how to write a good src speech

Student Council Speech

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.

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How to Write a Winning Student Council Secretary Speech

Crafting the perfect speech for a student council secretary position can feel like quite the mountain to climb. I know from experience how daunting it can be, searching for those exact words that will click with your fellow students.

It took me some time, but through both research and personal journeys, I uncovered the secrets to creating a speech that doesn’t just showcase your qualities, but also genuinely engages your classmates.

This article is here to guide you on that path – towards delivering a message that’s bound to leave a lasting impression. Buckle up; let’s make them remember you!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Know your audience and speak directly to their interests and needs. Make your speech engaging by adding humor, stories, or interesting facts that resonate with high school students.
• Open strong and close even stronger. Use a memorable quote or a surprising fact at the start, and finish with an inspiring call-to-action to make sure people remember you when they’re voting.
• Emphasize your skills and what you plan to achieve as Student Council Secretary. Share how your experiences have prepared you for the job, from organizing events to managing communications.
• Be creative in delivering your message. Try using humor, vivid descriptions, or rhetorical questions to make your speech stand out while keeping it true to who you are.
• Practice makes perfect. Rehearse parts of your speech in everyday conversations or meetings to boost confidence and improve delivery ahead of the big day.

What is a Student Council Secretary?

The Student Council Secretary manages record-keeping and communications for the student government. This role is crucial for organizing and coordinating activities within the council.

Duties and responsibilities

I’m Ryan, and I’ve learned a lot about public speaking and leadership roles. One thing that caught my attention is the vital role of a Student Council Secretary. Here’s what I found out about their duties and responsibilities.

• Keep detailed records of all student council meetings. This means writing down everything that happens during the meetings to keep everyone informed.
• Organize documents so they’re easy to find later. The secretary needs to put files and notes in order so anyone can find them when needed.
• Plan meetings by setting dates and letting members know when and where they’ll happen. This helps ensure that everyone can attend.
• Send out reminders about upcoming events or meetings, making sure everyone knows what’s happening in school leadership.
• Take charge of official correspondence , like letters or emails, related to the student council’s work.
• Assist with planning school events alongside the president, vice president, and treasurer to make sure activities run smoothly.
• Share minutes from meetings so all students stay updated on council decisions, keeping the whole school informed.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills by managing lots of different tasks at once without getting mixed up.

Through these tasks, a secretary plays a crucial part in making sure the student council functions well and achieves its goals for the school community.

Importance of the position

The role of a Student Council Secretary is crucial as it involves keeping accurate records of meetings, which ensures that important decisions and discussions are documented. This responsibility not only helps maintain transparency but also fosters accountability within the student council.

Additionally, the secretary plays a vital part in communicating essential information to other council members and the student body, thereby serving as a bridge between the two groups .

The position holds great importance in upholding efficient communication and organization within the school’s leadership structure, making it an integral part of the overall success of the student council campaign.

Why Run for Student Council Secretary?

Why should you run for Student Council Secretary? It provides an opportunity to make a positive impact and showcase your leadership skills.

Personal interest and passion

Interested in making a difference? I am keen on running for the role of Student Council Secretary because I am passion ate about improving our school and representing my fellow students .

My personal experiences have shaped my perspective, giving me fresh ideas to bring positive change. Running for this position is an opportunity to take action and make a meaningful impact – it’s not just about winning but about serving others as well.

Desire to make a positive impact

I’m driven by the desire to create a positive change in our school. I believe it’s important to listen to my peers and work together for a better student experience. As secretary, I will ensure that every voice is heard and that our ideas are turned into action.

I am committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. By working collaboratively , we can make meaningful improvements that benefit all students.

This role isn’t just about me – it’s about serving and advocating for the entire student body .

By leveraging my passion for making a difference , I aim to bring tangible, positive changes as your Student Council Secretary. My dedication lies in being proactive and responsive in addressing your concerns while effectively communicating progress on key initiatives.

Tips for Writing a Winning Speech

Craft your speech to connect with your audience and leave a lasting impression. Grab attention from the start and end strong. Highlight your qualifications and goals, and infuse some creativity into it.

Understand your audience

When writing your student council secretary speech, it’s crucial to know who you’re speaking to. High school students are the audience, so keep your language and examples relatable .

Use humor and stories that they can connect with. It’s important to remember that they want someone approachable and fun but also responsible for the role.

Understanding your audience gives you an edge when addressing their needs and desires. Emphasize how you plan to make their high school experience better, and show them why they should trust you with this position.

Use a strong opening and closing

When it comes to giving a speech, the opening and closing are crucial. An attention-grabbing opening sets the tone, while a strong closing leaves a lasting impression . In my experience, I have found that using a powerful quote or an interesting fact at the beginning captures the audience’s attention.

Similarly, for the closing, reiterating your main points and ending with an inspiring call-to-action motivates your audience to remember you when it’s time to vote. These techniques ensure that your message resonates with your listeners long after your speech is over.

Highlight your qualifications and goals

As a potential candidate for the Student Council Secretary position, it is crucial to emphasize my qualifications and goals in my speech. My extensive experience in organizing events and managing schedules during summer jobs showcases my strong organizational skills .

Additionally, my enthusiasm for community involvement has allowed me to develop excellent communication and teamwork abilities . These qualifications make me an ideal candidate for the secretary role.

In terms of goals, I am dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and supportive school environment through increased student engagement and representation . My vision includes implementing innovative initiatives that address the diverse needs of our student body, ensuring that every voice is heard.

Incorporate humor and creativity

Ready to spice up your student council secretary speech? Let’s inject some fun and wit into it! Crack a good-natured joke or two, share a funny anecdote, or use clever wordplay to grab your audience’s attention.

Add a dash of creativity by using vivid descriptions , rhetorical questions , or even a lighthearted skit . Think outside the box and let your personality shine through! After all, who doesn’t love a speech that brings laughter and joy?

Writing a winning student council secretary speech is like building a bridge between you and your fellow students. This role plays a crucial part in keeping things organized and ensuring everyone’s voice gets heard.

From documenting meeting minutes to being the backbone of communication among council members, the job is no small feat.

Running for this position shows your dedication and desire to make real changes. Crafting a speech that resonates with voters involves more than just talking about what you want to do; it’s about connecting on a personal level, showcasing your qualifications, and sharing your vision in an engaging way.

Let’s turn to Dr. Ava Martin, a seasoned public speaking coach with over 15 years of experience. She holds degrees in Communication Studies and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Over her career, she has guided hundreds through writing impactful speeches for various leadership roles.

Dr. Martin points out that successful student council secretary speeches have clear structure: an attention-grabbing opening , a solid middle outlining key qualifications and goals , followed by an inspiring close .

“Incorporating humor,” she advises, “makes you relatable and keeps your audience engaged.”.

On ethics and transparency,

Dr. Martin emphasizes honesty in presenting one’s skills and plans .“Speak truthfully about what you can achieve,” she recommends.

For daily application,

she suggests practicing parts of the speech during everyday conversations or meetings where possible.”This not only boosts confidence,” says Dr.Martin,”but also refines delivery.”

Evaluating pros against cons,

she notes while creativity sets apart great speeches,effective delivery is equally critical.”Don’t get so caught up in making jokes that your message loses clarity,” warns Dr.Martin.Compared to generic talks,a tailored approach considering school-specific issues often garners better responses.

Her final verdict champions well-crafted addresses.She stresses their significance not just for elections but as life-long skills.”A good speech can open doors beyond school corridors.”

Drawing from these insights,a winning student council secretary speech isn’t just about promising actions;it’s showing how capable,you are willing,and ready to serve.It blends authenticity,careful planning,and genuine enthusiasm.Meeting these elements doesn’t guarantee victory,but elevates dialogue,promoting healthier competition,and strengthening community bonds.The journey enriches candidates regardless of outcomes,enriching their leadership repertoire.So write now,speak boldly,endear yourself to peers,and above all,champion collective progress.

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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Student Council Speech Sample

Writing a student council speech may seem daunting, but having an example to look at can help inspire you.

Use the speech on this page to help you think about what you might like to say to the students voting for you.

Following the example below, you will learn how to prepare the following parts of the Student Council Speech:

• Introduction

If you need more guidance after reading this page, visit  Twelve Vital Tips for Student Council Speeches and see another Sample Speech by "Charlie" that follows a twelve step process from knowing your audience to ending with a call-to-action.

The speech below was sent in by Stephanie who was running for student council President of her high school. 

Thanks for sharing your speech, Steph, and for helping other students get an idea of what to say!

After reviewing Steph's speech, check out another  student council speech sample  for additional inspiration.

Also, the book   Student Council Campaign: Winning Strategies, Speeches, Poster, and Slogans  reviewed below can help you take your entire campaign to a whole different level, not only your speech. 

Beginning of the student council speech

• Introduce yourself
• Set your audience at ease
• Use a quick attention getter or theme
• Provide a brief foreshadowing of your call to action 

Good afternoon, students and staff members! My name is Stephanie, and I'm running for student body president. I'll keep this quick as I'm sure you are ready to get out of here.

You might be saying to yourself, "Should Stephanie really be the student body president? After all, she's only been at our school for two years."

Body of the student council speech

• Organize around just 2-3 main ideas
• Provide 2-3 supporting details for each claim
• Points should solve for a pain your audience (your fellow students) feels

It's true that I am fairly new to Jefferson Anderson High School. At first glance, this may seem like a disadvantage. I didn't attend this school for my freshman and sophomore years, and I've only known most of you for a couple of years.

When you think about it though, there is actually a benefit in choosing someone who is coming into the school from somewhere else. I have new ideas that I can bring in from the school I was at before.

Are you tired of doing the same old things year after year? Are you ready to do something different?

One thing I noticed about this school when I came last year is that most of the students didn't really get to make any of the decisions here at the school.

Did anyone ever ask you what you wanted to do for a fundraiser? Did anyone ever ask you what you wanted to buy with the money we raised? Who makes these decisions?

Those types of decisions are left up to student council. The person you choose to represent you as president will speak for the entire senior class. Do you want to choose someone who will make those decisions for you without knowing what you want?

If you vote for me as student council president, I promise to always get your opinions before making any decisions. You should have a say in the actions that will affect you.

Every single one of you can come to me with your ideas, and I promise to listen and speak for you.

Conclusion of the student council speech

• Briefly summarize your main points
• Weave in your theme
• Include a clincher and call to action

I may not be the most well-known person running for student council president, but I promise to listen to each and every one of you.

You matter. Your opinion matters. Don't choose someone who will make all of the decisions for you. Don't vote for the person who will pick whatever their friends want them to choose.

Choose someone who wants to be your spokesperson. Choose someone who cares about what you want.

Choose me, Stephanie, for your student council president.

End of Speech

When writing a student council speech, you need to remember to research what the student body NEEDS and WANTS . Connecting with the audience is key. Let them know how you will serve them!

You can interview students, teachers, administrators, etc. to find out what would help your school grow and develop in a positive direction, then incorporate those ideas into your presentation.

This advice is useful whether you're running for student council president, treasurer or secretary. Do your due diligence and know what it is your target audience wants to hear before you write your speech!

Continue reading  Twelve Vital Tips for Student Council Speeches  and see another Sample Speech.

Or, check out the student council speech in the video below for more ideas on how to present the best address ever. This guy has charisma and is funny as well!

Winning Strategies for a Student Council Campaign eBook:

According to Isaac Myhrum, a winner of student council seats beginning in the 6th grade, you can develop the confidence and skills to lead. Isaac rose above the typical popularity contest to win on merit and credibility. His book  Student Council Campaign: Winning Strategies, Speeches, Poster, and Slogans  will guide you to improve your overall strategy and your student council speeches. 

Some of the lessons to help you win election include:

• developing campaign speech ideas and topics
• voter audience analysis
• forming a campaign team
• examples of successful posters
• and more advice for appealing to student voters.

You can order on  Amazon  for reading with the free Kindle App and support Best Speech Topics with a small commission. 

[Full disclosure: Best Speech Topics is a compensated affiliate of Amazon.]

Running for student council is an admirable pursuit. Use our student council speech guidance to become a representative of your council for the right reasons - to make positive change and help fellow students. Winning provides an opportunity to improve your school and make meaningful change. (Owens, E. (2015, August 11). Viewpoint: 4 reasons to run for student government . Retrieved December 2, 2018, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/college/2015/08/11/viewpoint-4-reasons-to-run-for-student-government/37405191/)

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Student Council Speech Ideas: How to Craft the Perfect Speech

Now that you’ve decided to take on the challenge of running for student council, it’s time to consider how to craft that all-important speech that will make your candidacy stand out from the rest.

It goes without saying that writing the perfect speech requires some preparation and a variety of creative approaches. This post will provide you with student council speech ideas that will help you put together a memorable and persuasive talk that will propel your candidacy.

Here, we will look at ways to structure your speech, as well as techniques for convincing the student body that you’re the right person for the job. With the following tips, you’ll have the winning speech that gets you elected!

Understand the Position and Responsibilities

When crafting the perfect student council speech, it is important to understand the position and responsibilities associated with a student council leader.

Student council leaders are elected by fellow students to represent their class or school in governance-related decisions. In addition to seeking input from peers, they often work with faculty members, administrators, and other key stakeholders when making major decisions.

Being a student council leader requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to think critically. It is important to understand the roles and responsibilities of other student leaders, staff, and faculty members alike so that collaboration can be fostered under one’s leadership.

Not only is it essential to maintain positive relationships but also to demonstrate proficiency in areas such as problem solving, communication, and decision-making.

While some may view the role of a student council leader as administrative paperwork and organizational tasks, a leader should have an understanding of more than just policymaking. They must be able to promote good citizenship among peers and create an atmosphere that encourages engagement.

Drafting the perfect student council speech should not be done without regard for the objectives of a student council leader.

When speaking on behalf of peers it is essential to remember that both knowledge of positions and values are required for successful leadership. With this in mind we can move forward into the next section where we explore “What Does a Student Council Leader Do?”

What Does a Student Council Leader Do?

Being a student council leader requires more than just giving a speech .

The responsibilities of leading the student council consist of building productive relationships, setting ambitious goals and executing plans, communicating effectively, listening to peers and understanding their concerns, advocating for students’ rights in the school and community, and organizing events to benefit the student body.

