How to write a speech – Harness the magic of metaphors
I read a fascinating article recently which reminded me of the power of metaphors to make communication more colourful and engaging.
It got me thinking about metaphors relating to public speaking and the idea for this post about how to write a speech just popped into my head and wouldn’t go away!
A few hours later, I was sitting in my favourite cafe on Southsea seafront, sipping an Americano, and writing this post about how…
Writing a speech is like cooking Christmas Dinner.
Imagine you had some friends coming to Christmas dinner and you had to decide what to cook for them.
You could go for the easy option and just cook your favourite dishes, hoping that your guests would like them too. Or, you could invest a little time thinking about the people who you were cooking for, and then create a bespoke menu that would appeal to them.
- Are they vegetarian?
- Do they have any food allergies?
- Do they like spicy foods or not?
Giving thought to the people you are cooking for is likely to result in a much better experience for everyone concerned.
The same is true when it comes to speech writing
- Who is your audience?
- How much do they already know about your speech topic?
- Are they “already on board,” sceptical or even hostile to your topic?
Spending a little time thinking about your audience will result in a better speech that is more likely to have an impact on your audience.
Also, I worded this metaphor to deliberately encourage you to think about your audience as friends rather than enemies. This simple mindset shift will boost your confidence and help you build rapport with your listeners.
So, now you know why writing a speech is like cooking a meal for friends, and how this simple insight can show you how to write a better speech!
Bon Appetit!
Additional posts on this topic
If you’d like more help on how to write a speech, you may find these other articles helpful too.
Speech writing tips courtesy of Walt Disney
How to Write a speech – write for the ear, not the eye
PS: Can you think of any other helpful metaphors relating to how to write a speech? Please share your suggestions in the comments box below.
The best suggestion wins a copy of my latest book,
The Presenter’s Edge.
