write a speech on will to win

The Will To Win – The Speech That Motivated Tony Robbins.

• The Andreia Philosophy
• September 8, 2023

Tony Robbins is the definition of having The Will To Win.

Most people, in his same circumstances, would say things to themselves like:

“ My life is terrible. Why is this happening to me?”

“ Why hasn’t God given me more? Haven’t I done enough to deserve a better life?”

“ What’s the point in trying? I could never be great at anything. MY LIFE is too hard. You wouldn’t understand.”

Tony Robbins is different than most people.

He had a goal to change lives . There was no room for compromise. He wiped away all excuses, distractions, and turned from negativity.

Tony embraced positivity. Like the sun revealing itself behind years of storms and cloudy weather.

Tony understands something many don’t.

You control your mind. So, you control your experience.

You have the right to complain. You also have the right to win. If you’re willing to culminate  The Will To Win, you can do anything.

Most of us give up at the first sign of difficulty. We are pioneers, chasing the greatest version of ourselves . Until pioneering is no longer convenient, glamorous, or easy.

Ask yourself this: When was the last time something easy,  ever had an impact on your life?

Tony never gave up. He was never “ realistic ” with his goals-the reason why he lives a life that seems impossible to so many of us. He visualized what he wanted from his life and pursued that vision until he got it. He would pursue it until he died, which is why he achieved it. But achieving your goal is not the point, being on the path is. Being on the path IS “the will”.

The Will To Win Speech didn’t motivate Tony Robbins.

The will to win speech awoke the will to win sleeping dormant within him,  within you. 

He created a goal, then made it crystal clear in his mind. Tony needed his goal to have as much clarity as possible: no second guessing goals.

  All he needed to do was follow the map he created. You are the navigator of your own destiny, the wind in the sails. Some of us let that wind die out long ago. So we don’t move.

We stay in jobs we hate.

We stay in toxic relationships.

We’re satisfied with being a doormat for the world.

It doesn’t have to be like this.

Others chased goals like Tony’s and gave up. He continued in the face of adversity and kept going until adversity broke. Tony wasn’t going to break. He would die first. If you really want something, you need to throw yourself at it.

His desire to achieve what he knew in his mind he deserved superseded pain & suffering.

Have you ever wanted something this bad?

Tony Says Your Story Is Your Ultimate Tool.

He’s right.

Everything bad that’s ever happened to you is your fault.

This is a good thing.  This is beautiful. It means you’re in control of your life, and not a victim of the world and your environment.

Victims stay prisoner to their own self-pity. Winners take their losses as lessons. They know they aren’t defeated when the fail, only when they give up. 

Winners believe losses are lessons, and quitters are losers. Reframe your mind in the same manner, and watch how your world changes.

This means everything good that’s ever happened to you is your fault; your destiny is clay waiting to be manipulated.

The Will To Win Speech

By Vince Lombardi

Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that’s first place. I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay, and I don’t ever want to finish second again. There is a second place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers. It is and always has been an American zeal to be first in anything we do, and to win, and to win, and to win.

Every time a football player goes to ply his trade he’s got to play from the ground up – from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play. Some guys play with their heads. That’s O.K. You’ve got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you’ve got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you’re lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he’s never going to come off the field second.

Running a football team is no different than running any other kind of organization – an army, a political party or a business. The principles are the same. The object is to win – to beat the other guy. Maybe that sounds hard or cruel. I don’t think it is.

It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most competitive men. That’s why they are there – to compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the game. The object is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules – but to win.

And in truth, I’ve never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn’t appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head to head combat.

I don’t say these things because I believe in the “brute” nature of man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.

The Will To Win Source & PDF Download.

Is The Vince Lombardi Will To Win Speech Correct?

Many have stated that the correct speech is The Will To Win by Berton Braley. You can read that speech here.

To confirm which speech was the correct version, I reached out to Tony Robbin’s team. They confirmed Vince Lombardi wrote the speech. Not Berton Braley.

Below is a link to a screenshot from the Tony Robbin’s team confirming the speech.

Confirmation of the correct speech

How has tony’s work changed your life? Are you, motivated by the will to win?

Please share this post with others who would enjoy  reading, the will to win.

