How to Write an Anecdotal Speech

Teach and entertain your audience with an anecdote.

An anecdote is a short, amusing and engaging story about a real person. Anecdotal speeches hold the audience's interest by transmitting a message through stories of human interest. Writing an anecdotal speech is similar to writing other types of speeches. It has an introduction, body and conclusion. Writing and delivering an anecdotal speech, however, also requires story telling techniques.

Instructions

1. Choose your anecdote before narrowing down your topic. It is more difficult to find an anecdote that perfectly illustrates your idea than it is to choose a convincing anecdote and elicit a worthwhile message from it. Make sure the anecdote you pick has a climax or conflict, a moment when the main character of the anecdote has to make a choice without knowing what will happen.

2. Define three main points related to the topic of your anecdote. Prepare an outline of the body of your speech, developing each of your three points.

3. Write your introduction and conclusion. Your introduction will be the first part of your anecdote, leading up to the climax. Once you have presented the main character's dilemma, stop the anecdote. This leaves your listeners wondering what the outcome will be, causing them to listen attentively while you speak about your main points. Your conclusion will be the end of the anecdote. For example, if your anecdote is about a high school girl in a race who wants to win the first place prize, but also wants her friend to win, begin your speech by talking about the race and the dilemma in the girl's mind. Stop the anecdote when the girl is about to cross the finish line in first place but hesitates, wondering if she should hold back and let her friend pass her. Deliver the body of your speech about the importance of friendship and the difficult decisions that can accompany true friendships. Conclude your speech by tell the audience whether the girl let her friend win and what consequences her choice had on their relationship.

4. Prepare a note card for reference during your speech. Put key words on the note card instead of writing out your full speech; this helps you remember your major points, but doesn't detract from your interaction with your audience.

References

• Merrium-Webster: Anecdote
• Toastmasters International: Choosing Your Speech Topic
• Hamilton College: Speech Introductions and Conclusions; James Helmer

Resources

• Anecdote.com