example of a speech community

A Definition of Speech Community in Sociolinguistics

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Speech community is a term in sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology used to describe a group of people who share the same language,  speech  characteristics, and ways of interpreting communication. Speech communities may be large regions like an urban area with a common, distinct accent (think of Boston with its dropped r's) or small units like families and friends (think of a nickname for a sibling). They help people define themselves as individuals and community members and identify (or misidentify) others.

Speech and Identity

The concept of speech as a means of identifying with a community first emerged in 1960s academia alongside other new fields of research like ethnic and gender studies. Linguists like John Gumperz pioneered research in how personal interaction can influence ways of speaking and interpreting, while Noam Chomsky studied how people interpret language and derive meaning from what they see and hear.

Types of Communities

Speech communities can be large or small, although linguists don't agree on how they're defined. Some, like linguist Muriel Saville-Troike, argue that it's logical to assume that a shared language like English, which is spoken throughout the world, is a speech community. But she differentiates between "hard-shelled" communities, which tend to be insular and intimate, like a family or religious sect, and "soft-shelled" communities where there is a lot of interaction.

But other linguists say a common language is too vague to be considered a true speech community. The linguistic anthropologist Zdenek Salzmann describes it this way:

"[P]eople who speak the same language are not always members of the same speech community. On the one hand, speakers of South Asian English in India and Pakistan share a language with citizens of the U.S., but the respective varieties of English and the rules for speaking them are sufficiently distinct to assign the two populations to different speech communities..."

Instead, Salzman and others say, speech communities should be more narrowly defined based on characteristics such as pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and manner of speaking.

Study and Research

The concept of speech community plays a role in a number of social science, namely sociology, anthropology, linguists, even psychology. People who study issues of migration and ethnic identity use social community theory to study things like how immigrants assimilate into larger societies, for instance. Academics who focus on racial, ethnic, sexual​ or gender issues apply social community theory when they study issues of personal identity and politics. It also plays a role in data collection. By being aware of how communities are defined, researchers can adjust their subject pools in order to obtain representative sample populations.

• Morgan, Marcyliena H. "What Are Speech Communities?" Cambridge University Press, 2014.
• Salzmann, Zdenek. "Language, Culture, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology." Westview, 2004
• Saville-Troike, Muriel. "The Ethnography of Communication: An Introduction, 3rd ed." Blackwell, 2003.
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• Understanding Dialectology
• Descriptivism in Language
• The Difference Between a Speech and Discourse Community
• Definition and Examples of Linguistic Prestige
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Discourse Community: Examples and Definition

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A discourse community is a community of people who share basic goals or interests and ways of communicating about them.

These are groups that have common goals, purposes, or interests and use the same set of discourses to achieve and communicate about them (Borg, 2003).

Examples of discourse communities include academic communities, business groups, fitness groups, and activist organizations.

Discourse Community Definition

A discourse community is a community of people who have shared goals, purposes, or interests and use the same set of discourses to achieve them (Borg, 2003; Johns, 1997).

James Porter (1992) defined a discourse community as:

“a local and temporary constraining system, defined by a body of texts (or more generally, practices) that are unified by a common focus. A discourse community is a textual system with stated and unstated conventions, a vital history, mechanisms for wielding power, institutional hierarchies, vested interests, and so on.”

The concept is generally used in the context of academic writing, business settings (Killingsworth & Gilbertson, 2019; Olsen, 1993; Orlikowski & Yates, 1994), learner needs (Offord-Gray & Aldred, 1998), accounting, and so on.

There are, however, several issues with the definition of the concept that need to be resolved:

“how large (or small) a discourse community might be; whether speech is needed to maintain a discourse community; whether purpose is the defining characteristic of a discourse community, and how stable a discourse community, and therefore its genres, are” (Borg, 2003, p. 399).

There is also the question of whether shared goals are a necessary element of every discourse community.

The concept of a discourse community developed from the concepts of a speech community and an interpretive community. So, if we want to deeply understand what a discourse community is, we must also define speech and interpretive communities .

We can distinguish discourse communities from speech communities because membership in a discourse community is a matter of choice, while membership in a speech community is not.

Discourse communities differ from interpretive communities because of their focus on pursuing goals.

Interpretive communities don’t necessarily have shared goals, while discourse communities always have either shared goals or interests (Johns, 1997; Porter, 1986). In addition, analyses of discourse communities generally focus on written communication.

Defining Characteristics of Discourse Communities

Swales (1990) distinguished between regular discourse communities (united by written communication alone) and place discourse communities that are united by both written and spoken communication.

There are, according to Swales, six defining characteristics of discourse communities:

• A broadly agreed upon set of common public goals.
• Mechanisms of communication among the members.
• The use of participatory mechanisms for providing information and feedback.
• The use of one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aims.
• Acquired specific lexis.
• A threshold level of members with a suitable degree of relevant content and discoursal expertise.

The production of texts within a discourse community takes place in the context of the interpretive conventions of said community. For any text to be produced within a discourse community, it must fit the standards to which that community is appealing. If one wants membership in a discourse community, one must understand the goals, standards, and interests of that community (Bizzell, 1992).

Discourse communities are intangible and vague. This is why scholars often use the term ‘forum’ to describe concrete, local manifestations of the operations of discourse communities (Porter, 1992).

Examples of Discourse Communities

• Fitness community: A community of people united by an interest in achieving physical fitness is a discourse community. It has common goals (strength, vitality, hypertrophy, longevity, etc.), common values (discipline, safety, progress, etc.), and a specialized vocabulary (concentric, eccentric, aerobic, microcycle, mesocycle, cardio, HIIT, reps, sets, etc.).
• Academic community: Academic communities often share interests, goals, genres, and specialized vocabularies. For example, the academic community of architects shares an interest in the built environment, the goal of creating more sustainable architecture, and the specialized vocabulary of architecture (masterplan, brief, tensile structure, stylobate, order, architrave, firmitas, utilitas, venustas, etc.).
• Activist organizations: Activist organizations like Amnesty International, the Global Fund for Women, the Farm Animal Rights Movement, and so on often exemplify all the common characteristics of discourse communities: they have common goals, purposes, interests, and specialized vocabularies.
• Alumni associations: An alumni association of some university is an example of a discourse community that may or may not have shared goals, but is united by shared interests. Such associations may also be interpretive communities or speech communities, but that does not change the fact that they are discourse communities.
• Professional communities: Any community of professionals whose research area is the same is a discourse community. Porter (1986) offers the example of the community of engineers whose research area is fluid mechanics. Not only is this group united by a shared interest, but also a shared purpose.
• Stamp collectors: John Swales (1990) offers the following example of a discourse community: a society of stamp collectors scattered around the world but united by a shared interest in the stamps of Hong Kong. The important part here is the fact that this discourse community is united by goals and purposes instead of the language they use (speech community) or the way they read texts (interpretive community). “The collectors never gather together physically; instead a newsletter that has a particular form of text organization, making it a genre, which they use to pursue their goals, unites them” (Borg, 2003).
• Military personnel: Military personnel share goals, purposes, ways of communicating, and interests. Communication between military personnel is especially distinctive. Not only do military members have specialized words (band-aid, bird for helicopter, dust-off, hawk for cold weather, and many more), but they also have specialized phrases, codes, and channels for communicating.
• Online political communities: Online political communities often exemplify the characteristics of discourse communities because of their shared interests, goals, and ways of communicating. It is common to see specific phrases or words used by niche online political communities alone, which makes such groups good examples of discourse communities.
• Religious communities: Religious communities may also sometimes have the characteristics of discourse communities. They may be united by shared goals, interests, and sometimes specialized vocabularies.
• Research groups: Similarly to academic communities, groups of researchers or writers who contribute to a particular academic journal are members of a discourse community. They often share a specialized vocabulary as well as goals, interests, and ways of communicating about them.

Discourse Community vs Community of Practice

The term discourse community is, however, becoming less and less popular among scholars. After the early 2000s, it has been gradually replaced by the term ‘community of practice’.

A community of practice is a group that shares “a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly” (Wenger-Trayner & Wenger-Trayner, 2015).

The term discourse community fell out of favor due to the various criticisms leveled against it. These include the idea that the term is not precise enough (Wardle & Downs, 2014), and the fact that shared goals seem to not be fundamental for discourse communities (the academic community as a whole, for example, does not have shared goals).

A discourse community is a group of individuals who have shared goals, purposes, or interests, communicate through approved channels, and use regulated discourse (Borg, 2003; Johns, 1997; Porter, 1986). Whether shared goals are an essential part of every discourse community is a matter of debate. Examples of discourse communities include alumni associations, academics, stamp collectors, research groups, groups of employees, members of a family, and so on.

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A Simple Explanation of Discourse Community With Examples

People with common interests and goals in life, share a language that helps them discuss and attain these interests and goals. Such a group of people is called a discourse community, the concept of which is explained here.

The term discourse community was first introduced by the sociolinguist Martin Nystrand in 1982. It was later developed into its present form by John Swales, an American linguist.

A set of people who use a common language for interaction is known as a discourse community. Conceptually, it serves as a convergence of linguistics and social science such as, anthropology. Such communities are defined by the discourse on commonly shared aims and objectives of the people within it. Owing to their versatile and intangible nature, discourse communities operate in forums where the community members participate in a preferred manner. According to the varied interests and goals held by people, it is possible for an individual to belong to more than one such discourse community, where he/she may find like-minded individuals striving for the same end result. These people can move back and forth within these multiple communities everyday.

For instance, a college student can belong to various communities based on his interests. If he is a fan of a certain music band, say Metallica, then he is a part of the community that likes this band. At the same time, he belongs to his familial community that consists of his family and friends, with the common goal of love, help, guidance, respect, support, etc. He will also be a part of an academic community, i.e., if he is studying engineering, he will be a part of engineering students community. If he is a lover of literature, he will belong to a suitable community related to literature, and so on.

❑ John Swales defines these communities as “groups that have goals or purposes, and use communication to achieve these goals”.

❑ James Porter explains this definition by stating that they are “a local and temporary constraining system, defined by a body of texts (or more generally, practices) that are unified by a common focus. A discourse community is a textual system with stated and unstated conventions, a vital history, mechanisms for wielding power, institutional hierarchies, vested interests, and so on”.

❑ Will Ogles , puts it simply by saying that “Discourse communities are a group of like-minded people who get together and do stuff and it’s as simple as that”.

Characteristics

John Swales states that each of these discourse communities possess a common set of characteristics that help identify and define them. They are enlisted as follows:

A discourse community has a broadly agreed set of common public goals. ► Students will possess a goal of doing well in their studies and advancing to the next academic level. Teachers will have a goal of teaching subjects to students and encouraging them to do well in life. Similarly, army personnel will have the goal of securing the nation against any threats, and vacationers will have the goal of gaining new experiences, relaxing, and having fun.

It has mechanisms of intercommunication among their members. ► The members of the community will communicate and converse with each other to share their experiences, thoughts, ideas, problems, and solutions. They may do this via telephones, electronic mails, online discussion forums, messaging, blogging, and face-to-face conversations.

It uses its participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback. ► The interactions and intercommunication employed or carried out by the community, results in a sort of give and take of information, where it is transferred from one person to another, who after processing the information offers a feedback regarding its efficacy. This feedback can be in any form such as email, comment, post, phone call, blog, etc.

It utilizes and hence possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aims. ► In this context, “genre” refers to the form in which the discourse is written, i.e, the form that the written word takes. It occurs as text in the form of graffiti, chalk drawings, magazine and newspaper articles, journals, websites, blogs, etc.

In addition to owning genres, it has acquired some specific lexis. ► Lexis refers to all words in any language, and in the context of discourse, it points to various goal-specific terms used by the community. Every community has its own lexis. For example, the community of artists may use specific terms for their tools, computer programmers may use different terminology related to technology, politicians may have a different style of speaking, the lexis used by engineers would be different from that of doctors, and many more.

It has a threshold level of members with a suitable degree of relevant content and discoursal expertise. ► Each community takes in new members that are novices with respect to the interest of that community. These members may leave the community if they are no more interested in the group or have gained the required knowledge, and now have moved on a more advanced level to hone their expertise of that skill or interest. Although the members may keep changing frequently, the discourse community may still exist. However, in the event that the experts are no longer a part of the community or if new novices have stopped joining in, the community will eventually cease to exist. A few communities are also dependent on the number of members, i.e., a group of students can do a group study with as little as 2 students, but a sports group needs to have a predefined number of people for it to be functional.

► People working together in a particular company

► Athletes playing a particular team sport

► Students studying a subject (e.g. arts students)

► Musical performers or actors

► Readers of a particular magazine or journal

► Groups that follow a particular religion

► Group of teachers teaching the same academic level

► Fans of a celebrity, game, cuisine, music, etc.

► People residing in a specific area of a city

► Enthusiasts of gadgets and technology

► People who have the same hobby (e.g. philately)

These examples show that any individual may belong to multiple discourse communities as per his/her interests, hobbies, educational pursuits, or career path. It can also be inferred that the discourses are always embedded within a framework of social institutions, and often involve the use of mediums such as books, classrooms, buildings, technologies, etc.

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Sociolinguistic Concepts: Speech Community

The existing different categories used by sociologists to study society include; economic characteristics, class, regional characteristics, and ethnicity. Sociology defines a community as a dimension of shared possessions, knowledge, and behaviors. Linguists however use another dimension of social organization by using speech community to refer to the community. Sociolinguists, therefore, combine the two (Mesthrie, 2000). Lyons cited in Wardhaugh (2006) has a different view of a speech community and refers to them as ‘real’. The real speech community in this case is “all the people who use a given language (or dialect)” (Wardhaugh, 2006 p. 120; Hudson, 1996 p. 24). This concept perceives speech communities as those that can overlap in cases where bilingual individuals exist and therefore eliminate the need for cultural or social unity. It is noted that c and post-modern cultures and languages. The characteristics of societies, therefore, change with time, and studying such communities requires a definition that includes all aspects.

