Hands up! How many of us have ever given a speech to an audience?
Perhaps instead you’ve heard some cracking speeches from world leaders, or celebrities persuading their audience to act on a specific issue?
Because they make it seem sooooo easy, it can seem hard to write a decent speech in 45 minutes.
Transactional or non-fiction writing is usually worth 25% of the overall GCSE English Language grade. So it makes sense to master article, letter and speech writing ASAP.
If you find speech writing tricky too, we’ve some super duper secrets to help you reach those top grades.
Write a Speech the WWW Way
Firstly, try the WHAT – WHO – WHY when planning.
- What problem does this issue present?
- What are the advantages/benefits. Create a table (with three ideas each side)
- What will happen if nothing changes, or we do nothing? What is YOUR big hope?
- What could we do which might make a difference?
- Who does the issue affect?
- Why is it an important issue?
- Why does it matter?
TOP TIP: Never forget that you are writing to a human being. Always include YOU in any response.
A Speech Writing Blueprint
Next, start with a life story/experience/pose a question aimed at your audience or a question. Repeat a key phrase for more oomph:
Thank you for inviting me here today. I’m… All of us dream of… Do you too?
Imagine what life would be like if.. Imagine if you too… Imagine if…
Across the UK, thousands of teenagers are mercilessly bullied. Are you one of them?
When I was a kid, I never felt part of my peer group… It got so bad that.. Luckily,…
Are you cutting your life short? Charlie is. He vapes on the way to school and back. He vapes after tea, first thing in the morning – and is doing untold damage to his lungs!
Switch paragraphs with a rhetorical question aimed at the reader/listener.
Is TV stealing your life? / Do computer games kill? /All of us here today just want to be happy, right? Have you ever wondered..
Explain the problem – include research – with clear arguments and reasons.
You might make up a statistic, present opinions as fact (Climate change is happening – not I think Climate change is happening), reference an expert. Dr John at…
80,000 teenagers… In a recent survey by YouGov.uk, 25% of teenagers…
You might not know this, but right now..
Now show respect for the opposite view to present yourself as reasonable
Despite some locals saying that young people have it better than they ever did, that just isn’t true. Granted, the older generation did have their own problems to face. But today, city knife crime is appalling…. Not just that, but…
Offer a solution: if it’s a negative issue, offer positive solutions.
It doesn’t have to be like this… Without you caring, nothing will ever change. Let’s start that change today. Starting now.
The ONLY solution to this shocking situation is to…
End on a high: Link back to the start at the end. What do you want your audience to be left thinking about?
That dream we dreamed? It’s still there… Luckily, Charlie today is a healthy…
I want to leave you thinking about this…
Whatever you do, don’t throw your life away on a gadget. Think of the future, your future.
Struggling with your English Language skills?
English is a core GCSE that you need to pass. That’s why Writing skills are, therefore, essential.
It’s wise to practise different writing styles until you’ve mastered them so that you can answer any question with ease.
Need help? Arrange one of our trusty English tutors to transform your writing skills. It’s easy to get in touch for a chat too.
And with both male and female English tutors available, we have someone wonderful to inspire your child to greatness.
*Image courtesy of edu mentors
Tags: English Language skills, GCSE English Writing Skills, persuasive writing, speech writing tips, transactional writing