SPEECH WRITING
What is a speech?
Speech is a formal talk given to an audience. So a speech is a communication or expression of thoughts/ideas in spoken form.
A speech is made or presented by the reader before the audience.
Speeches are written to be heard or aired by a person or to be presented by a person as opposed to read.
Ø A speech is required to be written in the ways that keeps the attention to the audience: therefore a speech is may contain some sort of humor or jokes so as to attract the attention of the audience.
TYPES OF SPEECHES
a) Informative speech :- Are the speeches which inform the audience about a topical event/area of knowledge:
Eg: Importance of drinking water.
b) Instructional speeches:- are the speeches which provide information about how to do something:
Eg: how to stand to your head:
How to shape perfect eyebrows
c) Persuasive speeches:- are the type of speech which attempt to convince or persuade the audience
Eg: absence can save your life
Benefits volunteering:
d) Entertaining speeches:- are the speeches which are purposefully entertaining the audience:
Eg: life is like a dirty dorm
Can potato peels predict the future?
e) Special accession speech: - are speeches which are delivered or presented during special occasions and they entertain or inform the audience.
Examples
Graduation speeches
Wedding toast or speech
Campaign speeches
KEYS IN WRITING A GOOD SPEECH
a) Plan your speech according the occasion, considering the event, the audience and the tone of the speech (sober, serious, informal, humorous etc.) and the duration that is the time of the speech.
b) Identify the theme or the subject matter or the message of the speech and how to approach it.
c) Draft or craft an effective opening that attracts or gets audience’s attention. The introduction of the speech should be good or impressive so as to capture the attention and the concern of the audience.
This can be done by using jokes, quotations.
The person giving out a speech must be able to be able to express the introduction within 30 seconds or less or one minute.
d) Outline the useful or handful points to be in the speech. These are key points that will be stated out in the speech according to the subject matter of the speech.
e) Organize well the points so that they support and build on each other in the relation to the theme of the speech.
f) Work on the transition from point to point. This means that you should be able to show the end of one point and the beginning of the other point.
g) Just as you begin strongly, conclude strongly by summarizing up your points and finishing up with the additional questions or comments for your listeners to take or go with.
h) Write up the full speech and then evaluate it, by checking it up and proof reading until you get satisfied.
i) When you are satisfied ask some people to review it for you and suggest any material in it that may be appropriate according to the occasion and subject matter, clarity of the points and thoughts, any problem with grammar and anything that is not necessary or is missing
Revise the speech based on the feedback.
j) Lastly, practice reading the speech aloud to produce the final version that accounts for how it sounds as opposed to how it reads.
MAIN PARTS OF THE SPEECH
Speech have four major parts which are;-
1. HEADING OR TITLE OF THE SPEECH
This is the title of the speech, usually is written in capital letters.
Example
THE SPEECH ABOUT HOW TO REDUCE EARLY MARRIAGES
2. INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEECH
This is where the speech is introduced, usually starting with greetings, in greeting we start mentioning the people of high rank or authority coming to those with low rank or authority, then we introduce the subject matter of the speech by showing its importance to the audience.
3. MAIN BODY OR THE SPEECH ITSELF
This is the main part of the speech. It is where the one giving out a speech should present the important points according to the main intention of the speech.
Important things to consider in the main body:-
i. Consider the purpose of your speech.
ii. Consider your audience.
iii. Consider the use of simple and clear language
iv. Avoid too much talking to avoid boredom.
v. Organise well your points for easy understanding
4. CONCLUSION OF THE SPEECH
¨ Here the one giving out a speech should summarise his or her points given out and give out some additional comments or remarks about the subject matter of the speech.
¨ Thanking the audience for their presence.
¨ Expressing your best wishes to the audience.
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