There are so many categories used by sociologists to study society. These categories include; economic characteristics, class, regional characteristics, and ethnicity. Sociology defines a community as a dimension of shared possessions, knowledge, and behaviors. Linguists however use another dimension of social organization by using speech community to refer to the community. Sociolinguists, therefore, combine the two (Mesthrie, 2000).

Sociolinguistics studies consider the community as a speech community. They examine the relationship between language and the social world considering how language creates structures in society (Nunan & Carter, 2001). Wardhaugh notes that sociolinguistics is the study of the use of language among or within groups of speakers (2006). The community of sociolinguists however has had so many definitions. So many authors have defined speech community using different concepts.

All these concepts have led to a finer definition that can be used by sociolinguists for studies and even teaching different communities. Below is a brief literature review about the definitions, concepts, and theorists of a speech community. Its use in the current sociolinguistic research is also outlined.

Wardhaugh (2006) and other authors have explained so many definitions of speech community according to different theorists who believe differently about what a speech community is. The following definitions are according to different authors who had different opinions about the speech community.

A speech community is a social group with members having similar/coherent speech characteristics (Wardhaugh, 2006). Lyons cited in Wardhaugh (2006) has a different view of a speech community and refers to them as ‘real’. The real speech community in this case is “all the people who use a given language (or dialect)” (Wardhaugh, 2006 p. 120; Hudson, 1996 p. 24). This concept perceives speech communities as those that can overlap in cases where bilingual individuals exist and therefore eliminate the need for cultural or social unity. Hudson (1996) however notes that it is only possible to consider speech community as people who use a given language or dialect only if it is possible to consider the languages without referring to the community speakers.

Wardhaugh further recognizes that a speech community is not coterminous with a language (2006). According to Wardhaugh, so many people in many places across the world speak English. The language is also spoken differently among different communities that are completely separated from one another. Examples of such communities are in South Africa, among expatriates in China and New Zealand. Wardhaugh also notes that one speech community can speak more than one language for example in African states, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Switzerland, and New York (2006).

If speech community is to be defined by linguistic characteristics, then language has to be recognized as a communal possession. Using linguistic characteristics to define speech community however has not been possible due to the difference in these characteristics. People do not feel directly related to different linguistic characteristics when in one speech community as it is referred to.

If there is a speech community ‘T’ with linguistic characteristics X, Y, and Z for example, people in the ‘T’ speech community with X linguistic characteristics will not feel directly related to community ‘T’. The same applies to people of linguistic characteristics Y and Z (Wardhaugh, 2006).

The only sure thing in society is that people who speak a certain language use characteristics of the language to obtain group identity with each other and to achieve group differentiation from other speakers. Speakers however use other characteristics such as culture, political, social, and ethnic to also identify each other and to differentiate themselves from other speakers.

Wardhaugh argues that speech community has to be defined using an appropriate criterion and that which does not only consider linguistic characteristics giving the complete definition of a speech community (2006). This author notes that the definition of a speech community is dependent on the sociolinguistic purpose and can be narrowed down to be defined by linguistic characteristics. In this case, a single language can be chosen to define the speech community and the language is also defined for sociolinguistic purposes. Speakers that show certain linguistic norms or share a common feeling about a linguistic behavior belong to the same speech community.

This according to Wardhaugh, describes Labov’s definition of what a speech community is which states that “the speech community is not defined by any marked agreement in the use of language elements, so much as by participation in a set of shared norms” (Wardhaugh, 2006 p.121).

According to this definition, individuals feel they belong to a community because of various characteristics other than linguistics. This makes the speech community very abstract since specific norms used in those communities may not be related to language and even if they were they vary among small groups. Hindus for example may belong to the same speech community as Urdu considering the above definition, but they entirely separate themselves from this group of speakers (Wardhaugh, 2006). The same applies to Chinese who consider themselves one community but different speakers do not consider themselves belonging to that community. Hokkien for example might not express the sense of belonging to a community of Mandarin speakers.

The concept considers shared knowledge, attitudes, and shared language. Michael Halliday and Dell Hymes also had similar definitions that referred to abstract patterns of variation and shared norms and not shared speech behavior. This kind of definition emphasizes speech community as a group of people who feel they belong together as a community and those who are not identified by external characteristics as seen by linguists and outsiders (Hudson, 1996).

Bloomfield also defined speech community as cited in Hudson and Wardhaugh’s as, “a group of people who interact using speech” (1996 p. 25; 2006, p.122). This concept gives the idea that people can communicate using different languages but still belong to the same community of speech (Hudson, 1996). Bloomfield’s definition recognizes the idea that speech communities are not only identified by what they do but by what they do not do as well (Wardhaugh, 2006).

Charles Hockett also had a different concept of what speech community is. This author defined speech community as characterized by each language. It is quoted in Hudson that, “each language defines a speech community: the whole set of people who communicate with each other either directly or via the common language” (1996 p. 24). According to this concept, communication within the community is used as a criterion to define speech community. This means that if two communities speak the same language, yet they have no contact with each other, they would belong to different speech communities (Hudson, 1996).

Gumperz’s concept of speech community according to Wardhaugh and Hudson, (2006:1996) gives two definitions of what a speech community is. The first prefers referring to speech community as a linguistic community which defines a community by its relationship with other communities. It considers that community members differ in certain ways from other communities externally and have a social cohesiveness internally; a concept that recognizes Bloomfield’s definition. It defines the linguistic community as, “a social group which may be either monolingual or multilingual”. The community is considered one due to communication lines’ weaknesses from surrounding areas and the frequency of social interaction patterns (Hudson, 1996).

The second definition includes another characteristic of speech communities which indicates that speech communities should have specific linguistic differences that separate them among themselves and from the external communities. This disqualifies an earlier definition that stated that speech communities are defined by the languages so that one speech community is defined by one language. The two definitions also put much emphasis on interaction and communication contrasting the idea that speech communities overlap due to bilingualism as earlier stated (Hudson, 1996).

Another approach of what speech community is was advocated by Robert Le Page. In this definition, speech community is referred to as societal groups with distinctive social and speech characteristics. These groups according to Hudson cannot be identified by objective methods used by sociologists, but are those just perceived by the speakers to existing (1996). This definition also indicates that a group may represent certain social types and does not necessarily need to consider the whole population.

The groups in this case overlap but due to multilingualism and not bilingualism as previous definitions stated. The individuals group themselves in various multi-dimensions defined by groups found in the society. Each group has linguistic items that make up their language so that other groups can contribute to the linguistic items in their language. These personal groupings are considered speech communities by Bolinger Dwight. Based on the overlap existing between different groups and how the groups’ items are classified to form items of another group’s language, complexity is created in Bolinger’s speech community (Hudson, 1996).

Speech community definition has emerged from simple definitions such as, “all the people who use a given language (or dialect)” and “a group of people who interact utilizing speech”, to speech community definition that does not even consider the term ‘speech community’ but only refers to groups as with similar speech and social characteristics. The definition of these groups has led to a more complex definition that considers personal groups in society as speech communities. The groups have specific ways of classifying items of other groups into the linguistic system forming their language.

Use of Speech Community in Current Sociolinguistic Research

The speech community forms the locus of most sociolinguistic research especially those accountable to a group of naturally occurring speech. It defines the boundaries most sociolinguistic research look for when identifying and analyzing language variation, ways of speaking, change, and choice patterns within linguistic repertoire elements (Mendes, p. 1; Maros, 2007). The definition of speech community currently constitutes the concept of so many groups that overlap as indicated earlier and with a lot of interactions between these groups. This definition is used to study and to find out variations in speech communities (Quist, p.1; Trousdale, 2005).

Sociolinguistic research as noted above is the study of the use of language within and among groups of speakers. It gives how language structures society. Speech community definition plays a very important role in such research as it specifies what a community is for the researchers (Maros, 2007). The definition of the community also expands on findings giving sociolinguists more information about the relationship between the historical, economic, sociological, and cultural factors and community languages.

As described by what definition speech community refers to by Bolinger, the concept gives knowledge on how the extralinguistic factors contribute to a specific community and their languages (Diller, 2008). An example is the case of Trio Amerindians. Carlin notes that Trio Amerindians’ community formation is brought about by extralinguistic factors that contribute to the community’s present status and the factors that influence what the community chooses to speak, to whom they speak and when they speak (Carlin, p.1).

The world of today is characterized by globalization which is characterized by post-modern cultures and languages. The characteristics of societies, therefore, change with time, and studying such communities requires a definition that includes all aspects. Language characteristics also form part of speech community definition.

TESOL teachers need to know the language characteristics of a community for effective delivery of teaching services. Knowledge on how the languages arise in a speech community (Nunan & Carter, 2001) as defined by Bolinger is therefore very important. This definition allows the TESOL teacher to identify the linguistic changes in English as well as other languages which is important information in teaching. There are three areas of research that are very important to the TESOL teacher. These are language variation, languages in contact, and linguistic relativity all of which are studied in sociolinguistic research (Nunan & Carter, 2001).

The above paper has described the definition of speech community according to several theorists giving concepts under each definition. These definitions assist sociolinguistics in studying language characteristics about social characteristics of different communities.

Reference List

• Carlin, E. B. Speech community formation: a Sociolinguistic Profile of the Trio of  Suriname: Overview of the Trio language. New Indian Guide. Vol. 72 (1&2) pp 4-42.
• Diller, A. (2008). Tai-Kadai Languages. London, UK: Routledge.
• Hudson, R. A. (1996). Sociolinguistics . Ed2. England, UK: Cambridge University Press
• Maros, M. (2007). The Social Functions of Complaints in Malay Speech  Community . Abstract for SEALS17.
• Mendes, B. R. Speech Communities, Communities of Practice and  Sociolinguistic Research in “Quilombola” Communities .
• Mesthrie, R. (2000). Introducing sociolinguistics. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press.
• Nunan, D. and Carter, R. (2001). The Cambridge Guide to Teaching English to  Speakers of Other Languages .Ed. 4. England, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Quist, P. Multilingual Practices in the late Modern Speech Community . University of Copenhagen.
• Trousdale, G. (2005). The Social Context of Kentish Raising: Issues in Old  English Social Linguistics. International Journal of English Studies. Vol 5 (1) pp 59-76.
• Wardhaugh, R. (2006). An introduction to sociolinguistics . Ed. 5. Ontario, Canada: Wiley-Blackwell

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Speech Community (2015)

2015, The International Encyclopedia of Language and Social Interaction

The term speech community refers to a group of people who speak in a distinct, identifiable style...

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The first modern speaking societies have been founded in Scotland in the 18th century (1726, by the priest John Henley). People gathered in order to improve their language proficiency and the same time discuss about issues related to their environment. Before the 18th Century, speaking societies were founded in the antiquity, namely in Greece (Athens), Rome with speakers like Demosthenes, Platon etc…Public speaking was an exercise devoted to orators who captured the attention of the city on political matters, while gaining admiration, respect and power...

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Giving a Speech on a Community-Building Project: Full Guide

By: Author Valerie Forgeard

Posted on Published: January 11, 2022  - Last updated: July 3, 2023

Categories Leadership , Community

Giving a speech on a community-building project is a great opportunity and also a great responsibility. It’s one of the most difficult tasks, but also one of the most rewarding when it goes well.

Whether your speech is aimed at potential investors or to recruit new members, you need to be persuasive to grow your community.

I’ve given speeches in the past on various community development projects I’ve been involved in, and giving a speech is a development process that requires good communication skills and organization.

Like giving any other speech, representing a community organization requires good public speaking preparation.

It’s important to get it right because it means that your community members, your colleagues, stakeholders, other community leaders, and audience members are relying on you not just to give a speech, but to make a positive impact and bring about social change.

Communication Is Key When You Are Giving a Speech on a Community Building Project

Whether it’s about civic engagement in a global or local community, a nonprofit organization, large or small businesses, or a high school, a speech requires excellent communication skills.

Here are a few examples of speeches about community building projects:

Sales Presentation to Obtain Funding

In this speech, you tell people how their community involvement helps your community’s needs and why they should give you their money.

It’s important that they understand that donating to your community organization means you will both be working together toward a common goal, even if the goal isn’t exactly the same on both sides.

For example, if you’re giving a speech for your community to create jobs for youth, your potential investors need to see a business or economic opportunity for your speech to influence their decision-making.

Community Involvement & Community Service Recruitment

Whether your speech is aimed at international or rural communities, adults, or youth, building relationships with your audience during your talk is critical to your community engagement. If you have an engaged community, it’ll be easier to gain credibility and attract new members or even get people to apply for volunteering opportunities.

Community Story

Telling the story of your community project is what community leaders often do.

You tell how and why your idea came to be, what its initial community needs were, what pitfalls and successes there were in the development process, how you engaged community members and stakeholders, what you accomplished, and how it had a positive impact.

For example, if your community focuses on youth development, share how it brought about social change for youth .

Stories are very effective in public speaking because good stories tell of strengths as well as weaknesses. This is important for gaining credibility and a good way to engage citizens by telling them what they can do to change their community for the better.

Why Community Building Speeches Succeed or Fail

The success of a project often depends on the people who help set the direction, funding, and overall vision. If you are giving a speech on a community-building project, you need to understand the motivations of these individuals.

People are motivated by different things, which is why some people place more emphasis on building relationships while others place more emphasis on results. Your speech should cover both aspects if you want it to be effective.

A speech needs to have a little something for everyone. It must be interesting and relevant to the audience. It must be delivered with confidence and conviction. And it must have a positive impact, whether it changes the listener’s mind or simply makes them think about the topic in a new way.