Leaders must possess both soft skills such as being organized and hard skills like public speaking . With both sets of skills, these leaders are able to skillfully manage a team or individual volunteers and create a focus on important goals that the council wants to accomplish.

A successful student council leader should have a strong sense of responsibility and accountability while also displaying enthusiasm towards achieving collective goals.

The debate can be seen as to whether or not student council leaders should participate more in decision-making power or serve more as figureheads for their group goals.

Advocates for more decision-making authority argue that student councils can be valuable partners with school administrative teams by providing insight into issues that face students directly and providing perspective into how policies are playing out in the student body.

Opposing sides argue that although student councils can provide insight into certain issues, they cannot be expected to make major decisions regarding school policies given their lack of experience with those matters.

No matter the opinion on this debate, all agree that student council leaders play an integral role in school culture and environment by representing their peers. Those seeking election to a leadership role must demonstrate their commitment to furthering the mission of their student body.

This is done through crafting speeches that elucidate why they’re qualified for the position as well as show evidence of previous service accomplishments. To learn how to do this properly, it is useful to understand how to craft the perfect speech by demonstrating your experience.

Demonstrate Your Experience

When crafting your student council speech, it is important to demonstrate your experience and expertise.

Being able to speak confidently about your qualifications and previous accomplishments will help convince your audience of your ability to take on a leadership role.

Start off with a statement that introduces yourself and the reasons why you are qualified for the position. Use specific examples of projects or responsibilities that you have undertaken in the past, as well as how you were successful in completing them.

You may want to describe any volunteer or organizational activities that you are involved in or any educational qualifications or awards that you may have earned.

It is also worthwhile debating the various pros and cons of your candidacy. This will demonstrate your ability to think analytically, as well as showcase your knowledge on the subject matter. However, be warned to not make any personal attacks or remarks, which could alienate portions of your audience if they disagree with your viewpoint.

The next section will discuss how to talk about your leadership skills and convince your audience of their importance in making an impactful student council member.

Most Important Summary Points

When crafting a student council speech, it is important to demonstrate experience and qualifications to ensure an effective appeal to the audience. Talking about past achievements and providing specific examples will help make a case for why you are the best fit for the position.

Additionally, it may be beneficial to provide an analytical debate stating both the pros and cons of your candidacy; however, it should be done without making any personal attacks on opponents. Finally, discussing leadership skills and their relevance to the role may also work in favor of your candidacy.

Talk About Your Leadership Skills

When crafting a student council speech, it is important to talk about one’s qualifications in order to demonstrate leadership.

Before doing so, it is beneficial to list tangible accomplishments, such as working on a particular project or volunteering for an organization. It is also important to discuss any awards won or leadership roles held prior to speaking in front of the student council.

Being able to communicate one’s importance and impact helps prove why one is the best candidate for the role and can potentially sway the audience in their favor.

On the other hand, discussing past and current leadership roles does not always need to include tangible accomplishments.

Talking about oneself in terms of what they have learned and how they plan on using it moving forward can also be very powerful. For example, talking about mistakes made, lessons learned, and how one plans on incorporating that knowledge into their candidacy can show wisdom beyond their years.

It can also serve as proof that even though they may be young, they are still capable of making a great contribution to the student council if elected.

Ultimately, striking a balance between tangible accomplishments and experiences learned will ensure that your leadership speaks for itself during your student council speech.

By combining both sides of the argument and effectively conveying them to your audience, you will be best positioned for success when discussing your leadership skills with potential voting members of the student council. Now, let’s move on to discussing our ideas and goals for being on the council if given the opportunity.

Discuss Your Ideas and Goals

When discussing your ideas and goals, it is important to be direct and succinct. Start by introducing yourself and briefly outlining why you are running for Student Council in the first place.

Explain what inspired you to run and what you hope to bring to the table. Being clear and concise while still providing tangible examples will help voters better understand both your dedication and drive.

Once your motivation has been made clear, detail the specific things you plan to change or implement as a representative of the student body if elected.

Speak from the heart and talk about what issues are most important to you. During this time, it is crucial that you have done research on the particular problems that may be faced by the student council at their respective school. Then, use this information to inform your ideas, goals, and propositions on any particular issue.

In addition to thoroughly preparing for your speech in advance, it is also a good idea to practice beforehand. Students should train themselves not only in speaking but also in presenting facts throughout speech so that they can defend their ideas if someone questions them.

To ensure success during a presentation, test yourself with hard questions, rehearse extensively and get comfortable with the material ahead of time.

Lastly, students should remember that their goal is to deliver an effective speech which can influence enough people’s desire to make a difference within their school and community.

Debating both sides when discussing your ideas and goals is a great way to both show your understanding of a particular subject and present yourself as an engaged student looking to truly make a change.

Showing awareness of how opposing views affect policy changes can demonstrate your analytical skills while making sure everyone hears all sides of an argument allows for more informed decision-making among fellow students.

With this understanding in place, students can then start considering proposed changes or improvements for their respective student councils with confidence.

Explain Proposed Changes and Improvements

When proposing changes and improvements in a student council speech, it is important to explain why the proposed changes are necessary.

In order to effectively discuss both sides of the argument, craft your speech so that you first suggest why the changes are needed, followed by possible counterarguments and how you plan on addressing them.

Explain the current problems and deficiencies within your community or organization, as this can help emphasize why the suggested changes are needed.

For example, if you are suggesting increasing funding for student sports teams, you could draw attention to their lack of proper equipment and uniforms due to not enough money.

Offering solutions on how to acquire more funds is also important; brainstorm with other student council members to come up with ideas like requesting donations from teachers or local businesses.

In addition, anticipate and address any doubts that your peers may have about the suggested changes. Be aware of other perspectives surrounding the issue at hand and discuss every angle in detail in your speech.

If some students feel as though certain aspects of the changes will cost too much for their comfort, propose ways that costs can be kept low without sacrificing results.

Additionally, point out positive aspects of the proposed changes from multiple points of view, such as how they benefit various groups within the school or organization.

Explaining proposed changes and improvements is a key tool in crafting an effective student council speech. It’s important to detail why each change is necessary and offer solutions on how to make it happen while also standing firm on your viewpoint.

By showing dedication and commitment towards these ideas through a comprehensive analysis of both sides of each argument , you’ll be able to give an impactful speech that resonates with your peers.

Show Dedication and Commitment

When crafting a student council speech, showing dedication and commitment is key. This is important to discuss with students as they prepare to give their speeches because it will help them to sound confident in their ability to carry out the tasks of being on student council.

This can be done through highlighting past accomplishments that demonstrate a commitment to projects, as well as pledging to continue to work hard on future initiatives. It is also beneficial for speakers to emphasize the importance of making an impact both on campus and within the broader community.

It is important to highlight both sides of the argument when discussing dedication and commitment. For example, it can also be beneficial to discuss how there are many challenges in achieving objectives, but if one is motivated and determined, goals can still be realized.

Also, considering how student council represents a wide array of points of view and perspectives, it is essential for speakers to commit to being open-minded when discussing issues. Acknowledging opposing views with respect shows dedication and commitment not only to staying civil but also representing everyone in student council effectively.

Ultimately, dedicating time, energy and effort and remaining committed throughout this process is essential for success when it comes to executing student council duties.

By showcasing these qualities during a speech, speakers have the opportunity to demonstrate determination and initiative that fellow students should admire and stand behind. With that in mind, addressing the student body appropriately will help ensure an effective presentation overall.

Address the Student Body Appropriately

When addressing the student body, an important consideration for any Student Council speech should be to consider the audience.

After all, this is ultimately who the message is intended for. You want to make sure that you craft a message that speaks to and resonates with your peers.

This can be as simple as mentioning a common interest or having a connection with something they can relate to, such as pop culture.

However, it is also important to remember to maintain a certain level of professionalism in your speech throughout so as not to alienate members of the student body or allow the tone and atmosphere of the occasion to become unwelcoming.

It is also important to address different members including teachers involved in helping put together the council, staff members and other bodies involved in school activities.

It can also be beneficial to openly thank those involved for their hard work and dedication regardless of opinion or stance during preparations for the council meeting and election process.

This shows respect from one side as well as appreciation from you—to endear yourself more towards the wider student body.

Regardless of the approach when addressing fellow students, no matter how persuasive or heartfelt they may be, you will want to make sure that your words are not viewed as inflammatory or disrespectful.

Consideration must be taken into account when making statements that highlight potential issues within a school or resident authority because these can cast a negative light on you as well as them.

A balanced approach where both sides are heard endorses fairness towards each viewpoint and encourages healthy debate among members of the student body.

Having established what’s appropriate when talking directly to fellow students, it is now time to explore ways of creating a powerful speech to ensure that your message hits all the right notes. The next section will discuss ways in which you can prepare a speech that has maximum impact on the student body.

Prepare a Speech that Hits All the Right Notes

Preparing a speech for student council can be an intimidating process. It is important to make sure that you hit all the right notes within your speech. Through careful planning, practice and consideration of your audience, it is possible to construct an impactful, memorable speech.

When writing your speech, begin by recognizing the qualities that make you a great candidate. Detail the goals of your platform by articulating the various ways in which you will serve your constituents and their needs.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the real issues facing students and illustrate how you understand their perspectives on them. Showcase your character by outlining concrete actions that demonstrate why you are uniquely qualified for the position.

The most important part of any speech is having a strong conclusion . Your conclusion should restate the core message and summarize some of the key points from throughout the entirety of the address.

Additionally, include a call to action that encourages students to get involved – whether simply by voting or actively campaigning on behalf of your candidacy.

Make sure to end on an inspiring note that reinforces your leadership skills and offers an optimistic outlook for the future of the student body with you as their representative.

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts on Your Student Council Speech

When crafting your closing remarks, the most important thing to remember is to keep it brief and to the point. Try not to repeat yourself and instead emphasize key points that you want your audience to remember. Here are some tips on how to close your student council speech with impact:

1. Summarize Your Ideas: After spending time talking about your ideas and plans, briefly summarize your message in a few sentences. If you have raised any specific issues, make sure to include any solutions or opinions that you have presented in the course of your speech.

2. Express Gratitude: Show your appreciation towards all those who voted for you and stuck around to listen, thanking them for their time and energy spent affirming their belief in you as a capable leader.

3. Leave On A High Note: End on a high note by expressing optimism about the future outcomes of the initiatives you raised during your speech, no matter what the results may be. Take this opportunity to give the audience a feeling of immense hope and excitement, ensuring they depart with a positive outlook on all that can be achieved through leadership.

4. Keep It Short And Simple: Above all, ensure that whatever final words you choose express confidence in yourself and remember that overthinking can derail your performance. Do not give too much information but rather provide powerful points that will ensure everyone knows where you stand—then step down!

In conclusion, taking into consideration the tips outlined above when creating your closing remarks will ensure dramatic effect when delivering a successful student council speech. Keep it short, sweet, memorable and sincere—the perfect recipe for an effective finish!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important elements to include in a student council speech.

One of the most important elements to include in a student council speech is the audience. When crafting the perfect speech, it is important for the speaker to consider who their audience is, and how their topic will be received. It’s best to tailor the content to fit the interests of the particular audience, so that they can relate more directly to what you’re saying.

Another key element would be credibility. The speaker should provide solid evidence and facts behind their ideas, in order to gain trust from their audience and prove that their points are valid and reliable. This includes anticipating any questions or counterarguments and being prepared with justifications for any potential criticism.

Additionally, the organization of the speech should be a priority. The speaker should have an outline or plan in place beforehand, so as not to get lost or overwhelmed in the middle of their address. Having an organized structure helps maintain unity throughout the speech, while promoting a professional presentation overall.

Finally, an effective student council speech should also tell a story . Incorporating personal anecdotes or experiences related to your topic can help make your words more memorable and meaningful to your audience. Doing this can also create a more intimate connection between yourself and whoever is listening.

How should a student council speech be structured?

A student council speech should be structured in such a way as to effectively communicate the speaker’s ideas while keeping their audience engaged .

The speech should generally start with an attention-grabbing introduction , followed by a statement of purpose or goal that outlines the speaker’s main argument. The body of the speech should then provide evidence and reasoning for why the argument is valid. Finally, the conclusion of the speech should reiterate the key points, summarize the overall message and close with a memorable quote or call to action.

In order for a student council speech to be effective, it must be well organized and cohesive. To ensure this, each point should be supported by clear examples and logical evidence .

Additionally, arguments and information should be presented in chronological order, making it easy for listeners to follow the flow of thought being presented. Visual aids can also be extremely helpful in breaking up sections of longer speeches while providing supporting images and facts.

Overall, crafting the perfect student council speech involves organizing information into an understandable format while creating an engaging story throughout. By highlighting key arguments and providing persuasive evidence along the way, presenters have a better chance of having their message heard and remembered.

What are some effective techniques for delivering a student council speech?

When delivering a student council speech, there are a few key techniques that can help make it more effective.

1. A Clear Starting Point: Start your speech by introducing yourself and briefly explain why you are running for office. Make sure to be extremely clear with your audience so they understand where you stand.

2. Speak Intentionally: Speak slowly and intentionally so your points come across clearly without stuttering or stumbling over words. Pause in order to better make your point, gather your thoughts, and allow the audience to digest what you’ve said.

3. Use Audience Engagement: Ask the audience questions and provide them with opportunities to show their support or contribute to the conversation. This is an effective way of getting the audience involved while also allowing you to gauge their interests or lack thereof, thus providing feedback that can inform your future decisions if elected.

4. Establish Goals: Provide realistic and achievable goals that you plan to accomplish during your time in office, should you be elected. Showing a desire for change and progress will ensure that the audience understands what you are striving for and hopefully motivate them to support you in achieving it.

5. Rehearse: Rehearase tiyour speech multiple times beforehand in front of friends, family members, or even teachers, in order to become comfortable with every aspect of it – from its content to its delivery – as this helps create an easier flow throughout your delivery when done live.

Above all else, it is important that you remain confident in what you are saying and who you are as a person – this will give the audience assurance that they are voting for the right candidate who is able to fulfill their goals and expectations as student council president!

Student Council Speeches

How to give a speech they’ll be talking about for years.

