Writing a speech can be a powerful way to communicate your thoughts, ideas, and passions
to an audience. Whether you're addressing a small group, a classroom, or a larger crowd,
crafting an engaging, informative, and memorable speech requires careful planning. Below
is a detailed guideline for writing a speech, ensuring it is structured with a clear
introduction, body, and conclusion.
Step 1: Choose a Topic
The first step in writing a speech is selecting an appropriate topic. This choice will depend
on your purpose and audience. Consider the following when selecting your topic:
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Interest: Choose something that excites you or sparks your curiosity. Your
enthusiasm will make your delivery more engaging.
Relevance: Ensure the topic is relevant to your audience. Consider their interests,
age, background, and knowledge level. If you're giving a speech for a classroom
assignment, ensure the topic fits within the scope of the assignment.
Clarity and Scope: Pick a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. For
example, "Climate Change" is too vast, while "The Effect of Carbon Emissions on
Coral Reefs" is specific and manageable. Aim for a topic that allows you to explore
key points thoroughly in the time you have.
Step 2: Research and Gather Information
After choosing your topic, gather reliable information to support your speech. Research is
vital to make your points compelling and credible. Use books, reputable websites, scholarly
articles, and interviews to gather facts, statistics, and quotes. Avoid using overly technical
language, and focus on making the information understandable and accessible for your
audience.
Step 3: Organize the Speech Structure
A speech typically follows a simple structure: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Each part
serves a distinct purpose and should be crafted with care.
Introduction (Approximately 20-30% of your speech)
The introduction is the first impression your audience will have of your speech, so make it
count. An effective introduction captures attention, provides context, and sets the stage for
what’s to come.
1. Start with a Hook: The hook grabs the audience’s attention. This could be:
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A thought-provoking question (e.g., “Have you ever wondered how the
smallest changes in our environment can lead to enormous consequences?”)
A surprising statistic (e.g., “Did you know that over 8 million tons of plastic
end up in our oceans every year?”)
A relevant quote (e.g., “As the famous scientist Albert Einstein once said, ‘We
cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created
them.’”)
A short anecdote or personal story that relates to your topic.
2. Introduce the Topic: After your hook, clearly state what your speech will be about.
Make sure to explain why the topic is important to the audience. This provides
context and relevance.
3. Preview the Main Points: Briefly mention the key points you will discuss in your
speech. This gives the audience a roadmap of what to expect and makes it easier for
them to follow.
Example:
"Today, I’ll be talking about the impact of plastic waste on our oceans, how it affects marine
life, and what we can do to address the growing crisis."
Body (Approximately 60-70% of your speech)
The body is the core of your speech. This is where you present the bulk of your information
and arguments. The body should be divided into several main points, usually between 2 to
5, depending on the length of your speech.
1. Organize by Theme or Chronology:
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Thematic Structure: If your topic has distinct themes (e.g., “Causes,”
“Effects,” “Solutions”), organize your speech accordingly. Each theme
becomes a main point.
Chronological Structure: If your topic follows a timeline (e.g., the history of
space exploration or the evolution of social media), structure your speech in
a way that follows a logical order.
2. Develop Each Point: For each main point, follow this structure:
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Topic Sentence: Start with a clear statement that introduces the point.
Supporting Evidence: Provide facts, statistics, quotes, or examples to
support your point. Use evidence that is relevant and persuasive.
Explanation: Explain how your evidence supports the point and why it’s
important. Make the connections clear to the audience.
3. Use Transitions: Use transitional phrases to move smoothly from one point to the
next. Transitions help your speech flow logically and ensure the audience stays
engaged.
Examples of transitions:
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"Now that we’ve explored the causes, let’s look at the effects of this issue."
"On the other hand, there are several solutions that could mitigate this problem."
"In addition to what I just mentioned, there is another important factor to consider."