To be successful at a speech, you don’t have to be a professional speaker. You need good communication skills to know your topic. Your preparation is one of the most important parts of your speech.

Development Process

When giving a speech, you must appear confident and find a good balance between nervousness and arrogance (too much confidence could be perceived as arrogance). Community leaders are expected to inspire and motivate their listeners by speaking with passion, enthusiasm, and excitement. Preparation is a crucial step.

When preparing a speech on a community-building project, it’s important that you know what you’re talking about and that you research how to explain the project in a way that audience members will understand.

If you want to make public speeches, you must know how to prepare. You shouldn’t give speeches unless you’re prepared to put in the necessary effort. There are a number of things you need to do when preparing for public speaking.

Know Your Goal

The first step in crafting a great speech about a community-building project is to understand why you’re giving the speech in the first place. Whether you’re advocating for a cause you believe in or trying to convince your audience of your point of view, you need to make sure your goal is clear and that it relates to the issue at hand.

Connecting your purpose to the issue will also help you decide which point of view or argument to make. In other words: What do you want your audience to think or feel after your speech?

Once you’ve decided on the main point, you can start planning the rest of your speech. This is where structure comes into play. Having a clear plan of what you want your audience to think and feel will help you develop a logical structure for your speech.

Research the Topic

Researching the topic of your speech first will help you in many ways. When researching, make sure you’ve enough information about the topic and not just a few. Also, make sure that your speech has a clear focus.

Make sure it’s written properly.

Don’t just copy lines from a book and say them out loud, because that will make a negative impression on your audience and it’ll look like you didn’t put any effort into writing your speech yourself.

It’s important that you know your topic inside and out. If you aren’t prepared, people will see through you and it’ll affect your credibility. The best way to prepare is to do thorough research beforehand. You should also have one or two key points that you want people to remember.

Some people find it useful to take notes, others prefer not to because they feel it limits their speaking.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with what you’re saying.

Learn From Other Speakers in Your Industry

If you’re going to give a presentation on a particular topic (eg: economic development, community service, rural communities, etc.), it can be helpful to see how others in your industry have handled it. They’re sure to have good tips for you on how to improve your presentation.

It can be helpful to find out how people in other fields present their information.

You may not be able to apply what you learn directly, but you can get new ideas on how to prepare the material and make it interesting for your audience, which is key to a successful presentation.

Know Your Audience

One of the most important aspects of being a successful speaker is knowing your audience. You need to tailor your speech to them.

Presentations are aimed at a specific group of people (eg: local leaders, local government, young adults, etc.) . If you know who’ll be in attendance and what their interests are (eg: local resident opportunities, high school, global economic development, community service, etc.), you can tailor your speech to them. You can also select the main types of citizens you want to address in your introduction and conclusion.

Ideally, you’ve met some of them before or at least know something about them, such as their background, interests, or profession. What’re their motivations? What do they like and dislike? What do they want to hear? These questions need to be answered before you start writing.

If you don’t know your audience, talk to someone who does, or interview members of the group before the speech.

Know Your Core Message

Your audience will take away from your speech what you tell them they’ll take away. It’s important that they understand what you’re getting at. Make sure you have a clear message that everyone can easily remember, and stick to it throughout the presentation.

Have a Clear Structure

Your speech should have a clear structure. This makes it easier for the audience to follow your key points and understand the message you want to convey. When writing your speech, you should first formulate your main idea in a single sentence.

Make sure that everything you say supports that main idea. Your main idea should relate directly to your audience and the event, so take plenty of time to think about it.

Have an introduction and an ending that connects all the points well. If your speech is logical, i.e. flows from one point to the next and is logically linked to other points or ideas of the topic under discussion , your audience will benefit from it.

The best way to develop this main theme is to think about what you want your audience to take away from your speech after they hear it.

Try to write down some keywords or phrases that you want them to remember afterward. These can be practical tips or inspirational ideas that will help them in their own lives or work. Once you find these keywords, write them down on a separate sheet of paper in the order you want them to appear in your speech. This will then be your outline for the speech.

When you write down your speech, start with an introduction that will pique people’s curiosity and make them curious about what’s coming next. You may also want to share a joke or personal anecdote here if it fits the theme and tone of your speech.

Use Visual Aids

Visual aids can boost your confidence when speaking in public.

There’s a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. A picture means more than just something to look at.

It can help you remember what you want to say or give you an example of something you may not have thought of.

For example, if you’re talking about a local resident in New York (United States) who’s made a difference in his neighborhood, you should show a picture of him in New York in your presentation so that people will feel that he’s real when you talk about him, and it’ll remind you at what point you should talk about him.

Trying to remember everything on the spot can be stressful, especially when you’re speaking in front of others for the first time. If you’re able to create a visual aid that explains what you want to say, it’ll keep you from forgetting things.

When you create a visual aid, it’s important to use simple and easy-to-understand images and diagrams. You want your message to get across, so try not to make it too complicated or confusing.

You should also use different colors and fonts so they stand out and grab everyone’s attention. Different colors will help keep everyone focused on the main topic and not distracted by a particular color that stands out to them.

If you’re using PowerPoint, Keynote, or other software, make sure the content for your presentation is already loaded. If you’re planning to use visual aids, you should find out if it’s allowed beforehand. Make sure all equipment (projector, microphones, etc.) is working before the presentation begins.

Practice Your Speech

If you’re nervous about speaking in front of an audience, try to imagine that your audience is coming to hear you speak. Remember that they probably have no idea who you’re, so don’t worry if they aren’t overly excited when you walk into the room. Remembering these things will help you relax and make it easier to deliver your speech.

By recording yourself on your smartphone, you can get used to how you’ll look when you give your speech and memorize the key parts when you watch it again. This way, you can get used to your body language while giving the speech, and it’ll be easier for you to relax and focus on the right words.

If possible, practice your speech in front of others. The more often someone hears a speech, the more likely he or she’s to remember it. Ask friends or family members to help you practice, and listen to their suggestions on how to do it better.

If you want to give a good speech about a community-building project, you should first think about what makes you stand out in your job – how hardworking you’re.

Work on Your Self-Confidence

A confident speaker can motivate and inspire the audience – whether it’s a single person or an audience of thousands. If you’re not confident, it can be hard to muster the courage to speak in public. But if you work on your confidence, it can help you give a great speech about a community-building project.

A less experienced speaker or a young person may worry about what’ll happen if they forget their lines or stumble over words. This is normal and to be expected. A little nervousness can be good for the right amount of adrenaline.

More experienced speakers may have trouble even getting up to speak, or they may have trouble delivering their words with the right enthusiasm.

Bringing the Audience Along

The purpose of a speech is to get a message across. This can be done in many different ways. You can use humor, stories, statistics, or facts to grab the audience’s attention and make them listen.

The success of your speech depends largely on how you deliver it. The first step to a successful speech is to prepare for the speech itself by thinking about what you want the audience to take away from the speech.

When deciding on your message, you must keep in mind that people learn in different ways. It’s important to craft your message so that it reaches the different types of learners.

Before You Deliver Your Speech

When you’re ready to give your speech about community building (or whatever topic you’ve chosen), it’s important to relax. If you focus too much on your speech, other activities may overwhelm you.

A day or two before your speech, it’s important to relax. Keep yourself busy with other things, because if you focus too much on your speech, it can overwhelm you. Get together with friends, exercise or meditate, watch a comedy – anything that will take your mind off the event.

The night before the speech, write down all the information you need to remember for the next day. This includes any notes related to what you’ll be saying and where the items you’ll need are located on stage or at the podium (if it’s a big event). It’s also helpful to make a list of the times of certain events during the presentation so you won’t feel embarrassed if someone calls you on it.

Make sure you aren’t hungry or tired. If necessary, sleep in and eat a filling meal before giving your speech.

Don’t go on stage with a full stomach, but go to the bathroom several times before you give your speech. This will prevent you from being distracted by discomfort during your presentation and allow you to focus on what you’ve to say.

On the Day of Your Speech

The day before you give your speech, eat breakfast or lunch at least an hour before your performance.

Wear clothes that you feel confident and comfortable in and that won’t distract others. Also, take a glass of water and something small to eat – this will help you keep your energy up during the presentation.

Be aware that you’ll probably be nervous before you give your first speech.

When you’re in front of an audience, always remember that they’re on your side and rooting for you – even if it’s not always obvious from their reactions. If you take a moment to calm your nerves and focus on what you’ve to say, not how you say it, you’ll become more confident with time and experience.

Remember that there’s no such thing as a perfect speech – only good speeches. And the only way to give a perfect speech is to practice until you can give it perfectly every time. When giving a speech for the first time, don’t expect perfection; instead, strive for progress and improvement.

During Your Speech

When you give your speech, speak confidently and make eye contact with the audience. Smile often to show that you’re relaxed, but avoid smiling too much or laughing at your own jokes; this can give the impression that you’re taking what you’re saying less seriously.

Remember to breathe deeply while you speak so you don’t get out of breath or wind. Also, make sure you don’t speak too quickly; this can cause people to not understand what you’re saying and therefore not listen.

Remember that while your speech is a presentation, it’s more of a conversation than a typical business presentation, so keep your audience in mind and adjust your tone accordingly.

If you want to emphasize a point, ask a question or make a comment that gets the group thinking. This will make the group members feel more involved in the discussion and have something to talk about later in their offices.

Remember that you’re one of the most important members of your community and that’s why you’re giving this speech. You should lead by example and show what it means to be a good community member. Community members should know that they can count on you when they need help or support.

Prepare for any questions that may come from the audience during the speech.

Being prepared for possible questions and having answers ready will help you deliver your speech more confidently. Also, be prepared that you may not know all the answers and that’s okay because you can’t know everything.

At the End of Your Speech

At the end of a speech, a good speaker always thanks his/her audience for being there.

When you thank your audience for listening to you, you also have the opportunity to say how honored you’re to be standing in front of them at the podium. At this point, you can even emphasize what brilliant questions they asked during your speech.

It’s also a good idea to repeat some of the key points from your speech. This helps to summarize things while providing a point of reference for anyone who wasn’t present for your presentation.

Also, it would be a great gesture on your part if you could give them useful information or refer them to someone who can give them more information on the topic you just talked about.

Remember that it’s not just the content of your speech that matters, but how well you deliver it. That’s why it’s important to prepare for your big day and leave a lasting impression on people!

After Your Speech

If you have the opportunity to engage in conversation with your audience after your speech (e.g. networking, tea break, etc.), it’s always good to show that you care. Here are some things you can do to impress your audience and leave a good impression.

• Always thank the organizers for inviting you to speak at their event. A thank you note on social media is usually appreciated by the organizers as well.
• Smile as you personally greet each audience member (if possible). To most, you need to shake hands and say, “Thank you for coming” or “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
• Don’t refer to your speech unless someone mentions it, because you don’t want to come across as “self-centered.”
• prepare a 10-20 second personal message for each of the event organizers thanking them for inviting you to speak at their event (if possible). This is how you make a personal connection with the organizers and leave a positive impression on them.
• Try not to just walk by people who’re trying to strike up a conversation with you, but stop with them and make small talk if possible. If you’re in a hurry, it’s best to go out the back door.

It’s hard to follow up on a speech if you don’t record it. If your speech was recorded or written down, you should go over it thoroughly to find out what went right or wrong. For example, to find out how well the speech was received by the audience.

How to Improve Your Next Speech

The key to getting the most out of your speech is to take something away from it. You can get more out of your time by taking some notes and using them as a foundation for future speeches. Here’s what to look for:

What did you say was most impactful? What was the overall impact of your speech? Did people start their own communities? Did they sign up to comment on posts? How did they respond to specific points you raised?

What worked, what didn’t, and why? What would you do differently next time? Use this feedback to make your next speech even better.

You can use SurveyMonkey or another survey tool to capture the results of your speech in detail. This is especially useful if you did a community-building activity; otherwise, it’s just good practice . You can also see some responses to your survey on the organizer’s social media page in the comments section.

The Key to Success

Good preparation is the key to a successful speech. When you’re preparing to give a speech, there are a few things you can do in advance to make sure it goes well, like the steps above.

Most importantly, be passionate about what you’re doing to get better results.

Make sure that you’re constantly learning from your mistakes so that you can constantly improve as a leader, even if you aren’t perfect. If you’re honest with your mistakes, you can always improve as a person and as a community builder, especially if you can learn from your mistakes and improve.

Related articles:

Is Community Building a Skill – brilliantio

Seven Reasons Why Storytelling Works for Business – brilliantio

Community Essay Examples

When crafting your college applications, writing strong essays is essential. Through your essays, you demonstrate who you are–from your values and passions to your lived experiences. Indeed the personal statement is the most common college essay. However, you will also likely have to write some supplemental essays as part of your college application requirements. One of the most common supplemental essay types is the community essay. This essay type is also known as a describe the community you live in essay, cultural diversity essay, or community service essay.

In this article, we will introduce several community essay examples. Most importantly, we’ll describe why they are considered college essays that worked. Specifically, we will share community essay examples from the two schools:

• Princeton University
• Columbia University

By studying these admissions essay samples, you can see what makes these college community essay examples strong and apply those same principles to your writing.

Reviewing Types of College Essays

Each school has different supplemental essay prompts for their college application requirements. However, there are a few types of essays that are most common. By becoming familiar with these essay types, you can begin to brainstorm and strategize what you will write about early on. You might start as early as sophomore or junior year in high school. 

Now, let’s take a look at the most common supplementary essay questions.

Common Supplementary Essay Questions

1. why school.

