Speeches are talks given in public occasion. The occasion determines what the speech will be called, e.g. in church, it is called a sermon; in a convocation ceremony, it is called an address etc.
We have four(4) types of speech:
1. Impromptu Speech.
It is a type of speech that is given spontaneously. A speech that is not prepared for.
2. Extemporaneous Speech.
Extemporaneous speech is like an impromptu speech but the giver of the speech has a knowledge of what he is told to say. Like impromptu speech, it is prepared for.
3. Memorized Speech
It is a prepared speech, written down and committed to memory.
4. The Manuscript Speech.
Manuscript Speech is a type of speech that is prepared for and written down to be read. If you are asked to write a manuscript speech, you are expected to go out on a research. It entails preparation. You should also look at the type of audience you are writing for. We have three types of audience:
a. Passersby or Drifters.
b. Captive or Hostage audience.
c. Volunteer audience.
PASSERSBY OR DRIFTERS
This type of audience are people you have to convince before you can say what you have in mind. You must go extra miles to crack jokes in order to get their keen interest. Therefore, it is very important you have this in mind when writing a speech for this type of audience.
CAPTIVE OR HOSTAGE AUDIENCE.
This type of audience doesn't have any choice but to sit and listen to your speech. It is a choiceless type of audience but that doesn't mean you won't make your research before coming. Have you ever been to an occasion where the speech delivered by the speaker is very boring but you had no choice than to gum your ass to your seat? If you had, it simply means you were once a 'captive or hostage audience.'Lol!
VOLUNTEER AUDIENCE
This type of audience have no obligation to be at the occasion but actually came on their own. In other words, they were not imposed on but came willingly.
Things or Demographic Indices to Consider About Your Audience When Writing a Speech.
They include:
1. Population.
2. Age
3. Gender
4.Occupation
5.Educational status
6. Religion or Belief.
STRUCTURE OF A SPEECH
Every speech should have the following outline in terms of structure:
1. Title
These are things to fill in the title:
a. The title itself.
b. Speaker.
c. Audience
d. Venue
e. Date.
When talking about the title, we are looking at the day of the week and particular day of the month, e.g. An Address Delivered by the Governor of Rivers State, Chief(Barr) Nyesom Wike, on July 26, 2016, at the 10th Convocation Ceremony of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Rivers State.
2. Salutation.
In the salutation, you are expected to greet by name or title of everybody you invited to the occasion in order of seniority.
3. Introduction
An introduction is a preview of what you want to talk about. If you want to catch the mind of your audience, there are things to be done, namely;
a. Make a reference to the occasion.
b. Make a relationship between the audience and the occasion. Tell a joke or story. Your joke could be a reference to the occasion or the audience.
4. Body
Everything that applies to the speech should be in the body of the speech. It is the most lengthiest and main part of the speech and it comprises different paragraphs.
5. Conclusion
This is the summary and the end of all the things spoken on. Everything you do in the conclusion should be a summary of all that have been said. No other matter should be raised here.
Important Points to Consider When Writing A Speech
1. Break the speech into short paragraphs in order to maintain regular eye contact with your audience when reading it.
2. Type the manuscript tripled space in all capital letters and bold face.
3.Underline the words or sections to be emphasized.
4. Type or print the speech on stiff paper so that it will not fold or fly off and consequently disorientating the speaker.
5. When the speech is to be delivered, use large circled numbers to mark out the pages.