speech writing sec 2

Tackling the Situational Essay: Using persuasive speech techniques

In the previous post on  how to write a good situational essay , we learned about 3 strategies to tackle an informal email —analyse the task, amplify the given information and apply the appropriate tone. With these 3 principles, you can practically tackle any type of situational essay . However, when it comes to certain types such as a speech or a proposal, a degree of persuasiveness is required to make an impact.

In this post, you will learn to use  3 persuasive techniques

• inclusivity
• rhetorical question

These will be demonstrated with this question:

Your  Co-curricular Activity Group (CCA)  would like to celebrate the endof the school year by going on a day trip. The CCA Leader has asked for suggestions for places where there are opportunities to learn and to have fun. You have seen a webpage about Sentosa Island and think it would be a good choice. Your CCA Leader has asked you to give a speech to the group about Sentosa Island.

In your  speech  you should:

• give a date and time for the trip
• suggest any four activities your group might enjoy
• explain how these four activities will give a balance of learning and fun
• say why you think this trip would be a good way to celebrate the end of the school year

Write your speech in clear, accurate English and in a  persuasive, enthusiastic  tone to convince your group that this would be a great day out.

You may add any other details you think will be helpful.

You should  use your own words  as much as possible.(2016 ‘O’ Level Paper 1 Section B)

A few things to note about this question — recalling the 3As from the last post —you are to give a speech to your fellow CCA members ( Audience ) to encourage them to join a year-end outing ( Context ) to Sentosa Island ( Purpose ).

Your task is to suggest activities that provide learning opportunities and fun, hence your  amplification  of the given information should focus on highlighting these aspects in the activities chosen.

A speech is a specific type of text with unique features, and adopts a certain  tone . Some of these features will be discussed in this post, together with sample responses.

1. Logos (reason)

This is one of three common persuasive techniques (the other two being pathos and ethos) aimed at appealing to the head (by logos, or reason), the heart (by pathos, or emotion) and credibility (by ethos). In this speech, logos and pathos (logical and emotional appeal) would be most relevant. We will focus on logical appeal with the following approach:

Questions to ask

a. What are some good reasons for your CCA mates to join the year-end outing and/or go to Sentosa Island?

b. What are some opportunities for fun and learning?

Possible responses

a. A time to get to know and bond with other CCA mates that they may not have interacted with during the year; Sentosa is not a place that most would have visited so it has some novelty; Sentosa offers a variety of attractions.

b. Taking the Sentosa Nature Discovery for example, your CCA mates can explore a jungle filled with all types of flora and fauna; see wildlife up-close after seeing them in books and on the Internet, and learn more about biodiversity from the description boards provided. In terms of fun, there is a game of hunt for various types of plants and animals.

Basically, give good reasons for your choice/proposal and support them with examples (as you do for your PEEL paragraphs in essays).

2. Inclusivity

This is the concept of making your reader feel included and personally involved.It also helps to establish a sense of connection with your reader. You as a speaker can achieve this by using personal pronouns like ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘your’, ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’.

The following are some examples:

As most of you know , we are celebrating the end of the school year with a day trip to Sentosa Island.

I believe  that everyone has had a hectic school year, so a trip to Sentosa is bound to refresh and rejuvenate your spirits!

As members of the Science Club,  I’m sure everyone of you  is looking forward to a close encounter with wildlife after studying about them mostly in books and on the Internet.

* Note that this is also a way of using pathos (emotional appeal) as you are appealing to your reader’s sense of belonging and the common understanding shared between them and you.

3. Rhetorical Question

Questions are always effective ways to get your reader’s attention, and more so rhetorical questions that usuallybeg the agreement of the reader instead of seeking an answer. Find common ground or highlight something you are confident your reader will agree with, and turn that into a rhetorical question.

Here are some examples:

For the adventure seekers out there, don’t you think the high-level obstacle courses at the Megazip Adventure Park are just the experiences you’ve been looking for?

Wouldn’t it be lovely to stroll along the Sentosa Boardwalk and see five different tropical landscapes?

If you are a beach lover, doesn’t a dip in the sea or sunbathing sound tempting?

* Note that you can use contractions, e.g. “ won’t ”, “ don’t ” and “ you’ve ”, in rhetorical questions. You may use them in certain parts of your speech but use them sparingly.

We have discussed three ways you can make your speech more natural and persuasive — by using logos, inclusivity and rhetorical questions.

Use them selectively  and avoid overusing them as that easily makes them lose their effect and causes the speech to sound repetitive and monotonous. Why not try using them in your next speech assignment, or revisit your last speech writing, and rephrase some of the sentences with the above techniques?

Check the other articles from this section

• Narrative Writing: Tips and Tricks
• How to write a good Situational Essay: Analyse, Amplify and Apply the appropriate tone
• Lower secondary Writing Series 1 – E02: Narrative writing (or how to write good essays)
• Lower secondary Writing Series 1 – E02: Narrative writing practice
• Lower secondary Writing Series 1 – E01: How to analyse essay questions
• Lower secondary Writing Series 1 – E03: Expository writing
• Lower secondary Writing Series 1 – E04: Hybrid writing
• Taking the Leap from Primary to Secondary English with Confidence!
• Secondary English Paper 1 components: Diagnosing your strengths and weaknesses
• Lower secondary Writing Series 1 – E05: Avoiding writing pitfalls
• From primary to secondary English: What’s new and challenging?
• Tackling the Situational Essay (Part 3): Making Your Feature Article an Engaging Read
• Post-Exam Reality Check in 3Rs
• Sec 2: 5 tips to help you write great English expository essays
• 3 tips for tackling the summary Question
• Discursive essay: Writing a well-developed body Paragraph
• A Sneak Preview of the Secondary English Writing in the Sec 2 class
• Secondary 2 English – Editing through clue-finding
• Secondary 1 English: An introduction on how to create interesting characters

Don’t Miss Any Future Post!

2024 Bukit Timah Branch Secondary English Tuition Timetable

• MOE Updates
• Primary School
• English P1 Essay Resources
• English P2 Comprehension
• English P3 LC Resources
• English P4 Oral Resources
• Singapore News
• Free Test Papers
• Model Essays
• Early Concepts
• Fun with Mandarin
• Malay Language Worksheets
• Math Mastery
• Chinese Audio Books
• English Audio Books
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP)
• School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans-Secondary (SPERS-Sec)
• All you need to know about the SPERS exam for returning Singaporeans
• Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS)
• Singapore Best Online Tuition
• Find a Tutor
• Tuition Rates
• Tuition Centres
• 新加坡一对一补习 – AEIS, GP Tuition Testimonials
• Sign up as a Tutor
• Member Registration

The Learning Space

GCE O’levels (1128) A Guide to Situational Writing: Unravel the secrets to getting a distinction

How to score?

You will be graded according to your content and language. To get the top band for Task Fulfilment, you must show a very good understanding and clear awareness of the PAC (Purpose, Audience and Context).  

To get the top band for Language and Organization, your language must be accurate with hardly any errors in grammar, expression, spelling and punctuation. You must use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures. 

To really, really shine, stand head and shoulders above your peers, your script must demonstrate a high level of personal engagement and inject your personal voice. Most students are caught in the Average-Marks-Belt because they are unable to differentiate themselves due to a lack of character in their writing or they merely copy or re-hash the points given in the stimulus.

Remember, your ideas and facts must also be well-linked and sequenced, such that the information presented is very clear.

What are the types of situational writing? 

• Formal Letter
• Informal Letter (for tips on informal email writing, check here )
• Article / Newsletter
• Speech 

1. Understand what are the requirements of the question. 

The first thing you should do for situational writing is to analyse the prompt. A prompt is the brief passage of text (first few paragraphs) in the question paper and the visual stimulus that paints the scenario. Within the prompt, you should identify the PAC and apply the 5Ws brainstorm principle. Ask yourself, who am I writing as? This will help you to get into character (who are your writing as, are you a student leader giving a speech? You need to be mindful of your tone while elaborating on the important points in the prompt. 

Identify the writer’s role – What is your role/character?

Format (e.g. formal letter, newsletter, article, proposal, speech, complaint letter, report)

P (What do you hope to accomplish through this speech/article/formal letter/proposal)? 

A (Who are you writing to?)

C (What prompted you to write this letter?)

2) Always refer to the visual stimulus / text given

Pay attention to the details provided, annotate by applying the 5Ws and 1H principle.

3) Structure your proposal

A general rule of thumb, the situational writing (except speech and article) should be divided into 6 body paragraphs in the order of :

Para 1 : Intro:

You should explain what is your objective of writing this and why they are writing it. This will show that they understand the objective and purpose behind the situational writing question.

Para 2 : Point One 

Para 3 : Point Two 

Para 4 : Point Three 

Para 5 : Counterargument + Rebuttal (if necessary) 

Para 6 : Conclusion

-summary of the whole proposal 

-a polite thank you for favourable consideration of your ideas

3) Language

Keep in mind these language tips you write, for a well-rounded and watertight proposal. 

> Write in present tense (predominantly) unless you are citing a past event 

> Be persuasive, respectful and polite. 

> Be clear and precise (describe with details your activity e.g. how you will be conducting the event)

>Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence and connectors to make your writing more fluent and coherent.

Sign up as a member and get the most comprehensive situational writing format guide by school teachers. Click here to download a free preview. 

Be first to get more situational writing tips where our team of teachers and tutors share with you secrets to getting that A*. Get online tuition from just $35 onwards. For more sample GCE O’levels English Essay, click here .

Share this:

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

Free Exam Papers and Study Notes

Every student should be given the opportunity to maximize their educational potential. Looking for professional tutors? Get help from our team of MOE, NIE trained teachers and full time tutors. Looking for free study notes and resources? We provide the latest test papers and quality study notes for Primary, Secondary, IGCSE, IB, JC students. Subscribe to our Youtube Channel and exclusive access to PSLE, O’levels, A’Levels materials. WhatsApp us today,

新加玻补习老师， 试卷和学习笔记

寻找 专业导师，补习老师？我们的 MOE、NIE 培训教师和全职导师团队可以帮助您的孩子补习英文。要上英文网课？那里有最好的IB英文老师补习？寻找免费的学习笔记和资源？ 我们为AEIS，小学、中学、IGCSE、IB、JC学生提供最新的试卷和优质的学习笔记。 订阅我们的 Youtube 频道 并独家访问 PSLE、O’levels、A’Levels 材料。今天就 WhatsApp 我们。

Speech Writing

Speech Format

Understanding the Speech Format - Detailed Guide & Examples

People also read

The 10 Key Steps for Perfect Speech Writing

How to Start A Speech - 13 Interesting Ideas & Examples

20+ Outstanding Speech Examples for Your Help

Common Types of Speeches that Every Speechwriter Should Know

Good Impromptu Speech Topics for Students

Entertaining Speech Topics for Your Next Debate

How to Write a Special Occasion Speech: Types, Tips, and Examples

Introduction Speech - A Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

How to Write the Best Acceptance Speech for Your Audience?

Presentation Speech - An Ultimate Writing Guide

Commemorative Speech - Writing Guide, Outline & Examples

Farewell Speech - Writing Tips & Examples

How to Write an Extemporaneous Speech? A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting the Perfect Graduation Speech: A Guide with Examples

Are you looking for the optimal speech format that will help you leave a lasting impact on your listeners?

Well, some speakers can’t deliver a speech without a well-written script in their hand. Whereas, some avoid using a written speech because they believe that reading makes them feel uncomfortable and stiff.

A successful speech depends on both careful preparation and effective presentation. Hence, speech writing is very important.

Writing a speech should not be a nail-biting or anxiety-provoking experience. If you learn the basic speech format, you can excel in speech writing !

Having said that, this step-by-step guide on speech format can make the nerve-racking task of speech delivery simple and straightforward.

Let’s get started!

• 1. How to Write a Speech Format?
• 2. How to Rehearse a Speech
• 3. Speech Format Examples for Different Academic Levels
• 4. Speech Format Examples for Different Occasions

How to Write a Speech Format?

Speech writing gives you a chance to leave an everlasting and meaningful impression on the audience. You might have always believed that you are not good with words. And speech writing may bring you out in cold sweats, but this is different.

Let’s see how one should write a great speech that impresses the audience.

1. Decide the Purpose of Your Speech 

To understand the purpose of your speech, consider these queries:

• What is the main motive behind it?
• Is it to inform or persuade? Is it to entertain or demonstrate? Or is it a combination of these?
• What do you want to achieve with your speech?
• Do you want your audience to act upon something, or do you want to convince them to believe what you are saying?

Your answer to all of these questions will decide the organizational structure, type of speech, tone, and content as well. 

Identify your listeners and decide which type of speech is suitable for your targeted audience. If you are going to deliver a speech at a wedding, write a special occasion speech . Similarly, if your motive is to persuade the audience, you’ll have to write a persuasive speech .

2. Choose a Speech Topic 

Choose an effective speech topic that catches the audience’s attention immediately. A good speech topic is your first step to impress the audience.

You can select any topic according to the type of speech you need to deliver. Pick a motivational speech topic if you want to get the audience to act upon your message. If you want to make your audience laugh, decide on an entertaining speech topic .

3. Do the Research 

Conduct thorough research on your particular subject to collect relevant material. Finding credible and updated material is crucial, as good research is the backbone of sound speech. 

Before you write your speech, you need to know what your speech will be about exactly. And how long it needs to be, i.e., 5 minutes or 30 minutes long. So, always collect the data according to the time limit. 

For a 5-minute speech, you only need a brief material. Your speech should revolve around the central idea. If your speech is 30 minutes long, you need to collect enough details to cover in 30 minutes. 

4. Craft the Outline 

Now that you have the material for your speech, craft an outline to organize your material. Drafting an outline at first always saves precious time. 

Write keywords in the outline that prompt you to remember what you’ll include in your speech. Having an outline for your speech is like having a road map that guides you throughout the speech delivery.

As mentioned before, the basic speech outline format consists of three things:

• Introduction

Here is a speech outline template that you can use while crafting an outline for your speech.

Speech Format Outline

5. Write an Effective Introduction 

An introduction will give a brief overview of what you are going to tell your audience. Here are the five things that you should include in your introduction paragraph.

• Greetings and Your Introduction

Decide how you are going to greet your audience and how you will introduce yourself to the audience. You can start with a fact, a quotation, posing a rhetorical question, or even with one-liner humor. 

Keep in mind that whatever you start with, must be related to your topic and suitable for your audience.

• A Precise Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a brief summary of your speech, and it provides the main message of your speech. 

• Your Credibility

You need to establish your credibility to make your speech effective. Cite your expertise and qualification that gives you the right to speak about your speech topic.

• Brief Overview

Briefly tell your audience what you are going to share so that they have an idea of what to expect from your speech. 

• Benefits of Listening to Your Speech

Convince your audience why they should listen to you. Tell them what's in your speech for them and why should they pay attention. Give them reasons and be specific about the benefits.

