how to make a 3 minute speech

A short speech – create a 3 minute speech that rocks

I’m in the Charles Pearson Theatre at the University of Melbourne, watching 12 short speeches. It’s a 3 minute speech competition called the  3 minute Thesis .

These annual, 3 minute speech competitions challenge Ph.D and Masters students to effectively communicate 3-1/2 years’ of technical research into a short speech. Their task is to convey only the most important ideas and findings to a non-technical audience – and with only a single slide.

A short speech is a great test

As you’d imagine, it can be difficult to condense all that research and knowledge into a 3 minute speech, yet still convey all the pertinent information .

But that’s exactly why it’s such a great exercise for all speakers .

That’s because, in order to be effective, your ideas must be able to be communicated in the most brief, simple and clear manner possible. You need them to stick in the listener’s mind.

Not everyone is good at this skill – indeed, few people are. But you need to be if you want other to see the value of your ideas.

By the way, if you think giving a good 3 minute speech is hard, try doing one in just 5 words! That’s what they do at the Webby awards .

What did the winning speakers do right?

Despite giving a short speech on very different topics, there were some common practices I noticed about the winning speakers.

• They presented an exceptionally clear message .
• They included a “ top and tail ” element.
• They made use of metaphor and other verbal illustrations to simplify a complex idea.
• They spoke like they were having a conversation with their audience – not ‘giving a formal speech’.

The losing speakers, by contrast, were more forced. Some were so unnatural they seemed to be giving a pantomime a speech for an audience of children. The engagement of conversation was missing. We’ve talked before about the importance of an unforced, natural style .

How to create a short speech.

1. use a simple structure..

Start by clearly saying the ‘headline’ and key idea underpinning your speech in simple, everyday language, and follow with a simple structure supporting your main point. Here are some examples:

A: Headline and 3 supporting reasons:

With this approach, follow your “headline” statement with 3 simple supporting reasons. State each reason clearly, and explain how each one helps achieve or support the objective.

“We must change the way we work – for 3 important reasons:

• Thwack …,
• Kapow…,
• Whamm. “

B: Problem – solution:

This is a simple structure of only 2 parts. It’s an easy yet powerful way to capture people’s attention and interest when done well. But you’ll want to avoid the trap of rushing through the problem, and spending too much time on your brilliant solution.

If you really want to hook people, take some time to paint a vivid picture of the problem first. Your audience will then be clambering for a solution with both ears open.

C: Timeline:

In this type of short speech, you might cover:

• The history of the issue …
• The current situation …
• What might happen in the future …
• And the ramifications of agreeing (or disagreeing) with your main argument.

D: Metaphor/Top & Tail:

To “top and tail” simply means starting with a story/quote that hints at your message. At the end, you recall that story and link it to your message.

This short speech from a 3 minute speech competition makes excellent use of this approach.

Start your speech (“the top”) with a compelling metaphor to make a memorable point, and end the speech (“the tail”) with the same metaphor — but adjusted to show the benefit of adopting your central argument.

2: End with a memorable message:

Just as important as how you begin and structure your speech, is how you end it .

Consider the same techniques at the end of your speech. A metaphor that links back to your original premise, or finishing with a thought-provoking question, are two ways to burnish your speech in your listener’s mind.

These videos of the 1st and 2nd place winners of a 3 minute speech competition show how effective these closing techniques can be: 1st Place: Sara Ciesielski 2nd Place: Samantha Lichter

People worry that time limitations mean they have to ‘dumb down’ their valuable research — this is not the case!

A vivid message and a compelling short speech can become a window to the depth of your research, and give clarity to the value of your ideas.

A 3 minute speech gives you a huge amount of time to do this – if you use the time wisely and structure your speech to maximum effect.

Want to be a great speaker? Get the kindle ebook from amazon.com: What’s Your Message? Public Speaking with Twice the Impact, Using Half the Effort

• Speech Crafting →

How Long is a 3 Minute Speech? Tips for Writing a Short Speech

What could be more nerve-wracking than standing in front of a room full of people and giving a speech in three minutes? It is no surprise that this can be a stressful task for many people. The good news is that most audiences are ready to listen and understand, if you know how to make your points in a clear, concise, and impactful manner.

But that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? How do you effectively deliver a 3-minute presentation and make sure your message gets across? Well, fear not, in this post, I will be breaking down how you can create an effective 3-minute presentation and tips that you can use to maximize the impact of your speech. So put away the fear and let’s get started!

Quick Answer

How many words can I write in a 3 minute speech? Answer: The number of words for a 3 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 300 and 480 words in your speech.

Calculating Speech Length in Minutes

The precise answer to how long a 3 minute speech is can vary depending on the speaker, their speaking rate, and length of words used. It’s important to consider these factors when preparing an effective presentation . While the conventional wisdom might be to assign a fixed word count per minute, the reality is that it takes more than this to calculate an exact speech length . Subject matter is one factor to take into account when calculating speech length. Complex topics require more words and use of larger vocabulary which will naturally increase the length of time the speaker needs to explain the material. Additionally, if there is content specified by a speaker for a 3-minute presentation, that can also affect the actual length of the speech. On average, one sentence will take about three seconds to deliver, so every extra sentence or phrase will add approximately six seconds to your presentation time. To ensure that your 3-minute speech includes all information needed without taking too much time from other presenters speaking after you, practice delivering your speech out loud and adjust as needed. The pros of using a fixed word count per minute approach are numerous. This method allows for easier calculation of speech timing and for comparison against other speakers in terms of number of words spoken. A disadvantage would be that if a presenter uses larger words or has generally slower delivery with longer pauses between sentences or sections, then the estimated “3 minutes” could be inaccurate; meaning less time available for other speakers or related activities. By considering subject matter, language choice and level of detail, presenters should have a better understanding on how to effectively gauge their intended speech length beforehand. This leads into an important measure of success in any given presentation – that being words per minute estimations which we’ll cover in the following section…

Words Per Minute Estimations

Words per minute estimations are key when it comes to preparing a 3-minute speech. Speaking faster than your natural delivery can hinder the effectiveness of a presentation. However, understanding the industry standard of words per minute can help speakers find the right tempo for their presentations. According to some sources , the average person speaks approximately 125 words per minute, making a 3-minute presentation around 375 words. Plans and speeches should be rehearsed in advance to ensure that they fit and exceed the word requirement. While you should practice going over the time limit, keep in mind that it is best practice to finish presentations at or before the allotted time. On the other hand, there is debate around whether simply filling up a speech with words that do not serve any purpose creates a more improved speech. Speakers must remember that quality matters over quantity when it comes to giving a presentation. While it is important to be aware of how many words are being spoken per minute, fillers such as “um” and “like” decrease performance quality and effectiveness of a presentation. It is essential to factor in tempo along with content breathlessness when delivering a powerful presentation. Therefore, it is important for speakers to practice their speech while focusing on both its content and delivery rate so as to achieve maximum impact. Preparing an effective 3-minute speech requires a combination of quality material and proper timing. The next section will cover tips on how one can prepare an effective 3-minute speech.

Preparing a 3-Minute Speech

As with most speeches, those that are three minutes in length must be planned ahead and prepared carefully. The goal of this section is to provide tips and advice that will help the speaker craft an effective 3-minute speech. First and foremost, speakers must decide on their topic . A specific focus should be chosen, as topics that are too broad will be difficult to cover in such a short time frame. Using any research materials needed, the speaker can begin gathering key points and facts about their chosen topic to include in the speech. Speakers may also have to consider time management when constructing their 3-minute speech. It’s important to use the allotted time for the best outcome, which may involve condensing sentences or eliminating examples that don’t fit into the final draft . If necessary, speakers can even work with rhythm and dramatic pauses to create more impactful and memorable moments within their 3-minute window. Finally, the speaker should practice delivering their 3-minute speech. It’s important to know what points they plan on emphasizing, when they will pause, how they will move while they are speaking, and how to vary their pitch and vocal delivery to capture audience attention—but all within the three minutes of allotted time. The more practice given to 3-minute speech preparation, the better chance of successfully delivering an effective presentation on one’s chosen topic. Armed with these preparation tips for crafting a 3-minute speech, speakers can proceed towards structuring their speech accordingly in order to maximize its creative potential and reach its intended purpose. The following section will address structuring the speech itself so that it packs a punch within a short window of time.

Structuring the Speech

A well-structured speech is a key part of delivering an effective presentation. When planning a 3 minute speech, selecting a structure to guide the flow of information can be essential in ensuring an effective outcome. The first factor in structuring a 3 minute speech is deciding whether to present in a chronological order, or alternatively divide into thematic elements. If a chronological approach is chosen, this allows the audience to gain insight on how ideas have developed over time and provides continuity between points. Conversely, when choosing to split the speech according to theme this allows for greater focus on specific topics and highlights any similarities or differences between them. Closely linked to the type of structure chosen, it can be beneficial to consider utilising subheadings, especially if the speech has been divided into thematic elements. Subheadings are also helpful for maintaining focus on the main point and ensure each idea is adequately covered within your time limit. However, too many subheadings may result in an overly structured presentation which could be distracting for the audience. Alternatively, little or no subheadings may mean that the content feels disjointed and difficult to follow. As such, finding the right balance is essential for ensuring successful communication. Finally, whilst considering how long each element should be within your speech, setting yourself a word target can also help achieve this balance. After deciding how long each major element will take up there are often nuances within these sections that would benefit from some additional elaboration. By setting yourself a total number of words you will become more aware of how much detail there needs to be within those subsections and ultimately produce a better outcome overall. Having established the structure of your 3 minute presentation it is now important to consider what content should fill it. Moving forward we will discuss how to choose an appropriate topic that suits both you and your audience…

Choosing a Topic

Choosing a topic for a 3 minute speech can be daunting. It’s important to consider the audience, purpose, and context of the speech when selecting your topic . Your aim should be to select a topic that will interest and engage the audience. Try to pick something that you are passionate about and ensure it is appropriate for the occasion. When debating topics, think carefully about both sides of the argument so your presentation can be balanced and comprehensive. Drawing on both sides of an argument demonstrates good critical thinking and builds respect from your audience. Also you may have to overcome initial opposition or skepticism from members of your audience. This technique encourages full discussion and understanding of a topic, allowing the audience to process both perspectives before coming to their own conclusions and making decisions. Finally, if you decide to debate a topic, consider ending your presentation with a call to action for your audience — this could be encouraging them to take action on what they have learned in your speech or engaging in further research, amongst others. Now that you have chosen a topic for your 3 minute speech, it’s time to move onto finding supporting ideas which will bring depth and clarity to your presentation.