Conclusion (Approximately 10-20% of your speech)
The conclusion wraps up your speech and reinforces your key message. It’s important to
end on a strong note that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
1. Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the main points you covered in the body of
the speech. This helps reinforce the key messages and ensures the audience walks
away with a clear understanding of your argument.
2. Call to Action: A strong speech often ends with a call to action. Encourage your
audience to take some form of action or change their thinking about the topic. Make
this call to action clear and achievable.
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Example: “I urge you to reduce your plastic consumption and participate in
beach cleanups to protect our oceans.”
3. End with a Memorable Statement: Finish with a powerful closing sentence, which
could be a quote, a call to action, or a thought-provoking statement. This leaves the
audience thinking about your message after the speech ends.
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Example: “If we don’t act now, our children may inherit a planet we’ve
neglected. Let’s be the change the world needs today.”
Step 4: Revise
Once your speech is written, take time to revise and refine it. Pay attention to the clarity,
structure, and flow of your ideas. Ensure your sentences are concise and impactful.
Eliminate any unnecessary words or phrases that might weaken your speech.
Conclusion
Writing a speech is an art that requires careful thought, research, and practice. You can
effectively engage and persuade your audience by structuring your speech with a strong
introduction, a well-organized body, and a powerful conclusion. Remember to choose a
topic you’re passionate about and back up your points with evidence.
FORMAT FOR FINAL SUBMISSION:
Font: Arial
Size: 12
Single Space
Normal Margin
Proper Indention
Deadline: On or Before December 20, 2024 (Midnight)
Send your final output to this e-mail: kenrix.baldoza@msugensan.edu.ph
Notes:
1. Avoid plagiarism at all costs. Paraphrase or cite your sources properly.
2. Avoid using ChatGPT, Meta AI, or other generative AI tools.
3. The length of the speech must not be less than 500 words and not more than
1000 words.
NAME:
SCHEDULE:
SECTION:
DATE:
“TITLE”
Criteria for Speech Writing
1. Topic Selection (5 points)
The topic should be relevant and appropriate for the audience (consider your
classmates and teacher as your audience) and setting (classroom). Focus on a theme or
subject matter that can be explored meaningfully within the word count range. Avoid overly
broad or vague topics that might be too difficult to manage within the speech's length.
2. Introduction (10 points)
The introduction should effectively capture the audience’s attention. This could include
a quote, rhetorical question, surprising fact, or anecdote that relates to the speech’s topic.
It should clearly state the purpose of the speech, explaining the central message and
why the topic is important or relevant to the audience. The introduction should provide a
brief overview of the main points that will be discussed in the speech.
3. Body (20 points)
The body of the speech should be well-organized. Each paragraph should focus on one
main point, with clear transitions between sections. The order of ideas should flow logically,
making it easy for the audience to follow.
Each main point should be thoroughly developed. Supporting details (such as facts,
statistics, examples, or anecdotes) should be relevant and strengthen the overall argument
or message.
Ideas should be clearly explained. Avoid overly complex language or unnecessary jargon
that might confuse the audience. The speech should flow smoothly from one point to the
next.
The body of the speech should be engaging, maintaining the audience’s interest
throughout.
4. Conclusion (10 points)
The conclusion should briefly recap the key points made in the body, reinforcing the
main message of the speech.
The conclusion should include a memorable closing thought, whether it's a call to action,
an emotional appeal, or a thought-provoking statement that leaves a lasting impression.
The conclusion should effectively conclude the speech, leaving the audience with a
sense of closure.
5. Language and Grammar (5 points)
The student should use language that is appropriate for the audience and topic.
Words should be chosen for their precision, clarity, and impact.
The speech should be free from grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Proper
sentence structure and punctuation should be used throughout.
6. Originality and Creativity (5 points)
The speech should showcase the student's original ideas and creativity. Avoid using
clichés or overly recycled arguments. The speech should reflect a fresh perspective on the
topic.
Total Points: 55 Points