Nelson International Education Centre

Speech Writing
A. Steps and features of Speech Writing
 You will be given a reading booklet insert containing the passage for the speech writing. Read
through the passage carefully. The question will be provided in the question paper booklet.
 Relevant points from the passage should be chosen after having a thorough understanding of the
question.
 The passage's selected points should be converted into your own words. After that, the points
should be put together in a cohesive manner in the form of an effective speech.
(Summary: use the ideas from the passage, express in your own words; organize the ideas into
cohesive manner: start from the most important points/ strongest points to the least important
point/ weak points or vice versa)
 Always write the speech in the first person point of view.
 Since you are the person who is delivering the speech in front of an audience, you may need to
refer to the audience at times during your speech; in those situations, it is better to use the term
‘we’.
 Have clear topic sentences with separate ideas for each paragraph.
 Use informal language to connect with the audience, using high diction will create no effect in the
minds of the audience. The message may be unclear, misconstructed or confusing.
 Usage of emotive language, rhetorical questions, comparison (figures of speech: simile, metaphors
etc) is advisable.
 Use some informal language, shorter sentences and questions to keep your audience interested.
This makes sure that the listener is following you and you don’t lose track of your sentence. It also
ensures that your sentence structure is perfect.
 Use direct address ‘How would you feel?’
 You don’t need speech marks; Use varied punctuation for effect... (Are you with me? I said are you
with me? Good!); Use range of sentence lengths; Start with a powerful sentence that clearly and
confidently states your view;
 Say what you REALLY think! Write your own personal opinion in your plan;
 Write with passion – argue your case like you really care about the topic; Include a personal
anecdote; Write with urgency – is this a crisis? Does change need to happen quickly? Then say so;
Mix up your persuasive writing techniques (ethos/pathos/logos); Evaluate the counter
arguments;
 Round off your speech with a powerful sentence reinforcing your view;
 Start with the sentence which you are given. If you are not told how to start it, remember to greet
your audience;
E.g. Good morning fellow students (this will show the examiner that you know who you are
speaking to).
 Pay careful attention (in the question) to the purpose of the talk and make sure you address this.
E.g. Is it persuasive/ informative/ formal?
 Structure your writing in three sections (one for each bullet point);
 Use a topic sentence to show that you have understood what the bullet point is asking you to write
about. Go into detail- facts and figures from the text and then develop (attach an emotion etc.);
 When writing your speech, ensure it has a clear-cut structure – introduction, main body and
conclusion, as this pattern is logical and easy to follow;
 Address the audience directly and remember that a little bit of humor is always appreciated, since
it helps to jerk up the listeners.
 Avoid using too long sentences and a lot of scientific terms, or you will lose your audience.

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 Lastly, ensure that the first sentences of your introduction capture the interest and that your
conclusion reaches a certain aim – to call for action or entertain.

B. Format of Speech Writing

Here is the format of Speech Writing:
a) Introduction: Greet the audience, tell them about yourself and further introduce the topic.
After the greetings, Introduction has to be attention-getting. Quickly get people’s attention. The
goal of a speech is to engage the audience and persuade them to think or act in your favour. Keep
your introduction factual, interesting, and convincing.
b) Body: Present the topic in an elaborate way, explaining its key features, pros and cons, if
any and the like. It is the most important part of any speech. You should provide a number of
reasons and arguments to convince the audience to agree with you. To make speech simpler you
can prepare a flow chart of the details in a systematic way. For example: If your speech is about
waste management; distribute information and arrange it according to subparagraphs for your
reference. It could include:
 What is Waste Management?
 Major techniques used to manage waste
 Advantages of Waste management
 Importance of Waste management
c) Conclusion: Summary of your speech, wrap up the topic and leave your audience with a
compelling reminder to think about! The conclusion should be something that the audience
takes with them. It could be a reminder, a collective call to action, a summary of your speech, or a
story. For example: “It is upon us to choose the fate of our home, the earth by choosing to begin
waste management at our personal spaces.” After concluding, add a few lines of gratitude to the
audience for their time.

C. What Makes a Great Speech?

 Clarity: Obviously, your speech is worthless if it can’t be clearly comprehended by your audience.
The words should be easily understandable in order to be effective.
 Relevance: The message should match the season and needs of the audience, and the speaker
should be confident in the need for that particular message.
 Brief, but complete: The best speeches don’t have to be long-winded; in fact, it takes more skill to
include the same amount of information in a shorter length.
 Unbiased and unemotional: Although speeches may stir up the listeners’ emotions, the speaker
needs to remain unbiased and not driven by emotion in order for the speech to have long-lasting
effects.
 Audience involvement: Some of the best speeches include audience participation so that they can
express their agreement with the content of the speech.

