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English•Speech Writing & Debate Skills

Speech Writing Essentials

Senior High 8 questions
AI-drafted from platform data — specialist review scheduledBy DigiTransact Mastermind editorial teamLast updated
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What speech writing essentials means

You learn how to organise a speech so it sounds clear, confident and persuasive. This matters because a good opening, strong points and a neat ending help your audience follow and remember your message.

What you will practise

  • Write a greeting that addresses the chairperson and audience
  • Choose a clear opening that gains attention
  • Build points with reasons and relevant examples
  • Use rhetorical questions to make ideas stronger
  • Finish with a firm closing and call to action

Before you start

You should already be able to write clear sentences and simple paragraphs. It also helps if you know how to state an opinion and give basic supporting reasons.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

A formal speech should normally begin with:

  • The conclusion
  • A vote of thanks
  • A salutation acknowledging the audience
  • A list of references
Answer: A salutation acknowledging the audience

Working: Speeches open by greeting the chairperson, guests and audience.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Starting without a proper salutation; always greet the audience first.
  • Giving facts in random order; keep your points in a clear sequence.
  • Writing long, dull openings; use a brief line that draws attention.
  • Ending suddenly; close with a summary and final message.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES SHS syllabusWASSCE

In SHS 1-3, this usually appears in speaking and writing work that builds formal communication and persuasive language. It supports WASSCE preparation by helping you handle speech tasks with clear structure and suitable style.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.

Related skills

Other Speech Writing & Debate Skills skills in English, at the same point in the course.

Other English topics

Letters and SoundsEarly Reading and WritingSHS English and LiteratureAcademic and Professional WritingGrammarVocabulary

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Exams that assess speech writing essentials

Senior High work on this skill feeds directly into these exam papers. Each page lists the English topics that appear on it.

WASSCEWASSCE practice questionsFree WASSCE practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.GESGES practice questionsFree GES practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.BECEBECE practice questionsListed as a related subject on the BECE practice page.

How this page was produced

This text was drafted with AI assistance from the questions and topics already stored on the platform. A subject-specialist review is scheduled but has not yet been recorded, so we do not claim it here.

Written by
DigiTransact Mastermind editorial team
Human review
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8 questions with a worked answer after every attempt, and a SmartScore that tracks how close you are to mastery.

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