How to Write a Class Leader Speech

One of the duties of a class leader is to make appeals to their peers. Whether you are an elected leader or simply the student with the highest grade-point average, you will likely find yourself in the position of presenting a speech to your classmates. To ensure that your speech is effective in accomplishing the intended goal, move carefully through the composition of your speech, considering the speech purpose as well as the audience throughout the composition process.

Instructions

1. Select a relevant topic. Pick a topic in which your peers will likely be interested. If you select a topic that has no relevance to your peers, they will likely be hesitant to listen to your speech and tune out after the first few sentences.

2. Appeal directly to your peers. Consider what you know about your peers and how this knowledge can help you reach them more effectively. For example, if you know that your peers like pizza for lunch, integrate this idea into your speech, so they feel as if you are speaking directly to them as you present your speech.

3. Use formal, yet understandable, language. While you want your speech to appear refined, you do not want to use language that is so elevated that you lose your audience. Do not use any words that you think your peers will not easily understand. If you use vocabulary that is too lofty, your peers will likely become frustrated, as they will not be able to understand you.

4. Provide encouragement to your peers. Remind peers that you are on their side and that you believe in their abilities to succeed. This positive feedback may encourage some peers to continue to try academically even as they become frustrated.

5. Select convincing arguments to sway your peers. If trying to convince your peers to adopt a certain position, pick your arguments carefully. Select a number of arguments that you feel your peers will agree with. By using more than one support for your position, you increase the likelihood that peers will agree and you will be successful in your attempts to sway them.

6. Present a call to action. Make it clear what you want your peers to do as a result of your speech. End your speech with a statement that indicates in no uncertain terms what you expect of your classmates. By concluding with this statement you increase the likelihood that your peers will remember and comply with the request.

References

• Speech-Topics-Help: Student Council Speech Idea Top 10