How to Write a Professional Speech
Experts say that the No. 1 fear for most people is speaking in front of a crowd. Many people — including those who share that fear — are nevertheless required to write and deliver a speech at some point during their vocational or avocational careers. Even if you are not a professional writer, you may still create a speech capable of impressing your audience.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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Write a Professional Speech
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1
Write an outline. Before giving body to your speech, you must first form the skeleton. Jot down your key ideas in the order you want to present them. Worry about the actual words later.
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2
Relate to your audience. As you begin to form your speech, consider who will be listening. Ask yourself how you can grab your audience's attention. Consider using an amusing anecdote that fits with the topic of your speech. If you feel uncomfortable including jokes and anecdotes, introduce interesting facts regarding your topic. Do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.
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3
Flesh out the body of your speech. This is just a rough draft, so don't worry about making it perfect. Using your outline, develop your thoughts and ideas in more coherent sentences. Be conversational in your approach, since you will actually be speaking the words.
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4
Read your speech out loud. Listen to your words as you say them to see if they make sense and flow well. Edit your speech as you talk, making changes that work better for you. Continue to read your speech until you are pleased with what you read.
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5
Deliver the speech to a colleague, friend or family member. Ask for constructive criticism. Adjust your speech accordingly.
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6
Learn your speech. The most unprofessional speeches are those presented by people who have not become familiar with their own words. It is not necessary to memorize it, but you should know the material well enough to maintain eye contact through most of the speech.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Don't become overwhelmed if you make a mistake.
Don't become overwhelmed if you make a mistake.
Don't make your speech longer than necessary.
Don't let the audience scare you; they're just human.
