Module 16:

PRINCIPLES OF SPEECH WRITING

A good speech often comes from good writing. Bear
the following in mind when writing a speech:
 1. Know your audience in order to craft the language and content of
your speech.

 2. Organize your ideas logically so that your listeners will be able to

follow the flow of your speech from beginning to end.

 3. Keep in mind the length and duration of the speech.

 4. Mind your word choice.

 5. Check your grammar.

 The Principle of Speech Writing
 Audience profile
 Choosing a topic
 Sourcing information
 Outlining and organizing the content
 Logical organization
 Duration
 Word choice
 Grammatical correctness
 Audience Profile
Situation
 Audience profile pertains 1:
to important details  An alumnus receive an invitation to
about your audience that speak before the graduating class of his
will help you plan your elementary school. In planning his
speech in term of topic, speech, he considers the age of his
intended audience, which in this case,
word choice, examples,
are 12- and 13-year-old grade 6 pupils.
language and duration. Included in the audience are the pupils’
 When you have an idea parents and loved ones who will come to
witness a milestone in their children’s
about the background of
education. As such, the alumnus decides
your audiences, you can to use language that both graduates and
customise your speech their parents and older loved ones will
appropriately. understand and relate to.
 REFLECT UPON:

Can you say how no two speeches are ever

the same- even if they deal with exact topic-
as long as they have different audiences?
 Choosing a Topic
 If you are given the choice of topic for your speech,
start with what you know or are interested to know.
Then if you have something to mind already, ask
yourself the following question:

1. Is the topic interesting to my audience?

2. Is it timely and relevant?

3. Are there available sources of information on it?

 Sourcing Information
 When you have decided on a topic and are set to start compiling
information about it, think of the possible sources you can
consult.

 With your topic in mind, list as many information sources as

possible: video documentaries; textbooks; other print sources
such as journals and newspapers; surveys/ questionnaires;
microfilms; and other similar materials.

 Failure to properly cite your sources is tantamount to plagiarism

and that will compromise your credibility.
 Outlining and Organizing Speech
Content
 There is a common and
effective practice of
outlining and organizing a
speech and this practice is
referred to as the Rule of
Three.
 Many great speaker are able
to focus of their speeches
by limiting the ideas to
expound on to three.
 Simply put, limiting your
main points to three
allows you to better
organize your speech. In
turn, focused and well-
organized speech is
easy to comprehend and
follow.
 Logical Organization
 Your speech must follow certain flow if you intend to
communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. The
following are some patterns which you may use in
crafting your speech:

 Categorical Topical
-The most common pattern for organizing a speech. In this
pattern, the categories help the speaker organize the message in a
consistent manner.

 Comparison Contrast
-This pattern is used to compare and contrast subjects or
ideas.
 Spatial
- This pattern organizes information according to how
things fit together in physical space.

 Chronological
- Places the main idea in the time order in which items
appear.

 Biographical
- Usually employed when a speaker wants to describe a
person’s life—either the speaker’s own life, the life of
someone they know personally, or the life of famous person.
 Casual
- This pattern is used to explain cause-and-effect
relationships.
- Your speech will have two main points: cause and effect.

 Problem-Cause-Solution
- Describe a problem, identifies you believe is causing the
problem, and then recommends solution to correct this
problem.

 Psychological
- In this pattern a leads to b, and b leads to c.
Duration
 Time is important, and a speaker should always bear that
in mind. As such, a speech must be long enough to fulfil
your speech goals but short enough to hold your
audience’s attention.

For Example:
The president’s State Of the Nation Address (SONA)
last between 30 and 90 minutes to allow the head of some
time for a comprehensive delivery of relevant information. A
very short SONA might deem important. On the other hand,
a very long SONA might bore the audience.
Word Choice

 As discussed already, your choice of words will

depend primarily on the type of audiences. Another
consideration though, is the situation, occasion, or
event in which you will deliver the speech.

 You should always keep in mind that there are

appropriate words to say on specific occasion.
Grammatical Correctness
 As a second language speaker of English you are not
expected to be perfectly proficient on it. Nevertheless, you
should strive to learn and master the language so you can
avoid grammatical lapses, especially the obvious ones.
Lapses that are obvious and repetitive may make it difficult
for your listeners to completely grasp the message you want
to convey.

 If you are to deliver prepared speech, make time to edit it. If

you are to deliver extemporaneous speech, practice thinking
and expounding on ideas based on an outline. Record your
practice speeches and listen to yourself.
Extend Your Knowledge

 http://www.englishtrackers.com/english-blog/10-famou
s-speeches-in-english-and-what-you-can-learn-from-th
em/

 http://www.famous-speeches-and-speech-topics.info/f
amous-short-speeches/
 ESSENTIAL LEARNING
After you have your audience and done research on the
topic, making an outline will help you organize your speech.
Keep in mind that your speech has to have a good introduction
that will catch and hold your audience’s attention. The body of
your speech should, ideally, focus on only three things about
the topic regardless of how much time you have given to
discuss them. Such focus ensures that your audience will
remember most of the things you will say. Your word choice and
type of language will then be utmost importance as your
listeners’ ability to completely understand your message is
directly intertwined with words you will use and the language
you will employ. Lastly, make it a point to rid your speech of
grammatical errors that will not only compromise your own
credibility but also make it difficult for your audience to
understand your message.
THANK YOU!!!