The ability to move people with words is a daunting but powerful display of leadership, and giving a memorable speech is a great way to get into people’s heads and inspire them to act—if you know how to do it.
Here are four simple rules to help you write a speech people might remember:
- Have something to say. Your goal when writing a speech should be for everyone in the audience to take away the same key points at the end. To do this, it’s important to know what you want to communicate and use language that will resonate to inspire.
- Keep it simple. Try to find the simplest way to communicate your message. Avoid jargon and superfluous adjectives. Carefully consider the message and the syntax, and make every word count.
- Tell a story. The best way to keep your audience engaged is by tapping into emotions using a narrative arc. Memorable speeches include a proper setup, a point of conflict, and a resolution.
- Make it sing. The most memorable speeches are poetic and inspirational. Think about the meter, the rhythm and the verbs that keep the story moving.
