speech writing examples

speech writing examples

Analyzing and Crafting Persuasive Speeches: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Introduction to the Art of Speechwriting

From earliest ages, the ability to write persuasive speech has been lauded as a cherished art. Much attention was paid to the stroke of the orator’s pen and the sweet quality of his delivery.” Thinking men of many centuries tried to inculcate by precept and example, through history, poetry, and fiction, the importance of skillful speaking upon the hearts, minds, and fortunes of men. Yet the “art” is but the art of experience and common sense. Alexander Hamilton, Washington, and Jefferson wrote their own speeches. The seeds of effectiveness lie in the proposition itself — not in words alone, but in idea and character as well. It is not necessary that every word or idea of the writer be that of the speaker. The principle is that the idea be there — and behind that the power of your own personal character. The Romans, for example, so firmly assumed that the orator molded his propositions in such a manner that the listener would think as the orator directed him to think that the theory and practice of Pre-Disposition seemed logical to them. They put the training of an orator under the heading of Rhetoric, or the theory of propelling people to think or act as the manipulator willed.

The process of soul education. A study was thoughtful and limitless. Presently, colleges and universities offer programs in practical speech-making and cultivating the spirit of speech. Indeed, to anyone active in public affairs, it should be obvious that persuasive speaking is a necessity. Nor is the business of speechwriting and informative address alone. Throughout the world, wherever liberty resides, men engage in free discussion and argument. Leaders address constituencies and nations communicate with nations. Out of this communication,” states Victor Krull, “arises public opinion, the source of action.”

2. Understanding the Audience and Purpose

The first aspect of audience analysis is demographics. This includes personal attributes like age, height, color, weight, gender, ethnic background, birthplace, job experience, and more. This information can help presenters better understand and address the needs of their audiences. For example, if the presenter were addressing people of a certain age or celebrating a regional landmark, that information could provide a starting point. It’s a way to show that the audience’s unique attributes and needs are important to the success and completion of the message. Different demographic groups may be provided the same information, but it may be presented in very different ways. But how do you know how to structure your speech? This must be based on your interests and the audience’s inability to take it as a betrayal of your intentions or a manipulation of the information.

When crafting a speech designed to persuade, the goal should always be to garner the understanding and support of the audience. Understanding how to appeal to varying audiences enables communicators to address the audience’s concerns head-on, persuading them to act on the shared goals. In order to support citizens and provide solutions to the problems they face, knowing, understanding, and acting on the aspects that compromise their personal situation is imperative. Communicators must consider the goals of their audience and audience analysis to effectively persuade others.

3. Structuring Your Speech for Impact

The conclusion should restate the reason for change and its importance, review the main points, and offer a plan of action, including a call to action.

Introductions provide the audience with an anchor and framework. You should begin with a quote, question, memorable story, symbol, or a recent, shocking statistic. Hook the audience with this lead and then provide an orienting statement. The remainder of your introduction should outline the case to be made. The body of the speech uses the information, evidence, and reasons that are necessary to support the change proposed. In the body, organize evidence in a logical format and avoid combining points that are not related.

When constructing your persuasive speech, it is essential that the information is organized in a manner that ensures audience understanding and retention. Creating a speech with overall coherence will help you achieve this. Successful persuasive speeches generally have an introduction, body, and conclusion. Not only does this structure help you craft an engaging speech, but it makes creating a speech more manageable. Within each section of this three-part structure, there is a variety of techniques you can use to enhance coherence and ensure you don’t lose the audience. Think carefully about where to put key supporting details and arguments in the overall structure of your speech. For instance, you could make the main arguments first and then show their implications for various groups or beliefs. Alternatively, you could detail an issue first and then build up different viewpoints (against being detailed first and for being discussed later). You can further enhance the organization of each section with introductions, summaries, and signposts.

4. Incorporating Persuasive Techniques

Many modern writers claim that appealing to a target audience’s sense of fear is an effective way to persuade them. However, if the tone of the message is too grim, the audience is likely to become overwhelmed and give up trying to change, so it must be couched appropriately. Indeed, the use of pathos or emotion has been cited as one of the most important techniques. Most importantly, the speaker must understand the emotions of the desired audience in order to establish an appropriate appeal. Rewriting descriptions of problems to include personal anecdotes and emotional pleas will make them more appealing. Describing the potential positive emotions that will result from the action can add appeal to descriptions of the solution to the problem. As it turns out, fear appeals can indeed be effective under specific conditions. For a persuasive message to work, it must contain evidence or reason for fear arousal and the ability to alleviate that fear by taking a specific action. However, a well-balanced message will also include a benign alternative that can be used for those who do not fear arousal and prefer it. Furthermore, when fear appeals are used, they have to be accompanied by vivid, personal testimonials, if possible, and not too graphic, as this can backfire.

Fortunately, there are a number of different strategies that can be used for crafting persuasive messages. The artful use of language, or rhetoric, can be one of them. The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote a book on rhetoric in which he described three types of strategies for persuading the audience to act in a specific manner. Logos, the first type, involves using specific facts, statistics, and examples to support one’s position. Pathos is the second type, which involves appealing to the emotional state of the audience and inclining them to pity or sorrow. Finally, Ethos relies heavily on demonstrating the expertise or competence of the speaker in order to persuade the audience to act. Rhetorical devices, such as logos, pathos, and ethos, are terms that are used. He suggested that good speeches contained an effective balance of all three. An entire book could be (and indeed has been) written on different types of rhetorical devices, so a list is beyond the scope of this tutorial.

5. Concluding with a Memorable Call to Action

Some ways of crafting a call to action are using specific examples to model the desired behavior or presenting a challenge in the form of a competition or contest. It is also important to reiterate the benefits and values of acting in the way solicited. Furthermore, the call to action can place the issue in the context of personal responsibility, morality, or societal obligation. The call to action should be specific and give practical advice to achieve the desired goal. It should not offend the audience, be vague, overly difficult, demand too much involvement or imply excessiveness, nor be extreme, overuse hyperbole, or involve an excessive amount of work or consequence. The call to action should not be just the conclusion of the persuasive speech but should motivate the audience to continue thinking about and discussing the message. Summarizing, the call to action should be filled with specifics, the work shouldn’t be overwhelming, it should resonate for each audience member, and it should create an urgency to act now to right a wrong.

The final part of a persuasive speech, its conclusion, should be creative, reveal the significance of the speaker’s message, clear, easy to understand, and memorable. Effective conclusions include a summary of the main points, a repetition of the thesis, and an appeal to the audience’s emotions. The final part may end with a clear call to action, a statement, or a question, challenging the audience to actively respond. Conclusions may be emotional and provoke action through a dramatic statement of the consequences of inaction.