Finding Supporting Ideas

Brainstorming and research are vital components for gathering the information needed to support a 3 minute speech. Asking questions can help identify topics and ideas to provide a focus for the presentation. Think about what the audience needs to hear and then decide which idea will be used as the center of discussion. Gather facts, figures, statistics, quotes, stories and anecdotes to substantiate the central idea. Additionally, consider points of view on both sides of the debate when appropriate. This will help strengthen the basis of evidence to better illustrate a point or opinion throughout the presentation. Use materials that are relevant, concise but still informative. It is important to have a good balance between material that’s interesting and familiar. As well as material that provides an argumentative edge so the audience has something new to think about after the presentation is finished. Thus it’s important to spend time evaluating all of the materials available that may be suitable in order to determine which pieces will provide maximum impact. Having strong supporting ideas can help make a 3 minute speech persuasive and effective. Here’s a few tips for finding great supporting ideas: 1) Research thoroughly – To ensure accurate information that gives authenticity to arguments 2) Brainstorm – Think critically surrounding common topics relating back to your main point 3) Debate both sides – Consider points of view on both sides of the debate when appropriate 4) Select materials with intention – Choose relevant, concise materials that provide maximum impact 5) Utilize multimedia – Media presentations such as videos, slideshows and graphics can bring extra interest and dimension With some brainstorming and careful selection of materials through a combination of research and thoughtful evaluation, finding effective supporting ideas for a 3 minute speech can be attainable! Now that we have discussed Finding Supporting Ideas for our speech, let’s move on to discuss Opening & Closing the Speech in our next section.

Essential Information

When preparing for a 3 minute speech, it is important to brainstorm for topics and ask questions related to the presentation. Furthermore, research facts, figures, statistics, quotes, stories and anecdotes to strengthen the basis of evidence and arguments. When selecting materials to support the speech, be sure it is relevant, concise but still informative in order to provide maximum impact. To ensure maximum effectiveness of the presentation, consider points of view on both sides of the debate, use multimedia such as videos and graphics. With careful research and evaluation when selecting materials one can be prepared to deliver a strong 3 minute speech.

Opening & Closing the Speech

When delivering a 3 minute presentation, opening and closing the speech effectively is critical to ensure the speech is impactful and memorable. An effective introduction grabs the audience’s attention and creates context, while a powerful conclusion provides a sense of completion and allows the presenter to leave a lasting impression. The introduction should be short, clear and interesting so that it immediately grabs the audience’s interest and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation. Presenters should consider using an anecdote or joke to draw people in, and be sure to include a succinct overview of what points will be discussed during the rest of the presentation. It is important to stay within time limits while still ensuring that the main idea is expressed in an appealing manner. In contrast, some argue that with only three minutes allotted, it is better to save time by omitting an introduction all together. This approach can be beneficial in certain circumstances as it allows more time for covering relevant material. Additionally, experienced speakers may have no trouble grabbing the audience’s attention without needing any kind of introduction. The conclusion should summarize key points touched on throughout the presentation while reinforcing the main idea of the speech and leaving listeners with something to ponder. Presenters might close with their opinion on the topic at hand or use ending remarks such as “thank you for your attention” or “questions?” An effective closure will provide a clear picture of why this topic is important or relevant and might use props, visuals or sound clips to deliver a final statement about being heard. Similar to an introduction, some might argue that a conclusion is not necessary given that speaker has only three minutes overall. However, like an introduction, skipping out on a proper closure could be detrimental if not done well as it has potential to leave the audience feeling unfulfilled or confused about what was actually presented. In conclusion, it is important to abide by time constraints while also giving an effective open and close when preparing a 3 minute speech – whether this requires including both parts or depending on individual circumstance. Now that we have covered opening and closing techniques, our next section will focus on how to practice delivering this speech efficiently ahead of time.

Practicing the Speech

Speaking confidently and effectively in public can be intimidating for even the most experienced speaker. Before delivering a speech , it is important to practice numerous times to make sure that it is well rehearsed. This allows the speaker to become familiar with their material and identify potential areas of concern so that they can be addressed before delivering the speech. In addition to practicing aloud, writing out the entire speech is also recommended, as it gives the speaker a better sense of organization and flow. However, memorizing every line may not be necessary if the speaker has walked through their material multiple times with both written words and rehearsed aloud. The advantage of memorizing a speech word-for-word is that it allows the speaker to focus on their delivery and make sure they are speaking at an appropriate pace. This can be especially helpful when timing is an issue or when the allotted amount of time to speak is limited. On the other hand, having a memorized presentation can be dangerous as speakers may get lost in thought if they forget where they are or forget a word. Regardless of whether or not a speech is memorized in its entirety, all speeches should still be practiced several times in order for them to flow naturally and coherently. Doing so will minimize any potential errors or pauses during delivery and offer more confidence to the speaker. To further ensure an effective public presentation, all speakers should practice in front of an audience who can give constructive feedback on both content and delivery. Practicing this way helps speakers become more aware of parts of their speeches that need improvement so that these issues can be addressed before delivering the actual speech. By taking the time to properly practice one’s 3 minute speech, any presenter can deliver their material without feeling nervous or unprepared, making for a successful dialogue. With these pros and cons considered, now comes time to prepare for actually delivering the speech .

Delivering the Speech

Once you have written the speech and chosen your message, the next step is to decide how you are going to present the speech. Even a 3-minute speech can be intimidating, making it essential for presenters to practice their presentation in advance. Ready your voice and familiarize yourself with presentations mistakes so that you can avoid these pitfalls during your actual delivery. When delivering a 3-minute speech, focus on maintaining eye contact with your audience, using strong gestures to emphasize points, and speaking slowly but steadily in order to keep within the time limit. It is also important to know when to pause , as this can help draw attention to key points and help optimize communication of the content. In addition to how you deliver the speech, another area is focusing on what words to omit or add if something is taking too long or too short. Depending on the context of the presentation, there are several approaches presenters can take here – some opt for minimizing or reducing descriptions while others choose to replace or substitute certain words or phrases with newer styles of language. Ultimately, it is up to the presenter’s judgement on what changes should be made in order to ensure an effective and informative presentation within three minutes. Certain topics may require speakers to further analyze their material in order to determine what information should be included or left out within three minutes. Here, it is particularly useful for presenters to determine which aspects of their synopsis holds primary importance by jotting down points that could be used as main points or context highlights. In summary, delivering a 3-minute speech successfully requires expertise in budgeting one’s time while still managing to pass along all necessary information needed by both themselves and the audience. Effective delivery will also enhance engagement with your listeners while strengthening your own self confidence as a speaker. Moving forward, let’s discuss some additional tips for speeches of any length.

Additional Tips for Speeches of Any Length

1) Make It Interactive: Engage your audience in the speech by inviting them to act out certain ideas or roles, giving them handouts that contain specific instructions, or even allowing them to ask questions or participate in discussions. Studies have shown that people are more engaged when they are actively involved in a presentation, so give people something to do! Checkpoints in your presentation can be great opportunities for feedback from your audience that you can use to tailor your content and keep their attention. 2) Vary Your Delivery: Use different techniques to keep your audience’s interest. Consider changing the tone of your voice and/or changing your body language throughout the speech. Doing so will help make the talk more interesting and engaging for everyone. Additionally, varying the pace of the presentation can help you drive home key points and keep listeners on their toes. 3) Focus on Clarity: Communicate with clarity and ensure that each point is clear and concise. This is especially important with longer presentations as listeners may become lost along the way if the central messages aren’t made obvious. Research has found that people are more likely to remember stories than facts , so consider incorporating anecdotes into your talk for greater impact. 4) Use Visuals Wisely: Visual aids such as charts or slides can be a great addition to long presentations, helping you explain complex topics quickly and easily, but it’s important not to overdo it. Too many visuals can take away from what you’re saying and make it difficult for listeners to stay focused. Only use visuals when necessary – if there’s a lot of data involved, consider summarizing some of it instead of going into too much detail. 5) Stick to the Point: You may feel incredibly passionate about a particular topic and want to talk extensively about it – but try not to go off-topic since this could confuse or bore your audience . Keeping an outline nearby should help you stay focused, plus cutting out excess details will leave you free to elaborate on thoughts more connected to the main purpose of your speech.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What types of topics are best suited to a 3 minute speech.

A 3-minute speech is best suited for topics which are brief and can be discussed in a short amount of time. It’s important to identify the key points that need to be covered within the allotted time frame. Consider keeping the topic as specific as possible – this helps to make sure all the key points are concisely discussed in the limited amount of time. Some examples of topics suitable for 3-minute speeches include: •Explaining a new product or service •Summarizing a research paper •Discussing the benefits of a particular solution •Outlining a well-known process •Highlighting recent advancements in technology •Providing a brief overview of an issue or current event •Giving an introduction to an unfamiliar concept. Ultimately, any topic that can be accurately presented and discussed in three minutes or less is appropriate for a 3-minute speech.

How much content can I fit into a 3 minute speech?

In a 3-minute speech, you can fit in quite a lot of content but only if it’s concise and well-constructed. To make the most of your time, decide on the main point you want to make, then use supporting evidence to back this up. You may also want to include some relevant anecdotes or stories to further illustrate your key points. When delivering the speech, practice pacing yourself and speaking clearly and confidently – this will make all the difference with how much content you’re able to get across. Ultimately, it comes down to how well you craft your message in such a short time frame; however, with careful preparation, you should be able to fit in a good amount of information that engages the audience.

How can I ensure my 3 minute speech is engaging?

When delivering a 3 minute speech, it is important to make sure your audience is engaged and attentive. To help ensure that your speech is engaging and effective, be sure to: 1. Focus on presenting your main points clearly and concisely. Make sure to choose words that are easily understood, and don’t be afraid to repeat yourself if needed. Keep your language simple , and avoid using abstract concepts. 2. Use stories, analogies or examples when introducing new topics or providing context for what you are talking about. This will allow the audience to better understand the content of your speech, while also making it more interesting and engaging. 3. Maintain good eye contact with your audience when speaking and use gestures when appropriate. This will show that you are confident and engaged in what you are saying. It will also help keep their attention on you rather than other distractions in the room. 4. Make sure to practice your speech beforehand so you can deliver it accurately, at a comfortable pace, and without running over time. Being able to gauge the allotted time of the speech and keep it within bounds will show the audience that you have prepared properly for the occasion. By following these tips, you can ensure that your 3 minute speech is both engaging and effective in communicating your key points to your audience.

How long is a 1 minute speech?

The number of words for a 1 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 100 and 160 words in your speech.

How long is a 2 minute speech?

The number of words for a 2 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 200 and 320 words in your speech.

How long is a 3 minute speech?

The number of words for a 3 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 300 and 480 words in your speech.

How long is a 4 minute speech?

The number of words for a 4 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 400 and 640 words in your speech.

How long is a 5 minute speech?

The number of words for a 5 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 500 and 800 words in your speech.

