Writing speeches: keynotes, presentations and special occasion addresses

Course summary

With a little coaching and preparation, most people can deliver a speech, but few can actually write a good one. That's why we hear so many inept ones. A well-written and well-delivered speech can be a forceful medium for promoting an organisation and highlighting its leaders as well as a powerful way to communicate messages. But a poorly planned and written speech can have the opposite effect, even delivered by the best speakers.

In this interactive one-day workshop, learn simple skills to help you to write for the ear, not the eye. When you write a good speech - whether for yourself or another person - it connects with the audience and moves them along a path you have persuaded them to follow. It engages emotions, shapes opinions and gets results. You will acquire user-friendly techniques for researching and composing speeches to engage, inform, entertain and motivate listeners.

“The course exceeded my expectations. I was especially pleased that the course focused not just on the written word, but on delivery too. ”

— LW, MS Society

“Excellent. The notes I made will help when working on future projects.”

— LC, Stevenage Borough Council

“The course was excellent and I would recommend it to colleagues. The trainer was knowledgeable, engaging, and has given me increased appetite and confidence for future speeches. ”

— PS, WRAP

Course dates and location

We can deliver this course virtually for your organisation, on a date and time that suits you. If you have four or more people who would like to attend this course then group training could be the most cost-effective option. Contact one of our Training Coordinators on 020 7490 3030 or email for more information and a quote.

If you would like to attend this course then register your interest with us. Currently, this course is run on request meaning that a date will be scheduled once we have at least three people interested in attending this course.

There are no dates available at the moment.

Course outline
This one-day, London based Speech writing course will teach you how to:
- research and outline your speech
- set objectives
- write with the audience in mind
- craft powerful openings and memorable conclusions
- anticipate questions and craft answers with brevity and impact
- develop the best speech structure
- learn from the techniques used by great orators
- season your speech with quotations, humour and anecdotes
- tailor a speech to the speaker’s style
The course also includes a year of free support from your trainer.
All our training courses are delivered virtually. The webinar systems used do not require software download.

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Who is this course for?

This course is aimed at everyone who is involved in the creation of speeches, whether researching and writing their own speeches, or someone else's.

The Centre works with organisations from all sectors including the public sector, voluntary sector, private sector and corporate sector.
What will this course help me do: learning outcomes?

By the end of the day you will be more confident in speechwriting and will take away ideas and techniques to help you make your speeches sizzle. The course is highly interactive and includes practical exercises and video examples that bring successful speechwriting devices to life. Written exercises include creating a speech outline, using rhetorical devices, and transforming dull language to colourful expression. You also may bring along a speech - finished or unfinished - to work on during the training and receive the instructor's feedback.
Other courses to consider

The Centre runs a number of writing and communication courses.
To help you with your speech, why not try our Presentation skills training course.
Course fee
- £469 plus VAT not-for-profit price (applies to charities and all other not-for-profit organisations, including public sector and housing)
- £522 plus VAT standard price (applies to all other organisations)