How to write a speech with a purpose?
You're probably wondering, "Who would give a speech without a purpose?”
Good question. I have another great question for you,
“How to write a speech WITHOUT A PURPOSE?”
A speech without a purpose is basically a pointless monologue. The kind in which your co-worker is narrating something you’re neither interested in nor can you take away something from it, and basically you either zone out or want to run away from the room.
Find your purpose
To write a speech with purpose, you have to understand the “WHY” factor of your speech content. Ask this very simple question : Why should my audience pay attention to my speech?
Your answers can be broadly any or more of these:
Informational : You deliver a speech rich in content about a specific topic and your audience gains knowledge in that topic.
Narrative: You deliver a speech about a personal incident in your life, and derive a story with a moral out of it. Your audience is inspired/learns a moral.
Humorous: Your audience goes hehehehehe. ( High on happy hormones! )
Persuasive: You deliver a speech on an idea/concept that you believe in, and give them proof as to why it works. Shark Tank much?
You can fit your speech in one/more of these styles, and that’s how you know you’re good to go. After understanding the purpose of your speech using the very inspirational and informative stuff I’ve just written, now is the time to bring it to life.
Structure your speech.
Imagine beginning a speech by saying, “Today I’m going to give a motivational speech about my life”. (Zzzzzzzzzzz goes the audience). It’s absolutely fine giving a motivational speech about your life, but make sure, you structure it in an engaging way. If you want to motivate others through your story, start by getting right to it. Derive the moral after narrating your experience so that the audience can relate to it.
Here are a few ways to structure it :
Chronological : follow a sequence of events.
Example : A speech about the history of Toastmasters.
Topical : organizes speeches by topics and subtopics. Break your speech into sections that explain major concepts related to your topic, followed by smaller and smaller subtopics.
Example : Speech about blue zones, what are they, where are they, each blue zone in detail
Causal: Link a cause to an effect, or an effect to its cause.
Example : Giving a speech about the obesity epidemic. You could start by discussing the cause, such as increased consumption of processed foods and decreased physical activity. Then, you would link this to the effect, which is rising obesity rates and related health issues.
Comparative: Show how your topic compares to another by examining similarities and differences.
Example: Compare different kinds of leadership styles, giving examples for each
Problem/Solution: Speeches organised by problem and solution are arranged in a particular sequence. First state the issue and explain its significance. Then propose a feasible and advantageous solution.
Example: What causes stage fear? How do you overcome it?
Particular/General: A particular/general/particular structure organises speeches by a specific example that frames broader content and illustrates the main or personal objective of the speech. The example given at the beginning of your speech is echoed in the conclusion to help clarify or elucidate your primary message. Basically, switch between particular and general throughout your speech - both echoing the same message.
Example: If your speech is about the benefits of regular exercise, you might start with a personal anecdote about how running helped you manage your stress during a difficult time (particular). You'd then expand into the general benefits of regular exercise, such as improved mood, better sleep, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Finally, you'd circle back to your personal story, reflecting on how your experience supports the broader benefits of exercise (particular).
Deliver to perfection:
According to Dr. Jodie, “Finding your sense of purpose not only aids your journey, it determines the paths of those you lead.” Hence as a speaker, the credibility of our purpose ultimately guides our audience and aligns them with our thought process.
With stellar content, and amazing structure, all you have to do is a kick-ass delivery of your speech. Purpose is the driving force behind our actions and ideals. It guides the goals that we set for ourselves and our audience to be persuaded or motivated by our ideals.
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