called a hook or a grabber.
I don’t want to close my eyes; it makes me feel awkward and exposed to be in a group of people with my eyes closed. Because of that, I keep my eyes open. The problem is when I keep my eyes open, I feel like some sort of horrible nonconformist rebel. I feel awkward with my eyes closed and I feel guilty if they are open. Either way, I just feel bad. Besides, half of the time when speakers tell audience members to close their eyes, they forget to tell us when we can open them. If you are wanting me to imagine a story, just tell me to imagine it, don’t make me close my eyes (rant over).
You should plan your opening to be intentional and with power. “Can everybody hear me” is a weak and uncertain statement and this is not the first impression you want to leave. Do a microphone check before the audience members arrive and have someone stand in different corners of the room to make sure you can be heard. Don’t waste your valuable speech time with questions that you should already know the answer to.
You should know that before you begin. Even if the presentations for the day are running over and you are the last speaker, you should ask the MC before you begin. Always plan your first words with power.
You should make your slides big, really big. Test out your slides in advance of your speech, walk all around the room and make sure you can read them. Have a friend check them out as well. You should know they are big enough because you planned for it and tested it.
People really hate having things taken away, not to mention that your audience may want to take notes on their devices. Chances are you are speaking to adults, let them determine if it is appropriate to have out their technology.
Stop apologizing! Stop making excuses! While these lines may be true, they just come of as excuses and can make the audience either feel like you don’t want to be there, or they just feel sorry for you.
Talking about your nervousness will make you more nervous and will make them look for signs of your nervousness. Just start your speech.
Do not start with hesitation. Plan the first words, memorize the first words, practice the first words. Do not start with “Ok, so um, now I’d like…” Plan strong and start strong.
Do Not Discuss Your Business with People Watching…Really! I Mean It! Many of us are giving and listening to presentations in an online format. I have attended numerous presentations this year through Zoom where I have to sit and watch while the organizers engage in personal small talk or deal with the details of the presentation. This is how the speech I recently attended began. “Donna, you are going to share your screen, right?” “Yes. I have my PowerPoint ready to go. Will you push “record” when I give the signal?” “Sure. Where did you say that button is again? Do you think we should wait five more minutes, I think we had more who were coming? Dave, what was the total we were expecting?” “Yeah, we had 116 sign up, but the reminders went out late so this may be all we have. We can give them a few more minutes to log on.” “Donna, How is your dog? Is she still struggling with her cone since her spay surgery? My dog never would wear the cone –she tore her stitches out and broke her wound open. It was terrible. Well, it looks like it is about time to begin, thank you everyone for coming.” If you are organizing an event online, hosting a speech online, giving a presentation online–please keep it professional. Most platforms will allow you to keep the audience in a waiting room until it is time to start. If you have a business to deal with, keep the audience out until you have everything ready to go. Once the audience is in the meeting, you should engage the audience in group-type small talk or you should just start the presentation. In professional settings, you should start the meeting on time. Why punish those who showed up on time to wait for those who aren’t there yet?
I asked my long-time friend, Bill Rogers, to write an excerpt to add to the book. I met Bill when he was the Chief Development Officer for a hospital in Northwest Arkansas and I met him again when he was reinventing himself as a college student getting a Master’s Degree in the theater. He would love to share a symbolic cup of coffee with you and give you advice about public speaking.
Perfect morning for a walk, isn’t it? Join me for a cup of coffee? Wonderful. Find us a table and I’ll get our coffee.
There you go; just like you like it. There’s nothing like a great cup of coffee on the patio of your neighborhood coffee shop, is there?
Now that you’re settled in your favorite chair, take a sip, and let that glorious caffeine kick in and do its stuff. Okay, let’s talk.
So, you were asking me about public speaking.
Well, let’s see. Where do we begin?
One of the first pieces of advice I ever received was to imagine that every member of your audience is sitting there in their underwear! Yeah, right. That never worked for me. I tried it once with a local civic group of community leaders both male and female. If the intent of that tidbit is to make you relax, it certainly didn’t work for me. It just made me more self-conscious…and more nervous. I not only got distracted, but I also lost my train of thought, I started sweating, and, of course, imagined myself standing there without clothes. Needless to say, that speech was a disaster and I’ve never used it again. I suggest you don’t either.
In the early days, I also relied very heavily on my typed-up speech. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that unless you find yourself reading it word for word as I did. Nothing is more boring nor puts an audience to sleep quicker than a speaker with their nose down reading a speech. There’s no connection and connection with your audience is key.
As you know, I love theatre and I’ve done a bit of acting over the years. Early on, I learned that the quicker I learned my lines, the more I could play, experiment, and shape my character. It relaxed me and gave me enormous freedom. It led me to find a mantra for myself: “With discipline comes freedom.” This freedom will allow you to improvise as your audience or situation dictates while still conveying the core message of your presentation. That discipline and its resulting freedom apply to public speaking of any kind and, I think, will serve you well.
Another old adage we’ve all heard is Aristotle’s advice. You know the one. No? Well, roughly, it’s to tell your audience what you’re going to say, say it, and then tell them what you just said. That’s the basic formula for public speaking. And it works as a good place to start.
However, effective speaking is much more and, to me, it starts with a story or even a simple sentence.
You know the feeling you get when you read the first sentence of a good book and it just reaches out and grabs you? That should be your goal with every presentation. One sentence to capture your audience’s attention. Something that causes them to lean forward. Something that sparks their imagination.
It doesn’t have to be all that profound either. It can be something very simple. A personal story that relates to your topic. A relevant fact or statistic that defines or illustrates the issue or subject matter at hand.
A couple of classics come to mind. The first is Alice Walker’s, “The Color of Purple.”
“You better not tell nobody but God.”
And the second one is from my favorite novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee.
“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm broken at the elbow.”
Both sentences hook you immediately. A few simple words speak volumes. After reading or hearing those words, you naturally lean in. You want to learn more. You want to find out what happens next. Every effective speech or presentation does the same thing.
Of course, make sure that the first and last thing you say to your audience is both relevant and appropriate. I share this out of an abundance of caution. I once worked for an internationally recognized and well-respected children’s research hospital and I was given the privilege to speak at a national educational convention. The room was filled wall to wall with teachers. I thought I’d be cute and add a little levity. I opened my presentation with this line, “You know, I’ve had nightmares like this…” Instead of the roars of laughter, I was expecting, a wave of silence ensued. Not only was the line not funny, but it was also wholly inappropriate and I immediately lost my audience. Not my best day. Learn from my mistakes.
Finally, let’s touch on the importance of approaching a speech as a conversation. You and I are sitting here enjoying our coffee and having a friendly, relaxed conversation. Strive for that every chance you get. You may not always have that luxury. Some speeches and presentations simply demand formality. But even in those cases, you can usually make it somewhat conversational. I always try to write my speeches in a conversational style. Like I’m talking to a friend…or trying to make a new one.
So, to recap: tell a story, learn your lines, hook your audience with a simple sentence, close with a question or call to action, use repetition, keep it conversational, treat your audience as a friend, and give yourself permission to relax.
Above all, be yourself. Allow yourself to be as relaxed as you are with those closest to you. If you’re relaxed, if you try to think of your audience as a friend, then, in most cases, they too will relax and they will root for you. Even if they disagree with what you are telling them, they will respect you and they will listen.
How about another cup?
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Before we dive into how to make a speech, let's look at a powerful tool that can help you design your presentation.
Envato Elements is a great place to find PowerPoint templates to use with your speech. These presentation templates are professionally designed to impress.
Envato Elements is an excellent value because you get unlimited access to digital elements once you become a subscriber. Envato Elements has more than just presentation templates . You get:
To become a subscriber, just sign up and pay a low monthly fee.
Here's a possible public speaking scenario:
You've just opened a small web design business in your town, and you join the town Chamber of Commerce. As a result, you're invited to give a short, five-minute presentation at the next Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Coming up with a public speaking speech for the scenario described above could be a challenge if you've never written or given a public speech before. Fortunately, there are some speech-writing steps that you can use that'll make speech writing easier.
Let's use this example and walk through the steps for writing a speech.
The steps for writing a speech for public speaking are like the steps for writing a presentation in general. But at each stage of the writing process, you need to keep your audience in mind:
Whenever you do any type of writing you need to consider who you're trying to reach with your writing. Speech writing is no different. The more you know about your target audience, the more effective your writing will be.
In the example above, you know that your audience is going to be the other members of the Chamber of Commerce. They're likely to be small business owners just like you are.
Once you've defined your audience, you can gear your speech towards them. To do this, ask yourself questions like:
In the example we're using for this tutorial, most small businesses in your town fit one of the following three situations:
In this example your topic is already given. You've been invited to introduce your business. But you also know that the speech is going to be fairly short--only five minutes long.
While it's always a good idea to keep a speech focused, this is especially important for a short speech.
If I were writing the public speaking speech for the scenario we're working with, I'd narrow the topic down like this:
Let's say that I noticed that quite a few members of the chamber have websites that use outdated fonts, and the sites aren't mobile-friendly. Instead of listing everything my web design business could possibly do, I'd focus my short speech on those areas where I observed a need.
You can use a similar process to narrow the topic down any time you need to write a speech.
Avoid the temptation of trying to cover too much information. Most people are so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new data they receive each day that they can't keep up with it all. Your listeners are more likely to remember your public speaking speech if it's tightly focused on one or two points.
In the example we've been going over, you probably don't need to do a lot of research. And you've already narrowed your topic down.
But some public speaking situations may require that that you cover a topic that you're less familiar with. For more detailed speech writing tips on how to study your subject (and other public speaking tips), review the tutorial:
Once you've completed the steps above, you're ready to write your speech. Here are some basic speech writing tips:
In this example scenario for the short speech we're preparing for the Chamber of Commerce, your outline could look something like this:
That simple speech format should be enough for the short speech in our example. If you find it's too short when you practice, you can always add more slides with examples.
If you've been asked to give a short speech, you can change the speech format above to fit your needs. If you're giving a longer speech, be sure to plan for audience breaks and question and answer sessions as you write.
For most presentations, you'll want to use a professional presentation tool such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or a similar package. A presentation tool allows you to add visual interest to your public speaking speech. Many of them allow you to add video or audio to further engage your audience.
If you don't already have a presentation tool, these tutorials can help you find the right one for your needs:
Once you've chosen a presentation tool, you're ready to choose a template for your presentation.
A presentation template controls the look and feel of your presentation. A good template design can make the difference between a memorable public speech with eye-catching graphics and a dull, forgettable talk.
You could design your own presentation template from scratch. But, if you've never designed a presentation template before, the result might look less than professional. And it could take a long time to get a good template. Plus, hiring a designer to create an original presentation template can be pricey.
A smart shortcut for most small business owners is to invest in a professional presentation template. They can customize it to fit with their branding and marketing materials. If you choose this option, you'll save time and money. Plus, with a professional presentation template you get a proven result.
You can find some great-looking presentation templates at Envato Elements or GraphicRiver . To browse through some example templates, look at these articles:
Even a short speech like the one we've been using as an example in this tutorial could benefit from a good tutorial. If you've never used a template before, these PowerPoint tutorials can help:
Now that you've completed all the steps above, you're ready to give your speech. Before you give your speech publicly, though, there are a few things you should remember:
In the example we're using in this tutorial (and with many public speaking opportunities), it's important not to disappear at the end of the meeting. Stick around and be prepared to interact individually with members of the audience. Have answers to questions anyone might have about your speech. And be sure to bring a stack of business cards to pass out.
