The Speech Writing Process

1. Conducting an Audience Analysis

Audience analysis entails looking into the profile of your target audience. This is done so you can
tailor-fit your speech content and delivery it to your audience. The profile includes the following
information.
a. demography (age range, male-female ratio, educational background and affiliations or degree
program taken, nationality, economic status, academic or corporate designations)
b. situation (time, venue, occasion, and size)
c. psychology (values, beliefs, attitudes, preferences, cultural and racial ideologies, and needs)
Sample Checklist

2. Determining the Purpose of the Speech

The purpose of writing and delivering the speech can be classified into
three—to inform, to entertain, or to persuade.
▪ An informative speech provides the audience with a clear understanding of the speaker's concept or idea.
▪ An entertainment speech provides the audience with amusement.
▪ A persuasive speech provides the audience with well-argued ideas that can influence their own beliefs and
decisions.

The purpose can be general and specific. Study the examples below to
see the differences.

3. Selecting a Topic
The topic is the focal point of your speech, which can be determined once you have decided on your
purpose. If you are free to decide on a topic, choose one that interests you. There are various strategies used
in selecting a topic, such as using your personal experiences, discussing with your family members or
friends, freewriting, listing, asking questions, or semantic webbing.

4. Narrowing Down a Topic

Narrowing down a topic means making your main idea more specific and focused. The strategies in
selecting a topic can also be used when you narrow down a topic.

The example below, "Defining and developing effective money management skills of Grade 11 students" is
the specific topic out of a general one, "Effective money management."

5. Gathering Data
Data gathering is the stage where you collect ideas, information, sources, and references relevant or
related to your specific topic. This can be done by visiting the library, browsing the web, observing a certain
phenomenon or event related to your topic, or conducting an interview or survey. The data you will gather
will help make your speech informative, entertaining, or persuasive.
6. Selecting a Speech Pattern
In general, writing patterns are structures that will help you organize the ideas related to your topic.
Examples are biographical, categorical/topical, causal, chronological, comparison/contrast, problem
solution, and spatial. Below are different writing patterns from which you can select the one that best suits
your topic and/or purpose.
7. Preparing an Outline
An outline is a hierarchical list that shows the relationship of your ideas. Experts in the public
speaking state that two-thirds of your speech writing is finished once your outline is ready. A good outline
helps you see that all the ideas are in line with your main idea or message. The elements of an outline
include introduction, body, and conclusion. Write your outline based on how you want your ideas to
develop. Below are some of the suggested formats.

▪ List Format
1.0 As of today, there is an alarming increase of wastes in our community.
1.1 According to Solid Waste Management Office, if we do
-not take immediate action, we might face more perils
-caused by natural calamities.
1.2 Now, I am going to talk about how to eliminate wastes and protect
the environment.
2.0 Improper waste disposal causes environmental problems.
2.1 Wastes contaminate the soil.
2.2 Wastes contaminate the water.
2.3 Wastes can cause floods.
3.0 There are ways to eliminate wastes and protect the environment.
3.1 Reducing, reusing, and recycling can help eliminate wastes.
3.2 People should start doing these at home.
4.0 We must act now.
4.1 This solution should be supported by the local government.
4.2 Let us learn from the lessons in natural calamities we have
experienced.

8. Creating the Body of the Speech

The body of the speech provides explanations, examples, or any details that can help you deliver
your purpose and explain the main idea of your speech. One major consideration in developing the body of
your speech is the focus or central idea. The body of your speech should only have one central idea.

The following are some strategies to highlight your main idea.

▪ Present real-life or practical examples.
▪ Show statistics.
▪ Present comparisons.
▪ Share ideas from experts or practitioners.

9. Preparing the Introduction

The introduction is the foundation of your speech. Here, your primary goal is to get your audience's
attention and present the subject or main idea of your speech. Your first few words should do so.

The following are some strategies.

▪ Use a real-life experience and connect that experience to your subject.
▪ Use practical examples and explain their connection to your subject.
▪ Start with a familiar or strong quote and then explain what it means.
▪ Use facts or statistics and highlight their importance to your subject.
▪ Tell a personal story to illustrate your point.
10. Preparing the Conclusion
The conclusion restates the main idea of your speech. Furthermore, it provides a summary,
emphasizes the message, and calls for action. While the primary goal of the introduction is to get the
attention of your audience, the conclusion aims to leave the audience with a memorable statement.
The following are some strategies.
▪ Begin your conclusion with a restatement of your message.
▪ Use positive examples, encouraging words, or memorable lines from songs or stories familiar to
your audience.
▪ Ask a question or series of questions that can make your audience reflect or ponder.

11. Editing and/or Revising

Editing or revising your written speech involves correcting errors in mechanics, such as grammar,
punctuation, capitalization, unity, coherence, and others. Andrew Dlugan (2013), an award-winning public
speaker, lists six power principles for speech editing.

a. Edit for focus.

"So, what's the point? What's the message of the speech?" Ensure that everything you have
written, from introduction to conclusion, is related to your central message.
b. Edit for clarity.
"I don't understand the message because the examples or supporting details were confusing."
Make all ideas in your speech clear by arranging them logically (e.g., main idea first, then
supporting details, or supporting details first, then the main idea).

c. Edit for concision.

"The speech was all over the place; the speaker kept talking endlessly as if no one was listening
to him/her." Keep your speech short, simple, and clear by eliminating unrelated stories and
sentences and using simple words.
d. Edit for continuity.
"The speech was too difficult to follow; I was lost in the middle." Keep the flow of your
presentation smooth by adding transition words and phrases.
e. Edit for variety.
"I didn't enjoy the speech because it was boring." Add spice to your speech by shifting tone and
style from formal to conversational and vice-versa, moving around the stage, or adding humor. F
f. Edit for impact and beauty.
"There's nothing really special about the speech." Make your speech memorable by using these
strategies: surprise the audience, use vivid descriptive images, write well-crafted and memorable
lines, and use figures of speech.

12. Rehearsing
Rehearsing allows you to identify what works and what does not work for you and your target
audience. Some strategies include reading your speech aloud, recording your analysis, or giving your peers
or coaches feedback on your delivery. The best thing to remember at this stage is: "Constant practice
makes perfect."
Some Guidelines in Speech Writing
1. Keep your words short and simple. Your speech is meant to be heard by your audience, not
read.
2. Avoid jargon, acronyms, or technical words because they can confuse your audience.
3. Make your speech more personal. Use the personal pronoun "I," but take care not to
overuse it. When you need to emphasize collectiveness with your audience, use the personal
pronoun "we."
4. Use active verbs and contractions because they add to the personal and conversational tone
of your speech.
5. Be sensitive to your audience. Be very careful with your language, jokes, and nonverbal cues.
6. Use metaphors and other figures of speech to effectively convey your point.
7. Manage your time well; make sure that the speech falls under the time limit.