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I grew up being abused by men an women, I grew up in self deception, drug addiction, lived a gay life cause I was afraid and I was badly damaged. I got clean and sober in 1992. A few years later my friend attended a personal power workshop. He bought all of the programs. He never followed up with it, but he gave me, the poor broken hustler the 30 day personal power program. It took me months to get through that 30 days. I went from $8 an hour, washing used appliances in the rain to a salesman, sales manager to a car salesman to my current finance manager position. I just didn’t want to be poor, I had gone through to much to be poor. My biggest achievement was when a beautiful, broken woman came into my life. In a single moment she swept me off my feet. I ended my toxic relationship and discovered what it felt like to be true to myself. The stick finally forced me to grab the carrot and I did with gusto. It all started with the first 30 days. Now I have achieved so much, lived longer than I ever thought I would. Now at 49 years old I feel like I think I should have felt when I was 30 years old. Tony warned me about one day waking up and asking myself “is this all there is”? Tha Is has come true twice in my life, once 6 years ago when I met my wife and the other just now, in this recent few weeks. Good news I am still young and blessed with good health, unfortunately I don’t have a “why”! I have achieved so much from who I was and who I have become, but compared to many others I have not achieved much in the way of wealth. I feel lost again, happy with many many blessings, but I want more, but I don’t know what that more is. I want freedom and that takes money. I feel like the air conditioners are on and cooling me down cause I am getting hot and out of my comfort zone. I have reprogrammed myself from 20 grand a year to 198k last year. My best year ever and when I figured out that I could push past 200 grand I started sabatoging my success by negatively reacting to events. I need to find a way past this false ceiling that I have placed on myself. Sales situations that were easy for me last year are defeating me this year. So here I am again searching for guidance turning to self help to find that,answers that will propel me to the next level. With God’s blessings He will open a door that will lead to the freedom I am seeking!

I am not motivated, I made a decision before my old self died, which was to live my life to the fullest. I then just away from the 30meter high bridge, signed up at the gym, went home and installed my blog in 2 minutes on WordPress and threw the cigarettes into the trashcan.

The goal? Millionaire.

I was given Tony’s “30 day personal power” tapes by someone in college who didn’t want them.. I learned so many key principles that have shaped my life. He’s the real deal. In the next year I want to go to his Date with Destiny. The principles I learned inspired me to start a charity who uses horses helps children who grew up in an addicted home. We’ve had hundred of kids go through in the last eight years. The specific principles that helped me were 1) don’t reinvent the wheel 2) the rocking chair test 3) visualizing where I want to be 4) the what and how don’t matter if the why is important enough.

Thanks for sharing. Tony’s word touches the life of millions every day. I’m so happy you’re one of them.

I’m Fucking Unstoppable!!!

Tony Robbins’ speech on the will to win is truly inspiring. His ability to shift perspectives and help people see that they have the power to change their lives is remarkable. I found myself nodding along with every word, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and determination. His message is a reminder that success is not just about achieving goals, but about living a life that fulfills our deepest desires and passions. Thank you for sharing this powerful speech!

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How to Write a Speech to Get You Elected

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 468,521 times.

If you possess leadership skills and want to make a change, you may want to run for office.To become an elected official, you must convince voters that you’re the best option by delivering a message that will win them over. Regardless of whether your goal is a seat in Congress or a position as school president, the basic principles remain the same when making an election speech.

Structuring Your Points into a Speech

• You should write the speech with phrases and words that you normally use when talking to people.
• For example, don’t write something like, “Voters and citizens, the abhorrent nature of my opponent while he assumed the position as treasurer saw that governmental coffers were drained to their lowest point in a decade!”
• Instead, write something like, “Can you really trust my opponent? When he was treasurer so much money went missing that we’re now at the lowest level in 10 years!”

• If you’re running for school president you can say something like, “Hey everyone. Today I’ll be talking about the important things that everyone here cares about, like the quality of our lunch, access to sports, and lack of programs and what faculty can do to fix it.”
• If you're running for city council or mayor, you can say something like, “Thank you to everyone who decided to come. Today I’ll be talking about how essential educational investment is and what we can do about bringing jobs and industry back to our town.”

• If you're running for school president your paragraph could start something like "We all know that school lunch is bad, but would it surprise you to find out it's actually unhealthy? I have a plan to work with facility to improve the quality of our lunches."
• If you're running for a federal office, you could write "There are many issues that face us today, but one of the most important things right now is access to healthcare. My plan for a single-payer system will ensure that everyone, regardless of income, will be able to afford high-quality health services in our state. I believe that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege."
• Jumping from point to point will only confuse the listeners.
• You don’t always have to stick to this structure but it's what usually works best and will keep your speech organized.

