How to Write a Speech?

A speech is a spoken discourse or an expression of ideas delivered in front of an audience by the speaker. 

A speech can perform one or more of the following functions:

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  • To convince the audience: ‘Reasons why I Believe Indians don‟t have Civic Sense’
  • To provoke the audience to take an action: ‘Report Corruption to Kill Corruption’
  • To inspire the audience: ‘Do One Good Deed A Day’
  • To inform the audience: ‘Beauty Magazines Promote Low Self-esteem’
How to Write a Speech?

How to Write a Speech?

1. Before one starts writing, ask three questions:

  • What is the purpose of the speech?
  • Who is the audience?
  • How long will the speech last?

Example:
Topic: The Curse of Global Warming
Purpose: To enlighten the audience about the harms of global warming
Audience: Classmates and teachers

2. Engage in brainstorming and uncover all the points that could be made in the speech.

  • Example:
  • Ignorance related to global warming
  • Its slow manifestation
  • Who are the culprits?
  • What are the steps to be taken?
  • What could happen if it is ignored?

3. Structure your writing. Divide your speech into three paragraphs that have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introductory paragraph should also contain an address or a greeting to the audience.

  • Types of address:
  • A very good morning /afternoon /evening to everyone present here.
  • Respected Principal, teachers and friends…
  • Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to…

4. Always state the purpose behind the speech.

  • The purpose of my speech is to highlight the problem of global warming.
  • Today, I intend to bring to your notice, the problem of global warming.
  • I stand in front of you today to talk about a heinous problem called global warming.

5. Create a rough outline of the speech before writing.

6. Write from the perspective of the listener, not the speaker. Good speeches are written keeping the audience in mind.

7. Use pronouns such as ‘You’ and ‘We’ to address the audience. This adds a personal touch to the speech.

  • I stand in front of you…
  • I want you to ponder…
  • Is this the nation you have dreamed of?

8. Refer to yourself in the first person by using pronouns such as ‘I’ and ‘Me’.

9. Use repetitions of words and phrases to create an impact.

  • I dream, I hope and I envision a day when…
  • We can and we will…
  • From the peaks of the Himalayas to the depths of the Indian Ocean…

10. Make use of transition words and phrases to connect points in a smooth and logical manner.

  • The next point I would like to make is…
  • That brings us to the main purpose…
  • Not only … but also
  • Let me begin with…
  • Likewise…
  • Contrary to popular belief…
  • In conclusion…
  • I would like to end my speech by…

11. Make the speech memorable by using metaphors, similes, and other analogies.

  • We have before us a mountain of a problem…
  • It is a beautiful symphony of brotherhood…
  • Like a ray of sunlight that brightens our mornings, this has brightened our lives with renewed hope…

12. As a speaker, exhibit moral conviction in your speech. Employ a sombre tone to address a serious topic. Do not use humour or sound flippant when talking about a sensitive issue. This will affect your credibility as a speaker.

13. Ask rhetorical questions for maximised effect. Rhetorical questions are those that are asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer in order to get the kind of response you expect from the audience.

  • Is there a solution to this problem?
  • Are we truly that helpless?
  • Does the government think the citizens are idiots?
  • What have they done for us?

14. In the concluding paragraph, state your vision for the future or your hopes.

  • I hope that one day the world will wake up to this injustice…
  • I see a future where the next generation will breathe clean air…
  • Let us all cooperate and bring about a revolution…

15. Conclude the speech by thanking the audience or by stating a powerful quote.

  • Thank you for your patience.
  • I would like to conclude this speech by expressing my heartfelt gratitude towards you.
  • In the words borrowed from Star Wars, “May the force be with you!”
  • As Benjamin Parker once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Examples


Terrorism can only be countered by War

Respected Principal, teachers, and dear friends,

Today I am going to speak for the motion terrorism can only be countered by war. The prime goal of the defence system of a country is the safety of the region and the people. Terrorism has always been jeopardizing lives. Therefore, if a country needs to fight against such groups, war is justified. The attack is the best form of defence.

Terrorist groups have a strong and sophisticated network, which can be counteracted only with an equally strong defence system. Therefore, military operation is crucial in breaking the network completely.

Terrorist groups have no regard for rules of international harmony and concord. Therefore, the use of force in the form of war is justified. The number of terrorists and terrorist groups present in the world today is mind-boggling. The world can be freed from its grips only if they are attacked and wiped out completely.

With this, I conclude my speech. I would like to thank you all for being a patient audience.


Terror Cannot be Curbed by War

Respected Principal, teachers, and dear friends,

Today I am going to speak against the motion terrorism can only be countered by war. Terrorist groups are neither confined nor limited to a single country. Therefore, engaging a country’s military to wage war against such groups is inappropriate.

When countries are engaged in wars, there is a tremendous loss of life and property. War forces civilians to give up their social rights in exchange for their safety. However, once the war has stopped, terrorists will once again wreak havoc in the lives of people.

The additional power given in the hands of the ruling bodies during wartime is often misused and resources are wasted. A great deal of time and money is wasted in the name of war. It takes years for a country to regain normal function after a war. Therefore, war is not an option to fight terrorism. Terrorist groups entice poor and helpless youngsters by convincing them that becoming a terrorist is a way of getting all their freedom back.

I wish to wind up my speech by stating that violence indeed begets more violence. If terrorists are attacked, they are likely to displace their wrath on innocent people. Therefore, a war against terrorism is not justified. With this, I conclude my speech. Thank you all for your patience and cooperation.

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