Quick answer
Speech writing is the skill of preparing a spoken message for a live audience. A speech has a greeting, an opening hook, two or three clear points, a closing appeal and a thank-you line. Write it in the first person, in simple spoken language, and aim for about 120–150 words for a one-minute talk.
Speech writing is different from essay writing because your reader is a listener. A listener cannot re-read a line, so each sentence must be short and clear. Consequently, a good speech uses direct address, questions and rhythm. This guide explains the speech format, the steps to write one and the language tools that hold attention. Additionally, it includes two sample speeches, a phrase bank and a checklist.
Key takeaways on speech writing
- Know your audience: students, teachers, parents or judges decide your tone.
- Follow the format: greeting, hook, body, appeal, thanks.
- Write to be heard: short sentences, questions and rhythm.
- Stay on one idea: pick two or three points, not ten.
- Time it: about 130–150 words fit into one minute of speaking.
What is speech writing?
In short, speech writing means composing the exact words you will say aloud. Also, the words can persuade, inform, welcome or inspire. In school, you usually write for a morning assembly, a farewell, a debate or a competition.
A note on exams: the 2026–27 CBSE Class 9 syllabus lists a speech of 120–150 words in its second assessment. Check the Class 12 syllabus separately, because its writing tasks differ. However, many schools set speech writing in unit tests, and the skill helps in assemblies, debates and the speaking and listening components. Therefore, learn the format and check your own sample paper.
Speech writing vs article vs report
| Feature | Speech | Article | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reader or listener | A live audience | Readers of a magazine | Readers of a newspaper |
| Opening | Greeting | Title and byline | Heading and byline |
| Style | Spoken, direct, rhythmic | Written, descriptive | Formal, factual |
| Person | First person, with “you” and “we” | First or third person | Third person |
| Ending | Appeal and thanks | Closing thought | Result of the event |
To compare with written formats, see our guides to article writing and report writing.
Speech writing format
Therefore, use this six-part layout for school speeches. It works for assembly talks, debates and farewell addresses.
1. Title
However, some papers ask for a title; others do not. If you need one, write “Speech on Road Safety” or “Speech by the School Captain”. Keep it short.
2. Greeting
Greet the audience according to the time and the people present. Furthermore, name the senior-most person first. For example, say “Good morning respected Principal ma’am, teachers and my dear friends”.
3. Opening and hook
First, introduce yourself in one line. Then hook the audience with a question, a short fact or a striking line. As a result, listeners stay with you from the start.
4. Body
Present two or three points. Give each point one example or one number. In contrast to an essay, avoid long background sections.
5. Appeal
Then tell the audience what to do: read daily, save water, respect the rules. A speech without a clear appeal feels unfinished.
6. Thanks
End with a polite line such as “Thank you for your patient listening”. Keep it brief.
How to do speech writing in 7 steps
- Decide the audience and occasion. A farewell speech needs warmth; a debate speech needs argument.
- Choose one main message. Write it in a single sentence.
- Pick two or three supporting points. Add a fact, a short story or an example for each.
- Write the hook. Use a question, a quote, a number or a short scene.
- Draft in spoken language. Use contractions where your teacher allows and short sentences.
- Add the appeal and thanks. End with energy.
- Read it aloud. Cut any line that makes you run out of breath.
Speech writing format by class and board
Boards decide which tasks are tested in writing. The table lists what the official documents show.
| Class / board | Is speech listed as a written task? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Class 9 CBSE (English Language and Literature) | Listed in the second assessment (2026–27) | Speech or magazine article, 120–150 words |
| Class 12 CBSE (English Core) | Not listed under Creative Writing Skills | Tasks include notice, invitation, letter, article and report |
| ICSE Class 10 | Not listed in the Paper 1 pattern we checked | Paper 1 uses an essay, letters, a notice and an email |
| Classes 6–8 and school tests | Often set by the school | Usually 100–150 words |
Examiner tip
If your teacher sets a speech, ask for the word limit. Without a limit, 120–150 words is a safe target for a one-minute talk.
