Giving+a+speech

toc =How a speech is different from an essay=

**In a speech:**
- use well-known words to try to convey your meaning clearly - use shorter sentences (simple, compound) - include pauses and intonation for emphasis - it is okay to use fragments, bold statements

**Remember:**
- __how__ you speak is almost as important as __what__ you say - eye contact and body language can help & hinder your message

**Try to avoid:**
- dense language and complicated sentence structure - "SAT words" (some students suffer from "thesaurusitis")

=Writing your speech:=

1) Write your speech in bullet point form, not like a paragraph. This will help you with pacing and help you to see the speech in your mind while you memorize it. If you forget and do have to look at your paper, it's much easier to find your place.

2) Use ALL CAPS or bold text in order to emphasize the words you will say louder. You should "punch and pause" to give your speeches emphasis - say some words loudly then wait for the audience to absorb them and see how brilliant you are.

3) While you are writing, read your speech out loud (maybe record it on keynote and listen to yourself). If you have any small grammar mistakes you can fix them.

4) Try using "you" or "we" as much as possible instead of students- this connects you with the audience.

5) Repeat your main idea or message a few more times in the middle of the speech.

**Giving the introduction:**
- hook: get the audience's attention - your main idea/thesis
 * quote
 * scenario
 * visualization (imagine you are...)
 * list (names, rules, crimes, wars, dates, events, etc.)
 * direct address: "you probably..."
 * admission of guilt: "we often...", "we always...", "high school students always..."
 * if your speech is about a quote, your quote is __not__ your thesis - your stance/opinion about the quote is your thesis (do you agree or disagree)
 * get rid of "marshmallows" - cross out the "fatty" words that don't add any ideas

Building the body
- include transitions: give signals to the listener that you are starting a new topic - relate your ideas back to your thesis

Making the conclusion
- wrap up by restating your argument - refer back to your hook and make a connection (metaphor, reference, joke, etc.) - use a dramatic pause before your final sentence - make it count: end with a bang, not a whimper!

=Writing a speech in 10 easy steps= (Thanks to Ms. Edmunds!)

 For a lot of people, the prospect of standing in front of a group and speaking is actually more terrifying than dying. That’s a pretty serious phobia to overcome! If you are one of the many who dread such a task, fear not! The following steps will help you feel confident in the writing process that is necessary to giving a good speech.

 **1) Audience.** First, determine who your audience is and customize your writing accordingly. Avoid terms or jargon that no one is likely to understand, but at the same time, don’t dumb it down for those who are in the know.

 **2) Purpose and message.** Paraphrase and talk about the prompt that you are responding to with someone else so that you completely understand it. Are you going to agree with it, or refute it? What is the purpose of your talk? What do you most want audiences to come away with after hearing you? Decide what your main message will be and continually return to that primary point as you compose your speech. Doing so will help both you and your audience stay focused. As Winston Churchill said: “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time with a tremendous whack.”

**3) Brainstorming.** So just what IS the purpose and main message of your speech? Make a list of all the things you might possibly be interested in speaking about.

**4) Categorize.** Your brainstorming session should yield several areas that will be subcategories of your main message. You can then move those pieces about like a puzzle, seeing which ones best fit together for your audience. Or think of the categories as stepping-stones. Leaving a gap too large between any two stones will sink not only you but your audience as well. Writing a speech is not all that different from writing a paper. You must have a topic (thesis), provide support, and give a conclusion.

**5) Attention grabber.** Remember your audience will not be feeling any of the anxiety you are likely to feel. After all, their requirements are few: sitting and listening. Have something interesting to say at the beginning—an anecdote, a joke, or a question that will allow them time to settle in and focus.

**6) Introduction.** After you’ve grabbed their attention, use the introduction of your speech to let the audience know your thesis, or argument. Just like in essays, your thesis should contain the main points that you’ll cover in your speech. Hearing your argument will help you keep their attention, and they will know that you are unlikely to drone on endlessly.

**7) Body.** Sticking firmly to the topics you’ve introduced will be easier if you create each section like a mini-paper. Have an introduction, main body, and conclusion here as well. No one likes to be read at, so you will help yourself to stay on-topic by having this outline on note cards. Keep in mind too that all parts of your speech can be different in length. Spend time deciding and writing the ones that need the most emphasis and do not make a shorter topic longer than it needs to be. Probably the biggest problem both writers and audiences face is not too little information, but too much.

**8) Conclusion.** This often seems to be the most problematic part for the speechwriter. Have you said enough? Too much? If you say “finally” or “in conclusion,” be prepared to end the speech pretty quickly. Audiences know that it’s over; to keep going can irritate them. So take care in your speech writing to draw an apt and memorable conclusion. And //stick// to it!

**9) Questions.** If you have written and delivered your speech effectively, then you and your audience will be pleased to see these other possibilities crop up during a question-and-answer period. During the Grade 9 speeches, we will have time for 2 questions only.

**10) Practice, practice.** Once you have your speech written, practice it several times until you feel comfortable with the entire process. If possible, gather a few trusted friends to listen to you and offer constructive criticism. Try the Writing Center, and get feedback.