A good speech at school will earn you the admiration of teachers and fellow students. You may not be delivering a speech like the one in the movies, but that's a good sign: people will enjoy your more original speech. From getting an idea to conquering stage fright, here are the steps to take to make your final speech successful and memorable.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Writing a Speech
Step 1. Choose a topic or theme
Most of your speech should be about one topic or several topics with the same theme. This theme depends on the context of your speech. Graduation speech themes are generally reminiscent or future and speech themes for class assignments usually reveal controversial topics.
- If you're not sure what theme to choose, take notes or summarize some stories and statements that you want to include in your speech. Choose a few statements that you like the most and see if there is one theme that can bring them together.
- Read "Do's and Don'ts" for more advice on themes.
Step 2. Determine the nuances that make you comfortable
If you enjoy making people laugh, make a witty speech. If you're a serious person, create a moment of introspection. Don't forget to end your speech on an inspirational and hopeful note, especially if you're delivering a valedictorian.
Step 3. Use short sentences and avoid using words that your listeners don't understand
Don't use long sentences that go round and round and convoluted points. Unlike writing an essay, you will have a hard time explaining technical terms in your speech or referring back to previous points. Make sure each sentence is easy to understand. If your event is attended by small children, make sure to use words and concepts that they can understand.
- Do not cut off a point with a clause or a section separated by commas or brackets. Instead of saying, "Our tennis and basketball teams, which we all know won the regional championships two years ago, need additional funding to stay competitive," say, "Our tennis and basketball teams won the regional championships two years ago. Now we have to increase their funding to be able to compete with other schools."
- You can use the slang used at your school once or twice to make your audience laugh, but don't overdo it, especially if your audience includes parents.
Step 4. Write original stories and messages
You can write a complete draft script or several different stories and inspirational statements that fit your theme. Don't stray from your specific ideas and details. People will enjoy and reminisce about detailed original sentiments rather than generic phrases like, "I will make our school proud," or, "Our generation is destined to do something great."
- Find a message that is broad enough for all of your listeners to relate to their personal lives, but still contains specific ideas. For example: "Become a better person than the heroes who have inspired you." (But don't steal that original idea from this site either!)
- Your story can tell you about a specific event in your life or from history, but you have to relate it to a broader and more general idea. For example, you could talk about going to the hospital to see your sibling, then move on to discussing overcoming fears and difficult times in a broader context.
- If you like your writing, but it doesn't match your predefined theme, adjust or change your theme. Alternate story writing and theme searching if you're still stuck.
Step 5. Find a compelling way to start your speech
Choose a compelling and themed story to start your speech, one that grabs the listener's attention and prepares them for the overall feel and message of your speech. Take a closer look at your first sentence:
- Surprise your listeners by telling a heavy story right away. "When I was ten, my father died."
- Make your listeners laugh with jokes, especially ones that your entire audience can understand. "Hello everyone. Let's applaud the man who installed the air conditioner here."
- Start with a big statement and get people to think. "Our galaxy contains billions of Earth-like planets and we are just beginning to discover them."
- Most likely, someone else will introduce you, and most of your classmates already know you. Unless you're asked to introduce yourself, you can start your speech right away.
Step 6. Make sure the theme of your speech is clear
Your listeners should know the big theme of your speech before you finish the first few sentences. Say clearly what you want to convey or at least give a strong hint at the beginning of your speech.
Using the example above, if your theme is, "Become an even better version of the hero who inspires you," you could start your speech with two or three sentences about your hero, then say, "We all have heroes who inspire us., but we don't have to just be their followers. We can surpass the people we admire."
Step 7. Move from one point to another in order and harmony
Don't talk about surviving a car crash right away after you've cracked a joke. Consider how listeners feel and what they expect from you after each section. It's good to give surprises, but do it with your ideas, not by confusing them for talking about very different topics.
Include phrases like, "Now I want to talk about…," and, "But we also have to remember…," when starting to talk about the next point
Step 8. End your speech with a memorable statement that sums up the essence of your speech
Jokes or thought provoking ideas are two ways to end a speech, depending on the overall feel of the speech. If the body of your speech supports an idea, summarize your speech briefly and end by restating your position firmly.
- Build the flow of your speech for a rocking ending, then crack a joke for a witty ending. "And I know when you go to the polls tomorrow, you'll be ready to do the right thing. Protect your interests and your school by washing your hands after voting. Do you know how many people are holding the ballot boxes?"
- If you're giving a valedictorian, make your listeners excited and fascinated by the future. It's a huge moment and you have the power to make them realize it. "Years from now, you will be the fathers and mothers your children admire. Writers who change the way we think. Inventors who find new ways for us to live. Get on stage and be heroes!!"
Step 9. Edit and polish your speech as much as possible
Congratulations, you have completed your first outline. But wait, your work isn't done yet! To make a good speech, you need to polish it, rethink it, and maybe rewrite your speech.
Ask your teacher, family, and friends to check your speech for grammatical errors and suggestions. Spelling doesn't really matter as you will be reading your speech aloud
Step 10. Consider using visual aids
Bringing folders, pictures, or other objects is most practical if you are giving a speech for a class assignment because you have material on which to write and you don't have to take them out of class. You don't need visual aids for your graduation speech.
If your topic contains a lot of numbers, plan ahead to write the numbers on the board, so your listeners can remember them
Step 11. Write your speech on a note card, then practice
No one wants to hear you read your essay aloud. You need to be well versed in your own speech to be able to deliver it confidently while looking at your audience. It's a good idea to write down the main points of your speech on an index card in case you forgot.
