Having a skill like speech writing whether as a student or a professional is very important with a lot of benefits.
You might be asking what is speech writing and how can you go about it? But don’t worry as all your questions will be answered in this article.
Actually, public speaking or writing a speech is not as difficult as it seems, but just following the basic tips to write a compelling speech and be able to communicate good ideas effectively is all you need.
Therefore, read this article to the end to be able to know the tips and write a great speech that will leave a good impression on your audience.
What Is Speech Writing?
Speech writing is a means of sending a message to the audience through words. There are no many differences between speech writing and essay writing.
When writing a speech all you need to know is understanding your speech purpose, the required lenght, the time limit, and the audience analysis.
Putting up an effective speech can be stressful because you need to engage your audience’s attention. But if you follow the right speech format, you can easily come up with a great speech the will wow your audience.
Who Is A Speech Writer?
According to Wikipedia, a speechwriter is a person who is employed to prepare and write speeches that will be delivered by another person.
Speechwriters are employed by a lot of people like senior-level elected officials and executives in the government and private sectors.
Also, they can be hired to write for weddings and other social occasions. The delivery part of a speech is part of the challenge speechwriters face when crafting the message.
Speechwriters specialize in a kind of writing that merges marketing, theater, public relations, sales, education, and politics all in one presentation.
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Types Of Speech Writing
There are different types of speech writing and they fall into different categories.
So knowing the various types of speeches can help you suggest which kind of speech that best suit you needs. Here is a list of the types of speech writing.
- informative Speech
- Entertaining Speech
- Demonstrative Speech
- Persuasive Speech
- Oratorical Speech
- Debate Speech
- Special Occasion Speech
- Pitch Speech
- Motivational Speech
- Impromptu Speech
- Farewell Speech
- Explanatory Speech
- Eulogy or Funeral Speech
So, let’ explain some of them.
#1. Informative speech
The purpose of Informative speeches is to educate the audience on a particular topic or message. Unlike demonstrative speeches, they don’t use visual aids. However, they use facts, data, and statistics to help audiences grip a concept.
Furthermore, informative speech writing can also cover social or economic topics. Although they’re not written down for the audience to believe a certain viewpoint or opinion, they inform the audience with all the relevant details surrounding a particular topic.
#2. Entertaining speech
The purpose of entertaining speech writing is to entertain a crowd of people. It is always less formal and shorter than traditional speeches, entertaining speeches communicate emotions rather than giving the audience facts and figures.
You can always find entertaining speeches at a birthday party or a wedding. Some examples of entertaining speeches are a best man’s speech at a wedding or a principal’s speech before a school talent show.
#3. Demonstrative speech
The purpose of Demonstrative speech writing is to educate the audience about a topic or idea they don’t have knowledge of. They include visual aids to help better demonstrate or describe something in greater detail.
However a demonstrative speech and an informative may seem familiar but a demonstrative speech actually demonstrates how to do something.
For example, a tech company can give a speech demonstrating their new devices. While they’re informing the public about their new products,in this way they are making a demonstrative speech demonstrating how the company works.
#4. Persuasive speech
persuasive speech writing help to convince the audience that the speaker has the right opinion on a particlar topic.
Persuasive speeches can cover any topic from entertainment to something more serious like politics. Typically, speakers use concrete evidence to better persuade their listeners and gain their support.
Having enough facts or evidence, helps your point more believable and you will have a greater chance of getting your audience’s support about the particular topic you are talking on.
#5. Special Occasion Speech
Special occasion speech is speeches which you give on specific occasions. This kind of speech doesn’t fall into a particular category and doesn’t follow a format.
Instead, they focus to fit the special occasion, whether it’s a wedding, an award show, or a birthday party. Special occasion speeches aim to fit the context of the environment to effectively communicate the message and gain the audience’s attention.
Also, they are always short and upbeat and still interesting and direct. An example of a special occasion speech is if you’re accepting an award, you use a special occasion speech to express how much the award means to you.
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#6. Oratorical speech
An oratorical speech refers to a specific type of speech. Generally, it is more formal than other types of speeches.
Even though some oratorical speeches can be long such as those found at funerals or graduations, others may be short and more informal such as a toast at a special event.
Though oratorical speech givers don’t really want to persuade the audience on a particular topic, they can still cover certain issues and express their opinion.
Importance of Speech Writing
Speech writing is a vital skill that plays a crucial role in various aspects of society, from politics and business to academia and activism. Here are some key importance of speech writing:
- Effective Communication: Speeches are powerful tools for effectively communicating ideas, messages, and information to a large audience. A well-crafted speech can send complex concepts in a clear and compelling manner, engaging listeners and inspiring action.
