How to help your students structure their speeches

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There is more than one way to structure a speech. But all good speeches are organised and have an engaging introduction, an interesting body, and a powerful conclusion.

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Organising ideas and determining the order in which they should be presented is key to giving a good speech. A disorganised speech is hard to follow.

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Below are some tips you can share with your students on how to structure their speeches and what they should focus on in each section.

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Introduction

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A strong introduction is crucial.

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They need to grab their audience’s attention. They could open their speech with a quote, a story, a joke or something else that relates to their topic. Whatever it is, it’s their opportunity to hook the audience in and ensure they’re paying attention to everything that follows.

Advice from TEDx on writing a strong introduction:

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• Draw in your audience members with something they care about.
• If it’s a topic the general audience probably thinks about a lot, start with a clear statement of what the idea is.
• If it’s a field they probably never think about, start off by invoking something they do think about a lot and relate that concept to your idea.
• If the idea is something fun, but not something the audience would ever think about, open with a surprising and cool fact or declaration of relevance (not a statistic!).
• If it’s a heavy topic, find an understated and frank way to get off the ground; don’t force people to feel emotional.
• Get your idea out as quickly as possible.
• Don’t focus too much on yourself.
• Don’t open with a string of stats.
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Body

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Now that they’ve grabbed their audience’s attention, they need to hold onto it.
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The body of their speech is where they will make their main point. What is it that they want to say? What are the arguments they’re making? What evidence do they want to present? It all belongs here.

Advice from TEDx on structuring the body:
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• Make a list of all the evidence you want to use - include what your audience already knows and what they’ll need to be convinced of.
• Order your points from what a person needs to know first, to the most exciting. Then cut everything you can without losing your argument.
• Consider building your list with a trusted friend who isn’t an expert in your topic.
• Spend more time on new information and keep reminders of old information brief.
• Use empirical evidence and limit anecdotal evidence.
• Don’t use jargon or new terminology - speak as plainly as possible.
• Respectfully address any controversies, counterarguments, or doubts your audience may have.
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Conclusion

The best conclusions tie everything together and leave their listener with something memorable. This is the last thing they audience will hear, they need to make it count.

Advice from TEDx on concluding a speech:

• Find a landing point that leaves your audience feeling positive towards you and your idea’s success.
• Don’t just summarise; show how your idea might affect your audience’s lives.
• Avoid ending with a pitch (no fundraising, product plugs or logos).
• If appropriate, give your audience a call to action.

Okay, so now they have an introduction, body and conclusion.

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What Next?

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Encourage them to start writing their script. Ask them to write in a way that feels natural to them. They should use present tense and strong, interesting verbs and be concise.

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How to Use the SPEAR Framework

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Encourage your students to use the SPEAR judging pillars below as their blueprint for writing a powerful, resonant speech.

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SPEECH

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Structure, Style & Clarity

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Their speech should be easy to follow and engaging from the start. It should begin with a strong hook - a bold statement, a surprising fact, or a thought-provoking question. They should structure it clearly with a beginning, middle, and end that flow logically. They must use precise language, vary their sentence lengths, and match their tone to their message. They should finish with a memorable conclusion that leaves their audience thinking.

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Ask yourself: Is the structure of their speech easy to follow? Does it build toward something meaningful and then land clearly?

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PERSUASION

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Reasoning & Influence

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Your students should write to persuade, not just inform. Encourage them to bring their ideas to life through personal stories, real examples, or unique insights. They should support their message with facts, research, or lived experiences and acknowledge opposing views and respond with clarity and confidence.

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Ask yourself: Have they built a convincing case? Are they offering a fresh perspective?

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EMPOWERMENT

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Voice & Agency

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Empowerment is about speaking not just to be heard, but to make an impact. This is where their passion should shine through. They should speak with conviction, as if their words could spark action.

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Ask yourself: Have they delivered a speech with passion and purpose? Will their words inspire others to care or take action?

Their speech should convey a clear sense of purpose and urgency. They should use specific examples or personal experiences to show why this topic matters to them. Your students should aim to show their commitment, not just state it.

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ADVOCACY

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Cause & Solutions

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Their speech should go beyond pointing out problems. It should identify a cause and suggest a way forward. It should offer ideas, solutions, or actions the audience can connect with. Even if their solution is aspirational, they should express it clearly and powerfully to inspire belief in change.

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Ask yourself: Have they clearly identified a cause and offered a solution that feels both urgent and achievable? Are they showing a way forward?

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RESONANCE

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Connection & Movement

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Resonance creates a ripple effect - it’s how movements begin. Their final lines should echo in the audience’s minds. The best speeches are memorable, and the best speakers build genuine emotional connection.

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Ask yourself: Will this student’s message stick with the audience after they leave the stage? Have they created a meaningful connection that could spark reflection, conversation, or change?

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Speech Guidelines

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Encourage your students to ensure they’re hitting these key requirements before they get too deep into writing their speeches. These guidelines help keep things fair and focused for everyone:

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Stick to one SPEAR Target

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They must each choose one SPEAR topic. They can always switch it up later for subsequent rounds or as their ideas evolve.

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Solo Only, No group entries, slides, cue cards, or props, Language, All speeches must be delivered in English, Tone, Be persuasive, informative, or motivational or all 3. Encourage them to do what best suits their message and personality, Originality, Their speech must be 100% original. No copying, no outside writing help - we want to hear their voice.

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