After reading about the basics, here are some more tips on how to write a great speech really stand out:
Start your speech with a strong opening by presenting surprising facts or statistics. You could even start with a funny story or grand idea.
Another way to start your speech is to open with a question to spark your audience’s curiosity. If you engage your audience early in your speech, they're more likely to pay attention throughout your speech.
You want a speech that'll be memorable. One way to make your speech memorable is to connect with your audience. Using metaphors and analogies help your audience to connect and remember. For example, people use one writing tool to put the speech's theme in a 15-20 word short poem or memorable paragraph, then build your speech around it.
When writing your speech, have a clear path and a destination. Otherwise, you could have a disorganized speech. Messy speeches are unprofessional and forgettable. While writing your speech, leave out unnecessary information. Too many unnecessary details can cause people to lose focus.
A key to writing memorable speeches is to repeat key phrases, words, and themes. When writing your speech, always bring your points back to your main point or theme. Repetition helps people remember your speech and drives home the topic of your speech.
Since the last thing that your audience listened to what your closing, they'll remember your closing the most. So, if your closing is forgettable, it can make your speech forgettable. So, recap your speech and repeat essential facts that you want the audience to remember in your closing.
If you’re writing a speech for a presentation, save time by using a premium presentation template:
Toetic PowerPoint Presentation has 90 unique slides and 1800 total slides that you can easily add your information onto. There are ten light and dark versions that come with this template. Also included in this template are vector icons, elements, and maps.
Suflen Multipurpose Presentation template has a professional design that can work for any presentation topic. This template comes with over 450 total slides. With this template, you've got five color themes to choose from. Also, this template comes with illustrations, graphics, and picture placeholders.
Virtually PowerPoint template is a modern and minimal style presentation template. This template comes with over 50 slides. You can use this template for any presentation theme.
Amarish PowerPoint Template comes with five color themes that allow you to choose the color you want. This template is another multipurpose template that can work for any purpose. Also, this template comes with over 150 total slides and infographics, illustrations, and graphics.
Qubica PowerPoint Template comes with over 150 total slides and five premade color themes. Easily add images into your presentation template by dragging the image of your choice into the picture placeholder. Everything in this template is entirely editable.
Here are some other tutorials that provide more information on giving a speech:
Download The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations eBook now for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that'll move your audience!
You've just learned how to write a good public speaking speech. You've been given a sample speech format and plenty of other speech writing tips and resources on how to write a good speech. You've seen some templates that'll really make a PowerPoint stand out.
Now, it's up to you to write the best speech for your needs. Good luck!
Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Sarah Joy . Sarah is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+.
Stressed about an upcoming presentation? These talks are full of helpful tips on how to get up in front of an audience and make a lasting impression.
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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.
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:
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.
A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:
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 speech typically include:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 :
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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:
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.
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.
Enhance your public speaking with personalized coaching tailored to your needs
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.
The 11 tips that will improve your public speaking skills, 6 presentation skills and how to improve them, create a networking plan in 7 easy steps, what are analytical skills examples and how to level up, self-management skills for a messy world, the significance of written communication in the workplace, what is a career statement, and should you write one, how to write an impactful cover letter for a career change, how to write an executive summary in 10 steps, 18 effective strategies to improve your communication skills, difficult conversations at work: a guide for employees & managers, 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, writing an elevator pitch about yourself: a how-to plus tips, how to write a memo: 8 steps with examples, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..
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Speech And Debate
Speech Writing
Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023
By: Cordon J.
Reviewed By: Rylee W.
Published on: Sep 8, 2020
Giving a speech for a class, event or work can be nerve-wracking. However, writing an effective speech can boost your confidence level.
A speech is an effective medium to communicate your message and speech writing is a skill that has its advantages even if you are a student or a professional.
With careful planning and paying attention to small details, you can write a speech that will inform, persuade, entertain or motivate the people you are writing for.
If this is your first speech. Take all the time you need.
Like other skills, you can learn speech writing too.
Give yourself enough time to write and practice it several times for the best possible results.
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You have a message that you want people to hear or you are preparing a speech for a particular situation such as a commemorative speech.
No matter what the case, it is important to ensure that the speech is well structured or else you will fail to deliver your effective message. And you don’t want that, do you?
You can also explore our complete guide to write a commemorative speech . Make sure to give the article a thorough read.
Want to write a speech your audience will remember? A speech outline is a thing you should start with.
‘How to write a speech outline?’
A speech outline is very important in helping you sound more authoritative and in control. As you write your speech outline you will have to focus on how you will introduce yourself, your topic, and the points that you will be going to cover.
A speech outline will save a lot of your time and will help you organize your thoughts. It will make sure the speech is following a proper structure and format.
Before you start writing your own speech you need to know:
These speech tips will help you get on the right track from the start. Here is an example of how you can craft a speech outline.
Preparation
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‘How to write a graduation speech?’
‘How to write a speech for school?’
‘How to write a speech about yourself?’
Get your answers in the below sections.
Just like essays, the speech also follows three sections: Introduction, the main body, and conclusion.
However, unlike essays, a speech must be written to be heard as opposed to just being read. It is important to write a speech in a way that can grab the reader’s attention and helps in painting a mental image.
It is the opening statement of a speech. It is important to know how to start a speech that can grab the attention of the audience.
‘How to write a speech introduction?’
It should include a hook-grabber statement about your topic. It should end with a strong transition from a big idea of the introduction to the main body of the essay. Some great ways to begin your speech are, to begin with, a rhetorical question, a quote, or another strong statement.
Make sure the introduction is not more than one paragraph. This will ensure you do not spend much time on the background before getting to the main idea of the topic.
The introduction is a great chance to make sure your opening is memorable as this is the point when your audience will make up their mind about you.
The majority of the speech should be spent presenting your thesis statement and supporting ideas in an organized way.
Avoid rambling as it will immediately lose your audience’s attention. No need to share everything, instead pick some points and stick to them throughout your speech.
Organize your points in a logical manner so they support and build on each other. Add as many points as needed to support the overall message of your speech.
State each point clearly and provide all the required information, facts, statistics, and evidence, to clarify each of your points.
It is a good idea to include your personal experiences to make your speech more interesting and memorable.
Another important thing to be kept in mind is the use of transition. The purpose of adding transition words is to improve the overall flow of the information and help the reader to understand the speech structure. Words like next, then, after, before, at that moment, etc. are the most commonly used transition words to make the whole writing less choppy and more interesting.
The conclusion should restate and summarize all the main points of the speech. Because the audience will most likely remember what they have heard last. Beautifully wrap up the whole speech and give something for the audience to think about.
For an extra element, close your speech by restating the introduction statement so it feels like a complete package.
A good approach to conclude your speech is to introduce a call to action. Encourage your audience to participate in the solution to the problem that you are discussing. Give your audience some direction on how they can participate.
Practice and more practice is key to a great speech so it is important that you read your speech and listen to yourself. When writing, take care of the required length also.
You feel relief when your teacher says you are free to choose your speech topic. Feel free to write about anything you want. The problem is students still feel stuck in choosing an effective speech topic. If you are one of them, here is a list of the best speech ideas to help you get through the process.
These are some of the interesting topics that you can consider. However, if you are still not sure about the topic of your speech, you can explore our article on informative speech topics and pick any of your choices.
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Speech Example
Stressing over on how to write a good speech? Speech examples are sure to be your best friend for effective speech writing and its effortless delivery.
Here is a sample speech example to help you get through your own speech writing process. Explore this example and get the answer on how to give a good speech.
If you are good at public speaking but lack writing skills or you do not have enough time to follow the mentioned points and write a speech, don't worry.
You can always contact us at 5StarEssays.com.
We have a highly qualified and amazing team of expert writers who can help you if you want to buy speeches online with high-quality content.
Contact our " write my essay " service with your requirements. Our essay writer will provide you with quality material that your audience will remember for a long time.
What is the best introduction for a speech.
The best way to open a speech’s introduction is, to begin with, a story. Tell an inspiring story to your audience and connect it with your personal narrative.
The first step of writing a speech is to choose a topic. Choosing a good topic is important to have an engaging and great speech.
Here are the five steps involved in writing a speech.
Here are the types of speech delivery.
The two P’s required for proper speech delivery are Preparation and Practice.
Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.
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In order to write a speech, you need to think about your audience, the required length, and the purpose or topic. This is true whether you are writing a wedding speech, conference presentation, investor pitch, or any other type of speech.
Being a great speech writer can help you get a promotion, motivate people, sell a business idea, persuade others and much more – it’s an essential skill in the modern world. In this article, we cover key tips for writing a speech.
You should invest time strategically considering the speech. This will help you decide on the key message and content about your topic. Here are some points to consider.
You need to catch the audience attention early, very early (see section below). Deliver a memorable beginning, a clear middle and structured ending.
Popular speech structure:
Secondary Point (Optional: supports main)
Tertiary Point (Optional: supports secondary and main)
Research shows that attention span is greatest at the beginning of a speech, reduces considerably during the middle of your speech and picks up again towards the end when your audience know you about to finish.
Don’t try to put too many ideas into your speech. Research shows that people remember very little from speeches, so just give them one or two ideas to hang onto.
These two articles explain audience attention span in more detail, and how to write a speech to extend it:
Make sure your opening few seconds are memorable as this is when your audience will make up their minds about you. Use a bold sentence to grab their attention, works best with numbers reinforcing your point.
An example sentence might be – “After this speech, I’m confident 50% of you will go out and buy a VR headset.” Follow these tips on how to write a speech intro:
This is more focused on presentations but sections can be applied broadly to other general speeches.
1. Interest
You: Introduce yourself confidently and clearly Audience: Why should I listen to you?
You: Remind the audience the reasons for this speech Audience: What’s in it for me?
You: State length of speech at beginning, “Over the next 15 minutes” Audience: How long until I can get a coffee?
4. Routemap
You: State the main points, “Today I’m going to cover 4 main points” Audience: Which sections of the speech are important to me?
5. Objectives
You: Clearly state the objective, “By the end of this speech, I would like to…” Audience: So that’s what you want from me today…
This speech opening is by Jamie Oliver, giving a TED talk on teaching every child about food.
Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead through the food that they eat. My name’s Jamie Oliver. I’m 34 years old. I’m from Essex in England and for the last seven years I’ve worked fairly tirelessly to save lives in my own way. I’m not a doctor; I’m a chef, I don’t have expensive equipment or medicine. I use information, education. I profoundly believe that the power of food has a primal place in our homes that binds us to the best bits of life. We have an awful, awful reality right now. America, you’re at the top of your game. This is one of the most unhealthy countries in the world.
Avoid the following opening comments:
The body of your speech is where the majority of the information is. The audience has been introduced to the subject and reasons for the speech. Now you need to present your arguments and examples, data, illustrations backing up your key message.
How to write a speech body can be difficult, the best way to build this section is to write down three points you are trying to convey in your speech, your main, secondary and tertiary points. Then write down three descriptions clarifying each of these points. The descriptions should be simple, memorable and meaningful.
The middle of your speech is where the audience start losing attention. Keep this in mind and ensure your message is clear. Use images, jokes and rhetoric questions to keep the audience engaged.
Don’t overwhelm your audience with many points. It is much more valuable to make a small number of points well, than to have too many points which aren’t made satisfactorily.
