In an age of tweets, texts, and TikToks, the art of the speech might seem like a relic of a slower time—something suited more to dusty lecterns than vibrant social feeds. But scroll through history or your favorite podcast platform and you’ll find that the speech remains one of the most potent tools of influence, leadership, and change. From Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” great speeches transcend the moment. They distill chaos into clarity. They call people to action, invite reflection, and sometimes—if crafted just right—change the course of history.
But here’s the question few ask: How do you actually write a good speech? Not just a serviceable one. A great one. One that lands with the audience, sticks in memory, and maybe even earns a standing ovation?
As someone who’s written and delivered dozens of speeches—from weddings and graduation ceremonies to corporate keynotes and political rallies—I’ve come to believe that writing a great speech is less about rigid formulas and more about mastering a few key principles. It’s a craft that sits at the intersection of storytelling, psychology, and performance. And anyone—yes, anyone—can learn it.
1. Start with One Powerful Idea
At the heart of every memorable speech is one big idea. Not ten. Not three. One.
Think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream.” The title itself tells you the core idea—and every paragraph ties back to it. The speech isn’t a list of policy proposals or a series of anecdotes. It’s a powerful meditation on a single concept: a vision of racial equality and justice.
Before you write a single word, ask yourself: What’s the one thing I want my audience to remember? If they forget everything else, what’s the one sentence or takeaway that should stick?
Write that idea down. Tape it above your computer. Tattoo it on your brain. Everything in your speech should orbit around that gravitational center.
2. Know Your Audience Like You Know Your Best Friend
You wouldn’t talk to a room full of fifth graders the same way you’d address a boardroom of CEOs. Context is everything.
Who are they? What do they care about? What keeps them up at night? What language do they use? The best speeches meet audiences where they are, then take them somewhere new.
When Barack Obama delivered his 2004 DNC keynote, he spoke as a bridge between red states and blue states—tapping into a national longing for unity. When Malala Yousafzai addressed the United Nations on her 16th birthday, she spoke not just to diplomats, but to girls around the world who were fighting for the right to go to school.
The more intimately you know your audience, the more tailored—and effective—your message will be. Empathy is your greatest research tool.
3. Structure Like a Story, Not an Essay
Most people learn how to write essays, not speeches. So when they sit down to draft a speech, they write something thatreads well—but doesn’t necessarily speak well.
A speech isn’t an academic argument. It’s an emotional journey.
At its simplest, a speech should have:
- A strong opening (to grab attention),
- A clear middle (to build your message), and
- A memorable ending (to drive it home).
Think of your speech like a story arc. There’s a protagonist (you, your audience, an idea). There’s a challenge or tension. There’s a turning point. And there’s a resolution.
Stories are how humans make sense of the world. They bypass logic and go straight to the heart. Use that.
4. Hook ‘Em from the First Sentence
The first 30 seconds of your speech are everything. That’s when your audience decides if they’re in or out—mentally, emotionally, and sometimes even physically.
Your opening needs to punch through the noise. Avoid clichés like “I’m honored to be here today” (you can say that later). Instead, start with:
- A surprising statistic
- A provocative question
- A personal story
- A bold claim
Here’s how Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie opens her TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story”:
“I’m a storyteller. And I would like to tell you a few personal stories about what I like to call ‘the danger of the single story.’”
Within 10 seconds, you’re intrigued. You know who she is, what she’s going to talk about, and that it’s going to be personal.
5. Write for the Ear, Not the Eye
This may be the biggest difference between writing a speech and writing an article:People will hear your speech, not read it.
That means your words need to sound natural when spoken aloud. Short sentences. Simple words. Repetition for emphasis. Strategic pauses. Rhythm and cadence.
Read your speech out loud as you write it. If you stumble over a sentence, so will your audience. If it feels clunky in your mouth, cut or rework it. Your goal isn’t to impress with vocabulary. It’s to connect.
Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t say, “I have an aspiration toward a post-racial society characterized by equal opportunity.” He said,“I have a dream.” Big difference.
6. Use Rhetorical Devices (But Don’t Overdo It)
Great speeches borrow tools from poetry and rhetoric. These include:
- Repetition (“Yes we can.”)
- Anaphora (repeating the beginning of successive clauses)
- Triads (grouping ideas in threes—think “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”)
- Metaphors and analogies (help abstract ideas become relatable)
But beware: overuse can feel forced or performative. These techniques should amplify your message, not overshadow it.
7. Tell Stories, Not Just Facts
People don’t remember data. They remember moments.
If you want your speech to resonate, tell a story. Not just any story—the right story, with the right emotional stakes.
This could be:
- A personal anecdote that illustrates your theme
- A vivid narrative about someone your audience can root for
- A case study that brings statistics to life
Stories create emotional investment. They make the abstract personal. That’s when the magic happens.
8. Edit Like a Ruthless Novelist
Writing is rewriting. Always.
Your first draft is just that—a draft. Don’t fall in love with your words too early. Step away, then come back with fresh eyes. Cut jargon. Trim fat. Sharpen transitions. Read it aloud again.
If a paragraph doesn’t serve your core message, kill it. If a joke doesn’t land, lose it. If a section drags, rewrite it.
A good rule of thumb: Aim to cut 10-15% of your first draft. Clarity lives on the other side of editing.
9. End with Impact
Your conclusion is your mic-drop moment. Don’t let it fizzle.
Loop back to your opening. Echo your main idea. Issue a challenge. Paint a vision. End with a story, a quote, or a call to action.
Here’s the thing: Audiences remember how you make them feel—especially at the end. Leave them with hope, urgency, awe, or laughter. Make them feel something worth remembering.
10. Practice Like a Performer
You don’t just write a great speech. You perform it.
Once your words are solid, shift into delivery mode. Practice out loud. Use gestures. Find your rhythm. Work on your pacing and pauses.
Record yourself. Time yourself. Get feedback.
And when you step onto that stage—or Zoom call, or wedding tent—remember: the best speakers don’t just speakat an audience. They connect with them. Eye contact. Empathy. Energy. That’s what transforms a good speech into a great one.
Final Thoughts: The Speech as a Democratic Art
In an era dominated by instant content and algorithmic feeds, speechwriting remains one of the last bastions of deep, intentional communication. It’s a practice that forces us to slow down, consider our words, and think critically about who we’re speaking to and why.
But here’s the best part: You don’t need to be famous, powerful, or charismatic to write a great speech. You just need something worth saying—and the courage to say it well.
Whether you’re writing for a crowd of thousands or a room of twenty; whether you’re eulogizing a loved one, inspiring a team, or standing up for a cause—you have the potential to craft something unforgettable.
A great speech doesn’t come from a formula. It comes from the heart, shaped by skill and delivered with care. Learn that skill, and your words can echo far beyond the final applause.
Because at the end of the day, speechwriting isn’t just about saying something. It’s about saying the right thing, to the right people, in the right way—and trusting that your voice has the power to move the world.
