HOW TO WRITE A SPEECH

BEGINNING
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Start by introducing yourself to the audience. i.e. 'Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, Year t2 students, etc.'

When writing a speech where you are pretending to be someone who is speaking to the public at an open forum, thank
evervone for coming. lf you are someone who has been invited to speak, thank whomever has provided vou with the

invitation.
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lf writing a speech to deliver in front of people you do not know, introduce vourself

Remember, Vou can adopt a PERSONA. You can pretend to be a teacher, parent, scientist, drug addict, homeless person,
familrT relation of homeless person, etc. lf you do adopt a persona, remember to use the appropriate
knowledge/vocabulary/experiences/persuasive devices. E.g. if you are a scientist, you are more likely to use statistics and
refer to expert publications/opinions than a street kid who would use anecdotes, personal expenences.

Briefly introduce your contention (your point of view)

your opinion is from the beginnrng.

- that is, tell your

audience what you will be speaking about and what

YOUR MAtr ARG UMENT/PERSUASTVE DEVTCES

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Try to identifv vourself with the audience by

Lines
such as 'Those of you who, like me, have children will no doubt be concerned...' or 'None of us want our suburb to be
polluted by the presence of the toxic waste dump...'

Use lnclusive Language such as 'we', 'our', 'us', 'people of Melbourne'- this invites audience agreement and unites opinion

Engage with the audience by asking for show of hands, or for any questions. lf you are told you are speaking to your peers,

refer to some of them specifically. 'Now we all know that Mary here suffers from asthma: imagine the benefits to her if
stem-cell research were to...'
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Refer to charts, posters, slides or photos you may have. Many speakers often bring props. This would suit topics that are
related to science or the environment. E.g. 'here is an aerial photo of the toxic waste dump in our area. Note how there is
run off...' ln a wrtten speech, insert a comment (usually in brackets) to indicate placement of a prop and the comment that
would accompany it.

Use humour if appropriate. lt engages an audience and keeps them alert.

Make vour speech personal, if appropriate, to a topic. Relate a personal experience

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use

'l' and 'my'

As with all forms for expressing an opinion aim to make several points to support your contention (3-5)

also remember to

address Oppoing arguments throughout

leave it for the end l)
Language tends to be more conversational in speeches
the persona you may adopt.

Sentences tend to be shorter than other forms

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Repetition is used for emphasis.

but this varies depending on the seriousness ofthe issue, and on

Repeat the key points.

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Try to end with a dramatic point, imagery, or a question that will keep the audience thinking about the issue and what you
have said.

Thank the audience for coming

lf the issue is one where it would be appropriate for further action, or signing a petition or feedback, you could invite
questions or for the audience to come up and sign something or take away information sheets.

COMMON PERSUASIVE DEVICES USED IN SPEECHES

Rhetorical ouestions e,g. 'Who here wants the gutters of Albert Park to be overff owing wth sump oil when next it rains?'

Appeals to familv values.

Apeals to environmental concerns.

Appeals to the 'hip pocket nerve'- in terms of cost.

Appeals to sense of trdition

Apeals to cultural mores.

Concerns for the future.

Analogies

lmasinine Disastor S'cenarios- if appropriate

Telling stories or Anecdotes to make you speech more personable or memorable.

-fear of loss,