Obama’s speeches are well prepared with a focus on powerful words “A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things“. His speeches use simple language and quotes from famous speeches his listeners can relate to.
For additional trademark Obama techniques, check out How Barack Obama prepares his speeches.
Similar to the opening, your closing statements should be impactful, re-stating the key message of your speech. We advise learning your ending few lines word for word. The ending is an opportunity to:
Quotation Close – use a famous quote to get the audience’s attention and create a link to your speech.
Bookend Close – refer back to an opening statement and repeat it or add a few extra words to elaborate on it.
Open Question – ask the audience a provocative question or a call to action to perform some task on the back of your speech.
For additional tips on how to write a speech, in particular how to close your speech, read:
Here’s how to write your speech from concept to completion.
One of the best ways for learning how to write a speech is reading other well written ones. Here are a list of famous speeches to read and learn from:
Written by: Chloe West
We've created a list of 20 public speaking tips to help you improve your public speaking skills and present with confidence in front of any audience.
Here are the some of the tips you’ll find inside:
So, if you want to get your public speaking skills to the next level, you’ll need this list.
Read the tips one by one or choose the ones that interest you the most from the navigation below.
Let’s get into it.
Tip #1: know your audience, tip #2: prepare a visually appealing presentation, tip #3: practice in front of a mirror & in front of others, tip #4: make enough rehearsals, tip #5: speak from the heart, tip #6: use props for effect, tip #7: be candid, tip #8: start with a question, tip #9: end with a question, tip #10: simplify the complex, tip #11: test the equipment that you’ll be using, tip #12: make eye contact with your audience, tip #13: speak slower than usual, tip #14: leave space to breathe, tip #15: get to know the stage, tip #16: ask for feedback to improve, tip #17: don’t be afraid to repeat yourself, tip #18: try to memorize your notes, tip #19: plan your speech & create a structure, tip #20: include a digital version of your presentation.
The first thing you need to do is have a full grasp on who your audience is going to be. You need to have this down before you even begin choosing a topic and creating your presentation content because it could vary based on who you’re speaking to.
Even if you’re giving the same speech two separate audiences, take the time to tweak it and personalize it based on where you’re speaking and who you’re speaking to.
Furthermore, your presentation slides, props and stories that you tell might vary whether you’re speaking to a more business-oriented audience versus a room full of peers.
The next tip we have for public speakers is to ensure your presentation is visually appealing and engaging to your audience members.
This is the best way you can ensure you grab your audience’s attention from the get go. While the rest relies on your ability to speak well, you have full control over the design of your slides.
If you have no idea where to start, a professionally designed slide deck is the perfect starting point. Give our Simple theme a try – it has over 300 different slide designs for you to pick and choose from when creating your presentation.
Just be sure to leave out those bullet points and boring black and white slides. Match your branding if it makes sense and incorporate a variety of visual aids.
One great way to help you get over a fear of public speaking is to practice in front of a mirror and watch how you present yourself.
Then once you’re comfortable giving your speech alone, recruit a group of friends, family members or colleagues who are willing to be your audience as you practice in front of them.
This can help you prepare for speaking in front of people, and starting small is the best way to become more comfortable and in your element.
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Practice, practice, practice. The only way you’re going to get over that nervous energy and help your speech come across as natural as possible is through rehearsing it over and over again.
Read over your slides, make mental notes and create mnemonic devices to help you remember the information you want to share for each slide you create.
You don’t want to simply read off your slides, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to rehearse. When it comes to public speaking, you don’t want to leave anything to the last minute.
If there was a category for the most forgettable speeches in the world each spring, it would be for those delivered at graduation ceremonies.
However in 2016, a young man by the name of Donovan Livingston changed all of that. His speech began safely with a quotation, a tried-and-true technique, although over-used for generations. But then, in an amazing display of creativity, Livingston broke all the rules.
Instead of the standard platitudes and well-wishes, he launched into a spoken-word poem as a speech and his imagery was so vivid, it drew an emotionally overcome audience to its feet at the end.
Livingston’s speech has since been shared more than 170,000 times and viewed by eight million people.
This proves that making presentations that your audience supports is not a trick or a gimmick – it is simply delivering eloquent, amazing content that touches people deeply and inspires them to reach out and share your message.
Sometimes the best way to stand out in front of an audience is to incorporate props into your presentation.
That was evident in another speech that brought the audience to its feet in support of Mohammed Qahtani, winner of the Toastmaster’s 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking award.
Standing on stage, reaching in his pocket and pulling out a cigarette, putting it to his lips and then flicking his lighter, the quirky speaker elicited a shocked response from his audience. Then he made them laugh by quoting some amazing statistics which he then revealed he had made up.
By this time the audience was hooked. What would happen next? You can watch this example below.
Qahtani’s unorthodox opening mixed with humor and effective facial expressions caught people’s attention and when he was ready to hammer home his message, they were already on his side.
“Words have power, words are power, words could be your power,” he told them.
The presentation of a powerful message for change can fall on unresponsive ears unless the speaker can bring the issue into the lives and hearts of the audience.
Caitlyn Jenner, in her acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award managed to bring her audience onside through her remarkably straightforward talk.
As you listen to these excerpts from Jenner’s message, you sense the emotion building. By the time she tells her story and vows to “reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed and how trans people are treated,” she has the audience following every word.
What Jenner illustrates best is not only how to grab the audience’s attention, but how to keep their attention. She reached out to thank her children in an emotional moment and talked about the everyday things that women take for granted that she had to get used to.
Telling a moving personal story remains one of the all-time best public speaking tips to get and keep an audience on your side. The more unusual the story is, the more the audience will be fascinated.
Note that Jenner also refrained from glorifying herself with her stories.
Instead, she focused on the impact of her decision on those around her and on urging others uncomfortable with their gender to take the necessary steps to live life on their terms. This approach scores higher with any audience.
She didn’t brag; she didn’t exaggerate. Her direct speaking style was refreshing to her audience and effective in bringing them on her side.
Telling a great story works well in bringing an audience on your side, as illustrated by Jenner’s remarks, but it gains even more power when you combine the story with another great technique, and that is asking your audience a question.
When self-help guru Amy Morin did both in her speech “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” her audience was onside immediately.
Listen to her effective opening as she first tells a story about her friend and follows it up with a self-revealing question to her audience.
Morin, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist and lecturer at Northeastern University, is adept at building a bridge to her audience.
In fact, she not only bridges to them, but mentally they climb up on that bridge and start walking toward her. She knows how to use the best techniques in a way that is so natural, her audience is unaware that they are seeing professional tactics of presentation science at work.
If you opt to tell a personal story, make sure that it is closely connected to your theme. Also, make sure that it is not more than a minute or two in length.
If you decide to ask a question that invites your audience to think about your topic, be very specific. There is a time in life for open-ended questions, but it is not at the start of your presentation.
As Morin did, ask them one direct question about their immediate response or emotion to something. For example, do not say “do you think jealousy is just a part of the bigger picture of being human?”
In the same vein as starting with a question, you can also consider ending your speech with a question. This is a great way to keep people thinking about your topic and how they can apply it to their own life, job, etc.
Ending your presentation with a question can be a great way to inspire or motivate your audience and keep them thinking about your key points long after you’re finished.
Another important strategy for bringing audiences on your side is ensuring that if you are going to talk about a more complicated topic, you break down the concepts you present in a way that your audience can easily understand.
A great example of that is Dan Gilbert’s presentation on The Surprising Science of Happiness.
Gilbert makes his point by explaining from the beginning how the human brain works, and how cognitive judgments are formed. Then he illustrates that we can all misinterpret our own happiness or well-being because of our cognitive interpretations and false assumptions.
He makes it clear to his audience that they have the power to try out life experiences before actually doing them for real. He takes complicated concepts like our experience simulator and impact bias and shows how we can mislead ourselves.
But when we master these brain responses, we can live and interpret our experiences in a more positive way.
As all of the impressive presentations mentioned illustrate, there are lots of public speaking tips you can apply to bring your audience on side with you, but the foundation of all of them is having something worthwhile to say and a straightforward vocabulary to ensure that your audience grasps it.
In the presentation game, there is a huge element of showmanship, but in the end, that only works to impress people when you still deliver content that creates value in their lives.
Before you encounter technology errors in front of your entire audience, be sure to test all equipment that you’ll be using during your speech.
This can be anything from the clicker for your presentation slides, the computer you’re using to open your presentation, the projector or any other piece of equipment that might be available to you.
Knowing exactly how to use each of these objects before you go into your presentation will help your setup be that much more seamless and can take the edge off a bit before a big speech.
One of the key characteristics of any great speaker involves making eye contact with your audience. As you speak, take the time to look around the room, speaking directly to each person sitting in front of you.
Not only is this a great way to help yourself feel more at ease while you speak, it helps your audience feel even more connected and engaged with what you’re saying.
Often when people feel nervous or are encountering stage fright, they start to speak quickly. You need to be conscious of this so you can avoid that bad habit.
When you speak too quickly, your messaging can easily be lost on your audience as they struggle to keep up. Even a normal, conversational speed can be too quick for a speech.
You want to be fully aware of every word that leaves your mouth, speaking more slowly than you typically would, so that your main points really resonate with your audience.
Another good practice is to pause for emphasis after your important points to let them really sink in. Speaking slowly and pausing for effect are two tactics for great speeches.
This goes right in line with our previous point – allow yourself time to breathe and don’t speak too quickly .
When you’re rushing through your speech, not only does it cause you to lose your audience, but it will also cause you to get winded quickly, ruining your performance.
Be sure to give yourself time to breathe. Taking deep breaths can also be a great way to get over stage fright and start to feel more confident on stage.
While you’re testing out your equipment, take a chance to really get to know your stage area. Will you have a larger stage? If so, practice walking around while you give your speech so you can cover as much area as possible.
Find out if there’s a podium. If so, it might be helpful to bring props, notes and other memorization devices to keep on the podium with you.
If you’re able to access the stage ahead of time, consider doing a test run of your speech so that you know what to expect when you have an audience.
At the end of the speech, be sure to ask trusted colleagues and attendees for any advice or feedback on improving your presentation skills.
As you get more comfortable speaking, this can be helpful to ensure you hone in on the feedback you’ve received and work to get better and better during each speaking engagement you attend in the future, whether it’s a TED Talk or a friend’s wedding.
If there’s a point you really want to drill into your audience, don’t be afraid to repeat yourself! Saying the same powerful phrase over and over again is going to sink in much more effectively than any filler words would.
Find the number one takeaway that you want your audience to get from your speech and say it again and again throughout your presentation.
You don’t want to stand up on the stage and read your presentation word for word from notecards. This is why it’s important to try to memorize your notes.
We’ve previously covered 8 memorization techniques that pros use to remember their notes, so be sure to check them out.
Another one that we recommend is to utilize our presentation notes feature. Include bullet points and quick summaries to keep you on track. You can also use this feature to time yourself so you know how long you’ve spent on each slide.
Be as prepared as possible. While you create your presentation slides , ensure the order makes sense and that you’ve planned your speaking points around the structure of your slides.
There are a number of ways to structure your presentation for maximum impact on your audience as well, so be sure to plan out the best way to tell your story and make your point. Ensure your body language matches the words you’re saying as well.