How long is a 6 minute speech?

The number of words for a 6 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 600 and 960 words in your speech.

How long is a 7 minute speech?

The number of words for a 7 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 700 and 1120 words in your speech.

How long is a 8 minute speech?

The number of words for a 8 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 800 and 1280 words in your speech.

How long is a 9 minute speech?

The number of words for a 9 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 900 and 1440 words in your speech.

How long is a 10 minute speech?

The number of words for a 10 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 1000 and 1600 words in your speech.

Best 3 Minute Speech Topics (How to Come Ideate)

Hrideep barot.

• Body Language & Delivery , Presentation , Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

It’s challenging to deliver a speech in front of a large crowd, but choosing 3-minute topics is far harder. Moreover, the audience would not be engaged in the speech from the start if the speaker did not have an engaging or compelling topic or title.

You’ve come to the perfect article if you want to learn everything there is to know about 3-minute topics in order to improve your public speaking skills. So, READ ON.

Importance of 3-minute speeches

Speaking for three minutes is undoubtedly difficult to master. You must unquestionably conduct an adequate study and choose crucial issues to include in your speech. It is crucial to realise that you must deliver the most essential information first while speaking in a restricted amount of time, such as a 3-minute speech.

A three-minute speech is undoubtedly a wonderful starting point for public speaking. This is because you need to communicate with your audience more effectively when you just have a short amount of time. In addition, the speech ought to be concise, pertinent, and clear. Be more relatable to the audience and speak for them. To be the best, you must improve your communication abilities.

While giving a three-minute speech is fantastic, the fear of public speaking might frequently prevent you from doing it effectively. Without a doubt, practice and dedication will aid you in overcoming your deficiencies. You will undoubtedly master the art of public speaking if you overcome all of these obstacles. You can overcome your fear of public speaking by developing a few specific abilities.

What to say in a 3-minute speech?

Although a three-minute speech may seem brief, a lot of words and ideas may be said in that time. Despite the time constraint, if you are conversant with the subject matter, you may prepare for your three-minute speech swiftly. The secret is to create a strong outline that allows you to add or remove details based on how much time you have left.

1. Choose a topic

The topic of your speech and the main points you want to convey to the audience should be stated in one phrase. Choose the speech’s style—persuasive, celebratory, argumentative, or any other—so that you’ll know how to move on. This phrase should not be spoken aloud during your speech; instead, use it as a guide to help you focus while you write it.

2. Prepare an introduction 

Write an attention-grabbing introduction paragraph to draw the audience in. You could wish to think about opening with a humorous anecdote, a stunning statistic, or an intriguing quotation from a relevant source, depending on the subject and the audience.

3. Summarise the key points

You should quickly summarise the key points you wish to cover in your speech. Roman numerals should be used to identify these, and if you are typing, bold it to make it easier for you to see where you are in your speech. No more than five key points should be used in a three-minute speech.

4. Support the key points with evidence/examples

Each of your primary claims should be supported by three to five brief paragraphs. Count them. Using capital letters may make it easier for readers to quickly distinguish them from your major arguments.

5. Make an outline

Write as much of your speech as you think you’ll need to, word for word, then enter the phrases inside the outline. You’ll be able to write your speech more quickly the less you include. However, this also requires that you feel at ease structuring logical phrases and thoughts just before speaking.

6. Practise the speech

Prepare your speech in advance and memorise it before giving it to anyone who would listen. Aim for no more than one quick peek at your written speech every ten to twenty seconds.

How to prepare for a 3-minute speech?

1. organize yourself.

Before speaking in front of an audience, it’s a good idea to organise yourself. Furthermore, you must be aware that speaking clearly requires organising your thoughts and ideas.

2. Practice a lot

Hard labour, which you need to practise for, is the secret to excellent public speaking. Do it as much as you can; practice is something you just can’t get enough of. Moreover, start by putting the key points of your speech into practice.

3. Stay focused

Keep your speech on topic by avoiding letting other things distract you. Moreover, you can deliver your finest work by remaining focused. In addition, it is crucial to maintain your attention on the essential ideas and avoid being sidetracked by anything else.

4. Stay calm

You do have a fear of public speaking, but try to calm yourself down and remember that it won’t last forever. You can certainly get past it. Simply calming down and taking deep breaths can help a lot, especially when confidence is being threatened by fear.

5. Grab the audience’s attention

Keeping the audience interested is essential to giving a successful speech. Yes, it naturally improves confidence when you know that the audience is interested in hearing you and that you can engage them with strong information. Furthermore, by being more appealing to and relatable to the audience, you may gain their attention.

Length of a 3-minute speech 

At a normal speech rate of 130 words per minute , a three-minute speech would typically contain 390 words (wpm) .

In addition, the average speaking pace, according to speech and writing instructor Daphne Gray-Grant, is 125 to 150 words per minute , or 375 to 450 words for a three-minute speech.

Exploring 3-minute topics

• Look for events in periodicals, journals, and newspapers. At this point, it makes no difference if the information is current or historical; what matters are recent interesting facts that grab people’s attention. Articles on topics that interest you and those you feel at ease discussing are solid indicators.
• Note down any suggestions you may have for engaging speech topics. For a public speaking engagement, create a brief list of potential topics for yourself. Then skip the ones that are too hard and tough to prepare for in 8 to 10 minutes.
• For further in-depth knowledge about your topic, look up some online books on it. Alternately, visit a library and ask for books and scholarly articles on your topic. Moreover, try to comprehend the author’s treatment of it. How is he structured? Which facts, evidence, or arguments are the most persuasive? What instances and examples has she or he used?
• Peerless trustworthy statistics and recent findings can aid with writing and editing. Keep an eye out for debates, unusual viewpoints, and oddities. How do you feel about it? What do you hope they will make of it?
• Consider interesting interpretive cues to discuss that are linked. Try to add new ideas, consider things from different perspectives, or simply flip your assumptions as you look at your rough list. Furthermore, look at the unique features that shock the listeners. That has the potential to greatly enlighten the public’s judgement. What you try to explain or demonstrate in a few minutes, they can also feel, see, taste, and smell.
• Look for remarks, arguments in favour and against, and supporting and opposing opinions. Where you wish to draw attention to or underline a seemingly impossible point in your intriguing topic concept, include graphic aids.
• Watch debate programmes, historical documentaries, and newscasts, such as the morning and evening news. In particular, they are useful for creating a basic list of wheedling brainstorms.

General 3-minute topics

• Why is it so hard for us to fathom life without technology?
• Why are effective communication skills so crucial?
• An excellent sense of humour is crucial.
• My worst life event and the lessons it taught me.
• Helpful advice for acing an interview.
• Every firm should prioritise cybersecurity.
• How well does technology match our expectations?
• How can I choose a good career?
• Why being young is not all that it seems to be?
• Why do manners matter so much in defining a person?

Simple 3-minute topics 

• How the globe is becoming more united because of social media
• Why pets are preferable to kids
• My most embarrassing circumstance
• How to deal with the issue of online trolls
• My hope for mankind
• How to get the ideal selfie
• Why veganism is the way to go
• 5 tips for cutting down on cooking time
• Why lying is occasionally required
• What I wish a wise person had told my parents before I was born 

Funny 3-minute topics 

• Most amusing childhood memory 
• One Occasion I Got Caught 
• Quickly Make Money 
• When I Was Arrested
• My 15 Minutes of Fame
• A Time When I Escaped My Home
• Best Reasons To Miss Work
• How to Cheat on a Test
• The Weirdest Person I’ve Ever Known
• We are the individuals of whom our parents warned us.

Unique 3-minute topics 

• The finest kind of advertising will always be word of mouth.
• Racism will always exist.
• Sale flyers are ineffective.
• Text communications were destroyed by WhatsApp.
• People’s responses to you are influenced by your attire.
• The best form of government is democracy.
• There should only be organic farming.
• There is reincarnation.
• The most enthusiastic teachers are those who are young.
• People who lack order are more inventive.

3-minute topics for students

Everyone has interests, and everyone enjoys discussing them. You know, hobbies could also be passions. Simple inquiries to pose include:

• What interests you?
• Why are your activities so appealing to you?
• When do you engage in these pastimes?
• What are your hobbies, how long have you been doing them, and how did you start?
• What pastimes did you once enjoy but no longer do?
• Is it necessary to engage in hobbies? Why or why not?

Everyone enjoys music, and the majority of people have extremely strong feelings about it, especially when it comes to the music they enjoy (or detest) the most. Simple inquiries to make include the following:

• What genres of music do you enjoy or find boring?
• What emotions do various musical genres evoke in you?
• What genres of music are produced in your nation?
• What song, artist, or album is your favourite?
• What music is now in vogue in your nation?

3. Motivation

Whether or whether the pupils are motivated, it is a good idea to talk about motivation in order to motivate them. Examples of questions are:

• In general, how motivated are you?
• What spurs you on to action?
• What inspires people to accomplish the most?
• What actions do you do when you lack motivation?
• How can one effectively inspire others?

Everybody has objectives, and discussing them really makes us more motivated to take action. Goal-setting can be aided by sharing them with others. An excellent set of inquiries are:

• What are your present life objectives?
• How are your goals going to be attained?
• How frequently do you set yourself goals?
• What objectives have you previously set and attained?
• How do you feel after achieving your objectives?

Everyone has dreams, sometimes on a nightly basis, and discussing them in class is a terrific activity since it encourages pupils to be imaginative and even whimsical. Excellent inquiries on this subject include:

• How would you characterise your dreams?
• What do dreams represent to you?
• What percentage of your dreams can you recall? Why?
• What are your thoughts about prophecies? Are they genuine?
• What are some instances of your most cherished dreams?

Read the article for more useful insights: Speech titles and topics: Everything you need to know

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Final words 

Any speech, whether it be persuasive, informative, or emotive, must start with its theme. Moreover, the topic of the speech is chosen to convey a particular message to the audience and persuade them to accept the speaker’s views.

Making oneself a better and more persuasive speaker may benefit from the wise choice and effective utilisation of speech subjects.

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How to write a good speech in 7 steps

By:  Susan Dugdale  

- an easily followed format for writing a great speech

Did you know writing a speech doesn't have be an anxious, nail biting experience?

Unsure? Don't be.

You may have lived with the idea you were never good with words for a long time. Or perhaps giving speeches at school brought you out in cold sweats.

However learning how to write a speech is relatively straight forward when you learn to write out loud.

And that's the journey I am offering to take you on: step by step.

To learn quickly, go slow

Take all the time you need. This speech format has 7 steps, each building on the next.

Walk, rather than run, your way through all of them. Don't be tempted to rush. Familiarize yourself with the ideas. Try them out.

I know there are well-advertised short cuts and promises of 'write a speech in 5 minutes'. However in reality they only truly work for somebody who already has the basic foundations of speech writing in place.

