Question 1 Directed Writing: How to Write a Speech (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
Question 1 Directed Writing: How to Write a Speech
One of the three formats that you may be asked to write in for Question 1 is a speech. This may be to your class or students in your school or college, or something more formal intended for broadcast. The opinions and ideas you put forward in your speech should be based on what you have read in the reading passages given, and your writing marks will come from your ability to vary your writing to suit the purpose, audience and form of the task, as well as how you structure your response.
The following guide will detail how to structure your response in the style of a speech.
Key features of a speech
The language and tone of your speech will be determined by the task and subject, but the following are the basic features of a speech which you could include in your response:
Speech or talk |
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In a speech or talk you should:
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You might wish to structure your speech in the following way:
Directly address the reader or audience:
Introduce the topic and your point of view
Use personal and inclusive pronouns to involve your audience, e.g., “you” or “we”
Engage your audience using a rhetorical question
Your next paragraph should develop your argument:
You will need to infer information, ideas and opinions from the reading texts to do this
Provide an anecdote to offer an example which proves your argument:
This builds rapport with your reader by engaging with them on a personal level
Again, this should be based on what you have read
Engage the reader on a personal level using a counter-argument:
Again, this should be based on and developed from the ideas in the reading texts
Offer more research or studies:
This can be in the form of statistics, a witness statement, poll, or quote from an expert, based on the reading texts
End your speech with an emotive plea:
Use emotive language to engage your reader
Ending your response on a single sentence, perhaps using a triplet, is an effective conclusion
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Rhetorical questions are commonly used as a persuasive device, but avoid over-using any one technique, as this will make your writing sound much less sophisticated. Always consider the reason why you are using a technique and what the effect is that you want to achieve. Do not just use techniques for the sake of using them.
Persuasive writing
A speech is often more persuasive than other forms of writing. You are trying to persuade your audience that your point of view is valid, and sometimes encourage them to join you.
Here are some tips for how to make your speech persuasive:
Write in the first person (write from your own perspective)
Use personal and inclusive pronouns:
Using words such as “we” and “us” builds rapport between you and your audience and makes them feel involved
Present your opinions as facts; as a truth that should not be challenged
Be passionate but not aggressive:
Use emotive language and imperatives to call your audience to action
Decide on your position and stick to it
Make sure you do not sound like an advertisement
As an example, let’s consider the following introduction to a speech about GCSEs:
For more guidance, please see our speech model answer.
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