Example: How to Write a Speech with the 5-Paragraph Writing Technique

Most of us would rather die than get up in front of people to deliver a speech or presentation. And others lack the anxiety, but still wonder: How do I get started writing my speech?

As a member of Toastmasters International since 2009, I’ve given dozens upon dozens of presentations, and the 5-paragraph writing technique is still my go-to organization.

Like all communication, speeches need a beginning, middle, and an end. In the 5-paragraph writing technique, you have a one paragraph intro, three paragraphs explaining your argument and details, and one final closing paragraph that summarizes your thoughts. This method fits perfectly into all speeches and presentations.

STEP 1: Indentify the theme or purpose of your presentation by thinking carefully about with your audience.

• Presenting at a Meeting: If you’re giving a presentation in front of colleagues, your speech theme was probably already dictated by a manager or by the theme of the meeting. But what does the audience expect from you specifically? I gave a presentation at a fisheries conference, but my speech was focused on technology I implemented to have an online graduate-level course. The audience expected me to talk about the opportunities and challenges of this technology, and that’s what I planned to deliver.
• Speaking in Class or Toastmasters: If you’re giving a speech at school or for your own Toastmasters club, what are you interested in that fits the assignment? Will your topic be interesting enough to your audience or can you tweak it somehow to make it more interesting?

STEP 2: Select three pieces of detail that you will present in your speech.

• Step-by-Step Organization: Let’s say you’re giving a presentation about how you solved a problem at work or a how-to style speech. It may be appropriate to organize your speech by (1) how you identified the problem, (2) how you researched the problem, and (3) how you knew your solution solved the problem.
• Three Examples Organization: Let’s say you’re giving a speech about your opinion on a topic. Try thinking up three examples or stories you could share that support your argument.

STEP 3: Write a short introduction that introduces your speech theme. The key here—make it short! (Stay tuned for Wednesday’s post for tips on public speaking for more information about how to write a speech to fit within a time limit.)

STEP 4: For each of the three pieces of detail, write a short paragraph explaining each.

STEP 5: Write a brief conclusion, restating your opinion and reviewing the three pieces of evidence that support your conclusion.

Now that you’ve written your speech, you must practice it! Not only will practice help you get more comfortable with your speech and less likely to need your notes, you’ll find that we write MUCH differently than we speak. By practicing ahead of time, you’ll find sentences that seem too long to say in one breath or that having to particular words next to each other just sounds weird.

More to come…

On Wednesday, I’ll post important tips for preparing speeches. Then, on Friday, I’ll wrap-up my examples of how to apply the 5-paragraph writing technique to different types of communication by covering emails:

•                Cover letters

•                Emails 

•                Short Essays

•                Long Essays

•                Intro to the 5-paragraph writing technique

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