Topic: Speech Writing

Subject: English Grammar

Speech Writing
(Notes)
A speech is a talk that is delivered to an audience in a public gathering. A speech may be delivered on
social issues and in public interests. There can be welcome and farewell speeches, Speech by the chief
guest during a function etc.

A speech should be made for a good reason i.e. to inspire, to instruct or to offer support. A speech
should not be confused with an essay or an article. An essay is meant to be read whereas a speech is
meant to be heard. Unlike an essay, a speech starts with a formal address and ends with a thank you.

Purposes of Writing a Speech

The main purposes of writing a speech are:
1. To convey information orally to a large gathering of people.
2. To express opinion and facts.

Format
• Opening – Address the audience with greetings, introduce yourself and the topic/ occasion
• Closing – Conclude and thank the audience

Language Specification:
1. Interactive
2. Use of direct language (start from today, wake up before its too late etc.)
3. Rhetorical questions (have you ever thought of it – do not need any answer)
4. Be polite (warning/ reminder – be humble)
5. Direct suggestions – We must act now
6. Use present tense – Simple/ Continuous (if required, use future tense also)
7. Use modal auxiliaries – must, should, need to, ought to
8. Use Pronouns – We (mainly), I, You
9. Hypothetical situation based on facts (think of a day when all resources will be depleted)
10. Use right punctuation marks – semi-colon for extended information

Points to Remember
1. Identify the objective/ purpose
2. Plan the content – CODER (Collect ideas, Organize ideas, Draft-rough, Edit the draft, Re-write
the speech)
3. The Chief Guest, Principal and other dignitaries should be greeted formally.
4. The speech should have a catchy and an interesting introduction otherwise the audience might
lose interest.
5. Gain knowledge of facts/ statistics/ examples from current scenario.
6. The ideas should be conveyed logically and reliable evidence should be used to support facts.
7. Less formal than article
8. The speech should not be too long as it may become boring. To given up the speech, some
humour should be added to it. Word limit – 150-200 words
9. The speech should have two objectives: firstly, it should leave a good impression on the listener
and secondly the audience should take back some information.
10. The tone of the speech should match the audience, e.g. if the speech is for school children’ then
a motivating tone should be adopted whereas if the speech is for adults then an informative tone
can be adopted. A speech can also be for entertainment, to challenge etc.
11. A speech must reflect the speaker’s clarity of thought, accuracy of facts and a balanced view
through a comparison and contrast with other viewpoints.
12. Reference to newspaper reports, posters, advertisements or other stimuli can be given.
13. Measures to improve situations and predictions can be given.
Topic: Speech Writing
Subject: English Grammar

14. The speech should be concluded by thanking the listeners.

How to write the Speech

1. Opening paragraph (1st paragraph) – Open the speech with a quotation, saying, slogan, question;
address the audience with greetings; introduce self and the topic
2. Introduction (2nd paragraph) – Reference to the facts and figures, data, present situation
analysis, examples
3. Body content (3rd paragraph) – Reasons, problems/ challenges and other factors related to the
topic
4. Body content (4th paragraph) – warning, measures, personal opinion, future impact, benefits,
other relevant steps
5. Closing paragraph (5th paragraph) – appeal to the audience to bring desirable change.
6. Thank listeners.

Sample:
• You are Gopal/ Gauri. Write a speech to be delivered at school on “Our dependence on gadgets
and machines”. (150-200 words)

Today’s Man: A Slave to Machines

Good morning, esteemed guests and all intellectuals! Greeting the audience

Rightly said by Bill Gates: “While we are all very dependent on technology, it doesn’t always Making speech
work. attractive

I am XYZ and I deem it my pleasure to share my views on “Today’s Man who is gradually becoming
Introduction;
a slave to Machines”. I agree that we have become so dependent on machines that our life would Present tense
come to a standstill without them……

Right from the time we rise to the time we go to sleep we depend on various machines which have
become irreplaceable………… Present
With the advent of mobile phones and computers, things have become worse and situation is situation
becoming alarming. Where are we going?........ Rhetorical question

Too much dependence on gadgets and machine is harmful for our physical as well as mental health. Hazardous
It is hazardous for the environment too. Don’t you think, we are responsible for this? Deceitful results
use of machines leads to decline and devastation………
Rhetorical question
We should get our preferences and know our limits. After all, man is the noblest creation of God.
We must take a pause and think again where we are heading to and what could be the further Conclusion
consequences of it. We need to apply brakes to safeguard the future of coming generations.

Thank You. Thanking

audience

Try to provide any solution/

alternative to the problem
identified in conclusion.