How To Write With A Speech Format

Writing an effective speech involves learning how to hook your audience, deliver a speech and finish with a memorable close. Learning how to write a speech format is mostly about learning how to group your ideas into sections to create the flow of your speech.

In this blog, you will learn how to write a speech using:

1. Speech outlining

2. Audience analysis

3. Public speaking tips

What is a speech?

A speech in its simplest definition is a talk given to an audience. It is the most powerful form of public communication that one can use. It has a serious impact on not just the speaker but also the audience present for the delivery of a speech. A speech is used as a form of communication in order to let other people know about something, share a vision, or deliver a unique opinion or thoughts.

The objective of a speech is usually to provide information to an audience over a particular topic with the goal of influencing their beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviours. Allow this article to serve as your guide on how to write a speech format.

Types of Speeches

There are many types of speeches such as:

1. Welcoming speech

2. Commencement speech

3. Wedding speech

This blog includes guidelines for writing a speech for any occasion.

Tips to write a speech

1. When writing a speech, your tone and language should vary based on the audience you are addressing.

For example, if you are giving a speech to Primary Six students on June holidays, you will speak differently as compared to giving a speech in front of teachers.

2. A speech is the oral expression of ideas. It can be a formal or an informal text, depending on the context and the audience. The structure of a speech consists of three main parts, namely introduction, body, and conclusion.

Structure of a Speech

Writing a speech is very different from writing an article, brief or proposal. Speaking and writing are distinctive versions of the same language, unique in their output, syntax and function. A speech usually goes as follows:

1. Introduction

The introduction comes first and presents the overall topic that the audience will be hearing about.

2. Body

Then, the body presents specific information, facts and even stories that are related to the key subjects of the speech.

3. Conclusion.

To end the speech in a memorable way, it’s important to have a strong conclusion. This part summarizes your key points and reinforces your call-to-action.

Speeches can take different forms and be appropriate for various occasions.

Delivery of a Speech

Speech writing is a skill that requires some creativity and fine tuning.

The ability to speak with confidence and clarity and to appear confident in speaking is important, which makes the structure of a speech has much importance as well.

Tips on how to write a speech format

Step 1: Outline your speech’s structure. What are the main ideas for each section? Remember having the Introduction, Body and Conclusion as guidance so you don’t get carried away.

a. Introduction

Who are you, why are are you giving this speech, what is your main thesis?

The “who” and “why” can be longer or shorter depending on the context. For example, if you’re speaking at a wedding, you’ll want to explain your relationship to the bride and groom and why they mean so much to you. But if you’re presenting to your class at school, you may be able to head straight into your thesis.

If you’re presenting in a business or motivational setting, this is a crucial time to hook your audience’s attention and pique their curiosity. Typically someone else will have already introduced you and your accolades, so use this to your advantage and dive straight in.

“Hi everyone, it’s great to be here! As Kevin just said, I’ve been an urban beet farmer for 30 years, and a couple years back I got this absolutely crazy idea. What if…”

b. Body

The majority of your speech should be spent presenting your thesis and supporting material in a simple, organized way.

Whether you’re giving an inspirational talk or a business presentation, rambling is a sure-fire way to lose your audience’s attention. Don’t try to share absolutely everything you know on your topic, instead pick a few (two to five) key points to present to your audience.

Stick to one point at a time and finish the thought before you move on to the next. Build in clear, logical transitions from idea to idea.

Want to make your speech memorable? Studies have shown our brains are great at remember stories! As much as is appropriate, make your speech personal and include your own anecdotes and thoughts.

We’re also better at remembering big ideas if they’re condensed into a few memorable words, so do your best to sum up your thesis.

“I have a dream.” “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” “Make good art.”

c. Conclusion

What do you want your audience to walk out of the room remembering?

Wrap everything up and drive home your main idea, whether that’s through providing a few (one to three) key takeaways, or telling one last story that perfectly illustrates your point.

Example 1

Introduction: Explain the key problem or question of your research.

Body: Describe the research process, then describe your three key findings.

Conclusion: Present your conclusions and their implications, then your next steps for moving forward.

As the maid of honour giving a speech at your best friend’s wedding.

Example 2

Introduction: Explain who you are and how you met the bride.

Body: Recount three funny and heart-warming stories about your decades-long friendship with her, plus your first impressions of the groom.

Conclusion: Wrap things up by expounding on how amazing the bride and groom’s love for each other is, how they’re meant to be together, and how you know their love will last a lifetime.

Step 2: Write down all the main ideas in your outline. Don’t worry about finding the perfect words s it can be revised. Just get the content outline written down for you to see and revise to add or remove later. Make sure your content is also all fact-checked.

Step 3: Edit and polish what you’ve written until you have a first draft of your speech.

Step 4: Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice your speech the more you’ll discover which sections need reworked, which transitions should be improved, and which sentences are hard to say. You’ll also find out how you’re doing on length.

Step 5: Update, practice, and revise your speech until it has a great flow and you feel it’s ready to accomplish its purpose.