EL P1 Speech Notes

WRITING A SPEECH What is a speech? It must have a message given by someone to someone (A) Types of speech/General Objectives  To inform: to present a talk with the sole purpose of giving information  To inspire: to put feelings into words and inspire the audience  To motivate: to make others think, believe and act as you want them to, and have them like it  To persuade: to present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint  To entertain: to entertain the audience through humour and drama (B) What do you have to consider when writing a speech?  The subject: Determine your topic for this speech, e.g., school election. What will you speak about? Whether it's on deforestation or world football history etc.  The audience: This will determine your voice--the tone of your voice, and the degree of formality in your word choice and sentence structures. Are you're talking to fellow schoolmates or hyperactive nine-year-olds? Your language should change accordingly.  The purpose: The objective that will define your subject, e.g., "to persuade the audience to make a particular choice." The title: Don't worry about an exact title at the outset: this will develop. Likewise, your subject may shift as you acquire more knowledge, but you must start somewhere. (C) Speech Organisation 1. Introduction (10%) (A) Opening Statement – Attention Getter (B) Thesis – States your case 2. Body (80%) (A) First Main Point - sub-points with support (B) Second Main Point - sub-points with support (C) Third Main Point - sub-points with support

3. Conclusion (10%) (A) Summary – Famous Words (B) Memorable Statement (D) Techniques for an Introduction: Attention-Getters 1 Ask a question What if the world ended tomorrow? 2 State a startling fact My fellow schoolmates, in every 10 minutes, 20 people die in road accidents. 3 Present a quotation You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. 4 Refer to a historical event In 1965, Singapore was separated from Malaysia. We became an independent nation. 5 Compliment the audience As I stand before you, my fellow friends, I am delighted to see faces that exude enthusiasm and faces that radiate a heart of warmth. 6 Refer to the occasion, purpose of the meeting We gather here this morning for a single purpose, which is to elect a president for the Student Council. 7 Point out the importance of the subjects to the audience Having the right attitudes towards learning is of paramount importance and this afternoon, we have a honourable speaker who flew…. 8 Point to common relationships, beliefs, interests or opinions Our school values advise us, to grow as one people, to serve as one people and to live victoriously as one people. 9 Give an illustration e.g. a story 10 Tell a joke 11 Use a gimmick *Bear in mind that a quote, story, joke etc. must all be relevant to the subject. (E)Techniques for a Conclusion 1 Summary To sum up, let me reiterate the points I have made. First… 2 Make a direct appeal I appeal to you to cast a vote for Max of Sec 4S3 for we all know that she has the makings of a good leader to lead us in the Student Council 3 Look ahead The future is in our hands. Seize the day and live for tomorrow. 4 Ask a rhetorical question Is your future not important to you, may I ask? 5 Refer back to your opening comments Returning to what I said earlier, my friends, it takes one with courage and integrity to stand up for what is right. 6 Quotation

(F)Techniques for a Good Body 1. Plan for three main points and elaborate on them (but there again, read the question for the points to be covered). 2. You can employ the following techniques: 1 Imagery techniques-to help audience see and feel vicariously When I went swimming, the icy water felt like a million bees stinging my skin. Instead of, When I went swimming, the water was cold. 2 Parallel Structure-group of words or phrases that copy or echo each other for emphasis and impact. It is also used for emotional appeal. Where peace is unknown, make it welcome; Where peace is fragile, make it strong; Where peace is temporary, make it permanent. Richard Nixon 3 Alliteration-repeating the same or similar consonant in a phrase. I plead for patriotism in peace as well as in war. 4 Simile-comparing one thing with another. …life was like a box a chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. Forrest Gump 5 Metaphor-two unlike things are compared for emotional, dramatic or poetic effect. It’s obviously raining and the rain will get heavier. This is not a passing shower. But we should not assume that it’s going to be a full-blown thunderstorm. It may not be. George Yeo 11 July 2001 6 Rhetorical Question-a rhetorical question is answered silently in the mind of the listener. A sequence of repeated rhetorical questions creates a rhythm. Who shall say our welfare is unimportant? Who shall say students don’t matter? Who shall say we cannot have a voice? (G) Wrong Dressing Up:  Use of jargon  Slang  Colloquialism  Clichés  False generalisation REMEMBER: If you have to write a speech, DO NOT write one that is way over 350 words. Examiners have noted that some students tend to write excessively. If you make a terribly long speech, it will bore the listeners and soon you will be talking only to yourself!

Valedictorian Speech Good afternoon, Mr Ang, our Principal, Mrs Lim, our Vice-Principal, teachers and fellow Victorians. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to make the valedictorian speech on behalf of all my schoolmates who have graduated. Do you remember how you felt four years ago when you first entered our school on the first day? I remember my own fears and apprehensions. What is a secondary school like? Are the teachers fierce? Will I be able to cope? Indeed, I did not know what to expect of our school, of myself and of being educated in a secondary school. But what made my first day most memorable, and I am sure I can speak for my fellow friends, was the warm smiles I received on that morning when I first entered the school. Indeed, I was greatly encouraged by the friendliness of our teachers and the amiable atmosphere we were thrown into. As a student since then, our student life had its ups and downs. Studying in a secondary school, we soon realised, was much more demanding than being in a primary school. However, it was the encouragement, it was the perseverance and it was the determination of our teachers that saw us through all these years. Without which, I am sure, many of us would have failed miserably in our journey in education. For that, I want to thank all teachers of Victoria for what they have done for us. On occasions when we were difficult, they forgave us, on occasions when we were lazy, they pushed us, on occasions when we needed a listening ear, they heard us. I am sure many of my friends can attest to the love, commitment and dedication our teachers. They have demonstrated great enthusiasm in educating the mind and soul of the young. And oftentimes, we could find refuge beneath their wings and feel the warmth and security of their protection. Apart from imparting knowledge to us, our teachers are also role models for us. They lead by example. This brings me to mind one occasion when a group of us were told to clean the toilet during our Secondary 3 Leadership Camp. We were, of course, reluctant and on our way to the toilet, started complaining to one another why a leadership camp would require us to work like servants. However, when we entered the toilet which we were supposed to clean, we saw two of our teachers, Mr Mike Tan and Mr Johnson Sim, busy scrubbing the toilet bowls in the cubicles. We learnt a valuable message that day. If you want to be great, learn to serve. Today, as we depart from this place, allow me to quote Robert Frost. He said, “I’m not a teacher, but