Using a Public Speaking Script

Using A Public Speaking Script

What is a Public Speaking Script?

A public speaking script is for speakers who want to make speeches when given a short notice with very little time to prepare a full speech. The purpose of the script is to give the speaker the key words and phrases of a speech, which will appreciate his/her ability to recall important points throughout their speech.

You need to create a really good public speaking script if you want to communicate in a way that will make people want to listen. A public speaking script is a written or typed out speech that can be used as a guideline for a speech. You may want to use an outline to write your script, but this is not required.

If you are sufficiently knowledgeable or experienced on the subject of your speech, along with being quite comfortable speaking in front of people, you may only need to jot down some main points and speak about them in your own words.

Benefits of a Public speaking script?

Ready to give a speech that will leave your audience on their feet? Whether you're giving a graduation speech, a political rant, or an Oscar speech, your script will help you deliver the perfect speech, no matter what the subject matter is.

This script provides the basic flow for delivering a public speaking presentation. Many steps are included, so it is important to plan carefully and practice the speech to ensure that the final product is polished. A well-prepared speech ensures that the message of the presentation will be concisely delivered.

Sometimes it can be hard to know what to say when giving a speech and that is okay. Creating a speaking script is a way towards developing your performance as a public speaker.

What are the reasons for having a Public speaking script?

Having a Public speaking script will help:

1. Develop your confidence in public speaking.

2. You will be well prepared and thus greatly reduce nervousness.

3. Writing a Public speaking script for your speech creates a framework for you to use on the day of your performance.

4. Public speaking scripts are used to boost self-confidence, help fight nervousness, sound more natural and conversational.

5. Public speaking script is essential as it will help you to overcome the fear of public speaking.

6. This would be helpful in your business education, deployment and career.

7. Having a public speaking script will make your public speaking engaging between the audience and yourself

5 Steps for Writing a Speech

1. Research Your Audience

Determine the demographics of your audience; its general age group, culture, nationality, financial state, interests and such. The more information on the audience, the better you can plan for your Public Speaking Script.

2. Write for Your Audience

Once you have collected and understood the audience, you can start writing down what points of your talk will benefit or entertain them.

3. Select a Topic

If the event organiser has given you a topic with an allocated time, this makes your job easier. You can plan the content and length of your speech accordingly.

If it is open with no topic or time given, select it based on tip #1 which is your audience. For example, if your audience are the elderly, you could pick ideas or topics which are of interest to them such as retirement plan, travel, health etc.

With relevant topics in mind, try to narrow the focus of your speech down like this:

1. Create a list of the strengths of the idea you are talking about

2. Compare the list of the strengths to the problems found with your idea.

3. Focus the speech on the strengths of your idea and how it overall can overcome issues surrounding it.

4. Research Your Topic

People like to be well informed and usually a topic that has a basis in facts is more believable and convincing to the audience.

5. Write Your Speech

Once you've completed the steps above, you're ready to write your speech. Here are some basic speech writing tips:

1. Begin with an outline.

To create a speech your audience will remember, you've got to be organised. An outline is one of the best ways to organise your thoughts.

2. Use a conversational tone.

Write your speech the way you would normally talk. Work in some small talk or humour, if appropriate.

3. Use the speaker notes.

Typically, speaker notes aren't seen by the audience. So, this is a good place to put reminders to yourself in a style that matches you.

4. Be specific.

It's better to give examples or statistics to support a point than it is to make a vague statement.

5. Use short sentences.

It's likely you're not going to give your speech word for word anyway. Shorter sentences are easier to remember.

How to use your Public Speaking Script

Now that you've completed all the steps above, you're ready to deliver your speech. Before you give your speech publicly, though, there are a few things you should remember:

1. Do not read your speech.

If you can, memorize your speech. If you can't, it's okay to use note cards to refer to but don't read them. Just refer to them along the way of your speech if you know you are forgetful. Another tip for this is to always understand your speech and revise the points. This is the easiest way to deliver a speech.

2. Practice.

Practice helps you get more comfortable with your speech. It'll also help you determine how your speech fits into the time slot you've been allocated.

3. Do use visual aids.

Adding as much to the experience as possible for your audience is important so adding an attractive slide presentation adds a satisfying visual element to your public speech.

4. Dress comfortably, but professionally.

The key is to fit in. People’s impression of you is important and somewhat a show of respect for the event. If you're not sure how others at your meeting will be dressed, contact the organiser and confirm.

5. Speak and stand naturally.

It's normal to be a little nervous but try to act as naturally as you can. Remember to stay hydrated before and during your speech as well as taking long breaths. This helps the body cope. Even if you make a mistake, keep going. Your audience probably won't even notice.