Have to Give a Speech? Here's Some Advice That Can Help

A majority of the populace lists public speaking as one of their chief fears. Some of this fear comes from lack of experience, as few people do much public speaking in their lives. If you've been tasked with giving a speech, such as a best man or maid of honor speech, here are some tips to help you craft the perfect speech for the occasion.

There are some general "rules" that most good speeches adhere to. Being brief is important unless you were asked to give a lengthy speech. Good speeches are often simple in the sense that they don't try to do too much. Lastly, know your audience and write to them. Don't confuse knowing your audience with pandering to them. What you should be thinking about is making sure the speech's tone and style are appropriate. With these basic principles in mind, it's time to start preparing your speech in earnest.

Even though they may seem like they sprang into existence at the moment of delivery, very few good speeches aren't prepared in advance. Start by figuring out what the purpose of your speech is. You might be trying to educate your audience, sway them to your side of an argument, or entertain them. After you've settled on a purpose, you can start writing the speech itself.

Your speech will likely need some facts to help bolster your point. Make sure you know what you're talking about before you begin by doing some research on the topic. If you're writing a less formal speech, such as a toast, try to come up with a good anecdote that really captures the person or the relationship you are celebrating.

Structure is also important to think about. It's always good to open with something that will catch your audience's attention. Ending well is also important to a good speech like a presidential speech. Of course, a speech needs a middle, too, and you should use that time to connect your introduction and your conclusion in a coherent way.

While most speeches are written they aren't read, they are delivered, and how you deliver your speech will have a big impact on how well it is received. It doesn't matter how good the speech is on paper if you fumble through the delivery. To help get comfortable with the speech you've written, practice saying it out loud a few times before you actually deliver it. You'll likely find, as you read it out loud, that some of the things that read well don't work as well when said out loud.