Speech

When you write a speech, think about the following before you start and adapt accordingly:

HOW: What style to use (serious, humorous, etc.? Will you placate, encourage, etc.? Will
you be aggressive, gentle, truthful, diplomatic?

WHEN: When are you speaking? The main speaker? After dinner, interval, in the morning,
afternoon, evening?

WHERE: At a christening, wedding, business lunch, school function. In a yacht, hall, lounge?
Around a table?

WHY: What is the purpose of the occasion? Why have YOU been invited to speak?

WHO: Who will be there? How many? Young / older audience / athletes / businessmen/
women?

WHAT:

• Show conviction, enthusiasm and self-confidence in the planning stage and it will show in
your presentation.
• A strong (clever) opener will attract attention
• Develop your points well and avoid clichés.
• Decide where you should pause and where to use gestures (naturally) and for what
purpose. (Keep eye-contact.)
• Use contrasting tones (and points) but remain audible.
• Use fairly short sentences with simple ideas, using familiar examples.
• Balance criticisms with reasonable alternatives.
• Consider the closing. Leave the audience with a thought (or two).
• Visual or physical aids may be used, but your words must come first.
• You may use notes, but only for reference.
• Avoid irritating mannerisms.
• Use language that expresses your maturity, values and background. Swearing, crudity
and profanity are unacceptable.

See example below:

Today, 20 July, a number of decades ago, a child was born. The scream, the yawn, the gentle
snore – and he still snores Gloria tells me - decades later, has turned into an archetype of human
perfection. A teacher, a father, a brother, a husband, a colleague and a preacher we celebrate
today. Incredible you would say, that he is crying now. That is him, a cry baby.

Our wish for you today, your birthday, is to strive to remain true to the course you did not choose,
the course our Father mapped out for you. We pray that today will bring you closer and closer to
attaining your dreams while remaining true to your course. You are the pride of our nation and an
immeasurable measure of joy in our lives.

May you be flooded with wealth, joy and happiness henceforth.

Happy birthday my brother.

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 Dialogue

A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. It is a record of the exchanges as

they occur, directly from the speaker’s point of view.
When writing a dialogue;
• write the names of the characters on the left side of the page;
• use a colon after the name of the character who is speaking;
• use a new line to indicate each new speaker;
• advice to characters (or readers) on how to speak or present the action must be given
in brackets before the words are spoken;
• sketch a scenario before you start writing.

See example below.

(Siphon and Thembyo have not completed a task given to them by their teacher. They are
contemplating bunking the class.)

Siphon: Good morning Thembyo?

Thembyo: (wearing a frown) There is nothing good about this morning my friend. I hope
yours is better.

Siphon: If it is about the writing task we are expected to submit today, then you are not
alone.

Thembyo: (with a twinkle in his eyes) You know what?

Siphon: I do not have to know anything. I know what that look means.

Thembyo: Do you know me that much? My friend, you know what they say about
desperate measures. Why don’t we bunk the English period. We can cook a
better story to explain our absence than to sit in class and be told the failures we
are.

Siphon: Just why did I choose you for a friend. You have more tricks up your sleeve than
the devil himself. Bunk classes? My answer is an emphatic no. I made my bed,
so, I must lie in it.

Thembyo: Ok ‘Mr Morals’. Let us see what Lisbeth, with whom you are so smitten, will
think of you after the dressing down you will receive in class.

Siphon: When is the English period again? I think I have spoken enough English today to
miss out today’s.

Thembyo: (with a victorious smile) And I thought I was the devil?

Siphon: Do you have to rub it in?

Thembyo: (with a grin on his face) By the way, you better have a good reason for our
missing the class for the teacher tomorrow. Otherwise, Lisbeth …

Siphon: (resignedly) I should have courted the devil himself.

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