6. Write a Detailed Body 

The body is where you write the details of what you want to share with your audience. Generally, the body section has three main points, but it can have more than 3 points.

It is always a good idea to be specific and inform the audience of only essential things. 

Quite frankly, if you introduce the audience to an abundance of ideas or topics, they might not remember them all! To leave a lasting impact, decide on 2 or 3 ideas, so the crowd remembers them all!

While crafting the body section of your speech, you should keep the following things in mind:

• Choose the three strongest points that describe your topic efficiently. 
• Always provide supporting examples. Make sure that the evidence you provide matches the type of speech you are going to write.
• Use transition phrases to make a logical connection between the details.
• Use visual aids like images, graphs, or tables to help your audience understand your topic better.
• Keep the sentence structures in check. Make sure there are no grammatical errors and follow an engaging tone. 

7. Craft a Compelling Conclusion

The final section is the conclusion that sums up the whole speech. Here is how you can write an effective speech conclusion that summarizes and draws all the details together:

• Summarize all the main points
• Restate the thesis statement to reinforce your message
• Remind the audience about the benefits they’ll get if they carry out what you have proposed.
• Provide a call to action at the end of your speech

8. Do the Formatting 

After the final draft, the next step is editing and formatting. Read your speech aloud and check the flow and organization of the information. Refine the draft by removing unnecessary things and correcting any grammatical mistakes.

Proofread your speech to make sure it contains all the vital information. Correct the structure if needed, and ensure that your speech is free from all kinds of mistakes. Revise your speech as many times as possible.

How to Rehearse a Speech

Rehearsal plays an important role in delivering an effective presentation. You need to practice a lot to be confident with your speech and deliver it perfectly. Here is how you can do it efficiently:

• Set the time on the stopwatch that is going to be allocated to you. You need to finish your speech within the allocated time.
• Read your speech out loud. Hearing yourself will help you familiarize yourself with the flow of your speech quickly. Remove or change the phrases that sound awkward, and fix the organization of information.
• Your habitual unconscious gestures
• Irregular breathing because of long sentences
• Taking breaks or pauses at the wrong places
• The body posture
• Raising or dropping the voice
• Repeated fillers, i.e., umm, err, uhh, etc
• Lack of smiling and eye contact
• Tone variation
• If you experience any problems, stop and fix the problem before starting again from where you left off.
• Make notes of where you need to remember to do something. It will help you improve your speech delivery.
• If possible, do a proper dress rehearsal at the actual venue in front of a bunch of friends. It will help you to get comfortable with the dress, stage, and actual presentation situation.

If you’ve plenty of time, rehearse at least three times or more, before the final presentation. The more you do the rehearsals, the more you build up your confidence and the easier it becomes to deliver your speech.

Now, let’s take a look at some comprehensive speech format examples for multiple academic levels and various occasions.

Speech Format Examples for Different Academic Levels

Follow these speech format samples to learn how to properly format a speech and easily get through the speech writing process.

Speech Format for Class 8

Speech Format for Class 9

Speech Format for Class 10

Speech Format for Class 11

Speech Format for Class 12

O Levels Speech Format

Speech Format Examples for Different Occasions

Best Man Speech Format

College Speech Format

Debate Speech Format

Impromptu Speech Format

Formal Speech Format

Welcome Speech Format in English

Persuasive Speech Format

Public Speech Format

Informative Speech Format

Extemporaneous Speech Format

Want to see some outstanding speech examples ? Head over to our detailed blog!

Wrapping it up, if you came up with a speech after following the guide, you should be able to grab the attention of the audience within seconds! 

This guide contains all the essentials to crafting a compelling speech and presenting it in a meaningful way!

However, if you still need some help, you can hire a professional writer. Our speech writing service provides top-notch speeches at cheap prices.

Order now and get expertly crafted speeches to impress your audience. Hire our reliable essay writing service and let our experts handle your speech writing needs!

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

How it works

Transform your enterprise with the scalable mindsets, skills, & behavior change that drive performance.

Explore how BetterUp connects to your core business systems.

We pair AI with the latest in human-centered coaching to drive powerful, lasting learning and behavior change.

Build leaders that accelerate team performance and engagement.

Unlock performance potential at scale with AI-powered curated growth journeys.

Build resilience, well-being and agility to drive performance across your entire enterprise.

Transform your business, starting with your sales leaders.

Unlock business impact from the top with executive coaching.

Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Accelerate the performance and potential of your agencies and employees.

See how innovative organizations use BetterUp to build a thriving workforce.

Discover how BetterUp measurably impacts key business outcomes for organizations like yours.

A demo is the first step to transforming your business. Meet with us to develop a plan for attaining your goals.

• What is coaching?

Learn how 1:1 coaching works, who its for, and if it's right for you.

Accelerate your personal and professional growth with the expert guidance of a BetterUp Coach.

Types of Coaching

Navigate career transitions, accelerate your professional growth, and achieve your career goals with expert coaching.

Enhance your communication skills for better personal and professional relationships, with tailored coaching that focuses on your needs.

Find balance, resilience, and well-being in all areas of your life with holistic coaching designed to empower you.

Discover your perfect match : Take our 5-minute assessment and let us pair you with one of our top Coaches tailored just for you.

Best practices, research, and tools to fuel individual and business growth.

View on-demand BetterUp events and learn about upcoming live discussions.

The latest insights and ideas for building a high-performing workplace.

• BetterUp Briefing

The online magazine that helps you understand tomorrow's workforce trends, today.

Innovative research featured in peer-reviewed journals, press, and more.

Founded in 2022 to deepen the understanding of the intersection of well-being, purpose, and performance

We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion.

Join us and create impactful change.

Read the buzz about BetterUp.

Meet the leadership that's passionate about empowering your workforce.

For Business

For Individuals

How to write a speech that your audience remembers

Elevate your communication skills

Unlock the power of clear and persuasive communication. Our coaches can guide you to build strong relationships and succeed in both personal and professional life.

Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

• It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
• A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
• It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
• Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
• Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
• Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
• Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
• Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
• Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
• Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
• Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
• Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

• Explanation 1
• Explanation 2
• Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

• Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
• Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
• Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
• Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
• Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

• What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
• What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
• What audience am I writing for? 
• What do I know about my audience? 
• What values do I want to transmit? 
• If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
• What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
• What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

• Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
• Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
• Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
• Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
• Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
• Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
• Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
• Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

• Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
• Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
• Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
• Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
• Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
• Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
• Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
• Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
• Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
• Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
• Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
• Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
• Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
• Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
• Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

What are analytical skills? Examples and how to level up

The 11 tips that will improve your public speaking skills, how to apologize to someone professionally and with grace, wondering how to change careers 12 steps to switch it up, 6 presentation skills and how to improve them, discover how professional coaching can boost your career growth, how to not be nervous for a presentation — 13 tips that work (really), how long should you stay in a job this guide will help you figure it out, create a networking plan in 7 easy steps, similar articles, how to write an executive summary in 10 steps, the importance of good speech: 5 tips to be more articulate, how to pitch ideas: 8 tips to captivate any audience, how to give a good presentation that captivates any audience, anxious about meetings learn how to run a meeting with these 10 tips, writing an elevator pitch about yourself: a how-to plus tips, how to make a presentation interactive and exciting, how to write a memo: 8 steps with examples, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

3100 E 5th Street, Suite 350 Austin, TX 78702

• Platform Overview
• Integrations
• Powered by AI
• BetterUp Lead
• BetterUp Manage™
• BetterUp Care™
• Sales Performance
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Case Studies
• Why BetterUp?
• About Coaching
• Find your Coach
• Career Coaching
• Communication Coaching
• Life Coaching
• News and Press
• Leadership Team
• Become a BetterUp Coach
• BetterUp Labs
• Center for Purpose & Performance
• Leadership Training
• Business Coaching
• Contact Support
• Contact Sales
• Privacy Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Trust & Security
• Cookie Preferences

Speech Structure: The Complete OBC Guide

What makes a great speech? The content, of course, but also the structure. All great speakers overlay their content on a well-known structure. 

Your speech structure is the glue that binds your points together. Without it, you cannot really have the impact you desire to have on the audience.

The beauty of this is that a good structure is so subtle it is almost invisible. Its effectiveness is only evident in its impact.

Speech writing can be intimidating for some, however, we have incorporated plenty of speech examples to get a complete understanding. We aim to explain a proper structure that can be applied to any of your speeches.

There are four things you need to keep in mind about this:

Table of Contents

What is the purpose of your speech?

Can too much content be harmful, who is the audience, informative speech, persuasive speech, argumentative speech, demonstration speech, humorous speech, strong statement, visual prop or demonstration, personal anecdote, problem or strong statement, summary on writing your introduction:, credibility, cause and effect:, problems and solutions:, lucky number three, summary on writing your body:, call to action, inspirational, key takeaway, summary of writing your conclusion:, meta description:, picking the right topic.

The content of a speech can largely determine how the audience receives it. For this, you will need to accurately assess who is going to be listening to your speech. There are some questions you need to ask before sitting down to write this speech.

Do you intend to introduce a concept or argue on a controversial topic? Is your purpose of imparting knowledge or guiding the audience through a demonstration? It is essential to have your intentions cleared; otherwise, you can risk creating a speech with no direction.

We understand that as daunting as speaking can be, it is, at the same time, fascinating. When you pick a topic that you are passionate about, it is easy to find yourself packing the speech with all kinds of information. However, in doing so, you can overwhelm your audience.

There is such a thing as too much information. You need to make sure that whatever information you do include is impactful and influential. Aim for something short but memorable. Pick one takeaway message and gear your speech towards that objective.

While it is vital to pick a topic that interests you, it is equally important to make sure that it can grab the audience’s attention. What is the target demographic for your speech? What is the setting for this speech? Is it a particularly controversial topic?

This is important because as humans, most people are likely to be more interested in your presentation if it benefits them somehow. At the same time, you have to consider the setting.

For instance: an office setting would not be the right setting for a controversial social speech. If your speech includes demonstration and requires volunteers, you need to ensure that this is an audience willing to participate.  

Do you understand the various types of speeches?

Before you pen down your presentation, stop to wonder whether you understand the different types of speeches. Understanding what kind of speech you are going for can help you better structure it for maximum efficiency:

An informative speech intends to explain complex topics to your audience by providing engaging information. This can include objects, events, procedures, and more. It is better if you pick a topic that you are interested in so that your enthusiasm shines through.

When you give an informative speech, you are merely trying to educate your audiences about a particular topic. You refrain from becoming too argumentative as it might come across too strong for your listeners. If this is the type of speech you intend to give, you can check out 100 Informative Speech Topics and Ideas to make your job easier. 

A persuasive speech intends to convince the audiences of your viewpoint. It uses compelling points to sway the listener’s opinions. The primary purpose of this type of speech is to affect the audiences’ thought process and persuade them to think about changing how they feel about a topic.

Some examples of a persuasive speech can be a politician’s speech, an animal activist’s speech, and so on. As you can see, the goal here is to persuade and obtain something ultimately. A politician might want to sway your vote in their favor, whereas ani activist has a cause that they’d like to advocate for.

If this is the type of speech you intend to give, you can check out 237 Easy Persuasive Speech Topics and Guide to better plan your speech.

An argumentative speech is more or less a persuasive speech. However, a persuasive speech does not always have to be argumentative. The purpose of an argumentative is to alter how the audience views a subject. 

Changing the audience’s opinion is not an easy job. This is why you need to not only pick a persuasive topic but also believe in it. You need a strong claim along with irrefutable points to support it. 

The best argumentative speeches utilize issues relating to current events. You can see this in the media in the form of mostly social, ethical, political, or religious arguments. Your arguments should make use of logic and realistic examples. Some examples of this type of speech can be: Dress codes shouldn’t be mandatory, Space exploration is a waste of money, etc.

If you’d like to see more topic ideas for an argumentative speech, you can browse the 200 Argumentative Speech Topics and ideas: A Complete Guide . 

A demonstration speech, true to its name, demonstrates to the audience how something works. This type of presentation is more common for high school or college students. It makes use of props and useful body language to properly guide the audience through an activity.

This type of speech can fall under informative speech as you are informing the listeners on a task. While this type of speech is considered a basic speech, it is an excellent way to practice your expository speaking.

If this is the type of speech you’d like to give, here’s a list of 279 Demonstration Speech Topics and Ideas: A Complete Guide , so that you can better perfect your speech.

A humorous speech is the perfect light-hearted solution for adding a fun twist to your speech. This type of presentation aims to entertain the audience. A humorous speech can incorporate any of the above examples. It is, thus, very versatile. And what’s more? You get to have just as much fun delivering it!  

The thing to keep in mind with this kind of speech is that you need to pick a proper topic. You intend to garner a joyful response to its best not to pick a sensitive topic. To help you out, you can browse the 300 Funny Speech Topics to Tickle Some Funny Bones! to structure your humorous speech.

Writing the Introduction (Opening)

The introduction of your speech is vital to the success of your speech. It is what sets the tone of your entire speech. It determines whether or not you grab the attention of the listeners. You will get only one chance to charm your audience and make sure they follow the rest of your speech.

So, how can you make this happen? There are a few different ways you can approach this:

Asking a question is an excellent way to grab your audience’s attention. It piques their curiosity and ensures that they will listen to get an answer to said question. The question can be either rhetorical or literal. For instance, “Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to live in a world without technology?” or “Have you ever felt broken-hearted?”.

Either the audience resonates with your question, or it generates curiosity. This is also a great way to get some audience participation. If you say, “With a show of hands, how many of us here have tried to change our habits and failed?” you can not only garner interest but also physically get the audience invested in your speech.

A question is a great way to get your listeners thinking about your topic while introducing your topic, all in a matter of seconds!

A strong statement is also an excellent way to create a compelling introduction. You must know Martin Luther King’s iconic, “I have a dream.” The intensity that radiates from that sentence immediately captures an audiences’ attention and creates a commanding presence.

Similarly, an excellent example of this type of opening is from Larry Smith’s speech. “I want to discuss with you this afternoon why you’re going to fail to have a great career.” This immediately generates intrigue and curiosity. That’s what you’re going for.

This statement does not have to just be cold facts. It can be a part of a personal story as well. For instance, the statement “Last week, I found out that my childhood friend got in a car accident” is bound to create a powerful silence. If your speech has such a strong emotive statement, you can use it in your introduction to engage your audience better.

Another helpful tip that goes with a strong statement in silence. Give your listener’s a chance to absorb the statement that you have put in front of them with a couple of seconds of silence before diving in further.

A prop can be a fantastic addition to your speech. Not only does it help emphasize your point, but it also helps the audience stay focused on your speech. Props are especially good for a demonstrative speech. Or you can simply incorporate demonstrations as part of your speech.

