Oral Communication in Context

Second Quarter

PRINCIPLES OF

SPEECH

WRITING

Prepared by:
Vanette D. Dalisay, LPT
 The Speech Writing
Process
Just like events planning, or any
other activities, writing an effective
speech follows certain steps or
processes.

The process for writing is

not chronological or
linear; rather, it is
recursive. That means
you have the opportunity
to repeat a writing
procedure indefinitely, or
produce multiple drafts
first before you can settle
on the right one.
Conducting an audience
analysis
Determining the purpose of
the speech
Selecting a topic
Narrowing down a topic
Gathering data

Selecting a speech pattern

Preparing an outline
Creating the body of the
speech
Preparing the introduction
Preparing the conclusion

Editing and/or
Revising
Rehearsing
The following are the components of the speech
writing process.
AUDIENCE ANALYSIS
Audience analysis entails looking into the
profile of your target audience. This is done
so you can tailor-fit your speech content
and delivery to your audience. The profile
includes the following information.

a. demography (age range, male-female ratio,

educational background and affiliations or degree
program taken, nationality, economic status, academic
or corporate designations)
b. situation (time, venue, occasion, and size)
c. psychology (values, beliefs, attitudes, preferences,

PURPOSE

The purpose for writing and delivering the

speech can be classified into three - to
inform, to entertain, or to persuade.

a. An informative speech provides the audience with a clear

understanding of the concept or idea presented by the speaker.
b. An entertainment speech provides the audience with
amusement.
c. A persuasive speech provides the audience with well-argued
ideas that can influence their own beliefs and decisions.
 TOPIC
The topic is your Narrowing
main point, down a
which can be topic
determined means
once you have making
decided on your your main
purpose. If you idea more
are free to specific
decide on a and
topic, choose focused.
one that really
interests you.

Purpose To Inform
General purpose To inform Grade 11 students on the importance of
effective money management

Topic Financial literacy or effective money management

Effective money management

Narrowing down Effective money management of Grade 11 students
a topic through Developing an effective money management of Grade 11
students
listing Defining and developing effective money management skills
of Grade 11 students

Some strategies in selecting and narrowing down

a topic:
using your personal listing
experiences asking
discussing with your questions
family members or friends semantic
free writing webbing
 DATA GATHERING

Data gathering is the stage where

you collect ideas, information,
sources, and references relevant or
related to your specific topic.

WRITING PATTERNS

Writing patterns, in general, are

structures that will help you organize
the ideas related to your topic.

Below are the different writing patterns from which you

can select the one that best suits your topic.

A. Biographical

Presents descriptions of your life or of a person,

famous or not
Purpose: To inform; To entertain
Examples

Specific Purpose:
To inform my audience about my
grandfather, the late former President
Ramon Magsaysay

Specific Topic:
Describing the life and works of my
grandfather, the late former President
Ramon Magsaysay
 B. Categorical/Topical
Presents related categories supporting the topic
Purpose: To inform; To entertain; To persuade

Examples
Specific Purpose:
To persuade the community members to reduce, reuse,
and recycle as means of eliminating garbage and
protecting the environment

Specific Topic:
Why the community members should promote
reducing, reusing, and recycling

C. Causal

Presents cause-effect relationships

Purpose: To inform

Examples
Specific Purpose:
To inform my audience on the effects of
overeating

Specific Topic:
Explaining the possible effects of
overeating to one’s health
 D. Chronological
Presents the idea in time order
Purpose: To inform

Examples
Specific Purpose:
To inform my audience about the significant
events in the 1986 EDSA Revolution or People
Power

Specific Topic:
Describing the significant events before, during,
and after the 1986 EDSA Revolution or People
Power

E. Comparison/Contrast

Presents comparisons/contrast of
two or three points
Purpose: To inform; To persuade

Examples

Specific Purpose:
To persuade the audience that living in the Philippines is better than
living in Australia

Specific Topic:
Explaining why the Philippines is more habitable than Australia
F. Problem-solution
Presents an identified problem, its causes, and
recommended solutions
Purpose: To inform; To persuade

Examples
Specific Purpose:
To persuade the audience to support the
educational programs of the national
government

Specific Topic:
Explaining the reasons for supporting the
government’s educational programs seen
as the primary means of increasing the
literacy rate in the Philippines

OUTLINE

An outline is a hierarchical list that

shows the relationship of your ideas.
A good outline helps you see that all
the ideas are in line with your main
idea or message.
The elements of an outline include:
Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

Note: Please see pp. 13-14 for the table and

list formats.
 INTRODUCTION
The introduction is the foundation of
your speech.
Your primary goal is to get the
attention of your audience and
present the subject or main idea of
your speech. Your first few words
should do so.

