How to write a speech in 3 parts opening, body & conclusion

How to write a speech in 3 parts opening, body & conclusion

DANNY : DE HEK

Do you have a fear of public speaking? If so, you are not alone, in fact the National Institute of Mental Health reports 73% of the population share the same fear. Public speaking is the most common phobia ahead of death, spiders, or heights. There is even have a fancy name for it “Glossophobia”.

“Glossophobia is a very common phobia characterised by a strong fear of public speaking. Individuals with glossophobia may avoid speaking in public, as they typically experience fear and anxiety when speaking in front of a group of people.”

On the first Tuesday of each month, I attend a speaking group call Christchurch Speakers. At our last meeting we did a workshop that was facilitated by the founder Mark Baker. We were broken into three groups and each group was set a task to write what should be included in the opening, body and conclusion of a speech. As the fundamentals of any good speech should be structured this way.

Mark emailed me the compilation of everyone’s ideas. I thought it would be beneficial to post them online for others who have a fear of public speaking and maybe don’t know where to begin, when putting together a speech.

THE COMPILATION

Ideally, a speech is structured in three parts; opening, body and conclusion.

Why?

  1. Easier for the audience to understand; no confusion
  2. Easier for the speaker to memorise

Opening – grab the audience’s attention

  • A rhetorical question
  • A teaser to create interest
  • Acknowledge the interests of the audience
  • A quote
  • A topical subject – current information
  • An appeal to credibility
  • A hook – reveal what we will learn, experience and know by the speech’s end
  • AIDA – attention, interest, desire, action

Body – outline the argument/point, opinion/view. This is the filling of the speech sandwich.

  • Information/facts/data
  • Examples/points – lead with the strongest first
  • Links between the points
  • Personal stories – takes a speech to a higher level
  • Kipling’s Six Honest Serving Men – What, Why, When, How, Where and Who
  • Structure chronologically
  • The Power of Three – three points/examples, etc. Use odd numbers – 3, 5, 7 points/examples
  • Tell a story
  • Make the audience think
  • Relate to and follow on from the opening

Conclusion – leave the audience with something to remember

  • Summarise the speech
  • A practical actionable point to take away – call to action/behavioral change/recommendation
  • An Anchor – a repeated memorable phrase or word
  • A life lesson – what we can learn from the speech
  • A meaningful message – a statement /quote
  • A link to the opening – a single word can provide an emotional pull

P.S. If you like this article, please click “like” or provide comment, as that will motivate me to publish more. Share and inspire. Thank you.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

About the Author:

DANNY : DE HEK, “THE CRYPTO PONZI SCHEME AVENGER,“ a nickname given to me by the New York Times. I’m a YOUTUBER, PODCASTER, EDUCATOR and BLOGGER, and this website aims to showcase my passions. I believe in omnipresence!

Leave A Comment

Go to Top