Body language speaks much louder than words can for us humans. This is why using colorful bags, a deck of cards, colored papers, etc. can be so effective as an opener for your speech. Once, I attended a speech where the speaker brought a heavy bag and simply set it on the table, talking about the bag. The audience was hooked, waiting eagerly till the end to find out what was in the bag.

A quotation can be the perfect way to capture your audience’s attention. It also helps set a tone for the speech that is to come. The quote you pick can be a well-known saying such as “They say all that glitters is not gold, well I beg to differ.” Doing so, you can ignite curiosity.

Similarly, you can also quote a person or a publication and tie it to your speech. For instance, for a motivational speech, you can take the example of someone like Bill Gates- “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” When you use a quote from a big name, you will definitely get people wanting to hear and learn more.

Humor is always a great tool to have in your arsenal. A good icebreaker can warm the listeners up to you and make them more receptive to the rest of your speech. Humor is a very endearing trait for a skilled speaker. Some ideas for your opening can be:

“It’s the funniest thing. As I was coming up to the stage, I began thinking we actually have quite a lot in common. None of us have a clue about what I’m going to say!”

“I know we are all busy, and I want to honor your time. So I will make sure to be accurate and brief, no matter long it takes me.”

The great thing about using humor is that it works on your audience subconsciously. You seem at ease with yourself and radiate confidence. You have to remember that for humor to be effective; it has to be effortless. If you seem unsure about your lines, the audience is sure to pick up on it.

A strong statistic will always add validity to your speeches. Presenting the audience with irrefutable facts backed up by a strong source is a surefire way to gain credibility. It can also add gravity to the scale of the issue that you want to draw attention to. 

However, it is easy to overdo things when it comes to numbers. It can be tempting to add strong statistics to the rest of your speech as well. But remember, the strongest points are ones that linger in an audience’s mind. If you give them too many numbers, none of them will stick out in their heads, and they are bound to feel lost.

Some examples can be: “Look to your right. Now, look to your left. One in three women and one in four women are known to have suffered physical violence. A statement like this not only ignites awareness but also physically makes your listener feel involved in your speech.

An anecdote is a short story taken from your life itself. The story usually adds to the theme of your story. Short and light-hearted anecdotes can add a lot of enthusiasm and charm to your speech. However, you don’t have to make them humorous. Even more, touching stories can be equally, if not more engaging.

When used correctly, a personal anecdote makes for the perfect introduction that draws your listeners towards your central message. Not only does it create empathy, but it also sparks interest. If you don’t have a personal anecdote itself, you can go for a third-person anecdote that speaks to you as well.

Opening with a problem can make for a strong opening. This method generates interest and keeps the audience listening with the promise of an upcoming solution. Try to aim for a problem that caters to a wider demographic for a higher relatability.

Problems that relate to current events can have a better draw. For instance: “Why should remote working be implemented even after quarantine?”

In a similar vein, a powerful statement can be an excellent way to capture your audience’s attention. A statement, when paired with silence, can make for an effective tool. Example: “The top 20% of our society makes 80% of all the money. Would you like to be part of this 20%? If so, I’m going to give you some pointers on how you can align yourself in that direction. Does that sound like something you might be interested in?”

• Your opening plays a big role in whether or not you can grab your listener’s attention straight off the bat.
• Give your audience a reason to pay attention by clearly stating the purpose of your speech.
• If you are giving a speech regarding a field you have some experience with, remember to establish credibility early on.
• Give a short highlight reel of your main points.
• Quotations or powerful statements are a great way to catch the audience’s attention.
• Including current events or statistics will make your speech seem more relevant to a wider range of listeners.
• Asking a question will get your audience more involved and add intrigue to the rest of your presentation.

Structuring your content (Body)

The body of your speech will hold all of your main points. Since this is the longest section of your speech, you need to ensure that it is interesting enough to keep everyone’s attention. Depending on the objective of your speech, you will need to add examples, opinions, and facts to back up your points. What helps during this time is proper organization.

Here are some things you want to keep in mind while drafting the body of your speech:

No matter how much you believe in your point, you still need to give your audience a credible reason to take your word for it. This can be done by adding examples, detailed descriptions, statistics, and so on. Always remember to credit the source when using a statistic. You can also add a strong testimonial to add a touch of personalized support if that applies to your objective.

Transitions

When you have a lot of content packed into your speech, transitions become vital to the effectiveness of your speech. You can consider these as points of a refresh in your speech. Here, the audience can reengage and follow along more attentively. 

The best transitions are always invisible. They can seamlessly add flow to your speech without giving any indication of such to your audience. There are many ways to incorporate this into your speech. 

Some examples can be:

A connective transition is where you reiterate a previous point and introduce a connecting point. The way this method works is that it rehashes an important aspect while relating it to what’s next.

The most effective way to use this is in a problem/solution module. This is where you begin by stating a problem and transition towards a solution.

Example: Now that we’ve understood the various negative effects of junk food, let me tell you how we can plan a better diet to combat obesity.

When you do this, you are providing a summary of the problem and swiftly leading them towards a solution. If you jump straight to the next section, it can feel rushed. Besides, pauses are another important element of speech delivery.

Keywords, as the name suggests, have a certain draw to them. These are words that are central to the theme of your speech. Repetition is a very effective tool in conveying your message. 

For instance: If your speech is about the scarcity of running water in rural communities, you can draw attention by repeating the factors that cause this issue. Doing so will also let you explain in better detail these factors while keeping your audience hooked to the main theme.

Content Approach

Depending on your speech, there are various ways to approach how you frame your content. We all know that content is king; however, without the right approach, it’s easy for your message to get lost along the way. This is why it’s so important to keep your subject matter relevant and interesting. Make sure the content is as compact and concise as you can make it. Some of the methods by which you can ensure this is as follows:

Cause and effect is a great way to present your ideas. This method works best for explaining events and consequences or results. Make sure to include all the appropriate details to add emphasis. The element of ‘what’s next’ is what keeps the audience hooked to your speech. As you unfold a cause and follow it with the effects, it will feel both interesting as well as rewarding to your audience.  

Problem and solution is a speech method as old as time. But it is so because of its reliability. This approach works best for a motivational speech. This type of speech intends to address a problem and offer a systematic solution that benefits the listeners. It is also a common approach for pushing an audience to buy into a service or product. You pose a problem and then offer a solution, including a whole package. Make sure the solution you offer is versatile so that it applies to a wider range of people, thereby increasing appeal.

A narrative approach is excellent for anybody who wants to sharpen their storytelling skills. The important ingredients for a narrative speech are chronology and a simple organization pattern. Typically, any story will have a beginning, middle, and end. Going in order, with smooth transitions will make your story easy to follow. 

This type of speech is most effective for presenting events, life lessons, experiences, rituals, and personal beliefs. Try to stick to the core of the story without too many unnecessary details. Just because a narrative includes storytelling does not mean it can’t have an end goal. For instance: a personal experience of failure might be a great story of caution for the listeners.

The most important thing for a successful narrative speech is build-up. You want your audience to be invested, to care about what comes next, to raise the stakes so that when you provide the conclusion, it is that much more effective. You must always ask yourself, “What do I want the audience to remember after this speech?”.

The best way to write this would be to outline a sketch of events that are relevant to your narrative. After that, you can think about the best way to escalate the stakes. Remember that eye contact is an important visual medium in a narrative speech. It will help your audience connect better to your story.

The number three is impactful. Even the general structure of a speech is divided into three parts: Opening, Body, and Conclusion. When you want to make a point that people remember, you should consider splitting it into three, where the first two act as a build-up while your final point brings the unexpected impact.

The best thing about this method is that you can apply it to just about any kind of speech. This, in fact, adds more structure to your speech and makes it more easily digestible. The key ingredient here becomes balance and transition. Make sure you focus on all three elements of your story equally, so it does not feel rushed. Add in a seamless transition to make your story structure seem effortless.  

• Make sure you have designed your content to suit your audience.
• Divide your body into easily digestible sections so that your main points come across clearly.
• Stress on keywords and clever repetitions to drive your point home.
• Work on your transitions to establish clear sections but a seamless switch to keep your listeners hooked.
• When using facts or statistics, always back it up with a credible source.

Closing your speech (Conclusion)

The conclusion is vital to the success of your speech. This is the parting thought that you will be leaving your audience with, so you have to make sure that it’s a good one. The conclusion is where you reiterate your key point. This is why there is so much importance put on a conclusion to be powerful enough to stay in your memory.

Here are some possible ways you can approach your conclusion:

A call-to-action refers to a statement or material that intends to encourage the listener or viewer to take the initiative. It can also be considered as instruction as it usually directs the audience towards something. 

The most effective way to approach this is to manage both your energy as well as your tempo. While it is essential to maintain a clear and well-enunciated speech throughout, when you reach a conclusion, you are going to want to speed up just a little bit. 

What this does is add a sense of urgency to the message that you are giving. Similarly, higher energy makes the audience resonate and respond equally. They will associate this high energy with your message and remember your speech for longer.

Some examples of this can be: “As we can see, the effects of depression can be life-threatening. So I encourage each and every one of you to go home today and reach out to your friends, talk to them and open up a platform where they know they can come to talk to you for anything. Because you’d rather hear their problems than hear about their death.”

For speeches that are over 5-6 minutes long, the audience can sometimes lose track of the earlier points. This is why it is necessary to summarize your main points before you leave the stage. You don’t have to take them through the entire story, but make sure you include the keywords that trigger in them the memory of that portion. 

You can do this by saying something along the lines of “Let me briefly run you through what we discussed” or “So, we talked about three main things today.” This not only does a great job of reiterating and reconfirming your main points but also signals to the audience that you are drawing towards the end of your presentation.

Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.

Even though you might be well familiarized with your speech, it is safe to assume that most of the audience is hearing it for the first time. For this reason, you need to drive your point home by essentially drilling it into their minds. Now, you can’t simply repeat the central theme over and over as that isn’t an effective strategy. But there can be an art to repetition as well.

You should aim to rephrase and reinforce your central idea as you conclude your speech. Don’t go for a word-for-word repetition, but aim to reframe your key themes and arguments. Paraphrasing, in this way, makes sure that you capture the essence of your speech without running the risk of boring your listeners with identical sentences.

We don’t even need to look too far for examples of this method. In Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, he used this method of repetition paired with a rising momentum to create impact. Repetition works best when it is subtle and works on the listeners subconsciously.

Ending your speech on a light note is a great way to brighten moods and make sure the audience remembers your message. Your joke can also be a good way to repeat your central message. If you do decide to end with a humorous story, remember to carve out more time for it. Make sure your conclusion doesn’t distract from your main message.

Some people tend to get too excited and give away the upcoming punchline. Remember that the most effective humor approach is one you don’t see coming. How you can add the subtlety to your conclusion is by following this formula:

Set up – pause – Build up – pause – Punchline

Motivational conclusions are always an upbeat way to close your speech. You will be leaving the stage on high energy that is sure to be contagious. This also ensures that your audience will be taking a piece of your conclusion with them, making sure that it is not only memorable but also useful.

There are many ways to approach an inspirational closing. You can go with an anecdote, a quote, a poem, and so on. The purpose is to give a push, to add strength, to ignite a can-do attitude. 

The trick to a powerful inspirational speech is emotion. Humans are excellent at empathizing. If you can adequately emote throughout your story, adding drama into your storytelling, then it is bound to have a more substantial effect. Vocal variety can also be an excellent element for this. Alter your tempo to weave excitement into your story. You can also use smart pauses to add more intrigue. 

Your facial expressions play a significant role in how the audience receives your speech. Whether it is a sad or happy story, make sure that your face conveys it. It can be addictive to have the audience’s attention like this, but don’t get too greedy. Remember to end on your highest note, leaving a lasting impression. 

There are many types of speeches out there. For instance: you might think that a humorous speech is just that: humorous. But think again. All the best speeches have at least one key takeaway.

A takeaway message is quite similar to an inspirational conclusion. The question you have to ask yourself is this: What is the purpose of my speech? Even if you’ve got a fantastic anecdotal story to share, you have to remember that the audience will always wonder what they are getting from the speech. That will be your takeaway.

For an effective conclusion, you have to step back and overview your speech. From your introduction to the body, what is the message you are trying to convey? Make sure your conclusion reflects it. For example: if your speech is about a drowning story, you can probably try to include what you could’ve done and how the audience can avoid being in a similar situation.

A call-back is a fun twist to add to your conclusion. There is a reason why a circle is one of the most pleasing shapes; it gives you a sense of completion. Even if you aren’t aware of it, it works on your mind subliminally. An effective way to conduct this method is to find a way to tie your ending to your introduction.

You can understand a call-back as a reference. It doesn’t have to be limited to just the introduction; you can reference the body of your speech as well. This not only makes for a great repetition tool but also adds a feeling of completion into your presentation.

However, you should pick something that the audience can connect to. This helps create a special and unique bond as if it were an inside joke just between you two. 

• Signal your audience when you’re drawing to your conclusion.
• Add trigger transitions like “In conclusion,” “In summary,” “That brings us towards the end,” and so on.
• Try to end on a high note with something memorable.
• Write your conclusion last so that it complements your introduction.
• Try to paraphrase your words without repeating the same words over and over.
• Your audience is more likely to remember your speech if you end with something useful to them or with a call to action.
• Leave on an attention-grabbing note. 

Wrapping Up:

A speech typically has one of four purposes: to inform, to entertain, to instruct, or to persuade. To deliver an effective speech, you need to first make sure you understand what your objective is. Then, you can follow our guidelines to construct a solid structure and deliver a well-rounded and impactful presentation. Now that you know how to create an effective speech structure, you are ready to dominate the stage!  

The best speech structures are invisible and effective. Learn the tips and tricks to deliver the perfect opening, body, and conclusion and wow the stage.

The Ultimate Guide to Speech Writing | Format and Samples

If you want to know, how to write a perfect speech , you will love this amazing step-by-step guide.

But, let’s start with a simple introduction.

In simple words, speech writing is an art (technique) of conveying your message to an audience through your words.

Think of it this way.

Whether for a ceremony, an election or a school assembly, you give a speech to interact with your audience.

Plus, a speech has logically connected ideas that are supported by evidence.

But, how do you write a speech? Let me tell you.

We'll take a look at:

Format of Speech Writing:

• Address your audience :

This is the first thing that you are going to do.

Addressing the audience simply means to start with a phrase such as: “Good morning everyone”, or “Good morning ladies and gentlemen”.

This will go on the top left of your page.

Note : If (in an exam) the question restricts you with the starting, you should follow the instructions. For example, if you are asked to start with “Good evening friends”, then you will start like that.

When you have addressed your audience (people listening to you), move on to the second step.

• Write an Introduction:

This is going to be the first paragraph of your speech. And trust me, it should be “epic”.

Let me tell you how to write a perfect introductory paragraph. An introduction should:

• Grab the attention of the audience
• Explain the topic (and the points that would be discussed)

If you want to hook your reader from the start, you can start with a question . This is because a question forces your reader to visualize and think about the topic.

