WRITING A SPEECH

Ø  Step1

Calculate how much time your speech should take. Try to keep your speech concise yet informative.

Ø  Step2

Think about your audience and let your awareness of the audience shape the tone of your speech as you write it.

Ø  Step3

Begin with an introduction that establishes who you are, what your purpose is, what you'll be talking about and how long you're going to take. You may want to include a joke, story or interesting fact to clutch the audience's concentration.

Ø  Step4

Organize your information into three to seven main points and prioritize them according to significance and effectiveness.

 

Ø  Step5

Delete points that aren't crucial to your speech.

Ø  Step6

Start with your most important point; then go to your least important point and move slowly back toward the most important. For example, if you have five points with No. 5 being the most important and No. 1 being the least important, your presentation order would be 5-1-2-3-4.

Ø  Step7

Add support to each point using statistics, facts, examples, anecdotes, quotations or other supporting material.

Ø  Step8

Connect your introduction, points and conclusions together with smooth transitions.

Ø  Step9

Write a conclusion that summarises each of your points, restates your main purpose and leaves the audience with a lasting impression.

Formal or Business letter

1)      Write your address on left hand side.

2)      Leave a line and mention the date.

3)      Write the name and address of the person or firm to whom the letter is to

      be sent on the left hand side after leaving a line.

4)   Leave one line and begin your letter with salutation, e.g. Dear Sir or   

      Madam.

5)   Leave a line and mention the aim of the letter, e.g.

6)   Leave a line to start off your letter.

7)   Body of the letter:

• Keep your letter as brief and clear as possible.
• Get to the point and do not squander time with unnecessary introduction.
• Do not leave the reader wondering what you want him to do.
• Give only such information as is essential, in the correct order.
• Be polite at all times.
• If your letter is a reply, give the date and reference of the letter to which you are replying, e.g. RE: Goods on order.

8)      Complimentary close. For instances:

·         Yours sincerely,

·         Yours truly,

·         Yours faithfully,

·         Yours obediently,

9)      Signature after leaving a line.

10)  In the end jot down your full name.

11)  Check your letter for accuracy of facts, punctuation, spellings, and grammar.

Informal or Friendly Letter

1)      Write your address on the top right or left side.

2)      Put the date under the address after leaving a line.

3)      Leave a line and put greetings.

4)      Body of the letter

a)      Introduction:

Ø  It was wonderful to see your letter in the mailbox.

Ø  Thanks for your letter which I received last Sunday.

Ø  How are you and your family keeping?

Ø  What a pleasant surprise to hear from you after all this time.

Ø  I have just received your letter and replying immediately      because…..

Ø  I was in state of euphoria to get your letter yesterday. I had not expected to hear from you so soon

b)      Purpose:

   Give reason which prompted you to write the letter. Use short sentences with      

   direct language. Use correct grammar, spellings and punctuation.

c)       Conclusion:

       End your letter with a polite wish. For instance:

Ø  I shall be looking forward to hear from you soon.

Ø  Hope you will reply as soon as possible.

Ø  Please give my regards to……

Ø  Keep smiling and all the best.

5)      Courteous leave taking

Ø  Yours sincerely,      / Yours affectionately,    /With love,

6)      Jot down your name.