A good speech can make up for weaknesses in other parts of the campaign.Even though good speakers make it look natural, there are specific techniques you can use to make your own speeches more effective.These techniques can be used to transform your speech into one that everyone will be talking about.
Step 1: Speak slowly
The audience is not listening to the speech.When writing a speech for a campaign, it's important to keep in mind that it will be different from what you would write for readers.When people are nervous, they talk fast.Fast talkers seem to be unreliable.Put five spaces between each word on the page to keep your speech measured if you get nervous.
Step 2: You should talk to the audience like you're having a conversation.
It should sound like you are talking to someone.Don't worry about leaving modifiers dangling, eliminating contractions, or splitting infinitives.Don't get carried away with informality.They need to trust you because you're asking to lead.Most people can't lead well, so to convince them you can, your speech should show that you're more capable than an average person.You have to strike a balance.Speak at a higher level than a typical conversation.
Step 3: Don't say anything that's too direct and simple.
Student audiences have short attention spans.All of your sentences should be fifteen words or less.The way we schedule our lunch breaks is not fair to anyone.People are eating lunch at 10:30 am.Breakfast is still being served at Burger King at 10:30.It doesn't make sense.The early lunch kids are starving by the time 2 o'clock rolls around.There is a better way.We all know it.
Step 4: You can read it and hear how it sounds.
People are only able to hear your speech once.If you want your speech to sound different when you give it, read it aloud.You will probably find words and phrases that are hard to understand.Say them again.Try speaking in front of a mirror or a camera for more focused practice.
Step 5: Tailoring your message to your audience is possible.
Think about the audience you are addressing before you start writing.Are you talking to the entire student body?Is it just one grade?A classroom?If you are talking to one classroom, don't just talk about the general problem in the school.Talk to the class about how the problem affects them and how you can change it.The breaks in between homeroom and first period aren't long enough.We can't get from North Campus to South Campus in time.I will not let the administration forget that I am the homeroom representative.
Step 6: You should outline your speech.
There is a beginning, middle and end to all writing.Writing your thoughts first will help you stay on track.The beginning needs to get the attention of the people.The middle needs to give the answers and the end connects them to the questions.You tell them what you are going to say.You tell them.You tell them what you said.
Step 7: You have to make a point quickly.
You can open your speech with your main idea.People naturally want to pay attention to themselves, so beating around the bush is pointless.You need to convince them to listen to you.Don't say: "My name is Joe Blow, and I'm running for City Council."Get right to it, I am a member.Not a single person in this city thinks the parking situation on Main St. is adequate.There are many ways to get this done.There are many ways to describe a problem.You can get the audience's attention quickly.Don't expect it to come to you.
Step 8: Your theme is supported.
Don't let go once you've got their attention.The middle of your speech is where you need to explain the issues you raised in the introduction and convince people that you can do something about them.A good mix of facts, feelings, and action is what you want.Your audience will get bored if you only talk about facts.You will wear them out if you only talk feelings.You haven't offered enough factual and emotional support for your argument, so only talk action.
Step 9: The stakes will be raised at the end.
The conclusion is just as important as the introduction.It's the last chance to leave an impression, so make sure they remember you by raising the stakes.If you want to continue with the parking example, make it bigger than the one on Main St., which makes them feel weaker for not supporting you.This is not just about parking spaces.Everything is wrong with the Council in this city and the parking situation is a symptom.We have asked.We have begged.We did everything we could.This kind of appeal puts the listener in a position where they are either a person who votes for you or someone who lets themselves be ignored.The majority of people will choose the first choice.
Step 10: Remember the basics.
Even though you are embarking on a political career, you cannot neglect the basic rules of composition.A clear beginning, middle, and end is what your speech needs.The beginning needs to hook the audience, you need to keep them interested through the middle, and the end should leave them nodding their heads in agreement.
Step 11: Stay on top of it all.
Don't allow your speech to wander.It makes you feel confused when you hear a speech.No one wants a leader who is confused.Staying on message is more than that.If you focus on a problem, you can offer a solution.Do you have an issue with healthcare?Bring up specific problems and offer solutions.Give a few details or anecdotes to illustrate the magnitude of the problem, and then offer your solution: "And that's why we're going to negotiate directly with the drug companies to lower prices."
Step 12: Through an associational appeal, identify with the audience.
An associational appeal is an appeal to group identity on the basis of authority or equality.Use associational appeals wherever you can.A politician who emphasizes his military service is appealing to group affiliation based on authority.They protect us and deserve our loyalty.A politician who brings up the fact that their family has been here for five generations or that they are the child of a single mother is appealing to group affiliation on the basis of equality.They understand us because they have lived a life like mine.
Step 13: You can appeal to the passions of your audience.
When you want to turn your audience against something, emotional appeals are some of the most powerful.Anger and fear are easy emotions to evoke and turn audiences against things.A politician says the system is rigged.They are making an emotional appeal based on stoking the anger of the audience.The speaker plays to the audience's sense of ridicule when they imply that they think of the crowd as fools.The audience is turned against them by this.
Step 14: Make your audience understand with logical appeals.
The strongest appeals are logical.It takes longer for someone to understand a problem than it does for them to be mad.Few of us would argue with the proposition.We have been convinced of its truth.The power of a logical appeal lies in the fact that there is almost nothing a person can do to convince us otherwise.It took us a long time to understand that we were part of a group.
Step 15: Don't play to your weaknesses.
To emphasize the aspects of your argument, identify which appeals you have on your side.You don't have much more to do than make sure your speech is in the right order if you have all three.In one or more areas, most arguments will be weaker or stronger.Your argument is more about you than it is about specific points.Your biography should be emphasized in your speech to make you trustworthy.People choose a person, not a set of ideas.The audience doesn't notice the logical flaws if you keep your speech short.The audience's level of energy should be adjusted.Start slowly if they are agitated.If they are bored, start at a higher level.Work to an emotional climax.You don't want to start at an emotional level.Break up the facts with feelings if your biggest appeal is logical.Break up your logical proposition into bite-sized chunks so you don't risk boring your audience.A spoon of sugar makes medicine go down.
Step 16: Stay with the person.
Your speech should not sound like you are talking about multiplication tables.Even though it is a monologue, you want to sound like you are having a conversation.It is best to not bring a full-text speech and not to memorize it in the beginning.Bring bullet-point type notes to keep you on track.If you will be speaking at a podium or beside a table, put your notes on a piece of paper or a notepad.Most people can't do it discreetly enough to look professional.You must use notes if you don't have a podium.
Step 17: It's important to be brief.
Be concise.If you want people to forget about what you have to say, drag your speech out, and the easiest way to do that is to bore them.You want to be memorable and leave them wanting more.It is the soul of wit.Sixty word sentences are not going to be remembered by anyone.Since you want to be remembered, make sure your speech is short and to the point.Even though you don't want to sound like a limerick, you should use alliteration, assonance, and rhythm to your advantage.There are only nine unique words in "Ask not what your country can do for you", with seven examples of alliteration.