Sample speech 1: the habit of reading
This sample suits a morning assembly and runs near 150 words.
Speech on the habit of reading
Class 9
Good morning respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends.
I am Ananya Rao of Class 9. Today I want to ask you one simple question. When did you last finish a book for fun?
Reading is not just a school task. It builds our vocabulary, sharpens our focus and widens our world. A student who reads twenty minutes a day meets more ideas in a month than a classroom can offer in a week.
Moreover, books teach us patience. A novel does not give us the end on the first page. Similarly, success does not come in one day.
So let us make a promise today. Let us carry one book in our bags and read a few pages every evening. Let us swap books with friends, too.
Remember, a reader today is a leader tomorrow. Thank you.
What makes this sample work
| Part | Technique used |
|---|---|
| Greeting | Names the Principal first |
| Hook | A direct question to the audience |
| Body | Two clear points with a comparison |
| Appeal | “Let us make a promise…” |
| Closing | A memorable rhyme-like line and thanks |
Sample speech 2: save water
The second sample suits a debate or an inter-school competition. It is persuasive and runs near 140 words.
Speech on saving water
Class 9–10
Respected judges, teachers and dear friends, good afternoon.
Imagine turning on the tap and finding nothing. For millions of people, that is not imagination. It is every morning.
Water looks free, but it is not endless. Cities pump groundwater faster than rain can refill it. Meanwhile, a single leaking tap can waste many litres in a day.
What can we do? First, close the tap while brushing. Second, harvest rainwater on school roofs. Third, reuse water from washing vegetables for plants.
These steps look small. However, thousands of small steps make a river.
Let us save water today, so that our children can drink tomorrow. Thank you.
Language tools that make a speech memorable
| Tool | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Direct address | Connects with listeners | Friends, think about your last holiday. |
| Rhetorical question | Makes the audience think | Can we afford to waste water? |
| Rule of three | Creates rhythm and memory | Read, reflect and respond. |
| Repetition | Stresses the key idea | We can. We must. We will. |
| Short quote | Adds authority | Use only a quote you know is correct. |
| Contrast | Sharpens the message | Small steps, big change. |
Phrase bank for speeches
- Greetings: Good morning respected Principal, teachers and friends. Honourable judges and dear audience.
- Transitions: Moreover, let us look at this closely. Furthermore, consider this fact. On the other hand, some people argue…
- Appeal: Let us pledge today. It is time to act. Together, we can change this.
- Closing: Thank you for your time. Let us end with one thought. Jai Hind.
How long should a speech be?
Indeed, time controls everything in speech writing. A short talk needs one idea, while a longer talk needs a stronger structure. The table gives a practical guide based on a comfortable speaking pace.
| Speaking time | Approximate words | Suggested structure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130–150 | Greeting, hook, two points, appeal, thanks |
| 2 minutes | 260–300 | Greeting, hook, three points, one short story, appeal |
| 3 minutes | 400–450 | Greeting, hook, three points with examples, counter-view, appeal |
Therefore, always ask for the time limit before you write. A speech that runs over the limit loses marks in a contest, even if the ideas are good.
Writing a debate speech
Debate speeches follow the same format, but they add an argument. You speak for or against a motion, so you must back every claim.
| Part | For the motion | Against the motion |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | State your side in one sentence | State your side and name the motion |
| Point 1 | Give the strongest benefit | Give the strongest risk |
| Point 2 | Support with an example | Support with an example |
| Rebuttal | Answer the other side’s main claim | Answer the other side’s main claim |
| Close | Repeat your side and thank the judges | Repeat your side and thank the judges |
Additionally, keep your tone respectful. Judges reward logic and courtesy more than loud claims.
Writing a speech from a given input
Some tests give you a short situation, such as “You are the school captain. Give a speech on cleanliness”. Therefore, use the role and the topic exactly as given.
- Write the role in your opening line: “As your school captain…”.
- List three reasons why the topic matters.
- Add one personal or school-level example.
- Close with a pledge that the audience can repeat.
