In pairs, think about: What makes a

speech different from other forms of

writing? When and why do people
make speeches?
Definition:
A speech is a formal address, delivered to an audience, that seeks to
convince, persuade, inspire or inform.

A speech is different because it is

People write speeches to intended to be spoken. We must
persuade their audience. take the target audience into
They want them to agree
account when thinking about how
with them.
formal our speech should be.
Learning Objectives

• Define a speech
• Identify the features of a good speech
• Recognise and evaluate the differences between speech-writing and
letter-writing
Example of a great speech
- Emotive language
‘let freedom ring’.
- Repetition ‘I have a
dream’ and ‘let
freedom ring’.
- Analogies used
throughout.
- Exaggeration: ‘Let
freedom ring from
every hill and
molehill of
3.00 Mississippi.’
minutes in

• What do you think this speech is about? Who is the audience?

• Whilst you watch this speech, think about what features make it
effective. Can you identify any of the PERSUADE devices?
Example of a bad speech

• Whilst you watch clips from Trump’s speech, think about what makes
it ‘bad’. How is it ineffective?
 Obama’s Speech – complete the
worksheet (7 minutes)
We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves
but to all prosperity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the
failure to do so will betray our children and future generations.
Some may still deny the overwhelming judgement of science, but none can avoid
the devastating impact of raging fires, crippling drought or powerful storms. A path
towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult, but America
cannot resist this transition.
We must lead it! We cannot concede to other nations the technology that will power
new jobs and new industries; we must claim its promise. That’s how we will maintain
our economic vitality and our national treasure. You and I as citizens have the power to
set this country’s course. You and I as citizens have the obligation to shape the debates
of our time not only with the votes we cast but with the voices we lift in defence of our
most ancient values and enduring ideas. Will you join us?
Fill in the mindmap. From the speech we have read and
seen, what do you think makes a good speech?

Have a strong ending Use PERSUADE

which asks the techniques such as
audience to do statistics and
something to help, such emotive language
as voting or using their
voices

Use direct address to

Features of a Begin with
introducing yourself
call the audience to
action and engage
good speech and your topic/
them. Such as ‘Will what your speech is
you join us?’ about
 Create your own short model speech by choosing from the examples below!
This is a speech to school staff, in response to the statement: ‘Music has no value when you’re studying. It can be distracting; it can
be too loud. Students should work in silence.’

Instructions:  

- Read the question.

- Decide on what examples you will
place into your model speech.
- Try and choose the examples that you
think are most like a speech. (Use
your mindmap to help you)
- Write these examples into the speech
bubble to create your model.

20 minutes
Feedback – what did you choose & why?
Opening: Main point 1: Main point 2: Main point 3:

1) Dear Sir/ Madam, I am writing today
about why music should be used to
help students’ study, having been a
teacher for ten years.
2) Ladies and Gentlemen, I am
speaking to you today about why
music should be used to help
students’ study, having been a
teacher for ten years.
1) What if some students actually
find music useful to
concentrate whilst they’re
working?
2) I ask you: What if some
students actually find music
useful to concentrate whilst
they’re working?
1) Headphones are the solution to
all our problems. They allow the
user to listen to their favourite
songs, whilst those around them
only hear silence
2) Headphones are the solution to
all our problems. Why? Well,
they allow the user to listen to
their favourite songs, whilst
those around them hear only
silence.
1) It seems to me that there is no
reason to stop students listening to
music to help them study. We
should encourage it! We should do
whatever we can to help them
learn!
2) Overall, there is no reason to stop
students from listening to music to
help them study. Instead, it should
be encouraged along with other
methods to help them learn.

Ending:
1) I call on you to think. Studies show students’
results improve by 45% if they listen to music
when they study. Help them to succeed! Join
me and make a difference, use your position
to promote using music in the classroom.
2) Finally, studies tell us that students’ results
improve by 45% if they listen to music when
they study. You should promote using music
in the classroom. Yours sincerely, (name).
Finally…
Write one or two sentences or bullet points that sum up the
differences between writing a speech and writing a letter!