What makes a great speech?

21 January 2018

How to write a good speech text!


> A speech is a formal, face-to-face performance of a single person talking to a group of people with the aim to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, influence, entertain, command loyalty, or win hearts and minds…

> A speech is NOT an "exposé"! You give an "exposé" to simply inform an audience, whereas you give a speech to both inform and convince an audience (that what you say is right, true, good)!

> You need to understand the difference between writing to be read and writing to be heard. Writing to be heard is performed writing, and it is characterized by texts that are shorter than formal written texts and which use more simple syntax, use careful and systematic “signpost language” (explicit transitions that help listeners keep on track, by purposeful repetition, and by vivid and lively diction).

> Adapt your (written and oral) style to your subject matter and to the audience (aim for plain if you want to instruct, and more florid if you want to move or inspire your audience).

> Establish the purpose of your speech (who are you writing it for and why?).

> One (two or three) strong argument(s) or idea(s) is (are) better than many (superficial) ideas!

> The best speeches are those that express ideas (especially complex ones) SIMPLY!

> Simple words and short sentences are best.

> BE CLEAR, CONCISE, CONVINCING!

> Organize your ideas/arguments well (are they clear and logical, convincing and compelling)?

> Make your argument(s) easy to understand.

> Use reliable evidence (sparingly) to support your point: relevant facts and figures and quotations (name the author of the quote).

> Say things in “threes”: "justice, good will and brotherhood." (MLK)

> Alliteration used sparingly is good.

> Questions (and their answers!) are good from time to time (to get the audience thinking).

> Use relevant (personal) examples sparingly.

> Adapt your language, vocabulary and ideas to the audience.

> How can you get the audience to relate to you and your topic?

> Why will they want to listen to you?

> What do you have in common with the audience (age, interests, ethnicity, gender)?

> The contents have to be relevant and useful to them.

> What level of detail will be effective for your audience?

> What do you want the audience to learn?

> How can your audience benefit from what you have to say?

> How do you want them to react (how can you inspire their trust)?

> What do you want the audience to “do” as a result of your speech (how do you want them to react)?

> What might offend or alienate them?

> Be very careful with humour!

> Is the language register appropriate (formal is best)?

> Impress by your knowledge but especially by your (original) ideas and convincing arguments!

> Impress by being original in how you present your ideas (unless being straight-forward is more appropriate).

> Speak on a specific issue (avoid vague generalities, truisms and common-place ideas).

> Connect the material to related or larger issues, especially those important to your audience.

> Introduce them to new ways of seeing a problem, new ideas and (original) solutions.

> Keep reminding your audience of your main points.

> Use short and simple sentence structures.

> Limit pronoun use (it, they, this, etc.).

> Make verbs active and concrete!

> Use verbal cues (“first/second/third”; “I’ve talked to you today about…,” etc.);

> The first sentence/introduction (and how you say it) is all-important: it sets the tone of your speech.

> A (short) “story” or an anecdote (at the start) usually works (if it’s a good one!).

> Use strong transitions (“This argument makes no sense if you consider that…”; “Another fact that supports my main point is…”).

> In your conclusion, restate your main points, but don’t repeat them laboriously.

> Call the audience to action based on their new knowledge and understanding (be specific and realistic).

> In your concluding statement, relate once more the purpose of your speech to their lives.

> Remember to make use of the rhetorical devices of Ethos, Pathos and Logos when writing your speech text!

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