Creating a structure for your presentation helps your story to flow well from beginning to end. Practice sticking to your structure so your presentation makes sense and resonates with your audience.
Print out and distribute handouts to your audience, but also be sure to include a digital version of your presentation for your viewers to watch again later.
You can easily share this on your website, in a blog post or on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Uploading a digital version to SlideShare is another way to reach even more people with your content.
Now that you’re ready to be a pro public speaker, it’s time to start designing a presentation your audience will never forget. Sign up for Visme to get access to professionally designed slide templates and stunning presentation elements for a one-of-a-kind slide deck.
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Chloe West is the content marketing manager at Visme. Her experience in digital marketing includes everything from social media, blogging, email marketing to graphic design, strategy creation and implementation, and more. During her spare time, she enjoys exploring her home city of Charleston with her son.
Farewell, welcome, engagement, introduction, persuasive, maid of honor, thank you, icebreaker, and more!
By: Susan Dugdale
There are speech examples of many types on my site. If you have a speech to write and don't know where to begin, you're most welcome to use any of them to kick start your own creative process into action.
They're listed in alphabetical order: from birthday speeches through to welcome speeches.
Happy reading, Susan
Click the links to find the speech examples you want to read.
There are three birthday speeches for you to read.
The first example is a 50th birthday speech for a man. It is written as if from a close male friend. You could call it a loving roast!
Here's the opening sentences:
"Good evening all. It's great to have you here. Most of you know my feeling on birthdays. Generally I say, what's the big deal?
By the time you've had over thirty, there should be a cease and desist order against them.
They're not unusual. Everybody has them and at the same rate as everybody else - one a year. They happen whether you want them to or not.
Believe me, I know. I've had quite a few and looking around this room I can see it's the same for others as well.
So why are we here?"
Read more: 50th birthday speech
The second example is a 40 birthday speech for a daughter and the speech is written as if it comes from her mother.
These are the opening sentences:
"On behalf of the Martin family and Camille in particular, it is my pleasure to welcome you here tonight to her 40th birthday celebration.
We are delighted to have you with us and especial thanks to those who have traveled from afar.
Before we eat I am going to say a few words about my beautiful daughter. I've promised her two things. I'll keep it short and I won't embarrass her by telling tales she'd rather I forgot."
Read more: 40th birthday speech example
The third example is an 18th birthday speech of thanks . The speaker is thanking their family and friends for coming along to their 18th birthday celebration. It's a mix of humor and sincerity.
The speech begins like this:
"This is a moment I’ve waited a long time for. 18! I am an adult. Yep, I’ve come of age. Hard to believe, isn’t?
(Dad, you were not supposed to agree so quickly.)
I can now vote, drive a car, marry, buy alcohol, a lottery ticket and tobacco, get a tattoo, or join the military without having to ask permission. Let me see. Which one will I do first?
Perhaps a more honest question is, which of those will I continue to do without fear of getting caught?
And while you think about that, I’d like to say thank you."
Read more: 18th birthday speech
This example is a mix of notes, which the speaker Joe Brown will expand as he delivers the speech, and full text which he'll say as written. The speech follows the step by step process of an outline.
Here's an extract from the concluding sentences:
"It's been a tough year but I'm proud of what we accomplished together. Some businesses haven't been able to do what we have done.
Thanks to you we'll be going into the new year with strength, to build on our accomplishments and to consolidate our position.
Let's celebrate that. It's a gift to be grateful for."
To read more: Christmas office party speech example
You have the full text of these two short speeches to read. Both come in at between 2-3 minutes when delivered.
Here's an excerpt from one of them:
"OK, let's be honest; who thought we'd be gathered together for a heigh-ho-merry-old-time back in August? Remember? How can we possibly forget?!
For more please go to: 2 short company Christmas party speech samples .
This demonstration speech covers the process involved in learning to how to leave an effective voice mail message.
I've entered the text of the whole speech into a step by step outline template so that you can see the structure. Then I made a video (audio + slides) too, so you can hear as well as read it if you want to.
Here's the opening:
"How many important voice mail messages have you bumbled through after the beep? Does recalling them make you feel a little uncomfortable?
Yep, me too. I’ve blundered. Mumbled and muttered. If it were possible, I would have gladly saved the person I was calling the hassle of deleting those messages myself. Before they were heard."
Read more: sample demonstration speech
Here are five short (and sweet) engagement party speeches. They've been written from the point of view of a mother, a father, a friend, the groom and the bride-to-be.
The extract is the opening from the speech a mother might give:
"Mary welcome to the family!
While we're all delighted that Bill has shown such good sense in choosing you I've got an extra reason to celebrate. Finally I get a daughter! Thankfully Bill changed his mind about girls being, as he put it aged about 12, 'really dumb'."
To see all five speeches: engagement party toasts
We are extraordinarily blessed to be able offer over 70 eulogies for folk to read. These have been sent in by people from all over the world who intimately understand the need to see what others have written before beginning the task of writing a eulogy for a loved one of their own.
You'll find funeral speeches for mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, work colleagues...
Visit: eulogy examples
An example goodbye speech to colleagues .
This example farewell speech is written from the point of view of a person leaving their workplace: a goodbye speech to colleagues. It's upbeat and follows the suggested content guidelines you'll find when you visit the page. (There's a recording of it too.)
Here's part of the opening:
"Do you realize we've been sharing each other's company for 2920 days?
Eight years of fun times, challenging times and everything in between.
And today I am officially leaving you!"
Go to: farewell speech example : a goodbye speech to colleagues.
Writing a farewell speech for a colleague who is leaving can be challenging. What do you put in? What do you leave out?
My example is the result of following a start to finish 7 step process for a speech to say goodbye to a co-worker.
Here's the introductory sentences:
"Who else has been marking off the days until Sam finally leaves us? It’s sad but from next Monday there’ll be a huge hole in our team. She’ll be basking in the sun on a beach in Bali and we’ll be wondering how we’re going to manage without her..."
To read more of the speech and to find out about the process of writing it click the link: farewell speech to a colleague leaving .
What do white daisies, finding a stray coin down the back of the sofa, and motorbikes have in common?
Yes, they're all part of a golden wedding speech.
I've written this speech example as if it's being delivered by a man called Mark, to his much-loved wife of 50 years, Sarah.
Here's an excerpt from the beginning:
"After 50 years Sarah knows I am not good at romance or speaking about love. Those kind of words always got tangled on my tongue and caught between my teeth. They never did come out right, not as I intended anyway. Even when I proposed, it came out all wrong."
For more: 50th wedding anniversary speech example
Ahh, the icebreaker speech! It's much loved by club members worldwide and whichever of the eleven Toastmaster pathways you choose when you join, this is always the first assignment.
My icebreaker example, 'Stepping up to speak out', was written to illustrate an easily followed, step by step, process for getting from topic choice to speech preparation and delivery.
The beginning of the speech goes like this:
"Would you be surprised to know I nearly didn't make it here tonight?
I wonder how many of you experienced a moment or two of panic before giving your icebreaker speech. Just nod to let me know. { pause - look around }
Thank you, that's very reassuring. You've survived, so probably I shall too.
I am here wobbling rather nervously in front of you for three main reasons which I'll share.
Here's the first."
For more: Icebreaker speech for Toastmasters
There two introduction speech examples for you to look at.
One is an example self introduction speech - the kind of brief 1-2 minute speech you are often expected to make to introduce yourself to a group of people you're meeting for the first time at some sort of workshop or similar event.
Here's the opening of that speech:
"Hi everybody!
I'm Masie Smith, Senior Marketing Executive, from Watts and Frederick in Smalltown, Bigstate.
It's great to be finally here. I've been dreaming about the opportunity and possibilities of working collectively and directly with each other for a long time now. Jane and Sam can attest to that. There's been hours put in balancing the schedules to make it happen.
Webinars and email are fine but nothing beats face to face ."
For more: self-introduction speech example
The second is an introduction speech in which you introduce a guest- speaker to an audience.
Here are the closing sentences. What's preceded them has carefully primed the audience to give the guest a warm welcome, by piling one piece of compelling biographical information on top of another.
"How she got from awkward tongue tied silence to an eloquent front line spokesperson is the story she will share with us tonight.
Ladies, I give you ... Rose Stephenson on speaking to lead."
For more: guest-speaker introduction example
There are three Maid of Honor (MOH) speeches for you to read: two from the point of view of a best friend, and one from the point of view of a sister.
You'll find step by step guidelines with examples to illustrate each part of the process of preparing a speech for yourself. Follow them carefully and you'll finish with a Maid of Honor speech you'll be proud to deliver.
The first example is heartfelt, a speech written from the point of view of a close childhood friend. She's shared the best and most difficult of times with the bride.
Here are its opening sentences:
"Some one very wise, and obviously someone who knew Sonja and Mark said, “Don't marry a person you can live with. Marry somebody you can't live without."
That's what we're witnessing today – the union of two people who belong together. A perfect match!"
The second example is more light-hearted. It's a combination of sentiment and fun, and is written from the point of view of a trusted and loved friend.
Here's the beginning:
"Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.
That's what we're celebrating today: a story of true love, a dream come true.
My name is Felicity and it's my privilege to be Sarah’s Maid of Honor.
Sarah is my Best Friend. I know it's a cliché. However clichés become clichés for a very good reason, because they're true. She's my BFF: Best Friend Forever.
For her I would wear the gaudiest, frothiest taffeta maid of honor dress possible and still smile. Fortunately I don't have to."
For more see: Maid of Honor speech examples
The opening segment of the speech is below. It recalls a loved childhood game which unites the past and present while drawing listeners in.
"What a day, Mary!
Remember when we were kids, how we dressed up in Mom’s old party dresses? Put a white table cloth on our heads and marched around, singing, “Here comes the bride, fair fat and wide.”?
My name is Jennifer, and this beautiful woman, this stunning bride – the antithesis of “fair fat and wide” is my beloved little sister.
We laughed ourselves silly over that game. Now here we are 25 years later.
Not laughing. Mary’s not wearing a table cloth. And this time it’s for real.
I am honored to be asked to speak. Thank you."
For more go to: maid of honor speech for a sister
As part of a page offering 150 one minute speech topics I wrote and then recorded three example speeches to demonstrate what you could do with a one minute speech.
One of those speeches was on the topic: 'What my work clothes say about me'.
Here is the opening two paragraphs of that speech:
"Clothes make the man. Yes, we judge each other on what we wear. And have done forever.
For better, or for worse, in the western working world, nothing says dependable and professional as eloquently as a tailored grey business suit, a crisp white shirt and a pair of good shoes."
To read, and hear, all three speeches please visit: one minute speech topics *
* There is also a free downloadable printable one minute speech planner which will help you consolidate the process of putting a speech together with minimum fuss.
Here's a persuasive speech example using Monroe's Motivated Sequence - a five step structural pattern frequently used by professional persuaders: politicians and marketers.
The topic is somber: suicide and its impact on those left behind. The purpose of the speech is to persuade listeners to learn more about the special needs of family members, friends and colleagues in the immediate aftermath of a suicide.
Here are the opening sentences:
"One fine Spring day I biked home from school and found a policemen guarding our backdoor. Through it came sounds I'll never forget; my quiet, well-mannered Mother screaming. He said, "You can't go in."
I kicked him in the shins and did. It was the 15th of September, three days before my thirteenth birthday and my father was dead. Killed by his own hand. Suicide."
