Welcome to this lecture headed “SPEECH WRITING”. We will be discussing all about speech writing. Enjoy your lecture.
A speech is not an essay. There is a big variation between crafting a speech and writing an essay. And for those fresh to public speaking, the tendency to imitate the forms of writing we previously know can be daunting.
Speeches need you to simplify. The standard adult reads 300 words per minute, but people can merely follow speech narrowly at around 150-160 words per minute.
In this way, studies have shown auditory memory is characteristically lesser than visual memory, and while most of us can read for hours, our ability to focus on a speech is more inhibited.
It’s essential, then, to write succinct and understandable speeches. Ten minutes of speaking is merely about 1,300 words and while written texts – which can be evaluated, reread, and reexamined – can be restrained and toned, spoken word must be followed in the moment and ought to be suitably short, sweet, and to the point.
While focusing on brevity and clarity in a speech, it’s as well significant to signpost and evaluate. In a written essay, readers can revert to confusing passages or missed points. Once you lose someone in a speech, she may be lost for good.
In your speech introduction, specify your thesis and then craft the structure of your speech ahead of time.
Then, as you move on in your speech writing, start each new point with a signpost to help your listeners to understand where you are with words like, “to begin,” “secondly,” and “finally,” and close each point with a similar, evaluation-oriented signpost like “so we see, the first element of success is x”.
This lack of subtleness can be boring and awkward in a written document, but it is vital to the spoken word.
In the same way, the subtleness of intricate argumentation and numerical analysis can be compelling in an essay, but in a speech it’s significant to drop the statistics and tell a story.
Neuro-science has illustrated that the human brain was wired for narrative. And while we always value arguments that are fact-based and beached in sound logic, it’s simpler for us to connect with a speaker when she keeps the statistics to a minimum and opts for longer and more comprehensible stories.
Begin or end an argument with statistics. But never do that in speech writing. Your audience will follow better, retain information, and internalize stories.
To make the stories lively, bear in mind that it is you that will bring your punctuation out. When you’re speaking, your audience doesn’t have the opportunity of visual illustrators of emphasis, alteration in pace, or transition – commas, semicolons, dashes, and exclamation points.
They can’t observe question marks or paragraph breaks. Rather, your voice, your hand gestures, your pace, and even where and how you’re standing on stage offer the speech texture and range.
Alter your thrill, tone, and volume for emphasis. Use hand gestures deliberately and in harmony with the points you’re trying to make. Go between key points while delivering the speech – literally changing your physical position in the room to indicate a new part of the argument.
Standing immobile while speaking in a monotone voice doesn’t just drain your audience’s energy; it robs them of understanding – like writing a text in one run-on sentence with no punctuation or breaks.
Defy the urge to read your speech directly from the page. Turn into the punctuation your audience agitates for.
Speeches and essays are of the equivalent genus, but not the same species. Each requires its own craft and structure.
If you’re a good writer, don’t presume that it will transform instantly to the spoken word. A speech is not an essay on its hind legs, and good speech writers and public speakers become accustomed as a result.
Speech/Talk
How to write a Speech. Here are some guidelines you should follow when giving a speech or a talk. Let’s look at a sample question:You recently won the ‘Best Student Award’ in your school.
You have been asked to give a talk during assembly to share tips with the other students on what they need to do so that they too can become successful students.
Use the following notes to write your speech:
Suggestions:
set goals
be motivated
pay attention
ask questions
be organised
complete homework on time
prepare well for exams
take part in co-curricular activities
obey school rules
respect everyone
Avoid:
wasting time
skipping school
When writing your speech, you should remember to:
address your audience
state the purpose of the speech
use all the points given
end your speech appropriately
E.g
Introductory Paragraph:
1. address your audience
2. introduce yourself
3. state the purpose of your speech
Second Paragraph
1. point 1 (set goals)
2. point 2 (be motivated)
3. point 3 (pay attention)
4. point 4 (ask questions)
Third Paragraph
1. point 5 (be organised)
2. point 6(complete homework on time)
3. point 7 (prepare well for exams)
Fourth Paragraph
1. point 8 (take part in co-curricular activities)
2. point 9 (obey school rules)
Fifth Paragraph
1. point 10 (respect everyone)
Sixth Paragraph
1. point 11 (avoid wasting time)
2. point 12 (avoid skipping school)
Final Paragraph
1. conclude appropriately
What is a speech?
Speeches are talks delivered in public on formal and informal occasions.
There are different types of speeches like ‘welcome speech’, ‘thank you speech’ and ‘farewell speech’. Apart from that, there are as well speeches on topics of interest and social issues.
The present tense is usually used when you write out a speech.
Sample question:
You are the head prefect in your school. At the start of the new school term, you have been asked to remind students about the school regulations. Write out yours speech with the notes below:-
ATTIRE:-
School uniform
-neat
-wear white shoes and socks
Hair
-boys – short
-girls – short or long – long hair must be tied up
Nails
-short
Make up-is not allowed in school!
