If you’ve ever had to write a speech, you’ll know that it can be a difficult process coming up with something appropriate. Here is the perfect speech writing structure to get you started.

Like any writing, you need to have a beginning, a middle and an end. This sounds simple enough but each of these parts serve a specific purpose and getting them right will make or break your speech.

You need to start your speech as strongly as possible. Most experts will tell you that if you don’t have your audience in the first thirty seconds, then you won’t get them at all. Don’t think you have to tell the worlds funniest joke though. If humour isn’t your thing or perhaps isn’t appropriate for the occasion then you can start with a strong statement or even a thought provoking question. Just put something in there that will immediately hold your audiences attention.

The middle or ‘body’ of your speech will be where you deliver all of the relevant information. Whatever the purpose of your speech is, the important thing to get right is the organisation. Know exactly what you’re going to say and the order in which you’re going to say it. This will ensure that your speech flows and comes across effectively. Heading in unorganised can lead to mistakes and an uncomfortable flow, so don’t make this mistake.

Always finish your speech strongly, reminding your audience of the most important information. You can sign off in a number of ways, for instance with a toast to the bride and groom or a friend celebrating a birthday. Whatever it is, strong sentiment will always go down well and leave your audience with a warm memory of your words.

These thoughts will help you put together the skeleton of your speech. Make sure to look at further resources for help with more specific parts you might be stuck with.