speech writing process meaning

The Speech Writing Process

By Philippe John Fresnillo Sipacio & Anne Balgos (Page 62)

Just like events planning, or any other activities, writing an effective speech follows certain steps or processes. The process for writing is not chronological or linear ; rather, it is recursive . That means you have the opportunity to repeat a writing procedure indefinitely, or produce multiple

drafts first before you can settle on the right one.

By Philippe John Fresnillo Sipacio & Anne Balgos

The following are the components of the speech writing process.

• Audience analysis entails looking into the profile of your target audience. This is done so you can tailor-fit your speech content and delivery to your audience. The profile includes the following information.

Q demography (age range, male-female ratio, educational background and affiliations or degree program taken, nationality, economic status, academic or corporate designations)

Q situation (time, venue, occasion, and size)

Q psychology (values, beliefs, attitudes, preferences, cultural and racial ideologies , and needs)

A sample checklist is presented below.

The purpose for writing and delivering the speech can be classified into three — to inform, to entertain, or to persuade .

An informative speech provides the audience with a clear understanding of the concept or idea presented by the speaker.
An entertainment speech provides the audience with amusement.
A persuasive speech provides the audience with well-argued ideas that can influence their own beliefs and decisions.

The purpose can be general and specific. Study the examples below to see the differences. The general purpose is to inform ….

These are examples of specific purpose….

To inform Grade 11 students about the process of conducting an
automated student government election
To inform Grade 11 students about the definition and relevance of

information literacy today

To inform Grade 11 students about the importance of effective money management

The purpose can be general and specific. Study the examples below to see the differences. The general purpose is to entertain ….

To entertain Grade 11 students with his/her funny experiences in

automated election

To entertain Grade 11 students with interesting observations of people who lack information literacy
To entertain Grade 11 students with the success stories of the people in the community

The purpose can be general and specific. Study the examples below to see the differences. The general purpose is to persuade ….

To persuade the school administrators to switch from manual to
To persuade Grade 11 students to develop information literacy skills
To persuade the school administrators to promote financial literacy
among students

The topic is your focal point of your speech, which can be determined once you have decided on your purpose. If you are free to decide on a topic, choose one that really interests you. There are a variety of strategies used in selecting a topic, such as using your personal experiences, discussing with your family members or friends, free writing, listing, asking questions, or semantic webbing .

Narrowing down a topic means making your main idea more specific and focused. The strategies in selecting a topic can also be used when you narrow down a topic. In the example below, “Defining and developing effective money management skills of Grade 11 students” is the specific topic out of a general one, which is “ Effective money management.”

Data gathering is the stage where you collect ideas, information, sources, and references relevant or related to your specific topic. This can be done by visiting the library, browsing the web, observing a certain phenomenon or event related to your topic, or conducting an

interview or survey. The data that you will gather will be very useful in making your speech informative, entertaining, or persuasive .

Writing patterns, in general, are structures that will help you organize the ideas related to your topic. Examples are biographical , categorical / topical , causal , chronological , comparison / contrast , problem-solution, and spatial .

The different writing patterns

An outline is a hierarchical list that shows the relationship of your ideas. Experts in public speaking state that once your outline is ready, two-thirds of your speech writing is finished. A good outline helps you see that all the ideas are in line with your main idea or message. The elements of an outline include introduction, body, and conclusion. Write your outline based on how you want your ideas to develop. Below are some of the suggested formats.

The body of the speech provides explanations, examples, or any details that can help you deliver your purpose and explain the main idea of your speech. One major consideration in developing the body of your speech is the focus or central idea. The body of your speech should only have one central idea.

The following are some strategies to highlight your main idea.

Present real-life or practical examples
Show statistics
Present comparisons
Share ideas from the experts or practitioners

The introduction is the foundation of your speech. Here, your primary goal is to get the attention of your audience and present the subject or main idea of your speech. Your first few words should do so. The following are some strategies.

Use a real-life experience and connect that experience to your subject.
Use practical examples and explain their connection to your subject.
Start with a familiar or strong quote and then explain what it means.
Use facts or statistics and highlight their importance to your subject.
Tell a personal story to illustrate your point.

The conclusion restates the main idea of your speech. Furthermore, it provides a summary, emphasizes the message, and calls for action. While the primary goal of the introduction is to get the attention of your audience, the conclusion aims to leave the audience with a memorable statement.