CONDUCT:-
-No loitering
-No hand phones
-No jewellery
-No smoking
-Be punctual
-Respect teachers
-Pay attention in class
-No playing truant
When writing the speech, remember to;
– include all the points given
– elaborate on the points
– set out your speech correctly
– write in paragraph
Sample answer + explanation on the framework (Pay attention to how the points are elaborated)
Sample Answer
Explanation
Good morning to our principal, teachers and fellow students. Welcome to the new school term. I am Sambo Dasuki, the head prefect of The Royals School Abuja.
This morning, I would like to refresh your memory about our school regulations especially regarding attire and conduct.
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
1) Greet the audience.
e.g: Good morning / afternoon / evening to boys and girls..
our principal, teachers and fellow students… (at an official school function)
Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen… (at an official function or society meeting)
Abdul Usman, Emeka Ike Seun Solarin, ladies and gentlemen… (if there is a distinguished guest)
2) Introduce yourself to the audience- (your name, position held, department attached to)
e.g: I am Abdul Usman, from Specialist Hospital in Gwagwalada Abuja.
3) Introduce topic
e.g: I am here to present a talk on the topic ‘Body Fitness.’
4) Purpose of speech
e.g: The purpose of my talk today is to make you realize the importance of looking after your food intake and how your health can be maintained through exercising.
To create a good impression, always be dressed neatly in your school uniform complete with white shoes and white socks. Don’t forget to wear your school badge and name tag.
Your hair should be short and neatly combed. Boys should always keep their hair short. Girls are allowed to keep long hair but it should always be neatly combed and tied.
No one is allowed to wear jewellery. If you do, then your jewellery will be confiscated. In addition, you cannot use make-up. Your nails should always be kept short. Remember, no nail polish is allowed.
Regarding your conduct always be punctual. Respect your teacher and pay attention in class. Remember, no loitering around and playing truant. If you don’t comply with the school rules, you will have to face the music.
Last term, several students were suspended or expelled from school for fighting, smoking and other serious offences. Hand phones are forbidden. If you bring hand phones, they will be confiscated.
Paragraph 2,3,4,5 – BODY
Major points and their elaboration (facts, figures, examples)
Elaborate 1 point in 1 paragraph or join a few relevant points and elaborate in 1 paragraph
These regulations are meant to produce a positive image and environment for the school. There are, of course, a few black sheep who will break the regulations. Do not be prejudiced by them. Instead, set a good example for others.
Thank you.
Paragraph 6: Conclusion
The speaker’s hope
Thank the audience. e.g: Thank you very much for your kind attention or Thank you very much for listening
Helpful tips
Select Your key Ideas
Don’t try to overstuff your speech with ideas. Research shows that people remember very little from speeches, so just give them one or two ideas to hang onto. Remember, you only have a few minute for your speech!Write the way You Talk
Try these tips:
Make use of short sentences. It’s better to write two simple sentences than one long, complex sentence.
Use contractions. Say “I’m” instead of “I am” “we’re” instead of “we are.”
Don’t use big words that you wouldn’t use when talking to someone.
You don’t have to follow all the rules of written English grammar.
“such as. See? Got it? Hope so.” Your English teacher might be horrified, but people don’t always talk in complete sentences with verbs and nouns. So try to write like people talk.
Always read your speech aloud while you’re writing it. You’ll hear right away if you sound like a book or a real person talking!
Make use of Use Concrete Words and Examples
Concrete details keep people interested. For example, we need more baseball and soccer fields for our kids.” Instead of “Open play spaces for children’s sports are in short supply.”Get Your Facts Together
You want people to believe that you know what you’re talking about! So you’ll need to conduct a few research .Use the library or the internet for your research.
There are a lot of issues you can talk about at your inauguration for example. How do you select one? A good idea is to look inside yourself and discover what you feel very deeply about. Perhaps it’s the environment.
Or perhaps you care about ending war. Or you feel zealous that all schools should have more art and music classes and so on.Influence with a Classic Structure
In a speech where you’re trying to influence people, the classic structure is known as “Problem-Solution.” In the first part of your speech you say, “Here’s a problem, here’s why things are so terrible.”
Then, in the second part of your speech you say, “Here’s what we can do to make things better.” Often times it helps to persuade people if you have statistics or other facts in your speech.
And occasionally, you can persuade people by quoting somebody that the audience likes and respects.Simplify
After crafting a first draft of your speech, review it and verify if there are words you can cut. Cutting words in the speech can make your points more clear.
Thanks for reaching to this point marking the end of this lecture.
Your Lecture Master:
Mst. Ugonwanne Joshua
EDU_JOSH ONLINE CLASSES 