Speech Writing: 2 Terrific Formulas

Speech writing is not as hard as most people make it out to be

The mistake most people make is they sit down in front of a blank piece of paper or their word processor and stare at the blank page wondering what to do.

Bad idea. Don't ever do that - that will just lead to frustration and you won't be productive. Plus it will take forever because you'll be rewriting and editing as you go which is a complete waste of your time.

Speech writing is easy, if you simply create an outline first.

Think of an outline like a skeleton: once that main structure and framework is in place, the flesh and muscles have a defined place to go.

Same with writing your speech: the framework and structure is what everything else hangs on.

Here are 2 easy to use and very effective speech writing outline structures for you that will make speech writing a breeze, and even a pleasure!

1. TELL THEM, TELL THEM, TELL THEM:

This is a classic in public speaking and works quite well.

In short, you're simply starting your speech with a summary of your main points. Then you go into some detail for each of those main points. Finally you wrap up with the same summary you started with but you call it a "recap of points to remember".

This classic speech writing formula is also very effective for your audience because they get to hear the same information repeated at least 3 times.

This does them a great service because people naturally "zone out" during your speech - in other words, their minds will start to wander no matter how captivating a public speaker you might be.

I suggest that you keep your presentation or speech to only 3 main points as much as possible. 3 is pretty much the magic number and the limit when it comes to people being able to retain and recall your presentation.

2. THE "4-MAT SYSTEM":

Based on the work of Bernice McCarthy, the 4-mat system has to do with how people primarily absorb information.

By using this formula or structure for your presentation, you "reach all learning styles" in your audience.

Very powerful, indeed.

The idea here is to break your speech or presentation into 4 parts;

1. Why this information is relevant, necessary, and important

2. Facts data and statistics relevant to your topic and your presentation

3. How this information can be utilized by your audience

4. Exploration of alternatives, options, and "what-if scenarios" regarding your topic and presentation.

This section can simply be a question and answer section.

SUMMARY: Speech writing is simple when you use a structure because all you have to do then is simply fill in the blanks and "paint by numbers" as it were.

BONUS TIP: You can combine the 2 speech writing formulas above for a very powerful presentation!