The following are some strategies.

Begin your conclusion with a restatement of your message.
Use positive examples, encouraging words, or memorable lines from songs or stories familiar to your audience.
Ask a question or series of questions that can make your audience reflect or ponder.

Editing/Revising your written speech involves correcting errors in mechanics, such as grammar, punctuation, capitalization, unity, coherence, and others. Andrew Dlugan (2013), an awar di ng public speaker, lists six power principles for speech editing.

Edit for focus.

“So, what’s the point? What’s the message of the speech?”

Ensure that everything you have written, from introduction to conclusion, is related to your central message.

Edit for clarity.

“I don’t understand the message because the examples or supporting details were confusing.”

Make all ideas in your speech clear by arranging them in logical order (e.g., main idea first then supporting details, or supporting details first then main idea).

Edit for concision.

“The speech was all over the place; the speaker kept talking endlessly as if no one was listening to him/her.”

Keep your speech short, simple, and clear by eliminating unrelated stories and sentences and by using simple words.

Edit for continuity.

“The speech was too difficult to follow; I was lost in the middle.”

Keep the flow of your presentation smooth by adding transition words and phrases.

Edit for variety.

“I didn’t enjoy the speech because it was boring.”

Add spice to your speech by shifting tone and style from formal to conversational and vice-versa, moving around the stage, or adding humor.

Edit for impact and beauty.

“There’s nothing really special about the speech.”

Make your speech memorable by using these strategies: surprise the audience, use vivid descriptive images, write well-crafted and memorable lines, and use figures of speech.

Rehearsing gives you an opportunity to identify what works and what does not work for you and for your target audience. Some strategies include reading your speech aloud, recording for your own analysis or for your peers or coaches to give feedback on your delivery. The best

thing to remember at this stage is: “Constant practice makes perfect.”

Some Guidelines in Speech Writing

1. Keep your words short and simple. Your speech is meant to be heard by your audience, not read.

2. Avoid jargon , acronyms, or technical words because they can confuse your audience.

3. Make your speech more personal. Use the personal pronoun “I,” but take care not to overuse it. When you need to emphasize collectiveness with your audience, use the personal pronoun “we.”

4. Use active verbs and contractions because they add to the personal and conversational tone of your speech.

5. Be sensitive of your audience. Be very careful with your language, jokes, and nonverbal cues.

6. Use metaphors and other figures of speech to effectively convey your point.

7. Manage your time well; make sure that the speech falls under the time limit.

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Study guides for every class, that actually explain what's on your next test, speech writing process, from class:.

The speech writing process refers to the structured approach used to create effective speeches, which includes researching, drafting, revising, and finalizing the content. This process is essential for tailoring messages to different audiences and speech types, ensuring clarity and engagement while addressing the purpose of the speech. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience's needs and expectations, as well as the context in which the speech will be delivered.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

The speech writing process typically begins with defining the purpose and main message that you want to convey to your audience.
Research plays a critical role in gathering relevant information, statistics, and anecdotes that can support your points and resonate with listeners.
Drafting involves organizing your ideas logically and creating an outline that guides the flow of your speech from one point to another.
Revising is crucial for refining your language, tone, and style to ensure they align with your audience's expectations and the speech type.
Practicing your delivery is an important final step in the process, helping to build confidence and ensure a smooth presentation.

Review Questions

Audience analysis is a fundamental aspect of the speech writing process because it helps writers understand who they are addressing. By considering the demographics, interests, and attitudes of the audience, speakers can tailor their message to resonate more effectively. This understanding shapes not only the content but also the tone and style of delivery, ensuring that the speech meets the audience's expectations and engages them from start to finish.
Effective speech structure involves organizing content into a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. In the speech writing process, this structure helps create a logical flow of ideas that guides the audience through the message. The introduction captures attention and outlines what will be discussed, while the body presents key points supported by evidence. Finally, a strong conclusion reinforces the main message and leaves a lasting impression on listeners, making it crucial for overall effectiveness.
Revising significantly enhances a speech's effectiveness by allowing writers to refine their arguments and improve clarity. This stage encourages critical reflection on content, enabling speakers to identify areas that need strengthening or rephrasing for better impact. By incorporating feedback during revision, speakers can adjust their tone or language to better suit their audience. Ultimately, this thorough approach ensures that when delivered, the speech resonates deeply with listeners and fulfills its intended purpose.