The following are some strategies.

Use a real-life experience and connect that experience to your
subject.
Use practical examples and explain their connection to your
subject.
Start with a familiar or strong quote and then explain what it
means.
Use facts or statistics and highlight their importance to your
subject.
Tell a personal story to illustrate your point.

BODY OF THE SPEECH

The body of the speech provides an

explanation, examples, or any details
that can help you deliver your
purpose and explain the main idea of
your speech.
The body of your speech should only
have one central idea.
The following are some strategies to highlight your main idea
Present real-life or practical examples
Show statistics
Present comparisons
Share ideas from the experts or practitioners

CONCLUSION
The conclusion restates the main idea of
your speech.
It provides a summary, emphasizes the
messages, and calls for action.
The conclusion aims to leave the audience
with a memorable statement.

The following are some strategies.

Begin your conclusion with a restatement of your message.
Use positive examples, encouraging words, or memorable lines
from songs or stories familiar to your audience.
Ask a question or series of questions that can make your
audience reflect or ponder.

EDITING/REVISING

Editing/Revising your written

speech involves correcting errors in
mechanics, such as grammar,
punctuation, capitalization, unity,
coherence, and others.
Andrew Dlugan (2013), an award-winning public speaker,
lists six (6) power principles for speech editing.

1. Edit for Focus - Ensure that everything you have written is

related to your central message.
2. Edit for Clarity - Make all ideas in your speech clear by
arranging them in a logical order (e.g., the main idea first then
support/examples, or support/examples first then the main idea).
3. Edit for Concision - Keep your speech short, simple, and clear
by eliminating unrelated stories and sentences and by using
simple words.
4. Edit for Continuity - Keep the flow of your presentation smooth
by adding transition words and phrases.
5. Edit for Variety - Add spice to your speech by shifting the tone
and style from formal to conversational and vice versa, moving
around the stage, or adding humor.
6. Edit for Impact and Beauty - Make your speech memorable by
using these strategies: surprise the audience, use vivid
descriptive images, write well-crafted and memorable lines, and
use figures of speech.

REHEARSING
Rehearsing gives Strategies:
you an opportunity Reading your
speech aloud
to identify what
Recording for your
works and what own analysis or for
does not work for your peers or
coaches to give you
you and for your feedback on your
target audience. delivery
Some Guidelines in Speech Writing

1. Keep your words short and simple.

2. Avoid jargon, acronyms, or technical
words
3. Make your speech more personal.
4. Use active verbs and contractions.
5. Be sensitive to your audience.
6. Use metaphors and other figures of
speech.
7. Manage your time well.

Table format (Outline)

Purpose To inform; to persuade

Specific Purpose To persuade the community members to reduce, reuse, and

recycle as means of eliminating garbage and protecting the
environment

Topic Promoting the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling

in eliminating and protecting the environment

Pattern Problem-solution

Share facts on the current situation of the environment.

Introduction State the message of the speech (specific topic).

Body Discuss how improper waste disposal becomes an

environmental problem.
Explain how reducing, reusing, and recycling would eliminate
wastes and protect the environment.

Conclusion State the speciific purpose of your speech again.

Call for action.
 List format (Outline)

1.0 As of today, there is an alarming increases of watse in our

communiity.

1.1 According to Solid Waste Management Office, if we do

not take immediate action, we might face more perils
caused by natural calamities

1.2 Now, I am going to talk about how to eliminate wastes

and protect the environment.

2.0 Improper waste disposal causes environmental problems.

2.1 Wastes contaminate the soil.

2.2 Wastes contaminate the water.
2.3 Wastes can cause floods.

3.0 There are ways to eliminate wastes and protect the enviornment.

3.1 Reducing, reusing, and recycling can help eliminate wastes.

3.2 People should start doing these at home.
3.3 This solution should be supported by the local government.

4.0 We must act now.

4.1 This solution should be supported by the local government.
4.2 Let us learn from the lessons in natural calamities we have
experienced.

Reference:
Balgos, A. R., & Sipacio, P. J. (2016). Oral communication in context for senior high school. C&E Publishing.