The foundation of good speech writing 

These steps are the backbone of sound speech preparation. Learn and follow them well at the outset and yes, given more experience and practice you could probably flick something together quickly. Like any skill, the more it's used, the easier it gets.

In the meantime...

Step 1: Begin with a speech overview or outline

Are you in a hurry? Without time to read a whole page? Grab ... The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist And come back to get the details later.

• WHO you are writing your speech for (your target audience)
• WHY you are preparing this speech. What's the main purpose of your speech? Is it to inform or tell your audience about something? To teach them a new skill or demonstrate something? To persuade or to entertain? (See 4 types of speeches: informative, demonstrative, persuasive and special occasion or entertaining for more.) What do you want them to think, feel or do as a result of listening the speech?
• WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic) - You'll want to have thought through your main points and have ranked them in order of importance. And have sorted the supporting research you need to make those points effectively.
• HOW much time you have for your speech eg. 3 minutes, 5 minutes... The amount of time you've been allocated dictates how much content you need. If you're unsure check this page: how many words per minute in a speech: a quick reference guide . You'll find estimates of the number of words required for 1 - 10 minute speeches by slow, medium and fast talkers.

Use an outline

The best way to make sure you deliver a perfect speech is to start by carefully completing a speech outline covering the essentials: WHO, WHY, WHAT and HOW.

Beginning to write without thinking your speech through is a bit like heading off on a journey not knowing why you're traveling or where you're going to end up. You can find yourself lost in a deep, dark, murky muddle of ideas very quickly!

Pulling together a speech overview or outline is a much safer option. It's the map you'll follow to get where you want to go.

Get a blank speech outline template to complete

Click the link to find out a whole lot more about preparing a speech outline . ☺ You'll also find a free printable blank speech outline template.  I recommend using it!

Understanding speech construction

Before you begin to write, using your completed outline as a guide, let's briefly look at what you're aiming to prepare.

• an opening or introduction
• the body where the bulk of the information is given
• and an ending (or summary).

Imagine your speech as a sandwich

If you think of a speech as a sandwich you'll get the idea.

The opening and ending are the slices of bread holding the filling (the major points or the body of your speech) together.

You can build yourself a simple sandwich with one filling (one big idea) or you could go gourmet and add up to three or, even five. The choice is yours.

But whatever you choose to serve, as a good cook, you need to consider who is going to eat it! And that's your audience.

So let's find out who they are before we do anything else. 

Step 2: Know who you are talking to

Understanding your audience.

Did you know a  good speech is never written from the speaker's point of view?  ( If you need to know more about why check out this page on  building rapport .)

Begin with the most important idea/point on your outline.

Consider HOW you can explain (show, tell) that to your audience in the most effective way for them to easily understand it.   

Writing from the audience's point of view

To help you write from an audience point of view, it's a good idea to identify either a real person or the type of person who is most likely to be listening to you.

Make sure you select someone who represents the "majority" of the people who will be in your audience. That is they are neither struggling to comprehend you at the bottom of your scale or light-years ahead at the top.

Now imagine they are sitting next to you eagerly waiting to hear what you're going to say. Give them a name, for example, Joe, to help make them real.

Ask yourself

• How do I need to tailor my information to meet Joe's needs? For example, do you tell personal stories to illustrate your main points? Absolutely! Yes. This is a very powerful technique. (Click storytelling in speeches to find out more.)
• What type or level of language is right for Joe as well as my topic? For example if I use jargon (activity, industry or profession specific vocabulary) will it be understood?

Step 3: Writing as you speak

Writing oral language.

Write down what you want to say about your first main point as if you were talking directly to Joe.

If it helps, say it all out loud before you write it down and/or record it.

Use the information below as a guide

(Click to download The Characteristics of Spoken Language  as a pdf.) 

You do not have to write absolutely everything you're going to say down * but you do need to write down, or outline, the sequence of ideas to ensure they are logical and easily followed.

Remember too, to explain or illustrate your point with examples from your research. 

( * Tip: If this is your first speech the safety net of having everything written down could be just what you need. It's easier to recover from a patch of jitters when you have a word by word manuscript than if you have either none, or a bare outline. Your call!)

Step 4: Checking tone and language

The focus of this step is re-working what you've done in Step 2 and 3.

You identified who you were talking to (Step 2) and in Step 3, wrote up your first main point.  Is it right? Have you made yourself clear?  Check it.

How well you complete this step depends on how well you understand the needs of the people who are going to listen to your speech.

Please do not assume because you know what you're talking about the person (Joe) you've chosen to represent your audience will too. Joe is not a mind-reader!

How to check what you've prepared

• Check the "tone" of your language . Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?
• Check the length of your sentences. You need short sentences. If they're too long or complicated you risk losing your listeners.

Check for jargon too. These are industry, activity or group exclusive words.

For instance take the phrase: authentic learning . This comes from teaching and refers to connecting lessons to the daily life of students. Authentic learning is learning that is relevant and meaningful for students. If you're not a teacher you may not understand the phrase.

The use of any vocabulary requiring insider knowledge needs to be thought through from the audience perspective. Jargon can close people out.

• Read what you've written out loud. If it flows naturally, in a logical manner, continue the process with your next main idea. If it doesn't, rework.

We use whole sentences and part ones, and we mix them up with asides or appeals e.g. "Did you get that? Of course you did. Right...Let's move it along. I was saying ..."

Click for more about the differences between spoken and written language .

And now repeat the process

Repeat this process for the remainder of your main ideas.

Because you've done the first one carefully, the rest should follow fairly easily.

Step 5: Use transitions

Providing links or transitions between main ideas.

Between each of your main ideas you need to provide a bridge or pathway for your audience. The clearer the pathway or bridge, the easier it is for them to make the transition from one idea to the next.

If your speech contains more than three main ideas and each is building on the last, then consider using a "catch-up" or summary as part of your transitions.

Is your speech being evaluated? Find out exactly what aspects you're being assessed on using this standard speech evaluation form

Link/transition examples

A link can be as simple as:

"We've explored one scenario for the ending of Block Buster 111, but let's consider another. This time..."

What follows this transition is the introduction of Main Idea Two.

Here's a summarizing link/transition example:

"We've ended Blockbuster 111 four ways so far. In the first, everybody died. In the second, everybody died BUT their ghosts remained to haunt the area. In the third, one villain died. His partner reformed and after a fight-out with the hero, they both strode off into the sunset, friends forever. In the fourth, the hero dies in a major battle but is reborn sometime in the future.

And now what about one more? What if nobody died? The fifth possibility..."

Go back through your main ideas checking the links. Remember Joe as you go. Try each transition or link out loud and really listen to yourself. Is it obvious? Easily followed?

Keep them if they are clear and concise.

For more about transitions (with examples) see Andrew Dlugan's excellent article, Speech Transitions: Magical words and Phrases .

Step 6: The end of your speech

The ideal ending is highly memorable . You want it to live on in the minds of your listeners long after your speech is finished. Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major points.

Example speech endings

Example 1: The desired outcome of a speech persuading people to vote for you in an upcoming election is that they get out there on voting day and do so. You can help that outcome along by calling them to register their support by signing a prepared pledge statement as they leave.

"We're agreed we want change. You can help us give it to you by signing this pledge statement as you leave. Be part of the change you want to see!

Example 2: The desired outcome is increased sales figures. The call to action is made urgent with the introduction of time specific incentives.

"You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours. Can you do it? Will you do it? The kids will love it. Your wife will love it. Do it now!"

How to figure out the right call to action

A clue for working out what the most appropriate call to action might be, is to go back to your original purpose for giving the speech.

• Was it to motivate or inspire?
• Was it to persuade to a particular point of view?
• Was it to share specialist information?
• Was it to celebrate a person, a place, time or event?

Ask yourself what you want people to do as a result of having listened to your speech.

For more about ending speeches

Visit this page for more about how to end a speech effectively . You'll find two additional types of speech endings with examples.

Write and test

Write your ending and test it out loud. Try it out on a friend, or two. Is it good? Does it work?

Step 7: The introduction

Once you've got the filling (main ideas) the linking and the ending in place, it's time to focus on the introduction.

The introduction comes last as it's the most important part of your speech. This is the bit that either has people sitting up alert or slumped and waiting for you to end. It's the tone setter!

What makes a great speech opening?

Ideally you want an opening that makes listening to you the only thing the 'Joes' in the audience want to do.

You want them to forget they're hungry or that their chair is hard or that their bills need paying.

The way to do that is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with a "hook".

Hooks to catch your audience's attention

Hooks come in as many forms as there are speeches and audiences. Your task is work out what specific hook is needed to catch your audience.

Go back to the purpose. Why are you giving this speech?

Once you have your answer, consider your call to action. What do you want the audience to do, and, or take away, as a result of listening to you?

Next think about the imaginary or real person you wrote for when you were focusing on your main ideas.

Choosing the best hook

• Is it humor?
• Would shock tactics work?
• Is it a rhetorical question?
• Is it formality or informality?
• Is it an outline or overview of what you're going to cover, including the call to action?
• Or is it a mix of all these elements?

A hook example

Here's an example from a fictional political speech. The speaker is lobbying for votes. His audience are predominately workers whose future's are not secure.

"How's your imagination this morning? Good? (Pause for response from audience) Great, I'm glad. Because we're going to put it to work starting right now.

I want you to see your future. What does it look like? Are you happy? Is everything as you want it to be? No? Let's change that. We could do it. And we could do it today.

At the end of this speech you're going to be given the opportunity to change your world, for a better one ...

No, I'm not a magician. Or a simpleton with big ideas and precious little commonsense. I'm an ordinary man, just like you. And I have a plan to share!"

And then our speaker is off into his main points supported by examples. The end, which he has already foreshadowed in his opening, is the call to vote for him.

Prepare several hooks

Experiment with several openings until you've found the one that serves your audience, your subject matter and your purpose best.

For many more examples of speech openings go to: how to write a speech introduction . You'll find 12 of the very best ways to start a speech.

That completes the initial seven steps towards writing your speech. If you've followed them all the way through, congratulations, you now have the text of your speech!

Although you might have the words, you're still a couple of steps away from being ready to deliver them. Both of them are essential if you want the very best outcome possible. They are below. Please take them.

Step 8: Checking content and timing

This step pulls everything together.

Check once, check twice, check three times & then once more!

Go through your speech really carefully.

On the first read through check you've got your main points in their correct order with supporting material, plus an effective introduction and ending.

On the second read through check the linking passages or transitions making sure they are clear and easily followed.

On the third reading check your sentence structure, language use and tone.

Double, triple check the timing

Now go though once more.

This time read it aloud slowly and time yourself.

If it's too long for the time allowance you've been given make the necessary cuts.

