3 Simple Steps to Creating and Giving a Speech

Are you interested in public speaking, but don’t know the basics of putting together a speech? Have you been asked to give a speech, but don’t know how to relate to the audience? Are you intimidated just by the thought of giving a speech? If so, below is a very simple template with the steps of giving a speech, that can keep it simple, yet successful for you.

Parts of the Speech

1. Introduction

Start with a joke or an interesting or surprising fact or statistic that relates to the audience, to gain the audience’s interest.

2. Body of Speech

Usually consists of 3 main points

Make the content relatable to your audience

Try to integrate questions and stories, to keep the audience’s interest, and interact with them.

Be as concise as possible

3. Conclusion

Sum up the main points

Give a call to action (if appropriate)

Examples

With a sales presentation: “Buy this product now, to receive it at a great discount!”

With a community organization: “Sign up to volunteer now!”

A simple way to think of creating a speech is to “tell them what you are going to say, tell them, and tell them what you said.”

Creating and giving a speech does not have to be overly complicated or intimidating. In fact, when you follow these steps, you will probably find it fun, once you start interacting with your audience. Just try to be yourself, make the content as relatable as possible, and stay on topic, and your speech will be successful and over with sooner than you thought.

For an outlet for practicing public speaking, you may want to join a local Toastmasters group. This civic organization encourages giving speeches in front of the group members in order to practice and improve their public speaking skills, in a supportive environment. It’s a great way to gain experience, as well as meet like-minded people.