So what did I do?  I told them a story about a guinea pig biting my hand in Kindergarten.  My startled response was to accidentally drop and step on the poor creature.  Obviously, I felt horrible. (Thankfully Nutmeg the guinea pig was unscathed and went on to lead a long and healthy existence thereafter.)

Wait, that’s it?  You just told them a funny guinea pig story?

Well there was a little more to it.  I tried to attach a small moral lesson. I think I told them, life is full of bad days but its how you respond that really matters, or something like that.

That was it.  Nothing too profound. Yet years later people who had attended our graduation would come up to me saying that speech had stayed with them.  I was dumbfounded.

Some of the best speeches you’ll ever hear are filled with powerful or funny narratives that put the listener in the driver seat.  It’s an escape, really.  It allows the listener to take a break from noticing how hot the room is or how hard the seats are.  Stories are an invitation to break away from reality and be entertained or even moved emotionally.

So here are a few humble ideas for rock solid student council speeches.  They are based on my own experiences in student government and other public speaking opportunities, so take that as you will.  I have used them on many occasions and it has always yielded good results. So, here it goes:

FREE Student Council Speech Templates:      (click to download Word file)

Featured articles:, the 5 worst speeches ever (…and what we can learn from them), common speech stunts:, food for thought:.

RED HOT TIP : Avoid starting your speech with “Hello my name is ________ and I am running for __________.  Chances are somebody will already be introducing you!  Why waste the precious little time you have regurgitating was has just been said?  Why not dive head first into a joke, funny story or inspirational quote? You’ll have a much better chance grabbing people’s attention…IMHO.

1. Have an introduction that tells a story, makes people laugh or inspires them.

I used to find it so lame whenever someone would start their speech with “Hi my name is _________ and I’m running for _________________ .”

What’s weird is that somebody will probably be introducing you.  So why waste that time just regurgitating the same old tired introduction?

When people hear that intro, in their heads they think, “Um, yeah.  I’m going to tune out for a second and think about the gum that’s stuck beneath this bleacher. Whoa, wait is that a penny? And its head up, no less!  Cool!”

A better approach for you may be to start with a story about something that happened to you recently that really hit home.  It’s best if the story has something to do with your student council ideas.

Maybe you have a cool story about your childhood that fits with your campaign theme.  Maybe there’s a witty joke you can tell (make sure its truly funny though, lame humor can backfire.)  Or perhaps an inspirational quote from an historic leader that sets a majestic tone.

In any event any event, your introduction should grab people attention by 1.) Making in them laugh 2.) Make them think or 3.) Help them catch a feeling such as inspiration.

Stories, jokes, quotes and sometimes bizarre facts (“..did you know 65% of sophomores cannot spell ‘sophomore’?”) can help get them eating out of the palms of your sweaty hands.

2. Limit yourself to three REALLY good ideas

One common mistake we all make is trying to cram 20 ideas into a 3 minute speech.  Sorry but that ain’t gonna work, boss.

Instead do some research about what students want (see campaign section) or think of some of your own. Narrow it down to three or four solid ideas you will mention in your speech.

Why not more?  Well it’s simple.  After a short time people’s attention begins to….. SQUIRREL!   

Besides, your speech isn’t suppose to be a doctoral thesis on how you plan to improve your schools bond rating.  You don’t need to explain every detail.  Just keep it simple and positive.

The bottom line is, keep our ideas solid and straight forward.  They also need to be realistic. (Promising soda fountains in every classroom would be an example of a bad because it’s extremely unlikely you can follow through with it and its also bad for your teeth! Gulp. Gulp.)

3. Finish strong and give the BIG ASK!

My opinion is that finishing with a mini-version of your introduction coupled with a BIG ASK is a solid way to finish. The mini-introduction is a one-liner, a shorter story or an inspirational quote that hold people’s attention.

Your ending should be much shorter than your introduction but functions in much the same way.  You want to connect with your audience one last time at the “gut-level” or “heart-level” to leave a lasting impression.

Finally, the BIG ASK is simply asking people to “Vote for you!”

You want to do it in a way that is sincere and hits a high note after all the funny, powerful, thought provoking things you just told them!

“I would be honored by your support!”

Also be sure to say “Thank You” as your last statement. Even the President of the United States ends their speech in this manner, so don’t forget to thank people for their time and support!

How to give persuasive student council speeches

In order to give a persuasive student council speech, you must put yourself in the mindset of your audience. Chances are a large percentage of students listening to your speech will be experiencing the following:

• Boredom: “This is boring.”
• Apathy: “I don’t care.”

Students in these categories will often vote for candidates who cure the short-term feelings of boredom and apathy . This why many student elections and speeches turn into popularity contests or stand-up comedy routines. Students are either bored or don’t care and just want someone who will entertain them !

The good news is that what people actually want are leaders who are credible . Student don’t necessarily want to vote for the class clown or the cheerleading captain, but if no other credible candidates are out there offering compelling ideas, they will default and go with the candidates that ease the boredom of listening to student council speeches!

So you might be wondering what does it mean to be a “credible leader”? Credible leaders are those who act in private as they say in public . In other words they are genuine and truthful in their words and actions. People trust them for who they are not just who they claim to be. Credible leaders are honest, forward thinking, team-players who cast a hopeful vision for the future. This is the kind of leader you should strive to become!

Ideally, you would persuade people with the strength of your character and not have to resort to crazy stunts to get people to vote for you. The process of developing personal credibility takes time – but it is worthy goal to strive for. You will become a better person and a better leader if your words, match your actions.

Let’s fast forward for a moment and say that your personal credibility is fine, but you want to add a little extra flare to your speech to grab people’s attention. What should you do? Well, hang on to your flapjacks amigo and check out these powerful tactics of personal persuasion.

1. Use the bandwagon effect

Often times people will vote for a candidate based on how they believe other people will vote . This is called the “bandwagon effect”.

One way you can legitimately harness the power of the ‘bandwagon effect’ is to start a petition (sign up sheet) of the people who say they will vote for you and like your ideas. You can start off by asking your friends to sign up and then ask people you don’t know as well to join your cause.

Once you have a good number of names, you can reference your petition as ‘proof’ that your ideas are gaining traction. For example, you might say in your speech, “Over 200 people signed a petition to get the school board to update the lockerooms. I invite you to join us in making this dream become a reality!”

Whoa! Suddenly you have shifted the audience’s mindset. Now their vote actually carries some weight. You have told them that a big group of people are already supporting your ideas, so maybe they’ll think, “I should too!”.

2. Help others “visualize” the problem

There is a famous story about a manager of a glove-making (for yard work, gardening, etc.) factory who wanted to convince her co-workers that the assembly line was making too many mistakes. For months, she tried sending out emails or stopping people in the hallway to warn them that too many mistakes were being made and that it was costing the company a lot of money.

Her co-workers ignored her until one day they came to work to find an enormous pile of thousands of gloves on the factory floor. The pile was waist high and everybody stood around wondering what those gloves were doing there. Suddenly the manager came out and said, “Good morning! The pile in front of you represents the number of unusable gloves our factory makes every week! From now on, this kind of waste will be unacceptable!”

Needless to say that kind of in-your-face visual was impossible to ignore and her co-workers finally understood the magnitude of the problem. If your school will allow it, you can use the same kind of visual to grab people’s attention!

For example, let’s say you want to convince people that your school is wasting too much water and you happen to know how many gallons per month or year that is. You could create a visual representation of this by filling a jar full of marbles where each marble represents a gallon of water wasted! Maybe the number of jars would fill up an entire table! You could use the same effect for such things as number of days students miss school or the number dollars wasted doing a ridiculous project that nobody really likes.

People respond to visuals in a powerful way, so use this to your advantage. Make sure the numbers are accurate so you don’t mislead anyone, but try to think of a visual that will have a powerful symbolic meaning!

Funny Student Council Speech Ideas to Help Everyone Relate to You

Give them a speech they'll never forget. These ideas can help you get started with a funny, creative speech perfect for the student council role you want.

Michele is a writer who has been published both locally and internationally.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

Megan's contributed both writing and research to a myriad of associations including academic publications, cultural institutions, non-fiction works, and experimental collaborative projects.

When you've got hundreds of kids staring you down, bright lights in your face, and the worst case of jitters the school stage's felt in weeks, take a breath. You can always rely on the funny student council speech you've worked so hard on crafting to perfection to get you through.

So many people can be naturally funny without trying too hard, so if you just relax and let your natural humor shine through in your student council speech, you'll do great. But if you've glued your pinky to the backspace trying to write yours, let us help you with these tips and ideas. 

Funny Student Council Speech Intros for Specific Roles 

When you're running for a student council position, all you've got is your words. So, you need to write a speech that students will remember long after you've graduated. After you've pitched around some  speech ideas for your student council role , it's time to put pen to paper (or fingers to the keys). And what's the best way to get an audience on your side? With laughter, of course. 

• Student Council Speech Ideas & Tips to Help You Win
• Tips for a Winning Student Council Speech for Treasurer
• Student Council Speech Ideas & Tips to Help You Win

Funny President Speech Intro Example 

The other candidates are going to come up here and tell you all the reasons why you should vote for them. I'm going to give you only one reason why you should vote for me. I've got the face of an angel.

Think about it, every time I ask for your concerns, give a speech, or land an interview in the school paper, you're going to have to look at my face. If you want to make this year and school politics Instagram-worthy, consider just whose face you want to stare at every day, mine or theirs.

Hilarious Vice President Speech Opener

My competitors have come up here and given you a laundry list of reasons why they should be elected VP, so I'll keep things short. I'm the brains behind this operation, and I'll marionette puppet our president better than Ratatouille and his little rat hands ever could. Whatever you want, I'll work those strings to make it happen. 

Silly Secretary Speech Intro

Your student council secretary really needs to love words. I love words so much that I'll only eat Alpha-Bits for breakfast. And what's more, I'll only eat the cereal letters I can use to make a word. So, say there's a "T," "Q," and "R" left in the bowl; I can't bring myself to swallow them.

I love pencils so much that I fail every automatically graded exam because I can't bring myself to damage the pencil by using it. I love writing so much that I've got a physical therapist on speed dial for my carpal tunnel. 

Comical Treasurer Speech Opener

If time is money, we're all going to be very rich after this speech. I'm not sure who's responsible for the exchange rate, but I hope it's a good one. As treasurer, I take money lingo just as seriously as I do sticking to our budget, and unlike Al Capone, I won't bust our operation with faulty books and tax fraud. 

• How to Make Life After High School Worth All the Hard Work

Funny Student Council Speech Intros That'll Win Everyone Over 

One of the biggest tips for writing a speech is to connect with your audience on their level. Your classmates will probably respond well to fun and humor, so give your speech a dose of comedy and break the ice with a funny intro.

• Mr. Smith, our beloved math teacher, told us all that we'd use trigonometry one day. I think he's an awesome teacher and I really want him to be right. So, my entire speech will cover things that are opposite and adjacent to the issues of our school, and that will lead me on a tangent.
• When you hear the words "Student Council," you probably envision a bunch of old, bald, white guys sitting around wearing suits with ties and talking about all the problems students cause in the world. Today, to help me get through my stage fright, I'm asking you to imagine me as one of those guys. Preferably, I hope you picture Will Farrel as Mattel's CEO. 
• Today, I'm here to taco 'bout something serious and I've been trying to figure out how to get your vote. You might think school rules and student privileges are nacho business, but you'd be wrong. I won't try to get jalapeño business or get saucy, and I certainly won't burrito around the bush. If you want this year to feel like a fiesta, vote for me for President. In queso you still haven't figured it out, I'm the best woman for the job.
• Everyone, let's take a moment of silence. [Pause]. Thank you for joining me in that moment of silence for the competition that I'm going to slaughter at the ballot box this week. 
• (Pointing phone at the crowd) [High School Name] STUDENT BODY! Let's make some noise for my lovely competition — they've worked so hard — and give yourselves a round of applause for appointing someone as awesome as me to your student council. (Puts phone away.) So I'd like to thank my mother who, without her, I wouldn't be here today, and my father of course, because there's part of him in here too...(dramatic pause). OH, oh sorry everybody, those were my acceptance speech cards. Let me just pull out the right ones here.

Creative Ways to Sprinkle Some Humor into Your Speech 

Speech starters aren't the only places you can toss in a little funny line or two. There are a ton of ways you can incorporate humor into your student council speech to break the ice, grab everyone's attention, or stand out from the crowd. These are just a few of them: 

Poke a Little Good-Natured Fun at a Staff Member

There's nothing teens find funnier than cleverly making fun of their teachers and principals. Just be sure to only poke fun at the ones you know will take the joke well, and keep it good-natured and lighthearted. 

End an Info-Heavy Section With a Witty One-Liner

As a teen, you know kids have short attention spans (curse you TikTok), so you'll start to lose them after a while. Keep their attention by ending any information-heavy section with a funny one-liner. It's hard to stay snoozing when you're laughing. 

It's totally ok to use jokes in a student council speech, but remember the goal of using jokes and humor is to connect with your peers, so make sure they're things that everyone will actually find funny and not anything that could be hurtful or upsetting.

Don't Rush the Delivery

If you've got a line you just know is going to make everyone laugh, don't pull the wind from its sails by speeding through it. People tend to talk faster the longer they're presenting, so make sure your joke lands by pulling back and easing into the delivery. 

Add Something Funny or Unexpected to a Serious Sentence

If you're listing some of the genuine things you bring to the table for your desired student council position, grab everyone's attention by throwing a funny one on at the end. 

Tell a True Funny Story From Your Childhood

Talking about something funny that really happened to you, especially if it's related to the student council role you want in some way, can be a creative and memorable way to stand out. For example, the lemonade stand disaster you had as a kid might just make you a shoo-in for treasurer. After all, you learned from your mistakes. 

End the Speech With a Joke or Funny Slogan 

You can also use a joke or a funny slogan at the end of your student council speech to help make it memorable. A funny, relatable slogan that helps people remember you could have a positive impact when it comes time to vote. 

• School Jokes for Kids of All Ages

Hook 'Em With Humor for a Winning Speech 

The secret for how to win a high school election isn't stuffing the ballot box or teen comedy movie-ing your way to making the competition drop out. Instead, it's about being memorable and connecting with your peers. A funny opening line or hilarious closing one will not only capture their attention, but it'll have them thinking about you when they step up to that ballot box. 

