Writing a really effective speech requires a great deal of practice and preparation. In an ideal situation, you would have time to plan and rehearse your words. However, sometimes things don’t work out that way and you need to pull things together in a short period of time.
Speaking for just 10 minutes may seem to be a daunting task as you don’t have much time to justify the topic. But you surely have enough time to make a fool of yourself if you don’t present your thoughts clearly.
Here’s what you need to remember when writing a speech in only 15 minutes.
Think about the Audience
Always start with the audience. What do they know about you? Do they have any expectation of what you are going to speak about? What do you know about them? You need to ask yourself these questions before starting to write. Your speech will be successful only if you cover the most interesting points for your audience.
Choose the Main Ideas
7-15 minutes is a great length for a speech. This time is enough to present from 5 to 7 ideas. To choose the main points for your speech, let your mind wander for a minute. If you come up with more than 7 ideas, look through your notes and replace the weak points with the new ones. It’s a great way to refine your speech since the researchers suggest we can deal with 7 things in our head at once, plus or minus two.
Create Bridges between the Points
Once you have chosen the most important points to cover, you need to connect them logically. At the end of each point, make a note of the bridge to the next one. These bridges will help you connect your story and make it coherent and logical. As a result, it will be much easier for your audience to follow your thoughts.
Pretend You Are Chatting with a Friend
The most important piece of advice is that the larger the audience, the more significant it is to create the feeling of intimacy. Therefore, you need to write in a way you talk with a close friend. Everyone in the group will feel that you are speaking to them and to them alone. It is very important for creating the appearance of closeness and making your speech more memorable.
Check Your Speech for Logical Coherence
Your audience should easily identify your main points and arguments. All details should seem logical to the person who will read or listen to your speech. Make sure to revise the organization of your speech and improve the general flow. Also consider whether you use the right words to keep your audience on track. Make all necessary changes to craft a perfect speech.
Now that you know how to prepare a speech in a matter of minutes, start writing! Remember to begin your speech with something that will grab the attention of your audience immediately and they will listen to you till the end.
Karen Palmer
