WRITING THE SPEECH

Brainstorm ideas and jot down key topics that you wish to address. Structure and draft your speech. Organize which points you would like to talk about first. There needs to be a sensible order and smooth transitions from one point to the next. Jumping around will confuse your audience.

Keep your speech simple—short and sweet. You want to keep the attention of your audience, so you can get their votes. Let your personality and style shine through in your speech. If you are funny, add some humor. If you are serious, use a serious tone. Remember that you want the students to remember you, as well as the things you said, when they vote.

Have a strong beginning to your speech. Share a funny story that will spark students’ interest in the issues you will discuss. Or give your audience something to think about by asking a question.

Consider three or four major issues and state your ideas about each one. For example, if one issue is class trips, your message may be that you will work for having more interesting class trips. Share your trip ideas and tell how you would convince the principal that these are great places to visit. Refer back to your major issues throughout your writing, so that your listeners don’t forget your ideas on the issues.

GETTING YOURSELF READY

You might want to write notes to help you get from point to point. Or, if you feel more comfortable, memorize your speech or plan to read it. Feeling comfortable is an important part of giving a good speech.

Practice in front of the mirror. Perform your speech out loud to help you get familiar with your own words. You should feel confident in your own skin, in your abilities, and in the ideas you want to get across.

GIVING YOUR SPEECH

This is your moment to shine. Take advantage of it, and don’t rush through your speech. Remember to take your time and pause. A dramatic pause can be used to emphasize what you have just said or what you are about to say.

Introduce yourself, and tell your audience what position you are running for. You may want to repeat your name more than once, just so your audience won’t forget. Explain why you think you would be good for the position. Share any information about yourself that would be good for the students to know. For example, if you want to be class treasurer, you might say that you are excellent at math and at keeping track of your own money.

Explain the ways in which you are different from the other candidates. But always be respectful of the other candidates. One way you can show leadership abilities is by being polite to the other candidates. This shows an ability to work well with others.

Tell your classmates that you are aware of their problems because you share those problems. For example, you might talk about the need for replacing some equipment in the gym, and how you plan to get the money to do that.

Don’t make promises that are impossible to keep. Make sure that your goals for the class are realistic.

Use a prop, such as a flag or banner, if you think it will help people remember your speech. Make sure that it fits in with what you are saying and is not distracting.

Your closing remarks might be all your audience will remember. Review what you want the audience to take away with them. Leave your audience with something to think and talk about.