How to Write a Speech: A Simple 6-Step Formula
Ed Darling | 7 min read
Last updated: 25/06/2026
Writing a speech that truly connects with an audience isn’t about using fancy language or memorising every word.
It’s about having a clear structure and knowing exactly what you want your audience to think, feel, or do.
My name is Ed, I’m the founder of Project Charisma, and I’ve helped hundreds of clients to write, prepare, and deliver great talks.
In this post, I’ll share the simple 6-step formula we follow to make sure those speeches are clear, engaging, and memorable — whether they’re presenting at work, pitching to clients, or speaking on stage.
Step 1: Discover the "Golden Thread" within your speech.
The first rule of speech writing sounds simple: knowing what you’re trying to say.
But many people dive into writing scripts or assembling slides before their objective is fully clear. Their talks end up feeling vague or disjointed, leaving the audience confused.
Before anything else, take a moment to pause, and figure out the key idea you’re trying to communicate. This is sometimes called the “Golden Thread” – the theme that ties everything together.
To find your Golden Thread, ask yourself these two questions:
- If I had to sum up my speech in one sentence, what would it be?
- If my audience remembers just one thing, what should that be?
Your Golden Thread acts like a North Star, guiding everything you write towards the same central point.
When you can distil your message down to a single sentence, you’re clear on the speech objective, and ready to get writing.
FYI: The Golden Thread often makes the perfect title for your speech, too.
Some examples:
- Work presentation: “Customer referrals are our superpower.”
- Motivational speech: “Your past doesn’t define your future.”
- Wedding speech: “Love is a journey.”
In Martin Luther King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, the Golden Thread was his vision of equality – that one idea ran through every section, with the “I have a dream” phrase repeated for affect.
When you nail your Golden Thread, it makes every next step of writing your speech easier, and ensure the end result will make sense to your audience!
Quick Tip: Write your Golden Thread on a sticky note and keep it visible while drafting. If a section doesn’t tie back in, rework it.
Step 2: Hook your audience with an opener.
The first 30 seconds of your speech are make-or-break. It’s when the audience are forming their first impression, AND, when your nerves are usually at their peak.
Most speakers miss out the “opener” all together, going straight into a predictable introduction:
“Hello, I’m John from accounting, today I’m here to talk about our quarterly figures…”
The problem here, is we’re expecting the audience to give us their attention from the outset – when in reality, we have to earn it.
The opener’s job is exactly this. To grab attention and get people curious. It should be short, interesting, and spark some emotion:
- A surprising statistic
- A thought-provoking question
- A humorous anecdote
- A bold statement
Check out how Apollo Robbins opens his TED Talk with an opening question that instantly hooks the audience.
Finally, your opener should also set the tone for the speech, and match the audience you’re speaking too – for example:
- Work presentation: “What if… we could boost revenue by 25% without spending a single extra penny on marketing?”
- Motivational speech: “At 30, I hit rock bottom – jobless, lost, and convinced I’d never recover. I was wrong.”
- Wedding speech: “Love is a fire. But whether it warms your hearth or burns down your house, you can never tell!” – Joan Crawford
Tip: Pause just before and after your opener to let it land. Practise out loud beforehand, to make sure your delivery feels natural.
Learning how to write a speech starts with finding the right opener. For more inspiration, read our guide on 9 Killer Speech Openers.
Step 3: Build credibility while introducing yourself.
With your audience hooked, it’s time to introduce yourself and set expectations.
This step is about building trust and giving context — why are you speaking, and what can they expect? If the audience doesn’t know you, share relevant credentials or experience to establish credibility.
If they do, keep it brief and focus on the speech’s purpose, tying it to your Golden Thread.
Think of this as laying the foundation for engagement. A strong introduction answers: Who are you? Why should we listen? What’s coming next? Avoid overloading with details — stick to what’s relevant and keep the energy high.
Introduction Examples:
- Work presentation: “Good morning, I’m Jenny from Marketing. I’ve spent six months analysing our referral data, and today I’ll share a proven plan to double our referrals by Q3.”
- Motivational speech: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a speaker and author today, but a decade ago, I was unemployed and hopeless. I’m here to share how I turned my life around – and how you can too.”
- Wedding speech: “Good afternoon, I’m Luke, the Best Man. I’ve known the Groom since our uni days, and I’m thrilled to share a few stories about why he and the Bride are perfect together.”
Speechwriting Tip: In formal settings, highlight a key credential (e.g., “I’ve coached 100+ leaders”). For casual events, a personal connection works (e.g., “I’ve seen the Groom’s best and worst moments”). If appropriate, briefly thank hosts or the audience, but don’t let it derail your focus. Rehearse this section to sound confident and concise.