Read more: persuasive speech example
This retirement speech is an example of one that could be given by a teacher who's signing off after many years service in the same school.
Here's a taste of it:
"I've been asked what I'm going to do now. I'm going to do a lot of things and very few of them conform to the notion of retirement as a time of waiting for the inevitable end. Helen Hayes, put it this way: 'People who refuse to rest honorably on their laurels when they reach “retirement” age seem very admirable to me."
Read the whole speech: retirement speech sample
This page has everything you need to help you prepare a winning student council speech: comprehensive guidelines, a template, example speeches and a printable speech planner and outline document.
The speaker in my first example is running for president.
Here's the opening to her speech:
"I’ve got a question for you. I’m not asking you to shout your answer out, or raise your hand. All I’m asking is that you give it room in your mind. Let it sit for a bit, and have a think about it.
My question is – do you believe like I do, that all of us deserve the opportunity to make the best of ourselves? Not second best, 3 rd , or even, highly commended. The BEST."
Get the guidelines, the template, and read the whole speech: sample Student Council speech for President
And now I've added three more sample Student Council speeches:
The example thank you speech expresses gratitude for being the recipient of a community service award.
"Who's considered the incredible power of thank you? Those two words express gratitude, humility, understanding, as well as acknowledgement.
I am here with you: my family, many of my friends and colleagues, because I need to say all of that, and then some more."
You'll find the full speech, and guidelines covering how to write a speech of thanks here: thank you speech example
A tribute speech may also be a commemorative speech. That is a speech celebrating, praising or paying tribute to the memory of: a person, a group, an institution, a thing, an event or even an idea. Or it could be a eulogy or funeral speech; a speech celebrating a person's life.
This example tribute speech was written in memory of my mother, Iris.
"My Mother's name marked her out as the goddess of the rainbow, a messenger for the ancient Olympian gods and carrier of faith, hope and wisdom.
She was Iris. And although the meaning of her name is rich in imagery and history that wasn't why her parent's called her that. Instead it was something much closer to home.
After her birth my grandmother saw iris flowering out her bedroom window. She was named for the regal beauty of their dark purple flowers."
Read more: sample tribute speech
There are three welcome speech examples for you to read: welcome to an event, welcome to a church, and welcome to the family. All three come with guidelines to help you prepare a good welcome speech of your own.
This example is welcoming listeners to an event. As part of that, the special guests are mentioned, as is, an outline of what's going to happen.
This is the opening:
"Sue-Ellen Thomas, Jim Smith, Jane Brown and all of our guests, welcome.
My name is April Molloy, and it's my privilege and pleasure on behalf of Parents United to welcome you here today.
We are delighted to have you with us to participate and share in our 5th annual Children's Day. Thank you for coming. That many of you have traveled long distances to be here serves as a reminder to us all just how important our work is."
You can read the rest here: sample welcome speech .
This sample speech welcomes visitors to the congregation. Along with the speech you'll also find links to additional resources to assist.
Here's the opening passage:
"I want to take a moment to extend a very warm welcome to everyone who's visiting us for the first time this morning. Whether you're just having a look, or are searching out for a place to worship, we're delighted to have you here.
To give you some idea of what we're all about, I'll quickly sketch some of our foundational beliefs."
Read more: church welcome speech example
This is a short, and sweet, speech welcoming a bride or groom-to-be into a family at an event arranged for that purpose. The template it uses is entirely flexible.
Mary {Replace the name Mary with the name of the person you are welcoming} - welcome to the family!
Family, tribe, clan, kin, group - call it what you will: it's us - all of us!
We're mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, cousins, 3rd cousins, even 53rd cousins, old and young, generations of us, linked together through shared DNA and history.
Look around. The faces smiling back at you are now your people too."
See more: example welcome to the family speech
In addition to providing speech examples, I also custom write speeches.
If you have a speech to give for a special occasion that's coming up you may like to find out more, especially if you find writing stressful. ☺ Go to: speech writer for hire
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Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Deb DiSandro . Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,155,167 times.
Being asked to prepare and give a speech can seem really intimidating when you've never done it before. Don't worry! You'll be a public speaking pro in no time if you follow these simple tips.
To prepare and give a speech, start by thinking about the topic, audience, and location of the speech. Write a detailed outline that includes your main topics, supporting points, and facts. Then, transfer the speech to note cards or handouts if necessary. Remember to practice your speech a few times in front of a mirror or a friend, and set a timer to ensure that you aren’t taking too long. On the day of the speech, review your note cards and make sure your presentation, handouts, or other supplementary information is in order. For tips on keeping calm during the speech and examples of different speeches, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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If you want to elevate your public speaking game, storytelling is one of the best ways to do so. By weaving captivating tales into your presentations, you’ll forge a powerful emotional bond with your audience in a way you can’t with mere data and statistics. Not sure where to begin? Look no further than these narrative speech examples , designed to spark your creativity and help you craft your own compelling narratives.
From personal anecdotes to historical tales, these examples will demonstrate the power of storytelling to engage, persuade, and inspire. You’ll also see how great speakers use vivid language, descriptive details, and relatable characters to draw their listeners in and keep them hanging on every word. So get ready to take notes, because you’re about to unleash your inner storyteller!
If you’ve ever been captivated by a great story, then you know the power of storytelling. A narrative speech is a type of speech that uses a personal story or narrative to engage the audience and illustrate a point. It’s one of the most effective ways to connect with your listeners on an emotional level.
So, what makes a good narrative speech? First and foremost, it needs to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Your story should have a strong opening that hooks the audience, a compelling middle that builds tension and keeps them engaged, and a satisfying conclusion that ties everything together.
If you want your story to pack a punch, don’t skimp on the specifics. Describe what you experienced using the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. When you paint a vivid picture with your words, your audience will feel like they’re right there with you, experiencing every thrilling moment firsthand.
But why bother with a narrative speech in the first place? Because stories have the power to change hearts and minds. They allow you to connect with your audience on a personal level, making your message more memorable and impactful. Think about it—when was the last time a list of facts and figures moved you to tears or inspired you to take action? Probably never. But a well-told story? That can stay with you for a lifetime.
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Now that you’ve unlocked the potential of narrative speeches, the next step is selecting the perfect topic. Look for a narrative that not only resonates with you on a personal level but will also strike a chord with your audience.
Start by brainstorming speech topics that are meaningful to you. Think about pivotal moments in your life, lessons you’ve learned, or challenges you’ve overcome. Consider stories that highlight your values, passions, or unique experiences.
One brainstorming technique is to make a list of “firsts”—first love, first job, first big failure, etc. These moments often make for compelling stories because they’re relatable and emotionally charged.
Once you have a list of potential topics, it’s time to narrow them down. Ask yourself which stories are most relevant to your audience and the message you want to convey. Which ones have the most dramatic arc or the most valuable lessons?
You also want to consider your comfort level with each story. Some stories may be too personal or emotionally raw to share in a public setting. Others may not have enough substance to sustain a full speech. Trust your gut and choose the story that feels right for you.
Finally, make sure your chosen topic is engaging and compelling. A good story should have some sort of conflict or tension that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. It should also have a clear theme or message that resonates with listeners.
To determine if your story is a crowd-pleaser, put it to the test by sharing it with your inner circle. As you weave your narrative, watch closely for signs of engagement or boredom. Then, afterwards, ask for feedback on how you can improve your narrative speech—and don’t be afraid to ask for examples of how you might re-write specific sections. Jot down these suggestions and use them to fine-tune your story, ensuring it’s a hit with any audience.
Now that you’ve nailed down your topic, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and craft a speech outline . Trust us, having a clear roadmap will make all the difference when it comes to delivering your message with confidence and clarity.
Begin your speech with a hook, something that will pique your audience’s interest and encourage them to keep listening. Oftentimes, speakers like to use a shocking statistic or a captivating anecdote to kick things off.
For example, if your narrative speech is about overcoming a fear of public speaking , you might start with something like, “Imagine standing in front of a room full of people, your heart racing, your palms sweating, your mind going blank. That was me, just a few years ago.”
The body of your speech is where you’ll tell your actual story. Break it down into clear, chronological segments with smooth transitions between each part. Use vivid details and sensory language to bring the story to life.
As you’re writing, consider incorporating dialogue, humor , or suspense to keep the audience engaged. You might also use rhetorical devices like repetition or metaphor to drive home your key points.
As you wrap up your story, consider the bigger picture. What insights did this journey reveal to you? How have you grown as a person because of it? Think about the key takeaway you want to leave with your readers—something that will stick with them long after they’ve walked away.
End with a call-to-action or a thought-provoking question that encourages the audience to reflect on your message. You might also circle back to the opening anecdote or question to create a sense of closure.
To make your story more engaging, consider incorporating characterization techniques. This means giving your characters distinct personalities, motivations, and quirks that make them feel like real people.
Firstly, bring your characters to life through their conversations. The words they choose, their facial expressions, and even their body language can speak volumes about who they are and what makes them tick.
Secondly, to help your audience visualize your characters, use rich descriptions of their physical attributes, fashion choices, and distinct behaviors. Paint a picture of what they look like, how they present themselves through their attire, and any idiosyncrasies that define who they are. By bringing your characters to life, you’ll make your story more relatable and memorable for the audience.
In order to create a narrative speech that truly stands out , you’ll need to put in the time and effort to refine your craft. The reward? An opportunity to share a personal story that not only entertains but also motivates and inspires your audience, forging a connection that lasts long after the final word is spoken.
Before we get to narrative speech examples, let’s take a look at speech delivery. Speech delivery isn’t just about the words you say, but how you say them. Your body language, eye contact, and vocal delivery all play crucial roles in engaging your audience and making your story memorable.
In addition, practice until you can recite your story in your sleep. When you know your content like the back of your hand, you can focus on engaging with your listeners and making your words come alive.
Rehearsing your speech is of utmost importance. It’s a step that many speakers overlook, but it can make a world of difference in your delivery. When you practice, you familiarize yourself with the flow of your story, allowing you to speak more naturally and confidently.
One technique you find particularly helpful is recording yourself delivering the speech. When you watch the playback, you can identify areas where you need to improve your vocal variety, adjust your speaking rate , or refine your body language. It’s a powerful tool for self-critique and growth as a speaker.
When you take the stage, your focus should be squarely on those who have gathered to hear you. Eye contact is just the beginning; truly engaging your audience means creating a genuine connection and making them feel like they’re right there with you, experiencing your story firsthand. Try using words like “we” and “us” to make your audience feel included. Asking questions can also get them thinking about what you’re saying.
Your narrative speech may revolve around your words, but don’t underestimate the impact of a carefully selected prop or visual aid. These tools can make abstract ideas tangible, evoke strong emotional responses, and ensure your message lingers long after you’ve left the stage.
However, it’s important to use these tools judiciously. Overreliance on props or visuals can distract from your message and undermine your credibility as a speaker. When selecting props or creating visual aids, always ask yourself: does this add value to my story, or is it just a gimmick?
Even seasoned speakers get the jitters sometimes. Before stepping up to the mic, take a moment to ground yourself with some breathing exercises. Visualize yourself delivering your story with confidence and poise, and watch as that nervous energy transforms into pure charisma on stage.
Remember, your listeners are your biggest supporters. They’ve gathered to hear your unique perspective and leave feeling uplifted. Rely on the effort you’ve put in, breathe deeply, and allow your fervor for your message to radiate throughout the room.
