Speech Writing Workshop Guide

Name:

Date:

🎯 WALT & Success Criteria

WALT: Write a persuasive speech first draft that includes a hook introduction, body paragraphs with supporting arguments, and a persuasive conclusion.

✅ I can do this when I can:

Write an introduction with a hook that grabs my audience's attention

Write at least two body paragraphs, each with a main argument and supporting detail

Use at least TWO persuasive language features (e.g. rhetorical questions, repetition, emotive language)

Write a conclusion that restates my opinion and ends with impact

Use linking words to connect my ideas (e.g. furthermore, however, therefore)

🌟 School Values Check-in: How are you showing Ngākau Pono (caring for yourself and others) through the topic of your speech?

✏️ Part 1: Planning Your Speech Structure

📌 My speech topic / position:

I believe that _________________________________________________________________________

🪝 Hook Introduction

Choose your hook type:

A surprising fact or statistic

A rhetorical question

A bold statement

A short story or personal connection

1. Write your hook sentence here:

2. Write 1–2 sentences that introduce your topic and state your position clearly:

💬 Body Paragraphs

Use the PEEL structure: Point → Evidence → Explain → Link back

3. Argument 1 – Main Point:

I believe ____________________________________________________________________________

Evidence / Example to support this:

4. Argument 2 – Main Point:

Another reason is ___________________________________________________________________

Evidence / Example to support this:

🏁 Conclusion

5. Restate your position and write a powerful closing sentence that leaves your audience thinking:

🌈 Persuasive Language Toolkit

Tick the language features you have used OR plan to use in your speech:

Rhetorical question – e.g. "Don't we all deserve a safe place to learn?"

Emotive language – words that create strong feelings (e.g. devastating, unfair, incredible)

Repetition / Rule of Three – e.g. "We need change. We need action. We need it now."

Facts or statistics – e.g. "Over 60% of students in Aotearoa..."

Personal pronouns – using "we" and "us" to connect with the audience

Call to action – telling the audience what to do next

6. Write one sentence from your speech that uses a language feature from the list above. Label which feature you used:

🌟 Extension Challenge (Advanced Learners)

Try one or more of the following to strengthen your speech:

Include a counter-argument and then rebut it (e.g. "Some people may say... however...")

Research and include a real statistic or quote from a New Zealand source

Write a third body paragraph with a different type of evidence (e.g. expert opinion vs. personal story)

🤝 Peer / Self Reflection — Ako (Learning with each other)

7. Share your introduction with a partner. What feedback did they give you?

8. What is ONE thing you will improve in your next draft?

📖 Dyslexia-Friendly Option: You may use speech-to-text tools, a scribe, or record your speech ideas as a voice memo. Ask your kaiako for support — showing your learning in different ways is always encouraged! 💙