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A narrative speech is a presentation that tells a story or shares a personal experience
The purpose of a narrative speech is to engage the audience, evoke emotions, and convey a message or lesson.
Without proper organization, a narrative speech can become confusing, disjointed, or boring, causing the audience to lose interest.
Pre-Writing Stage
Before starting to write a narrative speech, doing some pre-writing work is crucial. Here are some steps to follow:
- Understand the audience and the purpose of the speech: Knowing who your audience is and what they expect from your speech will help you tailor your message and make it more relevant to them. Understanding the purpose of the speech will also help you focus on the main points you want to convey.Choose a topic and develop a clear thesis statement: Your topic should be relevant, interesting, and meaningful to you and your audience. The thesis statement should be a concise and clear statement of the main point you want to make in your speech.
- Conduct research and collect relevant information: Depending on the topic of your speech, you may need to do some research to gather facts, statistics, anecdotes, or other supporting evidence to make your story more compelling.
Planning Stage
Once you have completed the pre-writing stage, it’s time to start planning your narrative speech. Here are some steps to follow:
- Outline the speech and break it down into key sections: Creating an outline will help you organize your thoughts and structure your speech in a logical and coherent way. Make sure to include an introduction, body, and conclusion, and divide the body of your speech into key sections that follow a clear and compelling storyline.
- Develop a storyline or plot: Your narrative speech should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with a strong storyline or plot that keeps the audience engaged. The plot should have a conflict or tension that gets resolved by the end of the speech.
- Determine the main characters or key players: Your narrative speech should have one or more main characters that the audience can relate to and empathize with. The characters should be well-developed and have distinct personalities, motivations, and goals.
Writing Stage
Once you have a plan for your narrative speech, it’s time to start writing. Here are some tips for effective writing:
- Write a strong introduction that captures the audience’s attention: Your introduction should be attention-grabbing, relevant, and concise. It should set the tone for your speech and make the audience eager to hear more.
- Develop the body of the speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end: Each section of the body should have a clear purpose and contribute to the overall plot of the speech. The beginning should introduce the conflict or tension, the middle should build the tension and develop the characters, and the end should resolve the conflict and convey the message or lesson.
- Use descriptive language and vivid imagery to make the story come alive: Your speech should be filled with sensory details, metaphors, similes, and other literary devices that make the story more vivid and engaging.
- Incorporate dialogue and quotes to add depth and authenticity to the narrative: Dialogue and quotes can make the characters more relatable and the story more authentic. Use them sparingly and strategically to make your speech more impactful.
Rehearsal Stage
After writing your narrative speech, it’s crucial to rehearse it multiple times to ensure that it flows smoothly and is within the allotted time. Here are some steps to follow:
- Practice the speech multiple times to ensure it flows smoothly: Practice your speech in front of a mirror or a friend to see how it sounds and looks. You can also record yourself and listen to the recording to identify areas that need improvement.
- Solicit feedback from peers or a coach to identify areas that may need improvement: Getting feedback from others can help you identify blind spots and areas that may need improvement. Ask them to pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, pace, and clarity.
Delivery Stage
On the day of your speech, it’s essential to focus on delivering it with confidence and authenticity. Here are some tips:
- Utilize body language and vocal inflection to engage the audience: Use your body language and vocal inflection to emphasize key points, convey emotions, and make your speech more engaging. M
- Maintain eye contact and ensure the speech is delivered with confidence: Maintaining eye contact with the audience will help you connect with them and convey confidence.
- Make sure to speak clearly, confidently, and with conviction.
Final remarks
In conclusion, organizing a narrative speech effectively requires careful planning and attention to detail.
By following the steps outlined above, you can create a compelling and engaging narrative speech that resonates with your audience and conveys your message effectively.
ake the time to plan, write, rehearse, and deliver your speech with confidence, and you’ll be sure to make a lasting impression on your audience.