What are the 10 Principles or Characteristics of Speech Writing with Examples?
Back to: Pedagogy of English- Unit 5
What are the 10 Principles or Characteristics of Speech Writing with Examples?
Definition of Speech
According to Oxford Dictionary, “A speech is a formal talk that a person gives to an audience.”
Speech is one of the major medium of oral communication. We find different speeches in different situations but good speeches are not always found. A good speech is really enjoyable and informative. But it is very tough to deliver a speech that can entertain the audience. A good speech has many characteristics.
Speech is an oral presentation of information or delivery of messages through the use of words of spoken words delivered in front of or to an audience who have gathered in a seminar, meeting, conference, or some other event. It is a form of oral communication which is the oldest method and also the most effective method of communication. Speech is considered to be one of the most effective ways of delivering a message in any event. A speaker can present his thoughts and opinions on various matters to a large group of audience through his or her speech. Due to its efficacy, it is widely used around the world. Be it for social purposes or religious purposes, a speech can come in handy for several kinds of events.
Characteristics of Speech Writing
The 10 principles and characteristics of speech writing are as follows:
(1) Clarity
The voice of the speaker should be clear, tone should vary and pitch should be pleasant. The ideas, emotions and arguments should come straight from the heart so that audience can grasp it easily. It should register with the listeners and vibrate with their feelings and thoughts. A speech is considered to be effective when it is clear and concise. The information presented in the speech should be comprehensible to the present audience and the speech should be delivered by the speaker in a fluent and eloquent manner.
(2) Informal, personal and conversational
A good speech should be like a conversation between two good friends – personal, informal and sincere. There should be a rapport between the speaker and the audience.
(3) Concrete, vivid and imagery
A speech should help build a picture that is easy to visualize and easier to comprehend. It should be furbished by concrete examples that grasp the imagination of the listeners.
(4) Time period
It is very difficult to hold the attention of the listeners for more than 15 to 20 minutes. A good speaker should be able to convey his complete message in that period. He should come straight to the point and say what he wants by bringing three or four points to their attention.
(5) Interesting, jovial and humorous:
A speaker wins or loses the battle in the first two or three minutes. If the speaker has impressed the audience with his opening remarks, he is well on your way to winning a space in their heart. And that is the target. It has to be a heart to heart dialogue. Lace it with short humorous anecdotes – laughter lubricates learning!
Anecdotes should be short, appropriate and in good taste. Quotations, proverbs and idioms should be like arrows piercing directly in to the heart of the audience. Experienced speakers learn to master the art of reciting these statements, giving a long pause after it has been stated to let it sink in with the audience.
(6) Listener-oriented:
Audience is your customer. It is your business to know their needs and wants, their desires and their expectations. Speaker has to be very sensitive to the body language of their audience and modify the speech to fine tune with them. If the message has to gel well with the audience, speakers‟ antenna should pick up the cues from the body language of the listeners.
(7) Dynamic
Dynamism is an important quality of a good speech. There must e variation in style, tone, voice, approach depending on the situation and timing otherwise audience will lose their attention and will suffer form monotonous presentation.
(8) Free From Error
A good speech is always free from error. Error in speech can make the audience confused and loose the personality of the speaker.
(9) Authentic
The facts and figure presented in a speech must be authentic and true. False statement or information misleads the audience and hamper the acceptability of speech.
(10) Well Organized
A good speech is always well organised and well arranged. The pats or points of a speech should be organized in logical sequence to attract and retain h attention of the audience.
(11) Use rhetorical questions
Rhetorical questions are a great way to engage your audience and make them think. By asking a question that does not require an answer, you can encourage your audience to reflect on your message and consider its implications.
(12) Use inclusive language
Inclusive language is a language that avoids stereotypes or discriminatory terms and includes everyone. Inclusive language is essential when delivering a speech, as it shows respect for your audience and makes them feel valued.
(13) Practice, practice, practice
Finally, one of the most important characteristics of speech writing is practice. Practice delivering your speech in front of a mirror or with friends or family. This will help you refine your delivery and ensure you are comfortable and confident when delivering your speech.
(14) Conciseness
Along with being clear, the message presented through the speech should also be concise so that the speech does not get tedious and does not get boring.
(15) Definiteness
The subject matter presented through the speech should be relevant and definite to the present audience.
(16) Interesting
Apart from being clear and concise, there is also a need for the speech to have an element of interest. This interest should not be limited to the subject matter but rather, the speech itself should be delivered in an engaging and interesting manner.
(17) Audience-centered
The message of the speech should be centered more around the audience rather than the speaker himself or herself.
(18) Speak Slowly
If the speaker speaks too fast, the listeners may lose track of the information being presented and hence, one must speak slowly but not too slowly so asn to put the listeners to sleep.
(19) Unbiased
The information presented in the speech should not be biased and it should be presented from a neutral point of view.
(20) Body Gestures
One should also maintain a proper posture and use appropriate body gestures to deliver the speech.
(21) Ensure Participation Of Audience
Asking questions to the listeners or the audience and involving them is necessary.
(22) Free From Emotions
The speaker should not dwell too much on his or her emotions to ensure that the speech can be delivered in an effective manner.
These are the various characteristics and principles of effective speech writing. Speech writing is a complex but rewarding skill that requires careful consideration of your purpose, audience, language, and delivery. Following these ten characteristics, you can write a powerful and effective speech that will engage your audience and leave a lasting impression. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to rehearse your speech until you are confident and comfortable with your delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.What is speech?
2.What are the characteristics of good speech?
3.According to Author what is defination of speech?
4.Why practice is important in speech?
5.How to write good speech?