Great speakers have always known the secret to capturing an audience’s attention: storytelling. Whether it’s an ancient Greek orator spinning a yarn or a modern-day TED Talker sharing a personal journey, the ability to craft a compelling narrative is what sets the best speakers apart. So, what do these narrative speeches look like in action? Let’s dive into some narrative speech examples that have educated, inspired, and motivated people across the ages.
Inspirational stories are those that uplift and motivate us to be our best selves. They often involve overcoming adversity, achieving a seemingly impossible goal, or making a positive difference in the world. Take, for example, Amy Purdy’s narrative speech about the power of imagination. In case you aren’t familiar with the name, Amy Purdy is a Paralympic snowboarder who lost both her legs below the knee due to bacterial meningitis. In her TED talk, she shares her journey of resilience and adaptation, showing how she turned a devastating setback into an opportunity to inspire others.
Want to instantly connect with your audience? Try sprinkling in some humor. A well-timed joke or absurd anecdote can break the ice and leave your listeners in stitches. Keep them on their toes with unexpected twists, and they’ll be hanging on your every word.
Darren LaCroix, a professional speaker, frequently uses humorous stories in his talks. Take a look at how he uses his stories of failure in this speech to motivate his crowd to chase their dreams.
Emotional tales have a way of grabbing our hearts and not letting go. These stories frequently revolve around individual challenges, the pain of loss, or powerful moments of clarity that reshape a person’s path forward.
One example of an emotional narrative speech is Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address , in which he shares three personal stories that shaped his philosophy on life and work. From his adoption story to his battle with cancer, Jobs’ tales are raw, honest, and deeply moving.
Ever heard a story that made you want to jump up and take on the world? That’s the power of a motivational narrative. These inspiring tales feature everyday people doing incredible things—conquering challenges, chasing their passions, and proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
If you want to hear an inspiring tale, check out J.K. Rowling’s Harvard Commencement Speech . She shares her personal journey of failure and resilience, and how she used her imagination to create one of the most adored book series ever. It’s a beautiful story about the power of storytelling and never giving up on your dreams.
Want to hook your audience, tug at their heartstrings, and spur them to action? Take a look at some narrative speech examples from those who’ve mastered the craft. But as you do, don’t forget: your story, told in your unique voice, is the most powerful tool you have. Share it boldly, and watch as it transforms lives.
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How do you start a narrative speech.
Kick off with a hook that grabs attention. Maybe share an unexpected fact, ask a thought-provoking question, or launch into the heart of your tale.
An example would be recounting how overcoming acute anxiety before a big job interview taught resilience and self-confidence.
Dive straight into setting the scene or introduce your main character in action. Let listeners feel they’re right there with you from the get-go.
Narrative speeches might explore personal growth through volunteering experiences or share humorous anecdotes about learning to drive. They weave personal stories to engage and enlighten audiences.
Storytelling is a timeless art that has the power to captivate, inspire, and transform. By studying these narrative speech examples, you’ve seen firsthand how weaving narratives into your presentations can create an emotional connection with your audience and make your message unforgettable.
In order to engage your audience, focus on your characters. Additionally, include details that engage the senses. And don’t be afraid to get a little personal. After all, your own experiences can be the most powerful stories of all.
With these tips in mind, go forth and tell your stories with passion, authenticity, and purpose. Your audience is waiting to be inspired by the narratives only you can tell. Happy storytelling!
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Chances are you’ll be asked to give speeches or presentations in classes at school. If you get involved in volunteer groups, brief speeches to open events or thank participants are a must. Then there are the speeches at events such as weddings, as well as speeches that you might have to give in the workplace. That amounts to the average person being required to give quite a lot of speeches, even if they don’t get involved in an area such as politics where the ability to give a good speech becomes even more important. You might also have suffered through quite a number of bad speeches from other people – whether that’s at family events where the microphone squeaks the whole way through or a school presentation where the headteacher can’t quite make the jokes work. If you don’t want to inflict the same sort of experience on others, here are our top tips for giving a great speech.
Particularly at something like a party or a wedding, no one will be unhappy if your speech runs a little short; it’ll just give them more time to investigate the canapés. If you are giving a speech for a class in school, and it’ll be assessed, you need to prioritise keeping it within the required time limits. But even under these circumstances, if you’ve been tasked – say – with giving a 10-15 minute speech, it’s usually better to come in nearer the 10 than the 15 minute mark. Put simply, even if your speech is terrible, your audience can probably tolerate it for 10 minutes. Much longer, and they’ll be struggling. This shouldn’t limit what you can cover; in the film Up , the whole of Carl and Ellie’s heartbreaking love story is told in under 12 minutes. Do you really need longer to make your points? Achieve brevity by writing out the speech you would give if you had all the time in the world, and then cut anything that seems extraneous or boring.
If you are giving a speech in class because it’s your assignment, what your audience wants to hear is likely to be “the bell ringing for lunch”; you can’t help them there. But under other circumstances, consider what your audience wants to hear and what you want to say, and strive for there to be as much overlap as possible. In the context of a political speech, for instance, what you want to say might be why your party should receive votes; what your audience wants to hear is what your party would do for them, if they won power. Hopefully it should be possible to write a speech that meets both sets of needs, rather than focusing solely on whatever it is that you want to say and leaving your audience disappointed.
Here’s a goal for giving a speech: someone sitting near the back, who’s messing around on their phone for at least two-thirds of it and focusing mainly on how long it will be until lunch, should nonetheless be able to give a reasonably accurate answer to the question, “what was it about?” If you’re supposed to be giving a speech in defence of the nuclear deterrent, for example, both the topic and your position on it should be clearly identifiable. This means – to stick with the nuclear deterrent example – not talking for a while about jobs, and then the wider economy, and then the North-South divide, and then Scottish independence, and then Ukraine with a brief digression into South Ossetia before rounding off by squeaking out “and that’s why we should renew Trident!” seconds before you run out of time – no matter how relevant that cornucopia of topics may feel (and they are all relevant, albeit tenuously). It means that even if you do have to take a while to explain a more complex idea, you need to be concise, and bring it back to your theme as quickly as you can.
Most people speak more quickly than they realise when they’re on stage, especially if they’re nervous. But no one will be able to follow your speech if you’re jabbering it out. Thankfully, this one is easy to fix with a little effort and practise. First of all, figure out how quickly you’re actually speaking: do a word count for your speech and then time yourself saying it. A fast speaker will speak at maybe 160 words per minute, a slow speaker at 100 wpm and an average speaker at 130 wpm. For a formal speech, you want to be speaking on the slow side. While this will vary by culture and environment, 120 wpm is a reasonable target to aim for; slow enough that everyone should be able to understand you, and fast enough that you hopefully won’t be sending them to sleep.
This is a tricky tip because there are lots of pitfalls in the world of telling jokes. For instance, there’s the temptation to include an in-joke that three of your friends will understand and find hilarious, that is utterly baffling to everyone else in the room. Avoid this – if you include any jokes, witty references or anything along those lines, make sure they are accessible to everyone present. All the same, if you can manage a joke or two, it can be a useful way to break up a speech and retain the audience’s interest. A little self-deprecation (not too much!) or the use of classic joke formats such as “the scene was chaotic; it looked as if a bomb had hit and we didn’t know where to start on repairs – but that’s enough about the hen party…” work nicely even if you’re not very confident. Don’t turn it into a stand-up comedy sketch if you’re not a comedian, don’t wait for ages for laughter that’s not showing up, and don’t make jokes at the expense of anyone who you don’t know for sure can take it.
If you follow US or UK politics at all, you’ve probably heard some of these phrases recently: take back control, make America great again, long-term economic plan, son of a bus driver. Three of these have already led the party or people they’re associated with to electoral victory; the fourth remains to be seen. To take the ‘son of a bus driver’ as an example, this refers to Sadiq Khan, now Mayor of London. There can be hardly anyone in London who doesn’t know what their Mayor’s dad did for a living. Meanwhile, many of them probably can’t remember his rival Zac Goldsmith’s name, let alone anything he said during the campaign. The point is that repetition works. In pursuit of point 4, if you want people to remember your key theme, you’re going to have to say it more than once. Don’t assume that everyone will have paid attention to everything you’ve said, unless you’re in a classroom setting where they’ll get told off if they don’t.
This tip applies to two things: PowerPoints and notes. If you can do without either (and your assignment allows it), then do. Every time you’re glancing over your notes or up at the screen, fiddling with the laptop to get the slide to move on, fighting with a video that isn’t working or struggling to read your own handwriting, is time that you’re not spending engaging with your audience. A well-written, clear speech delivered without notes is always going to be better than someone awkwardly reading aloud the bullet points on their PowerPoint slides. If you must do a presentation – for instance, because there are photos that need to be included – have as little text on it as possible, preferably none. That way, if there are people at the back who can’t really see the screen through the sea of heads in front of them, they’ll still be able to follow what you’re saying.
Mannerisms that are entirely fine in normal life become awkward and strange when you’re speaking in public. Perhaps you’re inclined to fiddle with your hair or your cuffs, you rock back and forth on the balls of your feet, or you have a habit of reaching your hand to your cheek when you’re talking. No one would notice in everyday conversation, but when you’re on a stage, it’ll become all they’ll see. Some of this is easily avoidable – for instance, if you have long hair that you’re inclined to twirl or otherwise fiddle with, tie it up. For other mannerisms, get the critical friend who helped you sort out your microphone technique to tell you what they are, and do your best to suppress the more annoying ones.
Talking about eye contact usually has the effect of making normal eye contact a lot harder, and so does giving a speech. All of a sudden, you’re up on stage, and you have no idea what a normal way to look at a group of people is. Some speakers deal with this by picking a point in the middle distance and speaking to it; others by picking a particular person near to the back and addressing their entire speech at them. This is obviously no fun for that person, who probably spends the whole thing feeling extremely uncomfortable, but it’s not too weird for everyone else. Better still, though, if you can manage it, is to look slowly and steadily around the room, trying to make eye contact with a decent range of people, before returning to the middle distance for a while, rinse and repeat. This needs to be slow and steady, or you give the impression that you’ve just smelled smoke and are casting about for a fire exit before the stampede beings.
If your speech is genuinely engaging, funny, inspiring or any of the other things you might hope it would be, your audience will react to it. There might be laughter, or applause, or even a bit of cheering depending on the setting. This can be daunting because when you’re practising your speech in front of your bedroom mirror, there’s no way to prepare for it. And it’s where even the best speakers can go wrong, by launching straight into what they were going to say next without waiting for the laughter or applause to stop, or by looking painfully awkward while it’s going on. It’s a pitfall that’s mostly solved by being aware it might happen. If your audience is applauding you or otherwise reacting well, it’s OK to smile, look up, wait for them to stop and then keep going with your speech – it’s as simple as that. You could even throw in a “thank you” before you continue in the knowledge that it’s all going well. Image credits: microphones ; audience ; boy with microphone ; clock ; winding road ; enjoy a joke ; sticky notes ;
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Speech Writing
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Writing a speech can be stressful and confusing for many people. Feeling lost and overwhelmed without a clear plan can make the task even harder.
But learning the basics of speech format can make it easier and even enjoyable. This guide will show you step-by-step how to write great speeches with examples and templates.
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 at public speaking. 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 engages the audience.
To understand the purpose of your speech, consider these queries:
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 .
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 .
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.
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:
Here is a speech outline template that you can use while crafting an outline for your speech.
