Write a Speech

 Good speech is simply the art of good conversation carried a step beyond the usual. It is largely through the spoken word that we communicate with each other, develop understanding, exchange knowledge and find mutually acceptable goals. But that’s not about the spoken words only; it’s also about the script that we write. That’s why we need to prepare the written form of our speech as best as we can.

 

Writing the Speech

The common framework used to deliver an idea of speech is as follows:

a)      Opening/ introduction

       Establish topic and core message; list supporting points

b)      Body

          1.      Supporting Point One

          2.      Supporting Point Two

          3.      Supporting Point Three

c)      Conclusion

Recap main points; summarize core message; call-to-action

After you have analyzed your audience, selected the topic, collected supporting materials, and written an outline, it is time to write the speech.

A.     The Introduction

The introduction usually states the purpose of the speech. A good introduction serves as an attention getter, previews the topic and main ideas, and establishes your credibility as a speaker (O'Hair, Rubenstein, & Stewart, 2007). Some good ways to grab attention include using a quotation, telling a story, posing questions, using humor, using startling facts or statistics, providing an illustration or anecdote, or referencing historical or recent events. A preview statement identifies the main points of the speech, helping the audience focus on the key points of the remainder of the presentation.

The audience determines your credibility based on the introduction; they want to know why they should believe what you have to say. Therefore, establishing yourself as a credible speaker in the introduction is imperative, especially for a persuasive speech, so that the audience will want to be persuaded by you. You should include some experience or knowledge that shows why you are credible on the topic.

B.     The Body

The body is the largest part of the speech, where you provide the audience with the major supporting materials. The main points of the speech are contained in this section. Main points should flow from the speech's goal and thesis statement. It is advisable to limit your content to include between two and five main points, with a maximum of seven main points. Speeches with three main points are common. If you have too many main points, your audience will forget them. Focusing on a few points and providing effective supporting points for each makes your speech more memorable. Supporting points are the supporting materials you have collected to justify your main points. These help to substantiate your thesis.

C.     The Conclusion

The conclusion wraps up the presentation by providing a summary of what the audience was supposed to have learned or have been persuaded to do during the presentation. You can signal that the conclusion is approaching by using key phrases, such as "finally," "let me close by saying," "I'd like to stress these three points," and "in conclusion." Because the conclusion is the last opportunity to motivate your listeners, it should end strongly. For a persuasive speech, a strong ending would be a call to action, where you tell the audience members they should do something with the information they have learned.

D.     Tips to Write a Good Speech

You should write the speech like you talk. Follow these writing tips to make your speech as conversational as possible:
 

·         Use short sentences of 20 words or less

You usually do not use long sentences in a conversation. Short sentences—even sentence fragments—are fine for a speech.

·         Avoid complicated sentence structures

Simple sentences that have a subject, verb, and object are perfect for public speaking.

·         Use contractions

"Do not" and "cannot" are usually too formal for most speeches. "Don't" and "can't" are fine. Be careful of contractions ending in "-ve" (e.g., "would've," "could've") because they sound like "would of" and "could of."

·         Avoid jargon or technical language

Use words that your audience knows.

·         Round large numbers.

Detailed numbers should be left out.

·         Use repetition

The same word or phrase used repeatedly emphasizes a major point.

·         Write with visual imagery

Make your listeners "see" what you are saying. Help them visualize the situation you are describing.