Writing a Speech

Writing a speech is like mapping out a holiday. You generally know what you want to see while you're there but you'll want to schedule your days so you get to everything. Similarily, when making a speech, unless you organize your thoughts somehow, it will seem disorganized and not make much sense to your audience.

80% of a presentation's success is in the planning. Going into a presentation well prepared, reduces your nervousness and increases your success rate. Use this fact sheet as a checklist when planning your next speech.

What's your topic

Have you found out as much as you can about the topic you are speaking on?
What is the purpose of this speech? To:
- educate,
- persuade,
- motivate,
- introduce or
- thank.
Are you sending your audience home with a key message?

Who's your audience?

Have you considered the unique interests of your audience?
Do you know why you are speaking to this audience?
What does the audience need or desire from your speech?

Design a catchy opening

Does your introduction put your audience at ease?
Do you grab your audience's attention and maintain their interest throughout the presentation?
Does your opening tell your audience what the speech is about and lead smoothly into the body of the speech?

Building the body

Have you kept your speech to 3 or 4 main points?
Have you listed all your main points and developed them further in a logical sequence? Some techniques that are used are: a traditional outline, order of events, or most important first.
Example of outline:
- Major content area
  - Key point
    - Minor point supporting key point

Ending the speech

Have you summarized the main points of your speech in your conclusion?
Have you added some zest to your ending? One technique is leaving your audience with a question.
Is there a humorous story you could tell that ties in with your message to add punch?
Would a famous quotation be appropriate to end with?
Remember that saying "thank you" after you have presented a speech is inappropriate. If you are invited to speak, the "thank you" should come from the audience.

Using Notes

Have you rewritten your speech in point form so you don't have to read every word?
Have you underlined or highlighted key words so you won't lose your place in your speech?
Do you only use your notes as a guide so you can speak directly to the people in the audience?
Have you practised your speech in front of family, friends or a mirror until you are comfortable with how it sounds?