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Writing A Speech

Updated: Oct 16

Needn't be a frustrating experience. Here is a simple tip for teens to follow while writing speeches.


speech

A common tendency while writing a speech or an essay is to dwell considerably on the introductory portions.

  • the opening sentence needs to catch attention.

  • subsequently the content needs to engage the audience.

In the process of ensuring the above, a lot of effort and words go into preparing the audience for the intended message. Some where along a realization dawns that the word limit is close. Then comes the race to finish leaving little space for the core intended message.

Writing a speech to make people ponder over a subject and preferably take action if necessary.

If that's the purpose, shouldn't the core intended message take a larger proportion of the speech or essay?

Strangely, this doesn't happen often as the word limit dangles about one's head and one must finish.

The word limit is simply an indication, a check to ensure that someone doesn't write a lot more than what is required or speak for longer time than required. It is inevitable. Hence the need to change one's approach to writing.

Writing to ensure impact within the given word limit

Outlines are a great way to plan. This enables writers to focus more on the core paragraph leading to an effective ending that is far more likely to leave the audience moved. It makes sure that too much space isn't used up by the initial brainstorming process that results in large introductory paragraphs leaving little or no space for what is most important. Having written out the complete text, there is no going back to make changes. Instead outlines in point form or flow charts of mind maps help make the writing process far more efficient.

Let's take an example: In the context of climate change, write a speech to address the school assembly about  Climate Change and Its Effects: Address the causes of climate change and the urgent need for action to mitigate its effects. (Word limit 150 words)


Introductory para:

a) what climate change is - 1-2 sentences

b) causes briefly- 3-4 sentences


Core para: 5-6 sentences

a) the urgent need to mitigate its effects

b) what can be done collectively

c) what can be done as individuals


Concluding para: (3-4 sentences)

a) call for taking climate change seriously

b) call for action.


Notice how the outline approach allows the writer to divide the speech into 3 portions highlighting the fact that the core paragraph is the message that the writer wants to deliver and how that leads to the conclusion that remains in the listener/reader's mind for a long time. After all it is the ending that tends to remain in the mind, not the introduction!


 

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