A SPEECH

Before writing a speech, you need to take into account the following aspects:

• WHO you are writing your speech for (the audience).
• WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic).
  – the main points ranked in order of importance with supporting research.
• HOW long it needs to be.

The structure of a speech is simple. It consists of three parts:

1. an opening or introduction.
2. the body where all the information is given.
3. and an ending (or summary).

Let’s go through the different steps you need to follow to write your speech:

STEP 1 – THE AUDIENCE

• Identify the people who are going to be listening to you. Imagine them sitting in front of you waiting for listening to you.

STEP 2 – WRITING AS YOU SPEAK

• Note down the main ideas you want to give in your speech. Organise them and write down what you’d say as if you were talking directly to them.

STEP 3 – CHECKING

• Check the “tone” of your language.
  Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?
• Check the length of your sentences.
  If they’re too long or complicated you risk losing your listeners.
• Have you chosen words your audience will understand?
• Remember you are writing “oral language”.
  You are writing as if you were explaining, telling or showing something to someone. It doesn’t have to be perfect sentences. We don’t talk like that.

STEP 4 – THE OPENING

The answer is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with a “hook”. Hooks come in as many forms as there are speeches and audiences. Your task is work out what the specific hook is to catch your audience. 

Go back to the purpose. Why are you giving this speech? Once you have your answer, consider your call to action. What do you want the audience to do as a result of listening to you? Next think about the imaginary or real person you wrote for when you were focusing on your main ideas.

STEP 5 – THE ENDING

The ideal ending is highly memorable. You want it to live on in the minds of your listeners long after your speech is finished. Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major points.

Source: Write Out Loud

WRITING TASK

1. You are the representative of your country before the United Nations Organization (UNO). Write a speech addressed to the UNO general delegates denouncing the resurgence of slavery. (June 2008 S5)