Speech Writing: Structure and Purpose
Year 8 English Introduction to Speech Writing 50 minutes
Lesson Objectives & Success Criteria
Explain the purpose of speeches in different contexts Identify the main parts of a speech: introduction, body, conclusion Analyse examples of speeches to recognise key features Success Criteria: I can describe why people give speeches I can label the three parts of a speech structure I can explain how these parts work together effectively
National Curriculum Links
Writing - Composition: Plan, draft, and write persuasive texts Spoken Language: Listen and respond to speeches appropriately Evaluate different viewpoints and interpretations Develop understanding through exploring ideas Links to real-world communication skills
Starter Activity: What is a Speech?
Think-Pair-Share: Where might you hear speeches? School assemblies, political events, sports ceremonies Different purposes: inform, persuade, entertain, motivate Watch/listen to a short speech extract Discussion: What made it effective?
Speech Structure: The Three Main Parts
INTRODUCTION: Grabs attention and states purpose BODY: Presents main points with evidence and examples CONCLUSION: Summarises key points and calls to action Think of it like a sandwich - each part has a job! Structure helps audiences follow and remember your message
Speech Analysis Activity
Work in pairs with two short speech examples Use different colored highlighters or pens Yellow = Introduction, Blue = Body, Green = Conclusion Discuss: How does each part do its job? Extension: Spot techniques like rhetorical questions
Group Discussion: Why Does Structure Matter?
What happens if a speech doesn't have a clear introduction? Why is a strong conclusion important? How does good structure help the audience? Can you think of a time when someone wasn't clear - how did it feel?
Independent Task: Identify and Explain
Complete worksheet using the same speech examples Label each part of the speech clearly Write one sentence explaining each part's purpose Use sentence starters provided on your worksheet Challenge: Note any special techniques you spot!
Differentiation Strategies
{"left":"Visual aids and color-coding support\nSentence starters scaffold writing\nPaired work encourages peer support\nWord banks with useful vocabulary","right":"Alternative outputs like mind maps\nExtension activities for advanced learners\nOral contributions welcomed\nClear examples and modeling provided"}
Plenary: Reflection and Next Steps
Share: Which part of speech structure was easiest to identify? Quick recap: What are the three main parts? How do they work together to make speeches effective? Homework Extension: Research a famous speech Examples: Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai, Emma Watson Next lesson: We'll analyze your chosen speeches together!