For example, let’s suppose that you are writing about climate change. You can start your speech like this: “In your opinion, why is climate change a bigger problem today than it was 20 years ago?”.

The second thing you can do to grab your readers attention is to start with a fact .

I have a question for you. Would you be interested in hearing a speech that starts with a thrilling fact? At least, I would be!

A simple example of starting with a fact is:

“Do you know that one of the biggest global killers is pollution? Around 5000 people die every day due to the consumption of unclean water.” That is a HUGE number if you ask me…”

When you have grabbed your readers attention, move on and explain the purpose of your speech.

It is important to tell the purpose of your speech. It gives your reader an idea of what your speech will cover. It should also provide some background information on the issue or problem (if applicable).

When you are done with the introduction, move on to the body.

In the body paragraphs, you are going to cover the main topic (idea) in detail.

Each body paragraph should contain:

• A topic sentence that tells what the paragraph will cover
• The supporting sentences that discuss the idea of the topic sentence

But the real question is, how many body paragraphs should you make?

Well, it depends. Let me explain this to you.

You are going to make a paragraph in the body section for every main idea. In simple words, you will make a separate paragraph for a separate point (idea).

But ideally, it is recommended to make 3 body paragraphs (to cover three prominent ideas).

You will understand this after reading the sample speeches later in this article.

• Conclusion :

This is going to be the last part of your speech. But, a concluding paragraph is a little bit different.

Here’s how.

In the conclusion, you are first going to thank your audience for their patience and time. Then (just like other conclusions), you are going to summarise your discussion.

But remember, DO NOT introduce new points. The purpose of the conclusion is to wrap up your ideas and thank your audience.

So keep that in mind.

With this, it is time to move on and take a look at some samples for speech writing.

Recently, your class organized and helped to run an after-school activity for younger pupils in your school. The Principal asked you, as one of the organizers, to give a speech about it at the school assembly.

Write your speech. You must include the following:

• When and where the activity was held
• Description of the activity
• Benefits to younger pupils and classmates

“My respected schoolmates and the honourable administration, Good morning. I have a question for you. Would you actively participate in an event conducted by the school or by your friends?

I will come back to you with this question later, but first of all, let me introduce myself. I am Adam Sanders, a student of grade eleven, and I am here to talk about the recent sports activity our class organized after school.

( Introduction ↑ )

My honourable audience, my class conducted the planned sports activities immediately after the recent winter break. This means that the activity lasted for two weeks, from 1st January to 14th January 2021. Umm… And we conducted all our activities in this assembly area, where you all are currently standing.

( First Body Paragraph ↑ )

Any guesses how did we manage all this?

Firstly, the younger pupils opted for their favourite sports through a survey. Secondly, my class finalized the teams based upon the skills of players and sports categories such as cricket and football.

This was a hectic task, wasn’t it? After that, as you all know, the teams competed against each other up till the final, where one team secured a victory.

( Second Body Paragraph ↑ )

My honourable audience, this activity proved to be a source of learning competitive skills for the participants. Likewise, these sports activities also allowed students to improve their physical, mental and emotional health.

Isn’t it? And if I talk about my class, we learned a lot about leadership and how to plan and conduct events.

( Third Body Paragraph ↑ )

My respected guests, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your valuable time. I hope that we conduct similar events in the future as well. This is Adam, and I hope to see you all in the future.”

( Conclusion ↑ )

Comments on the Sample:

(The strong aspects of this response)

• The format of this sample is appropriate.

This is because it starts and ends with inverted commas and contains paragraphs.

Further reading:

Argumentative Essay Made Simple

Narrative Writing | With Examples

Report Writing | Format and Sample

• There are rhetorical questions that engage the audience.

These questions are the ones for which the questioner does not expect a direct answer. Here are some examples of rhetorical questions:

“There is no point in this, is there?”

“This joke was funny, wasn’t it?”

“Why don’t you leave me alone?”

• The writer covers all three aspects (mentioned as bullet points in the question).

If you look at the question, there were some topics such as “when and where the activity was held”. The candidate addresses all these points using a separate paragraph for each.

• The tone and register (writing style) are appropriate.

With this, it is time to discuss some areas of improvement for this sample.

(The areas of improvement )

• Variety in sentence structure.

In the response, there are mostly simple and compound sentences. The speech can be improved by using complex and compound-complex sentences as well.

• Engaging the audience.

In speech writing, keeping your audience engaged is the MOST important task.

This is simple. If you do not engage your audience, they will not listen to you.

In this response, the student has tried well to retain the audience attention. But there are some places where the speech turns to more like storytelling .

For example, when the details about the event were discussed.

• The Conclusion:

In the concluding paragraph, the student thanks to the audience (which is good). But, the summary of the main points (brief recap) was missing.

You should remember that in the conclusion, you have to summarise your speech and then thank your audience.

Note : You can also add extra details, such as your contact details (if applicable).

Now, let me share another speech writing sample with you.

Write a speech about an event from your school life you will always remember. You should include details such as when the event happened and how the event affected you.

“My respected Principal, the honourable school staff and my friends, Good morning! I have a quick question for you. Is there any event from your school life about which you says: ‘I am going to remember this FOREVER’?

Well, there is one for me. But first of all, let me introduce myself to you. My name is John Ryan and I am a student of grade eleven. I think this is enough for an introduction, isn’t it?

Now, let me share my experience of an inter-region football competition in which I participated last year.

Umm… First of all, raise your hands if you have ever been to a football competition. Good, the majority of you have the experience. Let me tell you all that our preparation for the event started two months before the event.

And for your reference, let me tell you that the event was conducted on 22nd March 2021. A quick question, any guesses on where the event was conducted?

No idea? Well, this programme was held in the Peninsula Stadium (UK) where teams from all over the globe participated.

I know that you might be wondering, ‘How did this stadium accommodate so many people?’. The answer is that after the teams were shortlisted, this stadium was enough to carry out an event like this.

My respected audience, our coach Sir Jimmy ensured that all the preparations were complete. And as you are aware that we defeated all our opponents one by one and made our way to the final.

Can you imagine how hectic and tiresome this day was for all of us? But to be honest, the victory at the end made this effort completely worth it. Now you all know why I was excited to share this experience?

My friends, this experience of training and victory is what makes this event unforgettable.

My honourable guests, I claim that this event made a HUGE impact on my personality. Any guesses?

Participation in this competition massively increased my confidence. Moreover, I learned some great lessons about teamwork, leadership and success.

But there is something I am even more proud of. Raise your hands if you know the answer. The hint is, ‘school’. Yes, you are correct. This victory enhanced the reputation of our school as well.

Well, this brings us to the end of this speech. Thank you for your valuable time and energy. If you have any questions for me, you can raise your hands…

No? Well then, I hope that this speech was a source of motivation and learning for you. I hope to see you all soon. Bye”

Tips for Speech Writing:

• Use a conversational tone.

You should remember that speech writing is not like account writing or letter writing. The tone matters!

Having a conversational tone simply means that your speech should sound like you are talking to someone. For that, you can use the phrases such as: “My respected guests…” “My honourable audience…” etc

Important Note : You should use the “You” tone in your writing. This keeps your audience engaged.

• Use rhetorical questions .

This is very important if you want to keep your audience engaged . As I mentioned earlier, these are the questions for which you do not expect a direct answer.

But, why do you ask them? To keep your audience attentive.

Therefore, try to ask questions so that your speech does not turn into a story.

• Know your audience :

Who is your audience? Why do they want and why are they there?

These questions are very important to answer before you write a speech. Whether your speech is to entertain, motivate, inform or challenge your audience, knowing them is the first part.

This is because your tone should vary according to your audience.

Wrapping Up:

With this, our topic about speech writing has come to an end.

Now, I turn it over to you.

Which part of this topic did you find challenging? Or you enjoyed reading the samples? Either way, do let me know.

Thank You very much for reading and staying with me till the end. Stay tuned for more. And if you have any questions, feel free to leave them below.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

Speech Writing

• Updated on  
• Jan 16, 2024

The power of good, inspiring, motivating, and thought-provoking speeches can never be overlooked. If we retrospect, a good speech has not only won people’s hearts but also has been a verbal tool to conquer nations. For centuries, many leaders have used this instrument to charm audiences with their powerful speeches. Apart from vocalizing your speech perfectly, the words you choose in a speech carry immense weight, and practising speech writing begins with our school life. Speech writing is an important part of the English syllabus for Class 12th, Class 11th, and Class 8th to 10th. This blog brings you the Speech Writing format, samples, examples, tips, and tricks!

This Blog Includes:

What is speech writing, speech in english language writing, how do you begin an english-language speech, introduction, how to write a speech, speech writing samples, example of a great speech, english speech topics, practice time.

Must Read: Story Writing Format for Class 9 & 10

Speech writing is the art of using proper grammar and expression to convey a thought or message to a reader. Speech writing isn’t all that distinct from other types of narrative writing. However, students should be aware of certain distinct punctuation and writing style techniques. While writing the ideal speech might be challenging, sticking to the appropriate speech writing structure will ensure that you never fall short.

“There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience.”- Alexander Gregg

The English language includes eight parts of speech i.e. nouns , pronouns , verbs , adjectives 410 , adverbs , prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

• Noun- A noun is a word that describes anything, such as an animal, a person, a place, or an emotion. Nouns are the building blocks for most sentences.
• Pronoun – Pronouns are words that can be used in place of nouns. They are used so that we don’t have to repeat words. This makes our writing and speaking much more natural.
• Verb – A verb is a term that implies activity or ‘doing.’ These are very vital for your children’s grammar studies, as a sentence cannot be complete without a verb.
• Adjective – An adjective is a term that describes something. An adjective is frequently used before a noun to add extra information or description.
• Prepositions- A preposition is a term that expresses the location or timing of something in relation to something else.
• Conjunction- Because every language has its own set of conjunctions, English conjunctions differ from those found in other languages. They’re typically used as a connecting word between two statements, concepts, or ideas.
• Interjections- Interjections are words that are used to describe a strong emotion or a sudden feeling.

Relevant Read: Speech on the Importance of English

The way you start your English speech can set the tone for the remainder of it. This semester, there are a variety of options for you to begin presentations in your classes. For example, try some of these engaging speech in English language starters.

• Rhetorical questions : A rhetorical question is a figure of speech that uses a question to convey a point rather than asking for a response. The answer to a rhetorical question may be clear, yet the questioner asks it to emphasize the point. Rhetorical questions may be a good method for students to start their English speeches. This method of introducing your material might be appealing to the viewers and encourage them to consider how they personally relate to your issue.
• Statistics: When making an instructive or persuasive speech in an English class, statistics can help to strengthen the speaker’s authority and understanding of the subject. To get your point over quickly and create an emotional response, try using an unexpected statistic or fact that will resonate with the audience.
• Set up an imaginary scene: Create an imaginary situation in your audience’s thoughts if you want to persuade them to agree with you with your speech. This method of starting your speech assists each member of the audience in visualizing a fantastic scenario that you wish to see come true.

Relevant Read: Reported Speech Rules With Exercises

Format of Speech Writing

Here is the format of Speech Writing:

• Introduction : Greet the audience, tell them about yourself and further introduce the topic.
• Body : Present the topic in an elaborate way, explaining its key features, pros and cons, if any and the like.
• Conclusion : Summary of your speech, wrap up the topic and leave your audience with a compelling reminder to think about!

Let’s further understand each element of the format of Speech Writing in further detail:

After the greetings, the Introduction has to be attention-getting. Quickly get people’s attention. The goal of a speech is to engage the audience and persuade them to think or act in your favour. The introduction must effectively include: 

• A brief preview of your topic. 
• Define the outlines of your speech. (For example, I’ll be talking about…First..Second…Third)
• Begin with a story, quote, fact, joke, or observation in the room. It shouldn’t be longer than 3-4 lines. (For Example: “Mahatma Gandhi said once…”, or “This topic reminds me of an incident/story…”)

This part is also important because that’s when your audience decides if the speech is worth their time. Keep your introduction factual, interesting, and convincing.

It is the most important part of any speech. You should provide a number of reasons and arguments to convince the audience to agree with you.

Handling objections is an important aspect of speech composition. There is no time for questions or concerns since a speech is a monologue. Any concerns that may occur during the speech will be addressed by a powerful speech. As a result, you’ll be able to respond to questions as they come in from the crowd. To make speech simpler you can prepare a flow chart of the details in a systematic way.

For example: If your speech is about waste management; distribute information and arrange it according to subparagraphs for your reference. It could include:

• What is Waste Management?
• Major techniques used to manage waste
• Advantages of Waste Management  
• Importance of Waste Management 

The conclusion should be something that the audience takes with them. It could be a reminder, a collective call to action, a summary of your speech, or a story. For example: “It is upon us to choose the fate of our home, the earth by choosing to begin waste management at our personal spaces.”

After concluding, add a few lines of gratitude to the audience for their time.

For example: “Thank you for being a wonderful audience and lending me your time. Hope this speech gave you something to take away.”

Practice Your Speech Writing with these English Speech topics for students !

A good speech is well-timed, informative, and thought-provoking. Here are the tips for writing a good school speech:

Speech Sandwich of Public Speaking

The introduction and conclusion must be crisp. People psychologically follow the primacy effect (tendency to remember the first part of the list/speech) and recency effect (tendency to recall the last part of the list/speech). 

Use Concrete Facts

Make sure you thoroughly research your topic. Including facts appeals to the audience and makes your speech stronger. How much waste is managed? Give names of organisations and provide numerical data in one line.

Use Rhetorical Strategies and Humour

Include one or two open-ended or thought-provoking questions.  For Example: “Would we want our future generation to face trouble due to global warming?” Also, make good use of humour and convenient jokes that engages your audience and keeps them listening.

Check Out: Message Writing

Know your Audience and Plan Accordingly

This is essential before writing your speech. To whom is it directed? The categorised audience on the basis of –

• Knowledge of the Topic (familiar or unfamiliar)

Use the information to formulate the speech accordingly, use information that they will understand, and a sentence that they can retain.

Timing Yourself is Important

An important aspect of your speech is to time yourself.  Don’t write a speech that exceeds your word limit. Here’s how can decide the right timing for your speech writing:

• A one-minute speech roughly requires around 130-150 words
• A two-minute speech requires roughly around 250-300 words

Recommended Read: Letter Writing

Speech Writing Examples

Here are some examples to help you understand how to write a good speech. Read these to prepare for your next speech:

Write a speech to be delivered in the school assembly as Rahul/ Rubaina of Delhi Public School emphasises the importance of cleanliness, implying that the level of cleanliness represents the character of its residents. (150-200 words)

“Cleanliness is next to godliness,” said the great John Wesley. Hello, respected principal, instructors, and good friends. Today, I, Rahul/Rubaina, stand in front of you all to emphasise the significance of cleanliness.