A Why School essay is, as it sounds, about why you wish to attend a specific institution. The key to answering this prompt well is to be specific. You should identify examples of what you like about a school. Avoid general comments such as “it is a top school” or “it is diverse.” Share specific programs, professors, teaching approaches, cultural elements, or unique opportunities such as research or study abroad.

2. Why Major

The Why Major essay asks you to share specific reasons behind your choice of major and how it relates to your future goals. A strong response to a Why Major essay will highlight your specific motivations. But it will also connect those motivations to a school’s unique opportunities. For example, perhaps you wish to be a pre-law history major, and the school you are applying to offers law-related internships. By highlighting these specific connections, you draw a compelling connection between yourself and the school.

3. Extracurricular Activity

Many schools ask you to describe an extracurricular activity that is particularly meaningful for you. When responding to this question, do not feel limited to only talk about the most popular extracurricular activities for college applications, like clubs or sports. Consider all of the activities you do outside of school. Then choose the one that is most meaningful to you. Also, give specific examples of how you grew or made an impact within your extracurricular activities for college.

4. Community Essay

The Community Essay can have slightly different angles to it. But, the uniting factor is that the school wants to know how you engage with others around you. Some types of community essays are a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay. In recent years, the cultural diversity essay has been a more common college application requirement.

Coming up, we will share a bit more about how to break down community essay prompts. We’ll also take a look at college essays that worked. By reading these examples, you’ll know how to approach these common prompts.

How to identify a community essay?

While community essays can have slightly different focuses, they all share the goal of learning about where you come from. A supplemental essay prompt might ask you to share more about your background via a group you are part of. This is likely a community essay. Indeed, a community essay can also be called a describe the community you live in essay, or a cultural diversity essay. Other college community essay examples focus on how you will contribute to a college campus. Finally, in a describe a community you belong to essay example, you will see that students highlight any community that is meaningful to them.

You may be wondering why so many colleges have community essays as a college application requirement. For one, many colleges use a holistic admissions process. This means they care about all aspects of who you are, not simply your grades and test scores. How you engage with your communities shows them your character and values. For example, a describe the community you live in essay example about visiting church every Sunday demonstrates your commitment to religion. Similarly, a cultural diversity essay helps colleges learn more about your cultural background. 

Additionally, colleges want to learn more about how you will engage with their on-campus community. You’ll notice this important factor in the college community essay examples we will share. To some degree, how you have engaged with previous communities can be an indicator of how you will show up on their campus.

How is a community essay different?

As we mentioned, community essays can have slightly different focuses. Some prompts ask you to write a describe the community you live in essay. These types of community essays are more like cultural diversity essays. 

Keep in mind that the word “community” can have many different meanings. A community can be your school, church, or neighborhood. It could also stem from your interests. For example, your dance or robotics team can form your community.

Some community essay prompts want to know specifically how you help strengthen your communities. These types of essays are considered a community service essay. Another term for community service is “civic engagement.” An example of civic engagement might be getting people in your cultural community to sign up to vote. Or, another could be helping with church fundraisers to ensure that your local community has the resources it needs to thrive. 

In sum, the keywords you might see in a community essay prompt are “civic engagement,” “community service,” “serve your community,” “contribute to your community,” or “diversity.” No matter how it’s phrased, your essay should demonstrate the impact you’ve had on your community–whichever one you choose to highlight. 

What are some examples of community essays?

In this article, we will share several community essay examples. Specifically, we will highlight Princeton essay examples and Columbia essays examples. Let’s look at these two colleges’ essay prompts. 

The first Princeton supplemental essay prompt is a part of our college community essay examples and our cultural diversity essay examples. Here is the prompt:

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #1: Cultural Diversity Essay and College Community Essay Examples

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. as a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. what lessons have you learned in life thus far what will your classmates learn from you in short, how has your lived experience shaped you  (please respond in 500 words or fewer.).

In this cultural diversity essay prompt, Princeton wants to know about your lived experiences. By this, they refer to any experiences that have shaped you profoundly. A lived experience can be a specific event, such as experiencing a car crash or winning an award. Or, it could be a set of experiences that resulted from life circumstances, such as being a first-generation college student or having taken a gap year .

This essay prompt will also lead to college community essay examples. Indeed Princeton wants to read about your lived experiences and how they impacted you. But, they also want to know how you will bring those lessons to the Princeton community, should you enroll . Also, note that this prompt mentions challenging ideas and beliefs via conversation. As you respond, look for ways to highlight how you have engaged in fruitful dialogue and how you would do so at Princeton.

To answer this prompt effectively, share specific examples. Additionally, be sure to answer all parts of the prompt. 

Princeton has a second supplemental essay prompt that focuses on how you engage with your community outside of the classroom. The prompt is as follows: 

Princeton Community Essay Prompt #2: Civic Engagement

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer) .

To answer this prompt well, you must highlight specific examples of how you have positively impacted your community. As a starting point, consider which of your communities you have most engaged with. How have you done so and what results did you have?

The Columbia Community Essay Prompt is another of our college community essay examples. It is a cultural diversity essay, as well. Here is the prompt: 

Columbia Community Essay Prompt: A Cultural Diversity Essay

A hallmark of the columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to columbia’s diverse and collaborative community. (150 words or fewer).

While this prompt is similar to Princeton’s, it also references perspectives and viewpoints. In doing so, the prompt opens you up to share opinions or values that are important to you. You might consider highlighting values in your family or community that you either hold close or disagree with. 

Note that Columbia also highlights the word “collaborative” in this prompt. This indicates that your cultural diversity essay should also show how you collaborate with others.

Which schools require a community essay?

In addition to Princeton and Columbia, many other schools have community essays as part of their college application requirements. Here are some other examples of community essay prompts:

In this UNC-Chapel Hill prompt , you must describe a specific example of how you made an impact on a community. The prompt reads:

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill: A Community Service Essay Prompt

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. this could be your current community or another community you have engaged. (250-word limit).

In responding, be sure to highlight what community you are referencing, the specific impact you made, and what personal quality helped you do so.

This prompt from UMichigan is a describe a community you belong to essay example, as well as a cultural diversity essay:

The University of Michigan: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (required for all applicants. 1,500 character limit.).

In addition to describing the community, make sure to share how you engage with it and what it has taught you. Remember that community is a broad term. So, for this prompt you can respond with any type of community in mind, whether physical or cultural. In contrast to the describe the community you live in essay, you do not have to be geographically close to the community you describe here.

Duke University: Cultural Diversity Essay Prompts

Duke offers students five supplemental prompts to choose from, of which they can reply to two. Of these supplemental prompts, four are examples of cultural diversity essays:

1. We believe a wide range of viewpoints, beliefs, and lived experiences are essential to maintaining Duke as a vibrant and meaningful living and learning community. Feel free to share with us anything in this context that might help us better understand you and what you might bring to our community.

2. we believe there is benefit in sharing or questioning our beliefs or values; who do you agree with on the big important things, or who do you have your most interesting disagreements with what are you agreeing or disagreeing about, 3. duke’s commitment to inclusion and belonging includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. feel free to share with us more about how your identity in this context has meaning for you as an individual or as a member of a community., 4. we recognize that not fully “fitting in” a community or place can sometimes be difficult. duke values the effort, resilience, and independence that may require. feel free to share with us circumstances where something about you is different and how that’s influenced your experiences or identity..

Each of these prompts is a slightly different type of cultural diversity essay, from sharing a range of opinions to not fitting in within a community. Choose the essay prompts that most resonate with you. And share specific examples that bring your cultural diversity essay to life.

In this Yale University supplemental prompt , you must choose a community that you feel connected to and describe why it is meaningful. Here’s the prompt:

Yale University: Describe a Community You Belong to Essay Example

Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. why is this community meaningful to you you may define community however you like. (400-word limit).

When responding, be sure to highlight what you have learned or how you have grown from this community. In contrast to a describe the community you live in essay, this essay can be about any community, near or far, that resonates with you. Indeed, the prompt gives you plenty of leeway in what you consider community. 

When responding to the UC system prompts , you must choose four of the eight available personal insight questions. One of the PIQs is a community service essay prompt:

The University of California Personal Insight Question: A Community Service Prompt

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place, things to consider: think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. you can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community, why were you inspired to act what did you learn from your effort how did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community.

Similar to many of the other prompts, when answering this question, be sure to identify the specific impact you made on your community.

Now that we have looked at various examples of community essay prompts, we can explore community essay examples. Reading essay examples is a great way to get inspired to write your own college essays. 

In each of the highlighted college essays that worked, note what the author did expertly. Rather than trying to copy their responses, topics, or ideas, consider how you can apply those same skills to your writing. 

Princeton Community Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Princeton essay examples that respond to their two community essay prompts: a cultural diversity essay and a community service essay. 

The first of our Princeton essay examples responds to the following Princeton prompt: 

Princeton Essay Examples #1: Cultural Diversity Essay

Now, let’s take a look at a student’s response to this prompt focusing on lived experiences. 

Princeton Essay Examples #1 Student Response

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town of 1.8 square miles called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values.

In the face of distinct cultures and customs, we forge a single identity as Highland Parkers and come together to organize large community events. The most prevalent example is our highly touted annual Memorial Day parade, where we join together with neighboring New Brunswick to invite military service members, family members of our fallen war heroes, our legislative and congressional representatives, and our townspeople. Moreover, as our high school band’s vice president, I help organize and lead our ensemble into these performances with a positive and uplifting spirit. We communicate with the town government and arrange the performances every year to perform at the parade. The parade is an example of many of our large community events that serve as a unifying force for our diverse community, reminding us that we are fundamentally connected as one cohesive group, despite our differences. 

As someone deeply interested in historical and political matters, I am well aware of the consequences that arise from dictatorial protocols that limit the freedom of speech and diversity of voices. From my experiences debating in Model UN conferences, I have grown accustomed to being able to present viewpoints from both sides of the argument, and I have learned to incorporate and respect the viewpoints of all sides of an issue before making up my own mind. For example, in a Model Congress debate, I found myself advocating for the interests of a state heavily reliant on traditional fossil fuels. While researching and articulating that perspective, I gained insights into the economic challenges faced by the states that are reliant on these resources. This experience not only broadened my understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental policies but also highlighted the necessity of considering diverse viewpoints for comprehensive decision-making. 

My background and experiences have fostered in me a profound appreciation for the value of diversity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of knowledge. At Princeton University, I will seek to contribute as an active participant in the community, actively provide unique perspectives and insights, and respect and learn from others’ perspectives even if there are disagreements. I wish to partake in student government, which has like-minded peers who want to make a substantive impact, and also participate in service programs like the Civic Leadership Council. Also, I hope to increase my impact from the leadership positions I currently hold on the Red Cross club and teen mayoral advisory council using the platforms in Princeton. I look forward to making a positive impact on both the campus and the broader community. 

Why This Cultural Diversity Essay Worked

In the first of our Princeton essay examples, the student successfully responds to all parts of the Princeton prompt. They begin by describing their community and sharing some details about its makeup. Indeed, the first sentence hooks the reader–it is unique and compelling. 

Then, the student illustrates how they specifically contribute to their community each year by leading the high school band in the Memorial Day parade. They also highlight how their experience in Model UN shaped their appreciation for diverse perspectives. In sharing these two examples, the student demonstrates their leadership and open-minded thinking. Finally, the student ends by highlighting how they would use these values to contribute to Princeton’s community– by partaking in student government and Civic Leadership Council, among other activities.

In the second of our Princeton essay examples, the student responds to the second Princeton prompt which is: 

Princeton Essay Examples #2: A Community Service Essay

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. how does your own story intersect with these ideals (250 words or fewer).

And, here is a student’s response:

Princeton Essay Examples #2 Student Response

My first experience with the Red Cross was when my older sister was desperately trying to recruit people to join the club during the harsh COVID year. Things were so bad for the club that I, as a freshman, ran for the position of treasurer unopposed. My first blood drive experience was marked by masks, social distancing, and low turnout among blood donors. Even many donors who showed up ended up being turned away due to health-related issues. Needless to say, it was not the greatest first high school service experience, and I admittedly started to doubt if the time I spent on this front was worth it. 

However, as we returned in person, things quickly turned around. As the vice president of the club, I helped recruit more than twice the club membership compared to the previous year, and our blood drives started to regain momentum; our blood targets have been exceeded every time since. Organizing and participating in blood drives has become a passion. It’s fulfilling, especially when I personally donate, to know that I’m actively serving the community and saving lives. I have realized that, despite my relatively young age, I am capable of making an impact through public service. I plan to continue my commitment to the Red Cross’s adult program and participate in service programs like Community Action at Princeton to serve the Princeton community and abroad.

Why This Essay Worked

In this admissions essay sample, we learn about a student’s volunteerism with the Red Cross as an example of civic engagement. This essay works for several reasons. First, it provides a specific example of the student’s civic engagement and demonstrates their impact by becoming vice president and increasing membership. Secondly, the essay provides an honest take on the struggles of this service experience, which lends credibility and authenticity to the story. 

The student also demonstrates an important lesson learned. This aligns with Princeton’s values– that students can have a positive impact on society. 

Columbia University Essay Examples

In this section, we will highlight Columbia essays examples that landed students admission to the prestigious Ivy League university. The first of our Columbia essays examples is written by the same student who responded to the first Princeton prompt above. Here’s a reminder of the Columbia prompt: 

As you read the example below, notice how the student edited their Princeton cultural diversity essay to meet the prompt and lower word count for Columbia:

I have spent most of my life living in a 41% minority town called Highland Park, NJ. This typically overlooked town has introduced me to a diverse array of people, and it has been the main influence on my life experiences and core values. 

HP has convinced me that we can build institutions that are strong and united while embracing a wide variety of voices and perspectives. It has shaped my core values of diversity and inclusion. An English teacher used to encourage me to talk in front of the class by saying even if I believed my thoughts were “dumb,” I could only enrich the conversation.

