuade others. A speech can serve various purposes such as informing, persuading, entertaining, or inspiring the listeners. Speech writing is the process of creating a clear and organized script for a spoken ...
Understand the purpose of your speech: Before writing the speech, you must understand the topic and the purpose behind it. Reason out and evaluate if the speech has to be inspiring, entertaining or purely informative. Identify your audience: When writing or delivering a speech, your audience play the major role. Unless you know who your target ...
Plan where you want to finish your speech and how you will get there before you start writing – t h e structure of a speech is usually in three parts. For example: An opening that grabs your audience's attention and makes the overall topic of your speech clear – for example, pose a question to the audience where you can predict the answer.