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How to write a good speech in 7 steps

By:  Susan Dugdale  

- an easily followed format for writing a great speech

Did you know writing a speech doesn't have be an anxious, nail biting experience?

Unsure? Don't be.

You may have lived with the idea you were never good with words for a long time. Or perhaps giving speeches at school brought you out in cold sweats.

However learning how to write a speech is relatively straight forward when you learn to write out loud.

And that's the journey I am offering to take you on: step by step.

To learn quickly, go slow

Take all the time you need. This speech format has 7 steps, each building on the next.

Walk, rather than run, your way through all of them. Don't be tempted to rush. Familiarize yourself with the ideas. Try them out.

I know there are well-advertised short cuts and promises of 'write a speech in 5 minutes'. However in reality they only truly work for somebody who already has the basic foundations of speech writing in place.

The foundation of good speech writing 

These steps are the backbone of sound speech preparation. Learn and follow them well at the outset and yes, given more experience and practice you could probably flick something together quickly. Like any skill, the more it's used, the easier it gets.

In the meantime...

Step 1: Begin with a speech overview or outline

Are you in a hurry? Without time to read a whole page? Grab ... The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist And come back to get the details later.

• WHO you are writing your speech for (your target audience)
• WHY you are preparing this speech. What's the main purpose of your speech? Is it to inform or tell your audience about something? To teach them a new skill or demonstrate something? To persuade or to entertain? (See 4 types of speeches: informative, demonstrative, persuasive and special occasion or entertaining for more.) What do you want them to think, feel or do as a result of listening the speech?
• WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic) - You'll want to have thought through your main points and have ranked them in order of importance. And have sorted the supporting research you need to make those points effectively.
• HOW much time you have for your speech eg. 3 minutes, 5 minutes... The amount of time you've been allocated dictates how much content you need. If you're unsure check this page: how many words per minute in a speech: a quick reference guide . You'll find estimates of the number of words required for 1 - 10 minute speeches by slow, medium and fast talkers.

Use an outline

The best way to make sure you deliver a perfect speech is to start by carefully completing a speech outline covering the essentials: WHO, WHY, WHAT and HOW.

Beginning to write without thinking your speech through is a bit like heading off on a journey not knowing why you're traveling or where you're going to end up. You can find yourself lost in a deep, dark, murky muddle of ideas very quickly!

Pulling together a speech overview or outline is a much safer option. It's the map you'll follow to get where you want to go.

Get a blank speech outline template to complete

Click the link to find out a whole lot more about preparing a speech outline . ☺ You'll also find a free printable blank speech outline template.  I recommend using it!

Understanding speech construction

Before you begin to write, using your completed outline as a guide, let's briefly look at what you're aiming to prepare.

• an opening or introduction
• the body where the bulk of the information is given
• and an ending (or summary).

Imagine your speech as a sandwich

If you think of a speech as a sandwich you'll get the idea.

The opening and ending are the slices of bread holding the filling (the major points or the body of your speech) together.

You can build yourself a simple sandwich with one filling (one big idea) or you could go gourmet and add up to three or, even five. The choice is yours.

But whatever you choose to serve, as a good cook, you need to consider who is going to eat it! And that's your audience.

So let's find out who they are before we do anything else. 

Step 2: Know who you are talking to

Understanding your audience.

Did you know a  good speech is never written from the speaker's point of view?  ( If you need to know more about why check out this page on  building rapport .)

Begin with the most important idea/point on your outline.

Consider HOW you can explain (show, tell) that to your audience in the most effective way for them to easily understand it.   

Writing from the audience's point of view

To help you write from an audience point of view, it's a good idea to identify either a real person or the type of person who is most likely to be listening to you.

Make sure you select someone who represents the "majority" of the people who will be in your audience. That is they are neither struggling to comprehend you at the bottom of your scale or light-years ahead at the top.

Now imagine they are sitting next to you eagerly waiting to hear what you're going to say. Give them a name, for example, Joe, to help make them real.

Ask yourself

• How do I need to tailor my information to meet Joe's needs? For example, do you tell personal stories to illustrate your main points? Absolutely! Yes. This is a very powerful technique. (Click storytelling in speeches to find out more.)
• What type or level of language is right for Joe as well as my topic? For example if I use jargon (activity, industry or profession specific vocabulary) will it be understood?

Step 3: Writing as you speak

Writing oral language.

Write down what you want to say about your first main point as if you were talking directly to Joe.

If it helps, say it all out loud before you write it down and/or record it.

Use the information below as a guide

(Click to download The Characteristics of Spoken Language  as a pdf.) 

You do not have to write absolutely everything you're going to say down * but you do need to write down, or outline, the sequence of ideas to ensure they are logical and easily followed.

Remember too, to explain or illustrate your point with examples from your research. 

( * Tip: If this is your first speech the safety net of having everything written down could be just what you need. It's easier to recover from a patch of jitters when you have a word by word manuscript than if you have either none, or a bare outline. Your call!)

Step 4: Checking tone and language

The focus of this step is re-working what you've done in Step 2 and 3.

You identified who you were talking to (Step 2) and in Step 3, wrote up your first main point.  Is it right? Have you made yourself clear?  Check it.

How well you complete this step depends on how well you understand the needs of the people who are going to listen to your speech.

Please do not assume because you know what you're talking about the person (Joe) you've chosen to represent your audience will too. Joe is not a mind-reader!

How to check what you've prepared

• Check the "tone" of your language . Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?
• Check the length of your sentences. You need short sentences. If they're too long or complicated you risk losing your listeners.

Check for jargon too. These are industry, activity or group exclusive words.

For instance take the phrase: authentic learning . This comes from teaching and refers to connecting lessons to the daily life of students. Authentic learning is learning that is relevant and meaningful for students. If you're not a teacher you may not understand the phrase.

The use of any vocabulary requiring insider knowledge needs to be thought through from the audience perspective. Jargon can close people out.

• Read what you've written out loud. If it flows naturally, in a logical manner, continue the process with your next main idea. If it doesn't, rework.

We use whole sentences and part ones, and we mix them up with asides or appeals e.g. "Did you get that? Of course you did. Right...Let's move it along. I was saying ..."

Click for more about the differences between spoken and written language .

And now repeat the process

Repeat this process for the remainder of your main ideas.

Because you've done the first one carefully, the rest should follow fairly easily.

Step 5: Use transitions

Providing links or transitions between main ideas.

Between each of your main ideas you need to provide a bridge or pathway for your audience. The clearer the pathway or bridge, the easier it is for them to make the transition from one idea to the next.

If your speech contains more than three main ideas and each is building on the last, then consider using a "catch-up" or summary as part of your transitions.

Is your speech being evaluated? Find out exactly what aspects you're being assessed on using this standard speech evaluation form

Link/transition examples

A link can be as simple as:

"We've explored one scenario for the ending of Block Buster 111, but let's consider another. This time..."

What follows this transition is the introduction of Main Idea Two.

Here's a summarizing link/transition example:

"We've ended Blockbuster 111 four ways so far. In the first, everybody died. In the second, everybody died BUT their ghosts remained to haunt the area. In the third, one villain died. His partner reformed and after a fight-out with the hero, they both strode off into the sunset, friends forever. In the fourth, the hero dies in a major battle but is reborn sometime in the future.

And now what about one more? What if nobody died? The fifth possibility..."

Go back through your main ideas checking the links. Remember Joe as you go. Try each transition or link out loud and really listen to yourself. Is it obvious? Easily followed?

Keep them if they are clear and concise.

For more about transitions (with examples) see Andrew Dlugan's excellent article, Speech Transitions: Magical words and Phrases .

Step 6: The end of your speech

The ideal ending is highly memorable . You want it to live on in the minds of your listeners long after your speech is finished. Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major points.

Example speech endings

Example 1: The desired outcome of a speech persuading people to vote for you in an upcoming election is that they get out there on voting day and do so. You can help that outcome along by calling them to register their support by signing a prepared pledge statement as they leave.

"We're agreed we want change. You can help us give it to you by signing this pledge statement as you leave. Be part of the change you want to see!

Example 2: The desired outcome is increased sales figures. The call to action is made urgent with the introduction of time specific incentives.

"You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours. Can you do it? Will you do it? The kids will love it. Your wife will love it. Do it now!"

How to figure out the right call to action

A clue for working out what the most appropriate call to action might be, is to go back to your original purpose for giving the speech.

• Was it to motivate or inspire?
• Was it to persuade to a particular point of view?
• Was it to share specialist information?
• Was it to celebrate a person, a place, time or event?

Ask yourself what you want people to do as a result of having listened to your speech.

For more about ending speeches

Visit this page for more about how to end a speech effectively . You'll find two additional types of speech endings with examples.

Write and test

Write your ending and test it out loud. Try it out on a friend, or two. Is it good? Does it work?

Step 7: The introduction

Once you've got the filling (main ideas) the linking and the ending in place, it's time to focus on the introduction.

The introduction comes last as it's the most important part of your speech. This is the bit that either has people sitting up alert or slumped and waiting for you to end. It's the tone setter!

What makes a great speech opening?

Ideally you want an opening that makes listening to you the only thing the 'Joes' in the audience want to do.

You want them to forget they're hungry or that their chair is hard or that their bills need paying.

The way to do that is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with a "hook".

Hooks to catch your audience's attention

Hooks come in as many forms as there are speeches and audiences. Your task is work out what specific hook is needed to catch your audience.

Go back to the purpose. Why are you giving this speech?

Once you have your answer, consider your call to action. What do you want the audience to do, and, or take away, as a result of listening to you?

Next think about the imaginary or real person you wrote for when you were focusing on your main ideas.

Choosing the best hook

• Is it humor?
• Would shock tactics work?
• Is it a rhetorical question?
• Is it formality or informality?
• Is it an outline or overview of what you're going to cover, including the call to action?
• Or is it a mix of all these elements?

A hook example

Here's an example from a fictional political speech. The speaker is lobbying for votes. His audience are predominately workers whose future's are not secure.

"How's your imagination this morning? Good? (Pause for response from audience) Great, I'm glad. Because we're going to put it to work starting right now.

I want you to see your future. What does it look like? Are you happy? Is everything as you want it to be? No? Let's change that. We could do it. And we could do it today.

At the end of this speech you're going to be given the opportunity to change your world, for a better one ...

No, I'm not a magician. Or a simpleton with big ideas and precious little commonsense. I'm an ordinary man, just like you. And I have a plan to share!"

And then our speaker is off into his main points supported by examples. The end, which he has already foreshadowed in his opening, is the call to vote for him.

Prepare several hooks

Experiment with several openings until you've found the one that serves your audience, your subject matter and your purpose best.

For many more examples of speech openings go to: how to write a speech introduction . You'll find 12 of the very best ways to start a speech.

That completes the initial seven steps towards writing your speech. If you've followed them all the way through, congratulations, you now have the text of your speech!

Although you might have the words, you're still a couple of steps away from being ready to deliver them. Both of them are essential if you want the very best outcome possible. They are below. Please take them.

Step 8: Checking content and timing

This step pulls everything together.

Check once, check twice, check three times & then once more!

Go through your speech really carefully.

On the first read through check you've got your main points in their correct order with supporting material, plus an effective introduction and ending.

On the second read through check the linking passages or transitions making sure they are clear and easily followed.

On the third reading check your sentence structure, language use and tone.

Double, triple check the timing

Now go though once more.

This time read it aloud slowly and time yourself.

If it's too long for the time allowance you've been given make the necessary cuts.

Start by looking at your examples rather than the main ideas themselves. If you've used several examples to illustrate one principal idea, cut the least important out.

Also look to see if you've repeated yourself unnecessarily or, gone off track. If it's not relevant, cut it.

Repeat the process, condensing until your speech fits the required length, preferably coming in just under your time limit.

You can also find out how approximately long it will take you to say the words you have by using this very handy words to minutes converter . It's an excellent tool, one I frequently use. While it can't give you a precise time, it does provide a reasonable estimate.

Step 9: Rehearsing your speech

And NOW you are finished with writing the speech, and are ready for REHEARSAL .

Please don't be tempted to skip this step. It is not an extra thrown in for good measure. It's essential.

The "not-so-secret" secret of successful speeches combines good writing with practice, practice and then, practicing some more.

Go to how to practice public speaking and you'll find rehearsal techniques and suggestions to boost your speech delivery from ordinary to extraordinary.

The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist

Before you begin writing you need:.

• Your speech OUTLINE with your main ideas ranked in the order you're going to present them. (If you haven't done one complete this 4 step sample speech outline . It will make the writing process much easier.)
• Your RESEARCH
• You also need to know WHO you're speaking to, the PURPOSE of the speech and HOW long you're speaking for

The basic format

• the body where you present your main ideas

Split your time allowance so that you spend approximately 70% on the body and 15% each on the introduction and ending.

How to write the speech

• Write your main ideas out incorporating your examples and research
• Link them together making sure each flows in a smooth, logical progression
• Write your ending, summarizing your main ideas briefly and end with a call for action
• Write your introduction considering the 'hook' you're going to use to get your audience listening
• An often quoted saying to explain the process is: Tell them what you're going to tell them (Introduction) Tell them (Body of your speech - the main ideas plus examples) Tell them what you told them (The ending)

TEST before presenting. Read aloud several times to check the flow of material, the suitability of language and the timing.

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How to write a speech that your audience remembers

Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

• It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
• A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
• It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
• Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
• Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
• Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
• Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
• Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
• Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
• Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
• Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
• Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

• Explanation 1
• Explanation 2
• Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

• Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
• Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
• Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
• Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
• Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

• What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
• What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
• What audience am I writing for? 
• What do I know about my audience? 
• What values do I want to transmit? 
• If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
• What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
• What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

• Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
• Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
• Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
• Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
• Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
• Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
• Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
• Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

• Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
• Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
• Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
• Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
• Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
• Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
• Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
• Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
• Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
• Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
• Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
• Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
• Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
• Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
• Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Boost your speech skills

Enhance your public speaking with personalized coaching tailored to your needs

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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• 7 Super and Strategic Hooks In Speaking
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Recent speech at an education conference to 500 educators but many more showed up!

If you don’t have hooks strategically sprinkled throughout your speech, chances are your audience will bail mentally if not physically.

You have to find ways to keep hooking your audience so THEY don’t want to let go.

Below you’ll find 7 super hooks (in no particular order) that get your audience to say, “Tell me more” or “What happened next?”