Types of speeches students write
| Type | Occasion | Tone and focus |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly speech | Morning assembly | Clear, short and positive |
| Welcome speech | Annual day or guest visit | Warm and formal |
| Farewell speech | Seniors leaving school | Emotional and grateful |
| Debate speech | For or against a motion | Logical, with evidence |
| Motivational speech | Before exams or contests | Energetic and personal |
| Tribute speech | Birth anniversary or memorial day | Respectful and factual |
Delivery tips: write for the voice
After all, a speech is judged when you say it. Therefore, practise the delivery along with the writing.
- Pause after every key point for one second.
- Slow down on numbers and names.
- Look at different parts of the audience, not at your paper.
- Use one gesture for emphasis, not ten.
- Time yourself: around 130–150 words equals one minute at a comfortable pace.
Common mistakes in speech writing
| Mistake | Why it costs marks | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Forgetting the greeting | Loses format marks | Always begin with a formal greeting |
| Writing like an essay | Sounds flat when spoken | Use short, spoken sentences |
| Too many points | Confuses the listener | Keep to two or three |
| No appeal | Leaves the speech unfinished | End with a clear call to action |
| Using difficult words | Listeners cannot re-read | Choose simple words |
| Skipping the thank-you | Feels abrupt | Close politely |
Do’s and don’ts
Do
- Open with a hook within the first two lines.
- Use “we” and “us” to include the audience.
- Support every point with an example.
- Close with energy and a thank-you.
Don’t
- Do not read a speech word by word in the exam hall; write in the format.
- Do not use rude or hurtful words about anyone.
- Do not quote a statistic unless you are sure it is correct.
- Do not run over the time or the word limit.
Speech writing checklist
- The greeting names the senior-most person first.
- The first two lines include a hook.
- The body has two or three points with examples.
- The appeal tells listeners what to do.
- The closing includes thanks.
- Sentences are short, and the language is simple.
- The word count fits the limit.
Practice topics for speech writing
- Importance of discipline in student life (Class 6–8).
- Why we should plant trees (Class 7–9).
- Role of sports in education (Class 8–10).
- Social media: boon or bane (Class 9–12).
- Welcome speech for the annual day (Class 9–12).
- Farewell speech for the Class 12 batch (Class 10–11).
For personal writing practice, try our diary entry format guide. Then turn a diary experience into a short speech to see how the voice changes.
Also read
Diary entry format: examples and tips for students
Turn speech writing into a daily habit
In fact, speech writing improves fastest when you practise out loud. Choose a topic each week and write 130 words. Then read it to a friend or record it on your phone.
Furthermore, notice where you stumble. Those lines are too long or too complex. Simplify them, and your next draft will flow. Consequently, you will gain marks in written tests and confidence on stage. Visit the Speech Writing section for more topics, or return to the home page to explore other formats.
Speech writing FAQs
What is speech writing?
Speech writing is the skill of composing words to be spoken to a live audience. A speech has a greeting, a hook, two or three points, an appeal and a thank-you line. It uses simple, direct, spoken language.
What is the format of speech writing?
Begin with a greeting to the audience. Add an opening line with a hook, then write two or three body points. Finish with an appeal to the audience and a polite thank-you.
How many words should a speech have?
School speeches are commonly 100–150 words, which takes about one minute to deliver. Your teacher or competition rules set the exact limit, so check them first.
How do I start a speech?
Greet the audience, name the senior-most person, introduce yourself and then add a hook. A question, a surprising fact or a short scene all work well.
How do I end a speech?
End with a clear appeal that tells the audience what to do, and then thank them. Avoid new points in the last two lines.
Is speech writing in the CBSE syllabus?
The Class 9 and Class 12 English documents we reviewed do not list speech as a written task. Many schools still set it in their own tests, so follow your teacher’s pattern.
Should a speech use the first person?
Yes. Use “I” for yourself and “we” or “us” to include the audience. This keeps the tone personal and direct.
What is the difference between a speech and an article?
A speech is written for the ear and starts with a greeting. An article is written for the eye and starts with a title and byline. A speech uses direct address, while an article may stay more descriptive.
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