| Writing a speech is not an easy task. Chances are, | | | | stronger than your first paragraph. Write a conclusion |
| you have to deliver a speech in front of a class, your | | | | that summarizes each of your points, relating back to |
| colleagues, clients, and many other similar audiences. | | | | the main theme of your speech. You may end with a |
| The primary objective of any speech is to deliver a | | | | strong anecdote or a relevant joke to leave a lasting |
| message to the audience by conveying a theme. | | | | impression. |
| Before you start writing, you should give enough | | | | Further Tips |
| time to think about what kind of a theme you want | | | | 1) Use Humor with Caution. |
| to use to deliver your message. For example, if you | | | | Everybody likes a presenter who has a sense of |
| are delivering a speech at a wedding, you might want | | | | humor. However, not everyone has the natural ability |
| to consider the following themes: | | | | to make people laugh. Do not feel obligated that you |
| - Importance of family structure | | | | have to make your audience laugh in your speech. |
| - Value of marriage | | | | Humor is a double-edged sword in public speaking. |
| - Prosperity | | | | Light touch humor works best, such as a personal |
| - Continuity | | | | anecdote. Making fun of oneself or your |
| - Love | | | | acquaintances also works, but be careful not to |
| The key to picking a suitable theme is evaluating who | | | | undermine your own skills or background, as it |
| your audience will be. The theme must be able to | | | | damages your credibility and confidence. |
| relate to the audience so that they are more | | | | 2) Make it dynamic. |
| receptive to your message. Think of issues that your | | | | Unless you are in a crowd of a hundreds or |
| audience may be concerned about. If you are giving | | | | thousands, you may have more fun and feel more |
| a graduation speech, what would your fellow | | | | comfortable if you can involve your audience. Even if |
| graduates be concerned about? Job security? | | | | you have to speak in crowds of a thousand, you can |
| Marriage? If you still have trouble deciding which | | | | still ask rhetorical questions followed by a short pause |
| theme to choose, think of one idea that you want | | | | to help them ponder at some of the points you are |
| your audience to remember after your speech. | | | | trying to get across. |
| Guide to writing a great speech | | | | 3) Keeping it real and simple. |
| 1) Start with an attention grabber | | | | Avoid trying to be too flowery in your speech unless |
| You want to create a curiosity out of your audience | | | | it is required to do so. Reading a boring and |
| and make them wonder what message you are | | | | complicated journal is one thing, but listening to an |
| trying to deliver. You may start with a question or by | | | | unnecessarily complicated speech could be worse. |
| telling a story. Using a strong statement in the very | | | | Use simple sentences that you can speak clearly and |
| beginning is also a good idea as long as your | | | | loudly. |
| examples and points can back it up. Make clear what | | | | 4) Use an active voice. |
| you are trying to deliver early rather than late. | | | | Strong speeches usually require an active voice. |
| 2) Write clear transitions from one point to another. | | | | Remove passive phrases and verbs like has, had and |
| Many make the mistake of assuming that their | | | | are. While trying to keep your sentences simple, do |
| audience will be able to follow their logic. If you have | | | | use longer sentences for the purpose of variety, |
| to many any assumptions at all, assume that your | | | | rhythm and timing. |
| audience knows nothing about what you know. | | | | 5) Use quotes. |
| Structure your speech in a way that will make sure | | | | It's also a good idea to include some famous quotes |
| everybody will be on the same page one point after | | | | by notable speakers in the past. For example, to |
| another. | | | | complement your points, you may say "As Martin |
| 3) Stay focused. | | | | Luther King once said, "I have a dream..." or "As Ralph |
| Many speech writers get bogged down on one point | | | | Waldo Emerson once said, All life is an experiment". |
| that they lose track of the ultimate message that | | | | Revise! |
| should be delivered. Assign how much time you are | | | | No matter how well you think you've written your |
| planning to spend on each point or example. You | | | | speech, chances are, your speech will be infested |
| don't have to achieve exact amount of time for each | | | | with grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. More |
| point. Do give more time for points that you consider | | | | importantly, what may sound like a great speech to |
| more important to the theme. | | | | you may not sound great for an average audience. |
| 4) Audience is king. | | | | You may also need to write more to make your |
| As you write your speech, keep in mind about your | | | | paragraphs look more transitioned and easy to follow. |
| audience's perceptions. Let their perceptions shape | | | | Also be mindful of choice of words, content and |
| the tone of your speech as you write it. | | | | structural issues, and overall style and that the |
| 5) Organization. | | | | parameter of your essay fits the required criteria. |
| Start with a strong point and end with a strong point. | | | | Revising is not an easy task. It is not only time |
| Leave your weaker points in the middle, slowly | | | | consuming, but also the chance of improving |
| moving towards the most important points. The goal | | | | something you've written yourself is low. Have your |
| is to grab their attention in the beginning to discuss | | | | speech professionally edited. Whether it is for a |
| as much information you have until you start losing | | | | graduation speech, academic purpose, or for a |
| their attention in the middle, then end with a strong | | | | business presentation speech, a single undetected |
| finish to give a good impression after the speech. | | | | error can jeopardize your recognition, success, and |
| 6) Concluding remarks. | | | | reputation. |
| Your conclusion should be just as strong if not | | | | |