Structuring Your Speech

Every effective speech follows a time-tested structure: tell them what you're going to say (introduction), say it (body), and tell them what you said (conclusion). The introduction hooks your audience, establishes your credibility, and previews your main points. The body develops two to three key ideas with supporting evidence. The conclusion summarizes your message and ends with a memorable closing statement. This framework works whether you're giving a two-minute class presentation or a thirty-minute keynote. Mastering structure frees you to focus on delivery because you always know what comes next.