Cleanliness is the condition or attribute of being or remaining clean. Everyone must learn about cleaning, hygiene, sanitation, and the different diseases that are produced by unsanitary circumstances. It is essential for physical well-being and the maintenance of a healthy atmosphere at home and at school. A filthy atmosphere invites a large number of mosquitos to grow and spread dangerous diseases. On the other side, poor personal cleanliness causes a variety of skin disorders as well as lowered immunity.

Habits formed at a young age become ingrained in one’s personality. Even if we teach our children to wash their hands before and after meals, brush their teeth and bathe on a regular basis, we are unconcerned about keeping public places clean. On October 2, 2014, the Indian Prime Minister began the “Swachh Bharat” programme to offer sanitation amenities to every family, including toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, village cleanliness, and safe and appropriate drinking water supplies. Teachers and children in schools are actively participating in the ‘Clean India Campaign’ with zeal and excitement.

Good health ensures a healthy mind, which leads to better overall productivity, higher living standards, and economic development. It will improve India’s international standing. As a result, a clean environment is a green environment with fewer illnesses. Thus, cleanliness is defined as a symbol of mental purity.

Thank you very much.

Relevant Read: Speech on Corruption

You are Sahil/Sanya, the school’s Head Girl/Head Boy. You are greatly troubled by the increasing instances of aggressive behaviour among your students. You decide to speak about it during the morning assembly. Create a speech about “School Discipline.” (150 – 200 words)

INDISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS,

It has been reported that the frequency of fights and incidences of bullying in our school has increased dramatically in the previous several months. Good morning to everyone present. Today, I, Sahil/Sanya, your head boy/girl, am here to shed light on the serious topic of “Increased Indiscipline in Schools.”

It has come to light that instructor disobedience, bullying, confrontations with students, truancy, and insults are becoming more widespread. Furthermore, there have been reports of parents noticing a shift in their children’s attitudes. As a result, many children are suffering emotionally, psychologically, and physically. The impact of this mindset on children at a young age is devastating and irreversible.

Not to mention the harm done to the school’s property. Theft of chalk, scribbling on desks, walls and lavatory doors, destruction of CCTV cameras and so forth. We are merely depriving ourselves of the comforts granted to us by doing so.

Following numerous meetings, it was determined that the main reasons for the problem were a lack of sufficient guidance, excessive use of social media, and peer pressure. The council is working to make things better. Everyone is required to take life skills classes. Counselling, motivating, and instilling friendly ideals will be part of the curriculum. Seminars for parents and students will be held on a regular basis.

A counsellor is being made available to help you all discuss your sentiments, grudges, and personal problems. We are doing everything we can and expect you to do the same.

So, let us work together to create an environment in which we encourage, motivate, assist, and be nice to one another because we are good and civilised humans capable of a great deal of love.

Relevant Read: How to Write a Speech on Discipline?

The current increase in incidences of violent student misbehaviour is cause for alarm for everyone. Students who learn how to manage their anger can help to alleviate the situation. Write a 150-200-word speech about the topic to be delivered at the school’s morning assembly. (10)

HOW TO CONTROL ANGER

Honourable Principal, Respected Teachers, and Dear Friends, I’d like to share a few “Ways to Manage Anger” with you today.

The growing intolerance among the younger generation, which is resulting in violence against teachers, is cause for severe concern. The guru-shishya parampara is losing its lustre. Aggressive behaviour in students can be provoked by a variety of factors, including self-defence, stressful circumstance, over-stimulation, or a lack of adult supervision.

It has become imperative to address the situation. Life skills workshops will be included in the curriculum. Teachers should be trained to deal with such stubborn and confrontational behaviours. Meditation and deep breathing are very beneficial and should be practised every morning. Students should be taught to count to ten before reacting angrily. Sessions on anger control and its importance must also be held.

Remember that Anger is one letter away from danger. It becomes much more crucial to be able to control one’s rage. It’s never too late to start, as a wise man once said.

“Every minute you stay angry, you lose sixty seconds of peace of mind.”

Relevant Read: English Speech Topics for Students

Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have A Dream’ is one of his most famous speeches. Its impact has lasted through generations. The speech is written by utilising the techniques above. Here are some examples:

“still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination” – emotive Language

“In a sense, we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check” – personalising the speech

“to stand up for freedom together” – a call to action.

Importantly, this is an example of how the listener comes first while drafting a speech. The language chosen appeals to a specific sort of audience and was widely utilised in 1963 when the speech was delivered.

• The Best Day of My Life
• Social Media: Bane or Boon?
• Pros and Cons of Online Learning
• Benefits of Yoga
• If I had a Superpower
• I wish I were ______
• Environment Conservation
• Women Should Rule the World!
• The Best Lesson I Have Learned
• Paperbacks vs E-books
• How to Tackle a Bad Habit?
• My Favorite Pastime/Hobby
• Understanding Feminism
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Is it real or not?
• Importance of Reading
• Importance of Books in Our Life
• My Favorite Fictional Character
• Introverts vs Extroverts
• Lessons to Learn from Sports
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Also Read: How to Ace IELTS Writing Section?

Ans. Speech writing is the process of communicating a notion or message to a reader by employing proper punctuation and expression. Speech writing is similar to other types of narrative writing. However, students should be aware of some different punctuation and writing structure techniques.

Ans. Before beginning with the speech, choose an important topic. Create an outline; rehearse your speech, and adjust the outline based on comments from the rehearsal. This five-step strategy for speech planning serves as the foundation for both lessons and learning activities.

Ans. Writing down a speech is vital since it helps you better comprehend the issue, organises your thoughts, prevents errors in your speech, allows you to get more comfortable with it, and improves its overall quality.

Speech writing and public speaking are effective and influential. Hope this blog helped you know the various tips for writing the speech people would want to hear. If you need help in making the right career choices at any phase of your academic and professional journey, our Leverage Edu experts are here to guide you. Sign up for a free session now!

Team Leverage Edu

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

14 comments

This site has been very helpful to me

Wow i have gained more knowledge

lt’s a nice One and l have loved it

Thank you for your feedback! Happy that you loved it.

Thank you for your feedback!

Very educating.

thanks for your valuable feedback

This is indeed very helpful

Thanks for your valuable feedback!

I have learned alot thank you

Hi, Thanks for your feedback!

Wow so reliable, thanks.

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

• International
• Schools directory
• Resources Jobs Schools directory News Search

AQA Paper 2: Section B Speech Writing

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Other

Last updated

3 February 2024

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

AQA English Language Paper 1 lesson that looks at a famous speech from Barack Obama and helps students to see how they can adapt language devices for their own speeches. A fully differentiated and resourced lesson to help KS3 and KS4 students prepare for Section B of AQA English Language Paper 2. Students analyse a speech for language and structure before being guided to write their own.

Check out our English Shop for loads more free and inexpensive KS3, KS4, KS5, Literacy and whole school resources.

AQA English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2 Knowledge Organisers AQA English Language Paper 1 Section A package AQA English Language Paper 1 Sections A and B package AQA English Language Paper 1 package AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 5 package AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 5 package AQA English Language Paper 2 Section A package AQA English Language and English Literature revision package

An Inspector Calls whole scheme package An Inspector Calls revision package

Macbeth whole scheme package Macbeth revision package

A Christmas Carol whole scheme package A Christmas Carol revision package

Jekyll and Hyde whole scheme package Jekyll and Hyde revision package

Romeo and Juliet whole scheme package

Power and Conflict poetry comparing poems package Power and Conflict poetry whole scheme package

Love and Relationships poetry whole scheme package

Unseen Poetry whole scheme package

Or check out some Citizenship GCSE, RE, PSHE + RSE resources at EC Resources

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 80%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Complete English GCSE

Two years (212+ hours) of English lessons for KS4! 2 whole years of highly-rated and popular English resources. From Macbeth to A Christmas Carol to English Language reading and writing - this really is a comprehensive pack for GCSE. All 212 lesson packs are complete with detailed, well-differentiated and easy to follow PowerPoints for every lesson, accompanying differentiated worksheets, clip links with questions, plenaries, clear LOs, starters and engaging activities. Available with an individual or whole school license. 212 hours, Year 10, Year 11. Covers all AQA English Language and English Literature topics for 2022 exams. **Contains the following:** ***English Literature*** * A Christmas Carol pack (22 resources + SOW) * Macbeth EXPANDED pack (24 resources + SOW) * An Inspector Calls EXPANDED pack (28 resources + SOW) * Power and Conflict EXPANDED pack which includes our comparison and comparing poems bundle (30 resources) * Unseen Poetry (17 resources) ***English Language*** * AQA English Language Paper 1 Section A pack (20 resources + SOW) * AQA English Language Paper 1 Sections A and B pack (20 resources + SOW) * AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 5 pack (20 resources + SOW) * AQA English Language Paper 2 Sections A and B pack (20 resources + SOW) * AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 5 pack (20 resources + SOW) If you're looking for other combinations and texts, get in touch on our website and we'll help. We also cover: * Romeo and Juliet * The Sign of Four * Jekyll and Hyde * Love and Relationships poetry * Blood Brothers * Animal Farm * Much Ado About Nothing * Lord of the Flies You can also find this pack on our own site (EnglishGCSEcouk with the dots added in!) where further discounts are available on prices and school licenses. A fraction of the price of subscription packages. All editable, well differentiated and easy to follow. Available for different tiered licences - just get in touch via our website or email [email protected].

AQA English Language Paper 2

AQA English Language Paper 2 bundle that has recently been revamped and updated. Every lesson took around 7-10 hours to make and include modelled answers, scaffolds, differentiated activities, sources, engaging activities to open up challenging Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q5 (Non-fiction writing) tasks to all students.<br /> <br /> The bundle contains 20 resources that cover both Section A (Nonfiction reading) and Section B (Nonfiction writing) so you know you'll be looking at the whole exam.<br /> <br /> The lessons contained are:<br /> <br /> 1) Introduction lesson that looks at travel writing (Q1, Q2, Q4) - Armitage and Dickens<br /> 2) Lesson on Donald Trump article that covers Q1 and Q3<br /> 3) Lesson on travel writing (Rory Stewart, Dorothy Wordsworth) that covers Q1, Q2 and Q3.<br /> 4) Summary writing lesson that looks at Dickens and a Unicef speech<br /> 5) Crime and Punishment lesson on Q1 and Q2<br /> 6) Crime and Punishment lesson on Q2<br /> 7) Crime and Punishment lesson on Q3<br /> 8) Crime and Punishment lesson on Q4<br /> 9) Paper 2 walking, talking mock that uses the theme of crime and punishment<br /> 10) Section B opening and ending articles<br /> 11) Newspaper article writing / writing to explain<br /> 12) Magazine article writing / writing to argue<br /> 13) Speech writing (Winston Churchill)<br /> 14) Speech writing (Barack Obama)<br /> 15) Paper 2 exam preparation lesson<br /> 16) Paper 2 revision lesson<br /> 17) Escape room revision lesson<br /> 18) Paper 2 Section A knowledge organiser<br /> 19) Paper 2 Section A exam practice pack<br /> 20) Florence Nightingale themed Q1-Q4 lessons<br /> <br /> Bundle (20x 1hr PP, differentiated tasks throughout using new GCSE numbering system)<br /> <br /> All tasks differentiated according to new GCSE numbering system, this bundle is designed for the New Spec AQA Language Paper 2.<br /> <br /> Complete 1 hour, well differentiated lessons, with worksheets where applicable.<br /> Suitable for KS4 or adaptable for KS3<br /> Different level tasks for MA,LA or Core<br /> Designed to fit Ofsted criteria for' Good' or above.<br /> <br /> Many more inexpensive, high quality English resources are available at my shop:<br /> <a href="https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Lead_Practitioner">Lead Practitioner's Shop</a>

AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 5

A collection of TWENTY English Language Paper 2 Question 5 lessons (17 x1 hour and 3x 2 hour) that cover writing to argue, writing to advise, writing to persuade, letter writing and essay writing. A great collection of differentiated activities, modelled examples, scaffolded sentences and guided peer and self reflection that enables students to learn from others and improve their non-fiction writing in preparation for AQA English Language Paper 2 Section B or Question 5. The suggested order of lessons is as follows (although this is by no means obligatory): * AQA Paper 2 Section B Speech Writing * Speech Openers * Churchill Speech Writing * Lincoln Speech Writing * Speech Structure * Newspaper Writing * Magazine Article Writing * Writing to Persuade - Football * Greta Thunberg Speech Writing * Black History Month - Essay Writing * Writing to Advise * Letter Writing - Writing A Formal Letter * Writing to Persuade - Letters of Complaint * AQA English Language Exam Prep/Mock prep lesson Pack also contains: * Assessment planning for writing to argue - could be used as a separate writing to argue lesson * Assessment planning for letter writing - could be used as a separate letter writing lesson * Paper 2 Question 5 revision pack * Knowledge organiser for revision * June 2018 AQA exam review lesson if you use this paper as a mock/prep **Check out our [English Shop](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Lead_Practitioner) for loads more free and inexpensive KS3, KS4, KS5, Literacy and whole school resources.** [AQA English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2 Knowledge Organisers](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12063979) [AQA English Language Paper 1 Section A package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11757237) [AQA English Language Paper 1 Sections A and B package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11747224) [AQA English Language Paper 1 package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11561370) [AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 5 package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11899610) [AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 5 package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11483869) [AQA English Language Paper 2 Section A package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11828984) [AQA English Language and English Literature revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11449199) [An Inspector Calls whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11711589) [An Inspector Calls revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-inspector-calls-gcse-9-1-exam-practice-11850503) [Macbeth whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11702645) [Macbeth revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11904820) [A Christmas Carol whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11718691) [A Christmas Carol revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12080244) [Jekyll and Hyde whole scheme package ](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11607362) [Jekyll and Hyde revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11904852) [Romeo and Juliet whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11903624) [Power and Conflict poetry comparing poems package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11843215) [Power and Conflict poetry whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11563766) [Love and Relationships poetry whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11924178) [Unseen Poetry whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11843275)

Writing Speeches

SEVEN very detailed lessons on writing speeches, which include lessons on speech openers, structuring speeches and analysing famous speeches from Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln and more recent examples like Barack Obama and Greta Thunberg. **Check out our [English Shop](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/Lead_Practitioner) for loads more free and inexpensive KS3, KS4, KS5, Literacy and whole school resources.** [AQA English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2 Knowledge Organisers](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12063979) [AQA English Language Paper 1 Section A package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11757237) [AQA English Language Paper 1 Sections A and B package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11747224) [AQA English Language Paper 1 package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11561370) [AQA English Language Paper 2 Question 5 package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11899610) [AQA English Language Paper 1 Question 5 package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11483869) [AQA English Language Paper 2 Section A package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11828984) [AQA English Language and English Literature revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11449199) [An Inspector Calls whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11711589) [An Inspector Calls revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/an-inspector-calls-gcse-9-1-exam-practice-11850503) [Macbeth whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11702645) [Macbeth revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11904820) [A Christmas Carol whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11718691) [A Christmas Carol revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12080244) [Jekyll and Hyde whole scheme package ](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11607362) [Jekyll and Hyde revision package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11904852) [Romeo and Juliet whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11903624) [Power and Conflict poetry comparing poems package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11843215) [Power and Conflict poetry whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11563766) [Love and Relationships poetry whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11924178) [Unseen Poetry whole scheme package](http://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-11843275) Or check out some Citizenship GCSE, RE, PSHE + RSE resources at [EC Resources](https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/EC_Resources)

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

purplehaize

Absolutely delighted with my purchase except that they're all in zip files and it starts to get quite complicated trying to decipher 20 of them!

