Top Speech Tips

Structure of a Speech

Ramona J. Smith (World Champion Speech) says,

‘The key to writing a great speech is to keep it simple. I start with the skeleton, then start to throw meat on the bones.’

The ‘skeleton’ or structure can take several forms depending on which illustrates your speech purpose most effectively.

• Outline - opening; body; conclusion.
• Chronological - past, present, future.
• Topical – Speech is organised into three main subtopics.
• Spatial – if your speech was about a botanical garden, you may describe each area in turn.

Transitional sentences between sections helps your speech to flow.

While you are writing your speech, there are several things to keep in mind to maintain audience engagement, and ensure your speech is memorable.

• The audience wants to know, ‘What’s in it for me?’ Make your speech relatable for most people.
• Create an appealing speech title.
• Storytelling – people love listening to stories. Use examples of how you or people you know, have overcome problems.
• Choose language that encourages engagement e.g. ‘we’ instead of ‘I’; ‘Who here is a parent?’ (Raise hand to encourage the audience to join in.)
• Repeat a strong word or phrase throughout your speech to reinforce a concept.
• Grouping in threes – the human brain can remember, and prefers, groups of three. (Three ideas, three examples, etc.)

Once you have finished writing your speech, you can refine it by adding significant pauses that emphasise main points.

Create an unforgettable ending that inspires the audience to take action, or reinforces your opening statements.

Watching a film and listening to a tape of you giving your speech allows you become familiar with your delivery style and rhythm thus making even finer adjustments for a polished speech.