How to Write a
Speech
Speech Writing
Structure & Language
A speech usually has three parts: an opening that gets people
interested and motivated, a well -structured argument with several main
points and a way to handle objections, and a positive ending.
The words used in a speech change depending on who is listening.
W hen addressing an expert audience, such as in a corporate
presentation or a speech to school authorities, use formal language. In
a p r e s e n t a t i o n f o r y o u n g e r c h i l d r e n , h o w e v e r, m o r e c a s u a l a n d
colloquial language would be appropriate.
Because persuasion is one of the medium's key purposes, the language
of a speech tends to be persuasive.
Persuasive Devices and
Language
Persuasive language can be used to help market a
product or service, persuade someone to agree with a
point of view or idea, and so on.
Politicians frequently utilise various methods of
persuasion to persuade people to agree with their point
of view on an issue.
Convincing language can be a very effective strategy
for attaining what you want.
Examples of
Persuasive
Techniques
Technique
Definition
Flattery
Giving your audience compliments
Opinion
Personal point of view
Hyperbole
Exaggeration of facts
Personal
Pronoun
Talk about ourselves
Imperative
Language
Give commands
The Rule of
Three
Use of three points to back up or
emphasize a point
Emotive
Language
Use of certain words to make the
audience feel in a certain way
Statistics
Used to justify a point
Rhetorical
Question
Questions to keep the audience
active
Adverbs: evidently; understandably;
reasonable; undoubtedly; clearly;
finally; strongly; adamantly
Transitional words and phrases: In
addition,…; Furthermore,…; Above
all… It goes without saying…; Of
course,…; Decidedly…;
Undoubtedly…; Indeed…; In fact…
Specifically,…; More importantly,…
Yet,… ; However,… In summary…
Verbs: to challenge; to oppose; to
question; to implore; to urge; to
condemn; to propose; to support
Adjectives: Vital; important;
essential; biased; dishonest;
inappropriate; controversial; brave;
foolish
Useful Words
in a Speech…
Example of a Speech
Let’s all bow in the silence of misery. Let’s all march in the honour of death. That
is all they want from us. But is that what you want?
J a n u a r y 3 rd e v e r y y e a r , i s a d a t e I , y o u a n d u s a l l r e m e m b e r w i t h g r e a t s o r r o w . I t
is a day we are reminded that a bullet cannot shut a course, it is a day we
remember that death does not mean all is lost, it is a day to remember Martin
Luther King Jr.
Selfless in his acts for a just cause for the society, a threat he became in the ears
and eyes of the perpetrators of justice. Nonetheless, he still stood tall and
proclaimed the dream of a united country, a country where race and colour would
not be used to define one, a country where all would have an equal shot to
opportunities.
Today, I ask you all, is it any better?