TEXT TYPES REVISION #12: SPEECHES

Writing a Speech

A speech is almost always formal. At the same time, you will have to make your speech engaging so be careful to include anecdotes (stories to personalize your ideas), statements to grab attention (either shocking, jokey or inspiring) and clear structure.

Your structure needs to have clear paragraphs, with a topic sentence in each one, followed by evidence and explanation of your main idea.

You need to use rhetorical devices to show your mastery of this text form.

A good speech should contain the following rhetorical devices:

• Rhetorical questions

• Repetition

• Lists of three

• Contrast

• Emotive language

• Direct address

• Evidence (statistics, quotations, examples)

Here is an example of a speech to a group of students.
See how the speaker uses the language devices above.
“Fellow students, Have you ever felt afraid to walk around the school by yourself? 1  In a recent survey carried out by the school council, 70 percent 2 of us have been bullied at some time in our life at school.
The bullies are vicious, violent and vindictive3 4 . Unfortunately, they are getting away with it. Can this be fair?5 We, the victims, are afraid of wearing the wrong trainers. We are afraid of being too smart or too stupid. We are afraid 6 of anything that might draw attention to ourselves. The time has come for the fear to stop.
The bullies terrify other students, and yet they are cowards 7  themselves. If we pull together we can fight this fear. Join me and fight this fear 8 today.”

1Direct address. The speaker is addressing the audience directly, asking them to think about their own experiences. It is also a rhetorical question.2Evidence. This is an example of evidence to make the argument more convincing.
3Lists of three. A list of three words together sounds really powerful when it is said out loud.
4Emotive Language. Words that inspire strong emotions. These three words are examples of emotive language.
5Rhetorical Questions. The audience aren't expected to give an answer, but the speaker wants them to think about what he is saying.
6Repetition. It is effective to repeat the word 'afraid' in a speech about bullying.
7Contrast. 'Coward' contrasts with 'terrify'.
8Repetition. Another example of repetition! Also direct address in the exhortation “join me”. 

Points to consider

- Opening, which quickly catches the audience’s attention, and at the same time establishes the topic and purpose of speech?

- Ideas and information organized according to purpose of speech

- Included information must follow a logical flow, which will be meaningful to both the speaker and listeners

- Conclusion, which relates to the content and purpose of the speech, it may include, for example, a question, a recommendation, or a warning. For instance, "Why should we learn about the diversity of structures in different text types?" (rhetorical question is used).

Language features:

- Address the audience; for example, “ladies and gentleman”, or “fellow students”, depending on the situation that is applied.

- Repetition and restatement of ideas to help your listeners follow the ideas. (Not too repetitive, this is achieved by stating your ideas differently each time to reinforce the same piece of information/ideas/views in a way that it is interesting)

- Personal language

- SOME colloquial language

- Use of questions to set up a 'conversation' with listeners

Be fluent, and eloquent with how you compose your speech to get your point of view across to the TARGET audience.