Start by looking at your examples rather than the main ideas themselves. If you've used several examples to illustrate one principal idea, cut the least important out.

Also look to see if you've repeated yourself unnecessarily or, gone off track. If it's not relevant, cut it.

Repeat the process, condensing until your speech fits the required length, preferably coming in just under your time limit.

You can also find out how approximately long it will take you to say the words you have by using this very handy words to minutes converter . It's an excellent tool, one I frequently use. While it can't give you a precise time, it does provide a reasonable estimate.

Step 9: Rehearsing your speech

And NOW you are finished with writing the speech, and are ready for REHEARSAL .

Please don't be tempted to skip this step. It is not an extra thrown in for good measure. It's essential.

The "not-so-secret" secret of successful speeches combines good writing with practice, practice and then, practicing some more.

Go to how to practice public speaking and you'll find rehearsal techniques and suggestions to boost your speech delivery from ordinary to extraordinary.

The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist

Before you begin writing you need:.

• Your speech OUTLINE with your main ideas ranked in the order you're going to present them. (If you haven't done one complete this 4 step sample speech outline . It will make the writing process much easier.)
• Your RESEARCH
• You also need to know WHO you're speaking to, the PURPOSE of the speech and HOW long you're speaking for

The basic format

• the body where you present your main ideas

Split your time allowance so that you spend approximately 70% on the body and 15% each on the introduction and ending.

How to write the speech

• Write your main ideas out incorporating your examples and research
• Link them together making sure each flows in a smooth, logical progression
• Write your ending, summarizing your main ideas briefly and end with a call for action
• Write your introduction considering the 'hook' you're going to use to get your audience listening
• An often quoted saying to explain the process is: Tell them what you're going to tell them (Introduction) Tell them (Body of your speech - the main ideas plus examples) Tell them what you told them (The ending)

TEST before presenting. Read aloud several times to check the flow of material, the suitability of language and the timing.

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See How Many Words Is A 3-Minute Speech & How To Prepare One

Preparing for a 3-minute speech and wondering about How many words should your speech have to fit the golden time frame?

You’re at the right place! Today, we’re going to explore the art of giving the perfect 3-minute speech with the right number of words. So, whether you’re getting ready for a school presentation, a work-related event, or a wedding toast, we’ve got the best tips for you!

For giving a 3-minute speech, you’ll need around 420 words, but doing you’re best is about more than just the number of words. It’s all about the content of your speech, your gestures, and the techniques you use to connect deeply with the audience and make them listen carefully!

Want to make everyone stare at you with a smile when you’re giving your speech?

Scroll down and learn how to give the best 3-minute speech of all time!

Table of Contents

The Power of a 3-Minute Speech

What can you say in three minutes? Well, Winston Churchill gave his famous speech “Never Never Give Up” in only 1 minute! So, 3 minutes is enough to share a meaningful message. 

Want to know how many words you use for a 3-minute speech? You can always count them since everyone talks at different speeds! We’ll tell you how.

How Many Words Are in a 3-Minute Speech?

An average speaker needs around 420 words to speak for three minutes. However, the actual number of words depends on your speed, body language, and whether you use any visual aids like slides or not. Slides can slow you down, as you need to wait for the audience to grasp the information.

In general, if you’re a fast speaker you need around 500 to 510 words, if you’re an average speaker you’ll use around 420 words and if you’re really slow or you need to show photos, videos, or slides between your sentences, you’ll need 300 to 330 words in a 3-minute speech.

Ideal Words Per Minute (WPM)

You may have heard about the golden “WPM” (words per minute). Everyone has a WPM of their own!

If you want to find the ideal number of words for your own speech, try talking in a way that you neither rush nor linger during your speech and take the time. 

Make sure to do it when you’re calm and alone, and preferably read a pre-written passage with a word count.

How many words did you say in 3 minutes? That’s your ideal WPM! 

Crafting the Perfect 3-Minute Speech

The art of having the perfect 3-minute speech always starts with writing and planning! Now, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide that helps you create the speech of your life!

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning A 3-Minute Speech

Understand your audience.

Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), consider who your audience is. Try answering some questions, including where are you going to talk. Who is your audience? In what fields do they have knowledge? What are their interests? What are their expectations?

Write the answers to your questions. This is how you create a unique image of your audience, like a real person whom you know and want to talk to.

Define Your Purpose

What message do you want to send to the audience? Write it on a piece of paper. For example write: “I’m going to teach them about customer service and how it changed in 2023”, or “I want to toast my best friends by telling a story about how they’re made for each other”!

 Be clear about the purpose of your speech. Are you informing, persuading, entertaining, or teaching? This defines your tone.

Structure Your Speech

This is a very important step!

A good speech has a clear beginning, middle, and ending. You should start with an attention-catching introduction, move to the mar in content which is your middle, and finish it with a memorable ending.

You should carefully think about how you’re going to start your speech. You can start with a personal memory, a story, a surprising fact, or a question to engage your audience.

Whatever your content is, remember that a good ending leaves your audience with a feeling of joy and it affects your whole speech. So, the ending is as important as how you start. 

You can finish your speech with a personal note, or talking about a future. A very creative way to end your speech is by asking someone else to finish it with a comment or question. This technique engages your audience and gives them the feeling of being included!

Choose Your Words Wisely

In only 3 minutes, every word counts! So, choose each one of them wisely. Use vivid language and make your point understandable. Avoid using phrases and terms that your audience doesn’t know. 

If you’re making a reference to a book or historical event, make sure everyone knows about it. Otherwise, you may leave some individuals puzzled, which is a negative point for a 3-minute speech.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearsing your speech is crucial. It not only helps you refine your delivery but also ensures that you stay within the 3-minute timeframe.

Choosing the Right Topic

Every speech should have a topic. We don’t mean a general one, like a wedding toast or a university speech, but a more specific thing to talk about.

You can use some techniques for choosing a speech topic. Let’s learn some!

How To Choose A Good Topic For A 3-Minute Speech?

Our first suggestion is to look up the news about what you’re going to talk about. For example, if you’re giving a speech about business in the modern world you can search for new topics in business management.

Or if you’re giving a speech about saving the planet at school, you can search and read news about environmental issues of the day and choose one or two to talk about.

You can talk about people. For example, if you’re going to give a speech at the opening of a science fair, you can choose a scientist and talk about how their work is relevant to today’s science and the theme of your fair.

If you couldn’t brainstorm good ideas for your 3-minute speech, then you can take a look at the calendar! On what day you’re going to give the speech? See if there are any special events on that day. Feel free to check all calendars from all over the world!

You can also talk about something you really care about and relate it to the subject of the speech and your audience in some way. If you want to find the thing you care about, try completing the following questions.

“It makes me angry when…”, “I’d like to change the world to a place where…”, “Happiness for me is when…”. Get angry when someone harasses animals? Get delighted when see two people really in love? Want to change the world to a more just place for women? Here you go! 

Planning for Success

What happens if someone wants to ask you something in the middle of your speech? What if someone doesn’t laugh at your jokes?

You should be ready for every situation, and figure out how to be successful in each!

Using Technology to Prepare the Best Speech

Technology is here to save you from preparing your 3-minute speech! You can prepare your speech using different tools that are already popular and user-friendly.

Let’s see what they are and how to use them. 

Using Artificial Intelligence

AI is now revolutionizing everything, even your speech writing. For instance, you can write a prompt for your preferred AI (including Chatgpt and Bing AI) to help you plan, structure, and even write the content of your speech.

Use this prompt for example: “I want to give a three-minute speech about how to save the planet in my university. My audience includes Environmental Science professors and students. Create a plan for my speech.” 

Once you get the plan you like from the AI, ask it to “Write the speech according to the plan”.

Remember, the more specific and detailed your prompts are, the better speech you’ll get from the AI. so, make sure to tailor it according to what you really want. For example, you can always ask the AI to make your speech funnier, sadder, or even more engaging. 

The Disadvantages of AI for Writing a Speech

AI comes with its own dark side and you need to be aware of its limitations. It produces generic content. This means that it lacks the personalization that a speech needs. This is why speeches generated solely by AI may not connect to the audience as well as human-written ones.

As a speaker, originality is part of your brand and a part of your audience’s experience. So, you shouldn’t just rely on AI. Don’t forget a touch of you in your speech!

When you’re giving a speech, it’s important to use the right tone, the right words, and the right grammar. We may make many grammatical mistakes when we talk to each other, but giving a speech is more than that! 

Having grammatical errors could turn your speech into a drag!

Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that can improve the quality of your speech. It helps you spot and correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, ensuring your speech is polished and error-free.

If you’re a premium user, you can also ask it to change your tone, and help you craft a persuading and memorable speech!

Using Speech Writing Services

Want a speech for your Ted Talk and still have no clue?

There are people out there who are experts in writing and planning the best speeches ever! So, if you tried every technique and you just got lost, don’t worry! 

There are many people like you who can give a great speech but can’t plan it without help. Let’s see how you can find someone who writes a speech like it came right from your heart!

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a platform that connects you with talented freelancers from all over the world. Just go on and type “Speech Writer” in its search box and you’ll see many experts who can write what you want at any price!

For a 3-minute speech, you can find a freelancer to do it for $20 to $400 on People Per Hour!   Make sure to read every freelancer’s profile and client experiences before ordering your speech!

ProBlogger Job Board

The ProBlogger Job Board is another platform that connects you to freelancers, but this time only to writers! You can see people and firms who accept freelance writing projects, from website content writing to paper writing for a project!

Go on and search for a “Speech Writer”. You can find many freelancers who can tailor a great piece of speech based on your specific needs.

WriterAccess

WriterAccess is a trusted content creation platform that many freelance writers sign up on. You can find someone you can trust to write your speech at the best price on Writer Access! 

Around 15000 freelance writers are on writer access now. Go on and search for someone to write a great speech for you!

Becoming a Master of Public Speaking

A 3-minute speech could be the start of your journey as a public speaker. You may have many things in mind that you want to share with the rest of the world, but you just don’t know where to start and what to do to give a great speech.

Let’s talk about some techniques that help you become a confident speaker in your first 3-minute speech!

Tips and Techniques for Delivering Engaging Speeches

If you’re giving a speech at work, whether to your colleagues or clients, the first thing is to write the most important qualities of your audience. Know what are their needs and concerns. 

The most important thing about a working speech is that it must be clear and right to the point. Avoid lengthy openings and use a clear introduction.

Visual aids like slides and charts could be helpful for this setting.

Remember, work speeches, even three-minute ones, could be boring. Encouraging questions and inviting the listeners to engage is a perfect technique for the perfect address!

The last tip is to have a fun fact or a personal (but not offensive at all joke) for everyone. It helps you have a warmer work speech and create an inclusive environment where everyone from your work belongs.