Speech Format Outline
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.
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 thesis statement is a brief summary of your speech, and it provides the main message of your speech.
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.
Briefly tell your audience what you are going to share so that they have an idea of what to expect from 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.
The body of your speech is where you will 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:
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:
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.
Now, let’s take a look at some comprehensive speech format examples for multiple academic levels and various occasions.
Follow these speech examples 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
Speech Format O Level
When preparing a speech, understanding the format suitable for your specific occasion is crucial. Different types of speeches require different structures to effectively convey your message and engage your audience.
Here are some sample formats for kinds of speeches:
Debate Speech Format
Impromptu Speech Format
Formal Speech Format
Public Speech Format
Informative Speech Format
Extemporaneous Speech Format
Different occasions call for different types of speeches, each with its unique structure and style. Knowing how to format your speech for the occasion helps to make your speech memorable.
Here are a few speech templates made according to specific events:
Best Man Speech Format
College Speech Format
Welcome Speech Format in English
Persuasive Speech Format
Want to see some outstanding speech examples ? Head over to our detailed blog!
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:
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.
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.
You can request your speech at our ' do my essay ' service and get expertly crafted speeches to impress your audience.
So why wait? Hire our writing service and let our experts handle your speech-writing needs!
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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.
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Celebrate independence day 2024 with engaging independence day 2024 speeches in english for kids and students. explore ideas for both short and long speeches, highlighting india's 78 years of freedom and the legacy of its freedom fighters..
Independence Day 2024 speeches: Independence Day is a special occasion that brings people across India together to celebrate freedom and honour the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters . As we approach August 15, 2024, marking the 78th Independence Day, it's a time to reflect on our journey from colonial rule to becoming a proud, independent nation. This year, let’s focus on crafting memorable and meaningful speeches that capture the spirit of this significant day. Whether you’re preparing a speech for school or a community event, having a well-thought-out Independence Day 2024 speech can help convey your respect and patriotism . In this guide, we'll provide ideas and tips for delivering the best speech, whether it's short or long, in English or Hindi, to make your Independence Day celebration truly special.
As India gets ready to celebrate its 78th Independence Day on August 15, it’s important to honour the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of our armed forces and freedom fighters . If you’re writing a speech for Independence Day (Swatantrata Diwas 2024), here are some tips and ideas:
Keep your speech short and simple so kids can easily remember it.
Giving a heartfelt Independence Day speech is a great way to show your love, gratitude, and admiration for our national heroes. Here’s how you can craft a memorable speech for August 15:
Begin your speech by expressing thanks to everyone, especially the Indian soldiers who have served the country.
Good morning everyone!
Respected teachers and dear friends,
Today, we come together to celebrate the joyful occasion of Independence Day on August 15. Congratulations to all on this special day. I am grateful for the chance to address you all today.
As we all know, August 15 is a day of honour and pride for every Indian. Our brave revolutionaries and freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to free our nation from British rule.
We are incredibly fortunate to have had such courageous leaders who not only liberated our country from British oppression but also paved the way for future generations. Thanks to them, we are free today and continue to reach new achievements and heights.
From 1947 to 2024, our nation has progressed in every field. Every day, we add a new chapter to our history in areas like sports, education, technology, and military strength. Our military power is now so impressive that it stands as a model for other nations, and no country dares to challenge India directly.
Young minds, you are the architects of India's future. Embrace education, foster innovation, and cultivate empathy. Let us work together to build a nation where every citizen enjoys dignity, equality, and opportunity.
On this auspicious day, let us renew our commitment to the ideals of our freedom fighters. Let us uphold the unity, integrity, and diversity of our nation. Let us strive to make India a global leader, a land of prosperity and harmony.
In the end, I just want to say, that freedom is priceless, and our soldiers are incredibly brave, continuously protecting our borders from threats. We must always value and preserve this freedom with our hearts and minds.
That’s all I have to say. Jai Hind!
Good morning all,
Good morning to our esteemed guests, respected teachers, and dear friends,
Today, we gather to celebrate India's Independence Day. I am truly honored to share my thoughts on this special occasion. I am very grateful to my teacher for giving me this opportunity to speak on our country's Independence Day.
On this day, India gained freedom from British rule through peaceful and nonviolent movements. The British ruled over us for 200 years, coming to India for trade but instead exploiting our nation and its people. Our ancestors fought hard for many years before India achieved independence on August 15, 1947.
This day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters who fought for our country's freedom. It is a day to honor those who gave their lives so India could become an independent nation. We must pledge to stay devoted and committed to our country today.
In closing, I pay my respects to those brave souls with a quote from Sarojini Naidu:
“A country’s greatness lies in its undying ideal of love and sacrifice that inspire the mothers of the race.”
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.
Good morning to respected Sir/Madam and everyone present here,
Today, we come together to honour the bravery of our freedom fighters on Independence Day. This day is not just a date on the calendar; it symbolizes India’s courage, resilience, and unbreakable spirit.
Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 each year, marking the day India gained freedom from British rule through nonviolent protests and civil disobedience.
The struggle for independence began during World War I, led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
From 1857 to 1947, our history is filled with revolutions and the sacrifices of great leaders and freedom fighters.
The Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons on July 4, 1947, and was passed within two weeks, ending over 200 years of British rule on August 15, 1947.
This Bill led to the creation of India and Pakistan as separate nations.
August 15 reminds us of the immense sacrifices made by our freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Sekhar Azad, and many others, known and unknown, who fought to free India from British colonial rule.
Our freedom fighters dreamed of an independent India, and their dreams became a reality. Remember, never stop dreaming, as dreams are what keep us alive.
On this Independence Day, let us promise to protect our country by upholding unity, helping others, and continuing our education. I will conclude my speech with these lines:
"Freedom in mind, faith in words. Pride in our hearts, memories in our souls. Let’s salute the nation on Independence Day!"
Bharat Mata ki Jai. Vande Mataram. Jai Hind.
Good morning and Happy Independence Day to my respected teachers and dear friends!
Today, we are celebrating our 78th Independence Day, and we should be very proud to be part of a free nation where we have the freedom to speak our minds and live our lives as we choose.
India was ruled by the British for nearly 200 years. Thanks to the brave efforts of our freedom fighters, we gained independence on August 15, 1947. On this special day, our national flag was raised at the Red Fort in Delhi by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Since then, we have celebrated Independence Day every year in schools, colleges, and government offices.
So, on this Independence Day, let’s promise ourselves to always protect our country by fostering friendship, helping others, and continuing our education.
Once again, I wish you all a Happy Independence Day. Let’s work together to build a wonderful nation!
माननीय अध्यापक गण, अतिथि, अभिभावक और मेरे प्यारे दोस्तों,
जैसा कि आप सभी जानते हैं, आज हम स्वतंत्रता दिवस के अवसर पर एकत्रित हुए हैं। आज हम स्वतंत्रता दिवस की 78वीं वर्षगांठ मना रहे हैं।
स्वतंत्रता दिवस हमारे लिए एक खास दिन है जब भारत ने ब्रिटिश शासन से आज़ादी प्राप्त की थी।
स्वतंत्रता संग्राम की शुरुआत तब हुई जब एक ब्रिटिश अधिकारी ने भारतीय क्रांतिकारी मंगल पांडे को गोली मारी। 1857 से 1947 तक चले इस संघर्ष के बाद, 15 अगस्त 1947 को भारत ने अंग्रेजों के राज से स्वतंत्रता प्राप्त की।
स्वतंत्रता दिलाने में महात्मा गांधी, मंगल पांडे, बाल गंगाधर तिलक, सुभाष चंद्र बोस, पंडित नेहरू, लाला लाजपत राय, और खुदीराम बोस जैसे स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों का बड़ा योगदान है।
इस स्वतंत्रता दिवस पर, मैं सभी स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों को श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूँ जिन्होंने भारत को आज़ाद करने का सपना देखा और इसके लिए अपने प्राणों की आहुति दी, ताकि हम एक स्वतंत्र भारत में जी सकें।
आइए हम सभी मिलकर एक ऐसे भारत का निर्माण करें, जहां हर नागरिक को समान अवसर मिले, जहां कोई भूखा न सोए, जहां शिक्षा और स्वास्थ्य सभी के अधिकार हों। हमें अपने देश की संस्कृति और विरासत को संजोना होगा और साथ ही आधुनिकता को भी अपनाना होगा।
युवा पीढ़ी के रूप में, हमारे कंधों पर देश का भविष्य है। हमें शिक्षित, कर्तव्यनिष्ठ और देशभक्त बनना होगा। हमें अपने देश की सेवा करने के लिए आगे आना होगा।
मैं अपने भाषण को यह कहकर समाप्त करना चाहूंगा कि हमें एक सच्चे राष्ट्रभक्त की तरह देश को एक बेहतर जगह बनाने में योगदान देना चाहिए। धन्यवाद!
जय हिंद!भारत माता की जय!
Note: You can customize this speech further by adding specific examples of India's achievements, challenges, or your personal aspirations for the country.
Bhupinder Singh serves as a Principal Executive in Content Management, specializing in SEO content related to trending financial news, net worth of celebrities, historic events, and art and culture. His passion for cricket shines through in his work and personal interests. In his free time, Bhupinder enjoys discussing cricket legends like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, as well as following the IPL.
VILLEPINTE, France — Algerian welterweight Imane Khelif, backed by a sizable cheering section, beat Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori in a unanimous decision on Saturday, clinching an Olympic medal.
Her victory came just hours after International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach defended its decision to allow her and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting to compete, saying concerns over their gender identity are “totally unacceptable.”
With Khelif’s latest win, she is guaranteed at least a bronze medal.
“I dedicate this medal to the world, and to all the Arabs and I tell you, ‘Long live Algeria!’” she told reporters in a wild scrum after the match.
Khelif appeared to fight back tears and had an Algerian flag wrapping around her back as she spoke.
“I want to tell the entire world that I am a female, and I will remain a female,” she said.
During her fight on Saturday, Khelif appeared to have a sizable cheering section chanting her name, “Imane, Imane, Imane!” and waving Algerian flags.
Five judges scored each of the three rounds for Khelif . The judges had it 10-9 for every round except for one who called the second round, 10-8, for the Algerian.
Hamori had boasted she wasn’t afraid of Khelif and fueled allegations that the Algerian was not a woman. But at the end of the match, it appeared the combatants exchanged pleasantries with each other and their corners.
Before the match, Bach forcefully defended the inclusion of Khelif and Yu-ting in the Olympics and blasted the pushback as "hate speech."
“We have two boxers who were born as women, who have been raised as women, who have a passport as a woman, and who have competed for many years as women,” Bach said .
Questions surrounding Yu-ting’s and Khelif’s gender identity surfaced after it was revealed they had been disqualified from competing with women at a global event last year, but were cleared by the IOC to compete in the women’s 66-kilogram and women’s 57-kilogram matches at the Paris Games .
The debate was further inflamed Thursday after Angela Carini of Italy quit 46 seconds into her match against Khelif , resulting in an automatic win for the Algerian boxer.
Carini stopped the fight after only a few punches were exchanged and refused to shake Khelif’s hand. Carini, 25, fell onto the floor in tears.
Bach said there was “never any doubt” about Yu-ting and Khelif being women. Both boxers have always competed in women’s divisions and there’s no indication that they identify as transgender or intersex, the latter referring to people born with sex characteristics that do not fit strictly into the male-female gender binary.