Step 4: Craft a clear and compelling speech body.
The body of your speech is where you deliver your core ideas, stories, or arguments.
It’s also where many speakers go off track, rambling from one point to another until the audience is lost.
When learning how to write a speech, clarity is key. A well-structured body keeps your message sharp and your audience engaged.
Where possible, divide your body into three distinct sections. Why three? Humans process information best in triads (see our guide on the power of three). This makes it easier for you to organise, and for your audience to follow. Common structures include:
- Beginning, Middle, End.
- Past, Present, Future.
- Problem, Agitation, Solution.
For complex topics like technical presentations or sales pitches, you might need more than 3 sections. That’s fine, but make sure to clearly introduce each one, and pause briefly at the end – like turning a page in a book – to let your audience process and build anticipation.
Body Examples:
- Work presentation: “Our referral strategy rests on three pillars: building trust, delighting customers, and making the ask. Let’s dive into each.”
- Motivational speech: “To show how our past doesn’t define us, I’ll take you through my journey: where I started, where I stumbled, and where I am now.”
- Wedding speech: “I’ve chosen three stories about the Groom that capture why he and the Bride are a perfect match — starting with a classic from our school days.”
Speechwriting Tip: Outline your body before writing. For each section, note one key point or story that ties to your Golden Thread. Use transitions like “Now, let’s move to…” to guide your audience.
If you’re covering dense material, add a quick recap between sections to reinforce clarity. Practise pacing to keep your delivery engaging.
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Step 5: Deliver a memorable conclusion.
This is your chance to tie everything together and leave your audience with a clear, powerful takeaway.
When learning how to write a speech, the conclusion is where you drive home your Golden Thread. This isn’t the place for new ideas, apologies, or excessive thanks — focus on summarising your message in a way that resonates emotionally or intellectually.
Try using a rhetorical question, metaphor, or vivid image to make it stick, like in David Eagleman’s TED Talk.
Ask yourself: What do I want my audience to feel, think, or remember?
Conclusion Examples:
- Work presentation: “When we master trust, delight, and the ask, referrals become our superpower, turning clients into advocates.”
- Motivational speech: “My journey proves one thing: no matter how far you fall, you can rise again. Your past doesn’t define your future.”
- Wedding speech: “[The Bride and Groom’s] story shows that love is a journey – full of laughter, surprises, and endless adventures ahead.”
Your conclusion should be delivered with some conviction. Practise it out loud, noting your use of vocal variety — slowing down for emphasis or raising energy for inspiration — to keep things engaging.
Never end on a weak note!
Step 6: Wrap up your speech with a call to action.
You’ve delivered your message and wrapped up your points, most speakers stop here. Time to leave the stage, right?
Not so fast. There’s one final step to make your speech unforgettable: The Call to Action (CTA) or Call to Thought (CTT).
A CTA is a specific, actionable step: sign up for a programme, try our new strategy, or connect with me afterward.
A CTT is a more introspective nudge, prompting the audience to think or reflect on your key points.
CTA/CTT Examples:
- Work presentation (CTA): “Let’s start today; reach out to one client this week and ask for a referral. We’ll track results and celebrate the top performer.”
- Motivational speech (CTT): “Ask yourself: where are you letting obstacles hold you back, and what’s one step you could take to change your path?”
- Wedding speech (CTA): “Let’s raise a glass to the Bride and Groom, then hit the bar and make some new memories!”
Keep your CTA/CTT clear and concise. Deliver it with confidence, thank the audience, and exit cleanly. Don’t ramble on afterward! Practise this moment to ensure it feels polished and purposeful.
How to write a speech in 6 simple steps.
Without a framework to follow, writing a speech can be a nightmare. Overthinking, procrastination, analysis-paralysis…
But with the right structure in place, you can chunk down the process into something that feels much more manageable.
Now you’re armed with this 6-step formula, you know exactly how to write a speech that inspires. Here’s a quick recap:
- Define your Golden Thread to anchor your message.
- Hook your audience in the first 30 seconds with a bold opener.
- Introduce yourself to build credibility and set expectations.
- Structure the body into three clear sections.
- Conclude with a powerful takeaway linking back to your golden thread.
- End with a CTA/CTT to inspire action or reflection.
If you’re new to public speaking, or struggle with nerves, having a clear framework like this becomes even more important. It’ll help you to stay on track, and speak with confidence.
If you need help with how to write a speech that lands perfectly, it might be time for some professional training. Check out our services below, and book a call when you’re ready.
To your speech writing success,
Ed,
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