How To Write A Speech Word Document

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How to Write a Speech
Five Parts:Sample SpeechesThe BasicsMaking It EffectiveForming Your SpeechAfter
Your First DraftCommunity Q&A
You may find that you are expected to speak at a public gathering or social event,
and being prepared to speak at these occasions requires planning and preparing the
text. Here are tips to help you plan and write a great speech.
Steps
Sample Speeches
Sample Political Speech
Sample Speech Asking for Donations
Sample High School Graduation Speech
Sample Retirement Speech

Part 1
The Basics
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1
Choose your topic. A good speech is focused on a message, which needs to match
the occasion. It should resonate well with the audience's interests, and it should be
important to the listeners.
A speech for school is usually open-ended, so choose a topic that you are
passionate about. Good speeches depend on delivery and the heart put into it by
the speaker. If you are enthusiastic, odds are your audience will be, too.

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2
Find purpose or thesis. Why are you giving a speech on this topic? ("My teacher told
me to!" or "I have to" is not a valid reason.)
Thesis is the main point to emphasize. If you are writing a speech about an event in
your life, what's your message? Your topic may cover your near-death experience,
but your thesis or purpose could be advocating the use of seat belts. You need
reasoning to back it up; "It saved my life" is pretty hard to argue with!
A good speech is made for a good reason: to inspire, to instruct, to rally support, to
lead to action, etc. These are noble purposes -- and not merely to sound off; feed
the speaker's ego; or to flatter, intimidate, or shame anyone.

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3
Get organized. All good speeches require shape: the introduction, the body, and the
conclusion. A speech is not an amorphous blob or tangled strings of thought.
Body of the speech. State at least three points to support your argument. If they
build on each other, good. For your first draft, you can make a list and pick out the
strongest arguments later.

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4
Get persuasive. If your points are illogical, don't attempt to pad them with other
reasons. Make sure your reason is sound, and then you can try to add persuasive
techniques.
Plato's appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos come in handy here. Persuade your
audience to agree by gaining credibility (ethos) or by using others' (when you think
of Hanes, do you think of quality underwear or do you think of Michael Jordan?) By
manipulating their emotions (pathos), or by simple use of logic (logos). Neither is
necessarily stronger or more effective than the others; it all depends on the
situation.
Part 2
Making It Effective

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1
Choose words wisely. When giving a speech to 8th graders, it's important not to get
esoteric -- in other words, use words they will understand and appreciate. Cater
your speech to your audience -- what do they want to hear?
That being said, what do they know? Don't waste time explaining concepts to them
that they already know; or worse, assuming they know the basics and confusing
them horribly. Put yourself in their shoes as you write -- what background knowledge
do they need before you jump in to the meat of your argument?

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2
Grab their attention. "Shake hands" with them -- figuratively, of course. Personalize
your speech by hooking members of your audience. Build agreement with your topic
and a sense of rapport with you.
Former Ambassador Robert Strauss used to begin his addresses like this: "Before I
begin this speech, I have something to say." What's your hook?
Wear your sincere smile, even in your writing. Audiences will be able to tell. You
may want to begin with an amusing one-liner or thought-provoking anecdote that
can be connected to the situation.
As you're writing, think about what you would say to a friend. The more comfortable
and open you are, the more your audience will feel drawn to you. Choose how you
express yourself as if you were having a discussion with someone you feel at ease
with, someone you're comfortable showing emotion to. A speech with "heart" is the
most moving kind.

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3
Focus on your message. For some, it's easy to get side-tracked or to try to attack
too many things at once. Your speech has one message and it is the only thing that
needs to be addressed thoroughly. Don't focus on the details or, what's worse,
something completely unrelated. Your audience will be left wondering what the heck
is going on.
Rambling will lose their attention. When you have a point addressed and taken care
of, do not be afraid to move on. You have more points that deserve the spotlight -give each its evenly-spread due.

