The Ascent Communications Speech Preparation Template

A step-by-step guide to help you move from a blank page to a powerful and polished performance.

A great speech isn’t born—it’s built. It’s the result of a deliberate, strategic process that transforms your ideas into a compelling narrative. This template provides a step-by-step guide to help you move from a blank page to a powerful and polished performance.

Phase 1: The Strategic Foundation

Before you write a single word, you must have a clear understanding of your audience and your objective.

Audience Analysis:

Who are they? (e.g., industry peers, general public, executives)
What is their level of knowledge on this topic?
What do they care about? (What motivates or concerns them?)

Your Speech Objective:

In one single sentence, what is the one thing you want your audience to do, feel, or remember after your speech? (e.g., “I want them to feel inspired to take action,” “I want them to understand the importance of our new product.”)

Your Core Messages (The Rule of Threes)

What are the three most important things your audience needs to know to achieve your speech objective?

Point 1:
Point 2:
Point 3:

Phase 2: Crafting Your Narrative

Now that you have your strategic foundation, it’s time to build your speech’s narrative arc.

The Hook:

The Opening

How will you grab your audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds? This could be a surprising fact, a compelling story, a thought-provoking question, or a bold statement.

The Body:

Supporting Your Core Messages

Develop each of your three core messages. For each point, provide supporting evidence, data, and stories that are relevant to your audience. The body of your speech should be organized logically around these three points.

The Call to Action:

The Closing

How will you end your speech to ensure a lasting impact? This could be a clear call to action (e.g., “join us,” “invest in this,” “change your behavior”), a powerful summary of your key points, or a memorable final story. Your closing should directly connect to your speech objective.

Phase 3: Polishing Your Delivery

Your words are only half the battle. This phase is about bringing them to life with confidence and poise.

Rehearse Out Loud:

Practice your speech on your feet. This helps you identify awkward phrasing, natural pauses and breaths, and ensures you can deliver it within your allotted time. Record yourself to see how you look and sound.

Master Your Non-Verbal Cues:

Pay attention to your posture, hand gestures, and facial expressions. Your body language should be confident and open.

Vary your pace, pitch, and volume to add emphasis and keep your audience engaged. Use pauses for dramatic effect.

The Final Technical Check:

Confirm all logistical details with the event organizer. Test your microphone, review your slides, and check your environment to eliminate any last-minute surprises. This final check allows you to focus entirely on your message.