Speech Writing

Speech Writing: Part 1

“Speech is power. Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of their bad sense into your good sense.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Open Ended

What makes a great speech?

Elements of a Great Speech:

• has a clear message, purpose or call to action

• follows an organized structure

• connects with the audience through word choice and tone of voice

• incorporates persuasive tactics such as ethos, pathos, and logos, propaganda techniques, literary/poetic devices, etc.

Have a clear message, purpose or call to action A.K.A. What's your point?

• Ask yourself: What do I want the audience to take away from my speech?

• Craft your message so it is simple and concise.

• Be clear about what the audience will gain by listening to you.

• Ex. Vote for Snowball and the Three Day Week!

Poll

Which of the following has a clear message, purpose or call to action?

• I believe we can combat climate change if we all do our part to be more eco-friendly.

• Our political system has been hijacked by big money contributors.

• Here are some health reasons for eating apples and oranges.

• If you don’t burn for your dream, your dream will burn away.

Follow an Organized Structure A.K.A. The Speech Outline

• Opening/Introduction Paragraph: This is where you grab the audience's attention, mention your topic or message and establish credibility.

• Body Paragraphs (two minimum): This is where you communicate the main points that support your message.

• Closing/Conclusion Paragraph: This is where you summarize your ideas, give the speech a sense of closure and leave a lasting impression.

Opening/Introduction Paragraph: This is where you grab the audience's attention:

An American writer named Morgan Robertson once wrote a book called The Wreck of the Titan. The book was about an “unsinkable” ship called the Titan that set sail from England to New York with many rich and famous passengers on board. On its journey, the Titan hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sunk. Many lives were lost because there were not enough lifeboats. So, what is so strange about this? Well, The Wreck of the Titan was written 14 years before the Titanic sank. 

Open Ended

Can you think of other things one can include in a speech that would be considered an "attention grabber" or a "hook" to interest the audience?

Types of "Attention Grabbers" or "Hooks"

• quote(s)

• joke(s)

• rhetorical question

• anecdote or short story

• surprising fact(s)

• statistics

Opening/Introduction Paragraph: This is where you mention your topic or message, purpose or call to action:

The sinking of the Titanic was one of the largest non-war related disasters in history, and it is important to be knowledgeable about the past. From the disaster to the movie, the sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most famous tragedies in history. 

Opening/Introduction Paragraph: This is where you establish credibility.

1. I have been fascinated by the history of the Titanic for as long as I can remember.

2. I have read and studied my collection of books about the Titanic many times, and have done research on the Internet. 

Open Ended

Why is establishing credibility important when writing/giving a speech?

Body Paragraphs (two minimum): This is where you communicate the main points that support your message:

Debrief Questions:

• What was the message or purpose of The Titanic speech?

• How did the writer persuade you on the significance of the Titanic?

Closing/Conclusion Paragraph: This is where you summarize your ideas, give the speech a sense of closure and leave a lasting impression.

In conclusion, remember The Wreck of the Titan, the story written fourteen years before the Titanic sank. It now seems as if it was an eerie prophecy, or a case of life imitating art. Whatever the case, the loss of lives on the Titanic was tremendous, and it is something that should never be forgotten. 

Other ways you can leave "a lasting impression" in your conclusion:

• Offer an analogy or metaphor that connects back to the message.

• Leave the audience with a question or a challenge.

• End with an inspirational quote.

Connect with the audience through word choice and tone of voice A.K.A. What You Say and How You Say It Matters

• Use short sentences. It's better to write two simple sentences than one long, complicated sentence.

• Don't use big words that you wouldn't use when talking to someone.

• Repetition is an important aspect of public speaking because audience members may tune out in parts

• Use a relaxed, calm tone and voice

Open Ended

Lesson Recap: What are the elements of an effective speech?