At Columbia University, I will seek to continue my contributions as an active participant in the community and look to actively provide unique perspectives and insights. Actively engaging in student groups such as ColumbiaVotes will be a big part of my experience. 

The Columbia essay prompt only allows for a 150-word response. This could pose a challenge for many students. What makes this essay among the Columbia essays examples that worked is how succinctly it completely answers the prompt. 

The response begins by hooking the reader with a relevant detail of the student’s community. Then, the student shares how this community shaped them by influencing their values of diversity and inclusion. Finally, the student shares how they would engage with a Columbia organization that also supports diverse viewpoints. Though short and sweet, this response clearly answers all parts of the Columbia prompt. 

More Community Essay Examples

The final of our community essay examples is a community service essay. Let’s look at how student framed their service experience:

“I don’t believe that’s the best way to do this.” 

The moment I thought this the first time I volunteered at my local soup kitchen was one that resulted in a drastic change. When I was informed of the way the food was being served to the public, the initial excitement that I had felt diminished. We were told that the plates would be served before anyone arrived and would remain in an area where people could pick it up and seat themselves. I felt that this method was impersonal and inconsiderate, and disappointment washed over me. 

I turned to the people that were around me and discovered that they shared the same disapproval I felt. When we agreed that a change must be made, we exchanged ideas on how to present this to the woman in charge of the program. I suggested that we should serve each person one-by-one, and only give them the food if they wanted to/could eat it. They suggested multiple ideas, including that we should offer to seat them, hold their plates for them, continue to check in on them, and dispose of their plates once they finish their meal. We believed that this way would genuinely make them feel better and would allow us to get to know some of them personally. A simple smile and conversation could be enough to improve their day. 

From this day on, the way in which the local soup kitchen serves our community has changed dramatically. This experience taught me the importance of speaking up for what you believe in. In a group setting, it is likely that there will be others who share the same end goal and are willing to contribute different ideas to achieve the goal. These different perspectives can allow you to see situations in ways that you previously hadn’t, and can result in better outcomes. It also showed me the importance of leadership.

If I had never spoken up about the way the food was being served, a change might have never happened. When you work in the group, the end goal may not be for the benefit of anyone in the group, but for others who are in need. This experience also showed me the beauty in doing good for others and making others happy, even through small things such as serving them food to their liking.

In this community service essay, the student shares their experience volunteering at a soup kitchen. Volunteering at a soup kitchen is not necessarily unique in the list of extracurricular activities for college applications. However, the student highlights several aspects of the experience that make it meaningful to them. 

To start, the student shares their experience challenging the way that food was served. The student suggested that food be served directly to attendees in order to better connect with community members. Through this experience, the student learns about leadership and working with others to achieve a common goal. This specific example demonstrates the student’s collaborative values and compassionate way of thinking, both of which are great attributes to highlight in college applications.

How To Write A Community Essay

As we saw in the community essay examples, there are several hallmarks of college essays that worked. To write a good community essay, whether it be a community service essay, a cultural diversity essay, or a describe the community you live in essay, you must start by understanding the prompt. Once you have carefully read through the prompt, brainstorm examples from your own life that relate to it. Sharing specific details and examples will make your response stronger and more unique. 

Additionally, showcase how you grew throughout your response. In each of the community essay examples we shared, the student discussed a skill or perspective they developed through their experiences. Finally, connect your response to the school you are applying to. If you are writing a cultural diversity essay, for example, demonstrate how you would contribute to the cultural diversity at that school, both inside the classroom and in your extracurricular activities for college.  

Topics To Avoid In Your Community Essay

When writing community essays, there is technically no topic that you cannot discuss. However, how you discuss certain topics is important. 

For example, in a community service essay, it is important to not come off as a savior of a community with less privilege than yourself. Similarly, if you are writing a describe the community you live in essay or a cultural diversity essay, you will want to avoid stereotyping any community. Speaking from your own personal experience as a member of a community is fine. However, generalizing your experience to the community at large can come across as insensitive to that community’s diversity. To avoid these pitfalls, have a variety of people read your community essay examples and look for these dynamics.

Additional Tips for Community Essays

We’ve highlighted the strengths in the community essay examples above. Now we will now share some more tips for making your community essays a strong part of your college applications:

Tips for Writing Community Essays

1. research the college.

When reviewing our college community essay examples, you will notice that students highlight specific clubs, programs, or groups on campus to which they will contribute. If you are specific, you demonstrate real interest in the school which adds strength to your college applications.

2. Tell a story

In each of the college essays that worked, students gave details that told a full story . This story incorporated where they come from and what they learned through their experiences. Rather than telling us who they were, the students used this particular story to show us.

As the college admissions landscape gets ever more competitive, students are sometimes tempted to read other students’ essays and copy ideas. Or, more recently, they may even want to use artificial intelligence to write their essays. However, AI and other students’ experiences won’t show admissions who you really are. Don’t worry about whether you have the best extracurricular activities for college or the most unique cultural diversity essay. Instead, talk about the experiences that truly matter to you. By being honest, you are more likely to come across as convincing and interesting. In each of our college community essay examples, students presented a true and well-thought-out response to the prompts.

Other CollegeAdvisor Essay Resources to Explore 

As you work on your college applications, you might be in search of additional resources. CollegeAdvisor has a wealth of webinars and articles that can help you navigate writing your essays. Here are a few:

More CollegeAdvisor Resources for Essays

1. short essay examples.

Some of the cultural diversity essays you may write will be short, meaning that they are 150 words or less. This article with short essay examples can help you understand how to write short and sweet cultural diversity essays.

2. Cultural Diversity Essay Examples

In this article , you will find additional examples of cultural diversity essays. Many community essays are also cultural diversity essays. As such, becoming familiar with how students write about their cultures is useful.

3. The Ultimate Guide to Supplemental Essays

In this webinar , CollegeAdvisor experts provide a rundown of how to write strong supplemental essays for your college applications. In particular, this webinar will help you decode essay prompts and make sure you answer each prompt fully.

4. Editing Your Supplemental Essays

Once you have read up on college community essay examples and written your cultural diversity essays, you might need help editing them. This webinar will provide tips for how to edit your supplemental essays effectively.

Community Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

Completing your college applications can be a daunting task, especially when you must write multiple essays. For some students, writing cultural diversity essays is challenging. These prompts ask you to dig deep and reflect upon your life influences.

In this guide to community essays, we provided an overview of what a community essay is and how to respond to the different types of community essay prompts. We shared cultural diversity essay examples and describe the community you live in essay examples. We also described what makes these essays strong and how they meet college application requirements. 

In short, the key to writing stand-out essays is to be authentic and thorough in your responses. If you need additional help writing your cultural diversity essay, seek out the support of a trusted resource like CollegeAdvisor. We are here to help you craft the best college applications that could gain you admissions to the school of your dreams!

This article was written by Courtney Ng. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Words at Ease

6 Leadership Speech Examples

Leadership speeches have the power to inspire, motivate, and galvanize people into action.

Whether you’re addressing your team, your organization, or a wider audience, your words as a leader carry weight and have the potential to create real change.

Leadership Speech Examples

In this article, we’ll explore six powerful leadership speech examples of varying lengths, each crafted for different occasions.

You’ll find short speeches perfect for quick team huddles, medium-length speeches ideal for company meetings, and longer-form speeches suitable for conferences and major events.

Let’s jump in and see what makes each of these speeches so impactful.

Short Leadership Speech (300 words)

Good morning, everyone.

In the fast-paced world of business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture. But I want to take a moment today to remind us all of the incredible power we have as a team.

Every one of you brings unique skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table. When we harness that diversity and work together towards a common goal, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

I’ve seen firsthand the incredible things this team is capable of when we support each other, challenge each other, and push ourselves to be better. Whether it’s hitting a tough deadline, solving a complex problem, or going above and beyond for a client, you consistently rise to the occasion.

But great teams don’t just happen by accident. They require trust, communication, and a willingness to put the needs of the group above individual interests. They require each person to bring their A-game, every single day.

So as we head into the challenges and opportunities ahead, I want you to keep in mind the power of this team. Keep in mind that you are part of something bigger than yourself. And keep in mind that together, we can face anything that comes our way.

Thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to excellence. Let’s go out there and show the world what we’re made of.

— END OF SPEECH —

Commentary: This short motivational speech is perfect for a team huddle or kick-off meeting. It reminds the audience of their collective strength, acknowledges their hard work, and inspires them to tackle upcoming challenges with unity and determination.

Medium-Length Leadership Speech (500 words)

Good afternoon, everyone.

I want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for being here, thank you for your hard work, and thank you for your commitment to our mission. Every one of you plays a crucial role in our success, and I am incredibly grateful for all that you do.

Today, I want to talk about something that I believe is at the heart of any great organization: purpose. Purpose is what drives us, what motivates us, and what gives meaning to our work. It’s the reason we get out of bed in the morning and the reason we push ourselves to be better.

At [Company Name], our purpose is clear: [insert mission statement]. This is more than just a catchy phrase or a nice sentiment. It’s a promise we make to ourselves, to each other, and to the people we serve. It’s a reminder that what we do matters and that we have the power to make a real difference in the world.

But living up to that purpose isn’t always easy. It requires us to think big, to take risks, and to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones. It requires us to be resilient when faced with setbacks and to learn from our failures as much as our successes.

Most importantly, it requires us to work together as a team. No one person, no matter how talented or dedicated, can achieve our mission alone. We need each other – to challenge us, to support us, and to remind us of why we do what we do.

So as we move forward, I want to challenge every one of you to think about your sense of purpose. What drives you? What impact do you want to have on the world? And how can you use your unique skills and passions to contribute to our collective mission?

Because when we are clear on our purpose when we are united in our resolve, and when we support each other every step of the way…there is nothing we cannot achieve.

Thank you again for all that you do. I am honored to be part of this incredible team, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.

Commentary: This medium-length speech is suitable for a company-wide meeting or event. It focuses on the importance of purpose, both at an organizational and individual level and encourages the audience to reflect on their contributions to the collective mission. The speech acknowledges challenges, emphasizes teamwork, and inspires the audience to achieve great things together.

Long Leadership Speech (700 words)

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to [Event Name]. It’s an honor to be here with all of you today.

As leaders, we often talk about the importance of vision – having a clear picture of where we want to go and what we want to achieve. And while vision is undoubtedly crucial, I believe that another quality is just as important, if not more so: courage.

Courage is what allows us to turn our vision into reality. It’s what gives us the strength to take risks, to make tough decisions, and to persevere when faced with adversity. Without courage, even the most brilliant vision will remain just that – a vision, never to be realized.

Think about the leaders throughout history who have changed the world. Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela – these were not just visionaries, they were incredibly brave individuals who were willing to stand up for what they believed in, even when faced with tremendous opposition and personal risk.

While most of us may not be leading social movements or political revolutions, the need for courage in leadership is just as relevant in our spheres of influence.

As business leaders, we are faced with difficult decisions every day. Do we take a chance on a new product or market, even if it means risking failure? Do we stand up for our values, even if it means losing a client or facing criticism? Do we have difficult conversations with underperforming employees, even if it makes us uncomfortable?

These are the moments that test our courage as leaders. And it’s in these moments that we have the greatest opportunity to lead by example and to inspire others to be brave as well.

But courage doesn’t always look like grand gestures or bold proclamations. Sometimes, the most courageous thing a leader can do is to admit when they’re wrong, to ask for help when they need it, or to show vulnerability in front of their team.

These acts of courage, however small they may seem, have the power to build trust, foster connection, and create a culture where everyone feels empowered to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

Of course, being a courageous leader is easier said than done. Fear, doubt, and the desire to play it safe can be powerful forces holding us back. But I believe that every one of us has the capacity for courage within us – it’s just a matter of tapping into it.

So how do we cultivate courage in our leadership? Here are a few ideas:

• Clarify your values and let them guide your decisions. When you’re clear on what you stand for, it’s easier to act with integrity even when it’s hard.
• Surround yourself with people who challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone. Courage is often contagious, so seek out brave mentors and colleagues.
• Practice self-compassion. Beating yourself up over failures or missteps will only make you more risk-averse. Instead, treat yourself with kindness and learn from your experiences.
• Take small, incremental steps. You don’t need to revolutionize your entire organization overnight. Focus on being a little braver each day, and those small acts of courage will compound over time.

As I look out at this room full of leaders, I am inspired by the collective courage and potential that exists here. Each of you has the power to make a profound difference – in your organizations, your communities, and the world at large.

So let us all commit, here and now, to leading with courage. To take bold action in service of our visions. To support and inspire each other to be brave. Because it is only through courage that we can truly transform ourselves, our organizations, and our society for the better.

Commentary: This longer leadership speech, suitable for a conference or leadership event, delves into the crucial role of courage in leadership. With historical examples, thought-provoking questions, and practical advice, it inspires the audience to tap into their bravery and lead with integrity. The speech acknowledges the challenges of courageous leadership while offering a compelling call to action.

Long Leadership Speech (800 words)

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

It is my privilege to stand before you today as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our organization over the past year. As I reflect on all that we have accomplished together, I am struck not just by the tangible results – the record-breaking sales, the groundbreaking innovations, the impactful initiatives – but by the intangible qualities that have made these successes possible.

Qualities like resilience when faced with unprecedented challenges. Like creativity in finding solutions where others saw only obstacles. Like unity in working towards a common goal, despite our diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

These are the qualities that define us as an organization. They are the secret ingredients in our recipe for success, the driving forces behind our ability to not just weather storms, but to emerge from them stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

And make no mistake, this past year has brought its fair share of storms. A global pandemic that upended the way we work and live. The economic uncertainty that tested our financial resilience. Social and political turbulence that challenged our values and our resolve.

