Speaking about the things we care about is an important skill. That’s why we’ve put together these activities to help you write an inspirational speech.
Remembering inspirational speakers
First, see if you can recall any speeches they like. It might have been by someone you know, a teacher, a politician, a sportsperson or an actor or singer.
Go ahead and write down the five inspirational speakers.
An example by Emma Watson
Watch this speech Emma Watson made at the United Nations and list five things that make it effective. It might be the words she uses or the way she speaks.
Writing your own speech
Now it’s time for you to have a go yourself. You can follow this structure cheat sheet to get started.
Introduction – Introduce yourself and your chosen topic. You want to make this bit really punchy to make people listen to you.
Main section – Write down three points you’d like to make in your speech. Make sure you take time to explain each point using examples, stories or statistics.
Conclusion – This is a chance to leave a lasting impression on the audience. What would you like them to take away? Sum up your message in a short, memorable way.
Delivering a speech
Before saying a speech in front of an audience, it’s important to practice. You want to think about what you say (verbal communication) and your body language (non-verbal communication).
Verbal communication tips:
- Speak loudly and clearly so everyone in the room can hear you.
- Speak slowly enough that you can be heard.
- Vary your tone of voice and how quickly you speak.
Non-verbal communication tips:
- Make eye contact with the audience.
- Have open body language, avoid having your arms crossed.
- Avoid fidgeting or nervous habits.
- Sit or stand up straight.
- Use hand gestures to emphasise key points.