How to Write and Give A Speech

How should a speech be structured? Introduction Body Conclusion

What is the purpose of your speech? Decide on the message that you want to give to this group. Do you what to congratulate them on their accomplishments, advise on the road ahead or…

Choose A Theme The key to writing good speeches lies in using a theme. If you always refer back to this theme, the audience will respond positively and remember your words. This means that inspirational quotes, anecdotes and jokes should be integrated into your speech in a way that makes sense.

Get Their Attention Nobody likes to be bored. So put yourself in your audience's shoes. Find an interesting way to start your speech.

First, you must decide who will make up your audience First, you must decide who will make up your audience. In a promotion speech, you are addressing your fellow classmates. However, parents, grandparents, teachers and administrators will also be present.

While you will be focusing on people your age, what you say must be in line with the dignity of the ceremony itself. Remembering that, think of the ONE thought with which you want to leave your audience.

What’s your message? Write your main message in one sentence and in plain language. Think about your main message and write your closing statement One technique, which ties everything together, is to open and close with the same statement.

Why only one idea? Mainly because if you reinforce a single point instead of focusing on entirely different ideas, your audience will have a greater tendency to remember it. A speech does not lend itself to having many themes. Stick with one really good theme, and use each point you make, your theme reinforcers, to bring that idea home. Remember, you only have two - three minutes for your speech!

End With a Bang! End your speech with a rousing conclusion. Leave people feeling excited and that's what they'll remember about you.

Remember that you're writing a speech, not an essay Remember that you're writing a speech, not an essay. People will hear the speech, not read it. The more conversational you can make it sound, the better. So try these tips:

Write Like You Talk Always read your speech aloud while you're writing it. You'll hear right away if you sound like a book or a real person talking!

Use short sentences. It’s better to write two simple sentences than one long complicated sentence.

Use contractions. Say "I'm" instead of "I am" "we're" instead of "we are."

Don't use big words that you wouldn't use when talking to someone.

You don't have to follow all the rules of written English grammar You don't have to follow all the rules of written English grammar. "Like this. See? Got it? Hope so." People don't always talk in complete sentences with verbs and nouns. So try to write like people talk.

Step 2: Say It After you've written your speech, it's time to practice saying it.

Never underestimate the power of the pause Never underestimate the power of the pause. Pauses provide both you and your audience with a moment to think and reflect upon what was just said. Pauses are also important ways to underscore humor or new facts or information.

Mark Up Your Script

Practice Practice your speech with someone else and ask for input.

Make (and maintain) eye contact with individual members of your audience. Seek out smiling, friendly faces and speak directly to those people. Be sure to make eye contact with several different audience members and work your eyes (and smiles) around the room.

As a rule of thumb, a single-spaced, typed page should take 3 to 4 minutes to read through at the correct pace. If it takes less, you're going too fast.

Your speech is due Thursday! Do your best. Be prepared to present your speech in class.