When faced with these challenges, it would have been easy to hunker down, to play it safe, to focus solely on survival. But that is not who we are. Instead, we saw opportunity where others saw only crisis. We adapted, we innovated, we grew. We proved that our commitment to excellence, to each other, and the greater good is unshakeable.

I want to take a moment to recognize some of the specific ways this commitment has manifested over the past year:

• Our rapid pivot to remote work, allowed us to continue serving our clients seamlessly while prioritizing the health and safety of our employees.
• Our development of [product/initiative], not only met a critical market need but also advanced our mission of [insert mission].
• Our unwavering support for our communities through [CSR initiatives], even as we navigated our challenges.

These are just a few examples among many. In every department, at every level, and across every geography, I have witnessed countless acts of leadership, ingenuity, and compassion. You have shown that our strength lies not in the absence of adversity, but in our response to it.

But even as we celebrate these triumphs, we know that our work is far from over. The world around us continues to change at a dizzying pace, presenting new challenges and opportunities at every turn. To continue thriving in this environment, we must not just adapt to change, but lead it.

This means continuing to invest in our people, their skills, their well-being, and their growth. It means fostering a culture of continuous learning, where we not only welcome new ideas but actively seek them out. It means being unafraid to question the status quo, to experiment, to fail fast, and to learn faster.

Above all, it means never losing sight of our north star – our purpose, our values, and our commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Because it is this sense of purpose that will guide us through whatever challenges lie ahead, and that will continue to inspire us to be better tomorrow than we are today.

So as we step into a new year, a new chapter, I invite every one of you to recommit to this purpose. To bring your whole selves to the work, your passion, your creativity, your unique perspectives. To support and challenge each other, to push beyond what is comfortable, and to aim not just for success, but for significance.

Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Together, we will not just navigate the future, but shape it. Together, we will continue to prove that [Company Name] is not just a business, but a force for good in the world.

Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to our shared mission. I am honored to lead this incredible organization, and I am excited to see what heights we will reach together in the year ahead.

Here’s to the future, and to creating it together. Cheers!

Commentary: This speech, appropriate for an annual company meeting or celebration, reflects on the challenges and triumphs of the past year while casting an inspiring vision for the future. It highlights specific organizational achievements, acknowledges the contributions of the team, and emphasizes the importance of purpose, adaptability, and continuous learning. The speech strikes a balance between celebration and forward-thinking, leaving the audience energized for the year ahead.

Lengthy Leadership Speech (1000 words)

Friends, colleagues, partners – thank you for being here today. It is an honor to stand before you as we mark this important milestone in our company’s history.

Today, as we cut the ribbon on our new global headquarters, we are not just celebrating a building. We are celebrating a vision – a vision of a company that started small, with just a handful of people and a big idea, and grew into a global force for innovation and progress.

I want to take you back to where it all began. [Number] years ago, in a tiny office not far from here, a group of us sat around a table and dared to dream. We dreamed of creating a company that would not just make a profit, but make a difference. A company that would be a leader not just in our industry, but in our communities. A company that would be known not just for what we do, but for who we are and what we stand for.

Over the years, that dream has faced its share of challenges. There were times when growth seemed impossible, when setbacks felt insurmountable when the easier path would have been to compromise our values or abandon our vision.

But we persevered. We persevered because we believed in our dreams, and more importantly, we believed in each other. We knew that the strength of our company lay not in any one individual, but in the collective power of our team.

And what a team it is. As I look out at all of you today, I see more than just employees or colleagues. I see a family. I see people who have poured their hearts and souls into this company, who have challenged us to be better, who have picked us up when we stumbled, and celebrated with us when we succeeded.

It is because of you that we stand here today. It is because of your hard work, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to our mission that we have been able to turn that initial dream into a reality.

And what a reality it is. Today, our company spans continents and touches lives in ways we never could have imagined in those early days. Our products and services are helping to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from [example] to [example]. Our brand is synonymous with innovation, quality, and integrity.

But even as we have grown in size and scale, we have never lost sight of what made us who we are. We have never forgotten our roots, our values, our commitment to making a positive impact in all that we do.

This new headquarters is a testament to that commitment. It is not just a beautiful building – though it certainly is that. It is a manifestation of our values, a physical embodiment of who we are and who we aspire to be.

From the sustainable materials used in its construction to the inclusive design that welcomes people of all abilities, this building reflects our dedication to environmental and social responsibility. From the collaborative workspaces that encourage teamwork and innovation to the community spaces that welcome our neighbors and partners, it reflects our belief in the power of connection and collaboration.

From the artwork on the walls that celebrates our diversity to the very layout that puts our customers and our mission at the center of all we do, this building reflects our unwavering focus on the people we serve and the difference we seek to make.

As we look to the future, I know that this building will be more than just a workspace. It will be a hub of innovation, a place where the brightest minds come together to tackle the toughest challenges. It will be a gathering place for our community, a space where we can connect with and learn from those around us. It will be a symbol of our commitment to growth – not just financial growth, but growth in our impact, our influence, and our ability to drive positive change.

But most of all, it will be a reminder. A reminder of how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go. A reminder that our strength lies in our unity, our diversity, and our shared sense of purpose. A reminder that, together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

So as we cut this ribbon today, let us recommit ourselves to the vision that brought us here. Let us continue to dream big, to push boundaries, to challenge the status quo. Let us continue to put our people, our customers, and our communities at the heart of all we do.

And let us never forget that, while this building may be a milestone, it is not the end of our journey. It is simply the beginning of a new chapter – a chapter that we will write together, with the same passion, resilience, and ingenuity that has brought us to this moment.

Thank you all for being part of this incredible story. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.

Commentary: This speech, fitting for a significant corporate event such as the opening of a new headquarters, interweaves the company’s history, values, and vision with the symbolism of the new building. It acknowledges the challenges the company has faced, celebrates the contributions of the team, and positions the new headquarters as an embodiment of the company’s mission and a launching pad for future impact. The speech is both reflective and forward-looking, using storytelling to create an emotional connection with the audience while reinforcing key corporate messages.

Distinguished guests, dear friends, and esteemed colleagues,

It is my great honor to stand before you today as we celebrate the incredible journey of our organization and look toward the bright future that lies ahead.

When I think about the history of [Organization Name], I am struck by the remarkable vision, unwavering dedication, and sheer audacity of our founders. At a time when [industry/field] was dominated by the status quo, they dared to envision a different way – a way that prioritized innovation, integrity, and impact above all else.

From those humble beginnings, we have grown into an organization that spans [number] countries, employs [number] people, and touches the lives of [number] individuals every single day. We have become a leader in our field, known not just for the quality of our products and services, but for the values we embody and the difference we make in the world.

But our success has not come easily, nor has it come without sacrifice. Along the way, we have faced countless challenges – economic downturns, industry disruptions, and internal growing pains. There have been times when the future seemed uncertain and when the problems we faced seemed insurmountable.

But in those moments, we did what we have always done. We came together. We leaned on the strength of our team, the resilience of our culture, and the clarity of our purpose. We innovated, we adapted, we persevered.

And time and time again, we emerged stronger. We emerged wiser. We emerged more committed than ever to our mission of [mission statement].

That mission has been the guiding light steering our organization through every stage of our growth. It has informed every decision we’ve made, every risk we’ve taken, every opportunity we’ve pursued. It has been the unifying force that has brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives and forged them into a team capable of extraordinary things.

And what a team it is. As I look out at all of you today, I am struck by the incredible talent, passion, and humanity in this room. You are the lifeblood of this organization. You are the reason we have been able to achieve so much, and you are the key to unlocking the potential that still lies ahead.

Make no mistake, our work is far from over. The challenges we face as a society – from [issue] to [issue] – are complex, multifaceted, and deeply entrenched. Solving them will require the very best of what we have to offer as individuals and as an organization.

It will require us to be bold in our thinking, nimble in our approach, and steadfast in our commitment. It will require us to leverage the power of technology while never losing sight of the human element at the heart of all we do. It will require us to collaborate across boundaries, to learn from diverse perspectives, to embrace the discomfort of growth and change.

In short, it will require us to embody the very values that have brought us to this moment – innovation, integrity, inclusion, and impact.

These are not just words on a page for us. They are the principles that guide us, the standards to which we hold ourselves accountable, and the foundation upon which we will build the future of this organization and the communities we serve.

As we look to that future, I am filled with a profound sense of hope and possibility. I see an organization that is not just a leader, but a catalyst for change. An organization that sets the standard for what it means to do well by doing good. An organization that attracts the best and brightest minds, and empowers them to bring their whole selves to the work of shaping a better world.

I see an organization that is unafraid to tackle the toughest problems, to have difficult conversations, and to be a force for progress in a world that desperately needs it. An organization that measures its success not just in profits or market share, but in the lives touched, the communities transformed, and the world bettered.

This is the [Organization Name] I see. This is the [Organization Name] we are building together. And this is the [Organization Name] that, with your continued passion, dedication, and leadership, will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and create a future that surpasses our wildest dreams.

So today, as we celebrate all that we have achieved, let us also recommit ourselves to the work ahead. Let us dare to envision a world where [vision statement], and let us have the courage to make that vision a reality.

Together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. Together, we will continue to prove that business can be a powerful force for good in the world. Together, we will create a legacy that will endure long after we are gone.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Thank you for your hard work, your heart, and your unwavering commitment to our shared purpose.

Here’s to the future – and to creating it together.

Commentary: This speech, suitable for a major organizational anniversary or milestone, takes the audience on a journey through the organization’s past, present, and future. It celebrates the organization’s growth and impact, acknowledges the challenges overcome, and emphasizes the critical role of the team’s talent and dedication. The speech then pivots to the future, painting an inspiring vision of the organization as a catalyst for change and rallying the audience around the work ahead. Throughout, it reinforces key organizational values and uses inclusive language to create a sense of shared purpose and possibility.

These six leadership speech examples demonstrate the power of words to inspire, motivate, and unite people around a common vision.

Whether you’re delivering a short pep talk to your team or a lengthy keynote to a large audience, the key is to speak from the heart, connect with your listeners, and tap into the values and purpose that drive your organization.

Remember, as a leader, your words can shape thoughts, ignite passion, and galvanize action.

Use them wisely, boldly, and authentically, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming the kind of leader that people are proud to follow.

So the next time you step up to the podium, take a deep breath, draw on the courage within you, and let your leadership voice shine through.

Your audience – and your organization – will be all the better for it.

• Our Mission

When to Refer a Student for Speech Therapy

Many speech issues can be corrected with therapy, so it’s important that teachers know the signs of a potential problem.

When you think of students receiving speech therapy, you probably think of a student who has difficulty pronouncing sounds. How many students have you had who say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or stutter? While these students may need help from the school speech therapist, let’s identify some other students who could benefit from a speech-language evaluation by looking at what speech-language pathologists (SLPs) target in the school setting and what to do if you think a student needs to be referred to your school’s SLP. 

SLPs in schools work with students in many different areas: 

• Articulation for students who produce speech sounds incorrectly by substituting another sound or omitting the correct sound.  
• Fluency for students who stutter by repeating sounds, words, or phrases, or have other disfluencies in their speech, like taking long pauses between their words. 
• Receptive language for students who struggle to take in and understand what they hear. Students with receptive language disorders will often have difficulty following directions (not due to ADHD or other disorders), understanding information read to them, or following along during conversation.
• Expressive language for students who have trouble expressing themselves either verbally or nonverbally through writing. There are many signs to watch for, such as trouble producing correct grammar or syntax or cohesively providing a narrative. 
• Pragmatics for students who are challenged by social language skills, such as entering, exiting, or maintaining a conversation; understanding nonliteral language like sarcasm, idioms, similes, or metaphors; or understanding social aspects of communication, such as nonverbal language (facial expressions, gestures, body language, etc.) or rules like turn-taking. 

The following two areas are not often targeted in schools but are within SLPs’ scope of practice. Teachers who notice a student having these issues can refer them to their school’s SLP for help.

• Voice for students who have a vocal quality that is too raspy, high, nasal, or otherwise disordered in a way that affects their communication.
• Swallowing for students who often cough or seem to choke while eating or drinking or otherwise seem to have difficulty swallowing.

Reading is also within the scope of practice of SLPs, but these students are often best served by a reading specialist, dyslexia interventionist, or special education teacher. However, if your school does not have one of these amazing reading experts, you can certainly turn to your SLP. 

Collecting Data

When you encounter a student who exhibits some speech or language concerns, what do you do first? This process can vary by school, and legally a referral can be made formally or informally. However, a good first step is to collect data to bring to the SLP or special education team. For instance, if you are concerned about a student’s expressive language, you want to have specific examples of what you are seeing in class. Do they have trouble producing full sentences? Is their sentence structure inappropriate for the grade level? Do they have trouble defining or describing common items? Having exact incidences of their errors is helpful, as well as providing written work that supports your observations. 

It is important here to consider what a typical student of their age and grade level is capable of. Remember that “wabbit” kiddo from earlier? Would you be concerned if a pre-K student exhibited that articulation error? Probably not, right? However, if you saw that same error in a first grader, you would rightfully be concerned about their articulation skills and should consider making a referral.

A word of caution: Remember that all people speak in a particular dialect, and a dialect is inherently different from a disorder. Many of our students use a dialect that does not follow the rules of Standard American English, but that does not make it any less valid a communication style. Therefore, a student who says “toof” instead of “tooth” or “What you wanna do?” instead of “What do you wanna do?” may not need to be referred if their speech and/or language patterns are consistent with their dialect. 

Reaching out to an SLP

Once you have collected data that demonstrates a student’s area(s) of weakness, the next step is to present that to your school’s SLP or to a member of the special education team if your school does not directly employ a speech therapist. Once they have that information, they should schedule a referral conference to obtain consent from the student’s parent or guardian to conduct an evaluation.

