Speech & Talk Writing
Thinking Points
• What is the main idea of the talk?
• Who am I giving the talk to (who is the audience)?
• What topic ideas should I focus on, that the audience will be interested in?
• What facts/ statistics should I use to present my talk as relevant and
truthful?
• How should I talk to the audience, i.e. formal/ informal, humorous/ serious,
using certain references that would appeal to them?
Layout and Format:
• An introduction sets out what the talk is about, what will be focused on and
the reason the speech is being given.
• The main body paragraphs (4 main paragraphs) will expand on and detail
the significance of key ideas, use facts, anecdotes, examples and content.
• The conclusion will sum up ideas and perhaps give some indication of what
it is hoped the talk will bring about, i.e. a desired change.
The Power of Three
(Triad/Triples)
Personal Opinion
Personal Pronouns
Short Snappy Sentences
Rhetorical devices
Pathetic fallacy
The Language of Persuasion Tools
‘Yes we can, yes we will, yes we must’
A personal viewpoint often presented as if fact. In my view, this
is the best thing to have ever happened
Inclusive language such as ‘we’, ‘our’, ‘us’ can persuade by
including the audience.
Create an energetic tone of voice.
Rhetorical questions?
Listing,
Repetition
A type of personification where emotions are given to a setting,
an object or the weather.
The clouds crowded together suspiciously overhead as the sky
darkened.
Epigrams
Humour
Concise memorable statements can be very useful.
E.g. ‘Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you
can do for your country.’ John F Kennedy
Suitable to target audience
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