Cecilia Minden - How to Write and Give a Speech

Published in the United States of America by Cherry Lake Publishing
Ann Arbor, Michigan
www.cherrylakepublishing.com Content Adviser: Jeannette Mancilla-Martinez, EdD, Assistant Professor of
Literacy, Language, and Culture, University of Illinois at Chicago Design and Illustration: The Design Lab Photo Credits: Page 5, Andrey Lipko/Shutterstock, Inc.; page 6,
iStockphoto.com/MichaelDeLeon; page 13, Myrleen Pearson/Alamy;
page 16, Photos 12/Alamy Copyright 2012 by Cherry Lake Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in
any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Minden, Cecilia. How to write and give a speech/by Cecilia Minden and Kate Roth.
p. cm.(Language arts explorer junior)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-61080-108-9 (lib. bdg.)
1. bdg.)
1.

SpeechwritingJuvenile literature. 2. Public speakingJuvenile
literature. I. Roth, Kate. II.

Title.
PN4142.M56 2011
808.5dc22 2011004021 Cherry Lake Publishing would like to acknowledge the work
of The Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Please visit
www.21stcenturyskills.org for more information. Printed in the United States of America
Corporate Graphics Inc.
July 2011
CLFA09

Many people are scared of giving a speech . There is no need to be scared. With a little planning, you can give a speech with confidence ! First, ask yourself a few questions. Why are you giving this speech? Is it for a class project? Is it for a club or sports team? Knowing the purpose of the speech helps you plan what you want to say. Giving a speech is one way of sharing what you know with others.

Speeches are different than reports. People read written reports. They listen to speeches. Think about how you speak to others as you write your speech. Keep your sentences short. Choose your words carefully.

Too many details make it hard for the audience to keep up with you. Lets say you are asked to give a 3- to 5-minute speech to your class. How will you choose a topic ? It is always best to talk about what you know. Why not write about a favorite hobby or activity? ACTIVITY Choose a Topic! HERES WHAT YOULL NEED: A pencil and paper (or a computer and a printer) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Make a list of your favorite hobbies or activities. 2.

Choose one hobby or activity for your speech. 3. Now list everything that is interesting about the hobby or activity. 4. Read over this second list What points would interest your classmates most? Sample list of Topics Speech Topic Ideas: 1. Hiking 2.

Playing the guitar 3. Playing basketball Sample list of Topics Interesting things about hiking: 1. What hikers wear 2. How hikers carry supplies 3. Hiking safely 4. Good hiking spots 5.

Reading maps

Some speakers begin their speech with an interesting fact or a story. Others begin with a quote or a question. These are all ways you can get the audiences attention . You should also tell the audience what your speech will be about. It is important to include why they should listen to your talk. ACTIVITY Write the Opening! HERES WHAT YOULL NEED: Books or articles about your topic.

A pencil and paper (or a computer and a printer) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. read books, articles, or Web sites that deal with your topic Use what you learn to create a list of different ways to open your speech. 2. Find a quote about your topic and write it down. 3. 4. 4.

Come up with a question about your topic and write it down. 5. Look over your list and choose the best way to open your speech Start writing! Sample list of openings QUOTE: Make your feet your friend. J. M. Barrie INTERESTING FACT: Hiking is called hill walking in England.

QUESTION: How many of you like to sleep late on Saturdays? Sample opening Statement How many of you like to sleep late on Saturdays? I do, too! One Saturday a month, though, I get up early. Why? That is the day my family goes hiking in the woods. Today, I will tell you a few things about hiking.

You have the audiences attention! Now you must write the body of your speech. Choose three main points about your topic that you plan to discuss. First, name the points.

Then tell more about each of them. This helps the audience follow your speech. Think about the order of your main points. As you write, try to link the main points together. You may want to use visual aids . Make sure that everyone in the audience will be able to see the visual aids.

Do not pass around objects during your speech. Sometimes the audience pays more attention to the objects than to the speaker! ACTIVITY Write the Body! HERES WHAT YOULL NEED: A pencil and paper (or a computer and a printer) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Write the three main points you want to put in your speech. 2. Explain the first point. 3.