If therapy is warranted, an individualized education program (IEP) will be put in place for speech therapy. In all IEP conferences, a general education teacher is a required participant. Your presence is not only legally mandated but vital when determining the student’s strengths and weaknesses. 

After consent is obtained and the evaluation is conducted, another meeting will be held with the IEP team to review the results and determine placement. If the student demonstrates a need for speech services, then the team will make decisions regarding minutes, placement, and goals. While writing the IEP, input from the general education teacher regarding the curriculum and grade-level standards is crucial in ensuring that the IEP is appropriate for this particular student.

As educators, we are our students’ best advocates. Classroom teachers are indispensable to those of us in special education, as they are the ones who know their students best and are often the first to identify students who are struggling. We need you to help identify the students who may need some extra assistance. Let’s work together to ensure that all students are receiving what they need to be successful.

Student Council Speech

Student council speech generator.

So you feel that you have what it takes to be part of your student council in your school. You got the guts, responsibility, wit, and charm to grab the position you are vying for from other students who are as qualified as you. Even if you are sure of yourself, you need to convince every student in your school that will be an effective officer if you are elected. And one way to convince your fellow students to vote for you is through your speech .

What is Student Council Speech? A student council speech is a presentation given by a student who is running for a position on the student council, which is a group that represents the interests and ideas of the student body at a school. In this speech, the candidate shares their ideas, goals, and plans to improve the school and address student concerns. They aim to persuade their classmates to vote for them by highlighting their leadership qualities, past achievements, and specific proposals for making positive changes within the school community. This speech is an important opportunity for candidates to connect with their peers and show why they are the best choice for the position.

Download Sample Student Council Speech Bundle

When writing a student council speech, you must be able to persuade your schoolmates to trust in your abilities and your platforms. (If you need more tips on writing persuasive speeches , see this one). Remember, you are not running just for popularity votes or to earn yourself a good credential in your achievements. You are running for a certain position (whether you’ll be a president, treasurer, secretary, etc.) to serve the student body, to represent them when they want their needs to be attended to and to make better changes in your school. So first you need to make your speech sound persuasive, but not aggressive. Start writing your speech weeks ahead before you deliver your speech.

Student Council Speech Format

Introduction.

Greet the Audience: Start with a friendly greeting to capture the audience’s attention. Introduce Yourself: Briefly introduce yourself, including your name, grade, and any relevant personal background that relates to the position you’re running for.

Statement of Intent

Declare Your Candidacy: Clearly state the position you are running for on the Student Council. Motivation: Share why you decided to run for the student council, focusing on what motivates you and why the role is important to you.

Qualifications

Experience and Skills: Highlight your relevant experiences, skills, and achievements that make you a suitable candidate. This could include previous leadership roles, involvement in school activities, or specific talents that contribute to your ability to serve effectively.

Vision and Goals

Key Issues: Identify key issues or areas for improvement within the school that you plan to address. Proposed Initiatives: Outline your main goals or initiatives that you aim to implement if elected. Be specific about what changes or improvements you want to make and how you plan to achieve them.

Plan of Action

Strategies: Briefly describe the strategies or steps you will take to achieve your goals. This shows that you have thought about how to turn your ideas into action. Collaboration: Emphasize the importance of working together with fellow council members, students, and school staff to accomplish shared objectives.

Reiterate Key Points: Summarize the main reasons why you are the best candidate for the position, focusing on your vision, qualifications, and what sets you apart from other candidates. Call to Action: Encourage your classmates to vote for you, emphasizing the importance of their vote in making a positive change within the school. Thank You: Conclude by thanking the audience for their time and consideration.

Example of Student Council Speech

“Good morning, students and teachers of Springfield High! My name is Jamie Lee, a sophomore, and I’m excited to run for the position of Secretary on our Student Council. Why am I standing here today? Because I believe in change, in improvement, and most importantly, in us—as a student body—to make Springfield High not just a school, but a community where every voice is heard and valued. My experience as class representative last year taught me the importance of organization, communication, and dedication—qualities essential for the role of Secretary. My main goal is to enhance our school’s spirit and involvement through better-organized events, clearer communication between the student council and the student body, and by creating more opportunities for everyone to contribute their ideas and talents. I plan to introduce a monthly feedback session where you can share your thoughts and suggestions directly with the council. But that’s not all. I want to work on making our school events, including dances, fundraisers, and spirit weeks, more memorable and inclusive. How? By working closely with clubs and sports teams to ensure our activities reflect the diverse interests and talents within our school. I’m asking for your vote not just for me, but for the vision of a school where every student feels connected, involved, and proud to be a Springfield Hawk. Let’s make this year one of unity, fun, and achievement. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for considering me as your next Student Council Secretary. Let’s soar high, Hawks!” This example of a student council speech uses a structured approach to convey the candidate’s motivations, qualifications, goals, and plans in a clear and engaging manner, effectively persuading classmates to lend their support.

What is the Best Student Council Speech Example?

Title: Creating Unity, Inspiring Change Good morning, fellow students, teachers, and staff, I stand before you today not as a candidate, but as a passionate advocate for positive change in our school. My name is [Your Name], and I am committed to fostering a sense of unity and bringing about real, impactful change. Imagine a school where every student’s voice is heard, where diversity is celebrated, and where kindness and respect are the foundation of our interactions. This vision drives my candidacy. 1. Unity Through Diversity: I believe in celebrating our differences. Let’s embrace our diverse backgrounds, interests, and talents to create a rich tapestry that makes our school vibrant and unique. 2. Student-Led Initiatives: I propose student-led initiatives that reflect our passions. From cultural awareness events to environmental projects, let’s turn our ideas into actions that benefit our entire community. 3. Mental Health Support: Mental health is a priority. I will work to expand counseling services, create safe spaces for open discussions, and promote stress-relief activities, ensuring every student’s well-being. 4. Interactive Learning: Let’s enhance our learning experience through interactive methods. I will advocate for technology integration, peer-to-peer tutoring, and hands-on projects that make education engaging and enjoyable. 5. Community Engagement: Our school is not just a building; it’s a part of our community. I will initiate partnerships with local organizations, organizing volunteer opportunities and outreach programs to give back and make a difference. In closing, I am not just asking for your votes; I am asking for your trust. Together, let’s build a school where every student feels valued, heard, and supported. Join me in creating a future where unity inspires change. Thank you.

Examples of Speeches for Student Council Representative?

Empowering student voices.

“Hello, everyone, I’m [Your Name], and I’m here to talk about empowering student voices. Our school is not just a place of learning; it’s a community, and in a community, everyone’s voice should be heard. As your student council representative, my mission is to bridge the gap between the student body and the administration. I will establish regular open forums where students can voice their concerns, ideas, and suggestions. These forums will be a platform for change, where we can work together to make our school an even better place. I’ll also implement an online suggestion box for those who may not be comfortable speaking up in person. Every idea counts, and every voice matters. Let’s make our school a place where students play an active role in shaping their own education. I promise to be your dedicated advocate, listening, acting, and ensuring that every student’s voice is heard. Vote for change. Vote for me. Thank you.”

Bridging the Gap

“Dear friends and fellow students, I’m [Your Name], and I’m running to bridge the gap between students and the administration. It’s time to foster a closer relationship that benefits us all. I propose regular meetings with teachers, administrators, and students to discuss school policies and improvements. Our education should be a collaborative effort, with students having a say in decisions that affect us directly. In addition, I’ll work to create an inclusive school culture. Let’s celebrate our diversity through cultural events, and ensure that every student feels welcome and valued. I believe in transparency and open communication. Together, we can make our school experience better for everyone. Vote for a bridge to a brighter future. Vote for me. Thank you.”

Building a Greener School

“Hello, fellow students, Our environment is a priority, and I’m committed to making our school more eco-friendly. As your representative, I’ll initiate ‘Green School’ initiatives. We’ll start with recycling programs and energy-saving projects. I’ll work to establish a school garden, promoting sustainable practices. Let’s reduce waste and show that we care about the future. Your voice matters. Tell me your eco-friendly ideas, and together, we can create a greener, healthier school. Vote for a greener future. Vote for me. Thank you.”

Student Council Speech Samples to Edit & Download

• Student Council Speech for Secretary
• Student Council Speech for 4th Grade
• Student Council Speech for Elementary
• Student Council Speech for 5th Grade
• Student Council Speech for Class Representative
• Student Council Speech for House Captain
• Student Council Speech for 3rd Grade
• Student Council Speech for Treasurer
• Student Council Speech for Vice President
• Student Council Speech for Election

Student Council Speech Examples & Templates

Free PDF Download

Funny Student Council Speech

High school student council speech.

Edit & Download

Short Student Council Speech

Short Student Council Secretary Speech

seaford.k12.ny.us

Sample Student Council Speech Guidelines and Schedule

Speech Example for Student Council

myperfectwords.com

Student Council President Speech

Junior Class President Speech

Student Council Campaign and Speech

stignatiussacschool.org

High School Student Council Speech

How to Write Student Council Speech

This is the most nerve-wracking part of your speech. So this part must be a good, no, great one. If for examples. you’re running for student council president don’t start just by merely introducing your name and telling them you are running for student council. You need to start your speech with a bang! Something that can catch the attention of your audience. Students are usually inattentive during these kinds of speeches so you need them to focus towards you. There are lots of creative ways to make a flashy opening. You can sing, rap, dance, act, do some comedy sketches, or anything that relates to the theme of your speech. However if you do not feel like performing live, you can still do some creative opening. You can use videos, power point presentation, music, or ask your friends to introduce you. You may also see introduction speech .

You can also open your speech by asking a question, whether if it is rhetorical or humorous. Here are some examples:

“So here is this person standing infront of you, asking you to for her. Why should you? You ask.” “If there’s anything you can do something for the school to make it loads better, what will it be?”

You can also add quotes from famous people that correlates with your speech. Make sure you cite your quotes properly. Here are some examples of quotes from well known people that you can cite:

“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.” Simon Sinek “I think leadership is service and there is power in that giving: to help people, to inspire, and motivate them to reach their fullest potential.” Denise Morrison “You need an attitude of service. You’re not just serving yourself. You’re helping others to grow up and grow with them.” David Green

After your awesome introduction, you then proceed to state all about yourself. Describe yourself, the position you are running for and the reason why you are running. Tell your name and your grade in your school. This is important if you go to a school with a big population. Don’t ever skip this part of speech as this will be what the audience should remember when it’s time to vote for you. You may also see thank you speech .

No need to elaborate in this part of speech. A brief 1-2 sentences are enough. Example:

“Hello. My name is John Cheese and I will be running for President! My vision is change for the betterment of our school. I fight for equality for all the students in this institution.”

Next is the part where you will sell yourself by mentioning your qualifications. This is one way to persuade your fellow students that you are responsible enough to be part of the student council. Mention any accomplishments that are related to the position your are running for.

If you’re running for president, don’t list your accomplishments in stamp collecting. The accomplishments that you should cite are your leadership skills, whether you are the team captain of your football team or you’re the major in your drum and lyre corp. You can also mention your honors and awards. You may also see speech templates .

“I am currently the team captain of our baseball team and I have also been a member of the Boy Scouts. Currently, I am the president of our drama club.  I have also been an honor roll student for the past five years. I have been exposed to a lot of leadership training skills and I believe I am most qualified to be an efficient president in the student council.”  

Writing the main point of your speech

Now that you have organize your introduction, it’s time to get to your ideas and how you should present them in front of the student body. This is the part where you will enumerate your platforms on how to improve the system in your school. Make sure that when you have laid out your platforms to the students you made some research. Ask the students, teachers, personnel on what areas that you should be improved.

Listen to what the students are concerned about. What are the changes that the students may want to see? What areas in your school you want to change to keep it running efficiently? You can also research ways on how to deal with school problems. Read books and ask some experts to help you. And find out how you, a member of the student council can address these problems. Once you already knew this, you will know what will be your platforms. A nice opening statement is to state out the causes that are important to you and what are your plans to make it better. You may also see special occasion speech .

“Bullying and discrimination has been more prevalent in this institution for the past year. As a student, I am disappointed that some of my fellow schoolmates has been the forerunners of this ugly way of treating people. And because of this, I would work out to invite speakers to talk about sensitivity in school, open more clubs for students to join, and start a tutorial program to aid students who are having a hard time in their classes.”

Keep in mind that you need to present your ideas briefly but persuasive enough to move your audience. If you need an inspiration, refer to Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. His speech was short but full of key points that got his message across to his audience. You may also see self introduction speech .

End it with a memorable conclusion

1. Once you’ve stated your ideas effectively, it’s time for your conclusion. When you get there, go back to mention your plans as a president or a treasurer and relate it to your main points that you’ve mentioned a while ago. You may also see speech examples for students .

“With my experience in leadership training and in my service to my team members, I know I can be a great leader to each of you. I promise to do my best to stop discrimination and bullying and to increase the interest of the students to be more open to each other’s diversities.” 

2. Don’t forget to highlight your qualifications one last time. They key to this is to sincerely state that it is your passion to serve your students. You may also see tribute speech .

“I am a passionate advocate against discrimination. And to change that attitude starts here in our school. I want everyone to be accepting of everyone’s differences. I vision an institution with good relations between students and faculty members. I care about each of you and your right to be treated fairly…”

3. Of course, don’t forget to ask the audience to vote for you. Here is the part where you will beg your students to vote for you. Their vote is important for you to win the election. Ask with genuine humility for the students to vote for you. You may also see informative speech .

“I ask nothing but your votes. I would be deeply honored if you’ll vote for me on the election day.” 