Hook #1: Curiosity Hook

“After 15 years of trial and error, research, and blood, sweat, and tears, I’ve finally found out what makes the difference between a good presenter and a great one. It’s…”

That’s an example of a curiosity hook. You find ways to make your long road lead to their shortcut. However, you don’t tell them what they want to know…at least not immediately. Make them curious, tease them a little more, and then give them the tool (or solution, answer, or formula, etc.).

Hook #2 – Avoidance Hook

Here’s an example of an Avoidance Hook.

I tell a story about a speech I gave in Michigan when I failed miserably to the point where the meeting planner couldn’t even look me in the eyes. Then I say to my audience of speakers, “This is something you should not have to go through and you won’t if you listen closely.”

The Avoidance Hook focuses on something your audience wants to avoid. It’s important to use this type of hook because sometimes people are motivated by what they want to avoid more than they are by what they want to attain.

Hook #3 – Attainment Hook

I’ve said to an audience of speakers, “How would you like a tool to make a deeper connection than you’ve ever made before? If so, say yes.” They always yell, “YES!”

The Attainment Hook is just how it sounds. You simply let the audience know what they can attain if they pay attention to what’s coming next. Think results-based. I mention that they’ll be able to make a deeper connection than they ever have before. That’s certainly something they want, but I make sure to tease them before I tell them. Don’t give it up too soon. Make them wait for it and want it.

Hook #4 The “Most People” Hook

When speaking, always keep this in mind:

Most people don’t want to be most people”

When I used to watch the master presenters, I realized many of them made statements like, “Most people do this” or “Most people do that.” Whenever I heard those statements, I’d say to myself “I’m not going to be like most people. I don’t want to be average. I want to do something different.”

That’s the effect the words “most people” have on people. For example, I’ve said, “Most people live their lives on get-set. When it comes to pursuing their goals and dreams, they take their marks, they get-set, and they never go. They live and they die on get-set.”

Because “most people” are two of the most persuasive words in the English language, my audience members get very motivated to “go” rather than live on “get-set.”

Hook #5 – Conflict Hook

Good stories have a conflict that is established early. Great stories not only establish the conflict, they also escalate it. Think about the Titanic. One of the conflicts was when the Titanic hit the iceberg. However, the escalation of the conflict was when the water rose on the Titanic. If the water never rose on the Titanic, then that would have been a terrible movie. Always think, “How can I raise the water on the Titanic in my story?”

The conflict is the hook because your audience wants to see how you will overcome it and what tools you will use. Why? Because maybe they can use similar tools for similar situations. In that way, your speech has become very useful to them.

Hook #6 Silence Hook

I tell a story about how excited I was to meet my speaking hero. The only problem was, when I approached him, he said nothing back to me. That silence in the story becomes a hook because my audience is anxious to hear what he is going to say and then, when he doesn’t say anything, they get ever hungrier to see what I’m going to do about it. The silent moment becomes the hook.

The problem with some speakers is they rush through the silence and make the potential hook much less effective. Take your time, dance in the silence, and watch your audience move to the edge of their seats.

Hook #7 Statement Hook

One of the first stories I ever told as a speaker started out like this:

“Nobody has ever died from a snakebite.”

My audience wonders, “What’s he talking about? People get bitten all the time and I’m sure some of them have died.”

I then go on to tell them it’s not the bite, it’s the venom that kills them.

The key is that the first statement hooked them in to want to know more. The rest of the story cleared it up and answered their question.

When all of your hooks are done, your speech is over.

Final Words on Hooks

As you can see, it’s important not only to have hooks at the beginning and end of your speeches, but to sprinkle them throughout. Remember, when you are in speaking, you are in sales. These hooks will sell your audience on listening to the next part of your presentation.

Oh, wait a minute!  I almost forgot. There is an 8 th hook and it’s more powerful than the other 7 combined. It’s…

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• 4 Ways to Create an Experience and Get Your Audience Involved - April 4, 2024
• 3 Ways to Create Great Value for Your Audience - March 8, 2024

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50 Speech Closing Lines (& How to Create Your Own) | The Ultimate Guide

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing

While speech openings are definitely one of the most important components of a speech, something that is equally as important is the way you conclude your speech.

There are few worse ways to end your speech than with a terse ‘thank you’–no elaboration or addition whatsoever.

Speech endings are just as crucial to the success of your speech as speech openings, and you must spend just as much time picking the perfect ending as you do to determine your best possible speech opening.

The words you speak at the beginning and end of your speech are words that your audience will pay the most attention to, and remember longer than any other part of your speech.

Speech endings can put even the most experienced speaker in flux, and increase their anxiousness manifold as they sit there attempting to figure out the perfect way to end your speech.

If you’re someone who’s in flux about your speech ending too, don’t worry. We’ve got some amazing ways to conclude your speech with a bang!

1. Circling Back To The Beginning

The idea behind circling back to the beginning of your speech is to reinforce the idea of your speech being a complete whole. By circling back to the beginning and connecting it to your ending, you let the audience understand that the idea of your speech is complete & standalone.

Circling back to the beginning of your speech also acts as an excellent way of reinforcing the central idea of your speech in the audience’s mind, and makes it more likely that they will remember it after the speech ends.

Need more inspiration for speech opening lines? Check out our article on 15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines & Tips To Create Your Own.

How To Circle Back To The Beginning

The easiest way to do this is to set up your beginning for the conclusion of your speech. That is, if you’re saying something like, say, a story or joke in the beginning, then you can leave your audience in a cliffhanger until the ending arrives.

Another great way to circle back to the beginning is by simply restating something you said at the start. The added knowledge from attending the rest of your speech will help the audience see this piece of information in a new–and better–light.

1. Will Stephen

Ending Line: “I’d like you to think about what you heard in the beginning, and I want you to think about what you hear now. Because it was nothing & it’s still nothing.”

2. Canwen Xu

Speech Ending: My name is Canwen, my favorite color is purple and I play the piano but not so much the violin…

Think of a memorable moment from your life, and chances are you’ll realize that it involved a feeling of happiness–something that we can associate with smiling or laughter. And what better way to generate laughter than by incorporating the age-old strategy of good humor.

The happy and lighthearted feeling you associate with good memories is the kind of emotional reaction you want to create in your audience too. That’s what will make your speech stick in their memory.

Done incorrectly, humor can be a disaster. Done right, however, it can entirely transform a speech.

Humor doesn’t only mean slapstick comedy (although there’s nothing wrong with slapstick, either). Humor can come in many forms, including puns, jokes, a funny story…the list is endless.

How To Incorporate Humor In Your Speech Ending

The simplest way to incorporate humor into your speech ending is by telling a plain old joke–something that’s relevant to your topic, of course.

You can also tell them a short, funny anecdote–may be an unexpected conclusion to a story you set up in the beginning.

Another way would be by employing the power of repetition. You can do this by associating something funny with a word, and then repeating the word throughout your speech. During the end, simply say the word or phrase one last time, and it’s likely you’ll leave off your audience with a good chuckle.

1. Woody Roseland

Ending Line: “Why are balloons so expensive? Inflation.”

2. Andras Arato

Ending Line: “There are three rules to becoming famous. Unfortunately, nobody knows what they are.”

3. Hasan Minhaj

Ending Line: “And you want to know the scariest part? Pretty soon every country on the earth is going to have its own TLC show.”

4. Sophie Scott

Speech Ending: In other words, when it comes to laughter, you and me baby, ain’t nothing but mammals.

5. Tim Urban

Speech Ending: We need to stay away from the Instant Gratification Monkey. That’s a job for all of us. And because there’s not that many boxes on there. It’s a job that should probably start today. Well, maybe not today, but, you know, sometime soon.

6. Hasan Minhaj

Speech Ending: Showing my legs on TV is probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. And keep in mind last week I went after the Prince of Saudi Arabia.

3. Question

The idea behind posing a question at the end of your speech is to get the wheels in your audience’s minds turning and to get them thinking of your speech long after it has ended. A question, if posed correctly, will make your audience re-think about crucial aspects of your speech, and is a great way to prompt discussion after your speech has ended.

How To Add Questions To Your Speech Ending

The best type of questions to add to your speech ending is rhetorical questions. That’s because, unlike a literal question, a rhetorical question will get the audience thinking and make them delve deeper into the topic at hand.

Make sure your question is central to the idea of your speech, and not something frivolous or extra. After all, the point of a question is to reinforce the central idea of your topic.

1. Lexie Alford

Speech Ending: Ask yourself: How uncomfortable are you willing to become in order to reach your fullest potential?

2. Apollo Robbins

Speech Ending: If you could control somebody’s attention, what would you do with it?

Quotes are concise, catchy phrases or sentences that are generally easy to remember and repeat.

Quotes are an age-old way to start–and conclude–a speech. And for good reason.

Quotes can reinforce your own ideas by providing a second voice to back them up. They can also provoke an audience’s mind & get them thinking. So, if you add your quote to the end of your speech, the audience will most likely be thinking about it for long after you have finished speaking.

How To Use Quotes In Your Speech Ending

While adding quotes to your speech ending, make sure that it’s relevant to your topic. Preferably, you want to pick a quote that summarizes your entire idea in a concise & memorable manner.

Make sure that your quote isn’t too long or complicated. Your audience should be able to repeat it as well as feel its impact themselves. They shouldn’t be puzzling over the semantics of your quote, but its intended meaning.

1. Edouard Jacqmin

Speech Ending: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

2. Chris Crowe

Speech Ending: “It’s more certain than death and taxes.”

3. Olivia Remes

Speech Ending: I’d like to leave you with a quote by Martin Luther King: “You don’ have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”

4. Tomislav Perko

Speech Ending: Like that famous quote says, “In twenty years from now on, you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.

5. Diana Nyad

Speech Ending: To paraphrase the poet, Mary Oliver, she says, “So, what is it? What is it you’re doing with this one wild and precious life of yours?”

5. Piece Of Advice

The point of giving a piece of advice at the end of your speech is not to pull your audience down or to make them feel bad/inferior about themselves. Rather, the advice is added to motivate your audience to take steps to do something–something related to the topic at hand.

The key point to remember is that your advice is included to help your audience, not to discourage them.

How To Add Piece Of Advice To Your Speech Ending

To truly make your audience follow the advice you’re sharing, you must make sure it resonates with them. To do so, you need to inject emotions into your advice, and to present it in such a manner that your audience’s emotions are aroused when they hear it.

Your advice shouldn’t be something extra-complicated or seemingly impossible to achieve. This will act as a counter-agent. Remember that you want your audience to follow your advice, not to chuck it away as something impossible.

Our article, 15 Powerful Speech Ending Lines And Tips To Create Your Own , is another great repository for some inspiration.

1. Ricardo Lieuw On

Speech Ending: “Learn something new, or a new way of approaching something old because there are a few skills are valuable as the art of learning.”

2. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Speech Ending: “If we want to improve the competence level of our leaders, then we should first improve our own competence for judging and selecting leaders.”

3. Sharique Samsudheen

Speech Ending: “Some people love money, some people hate money, some people crave money, some people even kill for money. But what they miss is they just need to learn how to manage money well, and that will give them financial freedom.”

4. Kate Simonds

Speech Ending: Teens, you need to believe in your voices and adults, you need to listen.

5. Melissa Butler

Speech Ending: When you go home today, see yourself in the mirror, see all of you, look at all your greatness that you embody, accept it, love it and finally, when you leave the house tomorrow, try to extend that same love and acceptance to someone who doesn’t look like you.

6. Iskra Lawrence

Speech Ending: Speak to your body in a loving way. It’s the only one you got, it’s your home, and it deserves your respect. If you see anyone tearing themselves down, build them back up And watch your life positively grow when you give up the pursuit of perfection.

6. Contemplative Remark

As the name itself suggests, contemplative remarks are intended to make your audience contemplate or mull over something. The ‘something’ in question should be the idea central to your speech, or a key takeaway that you want them to return home with.

The idea is to get your audience thinking and to keep them thinking for a long, long time.

How To Add A Contemplative Remark To Your Speech Ending

To add a contemplative remark to your speech ending, you first need to figure out your key takeaway or main theme. Then, you want to arrange that as a question, and propose it to your audience at the end of your speech.

Remember that your question shouldn’t be something too wordy or complicated to understand. As with the quotes, you don’t want your audience stuck on the semantics. Rather, you want them to focus on the matter at hand.

1. Lisa Penney

Speech Ending: “So I invite you to pay more attention to your thoughts & consider the legacy you leave behind.”

2. Grant Sanderson

Speech Ending: “Some of the most useful math that you can find or teach has its origin in someone who was just looking for a good story.”

3. Greta Thunberg

Speech Ending: “We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up & change is coming whether you like it or not.”

4. Bill Eckstrom

Speech Ending: Now, think about this: it’s not the complexity-triggering individuals or events you should fear the most, but it’s your own willingness to accept or seek discomfort that will dictate the growth of not just you, but our entire world.

5. Robert Hoge

Speech Ending: Choose to accept your face, choose to appreciate your face, don’t look away from the mirror so quickly; understand all the love, and the life, and the pain that is the part of your face, that is the art of your face. Tomorrow when you wake up, what will your choice be?

7. Personal Anecdote

Personal anecdotes, as the name suggests, are anecdotes that are personal to the speaker or instances from their life. Personal anecdotes are a great way to incorporate the magical powers of storytelling in your speech, as well as to make a personal connection with the audience. Using personal anecdotes, you can hit two birds with one stone!

How To Add Personal Anecdotes To Your Speech Ending

To add personal anecdotes to your speech ending, you need to filter through your life experiences to find out ones that directly relate to your topic at hand. You don’t want to include an anecdote, no matter how compelling it is, if it doesn’t relate to your topic.

Remember to not keep your anecdote too long. Your audience will most likely lose their attention if you do so.

1. Sheila Humphries

Speech Ending: “Why do you go work for these people?” My answer to them was, “If I could help one child make it in this world, it’ll be worth it all.”

8. Call To Action

A call-to-action is one of the absolute best ways to conclude a speech with a bang. A well-written speech should aim to alter the audience’s mind or belief system in some way and to make them take an action in that direction. One crucial way to assure your audience does this is by using a call to action.

