Speech writing is to create the text that someone is going to deliver verbally and formally to an audience. Before the writing begins, it is vital to understand the speaker’s personal style and what he or she intends to convey in the speech. Equally important is knowledge about the target audience, e.g. what would they want to know?

Based on the audience’s concerns, a theme can be set for the speech. How this theme can be stressed throughout the speech depends on the circumstance under which the speaker is going to deliver it. For example, in a graduation ceremony, the speaker will address not only the graduates, but also the parents, grandparents, teachers and administrators. In a business conference, the speaker will face both established entrepreneurs and those who are new to the industry. It is therefore crucial that the speech has a specific theme but contains supporting examples that can be applied on all occasions.

Both quotes and humor can be inspiring and should be integrated into the speech. Ensure the speaker is comfortable with the use of these. He or she also needs to practice delivering the speech before its exact wording and length can be finally determined.