How to Write a Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide
The ability to speak in an engaging and knowledgeable way is one of the most valued skills in the modern world. Do you envy people who feel comfortable on stage and can speak in a way that makes others want to listen? The good news is that no one is born a master speaker. Great presentations are usually the result of thorough preparation. Find out how to write the perfect speech.
What is a speech?
A speech is a statement prepared to be delivered before an audience. Its main purpose is to present the speaker’s opinion and persuade listeners to adopt a particular point of view.
We encounter speeches frequently – both at conferences and during family celebrations or special occasions.
A good speech should encourage the audience to respond in a particular way. It should also inspire listeners to take a specific position on the issue being discussed.
How do you prepare a good speech?
Although a speech is an oral form of communication, you should prepare a written version of it before delivering it.
Before you start writing, you need to consider several points:
- think about who you want to address – this will help you choose language and vocabulary that suit your audience; remember the words attributed to Plato: “The measure of a speaker is not the one who speaks, but the one who listens”;
- consider the purpose of your speech – it might be to interest the audience in a particular topic or persuade them to change their views on an issue;
- give your speech a clear structure – support every claim you make with carefully selected, logical arguments.
Carefully considering these points is an important step towards creating a compelling presentation. Learn how to write a speech that can “captivate a crowd” with both substantive content and an engaging delivery.
How to write a speech: The structure
Good speeches are usually created according to a specific structure. In most cases, a presentation includes:
- a title – it should be informative while also being intriguing and attention-grabbing;
- a greeting – a short and polite way to open the speech, adapted to the occasion and nature of the event, such as “Dear Students” or “Good evening, everyone”;
- an introduction – an opening to the speech; this is the ideal place to outline the issue and spark the audience’s interest in the topic;
- the main body – the section used to present the essence of the topic in detail and discuss individual claims, arguments and possible counterarguments;
- a conclusion – a summary of the presentation, including its findings and final conclusions.
That is the theory. But how do you write a speech in practice? Here is some practical advice.
The introduction – the key to a successful speech
A good introduction is like product packaging – it must make people want to “unwrap” the whole thing. You can start with a quote, a joke, a question or a story – anything that engages listeners right away.
It is also often effective to follow the principle that “the conclusion of a speech should be as close to its beginning as possible”. Opening your speech with its main takeaway is a widely known and effective way to intrigue listeners.
When writing an introduction, avoid using overused formulas such as “my name is”, “I want to talk about…” or “so…”.
The main body – the essence of the topic in an accessible form
In the main body, the speaker presents arguments supporting the claims made earlier. When preparing this part of the presentation, remember to organise it logically. Every opinion you present should be justified by providing specific examples.
If you are preparing a longer presentation, do everything you can to prevent the audience from becoming bored while you deliver it. One excellent solution is the sandwich technique. Its essence lies in alternating important points with lighter, sometimes humorous, remarks. This helps maintain the audience’s attention for longer.
The conclusion – the final touch
The final moments of a speech are the best time to summarise its key points and draw appropriate conclusions.
At the end of the presentation, you might share an emotional personal story connected in some way to the topic. You could also deliver a clever punchline showing the consequences of taking or failing to take certain actions. In the final sentence, remind the audience of the central idea behind the entire speech.
Sample speeches
Below are several short examples of speeches.
Best man’s wedding speech
Hi everyone,
I was handed a microphone today, so tradition says I should say something funny, something touching and, ideally, not go on too long. I’ll try to manage at least two out of three.
I’ve known [Groom’s Name] for a long time. We made it through our teenage years, the beginning of adulthood and a few decisions neither of us would want to repeat. But when [Bride’s Name] came along, something changed in him.
Not that he suddenly started doing laundry or remembering his mum’s birthday (although perhaps that happened too). What changed was the way he talked about the future. He went from “we’ll see what happens” to “we’ll do this”, “we’ll go there” and “our home”.
And that’s what love is about, isn’t it? It’s no longer just “me” and “mine”. There is a “we”. You don’t lose yourself – your interests, your sense of humour or your independence – but you still choose to be with someone. Not out of obligation. By choice.
Cheers to you both. To a future in which you’ll be together – and simply yourselves.
Teacher’s speech at the end of the school year
Dear Students,
The school year has come to an end – and I know that for many of you, this simply means it is time to hide your backpacks deep in the closet.
But before we go our separate ways, I’d like you to pause for a moment and look back.
Because this year was about more than tests and lessons. It was also about conversations, disagreements, laughter in the hallways and small victories that perhaps only you noticed – but those are the things that build confidence.
You studied mathematics, science, history and literature – but in reality, you also learned from one another. Patience. Communication. Responsibility. These are lessons you will not find in a curriculum.
I’m proud of you – not because of your grades, but because of who you have become this year.
I wish you a wonderful summer break – one that truly lets you rest, but also plants at least one question in your mind that is worth bringing back with you in September.
CEO’s speech at an industry conference
Good morning, everyone,
I’m supposed to talk about innovation, so I’ll begin in an uninnovative way – with a quote.
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future,” Niels Bohr once said. And in our industry, we try to do exactly that every day. With varying degrees of success.
Over the past few months, our team has been working on a solution with one main goal: to organise our work and make it more meaningful. Because we have more than enough information – but what about quality? What about usefulness? What about the people who have to make sense of it all?
We didn’t want to create something that was “new” in name only. We wanted to make a real improvement to everyday work. And that is what we want to show you today.
But before we begin, I’d like to thank the team. Not only for the hours they put in, but for something more important – the courage to say “this doesn’t work” when everyone else was saying “it’ll be fine”.
Because innovation is not just about great ideas – it is also about the many mistakes someone must be brave enough to make.
And now – let’s get down to business.
Summary
- A speech is an oral form of communication intended to be delivered publicly.
- Anyone can learn how to write speeches by following the most important principles of speechwriting.
- A good speech should include an intriguing title, an engaging introduction, a logical main body and a conclusion that summarises the presentation.
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