Whether you're speaking in front of millions or a local gathering, you'll be more confident if you're well prepared. Read on to learn how to write a speech.

Whether you're speaking in front of millions or a local gathering, you'll be more confident if you're well prepared. Read on to learn how to write a speech.

• Whether you are exhilarated or terrified by the opportunity to present your thoughts to a room full of people, the experience will be better if you can write a good speech. Begin the process by reading or watching great speeches and researching your audience. When you begin to actually write the speech, you'll want to have a strong introduction, a body with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and a powerful conclusion that summarizes what you've said.

(Creative Commons photo by André Larsson)

• Oratory is a skill that can be learned. Take some time to read great speeches, thinking about what makes them powerful and interesting.

• This is a critical step in speech writing. Even though you may have been asked to speak on a specific topic, you need to be able to connect to your audience effectively in order to give a good speech.

1. If you're speaking in an unfamiliar geographic region, read a few local newspapers to acquaint yourself with the local issues and concerns.
2. Tailor your language to the audience. You'd use a different vocabulary when speaking to a group of farm workers than you would if speaking to MIT engineers.
3. Use jokes, quotes, references, and analogies that are familiar to your audience.
4. Keep religious and political opinions out of speeches to a general audience.

• The first words out of your mouth can determine whether or not you carry the audience. Conventional wisdom suggests that you use a joke or a quote, but your own words can work well, too. Make sure that you introduce your topic crisply and concisely, using powerful language to draw your listeners in.

• There are some principles you should keep in mind as you write the body of the speech.

1. Just as with any other writing, your speech should tell a story.
2. It should have a beginning, middle, and end.
3. Read the words aloud as you write, as you are crafting language that will be heard, not read.
4. Keep the sentence structure simple.
5. Repeat key themes throughout the speech.

• The conclusion is your last opportunity to connect with the audience. Make sure you reemphasize the main idea you want them to take away, using clear and concise language to convey your final message.

• Researching speeches and your audience, and writing a speech that begins and ends on message, will help ensure that your listeners will find your presentation interesting and informative.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: Read Great Speeches
• Step 2: Know Your Audience
• Step 3: Craft Your Introduction
• Step 4: Write the Speech
• Step 5: Conclude with Power
• Conclusion