How to Connect Phrases in a Speech

Transitions can help connect phrases in a speech.

A good speech has phrases that connect to each other. That helps make your speech flow well, which will improve its quality and your communication with the audience. This can be done by adding transitions, which are single words or phrases that link up ideas together.

Instructions

1. Write out your speech. This will help you see the phrases that need transitions.

2. Read your speech out loud. Listen for spots that sound awkward. For example, the sentences "I want to buy a car. I will need a lot of money," sound like they need a transition in between them.

3. Add in transitions that can link ideas together. In the above example, "so" and "therefore" would be good at linking those phrases together, because the second sentence implies what needs to happen to make the first sentence possible. To buy a car, you will need a lot of money.

4. Add in transitions when phrases share differing ideas. These two sentences share differing ideas: "I want to buy a car. I wouldn't have a need to drive a lot." Without a transition, these two sentences sound confusing, because they're sharing conflicting information. So, adding something like "But on the other hand" or "however" between the two sentences can connect them together to make your speech easier to follow.

5. Add in words that show order. If your speech mentions several ideas or a list, listeners can get confused without some indicators along the way. Such words or phrases can be, "now for my next point," "next," "another idea I've had is..." and "as well."

6. Add in words that show you're wrapping up your speech. It's good to make it clear you're about to end your speech. Thus, words like "In conclusion" or "I'd like to conclude by saying" can easily indicate to your audience that your speech is near its end.

References

• Learn English Today: Presentations --- Useful Phrases

Resources

• Skills Workshop: Presentation Skills Workshop