Director's Note: Structuring your Speech

Lots of our students have selected the Public Speaking exam for the Winter LAMDA exams and are now busy writing speeches in preparation. With that in mind, here's a guide on how to go about building a great speech.

How to Structure a Speech for a Public Speaking Exam (and Make It Memorable)

When preparing for a speaking exam, structure is your best friend—it keeps your audience engaged and shows examiners you’re in control. A clear outline usually follows the “3-part rule”:

1. Introduction – Hook your audience. Start with a question, a short story, or a surprising fact. This is where rhetorical devices shine:

   • Rhetorical question: “What if your voice could change someone’s life today?”

   • Anaphora (repetition at the start of clauses): “We speak to inform. We speak to inspire. We speak to connect.”

2. Body – Organise your points logically, usually 2–3 main ideas. Support each with examples, evidence, or anecdotes. Use devices like:

   • Contrast: “It’s not about speaking louder—it’s about speaking more clearly.”

   • Metaphor: “Think of your speech as a bridge—every idea must carry your audience smoothly to the next.”

3. Conclusion – Summarise key ideas and leave a strong impression. Circle back to your hook or end with a call to action.

   • Rule of three: “Remember: prepare, practice, perform.”

   • Parallelism: “Your words, your voice, your story—they matter.”

✨ Pro tip: Imagine your speech as a journey—open the door with your intro, guide your audience step by step, and close it with confidence.