How To Add A Call To Action To Your Speech Ending

A call to action comes right before the ending of your speech to provide your audience with a clear idea or set of instructions about what they’re supposed to do after your talk ends.

A call to action should provide a roadmap to the audience for their future steps, and to outline clearly what those future steps are going to be.

1. Armin Hamrah

Speech Ending: “So tonight, after you finish your Math homework & before you lay your head down on that fluffy pillow, bring a piece of paper and pen by your bedside…”

2. Graham Shaw

Speech Ending: “So I invite you to get your drawings out there & spread the word that when we draw, we remember more!”

3. Andy Puddicombe

Speech Ending: You don’t have to burn any incense, and you definitely don’t have to sit on the floor. All you need to do is to take out 10 minutes out a day to step back, familiarize yourself with the present moment so that you get to experience a greater sense of focus, calm, and clarity in your life.

4. Amy Cuddy

Speech Ending: Before you go into the next stressful evaluative situation, for two minutes, try doing this in the elevator…

5. Jia Jiang

Speech Ending: When you are facing the next obstacle or the next failure, consider the possibilities. Don’t run! If you just embrace them, they might become your gifts as well.

9. Motivational Remark

As the name clearly explains, a motivational remark motivates your audience to carry out a plan of action. It ruffles the audience’s mind and emotions and has a powerful impact on the steps that your audience will take after you’ve finished speaking.

How To Add A Motivational Remark To Your Speech Ending

The key to a good motivational remark is to inspire your audience. Your motivational remark should act as a ray of hope to your audience and positively inspire them to take a desired course of action.

Your motivational remark should not be negative in any way. You don’t want to guilt or coerce your audience into doing something or feeling a certain way. You want to leave them on a positive note to move forward with their life.

1. Khanh Vy Tran

Speech Ending: “No matter what you’re going through right now & no matter what the future holds for you, please don’t change yourself. Love yourself, accept yourself & then transform yourself.”

2. Mithila Palkar

Speech Ending: “Get a job, leave a job, dance, sing, fall in love. Carve your own niche. But most importantly: learn to love your own randomness.”

3. Andrew Tarvin

Speech Ending: “Anyone can learn to be funnier. And it all starts with a choice. A choice to try to find ways to use humor. A choice to be like my grandmother, to look at the world around you and say WTF–wow, that’s fun.”

4. Laura Vanderkam

Speech Ending: There is time. Even if we are busy, we have time for what matters. And when we focus on what matters, we can build the lives we want in the time we’ve got.

5. Julian Treasure

Speech Ending: Let’s get listening taught in schools, and transform the world in one generation into a conscious listening world, a world of connection, a world of understanding, and a world of peace.

6. Mariana Atencio

Speech Ending: Let’s celebrate those imperfections that make us special. I hope that it teaches you that nobody has a claim on the word ‘normal’. We are all different. We are all quirky and unique and that is what makes us wonderfully human.

10. Challenge

Much like a call to action, the aim of proposing a challenge at the end of your speech is to instigate your audience to take some desired course of action. A challenge should make an appeal to your audience’s emotion, and motivate them to meet it.

How To Add A Challenge To Your Speech Ending

To apply a challenge effectively to your speech ending, you need to make sure that it’s something relevant to your topic. Your challenge should drive the central topic of your speech forward, and make your audience engage in real-life steps to apply your idea in the real world.

While its always a good idea to set a high bar for your challenge, make sure its an achievable one too.

1. Jamak Golshani

Speech Ending: “I challenge you to open your heart to new possibilities, choose a career path that excites you & one that’s aligned to who you truly are.”

2. Ashley Clift-Jennings

Speech Ending: So, my challenge to you today is, “Do you know, would you even know how to recognize your soulmate?” If you are going out in the world right now, would you know what you are looking for?

11. Metaphor

Metaphors are commonly used as a short phrase that draws a comparison between two ideas in a non-literal sense. People use metaphors quite commonly in daily life to explain ideas that might be too difficult or confusing to understand otherwise. Metaphors are also great tools to be used in speech, as they can present your main idea in a simple and memorable way.

How To Add Metaphors To Your Speech Ending

To add a metaphor to your speech ending, you need to first decide on the main idea or takeaway of your speech. Your metaphor should then be organized in such a way that it simplifies your main idea and makes it easier for your audience to understand & remember it.

The key is to not make your metaphor overly complicated or difficult to retain and share. Remember that you’re trying to simplify your idea for the audience–not make them even more confused.

1. Ramona J. Smith

Speech Ending: “Stay in that ring. And even after you take a few hits, use what you learned from those previous fights, and at the end of the round, you’ll still remain standing.”

2. Shi Heng YI

Speech Ending: “If any of you chooses to climb that path to clarity, I will be very happy to meet you at the peak.”

3. Zifang “Sherrie” Su

Speech Ending: “Are you turning your back on your fear? Our life is like this stage, but what scares are now may bring you the most beautiful thing. Give it a chance.”

12. Storytelling

The idea behind using stories to end your speech is to leave your audience with a good memory to take away with them.

Stories are catchy, resonating & memorable ways to end any speech.

Human beings can easily relate to stories. This is because most people have grown up listening to stories of some kind or another, and thus a good story tends to evoke fond feelings in us.

How To Incorporate Stories In Your Speech Ending

A great way to incorporate stories in your speech ending is by setting up a story in the beginning and then concluding it during the end of your speech.

Another great way would be to tell a short & funny anecdote related to a personal experience or simply something related to the topic at hand.

However, remember that it’s the ending of your speech. Your audience is most likely at the end of their attention span. So, keep your story short & sweet.

1. Sameer Al Jaberi

Speech Ending: “I can still see that day when I came back from my honeymoon…”

2. Josephine Lee

Speech Ending: “At the end of dinner, Jenna turned to me and said…”

Facts are another excellent speech ending, and they are used quite often as openings as well. The point of adding a fact as your speech ending is to add shock value to your speech, and to get your audience thinking & discussing the fact even after your speech has ended.

How To Add Facts To Your Speech Ending

The key to adding facts to your speech ending is to pick a fact that thrusts forward your main idea in the most concise form possible. Your fact should also be something that adds shock value to the speech, and it should ideally be something that the audience hasn’t heard before.

Make sure that your fact is relevant to the topic at hand. No matter how interesting, a fact that doesn’t relate to your topic is going to be redundant.

1. David JP Phillips

Speech Ending: 3500 years ago, we started transfering knowledge from generation to generation through text. 28 years ago, PowerPoint was born. Which one do you think our brain is mostly adapted to?

14. Rhethoric Remark

Rhetoric remarks are another excellent way to get the wheels of your audience’s minds turning. Rhetoric remarks make your audience think of an imagined scenario, and to delve deeper into your topic. Rhetoric remarks or questioned don’t necessarily need to have a ‘right’ or one-shot answer, which means you can be as creative with them as possible!

How To Add Rhethoric Remarks To Your Speech Ending

Since rhetorical questions don’t need to have a definite answer, you have much freedom in determining the type of question or statement you wish to make. However, as with all other speech endings, a rhetorical question shouldn’t be asked just for the sake of it.

A rhetorical question should make your audience think about your topic in a new or more creative manner. It should get them thinking about the topic and maybe see it from an angle that they hadn’t before.

Rhetorical questions shouldn’t be too confusing. Use simple language & make sure it’s something that the audience can easily comprehend.

1. Mona Patel

Speech Ending: Pick your problem, ask “What if?” Come up with ideas. Bring them down. Then execute on them. Maybe you’re thinking, “What if we can’t?” I say to you, “What if we don’t?”

2. Lizzie Velasquez

Speech Ending: I want you to leave here and ask yourself what defines you. But remember: Brave starts here.

Another great way to end your speech with a literal bang is by using music! After all, if there’s something that can impact the human mind with just as much force as a few well-placed words, it’s the correct music.

How To Add Music To Your Speech Ending

To add music to your speech ending, you must make sure that the music has something to do with your speech theme. Remember that you’re not playing music in your concert. The piece of music that you choose must be relevant to your topic & work to have a contribution in your overall speech.

1. Tom Thum

Speech Ending: *ends the TED Talk with beat boxing*

16. Reitirate The Title

The title of your speech is its most important component. That’s why you need to pay careful attention to how you pick it, as it is something that your viewers will most likely remember the longest about your speech.

Your title will also act as a guiding hand towards how your audience forms an initial idea about your speech and is what they will associate your entire speech with.

By repeating your title at the end of your speech, you increase the chances that your audience will remember it–and your speech–for a long time.

How To Retierate The Title In Your Speech Ending

Your title is something that your audience associates your entire speech with. However, you don’t want to simply add the title in your speech end for the sake of adding it. Instead, make it flow naturally into your speech ending. This will make it seem less forced, and will also increase the chances of your audience remembering your entire speech ending and not just the title of your speech.

1. Ruairi Robertson

Speech Ending: I feel we can all contribute to this fight worth fighting for our own health, but more importantly, our future generations’ health by restoring the relationship between microbe and man. There is SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

Need more inspiration for speech closing lines? Check out our article on 10 Of The Best Things To Say In Closing Remarks.

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To sum up, speech endings are just as imperative to the success of your speech as speech openings, and you must spend just as much time picking the perfect ending as you do to determine your best possible speech opening. The words you speak at the beginning and end of your speech are words that your audience will pay the most attention to, and remember longer than any other part of your speech.

Still looking for inspiration? Check out this video we made on closing remarks:

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How to Write and Structure a Persuasive Speech

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The purpose of a persuasive speech is to convince your audience to agree with an idea or opinion that you present. First, you'll need to choose a side on a controversial topic, then you will write a speech to explain your position, and convince the audience to agree with you.

You can produce an effective persuasive speech if you structure your argument as a solution to a problem. Your first job as a speaker is to convince your audience that a particular problem is important to them, and then you must convince them that you have the solution to make things better.

Note: You don't have to address a real problem. Any need can work as the problem. For example, you could consider the lack of a pet, the need to wash one's hands, or the need to pick a particular sport to play as the "problem."

As an example, let's imagine that you have chosen "Getting Up Early" as your persuasion topic. Your goal will be to persuade classmates to get themselves out of bed an hour earlier every morning. In this instance, the problem could be summed up as "morning chaos."

A standard speech format has an introduction with a great hook statement, three main points, and a summary. Your persuasive speech will be a tailored version of this format.

Before you write the text of your speech, you should sketch an outline that includes your hook statement and three main points.

Writing the Text

The introduction of your speech must be compelling because your audience will make up their minds within a few minutes whether or not they are interested in your topic.

Before you write the full body you should come up with a greeting. Your greeting can be as simple as "Good morning everyone. My name is Frank."

After your greeting, you will offer a hook to capture attention. A hook sentence for the "morning chaos" speech could be a question:

• How many times have you been late for school?
• Does your day begin with shouts and arguments?
• Have you ever missed the bus?

Or your hook could be a statistic or surprising statement:

• More than 50 percent of high school students skip breakfast because they just don't have time to eat.
• Tardy kids drop out of school more often than punctual kids.

Once you have the attention of your audience, follow through to define the topic/problem and introduce your solution. Here's an example of what you might have so far:

Good afternoon, class. Some of you know me, but some of you may not. My name is Frank Godfrey, and I have a question for you. Does your day begin with shouts and arguments? Do you go to school in a bad mood because you've been yelled at, or because you argued with your parent? The chaos you experience in the morning can bring you down and affect your performance at school.

Add the solution:

You can improve your mood and your school performance by adding more time to your morning schedule. You can accomplish this by setting your alarm clock to go off one hour earlier.

Your next task will be to write the body, which will contain the three main points you've come up with to argue your position. Each point will be followed by supporting evidence or anecdotes, and each body paragraph will need to end with a transition statement that leads to the next segment. Here is a sample of three main statements:

• Bad moods caused by morning chaos will affect your workday performance.
• If you skip breakfast to buy time, you're making a harmful health decision.
• (Ending on a cheerful note) You'll enjoy a boost to your self-esteem when you reduce the morning chaos.

After you write three body paragraphs with strong transition statements that make your speech flow, you are ready to work on your summary.

Your summary will re-emphasize your argument and restate your points in slightly different language. This can be a little tricky. You don't want to sound repetitive but will need to repeat what you have said. Find a way to reword the same main points.

Finally, you must make sure to write a clear final sentence or passage to keep yourself from stammering at the end or fading off in an awkward moment. A few examples of graceful exits:

• We all like to sleep. It's hard to get up some mornings, but rest assured that the reward is well worth the effort.
• If you follow these guidelines and make the effort to get up a little bit earlier every day, you'll reap rewards in your home life and on your report card.

Tips for Writing Your Speech

• Don't be confrontational in your argument. You don't need to put down the other side; just convince your audience that your position is correct by using positive assertions.
• Use simple statistics. Don't overwhelm your audience with confusing numbers.
• Don't complicate your speech by going outside the standard "three points" format. While it might seem simplistic, it is a tried and true method for presenting to an audience who is listening as opposed to reading.
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• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• Writing an Opinion Essay
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• Ethos, Logos, Pathos for Persuasion
• What Is Expository Writing?
• Audience Analysis in Speech and Composition
• Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition
• 100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
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• How to Write a Graduation Speech as Valedictorian

How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech (With Examples)

• The Speaker Lab
• May 9, 2024

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If you’ve recently won an award — congratulations! There’s a good chance that a lot of hard work and blood, sweat, and tears went into the recognition you’re about to receive. Now, your biggest task is nailing the perfect award acceptance speed. After all, it’s important to show gratitude for the honor while also ensuring that your words will touch hearts and minds and hopefully inspire others to follow in your footsteps. But have no fear — we’re here to help.

From heartfelt gratitude to powerful storytelling, these examples showcase the key elements that make an acceptance speech unforgettable. No matter whether you’re leading a company, launching startups, writing books, teaching students, coaching teams, or giving advice as a consultant—there’s plenty for you to learn when it comes to crafting the perfect acceptance speech.

How to Give A Pitch-Perfect Award Acceptance Speech

Your award is a huge accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated. But before you start popping the champagne, there’s one more thing you need to do: prepare your acceptance speech.

While you could just say thanks and be done with it, doing so is a disservice to those who helped you get where you are. After all, an acceptance speech is so much more than just a simple thank you. It’s an opportunity to not just express your genuine gratitude, but also to acknowledge why the award is important and share the glory with those who helped you along the way.

