Principles of Speech Writing Make sure, though, that you take note of

each source and that you cite all of your

To craft an effective and relevant speech, sources when you deliver the speech.
the following principles of speech Failure to properly cite your sources is
writing can serve as your guide: tantamount to plagiarism and that
will compromise your eligibility.
1. Audience Profile
pertains to the important details about your 4. Outlining and Organizing
audience that will help you plan your Speech Content
speech. Know your audience. When you There is a common and effective practice of
have idea about the background of your outlining and organizing your speech, and
audience, you can customize your speech this practice is referred to as the Rule of
appropriately. Three. Many great speakers are able to
keep the focus of their speeches by
2. Choosing a Topic limiting the ideas to expound on to three.
If you are given the choice of topic for your For example, what three things about
speech, start with what you know or are basketball that interest you the most?
interested to know. Simply put, limiting your main points to three
allows you to better organize your
Then if you have something in mind speech. In turn, a focused and
already, ask yourself the following well-organized speech is easy to
questions: comprehend and follow.
● Is the topic interesting to my
audience? 5. Logical Organization
● Is it timely and relevant? A speech must follow a certain flow if you
● Are there available sources of intend to communicate your ideas clearly
information on it? and effectively.

If your answer is “yes” to all the given Some Patterns used in Crafting a
questions, then you have a potentially good Speech:
topic in mind. Note that the answers to
questions 1 and 2 entail a knowledge of ● Categorical/Topical-
your audience profile. categories help the speaker to
organize the message in a
consistent manner. The goal of using
3. Sourcing Information this pattern is to create categories of
With your topic in mind, list as many information that go together to help
information sources as possible: video support the main idea.
documentaries; textbooks; other print
sources such as magazines, journals and
newspapers; surveys/questionnaires; ● Comparison/Contrast - used to
microfilms; and other similar materials. compare and contrast subjects or
Once you have determined your possible ideas
sources, you can begin your research.
● Spatial - organizes information and then recommends a solution to
correct the problem.
according to how things fit together
in physical space. This is
appropriate when your main points ● Psychological - in this pattern, a
are oriented to various locations that leads to b and b leads to c. This
exist independently. This pattern is speech format is often used in
best used when if your goal is to persuasive speeches as it is
show that your main points have designed to follow a logical
clear locations. argument.

● Chronological - places the main 6. Duration

idea in the time order in which times Time is important and a speaker should
appear. Here, you present always bear that in mind. As such, a speech
information in order in which they must be long enough to fulfil your speech
happened. goals but short enough to hold your
audience’s attention.
● Biographical - usually employed
when a speaker wants to describe a 7. Word Choice
person’s life- the speaker’s own life Your choice of words will depend primarily
(autobiographical), the life of on the type of audience. Another
someone they know personally, or consideration though, is the situation,
the life of a famous person. A occasion, or event in which you will deliver
speech using this pattern is the speech. As such, you should always
mainly informative or keep in mind that there are appropriate
entertaining. words to say on specific occasions.
Moreover, the formality of the language you
● Causal - used to explain will use will depend on the occasion. A
graduation speech, for instance, often
cause-and-effect relationships.
requires the use of formal language. A
When you use a causal speech
send-off speech, on the other hand, allows
pattern, your speech will have two
for more informal language.
main points: cause and effect. In
the first main point, you will typically
talk about the causes of a 8. Grammatical Correctness
phenomenon; in the second main As a second language speaker of English,
point, you will usually show how the you are not expected to be perfectly
causes lead to either a specific proficient in it. Nevertheless, you should
effect or a small set of effects. strive to learn and master the language so
you can avoid grammatical lapses,
● Problem-Case-Solution - especially the obvious ones.
describes a problem, identifies what
you believe is causing the problem,
Principles of Speech Delivery the things you can enhance in order
to have a strong stage presence.
1. Articulation - “an act, process, or
means of putting something into 4. Facial Expression - gestures
words” or “the clear and accurate executed with facial muscles. Your
pronunciation of words especially face reveals a lot about what you
in speaking.” The key term that think or how you feel. It is your most
relates to articulation is coherence. basic visual aid. Without words,
This refers to the logical order of you can still convey your
ideas expressed. When ideas are gladness or regret in delivering a
articulated well, they sound whole speech. Your face also shows your
and put together. An articulate enthusiasm or lack of interest in the
speaker is therefore a coherent one. topic, the audience or the occasion.
Be very careful of how your face
2. Modulation - “to change the looks in front of other people. Be
conscious too of what facial
sound of (your voice) by making it
expression accompanies your
quieter, higher, or lower, etc. It also
words.
means to change or adjust
(something) so that it exists in a
balanced or proper amount. 5. Gestures - refer to the movement
Therefore, modulation is achieved or positions of the hand, arm, body,
by changing the tone or pitch of your head, or face that is expressive of an
voice to convey various nuances of idea, opinion, emotion, etc.
meanings when you speak. Gestures can communicate more
than words do. Use gestures and
3. Stage Presence - the ability to body movement to call attention to
ideas, to emphasize words, and to
command an audience with
drive home a point, among others.
impressive style or manner. Some
Too much gesturing and body
people seem to command attention
movement, though, might be seen
by just showing up onstage. They
as theatrical and insincere and even
are good-looking or physically
distract your audience from your
imposing so people cannot help but
message.
notice them. Even if you do not
possess these physical traits, you
can still command attention and 6. Rapport with the Audience -
have stage presence by the speaker’s connection with the
grooming, dressing and -----most audience. This connection is
importantly----- speaking well. characterized by harmony,
Your voice should sound good, and conformity, accord, or affinity.
your command of the language must
be excellent. Your knowledge of the Here are some ways to build/establish
topic should be credible and rapport with the audience:
extensive. These are but a few of
 ● Take time to greet them and make Examples of Visual Aids:
them feel you are glad to be 1. Non-prose forms like pictures,
speaking in front of them and are posters, graphs, tables, charts,
grateful for their time and attention. transparencies, and diagrams.
● Compliment them on their effort,
their attention, their cooperation, 2. Power point presentations, films,
their appearance, and so on. slides and video clips.
● Involve them, interact with them. Ask
them questions every now and then. In preparing visual aid, consider the
Maintain eye contact with them. following tips make sure that they are
● Use appropriate, tasteful humour. effective:
Crack jokes from time to time.
● Talk to them like a friend, but always 1. Keep them simple. Use simple
be polite to them. illustrations that explain the topic.

7. Audio-visual Aids – these are 2. Make them readable. Make visual

aids the large enough for the
devices such as films, video and audio clips,
audience to see, especially those
slide presentation, models and blackboard
seated at the back.
notes that accompany verbal messages to
help audiences comprehend, appreciate,
3. Limit the number of slides. Too
and retain information letter. Audio-visual
many slides is a manifestation of a
aids help not only in catching and keeping
weak speech.
the attention of the audience, but also in
supporting and clarifying your message.
4. Use Color. The visual aids must be
Hence, make sure you use appropriate
aesthetically pleasing but should not
audio-visual aids whenever necessary.
distract the audience from being
focused on the content of the
Preparing Visual Aids speech.
● Visual aids or audio-visuals (when
5. Keep your visual aids accurate.
sound is present or heard) make oral
Make sure the visual aids are
presentations clearer, more
properly identified and labels or
concrete, persuasive and more
names are correctly spelled.
interesting. The use of these
materials or tools attracts the
audience, thereby making them
focus more on your speech.

● These are helpful tools used only to

enhance, back-up, and make your
speech clearer, more interesting and
easier to understand. They are not
substitute for your speech.