“What we see now is that some want to own the definition of who is a woman,” Bach said, adding: “All this hate speech, aggression and abuse ... is totally unacceptable.”
At a boxing event last year, the athletes failed to meet gender eligibility tests at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi by the International Boxing Association. They were both disqualified after sporting officials said they failed an unspecified test because they allegedly had male chromosomes.
The IBA, whose president is Umar Kremlev of Russia and is an associate of President Vladimir Putin, claimed the fighters had failed unspecified eligibility tests. The decision came shortly after Khelif beat Russian boxer Azalia Amineva, who was previously undefeated.
The IBA's legitimacy has been called into question, with USA Boxing terminating its relationship with that body last year, citing the “ongoing failures of IBA leadership.”
Khelif, 25, who made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, has said her disqualification was a “conspiracy.”
Her father, Amar Khelif, said the attacks against the athlete are “immoral.”
“It is not fair,” he recently told Reuters.
He said his daughter has always loved sports since she was a child and used to play football. Amar Khelif insisted that she was born a female.
“She made us proud many times, she honored our country and our flag many times and she always made us happy with her results,” he said. “These critics aim to destabilize her to fail in the wrestling ring but she is a champion and she will remain a champion.”
Carini said after her loss on Thursday that she ended the match because of a “severe pain” in her nose. She said that she was not qualified to make decisions on whether Khelif should be allowed to compete.
Others, including “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who has often come under fire over her anti-trans comments, quickly criticized the match and the IOC’s decision.
“A young female boxer has just had everything she’s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her,” Rowling wrote , reposting a video of an IOC official speaking on the committee’s mental health and safeguarding initiatives.
“You’re a disgrace, your ‘safeguarding’ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini,” Rowling added.
Former President Donald Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social, in all caps: “I will keep men out of women's sports!”
Others came to Khelif’s defense and celebrated her win.
“I strongly condemn the baseless attacks on our athlete, Imane Khelif, by certain foreign outlets,” Abderrahmane Hammad, Algeria’s minister of youth and sports, wrote on X.
He slammed questions about her gender identity as “cowardly attempts to tarnish her reputation.”
Ismaël Bennacer, a soccer player for the Algerian national team as well as the club AC Milan, wrote that he fully supports Khelif.
“Her presence at the Olympic Games is simply the result of her talent and hard work,” he said on X.
Khelif acknowledged her supporters, posting an Instagram drawing of Algerians, men and women, rallying to her side.
The contingent of supporters on Saturday chanted “Imane, Imane, Imane!” and waved Algerian flags as Khelif fought her spirited opponent.
"People tried to disqualify Imane, for nothing, for no reason. She was born female. She will die a female," said Taha Oundrouis, a 41-year-old physician from Paris.
"If you cannot prove she’s a male, then you must shut up and leave her alone," Oundrouis said.
The Algerian fans said Khelif has been mistreated.
"She has been in competition before and no one had a problem," said Moncef Mahdgoubi, a 35-year-old ear, nose and throat physician.
“She’s a real female. She never changed her orientation, her sex," Mahdgoubi said. "Her father showed photos of her as a child. She’s grown up as a female.”
The National Black Justice Collective, a civil rights organization that aims to protect Black LGBTQ people, said it stands in solidarity with Khelif.
“Simply put, Imane Khelif and the other athletes being targeted met the criteria to compete in the Olympics. They deserve to compete as much as every other athlete who trained, prepared, and qualified for the most significant opportunity in their sport. An opportunity now dampened by internet trolls and evangelical zealots consumed with ignorance and a disregard for how weaponized hate can threaten one’s livelihood and life,” the organization said in a statement.
Nonbinary Olympic American runner Nikki Hiltz called out transphobia at the Olympics.
“Anti-trans rhetoric is anti-woman,” Hiltz wrote in an Instagram story on Friday. “These people aren’t ‘protecting women’s sports,’ they are enforcing rigid gender norms and anyone who doesn’t fit perfectly into those norms is targeted and vilified.”
David K. Li reported from Villepinte, Minyvonne Burke from Pittsburgh and Rima Abdelkader reported from Stamford.
Senior Breaking News Reporter
Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.
Rima Abdelkader is a senior reporter for Social Newsgathering at NBC News in New York.
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By Olivia Goldhill Aug. 7, 2024
I n a speech earlier this year, former President Trump was mocking President Biden’s ability to walk through sand when he suddenly switched to talking about the old Hollywood icon Cary Grant.
“Somebody said he [Biden] looks great in a bathing suit, right? When he was in the sand and he was having a hard time lifting his feet through the sand, because you know, sand is heavy. They figure three solid ounces per foot. But sand is a little heavy. And he’s sitting in a bathing suit. Look, at 81, do you remember Cary Grant? How good was Cary Grant, right? I don’t think Cary Grant — he was good. I don’t know what happened to movie stars today,” he said at a March rally in Georgia. Trump went on to talk about contemporary actors, Michael Jackson, and border policies before returning to the theme of how Biden looks on the beach.
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This shifting from topic to topic, with few connections — a pattern of speech called tangentiality — is one of several disjointed and occasionally incoherent verbal habits that seem to have increased in Trump’s speech in recent years, according to interviews with experts in memory, psychology, and linguistics.
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4. Take Deep Breaths: Before and during the speech, take a few deep breaths as this will help calm nerves and make sure your breathing is regulated throughout the duration of your presentation. 5. Speak Slowly: It is common to feel anxious while giving a speech and try to rush through it too quickly.
One example is: "According to a story in a recent issue of Businessweek, there were almost 11 million millionaires in America in 2018, most of them self-made." 10) Start Your Speech With a Strong Opening By Giving Them Hope. The French philosopher Gustav Le Bon once wrote, "The only religion of mankind is, and always has been hope."
4. Make them laugh. Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn't offend your audience. Example: "They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!". 5.
Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary. Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you. 4. Mohammed Qahtani.
Typical Patterns for Speech Openings. Get the audience's attention-called a hook or a grabber. Establish rapport and tell the audience why you care about the topic of why you are credible to speak on the topic. Introduce the speech thesis/preview/good idea. Tell the audience why they should care about this topic.
For example, people use one writing tool to put the speech's theme in a 15-20 word short poem or memorable paragraph, then build your speech around it. 3. Have a Clear Structure. When your speech has a clear structure to it your speech becomes more memorable. When writing your speech, have a clear path and a destination.
Tell them (Body of your speech - the main ideas plus examples) Tell them what you told them (The ending) TEST before presenting. Read aloud several times to check the flow of material, the suitability of language and the timing. Return to top. A step by step guide for writing a great speech.
Here are 26 different techniques for beginning your speech: 1. Use a quote. One method of starting a speech and gaining the audience's attention is to use a famous or relatable quote. This approach can give your audience context for your topic and connect it to something they recognize. For instance, if you plan to give a speech on a political ...
How great leaders inspire action. Loading... Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content. TED Members make our mission possible by supporting global access to inspiring ideas. Plus, they get to attend exclusive events. Help support a better future - and a brighter you.
9. It's in the news. Take headlines from what's trending in media you know the audience will be familiar with and see. Using those that relate to your speech topic as the opening of your speech is a good way to grab the attention of the audience. It shows how relevant and up-to-the-minute the topic is. For example:
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.
Choose your topic and the main points that your speech will cover. Know your audience and get to know what they are looking for. Pay attention to their needs. Define the purpose of the speech and properly organize it. Introduction. A strong statement to grab the reader's attention. Refine the thesis statement.
Step 4: Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice your speech the more you'll discover which sections need reworked, which transitions should be improved, and which sentences are hard to say. You'll also find out how you're doing on length. Step 5: Update, practice, and revise your speech until it has a great flow and you feel ...
Second Part: Describes a possible solution or set of solutions. Third Part: Summarizes how the solutions will solve the problem. 3. Write in the same tone as you speak. One of the most important public speaking tips is to remember that you are writing something that you will be speaking out loud for people to hear.
Research shows that people remember very little from speeches, so just give them one or two ideas to hang onto. These two articles explain audience attention span in more detail, and how to write a speech to extend it: ... Example: Great speech opening. This speech opening is by Jamie Oliver, giving a TED talk on teaching every child about food ...
20 Public Speaking Tips to Make You a Better Speaker. Tip #1: Know Your Audience. Tip #2: Prepare a Visually Appealing Presentation. Tip #3: Practice In Front of a Mirror & In Front of Others. Tip #4: Make Enough Rehearsals. Tip #5: Speak From the Heart. Tip #6: Use Props for Effect. Tip #7: Be Candid.
Farewell speeches: from a colleague leaving and to a colleague leaving. Golden wedding speech. Icebreaker speech for Toastmasters. Introduction speeches: for a guest speaker, and for oneself. Maid of honor speeches: 3 examples, including one for a sister. One minute speeches.
Ask for a glass of water. If your speech is lengthy, then you will need some water to moisten your throat. 7. Look in a mirror before you go onstage. Check both the front and the back of your outfit and make sure that your hair is neat and that your makeup, if you're wearing any, is not smudged. Part 5.
One example of an emotional narrative speech is Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address, in which he shares three personal stories that shaped his philosophy on life and work. From his adoption story to his battle with cancer, Jobs' tales are raw, honest, and deeply moving.
If you don't want to inflict the same sort of experience on others, here are our top tips for giving a great speech. 1. Practise your microphone technique. Correct spacing is key - you want to be heard but don't want to end up deafening your audience! Nothing ruins a speech more than bad microphone technique.
Tailor your speech to resonate with them. Clear Purpose: Define a clear and concise purpose for your speech. Ensure your audience knows what to expect right from the beginning. Engaging Opening: Start with a captivating hook - a story, question, quote, or surprising fact to grab your audience's attention.
Giving a speech allows you to address a group of people to express your thoughts and oftentimes, your opinion. You can find speeches in many different environments and with many different purposes. For example, while you can give a quick speech before introducing someone, you can also give a speech to persuade others to see your point of view.
Here are 13 tips that can help you prepare a great speech from start to finish: 1. Determine and analyze your audience. Before writing your speech, think about who your audience is and center the tone and presentation style around them. If you're giving a speech at a conference full of business professionals, you may want to keep your speech ...
Whether you write your speech word for word and read it from the page or from a screen, memorize it or use bullet points on 3 by 5 cards, find a system that works for you.
Before the iconic Moonlight win for Best Picture, the film won the coveted Best Adapted Screenplay award, with co-writers Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney giving a memorable speech. An emotional Jenkins told the audience, "I tell my students that I teach sometimes: Be in love with the process, not the result.
President Thomas J. Whitmore's (Bill Pullman) speech in Independence Day has become one of the most iconic film moments of the last 50 years. While the movie can be polarizing, some people can't ...
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. ... Follow these speech examples 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.
Giving a heartfelt Independence Day speech is a great way to show your love, gratitude, and admiration for our national heroes. Here's how you can craft a memorable speech for August 15: ... Note: You can customize this speech further by adding specific examples of India's achievements, challenges, or your personal aspirations for the country.
VILLEPINTE, France — Algerian welterweight Imane Khelif, backed by a sizable cheering section, beat Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori in a unanimous decision on Saturday, clinching an Olympic medal.
In a speech earlier this year, former President Trump was mocking President Biden's ability to walk through sand when he suddenly switched to talking about the old Hollywood icon Cary Grant ...