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4
Illustrate. Make your writing graphic. Your goal is to make the main points of your
writing in the speech stick in the minds of your audience. If someone asks or
compliments your speech afterwards, it'll probably sound something like, "I enjoyed
the story Tom told about his sister," or "The pie chart of this year's earnings was
helpful." They probably won't say, "Your second point in the body of your speech
was well thought-out and logical." So think visually.
This can be taken a number of ways. If you are talking to your business team about
the year's poor numbers, painting an image of their starving families to drive them
to work harder isn't a good idea. Images should be used appropriately. If you're
talking numbers, use graphs. If you're talking emotions, paint a picture. Know your
context.

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5
Think in pauses. The best actors are equally effective (if not more so) in between
their lines. Write pauses, or beats, when you really want a point to sink in. People
will automatically take notice -- looking, straightening up and cocking their head to
the side and actually hearing the silence. Now that's commanding a room.
Speeches need to be natural - not read off of a paper. And when you talk, you have
pauses. This is not slowing you down or showing your weakness, it shows that you
have this down so well, you're talking about it like an old pro.
Part 3
Forming Your Speech

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1
Start off with a strong introduction. Open with a big statement that will grab the
attention of the audience. Remember that engaging hook we talked about? That
goes in now. Dive right in, getting personal and showing your human side.
Opening with important remarks or quotes will immediately establish credibility. Just
don't use Merriam Webster as your go-to expert; avoid cliches at all costs.

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2
Use inclusive terms for individuals. Point to "our" things -- our team, our
city/state/country, or our school, our class-year, our work, people, and
product/candidate, etc. Your audience will feel more included and a sense of
belonging. If "we" feel that way, they'll feel the pressure to feel that way, too.
In a speech by Nelson Mandela, he started off with, "Today we celebrate not the
victory of a party, but a victory for all the people of South Africa."[1] Now that's a
man whose oratorical prowess cannot be questioned.

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3
Build the body of the speech. This part should contain the main points of the issue
and support for each one. That list you made earlier? Narrow it down to about three.
Which ones are the most convincing?
Start off with your strongest point. You want the audience to start off seeing zero
holes through your argument. Get them on your side before they get the chance to
nitpick what you have to say.
Put your weakest argument in the middle. You're sandwiching it here to make it the
most forgettable. And, indeed, it will be.
End with your second strongest argument. You want to vamp it up a notch towards
the end. Reel them back in, rounding out your argument with your last piece of
evidence.

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4
Be aware of your transitions. Build clear and sensible transitions from one thought
to the next. The biggest mistake speakers and writers make is to assume people will
follow leaps of logic -- place, time or changes of ideas. Spell out to the audience
when you are taking a turn in your thoughts with phrases like: "As an example of
this, we can see..." or "This brings us back to the larger problem of...," and so forth.
Transitions should not only go in between points in the body, but also after the
introduction and into the conclusion. Again, your speech is one cohesive work, not a
series of points that work independently. Show your audience that by transitioning
clearly.

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5
End with a firm conclusion. Conclude with a powerful nail-down, summarizing what
you came here to say. Leave them with a question or thoughts of implications; leave
them with something -- what do you want that something to be?
Repeat key ideas. Make the audience recall and get on the mainline. Be sure they
leave with the ideas you don't want them to forget.
Give your audience a sense of completion in what you write. Bring them back to the
beginning, but with a louder spirit -- after all, they have all the knowledge necessary
to be passionate now, too. This can be done by starting the last paragraph with a
strong, declarative sentence that re-makes your point.
Part 4
After Your First Draft

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1
Deliver it to someone. This will be the most beneficial thing you can possibly do. Try
to get someone that's as similar to your audience as possible. If they have a similar
background, there's a better chance of them having the same impression.
Ask them for feedback. Did they find anything confusing? Unnecessary? What
questions were they left with? Did they follow your logic and end up agreeing with
you? What impression were they left with?

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2
Monitor for clarity. Often when we write things, there's a much easier way to say the
exact same thing. Go over your work with an eye for this. Take each sentence as it
stands -- could you make it more crystal?
If you're not clear, you could have a good point that goes unappreciated or
completely missed. Clarity is possibly the most important quality to look for in your
work.

