How to Make a Good Speech
Knowing how to give a strong speech is a valuable skill that can make or break an opportunity. The way you present your ideas often shapes how others judge your confidence, credibility, and leadership. Even strong ideas can lose impact if they are not delivered clearly. When you speak with purpose and clarity, your message carries weight.
This guide walks you through the basics of writing and delivering a speech that keeps your audience engaged and clearly communicates your message.
Key Takeaways
A good speech has one clear main idea and a few organized points that support it.
Knowing your audience helps you choose the right tone, examples, and words so your message connects.
Practice makes your delivery smoother and more confident, and it helps with eye contact and timing.
Avoid common mistakes such as cramming too much information, going over time, or reading directly from your notes.
How to Define Your Purpose and Main Message
The Basic Structure of an Effective Speech
How To Keep Your Audience's Attention
Speech Delivery: Voice, Timing, and Presence
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Write a Speech
How to Define Your Purpose and Main Message
Every strong speech starts with a clear goal. Decide what you want to do: inform, persuade, or entertain. Then write one simple sentence that explains what you want your audience to understand, believe, or do by the end.
Focus on One Main Idea
Your speech should center around one clear main idea. This idea guides your introduction, body, and conclusion. Each point you include should connect back to it.
For example, if you’re speaking about improving communication at work, your main idea might be that active listening builds trust and credibility. If a point doesn’t support that idea, cut it. Staying focused keeps your speech clear and strong.
Understand Your Audience
Take time to think about who will be listening. Consider their background, interests, and what they already know about your topic. This helps you choose the right tone and examples.
A talk for coworkers might sound more professional and results-driven. A talk for friends can be more relaxed and personal. When you understand your audience, your message feels more relevant and meaningful.
The Basic Structure of an Effective Speech
A clear structure turns simple ideas into a strong speech. Most effective speeches follow three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. This format helps your audience follow along and remember your message long after you finish speaking.
Write a Strong Introduction
The introduction sets the tone and helps you establish credibility as a speaker. Start with a short story, an interesting example, or a question that makes people think. This helps your audience pay attention and stay engaged.
After your opening, clearly state your main message. This is often called your thesis. In simple terms, your thesis is one clear sentence that explains what your speech is about and what you want your audience to understand. It keeps your ideas focused and organized.
Organize Clear Main Points
The body of your speech includes two to four main points that support your main message. Each point should include examples, facts, or short stories that make your ideas stronger and easier to understand.
Organize your points in a logical order, such as cause and effect, problem and solution, or step by step. Staying organized helps your audience follow what they hear and makes your speech easier to remember.
End With a Strong Conclusion
The conclusion reinforces your main idea so your audience will remember it. Restate your message in simple language and remind listeners why it matters.
Finish with a clear and confident final statement. Your final statement should leave your audience with something meaningful to think about, remember, or act on.
How To Keep Your Audience's Attention
An engaging presentation connects facts with emotion and personality. A good speech explains ideas clearly while also appealing to human experience. Balance information with stories and humor to maintain interest.
Use Stories, Humor, and Real Life Examples in a Good Speech
Stories help listeners make sense of abstract ideas. Share a brief example from work, school, or life that supports your main points. Personal stories create a connection and make your speech more interesting.
Humor can also support your message if it fits your audience and tone. A light moment can help people relax and focus. Keep humor appropriate and related to your subject.
Choose Simple and Clear Words for an Effective Speech
Clear words make it easier for your audience to listen and understand. Avoid long, complex sentences that make people work too hard to follow you. Simple language strengthens communication.
If you need technical terms, explain them in plain language. This improves credibility and ensures everyone can follow your ideas. Clear language supports an effective speech.
Speech Delivery: Voice, Timing, and Presence
The way you use your voice, manage your timing, and carry yourself on stage all shape how your message is received. Rehearsing helps your delivery feel natural and confident, rather than stiff or scripted.
Practice Out Loud and Respect the Time Limit
Practice your speech out loud at least three times before presenting. Hearing yourself speak helps you adjust your tone and pacing and avoid getting stage fright. Use a timer so you know exactly how long your speech runs.
If you go over time, trim the extra details rather than cutting your main points. Keep your core message clear and focused. Staying within the time limit shows preparation and respect for your audience.