Your notes serve to remind you what to say next and the key points of your speech
Part 2 of 3: Practice and Deliver Speech
Step 1. Think about the movements and objects you will be carrying
Will you stand or sit? Is there room for you to move or will you stand on the podium? Where will you store note cards, visual aids, and other items? What will you do with them when you're done using them?
- Practice delivering your speech in situations that are similar to the situation in which you will deliver your speech later.
- Rice lines, you should not move too much when delivering your speech. It's okay to occasionally use hand movements or small walks, especially if they can help you feel and look more confident.
Step 2. Practice speaking loudly and clearly
If you're giving your speech in a crowded room, learn how to speak loudly, not mumbling or yelling. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your back straight. Try speaking using your diaphragm, pushing air from below in your chest.
Step 3. Calculate the time it will take you to deliver your speech
Use the standing position and technique described above. If you have memorized your speech, use index cards. If not, that's okay. Read by page.
If your speech is too long, you should trim your speech or shorten a long story or idea. If you're giving a valedictorian, it's best to make your speech between 10 and 15 minutes long. For an election speech, it's best if your speech is only a few minutes long, while for a class speech, your teacher will usually tell you the time limit
Step 4. Speak slowly and pause for each idea
Usually we will rush if we are nervous. Pause at the end of the sentence. At the end of each section, before moving on to the next idea, take a longer pause and pretend to be paying attention to your audience by looking into the eyes of several listeners.
If you can't stop rushing, notice how long it takes you to convey each section and note it in the top corner of the index card or in each paragraph. Practice near the clock so you know if your speaking speed is steady
Step 5. Deliver your speech in a mirror until you can get it out of your head
Start by reading your speech aloud, then try to reduce the frequency of reading and increase the frequency of eye contact with your reflection. In the end you should be able to deliver your speech just by referring to the notes on your index card.
Use slightly different words each time you present your main idea. Try not to get stuck with your rote alone. By using new phrases to convey your written ideas, your speech will sound more natural
Step 6. Pay attention to other details when you are comfortable with the content of your speech
Once you've memorized each idea and can relate it smoothly, take a closer look at your reflection and fix any problems you can see.
- Diversify your facial expressions if your face usually looks stiff and inexpressive.
- Also vary your tone of voice. Do not let you deliver a speech like you are reciting a rote formula. Convey as if you were talking as usual
Step 7. Practice in front of a trial audience
Gather your family or friends and ask them to hear you practice. You may be nervous, but this exercise will help you appear more confident on your D-Day.
- Try looking into the eyes of different listeners throughout your speech. Don't stare at one person for too long.
- Avoid the temptation to hide in a corner or behind a large object.
- Don't shake, stomp your feet, or make any other movement that shows you're nervous. Try walking to and fro slowly across the stage to relieve your nervousness.
Step 8. Use their input to get back to practice
Your listeners may be able to see issues that you didn't even consider before, either in your sentences or in your delivery. Consider their input carefully. They help you by telling you what to fix.
Step 9. Build your confidence on the D-day
Go to bed early and eat enough before the D-day. Eat dishes that won't make you sick to your stomach. A few hours before the event starts, distract yourself from the event with a variety of activities.
Dressing neatly will increase your confidence and earn you respect and attention from listeners
Part 3 of 3: Do's and Don'ts
Step 1. Choose an appropriate theme (for the election speech)
You should discuss your skills sparingly and use most of your speech to discuss the things you would like to change or achieve if you were elected. If you can, try to combine these things into one memorable category or a catchy message.
Step 2. Choose an appropriate theme (for the valedictorian)
Here are some examples of commonly used themes, but you should try your best to turn the following topics into more specific and original themes:
- Memories that your class shared and personal memories that everyone else shared, such as your first day of school.
- Facing obstacles. Tell about how your classmates are dealing with educational, financial, health problems, and how proud everyone is to see you all graduated.
- The diversity of your classmates and a celebration of how diverse your school experiences, personalities and interests are. Tell us some of the paths you will take to work in the world.
Step 3. Use several techniques to make your speech more memorable
You may not think of yourself as a great writer, but there are things you can do to make your speech more interesting:
- Who are your listeners? Ask questions that make them think, but you shouldn't expect answers.
- Use the trio technique. The human brain loves repetition, especially three repetitions. Begin three sentences with the same phrase. Speak louder for each sentence.
- Use expressive language. Try to elicit a strong emotional response from your listeners, instead of telling them a number of facts.
Step 4. Thank a few people in particular, but don't be too verbose
If it fits your theme, you can thank teachers, parents, and others who have influenced your life. But remember, don't go into too much detail, unless the thank you is part of an interesting story. If it's too wordy, you can bore your listeners or confuse them.
Step 5. Create references that your listeners can understand, but avoid other references
Incorporating talk quotes from famous movies or references to important events at your school will excite listeners, as long as you only use this technique a few times.
Don't tell stories that only some of your friends understand. Even references that are understood by your entire class should be provided as little as possible if parents attend the event
Step 6. Avoid clichés like old-fashioned phrases that are present in all speeches, especially graduation speeches
If you use it only occasionally or don't use it at all, you will stand out. Here are some phrases that are overused in graduation and election speeches:
- Let's change the world!
- This is not the end of our learning period, this is just the beginning.
- The future is there for us to reach.
- If elected, I will be the representative voice of all students.
- It's time for change!
Step 7. Don't insult or insult anyone
Speeches are not the place to speak ill of your contemporaries even if they are just joking. Even in elections, you will be respected more if you focus on your strengths rather than your opponent's weaknesses.
If you're giving a high school farewell speech, remember that not all of your classmates continue their education to a higher level. Don't make jokes about education can help you avoid a "bad" job. It is possible that among your listeners there are parents who have the job
Tips
- Pay attention to all your listeners, don't focus on just one person.
- Make sure you don't offend or embarrass your listeners.
