What makes a good speech?

Question

I'm 15 years old and I'm writing a speech, or a "talk" called Sacred Scripture.

I have a rough draft written, but I have never really given a speech or talk before other than school reports that are required. This is for a church retreat.

What makes a good speech/talk?

the age group is ages 14 to adult, but the target audience is ages 14 to 18

Answer 1

Keeping it interesting for the people who are listening to it. Did you ever hear a minister or priest give a sermon and all of a sudden its over and you didn't hear a word of it. Thats what I mean.

Answer 2

Hi, I am writing a speech also ..which the topic is "what makes for a good speech?" In my opinion Eye contact is a must... if you are passionate about the topic of your speech, that makes it easier to dig up lots of information on the topic. If the message you are sending is smooth flowing... not jumping from one subject to another then back to the first subject. If the topic is interesting to the listeners... if the facts are factual and not just your opinion. finally, if the message is clear... meaning to the point... where the listeners don't walk away thinking what was that whole speech about anyway. So hopefully my thoughts have helped you. Best Wishes on your lecture.... Sacred Scripture seems to me that this is a heartfelt issue... I believe that you will do awesome. Even if you catch one persons attention out of all of them ... that is a successful speech you gave. This may help at the ending to see how many people want more information from the speech you just gave.. if you ask are there any questions... I bet you will get a few people that will want more of the message you gave. try it... if you think that will help open people up to gathering more information... here's a hint... if they ask questions... you know they heard what you spoke of.

Answer 3

A good talk or speech always lifts the spirit of the audience and incorporates them if possible.

When you are speaking in public, the obvious points of execution include; continuous eye contact, sharing your delivery (and eye contact) with every member of the room, pointing to your palm when you are stressing the main point and starting off with a lighter side.

Throughout your speech, keep your empty words (er, um, uh) to an absolute minimum. It is better to be silent than hang on to these life lines. Your eye contact shows sincerity and caring for your audience. When you walk slowly from one side to the other for audience coverage, you are showing interest for the entire audience, not just the center of the room.

Practice your speech with immedicate family members at least twice before you reach the big group. You will be more relaxed and be able to pick out the unnecessary lines that you don't really want anyway.

Answer 4

Start with an attention grabber. Something like a joke, story, anything to get your audience interested. Then, road map. To road map means to give an overview of what you'll be talking about, like a quick summary. Continue then to give the body of your speech. Make sure to vary your voice and add gestures to keep your audience interested. Conclude by tying thing back to the opening story/joke/etc. and giving the most important information again, quickly.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

make sure the first statement is catchy. add pauses in your speech (make notes to just breathe) and when you give the speech talk with your hands it helps to enhance the speech also, don't sway side to side, you may walk, but not too fast or too often. also make sure your speech is apporpiate for the audience. what is the age group?
hope i helped