Use Your Voice With Intention
Your voice is one of your most powerful tools. Speak clearly and loudly enough for everyone to hear you. Avoid rushing, especially during important points. Slow down when something matters and avoid using filler words. Instead, use short pauses to let ideas sink in.
Vary your tone so you do not sound flat or monotone. A natural rise and fall in your voice keeps listeners engaged and makes your message easier to remember.
Improve Eye Contact and Stage Presence
Eye contact builds connection and trust. Look at different people throughout the room instead of staring at your notes. This helps your audience stay engaged.
Stand tall with a steady posture and use natural gestures that match your words. Avoid distracting habits, such as pacing or fidgeting. Calm, controlled body language strengthens your presence.
Ask for Feedback to Improve
Seeking advice helps you notice unclear explanations or weak spots. Ask someone you trust to listen and share honest thoughts.
Make small revisions, then practice again. Most strong speeches improve through repetition and thoughtful adjustments. Most people feel the feedback process builds real confidence.
Presentation Coaching
Check out our blog on presentation coaching for more information!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Write a Speech
Avoiding common mistakes can make a big difference in how your speech sounds and feels. Many speakers run into the same problems, especially when they’re nervous. The key is recognizing these habits early so you can fix them before you present.
Giving Too Much Information
It’s tempting to include everything you researched, but too much information can overwhelm your audience. Instead of listing every detail, choose a few strong ideas and explain them well. A focused message is easier to follow and will help your audience remember.
If something doesn’t clearly support your main idea, cut it. Depth is more powerful than quantity. Clear focus strengthens your speech.
Losing Focus on Your Main Idea
Some speakers drift away from their main message as they move through the body of the speech. When that happens, the audience can feel confused or unsure of the point.
Review each main point and make sure it connects back to your central idea. If you’re unsure, go back to your purpose and outline. Staying organized helps your message stay clear.
Reading Instead of Speaking
Reading your speech word for word can make you sound disconnected and limit eye contact. Instead of writing a full script, use an outline with short bullet points. This helps you speak more naturally.
Practice enough so you can explain your ideas without relying on a page. Natural delivery feels more confident, and confident delivery makes your message stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Good Speech
1. What makes a good speech effective?
A good speech is effective when it has a clear central idea, organized main points, and strong delivery. The message must match the audience and the specific purpose. Support your ideas with examples, research, and stories. Clear structure and confident communication improve results.
2. How do I write a speech step by step?
To write a speech, start by defining your purpose and thesis statement. Next, create an outline with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Add two to four main points, each supported by examples. Finally, revise your first draft and practice out loud.
3. How can I improve my public speaking skills?
You improve public speaking skills through practice, feedback, and preparation. Rehearse out loud and record yourself to evaluate tone and pacing. Focus on eye contact and clear words. Experience builds confidence over time.
4. How do I keep the audience's attention during a presentation?
You keep the audience's attention by using stories, rhetorical questions, and a clear structure. Change your tone slightly to maintain interest. Use relevant examples that connect to listeners' lives. Keep your message focused and avoid too much information.
5. How long should a speech be?
A speech should match the assigned time limit and stay focused on the main points. Most classroom and workplace speeches last between 5 and 10 minutes. Confirm the time limit before writing. Practice with a timer to adjust your pacing.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help
Connected Speech Pathology provides online communication coaching to help adults improve public speaking and communication skills. Our coaches work with you to organize your ideas and develop clear main points.
We guide you through the process of making a good speech, from research and outline creation to delivery and feedback. Our communication coaches help you improve clarity, tone, pacing, and eye contact. Each session is tailored to your specific purpose and communication goals.
We also support other aspects of communication, including articulation, fluency, and voice control. Our approach improves both the speech written on the page and the confidence to speak on stage. With structured guidance and practice, we help you deliver an effective speech that your audience will remember.
Summary
A good speech starts with a clear purpose and organized main points. Simple words, relevant examples, and confident delivery help hold the audience's attention. With practice, feedback, and focus, you can create and deliver a great speech in any setting.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a communication coach, speech-language pathologist, and founder of Connected Speech Pathology, an international online practice providing professional communication coaching and speech therapy for children, teens, and adults. With more than two decades of experience, she has worked in medical and educational settings, published research on aphasia, and leads a team of specialists helping clients improve skills in public speaking, vocal presence, accent clarity, articulation, language, fluency, and interpersonal communication.
