Speech

Speech

A speech is addressed to a listening audience. The speaker wishes to impact, hold the audience’s attention, and convince them of an idea. When writing a speech, you must consider your audience, and you must have a clear purpose.

  • Use a semi-formal to informal register.
  • Use a style aimed to persuade a specified audience.
  • Your tone must be serious but appropriate.
  • Take a clear stand in your speech and set a positive tone.
  • Avoid very casual language or conventions.
  • Use we or you. Include rhetoric.
  • Make sure your sentences are complete and well structured.
  • Have a clear introduction (here, you must hook your audience).
  • Convince your audience that you have credibility. You can do this by mentioning your qualifications or expertise.
  • Briefly outline the key points you are going to cover.
  • Explain the benefits for the audience.
  • The main body of your speech can be a reasoned argument.
  • Include supporting paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting examples or evidence, and explanations.
  • Conclude by re-stating your main argument.
  • Set out to catch the audience’s attention initially and leave a clear impression at the end.
  • Audience: It can generally be assumed to be reasonably educated and informed.
  • Context: It will describe a situation in which a particular message is to be communicated orally.
  • Purpose: To inform and persuade.
  • Saad AlDin, K. & Morley, K. (2018). English B: Second Edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Page 238.