Writing Your Speech

Overview

• Final step in developing your speech
• Previous steps included topic development and outlines
• This step focuses on the similarities across speech events

Speech Length and Formatting

• Time Limit: 10 minutes, with a 30-second grace period
• Word/Page Limit: 4.5 pages or 1,150 to 1,400 words
• Penalties: 5 points deducted if not within 4-5 page range
• Formatting: Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, no extra spaces between paragraphs
• Tools: Use MLA style template in Microsoft Word
• Error Penalties: 1 point per formatting error

Introduction

• Essential for setting the tone
• Attention-Getting Device (AGD): Hook audience with something humorous or captivating
  • Types: Personal anecdotes, pop culture, history, quotations, etc.
• Link to Topic: Smooth transition from AGD to the main topic
• Thesis: Statement of your speech's core argument
• Roadmap: Outline of the three main parts of your speech

Transitions

• External Transitions: Between body paragraphs
  • Establish logical connections
  • Opportunities for humor
• Internal Transitions: Within body paragraphs
  • Ensure logical sequence and cohesion

Using Evidence

• Credibility: Introduce author and publication for credibility
• Quoting vs. Paraphrasing: Use quotes for credibility and paraphrase for less debatable information
• Lead-In: Introduce evidence with context, author, and publication

Logical Organization

• Ensure structure aids audience understanding
• Be flexible with the structure of outlines

Conclusion

• End on a hopeful or transformative note
• Tie back to AGD
• Use a rhetorically powerful closing line

Additional Tips

• Humor: Engage audience and maintain interest
• Concreteness: Ground speech in tangible examples
• Revision: Be willing to change earlier drafts
• Title: Creative and related to the speech's vehicle or theme

Works Cited

• MLA Format Required: Proper documentation of sources
• Use Purdue OWL and MLA handbook for guidance
• Errors can result in point deductions

Resources

• Utilize student coaching for additional help

By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to write and deliver an effective and engaging speech.