Express Genuine Gratitude and Emotion

First and foremost, an acceptance speech is a chance to express your heartfelt appreciation for the honor you’ve received. This isn’t the time to be modest or downplay your achievements. Let your emotions shine through and show how much the award means to you.

Take a cue from Sandra Bullock’s acceptance speech at the 2010 Oscars. She was visibly moved as she thanked her mother, Helga B., along with all “the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from.”

Acknowledge Why It Is Important

Beyond expressing gratitude, your acceptance speech should also acknowledge why the award is significant. What does it represent? Explain how the award is a reflection of your personal principles or highlights where you would like make changes professionally.

For example, when Malala Yousafzai accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, she used her acceptance speech to highlight the importance of education and the ongoing fight for women’s rights. “This award is not just for me,” she said. “It is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change.”

Share the Glory

Finally, a great acceptance speech shares the spotlight with those who helped make your success possible. This could be your family, your team, your mentors, or even your fans.

When Taylor Swift won Album of the Year at the 2016 Grammys, she made sure to thank her collaborators and supporters. “I want to thank the fans for the last ten years and the recording academy for giving us this unbelievable honor,” she said. “I want to thank all of my collaborators that you see on this stage.”

So as you’re crafting your own award acceptance speech, remember to express genuine gratitude, acknowledge the significance of the honor, and share the glory with those who helped you along the way. With these elements in place, you’ll deliver a speech that not only thanks the right people but inspires and uplifts your audience as well.

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Writing Your Acceptance Speech

You’ve just been honored with a prestigious award and now it’s time to give your acceptance speech. It’s crunch time to create a moment that sticks and sparks motivation in everyone. But where do you even begin?

Crafting an excellent award acceptance speech takes some planning and preparation. You want to strike the right tone, share a meaningful message, and of course, express your heartfelt gratitude. Let’s walk through crafting an acceptance speech that’ll definitely make a mark.

Brainstorm Ideas

Before you start jotting down your speech, take some time to reflect on what this award means to you. Why is it significant? What does it represent in terms of your journey, your values, or your aspirations? Brainstorm some key themes or stories you might want to touch on.

In addition, ask yourself: “What challenges did you overcome? Who helped you along the way? What lessons did you learn? What impact do you hope to make with this recognition?” Your answers to these questions will form the bulk of your acceptance speech.

Write Your Speech

With your brainstorming done, it’s time to start putting pen to paper. Begin with a strong opening line that will grab your audience’s attention. You might share a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or even a touch of humor.

As you write the body of your speech, keep in mind the time constraint you’re working with. Most acceptance speeches are fairly short, so you’ll need to be selective about what you include. Focus on a few key points or anecdotes that support your central theme.

Be Specific in Your Speech

When it comes to expressing your gratitude, it’s important to be specific. Don’t just rattle off a generic list of thank-yous. Take the time to acknowledge the individuals or organizations that have played a significant role in your success.

For example, in her Golden Globes acceptance speech , Oprah Winfrey specifically thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as well as several other key individuals by name.

The Power of Storytelling in Your Acceptance Speech

One of the most effective ways to make your acceptance speech memorable is by incorporating storytelling. Share a personal anecdote or experience that relates to your journey or the significance of the award.

Again, consider Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes acceptance speech. In it, she opens with a story from her childhood, when she sat on the floor watching Sidney Poitier become the first African American to ever win a Golden Globe. As she states in her speech, “I have tried many, many times to explain what a moment like that means to a little girl…and it is not lost on me that at this moment, there are some little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this same award.” With the power of storytelling, Winfrey highlights the men and women who have sought truth and justice no matter the personal cost.

As you craft your award acceptance speech, remember to brainstorm ideas, be specific in your gratitude, and harness the power of storytelling. Remember, just like the acceptance speech examples we’ve looked at, your words have the power to touch hearts and spark change in those listening.

Preparing to Deliver Your Speech

You’ve written a fantastic award acceptance speech, filled with heartfelt gratitude and inspiring stories. Now, it’s showtime. However, public speaking can be nerve-wracking, even for the most seasoned professionals. That’s why the key to a successful speech delivery is preparation. You want to be confident, polished, and engaging when you step up to the podium. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your big moment.

Rehearsing Your Speech

One of the best ways to calm your nerves and boost your confidence is by practicing your speech beforehand. Read it out loud several times, paying attention to your pacing, tone, body language , and emphasis. Consider practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself so you can see and hear how you come across. In addition, grabbing a buddy or work pal to listen in can provide you feedback for improvement. Remember, the more familiar you are with your speech, the more natural and effortless it will feel when you deliver it for real.

Making Your Speech Memorable

When it comes to making your speech memorable, it’s all about connecting with your audience. Use eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures to engage them and convey your emotions.

You might also consider incorporating a memorable phrase or tagline that encapsulates your message. For example, in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. repeated the phrase “I have a dream” eight times, driving home his vision for a more just and equal society.

Respecting the Audience and the Clock

When delivering your acceptance speech, it’s important to be mindful of your audience and the time allotted. Express your gratitude sincerely, but avoid gushing or going overboard with your thank-yous. Similarly, respect the time limit you’ve been given. A short award acceptance speech is often more impactful than a long, rambling one. Aim to deliver your message concisely and powerfully, leaving your audience wanting more.

As you prepare to deliver your award acceptance speech, remember to rehearse thoroughly, focus on making it memorable, and respect your audience and the clock. With this game plan ready, stepping up to speak will feel a lot less daunting.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in an Acceptance Speech

As you’ve seen from the examples above, a great award acceptance speech has the power to move and inspire an audience. But what goes into crafting and delivering a truly impactful speech? Here are a few final tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your big moment.

General Guidelines

While it’s important to express your gratitude and share your story, there are a few common pitfalls to avoid in your acceptance speech:

• Don’t ramble or go off-topic. Stay focused on your central message.
• Avoid clichés or generic platitudes. Be specific and authentic in your language.
• Don’t forget to thank the important people, but keep your list of thank-yous concise.
• Avoid inside jokes or references that may not resonate with your entire audience.

By steering clear of these pitfalls, you’ll ensure that your speech is clear, meaningful, and memorable.

Avoid Going Overboard with Emotions in Your Speech

When that award is finally in your hands, feeling a rush of emotions isn’t just common; it’s expected. This is particularly true if the honor marks a major highlight in either your work or personal journey. However, it’s important to strike a balance between showing genuine emotion and maintaining your composure.

While a few tears or a quavering voice can be powerful, going overboard with your emotions may distract from your message or make your audience uncomfortable. Aim to express your feelings in a way that is authentic but still allows you to deliver your speech effectively.

Remember, your award acceptance speech is an opportunity to share your gratitude, your story, and your vision with the world. By avoiding common pitfalls and finding the right emotional balance, you’ll be able to deliver a speech that truly resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impact.

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Examples of Inspiring Award Acceptance Speeches

Need some inspiration as you craft your own award acceptance speech? Look no further than these powerful examples from some of the world’s most influential figures.

Literature Award Acceptance Speech Example

In his 1962 Nobel Prize acceptance speech , writer John Steinbeck used the opportunity to discuss the purpose of literature. He says, “[A writer] is charged with exposing our many grievous faults and failures, with dredging up to the light our dark and dangerous dreams for the purpose of improvement.”

Best Actress Award Acceptance Speech Example

When Emma Stone won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2024 ,  she used her speech to pay tribute to her fellow actors and the power of cinema. “It’s not about me,” she said. “It’s about a team that came together to make something better than the sum of its parts. And that’s the best part about making movies.”

Distinguished Service Award Acceptance Speech Example

In her acceptance speech for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award , Angelina Jolie spoke about the importance of giving back and making a difference in the world. “I have never understood why some people are lucky enough to be born with the chance that I had,” she said, “to have this path in life and why across the world, there’s a woman just like me, the same abilities, the same desires, same work ethic and love for her family, who would most likely make better films and better speeches—only she sits in a refugee camp.”

These are just a few examples of the many inspiring award acceptance speeches out there. When the spotlight hits you for advancing science, creating art masterpieces, or bettering lives, that moment is more than just applause—it’s a platform. Use it wisely; light a fire under others to follow suit and make waves of their own.

FAQs on Award Acceptance Speeches

What do you say in an acceptance speech.

Start by thanking the giver, mention key people who helped along the way, and highlight what this award means to you.

What is an example short award acceptance speech?

“Thank you to everyone who played a part in this award. This honor isn’t just mine; it belongs to all who stood by me. Let’s keep pushing forward.”

How do you format an acceptance speech?

Kick off with thanks, weave in personal stories or a nod to your team, then wrap up on a hopeful note.

What do you say when accepting an award at work?

Acknowledge the recognition with gratitude, shout out those who supported you, and express excitement for future challenges and opportunities.

Crafting an impactful acceptance speech is an art that requires genuine emotion, storytelling, and a touch of inspiration. Through these examples of amazing award acceptance speeches, we’ve shared some great tips on how to say thanks, share your story, and make an impact on your audience.

Remember, your big moment with that microphone isn’t just for saying thanks for the trophy. It’s also about shouting out those that helped you get there and inspiring anyone listening to follow their own path towards success. So, when it’s your turn to shine, make sure you give a speech that’ll stick in people’s minds for years.

• Last Updated: May 8, 2024

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StarTribune

University of minnesota professor wins $150,000 literary prize.

A Minnesota novelist has won one of the world's richest literary prizes.

V.V. Ganeshananthan, an associate professor of English at the University of Minnesota since 2015, won the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction Monday night for her 2023 novel, "Brotherless Night." Star Tribune reviewer May-Lee Chai called the book, in which a young woman's family is ripped apart during the Sri Lankan Civil War, "a propulsive masterpiece."

Ganeshananthan — who first read Shields' work when she was a teenager — said the experience was "surreal." It was made more special by the fact that she and the other four semifinalists had a chance to meet the family and friends of the late Shields (whose novels include "The Stone Diaries") as well as the star-packed prize jury, which included novelists Laila Lailami and Claire Messud .

Ganeshananthan and fellow finalists Eleanor Catton ( "Birnam Wood" ), Claudia Dey ("Daughter"), Kim Coleman Foote ( "Coleman Hill" ) and Janika Oza ("A History of Burning") spent a couple days together in Toronto before the presentation. The two-year-old award is presented to a female or non-binary writer in the U.S. or Canada in memory of Shields, a fierce advocate for women.

"Women and non-binary folks are certainly not winning a proportionate number of prizes," noted Ganeshananthan, who intends her work to be "explicitly feminist" (her first novel was "Love Marriage").

The professor said she didn't expect to win, so hadn't prepared her 2-minute acceptance speech until "someone I was talking to the night before [the award was presented] said, 'You should really write something down,' and I said, 'I think that's a bad idea.'"

Ganeshananthan, 44, dashed something off, then focused on enjoying time with her fellow writers, which may be why she said, "I'm still a little, 'Really?' And I may feel that way for a while."

Adding to the surreal aspect might be the high profile — and the dollar amount — of the prize. Ganeshananthan has just begun to think about the "respect and care and heft" that come with it.

"I've been fortunate to have a secure job, teaching creative writing to amazing students, and to work with brilliant colleagues. Not all writers have that or want that. But that's quite a bit of privilege," said Ganeshananthan.

She said she's considering a couple ideas for "Brotherless Night" follow-ups. While she's working on that, the writer — who also co-hosts Lithub's "Fiction/Non/Fiction" podcast and is on the boards of the American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies and the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop — will have the summer and beyond to decide what's next.

"What everyone wants is more time to write," she said. "The idea that this could go to partly supporting that is encouraging and a stroke of luck."

Review: 'Brotherless Night,' by V.V. Ganeshananthan

Interim books editor Chris Hewitt previously worked at the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, where he wrote about movies and theater.

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Mother’s Day Speech in English for School Students (2024)

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Mothers Day 2024 Speech in English: Mother’s Day 2024 is around the corner and everybody must be all geared up for grand celebrations organised to pay honour and respect to all the mothers across the world. There is no specific date for the celebration of International Mother's Day, however, it is generally celebrated on the second Sunday of May or in the month of March. In 2024, Mother’s Day is being celebrated on May 12 in India and 40+ other countries. The one and only motive behind celebrating this day is to ensure that mothers in all families across the world get respected, honoured, valued, and acknowledged for their undying love and unforgettable role in our lives. The day also focuses on honoring motherhood and maternal bonds. Various schools organise multiple activities for students on Mother’s Day to give them an opportunity of paying respects to their mothers. Speech competitions are one such activity. Here, you can find short and long speeches on Mother's Day in English. 

Mother's Day Speech in English for Students

Here are a few short and long speech ideas on Mother’s Day in English. Find 1 minute, 2 minute, 5 minute, and heart-touching speech on Mother’s Day for your speech competitions. Additionally, you can also have a look at the lines on Mother’s Day for Mothers to enhance your speech or wish your mothers in a unique manner. 

1 Minute Short Speech on Mother's Day

Good Morning to one and all present here. 

Today on this warm morning, I, student name, from Class ( ) am going to deliver a short speech on Mother’s Day.  

We all have gathered here today to celebrate the most important person in our lives, our mothers. They are not just our role models or saviours or a permanent shoulder to cry on, but they are also our loudest fans, our moral support, our inner strength, and of course our first teachers. They are the ones who shape our personalities, define our roles, nurture our lives, and develop us into human beings we become years later on. Well, I think someone has said right, Mothers truly are the angels sent by god to put us on the right track and teach us everything for our survival. So, why not dedicate one day of our lives to honour the real god of our destinies, societies, and lives? In our most important journey called life, we depend upon our mothers right from the start. Be it getting fed inside their tombs, or nurtured after our arrival on this planet, to teaching us language, actions, manners, and in all shaping us into human beings that we are today. But, in the process of learning and growing, we forget to value their immense contributions to our lives. We forget to shower them with love, pay them respect, share how we feel about them, and most importantly take care of them. So, let us all make wise use of this special day dedicated to Mothers and give our best to make it as special for them as possible. 

Today, let us all come together and make sure to shower enough love and gratitude on our mothers, let us make sure to let go of all the grudges, if you have, let us take pride in the concept of motherhood, and let us all celebrate this wonderful day dedicated to the most wonderful human being of our lives. 

