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How To Write A Speech
By Alan Leach
There are numerous examples where knowing how to write a speech can make a big difference. Speeches are not only for company directors and politicians. From a best man saying a few words at a wedding to addressing co-workers upon leaving a job, knowing how to write a speech is a skill we all could do with some help in.
One of the most important factors to keep in mind while writing the speech is that written communication and verbal communication are considerably different. We do not write the same way that we talk. When writing your speech, say the words in your head. Do they sound natural to you? If not, re-write your speech. A god tip is to practise saying the speech first, and then write down the parts you are happy with.
Another key factor to keep in mind while writing the speech is the idea of signposting. This essentially means you keep telling the audience what you have just said and what you are about to say. Someone reading your speech can always go back and re-read something they forgot. However, someone listening to a speech has no such luxury. Therefore, it is a good idea to let them know what you have talked about and what you intend to talk about next, to allow the audience to have a clear idea of the overall plan of the speech.
Research has shown the parts of an oral presentation such as a speech that people remember best are the opening and closing so it pays to make these memorable. The opening is important when writing a speech as first impressions count. Lose the audience in the first few seconds and they are very hard to get back! A surprising statement, an anecdote or even a joke, if appropriate, are all examples of various techniques the speech writer can employ to grab attention in those first few vital seconds.
For the same reason, go out with a bang. Leave your audience thinking about your speech by employing similar techniques. The speech should be interesting to others, not just yourself, so while the opening and closing are particularly important, apply this principle to the rest of your speech. Practise in front of a few close friends or family members and ask for constructive criticism. If they find it boring, it's a safe bet that others will too.
Research has also shown that while writing a speech, more care must be given to how you sound, rather than the words themselves. Mark your speech where you need to emphasize key words or phrases, and avoid speaking in one tone.
Another key principle to bear in mind when you learn how to write a speech is to keep it as short as possible. Concentrate on the main ideas and continue to look for ways to make it shorter. Most people can process no more than three main ideas at a time so a good rule of thumb for writing your speech is to do just this - have three main ideas maximum.
As touched on already, when learning how to write a speech, practise is vital. There is no magic number for the number of times you should do this. Rather, keep practising till you feel confident with the material. Continue to look for ways to simplify and shorten the speech and avoid using technical jargon or over-complicated words. Let your enthusiasm for the material show, as the audience will respond to this much more. While learning how to write a speech is not simple, we are sure if you follow these steps you will leave a good impression wherever you go!
See Also:
More on speech writing
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