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3
Ensure your tone is constant and appropriate. If it sounds like three different people
wrote it, it'll be difficult to follow. What's more, if you slip into language that's
condescending or simply over their heads, you're in an equally hard place. How will
the audience find your speech?
Don't be tempted to get crass or nasty to get their attention. It'll work, but after you
stop the finger-pointing and yelling, they'll tune you out completely.

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4
Write out your final draft. Once you have all the content ready, get it in its final
form. This is where you may want to start employing tactics for delivery.
Write in your pauses. Though the speech should not be directly read from,
rehearsing from it with pauses written in will help you remember when you are
actually delivering it.
Write in body cues. Though these ultimately need to be natural and can't be
scripted, making little notes where you might want to emphasize a point with your
body (be it with your face, hand, etc.) can help jog your mind in the rehearsing
process.
Outline the speech on notecards. Since you won't be reading your speech, it's a
good idea to have a written outline of the presentation as a reference so you don't
leave something out .. like thanking the audience for their attention and the
committee for asking you to speak.
Community Q&A
Add New Question
How should I start a speech?
wikiHow Contributor
Start with an interesting line that will catch your audience's attention or surprise
them. This will make you more approachable and your speech more relatable. It will
draw your audience in and keep them captivated.
100% of people said this answer helped them. Did it help you? Thanks!
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 11
Can you use idioms in your speech?
wikiHow Contributor
It's okay to use basically any form of speech in a speech, as it is simply talking when
you think about it. The key is to match the message to the audience, so bear that in
mind when writing it.
Yes No
What is the format of a speech?
wikiHow Contributor
The format of a speech is the introduction, the body, and lastly, the conclusion.
Yes No
Should I use pronouns in my speech?
wikiHow Contributor
Yes, you should use pronouns in your speech. For example, after you mention
someone by name, like "Eloise Smith," you can replace the name with "she" to
avoid repeating the name too often.
Yes No
How do I write a speech on modeling?
wikiHow Contributor
Start out with your introduction on modeling. What makes you interested in it?
Include three points about it. Fill the next three paragraphs explaining these three
points, and the fourth, last paragraph drawing your conclusion on modeling.
Yes No
How do I write an informative speech about an animal?
wikiHow Contributor
First of all, do your research. Learn as much as you can about this animal, even if
you don't really care much about that animal in the beginning, your research will tell
you something that might interest you. Leading you to also be a bit passionate
when you speak. Use intriguing facts and statistics, and some funny ones. Have an
overall message, something you want the people listening to your speech to take
away with them, such as why it is important to spay cats, why it is vital to care for
orangutans in palm plantations or why it is crucial to protect animals in peri-urban
areas.
Yes No
How do I write a speech about kangaroos?
wikiHow Contributor
Start out with your introduction on kangaroos, what makes you interested in them
and three points about them. Fill the next three paragraphs explaining these three
points and the last paragraph will include your conclusion on kangaroos.
Yes No
Can you start a speech with a question?
wikiHow Contributor
A question is a great way to start a speech. Follow up the question with some facts
that prove your argument, then conclude your speech by answering the question
you started with.
Yes No
How do I write a speech about a tragedy?
wikiHow Contributor
Acknowledge the sadness of the event and what people can do to help prevent
something like this again. For example, if the event was a forest fire that was
caused by human contact, you can speak about making sure campfires are fully out
before leaving, or that cigarettes should be banned from the woods. If the event
was caused by harmful behavior, like an unlawful attack on people, you can explain
how guns can be dangerous and how we can better resolve issues.
Yes No
How do I write a speech on science as soon as possible?
wikiHow Contributor
Research as much as you can and assemble your notes properly. Then, write your
speech to sound more normal and a little less factual. Make sure you are well
prepared and taught in your subject of science.
Yes No
Unanswered Questions
How do I write a 5 minutes speech about redefining the role of a politician?
Answer this question Flag for removal Flag for removal
How do I write a 5 minute speech about risk-taking?
Answer this question Flag for removal Flag for removal
Show more unanswered questions