Get out of that boring and cliche work speech samples with all the facts and figures and try to be someone that everyone likes to listen to.

At a Funeral

Funeral speech is tricky because you’re sad and you must think about giving a good speech at the same time. 

The first step toward a successful funeral speech is showing empathy. Speak from the heart, and realize the pain that every friend and family member shares with you. 

Sharing personal memories, especially happy ones is a great technique since it creates a good view of the deceased’s character. 

Speak at a comfortable pace take deep breaths and pause when you need. Remember, crying in this situation is natural, so let it all go naturally.

Remember to honor all aspects of the deceased’s life, like their achievements, relationships, and contributions. Include everyone! Thank them for coming and try to forgive anyone who had a problem with the deceased on their behalf.

Speaking at school can be a valuable opportunity to build your confidence. Many students will acknowledge you after this! 

Want to do it the best way?

Choose a topic that your classmates are already familiar with. What’s the hot topic among you guys these days? Bands? Friendship groups? Throwing the best parties or a new video game? Choose a topic that everyone listens to!

Remember to start practicing soon. First, read the speech for yourself, and practice it so much that you memorize it! Then give the speech in front of your close friends and family, and ask for their feedback.

If you’re afraid of making eye contact and smiling or having facial expressions, spot some of your best friends and only look at them for the first minutes of your speech. This way, you practice while giving the speech, and little by little, you can move to other students and talk while looking right into their eyes.

This helps you craft the best speech and also shed all that stress and appear very confident for the main speech!

Using visuals like images, diagrams, and props makes everyone engage more with what you’re saying.

At University

When you’re giving a speech at university, your audience consists of your professors and peers, who are all involved in the academic world!

This is why you should keep your speech academic and engaging at the same time!

First of all, choose a title that matches the interest of your audience. Then, start to research. Look up the title and gather the needed information to support your argument.

In the world of academia, even a 3-minute speech needs to be based on well-researched content!

The structure is also very important. So make your introduction clear, and point out your main arguments. Be sure to finish with a solid conclusion that fits the logic of your argument. Don’t be afraid to reference academic sources.

Something that really matters in an academic speech is the ability to manage time effectively. You should respect the time you’ve been allocated, and deliver your points within the time limit! So, 3 minutes is all you got!

Remember, since you’re delivering a speech in a more academic context, you should have a more formal speaking style. Avoid casual speech habits, and try using a professional tone.

A primary mission of academia and academic speech is to create discussion. So, go on and ask questions before and after your speech, and let your peers engage in it as well.

At a Graduation Party

Selected to deliver a speech on the most memorable day of every student? What an opportunity! Make sure to seize it!

First of all, try to include everyone. In this short time, you can highlight the graduates’ accomplishments and tell everyone how you’ve all grown together.

Be positive and encourage your peers, whether they enjoyed their academic life or they’re planning on having a better academic future!

Be thankful to your teacher and the parents who’ve been supporting you through all these years! Express your gratitude by thanking everyone, including the graduates!

Ending on a high note is the perfect technique for finishing this speech. Conclude your speech with a memorable quote or piece of advice about ending or graduation. Something that impresses everyone and reminds them there’s a future to look out for!

At a Wedding Toast

When someone trusts you with their wedding toast, it means they trust that you’re going to deliver the most heartfelt speech.

To do so, begin with warmth. It’s a great idea to congratulate the newlyweds and give them warm wishes. You can say how excited you are to see them at the beginning of their most amazing journey in life!

Share a personal story in your 3-minute wedding toast! This story should reflect the couple’s love and character. You can choose either a funny tone or a romantic one, but try to be engaging!

Remember, wedding toasts are usually sweet and short! So, after a short personal story, conclude your speech by inviting everyone to raise their glasses and join in a toast to the couple’s happiness and love.

More General Tips and Techniques

Before delivering to the public, practice your speech a few times! Start with giving the speech in front of people who you trust. This builds confidence and helps you have a smooth delivery without any voice shakes!

Know Your Material

Know what you’re talking about. Research before speaking and if your speech includes any events, dates, historical or scientific references, make sure your knowledge is legit.

Confidence always comes from knowledge!

Use Engaging Body Language

Pay attention to your posture. Make eye contact with everyone, smile, and don’t forget your hand gestures. Your body also talks and engages the audience. 

Giving a speech with fallen hands or shoulders, with a neutral facial expression, or with your hands knotted on your chest could make it one of your worst speeches of all time. Try searching for Ted Talk videos and looking at how speakers act and move their bodies.

Vary Your Voice

Monotonous speech is the worst! Remember to adjust your tone, pitch, and pace and change them when needed. Your voice can prevent your audience from getting bored!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a 500-word speech take.

A 500-word speech usually takes around 4 to 5 minutes to deliver in an effective way. However, it depends on your pace and pauses. If you’re a fast speaker, you can deliver a 500-word speech in 4 minutes!

Is 400 words enough for a 3-minute speech?

Yes, if you speak at an average pace you can deliver 400 words in a 3-minute timeframe. Try practicing it beforehand and calculating your WPM.

What is the ideal duration for a 1,000-word speech to keep the audience engaged?

Regarding that a 1000-word speech is considered a long one, it should take you no more than 7-8 minutes to deliver it. This time is calculated considering the time for pauses and emphasis. If it takes you more than 8 minutes, you may bore the audience. 

How many pages should a 3-minute speech typically span?

It depends on the font size and spacing you use but a 3-minute speech should be 2 pages. Try using word count since it’s a more reliable criterion. A 3-minute speech should have between 380 to 420 words.

How many words are typically spoken in a 1-minute speech?

We can usually speak around 120 to 150 words in a one-minute speech if we aim to deliver a clear speech. If we speak faster than that, the audience is more likely to lose comprehension.

So, now you’re confident to start planning on your speech, right? 

Today, we learned how to craft and deliver a good 3-minute speech. We learned that it usually takes 420 words to speak for 3 minutes, and it’s not a short time! You can deliver many important messages in just 180 seconds!

This is why you should pay close attention to your planning. Every speech should have an opening, main body, and ending. Each of these sections is important and will affect the audience’s perception of your ability as a speaker.

You should also be careful when choosing a topic, and preparing for different occasions. You need different sets of skills and techniques to showcase for giving a speech at work, a funeral, school, university, graduation party, or delivering a wedding toast!

Each situation needs its own tailored ways of delivery, and we learned all about them as well!

If you’re looking for professional assistance, we’ve highlighted the platforms that can help you find the best freelance speechwriters at your budget, including PeoplePerHour, ProBlogger Job Board, and WriterAccess.

Now you know everything about delivering the 3-minute speech of your life, and you’re good to go! Step onto that stage with confidence and share your message with passion. Be sure that you can leave your audience with a feeling of inspiration.

The world is ready to hear your voice. Are you?

Value: the highlighted parts + step-by-step guide to planning a 3-minute speech

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How to write a speech that your audience remembers

Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

• It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
• A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
• It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
• Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
• Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
• Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
• Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
• Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
• Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
• Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
• Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
• Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

• Explanation 1
• Explanation 2
• Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

• Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
• Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
• Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
• Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
• Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

• What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
• What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
• What audience am I writing for? 
• What do I know about my audience? 
• What values do I want to transmit? 
• If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
• What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
• What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

• Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
• Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
• Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
• Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
• Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
• Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
• Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
• Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

• Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
• Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
• Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
• Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
• Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
• Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
• Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
• Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
• Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
• Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
• Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
• Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
• Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
• Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
• Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Boost your speech skills

Enhance your public speaking with personalized coaching tailored to your needs

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

10+ interpersonal skills at work and ways to develop them

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• Apr 11, 2023

How to design an impactful 3MT slide (with examples!)

What can you do in three minutes? Brush your teeth, make a coffee?

How about explain your entire PhD thesis? 😅

Believe it or not, that’s what thousands of people do each year in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT ® ); a global public speaking competition where PhD students explain the scope and impact of their research in, you guessed it, just three minutes . ⏰

And if you’re reading this, perhaps you’re an aspiring 3MT-er yourself, on the hunt for some inspiration to design an impactful 3MT slide to accompany your talk.

Sound like you? Then you’ve come to the right place.

Previously, we gave you some tips and tricks on how to write a winning 3MT script , but in this instalment of our 3MT series, we’re switching gears to cover another very important aspect:

We’ve trawled the internet to discover what actually makes a good three minute thesis slide, and in this blog, we’ll cover some do’s and don’ts to help you design one that’s memorable and impactful. To help bring these concepts home, we’ll also include some examples that we love from past 3MT winners and finalists.

But before we do that, let’s recap some important rules related to the 3MT slide:

So, in short, the 3MT slide obviously needs to be fairly simple. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring.

Hold up… if the 3MT is a public speaking competition, why is the slide even important? Surely only what you speak about matters, right? WRONG! 🙅‍♀️

The 3MT competition is about so much more than just what you say. It’s also about what you do and what you show And what you show during your 3MT is where your nifty little slide comes in.

Not only is the PowerPoint slide a key component of the 3MT judging criteria , it also helps create a lasting mental image for the judges. After all, you can’t win the 3MT if the audience and judges can’t even remember what your research is about!

So, hopefully we’ve been able to convince you about just how important having a good slide is. But how do you design an impactful 3MT slide, you ask?

Well, here are 5 of our top tips:

Tip #1 : Avoid data dumping 📊

You might be familiar with those boring old PowerPoint presentations that seem to appear at every conference. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones cluttered with complex graphs, huge tables, and enough numbers to put even the most experienced professors to sleep.

May I present to you… Exhibit A:

Look familiar? Good. Now lock the memory away in a distant room of your mind palace, because that’s exactly what you DON’T want in a 3MT slide (or really, in any slide for that matter…)

Unlike a conference presentation, your 3MT slide should simply act to enhance and complement your script, rather than be used to display complex data and graphs. In fact, I would suggest avoiding the use of any complex graphs and data tables at all, because they just end up detracting attention from what you’re saying.

If you choose to present some important data or statistics in your 3MT slide, consider swapping out graphs with simple infographics , like pie charts or diagrams:

As you can see, simple infographics and eye-catching figures are a much more visually stimulating way to present information, especially compared to data-heavy graphs and tables. And they’re surprisingly easy to make using tools like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Express .

So, if in doubt, leave complex data out. 🚫

In fact, you’ll find that most successful 3MT-ers show little to no data at all in their slides and intentionally keep them very conceptual, which brings me to tip #2 .

Tip #2 : Keep it conceptual 💡

Perhaps you’re sensing a general theme here… that typically less is more when it comes to a 3MT slide. This allows the focus of the presentation to be on the speaker, the slide simply acting as a visual aid to complement the story . And when it’s a public speaking competition, I’d say that’s pretty important.

In our humble opinion, some of the most effective and memorable 3MT slides are those that present an image or diagram that conveys a single underpinning concept or idea .