EnglishGCSEcouk

Hiya, thanks ever so much for your kind review. Unfortunately I'm a bit limited to how the Tes site works, but it is a lot easier (and cheaper!) to download my resources from my own site: EnglishGCSE.co.uk. Send me an email at [email protected] and I'll set up a special discount code for you as well :) Thanks again.

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

Thank you for your kind review!

A clear and complete resource, very quick to turn around and put to use - thank you so much!

rachhoughton

Preraphlass.

This whole bundle of resources of resources for Lang Paper 2 is excellent- thank you so much! Any chance of you publishing the extracts for the Florence Nightingale, Dorothy Wordsworth and Rory Stewart pieces that go with the powerpoint? That would be really great if possible!

Thank you so much for your feedback. All the texts are taken from AQA's Reading Resource pack for Paper 2, which you can find here: http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/AQA-87002-RSB.PDF. If you scroll towards the bottom you will find all the texts that go with the PowerPoint. Hope this helps.

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

Get in touch with us

Are you sure you want to logout?

Please select your grade.

• Earth and space

Speech Writing: Introduction with Examples

What is a speech.

• A speech is a formal address delivered to an audience.
• It always has a purpose. It aims to convey the purpose with logically connected ideas.
• Speech writing is a method of telling a thought or message to a reader using correct punctuation and expressions.

While writing a speech we should concentrate on the three ‘ C’ s.

Your speech should be clear, concise, and consistent .

• Clear: The speech should be simple and easy to understand.
• Concise: It should not be too long. Generally, the word limit is 150-200 words. But it may vary.
• Consistent: The speech should be logically in order.

Let’s see the format of speech writing.

It contains two parts.

Title: Give a good title to the topic while writing a speech.

Content: The content section is divided into 3 subparts.

• Introduction

1. INTRODUCTION:

Start greeting the audience with the phrases like:

• Respected Sir/Ma’am
• Dear students
• Good morning, everyone

Share your personal introduction in one or two lines.

Then write in brief what is the theme of the speech.

• Explain the topic in detail.
• Be clear and specific about your thoughts.
• We can use 3 techniques while writing a speech.

Advantage & Disadvantage

Cause & Effect

Problem & Solution

Let’s learn them in detail.

Advantages & Disadvantages:

• Tell the advantages and disadvantages of the thing.
• Example: If the topic is ‘online education’, you can write its benefits and side effects.

Cause & Effect:

• Write why it is happening or the cause of the thing given in the speech.
• What is its effect on society?
• Example: If the topic is ‘ pollution ’, you can write its cause and effect on the earth.

Problem & Solution:

• Discuss the problem and write the proper solution to it.
• Write the need for that thing in your daily life.

3. CONCLUSION:

• Conclude the speech by giving an overall view or summary.
• Add the specific action you want the audience to do right away.

Some important things you must keep in mind while writing a speech.

• Figure out the primary point of the speech.
• Identify the audience who will listen to the speech.
• Give proper support and structure to the speech.
• Make sure to use correct punctuation while writing.

Sample of Speech:

Good morning respected principal sir, all the teachers, and my dear friends.

Today we have gathered here to celebrate the Teachers’ Day.

First, I would like to wish all my respected teachers a very happy Teachers’ Day. Thank you for being

our backbone and support. Teachers play a big role in building the character of students. They give

us knowledge and help in achieving our dreams. They are our guiding spirits and role models.

Teachers help in building the character of students. Teachers plays an important role in the education

of students, society, and country.

On behalf of all students, I would like to thank all the teachers for their tireless efforts they make to give us knowledge and shape our future.

Another Example of Speech :

Write a speech on “Importance of Education” which you will deliver in your school.

Good morning respected teachers and my dear friends.

      I am Linda studying from grade 3.

The topic of my speech is ‘Importance of Education’. I would let you know all about the value of education and its contribution to our lives.

      Education helps us to remove doubt and fear of challenges in our lives. We can say it is a tool that keeps us happy and give courage to fight in difficult situations. We need education to make ourselves confident and to be aware of equality. It makes us self -dependent. Education shape us for the future challenges in life. It helps you to earn money to fulfill the basic need of life.

If we are not properly educated, we may face challenges in some situations. Education is not about gaining knowledge only; it means learning the ways to be happy and social life.

      My dear friends, education is like a healthy food that nourishes us both internally and externally. It gives us confidence by developing our personality. We should help others as well as ourselves to be educated and contribute to the development of the society.

      Thank you!!!

Related topics

Exploring the World of Adjectives: Types, Usage, and Examples

What are Parts of Speech? Parts of speech determine words’ grammatical and semantic position in a sentence. Activity time The parts of speech are nouns, adverbs, conjunctions, pronouns, interjections, adjectives, articles, prepositions, and verbs. Identify the parts of speech of the underlined words in the following sentences. White- Adjective Big- Adjective    Exciting- Adjectives New- […]

Memoir Writing: Basic Elements, Structures, and Types

Memoir: A memoir is a narrative written from an author’s perspective about a particular facet of his/her own life. ‘Memoir’ word comes from the French word ‘memoire’, which means ‘memory’ or ‘reminiscence’. Example Night: Elie Wiesel gives an account of how he survived his teenage years at Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps during World War […]

Identification of Main Idea in Fiction and Non-fiction

Every story or paragraph or non-fictional text has at least one main idea. The MAIN IDEA is what the text is mostly about. (It is backed up or supported by SUPPORTING DETAILS) Before discussing how to find the main idea, we shall first look at TOPIC. Can you define a topic? A topic can be […]

Writing an Article: Structure and Essential Tips

What is an article? Structure of Article Writing : Title : Draw the attention of readers with an attractive title and indicate the main topic of the article Introduction : Attract the reader’s attention with a sentence that gives a general presentation of the topic. Main Body : Between these sentences, the body should do […]

Other topics

How to Find the Area of Rectangle?

How to Solve Right Triangles?

Ways to Simplify Algebraic Expressions

Speech Writing Format, Tips and Examples

Table of Contents

Speech Writing : Speech writing is a skill that can empower you to convey your thoughts, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re preparing a speech for a school , a business meeting, or a special occasion, knowing how to craft an effective speech is invaluable. In this blog, we’ll explore what makes good speech writing, the structure of a speech, and the eight essential steps to ensure your speech resonates with your audience. Let’s dive into the world of successful speech writing!

Fill Out the Form for Expert Academic Guidance!

Please indicate your interest Live Classes Books Test Series Self Learning

Verify OTP Code (required)

I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Fill complete details

Target Exam ---

What is Good Speech Writing?

Good speech writing refers to the skillful art of starting a speech that effectively communicates a message, engages the audience, and leaves a lasting impact. Deliver an impactful and inspiring speech on success , unveiling the keys to achievement and empowerment that captivate your audience.” A well-written speech is characterized by several key elements:

Clarity:  A good speech is clear and easy to understand. It conveys the message in a straightforward manner, avoiding unnecessary jargon or complexity.

Relevance:  It is tailored to the audience’s needs and interests. A good speech addresses the concerns and expectations of the audience, making it relatable and engaging.

Structure:  A well-structured speech has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It follows a logical flow, with each section building upon the previous one.

Engagement:  Good speech writing captures the audience’s attention from the start and maintains it throughout the speech. It uses effective hooks, anecdotes, and rhetorical devices to engage the audience emotionally and intellectually.

Content:  The content of a good speech is well-researched and supported by credible evidence, facts, examples, and anecdotes. It provides valuable information or conveys a persuasive argument.

Delivery:  While speech writing focuses on the text, good delivery speech is essential for effective communication. A well-written speech is delivered with confidence, appropriate tone, and proper pacing.

Memorability:  A good speech leaves a lasting impression on the audience. It may include memorable quotes, stories, or calls to action that resonate with listeners.

Purpose:  The purpose of the speech is clearly defined, whether it’s to inform, persuade, inspire, entertain, or a combination of these objectives. The speech aligns with its intended purpose.

Connection:  It establishes a connection with the audience by addressing their concerns, values, and emotions. A good speech can make the audience feel heard and understood.

Impact:  Ultimately, good speech writing aims to have an impact. It may lead to changed perspectives, inspired actions, or a deeper understanding of the topic.

How to Start a Speech in English

The opening of a speech is the gateway to engaging an audience. Begin by captivating attention with a compelling question, a captivating story, or an intriguing fact. A well-chosen quote or a vivid scene can also stir curiosity and set the tone for what’s to come. The key lies in drawing listeners in, making them eager to journey through the words you’re about to share. An impactful start sets the stage for a memorable and engaging speech

Structure of a Good Speech Writing

The speech writing format plays a crucial role in organizing and delivering your message effectively. A well-structured speech typically consists of three main parts:

Introduction

Hook:  Begin with a compelling opening that grabs your audience’s attention. This could be a question, a quote, a startling fact, or a personal anecdote related to your topic.

Purpose Statement:  Clearly state the purpose of your speech. Let your audience know what you aim to achieve or convey.

Preview:  Provide a brief overview of the main points or topics you will cover in your speech. This gives your audience a roadmap of what to expect.

Body: Main Points: Organize your speech into two or more main points or sections, each addressing a specific aspect of your topic. These main points should be related and support your overall message.

Supporting Material:  Within each main point, include supporting evidence, examples, statistics, anecdotes, or arguments that reinforce your message.

Transitions:  Use transitional phrases or sentences to smoothly move from one main point to the next. Transitions help maintain the flow of your speech.

Summary:  Summarize the key points you’ve discussed in the body of your speech. Restate your purpose and message to reinforce them.

Closing Statement:  End your speech with a strong closing statement or memorable quote that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Call to Action (if applicable):  If your speech has a persuasive or actionable component, issue a call to action. Encourage your audience to take specific steps or consider your message seriously.

How to Write a Speech Writing?

Writing speech can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to communicate your thoughts, inspire, inform, or persuade an audience effectively. A well-written speech not only conveys your message effectively but also engages and resonates with your audience. To craft a compelling speech, start by understanding your audience and defining your purpose. Thorough research is essential to gather supporting evidence and examples. Organize your ideas into a coherent structure with a captivating opening, well-developed main points, and a powerful conclusion. Engage your audience emotionally and intellectually through relatable stories and effective communication techniques. Practice and rehearsal will help you deliver your speech confidently. Effective speech writing combines these elements to create a message that resonates and inspires your audience. Practice and preparation are key to delivering a successful speech.

We also offer a diverse array of English speech topics for students , fostering both skill development and engagement in public speaking.

8 Important Steps to Successful Speech Writing

Writing a speech is a skill that combines art and strategy. To write a successful speech that captivates your audience and effectively communicates your message, follow these eight key steps:

1. Understand Your Audience

Start by understanding your audience’s interests, knowledge level, and expectations. Tailor your speech to resonate with their needs and preferences.

2. Define Your Purpose

Clearly define the purpose of your speech. Are you informing, persuading, motivating, or entertaining? Knowing your objective will guide your content.

3. Research Thoroughly

Gather reliable and relevant information, facts, statistics, anecdotes, and examples that support your message. Cite credible sources to enhance your speech’s credibility.

4. Organize Your Ideas

Create a logical structure or outline for your speech. Identify the main points or sections and arrange them in a coherent order.

5. Craft a Compelling Opening

Grab your audience’s attention from the beginning with a strong hook. This could be a question, a quote, a story, or a surprising fact. Clearly state your purpose.

6. Develop Your Main Points

Elaborate on each main point or section of your speech with supporting evidence, examples, and transitions. Ensure a clear and smooth flow between points.

7. Engage Your Audience

Use relatable stories, anecdotes, humor, rhetorical devices, and interactive elements to connect with your audience emotionally and intellectually. Encourage participation through questions or thought-provoking statements.

8. Conclude with Impact

Summarize your key points in the conclusion. Reiterate your purpose and message. End with a memorable closing statement, a call to action, or a thought-provoking question.

By following these eight key steps, you can craft a successful speech that effectively conveys your message, engages your audience, and leaves a lasting impression. Remember to practice and rehearse your speech to ensure confident and impactful delivery.

Speech Writing Examples

Here are two speech writing examples for different purposes:

Speech Writing Example 1: Motivational Speech (Theme: Resilience)

“Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to share a story of resilience and determination. Imagine facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles and finding the strength to overcome them. That’s what true determination is all about.

Think of the legendary figure Thomas Edison, who attempted over a thousand times before successfully inventing the light bulb. He once said, ‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.’ Edison’s unwavering commitment to his goal teaches us that setbacks are stepping stones to success.

In our own lives, we encounter challenges that test our resolve. It could be academic, personal, or professional challenges. But remember, it’s not the adversity itself but how we respond that defines us.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, to learn from failures, and to keep moving forward. It’s a quality we all possess, waiting to be awakened. The path to success may be filled with obstacles, but it’s the determination to overcome them that lights our way.

So, let’s embrace our inner resilience, face challenges head-on, and keep pushing forward. As Edison proved, with unwavering determination, even the darkest moments can lead to the brightest successes. Thank you.”

Speech Writing Example 2: Business Presentation (Theme: Company Progress)

“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, today, let’s dive into our company’s progress over the past year. Our growth has been steady, and I’ll present the data to support this claim.

In the fiscal year 2022-2023, our company achieved a remarkable 15% increase in revenue compared to the previous year. This growth can be attributed to our strategic expansion into new markets, our commitment to innovation, and the dedication of our talented team.

Our customer satisfaction rates also reached an all-time high, with an impressive 95% of our customers expressing their satisfaction with our products and services. This reflects our dedication to delivering value and excellence.

Furthermore, our sustainability initiatives have not only reduced our carbon footprint but have also gained recognition in the industry. We’ve implemented eco-friendly diwali , reduced waste, and made significant strides toward our goal of becoming a more environmentally responsible organization.

As we look ahead, we are excited about the opportunities that lie before us. Our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainability will continue to be the driving forces behind our success.

