WRITING A SPEECH OR TALK

Piece of cake!
By Giancarlo Castelo
 OVERVIEW
Before you go any further, you need to know:
• WHO you are writing your speech for (audience)
• WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic)
The main points should be ranked in order of importance,
unless it is instructed otherwise.
• HOW long it should be (3 or 5 minutes, 200 words, etc.)
Once you have this outline, you should not worry much about
developing this piece of writing.
In addition, writing a speech or talk is easier. Think about
delivering one without preparation in front of 200 people!
 STRUCTURE
The basic format of a talk or speech is as follows:
(Pay attention to the fact that most writing pieces have a
similar structure as well)
• Introduction
• Body
• Ending / Conclusion / Summary

Now, let’s get right down to business!!!

We will see 6 steps regarding the production of a speech or
talk. Let’s begin!
 STEP 1: CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE
• A good speech is never written from the speaker’s point of
view.
• Think from the audience point of view; think of one individual
in the audience, the average person.
• Imagine this person is sitting next to you, waiting for what you
have to tell him or her.
• Now you should consider these two points:
- How do I need to adapt my information to this person’s
needs?
- What type of language and what register do I need to
use?
 STEP 2: WRITE AS YOU SPEAK
• Write down what you'd say as if you were talking directly to
them.
• You do not have to write absolutely everything you're going
to say down* but you do need to write the sequence of ideas
to ensure they are logical and easily followed.
• Remember too, to explain or illustrate your point with
examples, and perhaps some facts you may know.
• Do not assume because you know what you're talking about.
 STEP 3: CHECKING
• Check the "tone" of your language.
Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?

• Check the length of your sentences.

If they're too long or complicated, you risk losing your listeners.

• Have you chosen words everybody will understand?

Use word everyone will understand, but avoid using vocabulary that is too
complicated.

• Check for jargon too. These are industry, activity or group exclusive words.

• Read what you've written out loud.

If it flows naturally continue the process. If it doesn't, rework.

• Remember you are writing "oral language".

You are writing as if you were explaining, telling or showing something to someone. It
doesn't have to be perfect sentences. We don't talk like that.
 STEP 4: LINKING OR TRANSITIONS
• A link can be as simple as:
"We've explored one scenario for the ending of Ender’s Game,
but let's consider another. This time...“
• What follows this link is the introduction of Main Idea Two.
• Go back through your main ideas checking the links. Try each
transition or link out loud and listen to yourself. Write them
down when they are clear and concise.
 STEP 5: THE ENDING
• The ideal ending is highly memorable. You want it to live on in
the minds of your listeners long after your speech is finished.
Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major
points.
• A clue for working out what the most appropriate call to
action might be, is to go back to the original purpose for
giving the speech.
Was it to motivate or inspire?
Was it to persuade to a particular point of view?
Was it to share specialist information?
Was it to celebrate a person, a place, time or event?
 STEP 6: THE INTRODUCTION
• Once you've got the filling (main ideas) the linking and the ending
in place, it's time to focus on the introduction.
• The introduction comes last as it's the most important part of your
speech. This is the bit that either has people sitting up alert or
slumped and waiting for you to end.
• The idea is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with
a "hook".
• Ask yourself, if I were the audience what would appeal?
Is it humor? Would shock tactics work?
Is it formality or informality?
Is it an outline of what you're going to cover, including the
call to action?
Or is it a mix of all these elements?
NOW, YOUR TURN
Choose a topic and write your speech in groups of three. It
should go for about 3 minutes.
• A youth magazine has recently published an article that
claims that the use of the internet in schools is ruining
students’ ability to write and think on their own. This article
made such an impression on you that you have decided to
use it as the basis of your next class speech. Write the text of
your speech either agreeing or disagreeing with this article.
• In your English class, each student has to give a talk about a
leisure activity that he/she considers unusual and is very
interested in, explaining clearly what is involved in it and
trying to convince others of its appeal. Write the text of your
talk.