10 Characteristics of Speech Writing That You Need to Know

When it comes to speech writing, the first step to success is knowing your purpose and objective. Without a clear goal, crafting a speech effectively communicating your message to your audience is difficult.

1: Know your purpose and objective

Before you start writing your speech, understand your purpose and objective clearly. What is the message you want to convey to your audience? What is the main goal of your speech? What do you want your audience to know and do with your message?

What is the message you want to convey to your audience? Are you informing, persuading, or entertaining? Knowing your objective will help you stay focused and on track throughout the speech-writing process.

For instance, if your goal is to persuade your audience to support a certain cause, you may want to use persuasive language, statistics, and other evidence to make a compelling argument.

Knowing your purpose and objective will help you stay focused and on track throughout the speech-writing process.

2. Know your audience

Another essential characteristic of speech writing is understanding your audience. Who are you speaking to? What do they care about? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your speech to their interests, concerns, and expectations.

For instance, if you speak to a group of young students, you may want to use simple language, vivid examples, and relatable stories to keep them engaged and interested.

3. Be clear and concise

When it comes to speech writing, less is often more. Keep your sentences short and to the point and avoid using complex language or jargon your audience may not understand. A clear and concise speech is more likely to resonate with your audience and leave a lasting impression.

For instance, instead of saying, "The postprandial state is associated with hyperinsulinemia," you can say, "Eating too much can cause high insulin levels."

4. Use stories and examples

Using stories and examples is an effective way to make your speech more engaging and memorable. Stories and examples can help your audience connect with your message and visualize the impact of your ideas.

For instance, if you give a speech about the importance of teamwork, you can tell a story about a successful team that achieved a challenging goal through collaboration and mutual support.

5. Be authentic

Authenticity is key when it comes to delivering a powerful and effective speech. Be yourself and speak from the heart. Your audience will appreciate your honesty, which will help build a connection with them.

6. Use humor

Humor is a powerful tool that can help you connect with your audience and make your speech memorable. However, using humor appropriately and avoiding offensive or insensitive jokes is important.

7. Use repetition

Repetition is a powerful rhetorical device that can help to reinforce your message and make it more memorable. By repeating key phrases or ideas as needed and appropriately, you can emphasize their importance and help your audience remember them. For instance, in Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech, he repeats the phrase "I Have a Dream" several times to reinforce his message of hope and equality.

8. Use rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions are a great way to engage your audience and make them think. By asking a question that does not require an answer, you can encourage your audience to reflect on your message and consider its implications.

9. Use inclusive language

Inclusive language is a language that avoids stereotypes or discriminatory terms and includes everyone. Inclusive language is essential when delivering a speech, as it shows respect for your audience and makes them feel valued.

10. Practice, practice, practice

Finally, one of the most important characteristics of speech writing is practice. Practice delivering your speech in front of a mirror or with friends or family. This will help you refine your delivery and ensure you are comfortable and confident when delivering your speech.

Speech writing is a complex but rewarding skill that requires careful consideration of your purpose, audience, language, and delivery. Following these ten characteristics, you can write a powerful and effective speech that will engage your audience and leave a lasting impression. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to rehearse your speech until you are confident and comfortable with your delivery.