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title: Writing a Great Speech for Public Speaking date: 2024-01-01 cover: 1.jpg author: tutsplus.com tags:

Public Speaking
Speech Writing
Presentation Tips

Do you need to know how to write a speech for public speaking? Learn how to write a speech in these seven easy steps, complete with speech writing tips.

Introduction

If you have an upcoming public speaking engagement, it’s crucial to know how to craft an engaging and effective speech. A speech delivered live differs significantly from an online presentation in several ways:

Establishing a positive relationship with your audience is essential during speech writing.
Your physical presence, including appearance and posture, influences the effectiveness of your public speech.
Incorporating breaks and a Q&A session is vital for engaging your audience.

In this tutorial, we’ll provide you with seven fundamental guidelines for writing a speech that resonates well with live audiences. To illustrate these guidelines, we’ll apply each step to a sample public speaking scenario. We’ll also cover essential aspects of speech writing.

The Best Source for PowerPoint Templates

Before we delve into the details of how to create a speech, let’s consider a valuable resource for designing your presentation.

Envato Elements is an excellent platform for finding PowerPoint templates that can complement your speech. These professionally designed templates are tailored to impress.

Envato Elements offers exceptional value with unlimited access to digital assets once you subscribe. Beyond presentation templates, you can also access:

Stock images
Audio files
Fonts
And much more

To become a subscriber, simply sign up and pay a low monthly fee.

Sample Public Speaking Scenario

Consider the following public speaking scenario:

You’ve just opened a small web design business in your town and are invited to give a short, five-minute presentation at the next Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Crafting a speech for such a scenario can be daunting if you’re new to public speaking. Fortunately, there are effective steps you can take to simplify the process.

7 Steps for Writing a Speech

Writing a speech for public speaking involves several key steps that parallel those of writing any presentation. However, it’s crucial to keep your audience in mind at each stage:

1. Research Your Audience

Understanding your audience is foundational to effective speech writing. The more you know about your audience, the more impactful your speech will be.

In our example, your audience consists of fellow Chamber of Commerce members, primarily small business owners.

After Researching Your Audience:

Once you understand your audience, tailor your speech accordingly. Consider questions like:

What does this audience need?
What problems can I solve for them?
Are there specific characteristics of my listeners I should consider?

For instance, many small businesses in your town may fall into one of three categories:

Those with well-functioning websites.
Those with outdated or poorly designed websites.
Those without a website.

Identifying potential clients from the latter two categories can help you focus your speech effectively.

2. Select a Topic

In this scenario, the topic is predetermined: introducing your business. However, since your speech is short—only five minutes—keeping it focused is essential.

If I were writing the speech, I would:

List my business strengths.
Compare those strengths to the needs observed in other members’ websites.
Highlight where my business strengths align with their weaknesses.

For example, if many Chamber members have outdated websites, I would concentrate my speech on how my services can address those specific issues.

3. Research Your Topic

While you may not need extensive research for your business, some speeches might require a deeper understanding of unfamiliar topics. For additional tips on studying your subject, check out the tutorial on How to Speak Confidently in Public .

4. Write Your Speech

Now that the groundwork is laid, it’s time to write your speech. Here are some essential writing tips:

Begin with an outline to organize your thoughts.
Use a conversational tone; write as you would speak.
Incorporate speaker notes for your reference without reading to the audience.
Be specific; use examples or statistics to support your points.
Use short sentences for clarity and memorability.

Here’s a simple outline for our Chamber of Commerce speech:

Introduction: Introduce yourself and your business (display a title slide with your website).
Type of Business: Briefly describe what you do (show a slide with bullet points).
Example Project: Highlight a recent web design project, focusing on areas of need (show slides with examples).
Conclusion: Invite the audience to reach out for web design services after the meeting (display a slide with contact information).
Handouts: Provide printed materials with your contact information for attendees.

5. Select a Presentation Tool

Choosing a professional presentation tool like PowerPoint or Google Slides is crucial for enhancing your speech. These tools allow for visual elements that can captivate your audience. If you need help finding the right tool, check out these tutorials:

6. Select a Template and Finish

The presentation template you choose will greatly affect the overall feel of your speech. A professionally designed template can enhance the visual appeal and memorability of your presentation.

Consider investing in a professional template that aligns with your branding. Sites like Envato Elements and GraphicRiver provide excellent options. Browse templates through these resources:

If you’re new to using templates, consider reviewing these PowerPoint tutorials for assistance:

7. How to Make a Public Speech

Now that you’ve prepared your speech, here are key points to remember before presenting:

Avoid reading your speech; aim to memorize it or use notes as a guide.
Practice thoroughly to enhance your comfort level and timing.
Utilize visual aids to complement your presentation.
Dress comfortably yet professionally to fit the meeting’s atmosphere.
Speak naturally and enthusiastically to engage your audience.
Interact after your speech; be available for questions and networking.

5 Quick Tips to Make a Good Speech Great

To elevate your speech further, consider these five tips:

1. Have a Strong Opening

Kick off your speech with surprising facts, a humorous story, or a thought-provoking question to captivate your audience from the start.

2. Connect With Your Audience

Foster a memorable connection through metaphors and analogies. Crafting a concise theme or memorable phrase can help structure your speech effectively.

3. Have a Clear Structure

Ensure your speech has a logical flow and omits unnecessary details. A well-organized speech is more impactful and engaging.

4. Repeat Important Information

Reinforcing key phrases and themes throughout your speech aids retention. Align your points with your main theme for clarity and emphasis.

5. Have a Strong Closing

Your closing is crucial as it’s what your audience will remember most. Summarize your main points and reiterate significant takeaways.

Conclusion

By following these steps and utilizing the provided tips, you can craft a compelling and memorable speech for your public speaking engagements. Good luck with your presentation!