Speech Writing Guide

Yes, yes, we get it. You need help with writing a kick a** speech that would knock everyone’s socks off! We get that you need to win this particular competition you have been looking forward to. Or, we know you need to help your kid bag a speech competition trophy. 

So when Google sent you to this page, it just wanted to make your life a lot easier by helping us show you the ultimate guide to how to write a speech. Of course, you can always go for a speech writing service as well. It makes the task a lot quicker for one, given that a professional will be doing a job. However, there is no harm in learning how to do a task, right?

Basic Principles of Writing a Speech 

When it comes to writing a speech, you may experience some difficulties. Keep in mind, writing a speech may not differ a lot from any other writing assignment or project. It is important for you to start by keeping a few points in your head:

• Who is your audience?

• How much time or length needs to be covered?

• What is the purpose of this speech?

Be it an informal speech for your best friend at their wedding or a school project of your child, or for a business proposal, and you need to keep these basic pointers in mind before we move the head.

Now that we have the simpler things out of the way let’s talk read: it sure can get nerve-wracking when writing a speech. 

Imagine writing a speech and then delivering it with all your energy and might, and it fails to capture the attention of your audience. They lose interest in listening to you. They yawn or doze off or start sharing talks with each other. 

Having this said, you need to streamline the writing agenda when formulating a speech. This means you need to cover the basic headers so that your speech is top-notch. Keep in mind that a good speech will leave an impact on people and has the potential to change a lot around you. Such a speech catapult success intrigues the imagination of audiences and gets you the grade you are looking for.  

Now, if you are worried about how you need to start, reach a climax, and end your speech, we have you covered. We will breakpoints and tell you everything you need to know about writing the best speech you may ever deliver. 

Step-by-Step Process – What is Speech Outline and More!

Just like report writing, when it comes to speech writing, you need to follow a pattern and a structure. Take it as a speech writing template:

Step 1: Your first step is to outline the structure of your speech. What do you want the message? How do you want to say it? What are the points you would want to be covered? 

Step 2: Cover the main ideas and deliverables in the outline. At this point, there is no need to worry about the words and sentences and puns (if you intend to add those). Just focus on the creativity window and let it flow.

Step 3: Start proofreading and polishing what you have written so far. Do not worry; this is just the first draft. Put together the puzzles together.

Step 4: Read the speech over and over again. Find errors, brainstorm, and make additions. 

Step 5: Practice, and yes, practice some more. The more you read it and prepare it, the more you will see the sections that need some changes and additions. Also, when you read the sentences out loud, you would be able to see whether you are comfortable in delivering certain sentences or not. 

Step 6: Revise, practice, and update – read your speech till you are convinced and find that it is flowing properly. Also, when you feel that the purpose and message you want to send through the speech is delivered. 

Now that the speech writing template is out of the way, let’s discuss these points in detail: 

Introduction

‘Who are you? What is the main takeaway of your speech? Why are you delivering this speech?’

The ‘why’ and ‘who’ can be shorter and longer with respect to the contexts of the speech. One speech writing example is that if you are speaking at your friend’s wedding, you would want to portray the relationship you share with the groom and the bride and the importance they hold in your life. Similarly, if you are giving a speech in your class or for a competition, you need to set a professional tone and discuss your main thesis/takeaways in the initial stages. 

Now, if you are giving a speech in a motivational or business setting, you need to make sure that within the required time, you grab the attention of your audience, and their curiosity is piqued. 

photo from unsplash.com

Now Comes the Main Message

And here’s when you pour in all the ideas that you have.

One speech writing technique is that in an organized manner, the ideas and the supporting material needs to be delivered at this point. Depending on the nature of the speech that you are giving, this part will vary. Another speech writing example is that if it’s a business speech or an inspirational one, you cannot afford to ramble as the audience will lose interest. Do not go overboard with the information and facts and stats. Keep it balanced. Choose five to six main points and present them in a way you think will be able to grasp the attention. The build-up needs to be clear. Before moving to another point, make sure you perfectly explain the first one. 

You also need to ensure that the speech you are giving is memorable. Now how can you do that? By telling stories. Add personal or professional stories in the speech you are giving and give your own thoughts and anecdotes. The speech writing here is that we are good at remembering the stories, and therefore, these would uplift the delivery of your speech.

Takeaway

When it comes to giving a speech, you want the audience to remember it. A good speech writing tip is to give a takeaway at the end of the speech. Now that you have illustrated the story give your thoughts about it. Make the audience wonder what you just told them. 

Now that we have covered everything, it’s time for you to get on your thinking cap and start working on that speech!