D. How Do You Begin an English-Language Speech?

The way you start your English speech can set the tone for the remainder of it.
 Rhetorical questions: A rhetorical question is a figure of speech that uses a question to convey a
point rather than asking for a response. The answer to a rhetorical question may be clear, yet the
questioner asks it to emphasize the point. Rhetorical questions may be a good method for students
to start their English speeches. This method of introducing your material might be appealing to
the viewers and encourage them to consider how they personally relate to your issue.

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 Statistics: When making an instructive or persuasive speech in an English class, statistics can help
to strengthen the speaker’s authority and understanding of the subject. To get your point over
quickly and create an emotional response, try using an unexpected statistic or fact that will
resonate with the audience.
 Set up an imaginary scene: Create an imaginary situation in your audience’s thoughts if you want
to persuade them to agree with you with your speech. This method of starting your speech assists
each member of the audience in visualizing a fantastic scenario that you wish to see come true.

Sample Speeches (First Language English 0500/02)

I. Example Top-Grade Answer

Thank you for inviting me to speak today – it’s an honour to be here. When I first heard the
government was considering a total ban on violent video games, I assumed it must be some far-away
authoritarian government somewhere. When I found out it was our own government thinking about
taking such a drastic step, I felt compelled to get involved and share my views about how wrong that
decision would be?
First of all, I hope when you look at me you don’t see a potentially violent thug who might get
aggressive at any moment – I’ve never been in a physical fight in my life and have absolutely no desire
to! And yet I enjoy playing video games, even the ones some might describe as ‘controversial’ like
Grand Theft Auto. I saw a news report shortly after it was released about a man who had been
attacked and robbed of the game, which is partly why we’re discussing this in the first place. It’s
terrible that happened to him, but he was also robbed of his watch and mobile phone, but I assume the
government isn’t considering an outright ban on those too?!
The fact is, there just isn’t enough evidence to suggest violent video games are unsafe or that they
make people aggressive. I’m aware there are studies to suggest that these types of games are

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dangerous, but lots of these have been based on flawed experiments. There have also been studied to
suggest games are not the problem here: violence and aggression comes from other factors, like family
problems, emotional difficulties and social issues. The only person I’ve known with anger problems is
a friend of mine whose parents were going through a tough divorce and he was being bullied at school.
I’d say if the government wants to look at real causes of violence, I suggest they spend their time
looking into these issues instead and see what more can be done to help people.
On a lighter note, you may be aware that people also considered comic books dangerous a few years
ago, for the same reasons. I’d also say board games like Monopoly encourage far more anger and
violence than comic books or video games ever have! Especially at my house at Christmas. In fact, if
you could please ban Monopoly that’d be great.
The reality is, there just isn’t enough evidence to justify such an extreme step as an out-right ban. I’d
be delighted to see the government invest its valuable time in making our society safer, but taking
video games away from people isn’t the right solution.
Thank you for listening to me.
II. Read Passage A in the insert and answer this question
You are the Head Guide, Chris (Peter’s boss). You are responsible for training the safari guides.
When a group of new trainee guides arrives at the camp, you give a talk to prepare them for
what lies ahead.
Write the words of your talk. In your talk, you should:
 describe the range of attractions Idube Camp and the area around it have to offer and how these
might appeal to guests
 explain what being a trainee guide is like – the kind of activities they will be asked to do and what
they should and should not do as trainees
 suggest what makes a good safari guide, the challenges of the job and the personal qualities they
will need to develop.
Welcome to Idube Camp! I hope you are excited for the new experience of the camp. There are many
exciting things ready for you to explore, one of them is the safari drives where you can see dangerous
animals in their habitat and how they interact with each other. Secondly, there will be guided walks
where the safari guides will explain the surroundings and tell what you missed during the walk.
Lastly, there are dinner nights with delicious food and service with socializing under the starlight. The
place is decorated with lanterns.
Being a trainee guide one should remain calm at all times. You should always be the ones to lead the
group. Trainees are also required to carry liquid drinks to Bush Camp. My advice to you is to never run
whatever you do. Try to never forget this point as it is essential and crucial.
What makes a good safari guide are the little things which are often overlooked. The in-depth
knowledge of trees, birds and insects will help you. You should also be aware of taking shortcuts and
changing paths when required. There are also some challenges guides should overcome first of all,
carrying cans when they happen to let go of the wheelbarrow. It is also important to know the
different bird calls to know whether they are alarm calls against predators or you. This will help you
in navigation and protection.

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Commentary:
 The answer starts by demonstrating understanding of the format of the task (a speech) and
what the task is about
 Each bullet point in the question is dealt with in a separate paragraph
 Direct references to the text are developed and expanded upon
 The answer uses direct address to the audience, which is appropriate for a speech
 All of the examples are taken from the text
 The answer uses inference to develop points appropriately
 The answer sustains a confident “voice” throughout

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