2 Minute Speech on Mother's Day

Today on this warm morning, I, student's name, from Class ( ) am going to deliver a short speech on Mother’s Day.  

We all have gathered here today to celebrate the most important person in our lives, our mothers. They are not just our role models or saviours or a permanent shoulder to cry on, but they are also our loudest fans, our moral support, our inner strength, and of course our first teachers. They are the ones who shape our personalities, define our roles, nurture our lives, and develop us into human beings we become years later on. Well, I think someone has said right, Mothers truly are the angels sent by god to put us on the right track and teach us everything for our survival. 

So, why not dedicate one day of our lives to honour the real god of our destinies, societies, and lives? In our most important journey called life, we depend upon our mothers right from the start. Be it getting fed inside their tombs, or nurtured after our arrival on this planet, to teaching us language, actions, manners, and in all shaping us into human beings that we are today. But, in the process of learning and growing, we forget to value their immense contributions to our lives. We forget to shower them with love, pay them respect, share how we feel about them, and most importantly take care of them. So, let us all make wise use of this special day dedicated to Mothers and give our best to make it as special for them as possible. 

Now, since we are celebrating mothers and motherhood it is important to talk about things they do for us, things that no one else can offer or even think about doing for us. These actions or things are not limited to providing love, care, and encouragement, instead, it is about the sacrifices, the feeling of putting their child before themselves, hard work to ensure you end up growing into a beautiful human being, constant support and guidance, and so much more.

5 Minute Long Speech on Mother’s Day

There’s no specific day dedicated to celebrating the International Mother’s Day. However, it is generally celebrated in either March or on the second Sunday of May. In 2024, Mother’s Day is about to be celebrated on May 12 in almost more than 40 countries, including India. The process was started to complement other family members' related days such as Father’s Day, Siblings Day, and more. Different countries have different dates and methods of celebrating this day and honoring the mothers of their lives. While some countries organise services to pay respect to their mothers, others celebrate it by visiting their homes and spending time with them. 

Now, since we are celebrating mothers and motherhood it is important to talk about things they do for us, things that no one else can offer or even think about doing for us. These actions or things are not limited to providing love, care, and encouragement, instead, it is about the sacrifices, the feeling of putting their child before themselves, hardwork to ensure you end up growing into a beautiful human being, constant support and guidance, and so much more. How can we forget to celebrate such a human being who has taken the pledge of dedicating their entire life to us, right from the time our existences are felt? So, this Mother’s Day, let's celebrate our mothers, let's celebrate the wholesomeness of motherhood since there’s no one and there can be no one like yours and mine mother. 

10 Lines on Mother's Day in English

Here are a few lines on Mothers that can be included by students in their speeches. 

• Mother's Day is celebrated by 40+ countries all over the world
• The day is dedicated to celebrating motherhood and all the mothers of the world
• Generally, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May or in the month of March
• The US started the trend of celebrating Mother’s Day in 1905
• Anna Jarvis from the United States of America was the founder of Mother’s Day
• Every country celebrates Mother’s Day on different days and in different ways
• There are different ways of celebrating Mother's Day in different countries such as France celebrates the day by presenting gifts and flower-shaped cakes to mothers, Nepal celebrates it by following a ritual to look upon the mother’s face, the US has declared it a national holiday, and so on. 
• In India, the day is celebrated among individual families or societies. Schools also organise competitions and programs. However, it is not a national holiday. 
• The day is all about making your mothers feel special through various gestures, things, and most importantly your presence. 
• Expression of gratitude, love, care, affection, respect, and value are the most beautiful ways of celebrating the day with your mothers.

Mother's Day Quotes in English

Here, are a few quotes on Mother's Day that can be used by students in their competitions to add an emotional touch to your creativity. You can also use them in greeting cards, wishes, WhatsApp messages, and more. 

• “In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” — Maya Angelou
• “He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark.” — J.K. Rowling
• “Motherhood: all love begins and ends there.” ― Robert Browning
• “A mother’s love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking.” ― Helen Steiner Rice, “A Mother’s Love”
• “No man is poor who has a Godly mother.” — Abraham Lincoln
• “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” — Abraham Lincoln
• “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” — Rudyard Kipling

Students can pick the speech required as per their requirements and choices. However, it is always advisable to take inspiration from sources and create something creative of your own. Hence, we would advise students to go through the speeches, understand what can be written, pick some facts from the article, give thought to their emotions, and create something of their own. 

Also Check: 

Mother’s Day Speech in Hindi

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Politics chat: How U.S. support for Israel could impact the election

Ayesha Rascoe

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U.S. support for Israel in its war against Hamas could be a wedge issue in November's elections.

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The budget proves Labor is losing touch with women voters

Perhaps the people who aren't struggling to pay rent or put food on the table can donate their $300 energy bill rebate to a frontline service.

Kristine Ziwica

May 15, 2024

In the days before Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered his third budget, veteran Canberra press gallery journalist Michelle Grattan wrote that as the Albanese government looked to an election next year, “holding up Labor’s female vote will be vital”. She added that women would be a “prime political target” of the budget. She’s not wrong. 

As I listened to Chalmers deliver his budget speech last night, my chief question was whether he had scored a bullseye in that regard. And, if not, how far had he strayed from the target? And, finally, how much would that hurt Labor in the upcoming election? 

Among a myriad of issues, I believe Labor has grossly miscalculated its response to surging rates of violence against women — notably intimate partner homicide involving a female victim, which increased by 28% between 2021-22 and 2022-23 according to the Australian Institute of Criminology . Just two weeks ago, those shocking figures, and the heartbreaking individual stories of human suffering and grief they represent, prompted tens of thousands to march in protest around the country. 

This budget was a moment, I would argue the moment , for the Albanese government to powerfully demonstrate to the women of Australia, whose anger about the broader issue of women’s safety helped bring down the previous government, that it was prepared to back its rhetoric around women’s safety with the resources required to make that rhetoric a reality. If not now, with a $9.3 billion surplus, then when? Certainly not in future years when there’s a significant, predicted structural deficit. 

When launching the new, second National Plan to End Violence Against Women two years ago, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth promised to end violence against women “within a generation” . And when launching the first so-called “action plan” of the new national plan last year — that’s where the federal, state and territory governments drilled down into the detail of  how  they will deliver on that worthy goal — the government set  specific  targets for the first time, including a target to reduce the number of women killed by intimate partner violence by 25% each year.

Since I set out to explore whether the Albanese government was hitting its targets when it comes to matters of great importance to women, I’ll just pause here to say that I think we can all agree that we’re nowhere near on track for that one. 

The government’s initial response to the crisis of men’s violence against women, announced after an emergency National Cabinet meeting two weeks ago, was to make the $5,000 Escaping Violence Payment program permanent. To say that the women’s safety sector was underwhelmed would be an understatement. It barely touched the sides of the problem. A 2022 report from DVNSW found that only 15% of women who accessed the payment received the full $5,000.

Where was the support for the frontline? Some services have resorted to handing out tents to women and children because there are no other options for safe accommodation. Some sexual violence services report 12-year-olds on waiting lists for counselling for up to 14 months.

Last night’s budget was a chance to correct course. It didn’t happen. There was no new money for family, domestic and sexual violence frontline services. What’s more, there wasn’t nearly enough money to invest in appropriate housing to meet demand or an increase to social supports like JobSeeker. There was, however, a non-means tested $300 energy bill rebate. I couldn’t help myself. I quipped on social media that perhaps all those not struggling to make rent or put food on that table could donate the cash to a frontlines women’s safety service instead. 

It would seem Chalmers’ chief objective to prove that he was a “responsible economic manager™” who could fight inflation and deliver a surplus trumped everything, blinding this government to the political urgency and potential political peril of action or inaction in this space. 

The optics were just so, so wrong.  

As we headed into the budget, I was powerfully struck by how obscenely out of touch Labor’s top ministers charged with guiding our economy — and making life-changing (correction, life-saving) decisions about how we spend money — seemed to be. 

First, there was a photo published in Guardian Australia last week just one day after the Domestic, Sexual, and Family Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin held crisis talks in Canberra to address the horrific rise in femicides. The treasurer stared serenely off into the distance with the famous “budget tree” in full bloom behind him, presumably conjuring a happy future “made in Australia”. The headline read “sneak peek predicts higher wages and tax breaks — but no Jobseeker increase”. 

Never mind that just a week before, Angela Jackson, the current chair of the Women in Economics Network and a member of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, gave a speech for the ages at the National Press Club in which she argued that women’s economic security and women’s safety were inextricably linked. Women will never be safe as long as they face poverty and homelessness when they leave a violent relationship. 

“What we need to see is a substantial increase in those income support payments, including JobSeeker, to really address those underlying and enduring impacts of poverty, particularly on single parents and particularly on those who have escaped family violence,” Jackson argued. That call was backed by an open letter with more than 300 “prominent women” as signatories this week, including Australia’s sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody.

But, yeah, no… seemed to be the treasurer’s response. Have you seen my surplus?

Then, on the morning of the budget, finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who is also the minister for women, opted for similar optics. Posting a photo to X of herself and Chalmers, both smiling ear to ear and striding purposely, she wrote: “Another surplus is a powerful demonstration of Labor’s responsible economic management, which makes room for cost of living relief and investments in the future.” Et tu Katy?

I will say that it was heartening to hear the treasurer say the words “care economy” more than once on budget night, and to see the budget recognise the need to tackle the undervaluing of women’s work through pay increases in aged care and now early years education and care. This is a step change, the seeds of which were planted years ago . But that just made the failure of this government to usher in a comparable step change in women’s safety, one that recognises the inextricable link between women’s safety and women’s economic security and properly backs the frontline, all the more profoundly disappointing. 

Following last week’s gendered violence crisis talks, I wrote that one of the things that gave me hope was that we are now in a new political paradigm with the power of the women’s vote firmly cemented at the last election. All I can say now is: Read. The. Room. 

If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800-RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit  www.1800RESPECT.org.au .

Did the budget do enough for women? Let us know your thoughts by writing to  [email protected] . Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.

About the Author

Contributor

Kristine Ziwica is a Melbourne-based columnist and consultant who is a regular contributor to Women’s Agenda , The Age , The Sydney Morning Herald , ABC News and The Guardian . She has over twenty years of experience as a feminist writer and activist. She is a very proud member of the Women in Media steering committee and an ambassador for the Honour a Woman campaign.

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• violence against women
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what percentage of voters gives a fetid rat’s freckle about a “budget surplus” – a surplus is just money that should’ve been spent on making things better for all Australians – not lifting jobseeker payments is a huge moral failing and absolute cowardice

Labor have already lost me. Not just about women’s issues, but climate change (opening masses of new mines and not taxing the heck out of multinationals), Gaza, whistle-blowers and more.

Going back to voting for the LNP then?

Having read the review of #30’s book on Crikey yesterday and remembering the photos of a former leader of the NP lying on a footpath in central Canberra I will not be directing my vote to either of those parties.

David Pocock is an independent Senator for the ACT and sooo much better than the LP Senator he replaced. And despite the disparagement, above, of Katy Gallagher I will continue to vote for her as she regularly sends messages and is always responsive to messages I send to her.

The present dire situation facing women did not appear suddenly. PM #28 constantly belittled our first woman PM, made himself minister for women and described a happy image of us all slaving away at our ironing boards. The response to PM Gillard’s misogyny speech? Trying re-reading the first response from Michelle Grattan who never wrote a word of praise of our first woman PM.

And Albanese has not sorted out all the problems in slightly less than two years?

No, never voting LNP ever again, and has been a very, very long time since I last did. It’ll be Independent or Green.

Two years is irrelevant, it’s the intention that counts. Very early on an RC into MSM was absolutely ruled out. They’ve done little to get Assange home, and are sending McBride to jail. They haven’t improved whistle blower legislation. And after decrying loudly the lack of transparency of LNP gov’t, they are just as bad, if not worse.

I’m also in the ACT and Pocock will definitely be getting my vote. And if there is a Community independent (aka Teal) for Reps, I might vote for them too. At least they take climate change seriously, it is a real existential threat to humanity.

Labor show no inclination towards sorting out climate change/mining. I wouldn’t mind if it was a long term project, but they are approving many new mines, and providing tax-payer subsidies, and not even trying to tax them for AU’s benefit. If Norway can do it, we can too. (Edited to remove mention of a certain media owner, which seems to be the reason it’s been sent for moderation.)

Good point MayBee. Women are stronger than the blokes on social, compassionate issues, such as you mention. No surprise that the Teals are women, and more easily identified as the alternative.

Womens’ needs have been downgraded to wants and handballed out the window. Too bad – but there’ll be planty more rhetoric next year before the election. Which women will mostly believe, again, living on hope. Start your own party and take over, why not?

The Cash, Hume, McKenzie, Hanson types need not apply.

Among a myriad of issues, I believe Labor has grossly miscalculated its response to surging rates of violence against women — notably intimate partner homicide involving a female victim, which increased by 28% between 2021-22 and 2022-23 according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. 

Important point of context here: even after the “surge” it’s still the third lowest rate recorded in the last 30 years (bettered only in 2020-21 & 2021-22).

The systemic trend is down, though obviously at some point it will essentially bottom out and never hit zero.

It may have been trending down, but that’s no longer true.

“As of this time last year,  14 women  had died. By April 23, 2024,  25 women  have died of gender-based violence,  11 more  than last year.”

I remains to seen if the trend changes.

Historically there have been similar upticks before even as part of the long term reduction. These seem to be correlated with period of relative economic insecurity (’90s recession, ’00s crash, GFC, etc) so from a systemic perspective domestic violence is waning.

Likely the current increase is caused by the housing crisis and significant cost of living increases. Unfortunately the former is unlikely to ease even slightly for years, and the latter probably not much better.

The graph in this article is illustrative: https://theconversation.com/new-homicide-statistics-show-surge-in-intimate-partner-killings-and-huge-disparity-in-first-nations-victims-228890

“Unfortunately the former is unlikely to ease even slightly for years, and the latter probably not much better.”

The former would ease much faster if the government adopted the Greens’ housing policies. They’re in power. It’s not 2019 anymore. They’re just complacent cowards.

Trending down at that rate is hardly something to be satisfied with.

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