Want to write a speech for your class, but don’t know how to begin? Don’t worry, we understand that delivering a speech by converting words to minutes in a room full of people can be quite intimidating. But if you know how to play with words, you can craft a wonderful speech easily. Writing a convincing and effective speech comes with careful planning and having an eye for detail.
The main aim of delivering a speech is to motivate and inform the listeners which you can achieve by understanding their mindset and perspective. Before you start writing the speech, make sure that you have a good command over the language and understanding of the topic. Create an outline by identifying who are the listeners? What is the prime reason for writing the speech? What is the main topic? Peachy Essay offers 10 easy ways to write a better speech and make a first good impression.
- Understanding the audience: Do you know who your audience is? You should keep the perspective of your audience in mind while crafting your speech. Once you have identified your audience, try to tailor the information according to their needs. While choosing the words, try to determine whether or not your audience will be able to comprehend the information. What level of language is suitable for your audience? The same goes for including technical terms and jargon in your speech.
- Create an outline: Create a structure by dividing your speech into different sections. What are the points you can include in each section? What are the main ideas? Think of the statements and examples you can include to prove your point of view.
- Read it twice: After you are done writing the first draft of your speech, read it at least 2-3 times. It will help you detect any transitional or language errors in the speech. Before you start reading, set the timer on your watch or phone, and note the number of minutes it takes you to deliver each section of the speech.
- Follow the word count: How many words you can speak in a minute? It depends on a person’s speed when they talk. The word count of a speech is directly linked with the time limit you have been given. Consider the total number of minutes you have. This way you will be able to communicate all the main points of your speech on time.
- Create sections: Divide your speech into various sections which usually include an introduction, valid points, strong statement, examples, and conclusion. The introduction should be at least 2 minutes long. Introduce your topic and include an anecdote to raise the interest of your audience. You can also use the mind mapping technique to represent ideas and concepts in your speech. It will help you arrange thoughts and concepts. Get more custom writing ideas here.
- Language quality: Remember you are writing a speech about your audience and not for yourself. Check the tone and language of your speech while creating the first draft. Use common words rather than complex vocabulary as it can confuse your readers. Edit your speech by reading it word to word. Try to spot jargon and spelling errors. Also, to improve the language quality of your speech, check the length of sentences. Write short and simple sentences, instead of writing one longer sentence. Your audience must be able to grasp what you are trying to convey.
- Introduction: The introduction section is one of the most important parts of a speech. Use this section to convince your audience why they should listen to you. Tell your audience why you are giving the speech. Keep your audience engaged from the very beginning by including real-life examples that they find relatable. You can achieve this by establishing a connection between you and your audience.
- Including anecdote: In the seventh point, we have talked about establishing a connection with the audience. To achieve that, you can include an anecdote in your speech. Start by telling an interesting story that is related to the topic of your speech. Try to keep it short and up to the point as you may have limited time. It is an effective way to grab the attention of your audience and engage with them on a personal level.
- Ask a question: There are two types of questions you can ask your audience to kick-start a conversation. It can be either a response question or a rhetorical question. Ask questions from your audience, listen to their views, and then explain to them the main concept. Once they are indulged in the conversation, you can state your viewpoints effectively.
- Connect with listeners: One of the main reasons for delivering a speech is to connect with your target listeners and motivate them. While writing down your speech, make sure that the content you have included is relevant to your topic. You may have a lot of interesting things to share, but remember you are on a time crunch. Do you have a specific goal in your mind? If your answer is yes, then ensure that you convey the right message to your listeners.