- Influence and Persuasion: Speech writing is instrumental in influencing and persuading audiences. Whether it’s rallying support for a cause, advocating for policy changes, or persuading stakeholders in business negotiations, persuasive speeches have the ability to roll out opinions and motivate people to take action.
- Leadership Development: Leaders often rely on speeches to inspire and motivate their teams or constituents. Through speech writing, leaders can articulate their vision, values, and goals, encouraging trust, confidence, and unity among their followers.
- Shaping Public Opinion: Speeches delivered by public figures, such as politicians, activists, and thought leaders, have the power to shape public opinion and drive social change. By crafting compelling narratives and delivering persuasive arguments.
- Educational Purposes: Speech writing teaches critical thinking, research, and communication skills. Students who learn how to write and deliver speeches develop the ability to organize their thoughts coherently, conduct thorough research, and present their ideas persuasively—an essential skill set for success in various academic and professional pursuits.
What Is The Job Description Of A Speech Writer?
Here are some of the jobs as speech writer
- Speech Writers create and edit speeches for different occasions and purposes.
- They can be employed in the corporate, political, or PR sectors, or do freelance work for other organizations.
- Also, speech writers conduct research and on some occasions spend time with the person who will be delivering the speech.
- They write copy for radio and television commercials
Speech Writing Tips
Here are some of the speech writing tips that will tell you what it takes to come up with an amazing speech.
- One of the speech writing tips is to avoid putting multiple ideas into your speech. Always keep in mind that people only remember very little, so just give one to two main ideas that they will remember.
- Always remember that you are writing a speech that people will hear, not writing an essay that people will read. Hence, the more conversational it will sound, the better it will be.
- If you want your audience to believe that you know what you are talking about. It is important to do some quality research on your topic. It will show that you have a sound knowledge of your topic that you are giving a speech on.
Steps On How To Write A Speech
Generally, the steps to write a speech are similar to writing an essay or presentation. However, you need to keep in mind the audience you are specifically writing it for.
They can consider the speech if it is written to engage the audience and hold their attention from the start to the end.
Therefore, your speech must have something that can grab the audience’s attention.
#1. Introduction
The beginning of the speech depends in different types of speeches and it depends on the purpose of thye speech.
For example, the informative speeches contain an introductory section that not only introduces the topic to the audience, but it also stimulates their interest.
It is a good idea to introduce yourself and the purpose of your speech at the start. Once you convey your speech’s basic idea to the audience, you can provide additional information.
Start the speech with a strong hook that not only compels the audience but encourages them to listen to every single word you say.
#2. The Body
In the body of a speech, there are no specific rules to follow. But there are some things you should keep in mind while writing this section.
The body paragraphs should follow a sequential order for the timeline events and present one piece of information at a time. This section should present the supporting elements in a simple way.
The paragraphs should follow a pattern of cause and effect. Incorporate the rhetorical strategies of ethos, pathos, and logos to convince your audience to believe you.
#3. Conclusion
The conclusion part is a very important part of a speech that makes a good impression and leaves the audience with some takeaways.
you can restate the main points of the speech and leave something for the audience to think about. Provide a call to action with a strong closing statement to help the audience remember the big ideas.
conclusively, it is very important for you to practice after writing your speech. You can read your speech aloud and check whether it sounds like a book reading or a real person talking.
Also, you can practice your speech in front of the mirror or read your speech to a friend to make sure your speech sounds like a real person talking.
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Salary Of A Speech Writer
The salary of a speechwriter depends on the company/person you are working for or the state you are residing in.
According to Zippa, the average salary of a speechwriter in America is $65,283 per year or $31 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $95,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $44,000 per year.
FAQs
To become a speech writer, you typically need strong writing skills, research abilities, and a keen understanding of rhetoric and persuasion. Many speech writers have education backgrounds in journalism, communications, or English literature.
Yes, there are a lot of online courses, workshops, and tutorials available for aspiring speech writers. Websites such as Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer courses on speech writing, public speaking, and communication skills.
Breaking into the field of speech writing always requires a combination of education, experience, and networking. So, you can consider pursuing internships or volunteer opportunities to gain hands-on experience, and reach out to professionals in the field for guidance and mentorship.
Conclusion
While putting down a speech writing, it is important to have the right intention and a general understanding of the environment and your audience to be able to effectively interact with your audience and make a good impression.
Also, i believe this article will help you to put down an engaging and excellent speech writing and become a good speech writer.
