Oral Communication Speech Writing

Principles of Effective Speech Writing

Audience Profile

  • Definition: Understanding your audience involves recognizing their demographics, which includes:

    • Age: Knowing the age range helps tailor language and content.

    • Gender: Awareness of gender can inform examples and tone.

    • Education: The educational background provides context for complexity and depth.

    • Religion and Culture: Knowledge of beliefs and cultural background shapes content sensitivity.

    • Language: Ensuring clarity and comprehension based on the language spoken.

    • Group Membership: Understanding the affiliations helps in addressing their perspectives.

Audience Analysis Table

  • This table assists in analyzing the target audience:

    • Age Bracket

    • Gender

    • Educational Background

    • Place of Residence: City, town, or province.

    • Marital Status

    • Language Spoken

    • Religious Affiliations/Beliefs

Logical Organization

  • Definition: The organization of a speech is crucial for clarity and effective communication.

  • Structure of a Speech: Consists of:

    • Introduction: Engages audience and presents purpose.

    • Body: Delivers main content and substantiates the main idea.

    • Conclusion: Summarizes the speech and reinforces main points.

  • Importance: A logically organized speech aids the audience in following the argument or narrative.

Duration

  • Optimal Length: According to Gray-Grant (2017), the ideal speech duration is 20 minutes.

  • Breakdown of Time:

    • Introduction: 2 minutes

    • Body: 5 minutes each for paragraphs 2, 3, and 4

    • Conclusion: 3 minutes

  • Total Word Count: Approximately 2,500 words for the entire speech.

Word Choice

  • Importance: Proper word choice enhances audience engagement and comprehension.

  • Conversational Language: Fosters a bond with the audience, making them feel at ease.

  • Avoidance of Certain Language: Based on Tandoc (2016), the following should be avoided:

    • Jargons or Technical Terms: Limits understanding to specific groups.

    • Redundancy: Excessive repetition detracts from clarity.

    • Inappropriate Language: Inappropriate for either the audience or occasion.

Grammatical Correctness

  • Significance: Correct grammar is essential to prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

  • Good Language Command: Aids in comprehension, whereas grammatical errors can hinder communication and create negative impressions.

Introduction in Speech

  • Definition: The introduction is critical in capturing audience attention and establishing a foundation for the speech.

  • Ideal Time Span: Generally represents 10-15% of the total speech time.

  • Functions of a Good Introduction (Wrench, 2012):

    • To gain audience attention and interest.

    • To state the speech's purpose.

    • To establish the speaker's credibility.

    • To provide reasons for the audience to listen.

    • To preview the main ideas presented in the speech.

Organizational Patterns in Speech

  1. Problem-Solution Order: Describes a problem and suggests solutions.

    • Example: Cleaning up Laguna de Bay.

  2. Categorical/Topical Order: Divides content into relevant subtopics based on importance or interest.

    • Example: Importance of promoting the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle program.

  3. Spatial/Geographical Order: Discusses content based on locations or areas.

    • Example: Traveling around the wonders of Batanes Islands.

  4. Causal Order: Discusses cause and effect.

    • Example: The Fish Kill in Laguna de Bay.

  5. Natural Order: Follows a logical progression or timeline.

  6. Transitional Words: Create smooth flow between ideas, maintaining coherence in writing.

Transitional Words Table

Function

Examples

Addition

Again, also, and, furthermore, moreover, in addition

Comparison

Likewise, similarly

Contrast

Although, yet, but, however, nevertheless

Emphasis

Certainly, indeed, in fact, of course

Example

For example, for instance, namely

Summary

In conclusion, to summarize, finally

Time Sequence

After, finally, later, meanwhile, next, soon

Conclusion

• Strategies for Writing Conclusions (Tandoc, 2016):

  • Present a summary of the speech.

  • Repeat key ideas for reinforcement.

  • Emphasize the central idea again.

  • Return to a strategy used in the introduction.

  • Signal to the audience that the speech is concluding.

  • Craft a memorable ending through various means such as:

  • Thought-provoking questions

  • Use of humor

  • Quotations

  • Calls to action

  • Connections to broader contexts