You might recall from our ‘ How to Write a Winning 3MT Script ’ blog post, that many successful 3MT scripts incorporate things like humour, analogies , or fictional characters. In these situations, it can be helpful for the contents of the slide to reflect this.

One of my favourite examples of this comes from 2016 Asia-Pacific 3MT Winner, Joshua Chu-Tan , who spoke about his research on gene therapy treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to target the root of vision loss. In his winning presentation, he says:

Rather than using complex diagrams to show the theory, he opted for this simple, yet extremely powerful image that highlights the impact of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration. And, seeing as this image has stuck in my memory for years, I’d say it was a pretty good choice.

As another example, back when I won the 3MT , I used an analogy to draw parallels between A) cars carrying passengers on a highway, and B) nanoparticles carrying drugs along a blood vessel. So, my 3MT slide portrayed a busy highway with signage to show which hypothetical organs the cars were headed towards:

Basically, the overarching message is to keep it simple.

And that’s all well and good… But where do you even start?

Your first step is to write your 3MT script . Then, once you have your script prepared, use it as a tool to help you brainstorm ideas for your slide. Note whether you’ve used any analogies, introduced any characters, or covered certain concepts, and then based on this information, find or create a visual to match! 🖼 This might be a little different to your usual scientific presentations, where you would normally prepare your slides first, then come up with what you are going to say after, but trust me – it works!

Tip #3 : Choose an eye-catching visual… or make one 👀

In the same way that ‘ the hook’ in your 3MT script helps to pique the audience’s attention, the slide is another important tool to capture their attention and keep them engaged. But to do this, it needs to be eye-catching and interesting .

We’ve noticed that most winning 3MTs have slides that generally fall under one of two categories: images or diagrams .

These are usually photographs or illustrations that complement the script in some way — containing a reference to the concept, analogy or character(s) that were introduced in the script.

For example, let’s say you introduced a fictional character in your 3MT script. By visually showing this character in your slide, it helps the audience form a connection with them and taps into their sense of empathy. Let’s look at an example:

As you can see, using this photograph makes for a really effective and impactful slide because it elicits a strong emotional response. Come on… how can you not love that adorable little face, right? 🥺

However, the images don’t have to be of people to be effective – they can also be more conceptual.

For instance, one 3MT finalist spoke about their research on detecting diseases, like cancer, based on characteristic molecules present in the breath. In their slide, they showed an illustration of breath molecules exiting the lungs and mouth to be caught in a net:

Not only is this image a great reference to the net analogy used, but we (as the audience) are able to get a basic idea about the research concept based on the slide alone, which really helps it stick in our memory!

Of course, while we’ve highlighted some great examples, you should choose whatever image speaks to you and your research. Some useful resources to find images for your 3MT slide include iStock Photo and Adobe Stock Photos (making sure to provide attribution where required), or you can even be extra creative and take your own photo, or create your own image ! 📸

Aside from images, schematic diagrams can be another great way to conceptualise and visualise your research. However, to be effective as 3MT slides, the diagrams need to be simple and easy to understand.

Ideally, they should be short, and the outcomes immediately recognisable . Avoid using complex diagrams that you’ve directly copy-pasted from a paper, as these generally take a lot more time and concentration to understand.

A good example of a diagram for a 3MT slide was used by the 2020 Asia-Pacific 3MT winner , whose research focused on the development of a liquid glue to help measure electrical signals from plants as a way to measure their health:

In this example, it’s easy to understand what the research is about, what’s being measured, and what the desired outcomes are, thanks to the clear illustrations and emotive flower drawings.

So, if done well, diagrams can be a really powerful tool to conceptualise your research. If you want to try and create one yourself, there are lots of useful tools you can use, like Adobe Illustrator , Canva , or BioRender , to name a few.

Get creative!

Tip #4 : Minimise text 💬

When it comes to presentations, there’s nothing worse than being in the audience, staring at a PowerPoint slide, only to find a wall of text staring back at you. Not only is it super distracting, but aesthetically, it also leaves much to be desired.

And let’s be honest, if the audience is reading your slide, then they’re not listening to you… and vice versa. Which, for the 3MT, is a very big problem.

To prevent this, try to avoid including large bodies of text on your 3MT slide . See if you can verbally communicate the information instead, or alternatively, replace the text with an image that conveys the same message. After all, they say a picture speaks a thousand words.

If you really need to include some text, as in the case of simple diagrams, try to keep it to a minimum and limit yourself to 15 words maximum.

Any text you do include should use a font size that can be easily seen from the back of the room (i.e., 24 pt. minimum). And, while they sometimes have their time and place, try to avoid using any cursive, funky, or hard-to-read fonts . Comic sans, I’m looking at you. 😒

Tip #5 : Negative space is your friend 🔲

You might be tempted to fill every visible inch of your PowerPoint slide with images, diagrams, or just something to compensate for the very little time you have to present your 3MT.

Though, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you did, because a little negative space can go a long way towards designing a great 3MT slide.

But what is negative space? Put simply, it’s the empty space around and between objects.

Leaving some negative space in your slide gives the audience some breathing room and helps them focus on what’s important .

For photographs, this might mean choosing an image that has one focal point. This doesn’t necessarily mean the background needs to be plain, but it may simply be out of focus to allow the objects in the forefront to stand out.

For diagrams, this means leaving some empty space between sections so that there’s a clearer distinction between them, or reducing the number of sections entirely.

Here are some great examples of 3MT slides that use negative space to draw our attention to a particular person or object:

By leaving some negative space, our eyes are immediately drawn to one particular focal point, letting us focus on what’s important: You.

The take-home message 📝

And that brings us to the end of the second blog for our 3MT series!

The 3MT slide can truly make or break a 3MT presentation, but the right one can take it to the next level. And, by following these simple tips, you’re well on your way to designing a slide that captures your research in an effective and impactful way:

Avoid complex graphs and data

Keep it conceptual

Choose an eye-catching image or diagram, or make one

Keep text to a minimum, and

Don’t be afraid of negative space

So get creative! And remember, if you want to learn more about how to create amazing graphics, or how to up your public speaking skills, we’d love to show you how in our in-person science communication workshop s or online courses!

Contact us here to find out more. 🤩

Cintya Dharmayanti

Dr Tullio Rossi

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Home » SEL Implementation » Expressing Gratitude: A Concise 3-Minute Speech for Positive Change

Expressing Gratitude: A Concise 3-Minute Speech for Positive Change

Key takeaways:.

• Expressing gratitude fosters positive change.
• Gratitude improves mental health, relationships, resilience, and self-esteem.
• A concise 3-minute speech on gratitude can inspire and spread positivity.

Introduction: Expressing Gratitude: A Concise 3-Minute Speech for Positive Change

Expressing gratitude is a powerful tool for fostering positive change in our lives and the lives of others. It allows us to acknowledge and appreciate the good things we have, and it strengthens our relationships and overall well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of expressing gratitude and how a concise 3-minute speech on gratitude can bring about positive change.

Understanding gratitude

Gratitude is the act of recognizing and appreciating the kindness, generosity, and positive experiences we receive from others. It is a mindset that focuses on the good in our lives and cultivates a sense of thankfulness. Practicing gratitude has numerous benefits, including:

• Improved mental health and well-being
• Enhanced relationships and social connections
• Increased resilience and ability to cope with challenges
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Heightened self-esteem and self-worth

Gratitude also has a significant impact on our social emotional well-being. It helps us develop empathy, compassion, and a positive outlook on life. When we express gratitude, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to a more positive and supportive community.

Crafting a concise 3-minute speech on gratitude

A concise 3-minute speech on gratitude can be a powerful tool for spreading positivity and inspiring others. Here are some key elements to include when crafting your speech:

Start with a captivating opening

Begin your speech with a captivating opening that grabs the audience’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of your talk. You can start with a thought-provoking quote, a personal anecdote, or a surprising fact about gratitude.

Express genuine appreciation

Express your genuine appreciation for the people, experiences, or things you are grateful for. Be specific and heartfelt in your expressions of gratitude. This will make your speech more relatable and impactful.

Share personal anecdotes or stories

Sharing personal anecdotes or stories related to gratitude can make your speech more engaging and relatable. It allows the audience to connect with your experiences and understand the power of gratitude in a more personal way.

Highlight the positive impact of gratitude

Explain the positive impact that gratitude has had on your life or the lives of others. Share examples of how practicing gratitude has brought about positive change, improved relationships, or enhanced overall well-being. This will inspire and motivate your audience to incorporate gratitude into their own lives.

Conclude with a call to action

End your speech with a call to action, encouraging your audience to embrace gratitude and express their appreciation regularly. This can be as simple as suggesting they start a gratitude journal, write thank-you notes, or verbally express their gratitude to others.

Tips for delivering an impactful speech

Delivering an impactful speech requires practice and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you deliver your 3-minute speech on gratitude with confidence:

Practice and rehearse

Practice your speech multiple times to become familiar with the content and flow. Rehearse in front of a mirror or record yourself to identify areas for improvement. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will feel.

Maintain eye contact and use appropriate body language

Maintain eye contact with your audience to establish a connection and convey sincerity. Use appropriate body language, such as open gestures and a relaxed posture, to appear confident and engaged.

Speak with enthusiasm and passion

Speak with enthusiasm and passion to captivate your audience. Let your genuine appreciation and excitement for gratitude shine through your words and tone of voice.

Use pauses effectively

Use pauses strategically to emphasize key points and allow your audience to absorb the information. Pauses also create a sense of anticipation and can make your speech more impactful.

Connect with the audience

Engage with your audience by asking rhetorical questions, encouraging participation, or sharing relatable experiences. This will create a sense of connection and make your speech more memorable.

Sample 3-minute speech on gratitude

Here is a sample 3-minute speech on gratitude to give you an idea of how to structure your own speech:

Introduction:

Good morning/afternoon/evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today, I want to talk to you about the power of gratitude and how it can bring about positive change in our lives.

Expressing gratitude for family and friends:

I would like to start by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to my family and friends. They have been my pillars of support and have always been there for me through thick and thin. Their love, encouragement, and unwavering belief in me have made me the person I am today.

Sharing personal experiences of gratitude:

I remember a time when I was going through a difficult period in my life. It was gratitude that helped me find solace and strength. I started a gratitude journal, where I wrote down three things I was grateful for every day. This simple practice shifted my focus from negativity to positivity and allowed me to appreciate the small joys in life.

Highlighting the positive effects of gratitude:

Practicing gratitude has had a profound impact on my overall well-being. It has helped me develop a more positive outlook on life, improved my relationships, and enhanced my mental health. Research has shown that gratitude can reduce stress, increase happiness, and improve overall life satisfaction.