In conclusion, our progress over the past year reflects our dedication to excellence and our ability to adapt to changing times. We are poised for a future of continued growth and success. Thank you for your support and dedication to our company.

Successful speech writing involves careful planning, research, and effective communication techniques. By following the eight key steps outlined in this article, you can craft speeches that captivate your audience and deliver your message with impact and conviction.

Speech Writing Topics for Students and Children’s

Speech writing faq’s, how do i write a speech.

To craft a speech, start by selecting a topic you're passionate about. Outline key points, create an engaging introduction, elaborate on the main ideas, and conclude with a strong ending. Ensure a logical flow and use anecdotes or examples to connect with your audience.

What is speech writing for class 11?

In class 11, speech writing aims to develop students' ability to structure and express ideas effectively. It often involves learning various speech formats, understanding audience engagement, and honing language skills.

What is speech writing in English

Speech writing in English refers to the process of composing a spoken presentation intended to be delivered to an audience. It involves structuring thoughts, organizing ideas, and crafting a coherent and engaging script that effectively communicates a message or viewpoint.

What is the format for speech writing?

The format for speech writing typically involves an introduction, body, and conclusion. It includes an attention-grabbing opening, a clear message in the body with supporting points, and a memorable closing.

What are the 7 steps to writing a speech?

The seven steps to writing a speech include: Understanding the audience. Defining the purpose of the speech. Structuring the speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Outlining key points or arguments. Adding supporting evidence or examples. Rehearsing the speech for clarity and flow. Making revisions for improvement if needed before delivering it.

Related content

Talk to our academic expert!

Language --- English Hindi Marathi Tamil Telugu Malayalam

Get access to free Mock Test and Master Class

Register to Get Free Mock Test and Study Material

Offer Ends in 5:00

DPI-835M: Speechwriting

In this section.

• Courses related to climate
• Course Registration
• Courses related to racism & bias
• Cross-Registration & Auditing

Stephen Krupin

MaryRose Mazzola

What makes a speech persuasive and memorable – and how do you write one? How can storytelling help political, corporate, nonprofit, and community leaders achieve their goals? What is the role of the speech in our politics, policymaking, and international relations? This course will explore the techniques speechwriters and speakers use, from research to rhetoric, to shape messages that move people and change the world.

Each course in the DPI communications series assumes a fluency with the English language. Attendance at first class mandatory.

Company Filings | More Search Options

Company Filings More Search Options -->

• Commissioners
• Reports and Publications
• Securities Laws
• Commission Votes
• Corporation Finance
• Enforcement
• Investment Management
• Economic and Risk Analysis
• Trading and Markets
• Office of Administrative Law Judges
• Examinations
• Litigation Releases
• Administrative Proceedings
• Opinions and Adjudicatory Orders
• Accounting and Auditing
• Trading Suspensions
• How Investigations Work
• Receiverships
• Information for Harmed Investors
• Rulemaking Activity
• Proposed Rules
• Final Rules
• Interim Final Temporary Rules
• Other Orders and Notices
• Self-Regulatory Organizations
• Staff Interpretations
• Investor Education
• Small Business Capital Raising
• EDGAR – Search & Access
• EDGAR – Information for Filers
• Company Filing Search
• How to Search EDGAR
• About EDGAR
• Press Releases
• Speeches and Statements
• Securities Topics
• Upcoming Events
• SEC in the News
• Media Gallery
• Divisions & Offices
• Public Statements

At the SEC: Nothing but Crickets Remarks at SEC Speaks

Commissioner Hester M. Peirce

Washington D.C.

April 2, 2024

Let me start by reminding you that my views are my own as a Commissioner and not necessarily those of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or my fellow Commissioners. It is good to be back at SEC Speaks and to know that the content shared here today is available for anyone who may wish to access it.

Last time I was here, I talked about the SEC’s “secret garden”—the maze of staff guidance that serves to define practices across the securities industry in a way that may be inconsistent with a plain reading of the rulebook. [1] This guidance is not promulgated through notice-and-comment rulemaking, but appears in staff statements and speeches, phone calls, some types of no-action letters, and the like. Some of this guidance is found only in the high-priced whispers of a select few attorneys or auditors. Nobody can challenge these diktats because they are not final agency action, but compliance is mandatory for an entity wishing to avoid SEC delays, denials, and enforcement and examination scrutiny. So everybody silently complies.

Since I gave that speech, a particularly pernicious weed has sprung up in the secret garden: Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 121 and related guidance. [2] The Office of the Chief Accountant (“OCA”) prepared the SAB without the input of the full Commission, but, as with other SABs, staff follows SAB 121 in administering the disclosure requirements of the federal securities laws. [3] SAB 121 directs public companies that safeguard crypto assets for clients to put a liability and corresponding asset on their balance sheet and adjust them as the value of the asset changes. The SAB was issued apparently without input from the public or banking regulators, who subsequently have expressed concerns. [4] The Government Accountability Office last October ruled that the Commission should have submitted SAB 121 to Congress under the Congressional Review Act because it was an “agency statement” “of future effect” that the Commission “designed to interpret and prescribe policy.” [5] Despite the negative attention, OCA, through conversations after the SAB’s issuance, has broadened its scope to cover all registered broker-dealers. To make matters worse, OCA issued—orally at a conference of accountants—a multi-pronged framework for applying SAB 121 to broker-dealers. The Commission has not published that framework or any subsequent staff efforts to clarify the framework’s scope, but many auditors and broker-dealers are treating it as binding. It is driving broker-dealers to allocate significant capital to their crypto custody businesses or to avoid the business altogether. SAB 121 arguably does not protect investors. Its capital implications keep out of the business many banks and broker-dealers that have long years of custody experience. [6] Moreover, as a consequence of being on the balance sheet, if the custodian fails, these assets could be treated as if they belong to the failed entity, not the customers of that entity. [7]

Rules of such broad effect should be set by the full Commission, not by staff answering only to the Chairman. In a Reorganization Plan 10 world, [8] ensuring that policy decisions are not delegated to the staff can be particularly tricky. Jack Katz, who served for two decades as Secretary of the SEC and is being honored tonight with the William O. Douglas award, [9] made this point in congressional testimony that recommended, among other things, greater involvement of the Commission in interpreting regulatory policy. [10] Katz contended that having the Commission “micromanage” or displace the staff in performing their “daily responsibilities” would be “a disastrous outcome,” but “the Commission is the final authority on questions of regulatory policy, both in the interpretation of rules and in periodically overseeing and engaging in discussions of the priorities of each division.” [11] The Commission appropriately relies on the staff to work through difficult technical questions about the application of the law to particular facts and circumstances, but should not leave to the staff decisions that broadly govern market practices.

Today, however, I want to focus on a different problem—the dwindling of genuine Commission and staff engagement with the public. The Commission—not the staff or market participants—is to blame. One manifestation is the way rules are made these days: very broad proposals, unreasonably short public comment periods, pared back final rules with substantial elements on which the public has not commented, and little SEC engagement in implementation discussions. The recent money-market fund rule is an example of this phenomenon. It went out with—among other provisions—an unworkable swing-pricing element and emerged with a mandatory liquidity fee. [12] Had the Commission sought robust comment on the fee before adopting it, we would have learned that it is unworkable for many funds. The Commission should think about each rule proposal as an opportunity to foster a public discussion with the goal of developing the best solution to a carefully identified problem, not as the opening bid in a hard-driving negotiating strategy designed to force a cowed public to accept a slightly less onerous—though perhaps still unworkable—final rule.

Rulemaking designed to engage the public takes time, something that is in short supply for an industry inundated with new rules and rule proposals from the SEC and other regulators. A recent conversation with small- and medium-sized advisers brought this point home. They told me that dealing with existing rules and implementing new ones precludes spending the time to read, let alone comment on, proposed rules. Further exacerbating the burden of commenting, rule proposals often fail clearly to identify a problem that needs solving, which makes offering alternative solutions difficult. The Commission, for example, has left commenters guessing about the problems motivating the safeguarding rule and the predictive data analytics rule.

The reduction in genuine engagement with the public is not limited to the rulemaking process. As I stated in the secret garden speech, much of the Commission’s day-to-day work does not and need not proceed through notice-and-comment rulemaking. People routinely approach the staff with questions about how the law applies to their unique facts and circumstances. An important responsibility of many SEC staffers is to help the industry work through difficult regulatory issues, whether in the context of a new product filing, a broker-dealer application, a registration statement, an exemptive application, a request for no-action relief, or a query about the application of a rule to a unique set of facts and circumstances. Historically, the Commission staff has done this type of work through the Divisions’ Offices of Chief Counsel and Chief Accountant, the Commission’s Office of Chief Accountant, and other offices across the Commission. The staff made itself accessible, and the public had many productive opportunities to engage with the staff. Interactions with a regulator like the SEC were never stress-free, but the “Come in and talk to us” mantra was a genuine invitation to come in and grapple with difficult issues in a robust back-and-forth.

Productive interactions with the SEC are fewer and further between than they were in the past. When individuals and entities come to the SEC with their novel ideas, their feedback, their concerns, their objections, their questions about implementation of a new rule or application of an old one to new circumstances, too often now they are met with . . . well, crickets. Neither staff expertise nor issues ripe for analysis are lacking, so what has changed? In part, the staff, run ragged by a punishing rulewriting agenda, does not have the bandwidth to think about hard, novel legal questions. The remote work norm also may play a role as it reduces opportunities for spontaneous staff collaboration to work through tough questions. The root of the problem, though, is that the Commission discourages the staff from offering much more than silence, shrugs, sighs, and slow-walking. The culture at the top of the SEC has changed, which in turn has changed the way the agency interacts with the public.

Countless people have told me that they used to feel comfortable coming in and speaking with the Commission and its staff, but no more. When it comes to interpretive guidance, “the Commission is closed for business.” New product ideas? “Not now.” Approval to do things for which other firms already have approval? “That permission was very limited.” Feedback on how to a particular set of facts interacts with a new rule? “We cannot provide legal advice.”

Interactions that do occur often are an interminable round of unproductive monologues before an unresponsive audience. Even processes that historically have been straightforward, such as filing for new funds, have become complicated. The registration process too often involves unpredictable timelines, inconsistent comments, and an unprecedented lack of transparency. A fund sponsor might receive dozens of comments on a filing for a fund when the only distinction from an existing fund is the asset class in which it invests. Product ideas are abandoned before they are submitted to the Commission staff for consideration or after multi-year processes produce nothing but large legal bills and a loss of confidence in the Commission.

Some perceive meeting with the Commission is not only unproductive, but inadvisable. Sometimes people meet with me against the advice of counsel or only with counsel present. Other people have told me that they desperately want to have substantive discussions with the staff but worry that the inevitable result of such a meeting would be a call from enforcement, not a concerted effort to work through complex regulatory issues. The Commission’s announcement of a large ramp-up in its cyber- and crypto-enforcement unit, repeated assertions that the crypto industry is lawless, and treatment of cyber-incidents as fertile ground for enforcement actions add to these fears. These concerns are not limited to crypto and cyber. Other people have told me that they are less inclined now than in the past to keep us updated during times of market stress because they fear subsequent rulemaking premised on the fact that those conversations occurred. Think funds during the early days of COVID. We are scaring people off from coming in and having a conversation with us.

The stilted communication, half-hearted engagement, quick-draw of enforcement guns, and limited transparency that characterize the Commission’s current relationship with the industry we regulate should concern anyone who cares about this great institution and the amazing markets we regulate. The increasing chasm that has emerged between the regulator and the regulated undermines industry’s ability to serve investors and companies trying to raise capital. Given how regulated the securities markets are, developing new products or improving existing ones often requires conversations with, and sometimes regulatory action from, the SEC. By not engaging in nuanced analysis of legal questions, we create an environment in which overcompliance is the standard. Even if it does not technically make innovation impossible, smaller entities, which tend to be more innovative, cannot afford defensive overcompliance.

Dissuading people from coming in to speak with us also deprives us of valuable information that we need to regulate the markets. Routine and regular conversations with investors, regulated entities, issuers, legal practitioners, accountants, fund boards, compliance officers, academics, policy experts, and others help us to understand the financial markets we oversee. Information-gathering efforts by our examination and enforcement staff are no substitute.

All of us—the Commission, staff, and the public—have a role to play in reigniting productive conversations between the SEC and the public. The Commission , of course, must start the process and has the biggest role to play. As we often point out, tone from the top matters. Staff and market participants have little power to change a dynamic that the Commission has set in motion.

• First, we should pare back the rulemaking agenda so that we and the public can focus appropriate attention on each rule proposal.
• Second, we should use concept releases, public roundtables, and potentially consensus workshops to help us identify problems in need of solving and workable solutions.
• Third, we should propose realistic rules without clickbait provisions, which occupy commenters’ attention and invariably fall away at the adopting stage.
• Fourth, we should form an advisory committee made up of chief compliance officers, whose perspective I have found invaluable in understanding how rules actually operate.
• Fifth, we should consider providing greater insight into where a registration statement or an application by a potential registrant is in its review process.
• Sixth, we should direct staff to clearly articulate specific issues delaying Commission action and a plan for resolving them.
• Finally, we should encourage the staff to use its expertise to work through difficult regulatory issues, including the application of existing rules to new technologies. It should direct staff to consider not only how these technologies could harm investors, but how blocking them could harm investors. We should empower the staff to facilitate the entry of new products and providers into the market in a compliant, yet commercially viable way.

Once the Commission takes these steps, the hard-working, talented Commission staff also has a role to play in restoring a healthy relationship with the public:

• First, look for opportunities to apply your deep expertise to difficult legal, accounting, economic, and technical problems. The intellectual challenge of grappling with these complex questions is part of what drew many of you to join the SEC staff.
• Second, foster a culture of curiosity and collaboration by working with colleagues across the Commission on tackling the difficult questions.
• Third, in your interactions with the industry, be as precise as possible about the nature and magnitude of your concerns and as clear as possible about anticipated timing.
• Fourth, speak up when you have a concern or question. The Commission makes the policy decisions, but you inform those decisions. Flag unsound legal, economic, or accounting analysis, identify facts that need to be corrected, and raise procedural concerns. As with any collection of smart people, universal agreement is unlikely, but you may find others who share your concerns.
• Finally, cultivate mutual respect and frank communication with the public. When a rulemaking is completed, look for opportunities to discuss the rules at industry conferences and assist in smooth implementation. When a registrant or registered entity discovers a problem and brings it to your attention, work with the registrant to solve it in a way that benefits investors and the markets. Look for appropriate opportunities to get to know the person on the other end of the phone line.