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Tips
Think hard before incorporating flip charts or a dry-erase board into your
presentation. Eventually you may find yourself talking to your flip chart and not to
the audience. The audience might be distracted by your illegible scribbles -- or
watching you fumble with your exhibits. Insecure or shy speakers like stage props
because they take the focus off them. Whatever best suits your situation is fine.
Each person in the audience experiences your speech as an individual. Speak to
them as individuals, by using words like "you" and "your" -- instead of "all of you" or
"everybody here"; it is more direct and compelling, and will engage each member of
your audience, whether it be five or five thousand.
Start writing as if you are creating an essay or informative article. When you are
comfortable with your draft, read it aloud. Listen to a recording. But, the style
should be different than a typical essay or article. You can't have complex
paragraphs that drone on. Rather than pack your talk with boring facts and figures,
give them a supporting handout (after your talk, unless you have to present that
document as such -- if so, then give it out beforehand). It's okay to repeat or revisit
important points for emphasis.
Almost everyone can remember an early experience when s/he was obsessed with
memorization, and reciting and suddenly drew a blank. It can derail a speech. Be
comfortable with your subject and have the bullet points on a few numbered 3x5
cards, tied together by a string or special ring. Relax and don't be petrified about
flawless delivery; people won't hold a slip against you.
Ronald Reagan had a rule that he would always bring an extra written copy of his
speech in case something happened during the speech -- and be ready to give that
to the host/hostess.
The type of event you are attending will determine the length of your speech.
Consider that the average speaker speaks 100 to 135 words per minute. Below are
sample speech lengths:
Standard keynote speaker: 18 - 22 minutes (est. 1800 to 2970 words)
Motivator: 12 - 15 minutes (est. 1200 to 2025 words)
Ceremonial speaker: 5 - 7 minutes (est. 500 to 945 words)
News conference: 2 - 3 minutes (est. 200 to 405 words)
Wedding toast: 2 - 3 minutes (est. 200 to 405 words)
End it: Let the final, forceful sentence be the natural ending of your speech. People
remember the last point or emphasis; so hit it strongly!
Avoid a flat or pathetic: "Thank you" to signal that, "Yes, the speech is over". This is
unnecessary.
Insist on your important points! Don't make any changes to your speech just
because you think people will judge you (stand up to peer pressure). Make changes
because you want them, and are comfortable with your edits.
Consider your audience's frame of reference. A simple way to do it is to think about:
Who's in the audience? Why are they here? And after hearing your speech, what's
the first thing you would like them to do or say to someone else, perhaps?
Who better to write your introductory "bio" (profile) to the audience than you? (This
is not the speech-intro that you make in your own speaking). Before your speech,
contact the person who will be introducing you and send or read them your
suggested introduction. Unless the person is a total novice, s/he will be thankful that
you saved them from the chore of drafting a personal introduction of you.
If you have cue cards, (pieces of paper/card with bullet points) then sometimes you
spend the whole time looking at them. Don't make too many bullet points or cards!
Don't let the speech be too long. Conclude after a short while. The audience gets
bored of long speeches.
Show 3 more tips
Warnings
Don't give a lengthy and boring speech. Otherwise people will literally fall asleep
during the speech. Always have a sense of humor to liven up the place a bit.
Don't be a windbag. Time your speech in a few practice runs. If it goes more than
five minutes you had better be a spellbinding speaker. The typical amateur speaker
will have the audience checking their watches after about three minutes.
Remember, Abe Lincoln only needed a minute or two for the Gettysburg Address.
Related wikiHows
How to
Write a Presidential Speech
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Deliver a Graduation Speech
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How to
Mentally Prepare for a Speech
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How to
Write a Demonstrative Speech
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How to
Write a Speech for Someone Else
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Sources and Citations
http://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0510/10011.html/%28page%29/3
http://www.toastmasters.org - An organization where you can practice public
speaking
http://www.masterspeakers.com - Best online guide to making great speeches
Article Info
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Sample Political Speech

Sample Speech Asking for Donations

Sample High School Graduation Speech

Sample Retirement Speech

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