Conclusion and call to action:

In conclusion, expressing gratitude is a powerful tool for positive change. I encourage each and every one of you to embrace gratitude in your daily lives. Take a moment each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for and express your appreciation to those around you. Together, let’s create a world filled with gratitude and kindness.

Looking for More Resources on Expressing Gratitude?

Expressing gratitude is not only a way to acknowledge the good in our lives but also a catalyst for positive change. By delivering a concise 3-minute speech on gratitude, we can inspire others to embrace gratitude and experience its transformative power. Start your Everyday Speech Free Trial now and unlock the power of gratitude for positive change.

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Introducing Speech Time Calculate

Estimate how many minutes your speeches, presentations, and voice-over scripts will take based on your words per minute rate!

How To Speech Time Calculate Using This Tool?

If you have a certain number of words or a piece of text you want to time, you can either type in the word count or paste the text into the provided area. This tool will then calculate how long it would take to read that text out loud.

The talk time estimate is calculated using the average speaking speed of adults, which is determined to be 183 words per minute based on scientific studies. If you’re interested in how long it would take to read silently, it’s estimated at 238 words per minute ( This data is also backed by research )

You can adjust the slider to change the words per minute value, which will affect the talk time estimate. However, the silent reading time estimate remains fixed at 238 words per minute.

For ease of use, we’ve also provided reference points for slow, average, and fast reading rates below the slider.

To begin anew, simply click the ‘clear text’ button to erase the content and restore the slider back to its original setting of 183.

Who is This Words to Minutes Converter Tool For?

If you are a student wondering how long is my essay or you’ve been tasked with writing a speech and need to know how many words to aim for and how many minutes will it take to deliver or perhaps you are a podcaster, just starting out, who wants the ability to easily synchronize music and spoken word without having to painstakingly calculate seconds between them, then this Speech Time Calculate is precisely for you!

From now on, instead of spending long hours in front of the computer trying to figure out how many seconds it takes for one phrase or section of dialogue to end and another to begin, you can let our innovative tool do all the work and convert your text to time quickly and accurately. With this powerful tool at your disposal, whether you’re giving a TED talk or just need to nail a business presentation, your life will become a little bit easier.

So keep reading to learn more about what this fantastic words to minutes converter has in store for public speakers, aspiring students, and professional radio producers alike!

Whether you want to read the text silently or speak aloud, you can use this tool as both:

• Reading time calculator
• Talk time calculator

Explanation of the Reading Time

Reading time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a written text silently while still comprehending its content. Based on an extensive analysis of 190 studies that involved 18,573 participants , research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 suggests that the typical silent reading speed for an adult individual is approximately 238 words per minute .

To convert word count to read time for a specific text, you can do so by dividing the total word count of the text by this established value of 238. Here is the mathematical equation for determining the duration of reading time in minutes:

Reading Time = Total Word Count / 238

Explanation of the Speech Time

Speech time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a text out loud. Based on data from 77 studies involving 5,965 people , it’s been found that most adults read aloud at a speed of approximately 183 words per minute ( research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 ). To figure out how long it will take to read a specific piece of text aloud, you can divide the total number of words in the text by this average rate of 183 words per minute.

Of course, it’s important to note that talk time can vary depending on factors such as clarity of speech, pauses for emphasis, and use of visual aids. However, using this tool for converting the number of words to minutes can still provide a helpful guideline for planning and practicing your presentation. By having a better understanding of speech rates, you can ensure that your message is delivered effectively and efficiently.

Benefits of Using a Speech Time Calculate

Time management in presentations.

Effective time management during presentations is crucial to ensure the audience remains engaged and the information is accurately conveyed. This is where our words to speaking time converter comes in handy. By using this tool, presenters can easily determine how many words they need to include in their presentation to stay within the allotted time frame.

Not only does it help with time management, but it also ensures that the pacing of the presentation is consistent, making it easier for the audience to follow. With the use of this presentation time calculator, presenters can confidently deliver their presentations without the worry of running over time or rushing through it.

Estimated speech time for public speaking

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have too little or too much information to fill your time slot. You wonder only if there were an accurate public speaking time calculator available so that you could be able to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section of your presentation, ensuring that you cover all the necessary points without rushing or going over time.

Effective pacing is key in ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Most public speakers target an average of 130-150 words per minute for their spoken content, meaning you should aim to limit your speaking time to roughly one minute per 130-150 words. While this may take some practice to achieve, the end result is a confident, well-timed delivery that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.

Remember, in public speaking, less is often more—take your time to breathe and emphasize key points. Your audience will appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach. For that, you can use this tool and adjust your words to speech time.

Accurate estimations for audiobooks and podcasts

As more and more people turn to audiobooks and podcasts for their entertainment and information needs, accurate estimations of listening time have become more important than ever. After all, there’s nothing worse than settling in for a quick listen only to find yourself trapped in a story that goes on for hours longer than you anticipated.

That’s why it’s great to see publishers and podcast producers taking estimated reading time seriously, providing listeners with the information they need to choose the right content for their schedule. Whether you’re looking for a quick listen on your daily commute or a lengthy distraction for a lazy Sunday afternoon, accurate estimations using this words to speak time calculator make it easier than ever to find the perfect content.

Some Popular Speech Times

how many words in a 2 minute speech

Almost 300 words

how many words in a 3 minute speech

Almost 450 words

how many words in a 4 minute speech

Almost 600 words

how many words in a 15 minute speech

Almost 2250 words

The speech time is calculated taking 150 words per minute as reference value

Common conversions (average speed)

How long does it take to read 500 words?

3.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 750 words?

5.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 1000 words?

7.7 minutes

How long does it take to read 1200 words?

9.2 minutes

How long does it take to read 1500 words?

11.5 minutes

How long does it take to read 1800 words?

13.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 2000 words?

15.4 minutes

How long does it take to read 3000 words?

23.1 minutes

As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read, whether for a presentation or a video, can make a significant difference in engaging and retaining your audience’s attention.

That’s where our Words to Time Converter comes in handy. It’s a valuable tool for anyone working in various professions, from broadcast journalists to teachers to executives. No matter the industry, time is of the essence, and knowing how long your speech or presentation will take is crucial for effective communication.

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How to Write a Speech

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,975,626 times.

Giving an original speech for a class, event, or work presentation can be nerve-wracking. However, writing an effective speech can help to bolster your confidence. With careful planning and an eye for detail, you can write a speech that will inform, persuade, motivate, or entertain! Give yourself plenty of time to craft your speech and practice it several times for best results.

Sample Speeches

Drafting an Effective Speech

• If you are writing a speech for a class, make sure to check with your teacher to get details about the number and acceptable types of sources.

• If you are writing an informative or persuasive speech, then plan to arrange your speech with a problem and solution structure. Start the speech by talking about what is wrong, then explain how to fix the problem in the second half of your speech. [4] X Research source

Tip : Keep in mind that you can always refine your outline later or as you draft your speech. Include all of the information that seems relevant now with the expectation that you will likely need to pare it down later.

• For example, if you are writing a motivational speech about weight loss, then you might say something like, “Five years ago, I could not walk up a flight of stairs without needing to take a break halfway up.”
• If you hope to persuade audience members to reduce their use of fossil fuels, then you might start off by saying, “Gas-powered vehicles are the reason why global warming is threatening to destroy our planet.”

• For example, if you are giving a speech on increasing funding for Alzheimer’s research, it would be helpful to provide information on how common Alzheimer’s disease is and how it affects families. You could accomplish this with a combination of a statistic and an anecdote.

Tip: Keep your introduction less than 1 paragraph or 1 double-spaced page long. This will help to ensure that you do not spend too much time on the context and background before getting to the meat of your topic. [7] X Research source

• For example, in a speech about ending animal testing for cosmetics, you might start with a point about how animal testing is cruel, then explain that it is unnecessary, and then talk about the alternatives to animal testing that make it obsolete.

• For example, if you are about to cover the concept of delayed onset muscle soreness (also known as DOMS), then explain what it is in a nutshell first, then go into more detail about it and how it relates to your point, then end that section of your speech with a brief summary of the main point you are trying to make.

• In that moment
• The following week

• For example, if you have just described the effects of global warming on the polar bear population, conclude your speech by telling your audience about non-profit organizations that are working to protect the environment and the polar bear population.
• If you have just shared your weight loss story to motivate your audience, tell them what they can do to start their own weight loss journey and share resources that you found helpful.

Making Your Speech More Engaging

• For example, instead of saying, “Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is the pinnacle of human existence because it enables you to accomplish physical feats that boost your confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment,” say, “A healthy body weight allows you to do more physically, and this may make you happier overall.”
• Keep in mind that it is also important to vary your sentence structure. You can include a longer sentence once or twice per page to add variety to your speech. Just avoid using lots of long sentences in your speech. [15] X Research source

• For example, if you are giving a speech for a group of sales associates who are trying to increase sales of a new product called “Synergy,” then you might repeat a simple phrase to that effect, such as “Tell your customers about Synergy,” or you could simply say, “Synergy” a few times during your speech to remind your audience of this product.
• If you are writing a motivational speech about how running can help people to overcome emotional hurdles, then you might repeat a phrase in your speech to emphasize this idea, such as, “Run through the pain.”

• For example, if you are giving a speech about moose mating patterns, 2 numbers that show the decline in the moose population over a 50 year period may be a striking addition to your speech. However, sharing a complex set of moose population statistics would be less compelling and possibly even confusing to your audience.
• Choose quotes that are easy to follow and make sure that you explain how each quote you use supports to your argument. Try to stick with quotes that use simple language and take up no more than 2 lines on your page.

• For example, when describing your love of food in a motivational speech about becoming a chef, you might decide to include a joke and say something like, “I always wanted to become a chef, ever since I was a little kid and I discovered that people actually make donuts and they don’t just randomly fall from the sky.”

• Avoid relying on the slides to make the speech for you. You will still need to deliver your speech in an engaging manner. Only use the slides as a complement to your words.

• Make sure to read your speech out loud when you review it! This will help you to determine if it sounds natural and if there are any awkward sections that you can cut, smooth out, or explain more clearly. [22] X Research source

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• ↑ http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/speech/tips.htm
• ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.write-out-loud.com/howtowritespeech.html
• ↑ https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/7-sensational-essay-hooks/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/speeches/
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-introductions
• ↑ https://pac.org/content/speechwriting-101-writing-effective-speech

About This Article

To write a speech, start off with an attention-grabbing statement, like "Before I begin my speech, I have something important to say." Once you've gotten everyone's attention, move on to your strongest argument or point first since that's what audiences will remember the most. Use transitions throughout your speech, like "This brings us back to the bigger picture," so the audience doesn't get lost. To conclude your speech, restate the key points and leave your audience with a question or something to think about. To learn how to edit your first draft, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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