Page 16 - Voices! - September 2015

Speech Writing Tips

by Ciarán Hynes CC, CL
As Toastmasters, we all struggle from time to time writing that next prepared speech. The following is a simple
framework that I have found useful for guiding the speech-writing process. It’s the SCORRE™ method, which I
have adapted for Toastmasters from the work of Ken Davis of Dynamic Communicators, Inc.
Begin by choosing your subject and writing it down
The Toastmasters speech manuals are great sources for ideas for speech topics. However, we often want to
craft speeches to fit a subject that is very personal, timely or of specific importance to us as individuals. I
recommend keeping a notebook for speech subjects and writing ideas down when they pop into your head.
If you are like me, you’ll get ideas at the most unusual times and then quickly forget what they were. Make
a habit of writing down speech ideas somewhere (I use electronic Post-it notes on my phone that sync with
my laptop). When it comes time to write your next prepared speech, you will have a list of ideas to draw from.
Choosing (and sticking with) a subject is the first step in the process of writing your next speech.
Focus on a central theme
Narrow the focus by choosing one or two areas within your subject as the central theme. This will allow you to
focus your speech to a manageable amount of information in the time allotted. Most Toastmasters speeches
are five to seven minutes, which doesn’t allow much time if you try to cover a lot of ground with a broad
subject. You also want to avoid overwhelming your audience by covering too much material so quickly, that
their heads are spinning or they simply check out mid-way. Focusing on a central theme with a maximum of
two or three key points is essential.
Determine your objective
Before you begin crafting the actual speech, write down what you hope to achieve by the end of your speech.
This should be a sentence or two that embodies the heart of your talk. It could begin with, “By the end of my
speech, my audience will…”Remember, it is about the audience, not you. You may earn speech credit; you
may overcome a particular fear or practice a specific delivery method, but think of your objective in terms of
what you want your audience to gain from the experience. Do you want to educate the audience? Do you

want them to take action? Do you simply want to make them laugh?
Being clear about your objective at the onset will provide you a solid
guidepost when you begin the writing process. As Dr. Steven Covey
said, Begin with the end in mind.
Develop your rationale
This is what Simon Sinek would refer to as your “why”. The rationale
connects you with your audience on a level deeper than simply
captive listeners. After all, you know they can’t go anywhere. They
are stuck in a Toastmasters meeting and they have to listen to you.
You have an obligation to make it more meaningful for them by
outlining a rationale (as part of your opening 30 seconds) that will
connect them to your subject and area of focus. I like to connect
with my audience by sharing personal stories, pictures or a little
self-deprecating humor. For me, this does several things; it helps my
audience see that I’m just like them, except I’m the poor sucker at the
front of the room talking. It also helps lower my anxiety by getting a
laugh or two from the audience before I get going, and it lowers the
barriers to a flawless delivery. If I mess up, it’s much easier to laugh it
off when we all start out together poking fun at me.

16 Volume 2 Issue 3 - SEPT 2015