Writing a Short Speech
The good thing about short speeches is that it can be about anything your heart desires to tell you to talk about. The topics can range from the corruption of today’s politics to the advantages of marijuana as a legalized drug. f your teacher ever gives you a speech-related assignment that allows you to exercise that creative freedom of deciding what sort of topics you want to give for your speech, it is suggested that you grab the presented opportunity to speak your heart out for the whole world to hear and listen.
Steps in Giving a Short Speech
For first-timers giving out a speech, it can be quite a challenge as there are many obstacles that newbies face when delivering their first speech in front of many observant eyes. It’s okay to be nervous and afraid as the most experienced speech givers still feel a shake in their legs and a stutter in their mouths every time they speak in front of an audience. What they do is just brush off the nerves and keep on going. Here are a few examples that you can take to help you prepare for any public speech:
1. Boil it down.
Short speeches are only limited for a span of three to five minutes. Thus, it is imperative that you follow the KISS Protocol (keep it short and simple) if you wish to get all your points across the audience without any time interruptions. If the presider allots you an extension to your speech, then that is good news. But if time does not permit you to go any further, it would be best to discuss every aspect or point you have made as brief and as concise as possible.
2. Plan and rehearse.
Practice makes perfect. If you do not practice, you are either a very self-confident person that can just wing any speech you see at a moment’s glance and deliver it like a true professional, or the fact you are too lazy to even practice and risk screwing up the whole thing the moment the speech will be delivered in front of the crowd. Speaking in front is never a simple thing to do. It takes courage and strength. Rehearsing for you speech does not only help build your confidence, but it shows how serious and committed you are to the task.
3. Cut yourself off.
“I wish that speech had been longer.” No such thing, mate. When you know you are only allotted a couple of minutes to deliver your speech, you know you re supposed to keep it simple and brief. Always remember to keep track of the time. Event presiders would normally raise time cards or tap onto a bell which indicate the number of minutes you have left to say your speech.
4. Use transitions
In that limited span of time you are given, it is important if you give verbal cues to yourself as an indicator that you have to proceed to the next part of your speech before you get stuck in that section for too long. Make it a point that your transitions are brief so that you can proceed to the next main idea immediately. Make sure that the key phrases you choose will be obvious on the written page which can be easily recalled in oral remarks such as: “That concludes my first point. Now, let us move on to the next”.
5. Show. Don’t tell.
Props are one way in getting the audience’s attention. Sometimes, simply stating the fact is never enough, you have to show it just for the audience to be in awe of what you brought. If your speech is about Star Wars, then by all means, bring your Star Wars merchandise and show to the world how much you love the series. Keep in mind however that the usage of props are not to be abused and misused when unnecessary.
6. Make it personal
But while doing so, make sure it does not sound so pretentious. You are not expected to be such a drama queen when delivering your speech, but allow your speech to form a personal connection with the audience. Emotions click with the crowd. If your speech is meant is meant to be inspirational, then allow yourself to be caught in the moment where everyone is listening to you and speak in a manner that is befitting of the event. If it is meant to be sarcastic, then do not hold back on your sarcasm. Sad, then shed a tear or two as you tell the story. Funny, then make sure the audience is laughing their hearts out.
7. Speak up.
All that time and effort you spent practicing and rehearsing for this moment will be a complete and utter disaster if nobody can really hear what you are saying. It may be fine when you are in a classroom sitting where the students and teacher are your only audience. But what if you will be presenting in an auditorium where the entire student body is watching you close? Even with the help of the microphone, it will not be enough if you do not possess the boost of confidence to speak your mind out. A hint of advice for first-timers: Breathe. Just breathe. Channel that energy into something positive. Once you got your mojo back, then you know what to do!
We hope you found our examples on how to write a short speech to be informative. Speaking in front of a crowd is never easy, but as long as you follow the tips we provided, you can become a pro in no time.
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