Market participants can nudge the SEC in the right direction, although real progress depends on the Commission’s willingness to engage. Forgive me if these steps seem laughably basic, but I underscore them because they can make a difference. This kind of interaction is not only acceptable, but welcome to a Commission that is committed to careful regulation. So although crickets are the current SEC’s response to many inbound inquiries, when things change, the following may help facilitate discussion:

• First, optimize any meetings you have with the staff. Prepare an agenda that outlines what you hope to convey and identify what you are seeking from the meeting. If there are related materials that would help facilitate a productive meeting, email those well in advance.
• Second, if you want to present a novel idea, conduct a preliminary high level legal analysis before meeting with the staff. Although you may not want to invest significant time and resources in an idea that may not be viable, showing that you have done the basic due diligence is an important indication of your good faith and commitment to exploring the idea. This analysis can identify areas where legal clarity is needed. This exercise also will help you demonstrate if what you are doing merely iterates on something the Commission has already permitted, which may make it easier for the Commission to get comfortable with the idea.
• Third, if you want to do something that involves numerous complex legal questions, break down the components of your proposal and the related legal issues to determine the feasibility of an iterative approach toward your final goal. Iterative progress and small-scale experiments can be illuminating for both the Commission and the public.
• Fourth, if a broader group shares your novel legal questions, you may want to develop a consensus on the messages and questions you present to the Commission.
• Fifth, if the staff reacts negatively to your inquiry, try to identify their concerns and whether the staff sees a legal path for you to move forward. If you get a negative response, seek clarity on the legal basis of the staff’s position. Ask for specific reasons. What questions and concerns need to be addressed? Are there particular regulatory obstacles?
• Sixth, document your interactions with the Commission. If you are two or three years into a process without progress, and you have regularly been reaching out and trying to respond to the staff’s concerns, the documentation will prove invaluable.
• Seventh, do not be a stranger and do not give up. Carefully consider what the staff is saying. If you do not see a strong legal justification for stopping your idea, do not give up. Be realistic about the timeline, but, if you do not hear back from the Commission, keep following up. Innovation is not linear, and the path to launching an innovative idea will not always be straight. Try to see things from the SEC’s vantage point and to learn from staff’s concerns, but push back when those concerns are not legally grounded. Dealing with an agency that will not give you clear, legally sound answers is frustrating. Agencies, however, are not monoliths; even now, people within the agency may share your frustration and may be making arguments similar to your own in internal SEC conversations.

I welcome your input in refining my suggestions to restore trust and fluid communication between the public and the SEC.

In her book following her tenure as a commissioner, Roberta Karmel, whom we are now mourning, called for a “revitalize[d] securities regulation.” [13] She understood that “regulation designed for the purpose of achieving greater social justice through increased prosperity must enthusiastically endorse private enterprise and administrative due process.” [14] More than forty years later, that reminder that a deep respect for private enterprise and administrative due process makes us better at our job of regulating still resonates. Together—because the outcomes of our work are the result of the collective contributions of many—we can build a better SEC. This work requires the small efforts of many people inside and outside the agency.

The poet Mary Oliver, who, as I did, grew up outside Cleveland, Ohio, wrote beautifully about a cricket on a hillside. She observed its “great energy” and “humble effort” as it “mov[ed] the grains of the hillside.” [15] I hope for an SEC that greets individuals and entities with crickets—but only the Mary Oliver kind: civil servants who “humbly” and with “great energy” labor, day in and day out, to make the SEC and the markets it regulates better by pushing one grain uphill at a time.

[1] Hester Peirce, SECret Garden (Apr. 8, 2019), https://www.sec.gov/news/speech/peirce-secret-garden-sec-speaks-040819 (“[W]hen a patchwork of public and non-public guidance has become so comprehensive that market participants can say, only half-jokingly, that entire sections of our rulebook are irrelevant, similar questions about fairness and transparency arise: Are all similarly situated firms aware of the non-public guidance? Does the staff’s guidance reflect a thorough consideration of the likely benefits and costs of that guidance? Does access to our markets depend on hiring counsel that has access to the non-public views of the staff? Will market participants change their behavior in ways that may not make sense under our rules as written to comply with the vast body of guidance, much of which may not be publicly available?”) (footnote omitted).

[2] Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (Mar. 31, 2022), https://www.sec.gov/oca/staff-accounting-bulletin-121 (“SAB 121”).

[3] Id . (“The statements in staff accounting bulletins are not rules or interpretations of the Commission, nor are they published as bearing the Commission’s official approval. They represent staff interpretations and practices followed by the staff in the Division of Corporation Finance and the Office of the Chief Accountant in administering the disclosure requirements of the federal securities laws.”).

[4] See, e.g. , Travis Hill, Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Remarks at the Mercatus Center on “Banking’s Next Chapter? Remarks on Tokenization and Other Issues” (Mar. 11, 2024), https://www.fdic.gov/news/speeches/2024/spmar1124.html (“This treatment sharply departs from how custodians account for all other assets held in custody, which are generally held off-balance sheet and treated as the property of the customer, not the custodian. On-balance sheet recognition triggers the full panoply of capital, liquidity, and other prudential requirements only for bank custodians, which makes it prohibitively challenging for banks to engage in this activity at any scale. It is worth asking whether it is in the public interest for one crypto exchange to provide custody services for most of the market in approved Bitcoin exchange-traded products, while highly regulated banks are effectively excluded from the market”) (footnotes omitted). Further, Vice Chairman Hill contends that because SAB 121 applies to “crypto-assets,” a broadly defined term, it may encompass other tokenized real-world assets. Id . (“[T]he SEC’s definition of ‘crypto-asset’ is extremely broad and could be read to capture not just blockchain-native assets but also tokenized versions of real-world assets. I think this is a clear example of why it is generally constructive for agencies to seek public comment before publishing major policy issuances, and at a minimum believe it would be helpful to clarify that SAB 121 does not apply to the wider universe of tokenized assets beyond blockchain-native assets.”) (footnote omitted).

[5] U.S. Government Accountability Office, Securities and Exchange Commission—Applicability of the Congressional Review Act to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121. 2023, File No. B-334540 (Oct. 31, 2023), at 5, 8 https://www.gao.gov/assets/870/862501.pdf . The Government Accountability Office did not opine on whether the Administrative Procedure Act legally mandated that the Commission subject SAB 121 to notice and comment. See id. at 7 (“Here, in regard to the Bulletin, we are not opining on whether the Bulletin is subject to APA’s notice and comment provisions. Rather, we are opining on a different issue: whether the Bulletin is a rule under CRA. CRA does incorporate APA’s definition of rule but does not incorporate APA’s notice and comment provisions.”). As subsequent valuable input from the public has made clear, the Commission would have benefited from notice-and-comment.

[6] SAB 121 does not directly set capital requirements, but affects the application of various capital regulations such that when the price of crypto assets rises, so too do custodians’ capital requirements.

[7] See, e.g. , Letter from Conference of State Bank Supervisors to the House Financial Services Committee (Feb. 28, 2024), at 2, https://www.csbs.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/2024.02.28_240222%20SAB121-HJRES109%20Letter%20(FE).pdf (“[A]ssets held in custody for the benefit of customers are considered accounted for off-balance sheet – and thus protected in bankruptcy – because they remain the assets of the customer. Requiring custodied crypto-assets to be accounted for on-balance sheet risks losing the bankruptcy remote protections of custody services.”).

[8] Reorganization Plan No. 10 of 1950, § 1, https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1999-title5a-node78-leaf108&num=0&edition=1999 (transferring “from the Securities and Exchange Commission . . . to the Chairman of the Commission . . . the executive and administrative functions of the Commission, including functions of the Commission with respect to (1) the appointment and supervision of personnel employed under the Commission, (2) the distribution of business among such personnel and among administrative units of the Commission, and (3) the use and expenditure of funds.”).

[9] The Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni, Inc. (ASECA) is presenting the award. See https://www.secalumni.org/jonathan-g--katz .

[10] Statement of Jonathan G. Katz Before the Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs, and The Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management, United States House of Representatives. (Mar. 10, 2011), at 2, https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/J_Katz_Testimony_03-10-11_TARP_hearing.pdf (“The ability of the five-member Commission to interpret policy and oversee staff implementation of policy must also be strengthened.”).

[11] Id . at 8.

[12] Money Market Fund Reforms; Form PF Reporting Requirements for Large Liquidity Fund Advisers; Technical Amendments to Form N-CSR and Form N-1A (July 12, 2023), https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/final/2023/33-11211.pdf .

[13] Roberta S. Karmel, Regulation by Prosecution 339 (1982).

[15] Mary Oliver, Song of the Builders , Why I Wake Early: New Poems, 60 (2005).

• Top Courses
• Online Degrees
• Find your New Career
• Join for Free

How to List Your Degree on Your Resume

Having your education on your resume is an important way to showcase yourself and your background. Find out what to include, where to list it, and how to present it.

Your resume is your sales pitch for any jobs or courses you apply for, so it’s essential for it to represent you fully. To accomplish this, you must list your degree clearly, with all relevant information. This document typically represents your first chance to make a great impression and show potential employers why you’re an excellent fit for their needs. Doing so requires highlighting your educational background and qualifications.

In this article, you’ll learn how to write an education section and where and how to include your degree within it. You’ll also find examples and tips for writing a show-stopping resume.

What are employers looking for in a resume?

Employers look at your resume to see how your background aligns with the position and the company. Resumes are like your own personal marketing tool and an opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications. Think of your resume as a document that can entice recruiters to want to learn more about your skills and experience.

Employers will use it to assess exactly what you can do based on what you tell them you have achieved in the past. With this in mind, they want to know about your previous roles, education, certifications, and the skills you developed along the way. Tailor your skills, education, and experience to the job posting and include relevant examples of actual achievements rather than simply a list of your duties and responsibilities.

Why is adding your degree to your resume important?

It’s essential for your resume to represent all you’ve achieved so employers can determine if your background meets their needs. Graduating is a significant achievement, and highlighting it to employers is a must.

It’s also often a minimum requirement for job roles or access to master’s degree courses. Employers will scan your resume to ensure you meet this criteria if this is the case. Even if you don’t feel your degree is directly related to the position or the course you’re applying for, it’s still highly valuable as it demonstrates that you can study at a high level.

How to list your degree on your resume

When it comes to listing your degree on your resume, it’s important to make sure it is prominent and integral to the document and that you include any relevant details about your degree that will sell you to an employer or college.

Review the steps below to discover how to list your degree for maximum effect.

1. Create a resume education section.

Designing a distinct resume education section is straightforward, but it’s critical to use effective formatting. Doing so allows your qualifications to stand out to employers who quickly scan your resume to see if you meet their requirements and for applicant screening software (ATS) looking for specific keywords.

At a minimum, this section must include:

Degree title

College name and location

Graduation date

In addition to this, you may include more information. Explore those details below.

2. List degrees in reverse chronological order.

List your degrees and education in reverse chronological order. Start by placing your recent education in the most prominent position. Doing so lets you highlight your highest level of education first and foremost. 

An exception to this rule is if you are applying for a role where a less recent degree is most relevant to the position. For example, if you are applying for a construction role and have a degree in engineering from several years ago and have since completed a degree in French, your engineering degree will likely impress the employer. In this case, you may reposition your degrees so the most relevant is at the top, more like a functional resume format. You may even choose to have separate sections for “relevant” and “other” education.

How to list multiple degrees

If you have multiple degrees, be consistent with the reverse chronological order. Place your highest degree first. For example, if you have recently studied a master’s degree, this sits above a previously studied bachelor’s degree.

3. Include relevant majors and minors.

If your degree is relevant to the role or the course you’re applying for, include your major and any minors that also help to tailor your education section. This is especially important if a job post asks for something specific and you have covered it in your degree program.

4. Add any relevant projects.

Relevant projects, extracurricular activities, and coursework are excellent points to help you stand apart from other candidates. If your degree program included projects that were very relevant to what you’re applying for, make sure you include them. However, avoid adding everything you covered in your degree unless it is highly relevant and will add something to your resume.

5. Include awards and accolades.

Awards, scholarships, or special mentions are an excellent addition when listing your degree. This is especially so if they relate directly to the role, but regardless, showing you have the commitment and skills to achieve an award can make you stand out.

6. Include your GPA if it’s high.

You’ll find mixed advice about including your GPA, but the general consensus is to add it if it is noteworthy. If your GPA is below average, lower than 3.4 [ 1 ], it’s best not to highlight this. If it is exceptionally high, use it as a selling point.

7. Position your education section.

Where you place your education section depends on a few factors. If you have limited experience in the field you’re applying for, but your degree is highly relevant, you may want to put your education section near the top of your resume. It might be directly under your summary.

However, if you have many years of relevant experience and a strong career progression, your degree subject may be less important, especially if it is in a different field. If this is the case, place it lower down your resume, below your experience section.

Example education section

Below is an example of an education section for a seasoned professional.

Bachelor of Arts Marketing , 2022

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Minors : Management 

Special projects : Participated in a marketing project, developing a marketing plan for a small hospitality business.

How to list an unfinished degree

If you have a degree in progress and haven’t finished yet, it’s valuable to list it anyway. However, listing an unfinished degree varies slightly from the above example of a completed degree program.

When listing the date of your degree, note an expected graduation date. It’s still a good idea to list your major, special projects, awards, and any extracurricular activities if these strengthen the section. You can even include your GPA if it is high.

Example of an unfinished degree listed in the education section:

Bachelor of Arts Psychology

Expected graduation: June 2024

Minors : Child development

Awards: Dean’s list for seven semesters

Tips for writing your resume

Now you know how to format and construct your education section, let’s take a look at some tips for finishing your resume:

Tailor your resume: It’s important to write it with a job role in mind. Look at what recruiters put in the job listing and the position’s description. Ensure your resume includes details that align with what the employer is looking for, provided they also match your background. The employer is scoring you on how well your resume fits the role.

Use keywords: Many companies use an ATS,  requiring job seekers like you to make sure their resumes include keywords relevant to their experience that match the job description and keywords associated with the role and industry to stand a good chance of being selected.

Focus on achievements : It’s easy to list duties and responsibilities on your resume, but your individual achievements can help you stand out against others. Give examples of things you have done, awards you’ve earned, factors you’ve improved, and people you’ve helped.

Be clear and concise: Recruiters skim-read resumes, and it’s essential to deliver the details that catch their interest with just a quick scan, enticing them to continue reading and learning more about you. Keep your information relevant and format it clearly to break up text with bullet points and subheadings for easy scannability.

Get started with Coursera.

Building a strong resume means having a solid education section. Getting a degree isn’t your only option to build a strong resume. You can also stand out by taking online classes and increasing your qualifications. For example, Professional Certificates on Coursera effectively show your skills and knowledge in various areas.

For example, you could hone your sales skills with a Salesforce Sales Operations Professional Certificate , explore marketing analytics with the Meta Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate , or master the fundamentals of network operations with a Network Engineering Professional Certificate from Akamai.

Article sources

Indeed. “ How To List Education on a Resume (With Examples) , https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-list-education-on-a-resume.” Accessed April 4, 2024.

Keep reading

Coursera staff.

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.