Now that you completed your speech, see to it if it’s good enough for you to use. Ask a friend, a family member, or a teacher to read your speech. Ask them what areas you need to improve. Ask for a constructive criticism, even if it hurts.

It’s important for you to learn to improve your speech and to be open-minded towards critical suggestions. Remember you are running for the student council. Make yourself a best example of a responsible student that your fellow students can look up to. Additionally, debates may come up in before the election day, so make yourself familiarize with debate speeches .

What is a good speech for student council?

A good speech for a student council should be engaging, relatable, and persuasive. It should include:

• Introduction: Begin with a strong hook or personal anecdote to grab the audience’s attention.
• Your Vision: Clearly outline your goals and vision for the student council. Explain how you intend to make positive changes.
• Relevance: Address the specific needs and concerns of your fellow students. Show that you understand their issues and are committed to addressing them.
• Qualifications: Highlight your relevant skills, experience, and qualities that make you a suitable candidate.
• Ideas and Initiatives: Present concrete ideas and initiatives you plan to implement if elected. Be specific and practical in your proposals.
• Inspiration: Motivate your audience with an inspiring message that encourages unity and active participation.
• Closing: End with a strong call to action and a memorable closing statement.

Why do I want to run for student council?

• Leadership: Desire to take on a leadership role and make a positive impact on your school community.
• Advocacy: A commitment to representing and addressing the concerns and needs of fellow students.
• Service: A genuine interest in serving others and contributing to the betterment of your school.
• Initiative: Eagerness to implement positive changes, initiatives, and projects that benefit the student body.
• Voice: A belief in the importance of having a voice in the decision-making processes at your school.
• Personal Growth: Opportunity for personal growth, development of leadership skills, and networking.
• Passion: Passion for specific causes, clubs, or activities at your school and a desire to support them.
• Community Building: A goal to create a sense of community, unity, and school spirit among students.
• Inspiration: Being inspired by previous student council members or leaders who made a positive impact.
• Love for Your School: A deep affection for your school and a desire to contribute to its success and well-being.

What are the Good student council speech ideas?

• Mental Health Awareness: Discuss initiatives to promote mental health and well-being, such as counseling services, stress-reduction activities, or peer support programs.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Address the importance of diversity and inclusion, proposing events, clubs, or awareness campaigns to celebrate differences and foster unity.
• Student Engagement: Highlight the need for more student involvement in decision-making, suggesting forums, surveys, or open discussions for students to voice their concerns.
• Environmental Sustainability: Propose eco-friendly practices, like recycling programs, tree planting, or energy conservation efforts, to make your school more sustainable.
• Bullying Prevention: Talk about strategies to combat bullying and promote kindness and respect within the school community.
• Academic Support: Suggest peer tutoring programs, study groups, or additional resources to help students excel academically.
• Extracurricular Activities: Promote the creation of new clubs, sports, or arts programs to cater to a wider range of interests.
• Community Outreach: Encourage volunteer opportunities, partnerships with local organizations, and community service projects.
• School Safety: Address safety concerns and suggest measures to ensure a safe and welcoming school environment.
• Technology Integration: Propose the use of technology for educational enhancement, including virtual resources and tools for remote learning.
• Student Wellness: Advocate for initiatives like healthy eating options, exercise facilities, or mindfulness practices to support student well-being.
• Peer Mentorship: Discuss the benefits of mentorship programs, where older students can guide and support younger ones.

What are the Topics Included for Student Council Speech?

Student council speeches can cover a wide range of topics, depending on the issues that matter most to your school and peers. Here are some common topics and themes to consider:

• Leadership and Service: Discuss your commitment to serving and leading your fellow students.
• Unity and Inclusivity: Emphasize the importance of fostering an inclusive and welcoming school community.
• Student Voice: Highlight the need for students to have a say in school decisions and policies.
• Academic Excellence: Talk about ways to improve academic support, resources, and educational opportunities.
• Mental Health and Well-being: Address the importance of mental health support and stress reduction.
• Diversity and Cultural Awareness: Celebrate diversity and promote cultural awareness and understanding.
• Environmental Initiatives: Propose eco-friendly projects and sustainability efforts for the school.
• Bullying Prevention: Discuss strategies to combat bullying and create a safer, kinder school environment.
• Community Outreach: Advocate for volunteer opportunities and partnerships with local organizations.
• Technology Integration: Propose using technology for educational enhancement and virtual resources.
• School Safety: Address safety concerns and suggest measures to ensure a safe school environment.
• Peer Mentorship: Talk about the benefits of mentorship programs to support academic and personal growth.
• Student Well-being: Discuss initiatives like healthy eating options, exercise facilities, or mindfulness practices.

What are the Quotes to put in a student council speech?

• Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
• “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
• “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
• “In diversity, there is beauty and strength.” – Maya Angelou
• “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
• “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
• “Leadership is not a position or a title; it is action and example.” – Cory Booker
• “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson
• “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
• “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
• “Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” – Mattie Stepanek
• “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
• “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
• “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs
• “The best leaders are those most interested in surrounding themselves with assistants and associates smarter than they are.” – John C. Maxwell

How to start a student council speech?

Begin a student council speech with a compelling and attention-grabbing opening, like a quote, personal anecdote, or thought-provoking question, to engage and captivate your audience from the start.

What is the main idea of student council?

The main idea of a student council is to represent and serve the interests of the student body, fostering leadership, organizing events, and improving the school community.

How do I run a good student council?

To run a good student council, prioritize communication, listen to peers, set clear goals, organize effective events, and collaborate with the school administration to address students’ needs and concerns.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Write a Student Council Speech on improving school lunches.

Create a Student Council Speech about enhancing school spirit.

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Speech and Essay Samples

Don’t know where to start? Get inspired by our  FREE speech and essay examples .

Use them to get the creative juices flowing . Don’t copy any of these examples! Since these speeches are available for anyone to download, you can never be sure that another student has not used them, and that they will pass plagiarism evaluation tools, such as Turnitin or Plagscan.

Whether you find a sample that is on your given topic or a closely related discussion, all of the speeches can help you get organized and focused.

Review multiple speeches to learn:

• How the presenter laid out the talking points and the number of points used
• What references and statistics they used to solidify their arguments
• How long the speech was for a given topic
• How the topic was introduced and summarized
• How the speaker engaged and interacted with the audience

By using these speech examples as an outline, you’ll have a fully formed presentation in no time ! We also have this page with gun control speech examples , in case you’d like to see different examples on the same topic.

Persuasive Speeches

• Birth Control Persuasive Speech
• We should stand up for our gun rights
• The truth about gun control
• The controversy over gun control
• Speech against stricter gun control
• It’s up to society to solve gun problems
• Guns don’t kill people
• Does banning firearms help prevent homicides
• Criminals will be criminals
• What to do about Deadbeat Parents
• Why state aid applicants need to be drug tested
• Subculture is Mainstream
• Eating Healthy
• Teachers should be paid more
• Digital Piracy
• Minimum Wage
• Drug Testing for State Aid
• Drug testing welfare
• Why snakes make good pets
• Why you need to quit drinking soda
• Why Everyone Should Learn to Play an Instrument
• Why Android is better then IOS 2
• Why Android is better then IOS 1
• Video Games Do Not Cause Violence
• Soda and Obesity
• Plastic Surgery 2
• Plastic Surgery
• Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle
• Human development depends primarily on environmental factors
• Donating Blood
• Birth Control Persuasive Speech Example with Outline
• Social Media Persuasive Speech Example with Outline
• Texting and Driving Persuasive Speech Example with Outline
• Persuasive Speech on Sleep
• Persuasive Speech about Bullying
• Persuasive Speech on Organ Donation

Informative Speeches

• Guns and gun control - Texas
• Gun violence and control
• Gun control on campuses
• Wind Energy
• About Serial Killers
• Eating Disorder
• Robin Williams 2
• Dream Types
• Separation of Powers of the Federal Government
• Memory Loss
• Internet Black Market
• Blood Donation
• Alcohol in Winter
• About Guitar
• Social Media Informative Speech Example with Outline
• Texting and Driving Informative Speech Example with Outline
• Informative Speech on Sleep
• Informative Speech about Bullying
• Free Organ Donation Informative Speech
• Free Informative Speech on Caffeine and Its Effects
• Five Side Effects of Global Warming
• Global Warming Is Real

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The Speech on Community Service That Had Success in the Audience

This guide will help you to make a speech on the community service so that it will have some impressive results for your academic performance. Moreover, you can gain the trust of your listeners. Who knows? Maybe, someone willing to volunteer will be found in the audience and after listening to your speech, the list of volunteers will be extended.

Table of Contents

Why Is Community Service Important for Students?

Everyone dreams about the best place to live in. It is our planet inhabited by many people. Just think for a minute of the current world population – 7+ billions of people. There must be those who are in need of help, be it financial, moral or medical. For that reason, there is a community which you can join to help others. Many centers rely entirely on voluntary help. Thinking about the same way of helping others while being a student? In fact, despite the fact that you don’t get any reward for doing it, you can develop many real-life skills:

• Leadership;
• Problem-solving;
• Effective time management;
• Interpersonal communication;
• Close collaboration with different people, etc.

Is the question “Why is community service important?” answered? If not, read this useful article . Additionally, you’ll observe some strong arguments for your speech to win over your listeners. As you understand, it is important to read the additional material before start writing a speech.

Who Can Provide Community Service?

Everyone somehow affects the world around us. People vote for various presidents, chosen leaders, and bosses, and sometimes they become the leaders themselves. However, some people want to change the world without touching politics. These people are a part of the community service. They help orphanages and schools, they become volunteers for various events and make donations to help the world become better. Still, as though it may sound great, the volunteering is the hard labor and almost everyday work. In order to understand whether you are ready to be a part of a community service or not you should know what it is.

To start with, the most preferable way of joining the community service is by becoming an activist. Activists are volunteers who spend several days a week helping homeless animals or the elderly. It is better to start the career of the community service by working as an activist. Volunteers always work in teams and they have a leader. The mentor helps beginners to get started. He/she finds a place which needs the help of volunteers and explains what should be done. In addition, he/she is a good psychologist and helps subordinates develop their talents. Thereby, if you started your career as an activist, talk to your mentor about what you enjoy about this work and what you know how to do well. Additionally, to further enhance your understanding and ability to engage effectively in community service, considering utilizing PowerPoint presentation writing services can be extremely beneficial in organizing your ideas and communicating them clearly.

The second stage at a community service is a leader. First of all, it should be said that the chief of volunteers not only helps his/her team but also develops his/her own idea of a better world. It is difficult but possible to begin the career from this position. Nonetheless, you will get along better with the team if you try to spend some time as an activist.

The third part of a community service is a Maecenas. This is a great type of activities for you if you have the resources and want to help those in need without your own work. Thereby, a rich man, who has no time for volunteering and has no idea about the mechanisms of volunteering, may choose the idea of one of the community leaders and help with its implementation.

In conclusion, there are many ways to change the world for the better. The community service is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways. The most important thing is to find your business and not to forget about it. In order to help the needy, it is not necessary to be rich or to spend a lot of time. To begin to help, a person should define his/her purposes, capabilities, and skills. In that case, the task of improving the world would become much easier.

How to Make a Speech on Community Service Successful? – Just 3 Steps!

In the following part of the article, you go over each step of how to plan and write your essay on community service. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get a better idea of what the reader, especially your instructor, is looking for when he/she reviews your essay.

Step 1. Establish a Specific Purpose of Speaking

There are three general speech purposes that public speaking falls into: to inform, to persuade, and to entertain. What is yours? Probably, you’d like to persuade your audience to volunteer in the community. Think of this point before writing anything on paper.

Step 2. Create a Thesis Statement

You can’t go further without a well-developed thesis statement. Focus on the purpose of speaking and come up with a valid thesis statement. If we take into consideration the following purpose “to persuade your audience to volunteer in the community”, you should state that “Volunteering in the community or providing any community service will help those around you and help you feel like you contribute something positive to this world.”

Step 3. Organize Your Speech Logically

• Introduction where you are supposed to introduce the topic to the listeners, get their attention and prove the importance of community service in the modern world. How to do all that? To catch the audience’s interest to listen to you, you can ask them, “Has anyone ever helped you when you were in need? How did you feel?” Be sure you’ll make them engaged in your speech. Moreover, if you ever thought, ‘someone should do my paper on community service,’ today you’re going to see just how impactful this work can be firsthand. Read the article on how you can benefit from asking questions while speaking in public.
• Body where you need to point out the main idea(s) with the supporting details. In other words, you say, for example, “Today many people living on incomes below the poverty line have significant needs that are to be addressed”. Then you can provide the consequences of the given situation. For example, identify the crime rate in the country/city/district you are speaking about, which will be quite surprising for your audience.
• Conclusion where you produce a base for taking the necessary actions to solve some of the problems mentioned in the main part. You can say, “If we all agreed to volunteer at least once a month to help out those who are in need, many of the problems could be alleviated. Moreover, we’ll benefit from it as well if some poverty issues start disappearing in our city/district. Then they can be eliminated in the whole country. Let’s do today so that our country and the world, in general, will have fewer problems to deal with!” As you see, the ‘call-to-action’ technique applied in your speech conclusion will play into your hands.

Persuaded that there is nothing complex in writing a speech? All you need are reliable sources of information to refer to in your speech. Plus, our guide can direct you correctly. Don’t neglect it! If you need help with a specific topic, like how to write my case study on community service impacts, our experts can assist you. Finally, you can take part in a quiz to check if you are well-versed in public speaking. After finishing writing your speech, you are left to rehearse it accordingly. Don’t be afraid of anything if you prepare in advance! You can also be confident in your success in public speaking, if you ask our experts, “ write my speech ”.

Too busy to write your paper by yourself?