Senior Writing Seminar
How to Write a Distinguished Speech
I. Solid Foundations
Your first instinct may be to sit down with a pen and paper and charge full steam ahead
into the first line of your speech. Don't. You will save yourself much time and effort, not
to mention much frustrating re-writing, if you begin instead by devoting some time to
careful planning of your speech. Through effective preparation, you will answer all the
questions and doubts about your speech before they arise. The contents of your speech,
and how you deliver it, are based on three important factors:
A. The Occasion
B. The Audience
C. The Purpose of Your Speech
A. The Importance of Occasion
The nature of the occasion will obviously have a great bearing on your speech.
The occasion will dictate not only the content of your speech, but also the
duration, the tone, and the expectations of your audience. For example, humor
may be inappropriate during a business presentation or a eulogy, while it may
be welcome during a wedding speech or a sports event. You should also be
aware of your role and any observances that you should make during your
speech. (For example, a Best Man ought to close his speech with a toast to the
Bride and Groom).
Be mindful of the occasion and your role in it.
B. The Importance of Audience Awareness
Whatever the occasion, your speech must always be targeted at your audience.
If you are familiar with your audience—for example, if the occasion is a large
family gathering—then your speech should acknowledge and build upon your
existing intimacy with your audience. The use of devices such as thoughtprovoking, direct-address questions, imperatives, and inclusive pronouns can
help to engage your listeners. If the speech is to an unfamiliar audience, then an
early goal of your speech must be to build a degree of trust with the listeners.
You must know who your audience is in order to best decide how to affect your
message upon them.
C. The Importance of Purpose
By setting out a few clear goals before you start writing your speech, you will be
better equipped to judge its progress and success of your speech prior to its
publication. A hilarious Best Man speech may have your audience rolling in the
aisles, but if you fail to give tribute to the Bride and Groom you will have failed
in your role.
By setting clear goals, you will be better positioned to judge the likely success of
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your speech.
II. The Importance of Structure
Most good writing, we are told over and over again, must have structure. A good speech
is no exception. By providing your speech with a beginning, a middle, and an end, you
will have laid the foundations for a successful speech that fulfils all of your aspirations.
A. The Beginning
The first thirty seconds of your speech are probably the most important. In that
period of time you must grab the attention of the audience and engage their interest
in what you have to say in your speech.
This can be achieved in several ways. For example, you could raise a thoughtprovoking question, make an interesting or controversial statement, or cite a
relevant quotation.
Once you have won the attention of the audience, your speech should move
seamlessly to the middle of your speech.
B. The Body
The body of your speech will always be the largest part of your speech. At this
point, your audience will have been introduced to you and the subject of your
speech (as set out in your opening) and will hopefully be ready to hear your
arguments, your musings or your thoughts on the subject of your speech.
The best way to organize the body of your speech is by formulating a series of
points that you would like to raise. In the context of your speech, a "point" could be
a statement about a product, an anecdote about the bridegroom, or a fond memory
of the subject of a eulogy.
The points should be organized so that related points follow one another so that
each point builds upon the previous one. This organization will also give your
speech a more logical progression and make the job of the listener a far easier one.
Don't try to overwhelm your audience with countless points. It is better to have
fewer points that you make well than to have too many points, none of which are
made satisfactorily.
C. The Closing
Like the Opening, the Closing of your speech must contain some of your
strongest material. You should view the closing of your speech as an opportunity. It
is an opportunity to do one or more of the following:




Summarize the main points of your speech
Provide some further food for thought for your listeners
Leave your audience with positive memories of your speech ·
Choose the final thought/emotion (for example, with well wishes to the Bride
and Groom, with fond memories of a departed friend, with admiration for
winners and losers at an awards ceremony etc)
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Self-Checklist for Speech
Score: Distinguished
I have a clear purpose, and I fully support it with appropriate
personal or factual information.
I have chosen numerous specific details, illustrations, and
quotations that more than adequately support my purpose.
I have an organization (obvious beginning, middle, and ending)
that helps to logically develop my argument and does not stray
off-topic.
I understand the type of audience for whom I am writing, and I
use diction and analysis that they will understand.
Score: Proficient
I have a clear purpose, and I give it some support. The
information is presented clearly.
I have chosen enough specific details to support my purpose.
I have an organization that is logical.
I understand the type of audience for whom I am writing.
Score: Apprentice
I have attempted to accomplish a purpose, but I may not have
made that purpose very clear.
I tried to support my purpose with some details, but I may not
have done a very good job. The details may not be the best ones I
could have chosen—or they might not even support my stand.
There are some details but they are too general or may not really
help to explain my position.
I attempted to have organization, but I did not do a good job with
it.
I made an attempt to understand the audience for whom I was
writing.
Score: Novice
I tried to respond to the prompt, and I presented some
information—but I did not make my purpose clear.
I have little or no details.
I have no real organization.
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I did not try to write for my specific audience.
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