• For instance, if you are running for school president you could say something like, "Everyone knows Jeremy is an amazing basketball player. We've all seen the videos online and we know how dedicated he is to getting better. But we don't have a team here. And that needs to change!"
• For instance, if you’re talking about increasing the minimum wage, you could say something like, “I know a girl in my district named Gabby who is a single mother without her high school diploma. She’s one of the hardest workers and most genuine people I have ever met, but she is on government assistance because the only job she can get will only pay $8 an hour. This is just not an income that can sustain any sort of family, and it’s up to us to make sure that corporations reward workers who put in the effort and do the right thing. That’s why I’m proposing a major increase of the minimum wage over the next 5 years to $15 per hour.”

• For example, if you’re mainly campaigning on environmental justice and immigration reform, don’t talk about foreign relations or prison justice reform in your speech because it will make the speech long-winded and off topic.

• If you're running for office in school, you could say something like "We've talked about the lack of resources, unhealthy lunch food, and lack of decorations at the dances. And I've also layed out every way we can solve these problems together. If you want to do better for Freemondt Highschool, vote for me on November 8th!"
• For instance, you could say, “And if you vote for my opponent, nothing will change! That’s why on November 5th, you should vote for me.

• If you’re talking about a foreign country or including the names of people in your speech, make sure you know how to pronounce them correctly.

Delivering the Message

• You can ask your friend whether they thought the speech was moving or powerful, if they were bored, or if there was anything they didn’t understand.
• You can also memorize the speech so that you don’t have to read it when you’re delivering it. If you practice enough, you many naturally memorize parts of the speech.

• Often, people will think that they are speaking much quicker than they really are.
• Former U.S. President Barack Obama used pauses to emphasize points in his speeches frequently.

Creating a Platform

• Information about your voters can also be gained by reviewing polling information, past voter data, or by considering the location where you're giving the speech.
• If you're delivering the speech at a university, there's a high likelihood most of the audience will be college-aged people.
• Stay away from saying anything that may offend or upset your potential supporters.

• For instance, voters could be concerned about corruption or a lack of jobs.
• You can also ask people about their biggest concerns on social media.

• If there are not enough programs at your school, you could talk to the administration and the student body to develop new programs in your school.
• For instance, if there is a lack of jobs in your town, you could propose a plan to lower the corporate tax rate in your area to bring in new business.

Expert Q&A

• Try to have a little humor in your speech. It'll make your audience view your speech as fun. A completely serious speech might make some of your audience bored and zone out. A little humor will keep them listening. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/publicspeaking/chapter/14-1-four-methods-of-delivery/
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-introductions
• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/publicspeakingprinciples/chapter/chapter-8-outlining-your-speech/
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-evidence/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/conciseness/index.html
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-motivational-speech
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-improving-your-public-speaking-skills/
• ↑ https://sps.columbia.edu/news/five-ways-improve-your-body-language-during-speech
• ↑ https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/Module%207_Becoming%20a%20Powerful%20Communicator_EN.pdf
• ↑ https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/Political_Campaign_Planning_Manual_Malaysia_0.pdf
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202004/how-win-election

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How to Write a Speech in 11 Simple Steps

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Writing a speech can be daunting, right? We’ve all stared at a blank page, wondering how to turn thoughts into words that connect.

But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Stick with me, and we’ll break down how to craft a speech that feels authentic and engages your audience.

From knowing your purpose to making your message memorable, let’s dive into key steps to make your next speech a success.

Key Takeaways

• Connect with your audience by understanding who they are and what matters to them.
• Define the purpose of your speech to keep your content focused and relevant.
• Know your audience well to tailor your message to their interests and level of knowledge.
• Craft a clear and focused message that highlights your main idea effectively.
• Support your points with credible research, statistics, and relatable anecdotes.
• Structure your speech with a strong introduction, informative body, and memorable conclusion.
• Engage your audience using storytelling, humor, or rhetorical questions to make your speech memorable.
• Use simple, clear language to ensure your message is easily understood by everyone.
• Practice your speech multiple times to deliver it confidently and smoothly.
• Interact with your audience during the speech to keep them engaged and involved.
• Conclude with impact by summarizing key points and leaving a lasting impression.

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Table of Contents

1. Write a Speech That Connects with Your Audience

Writing a speech that truly resonates with your audience starts with understanding who they are and what matters to them.

Think about their interests, challenges, and what they hope to gain from your speech.

Sharing personal stories or anecdotes can make your message more relatable and memorable.

For instance, if you’re addressing college graduates, you might mention that “42% of college graduates never read another book after college.”

This statistic could highlight the importance of lifelong learning and engage your audience with a surprising fact.

Remember, speaking from the heart and being genuine can create a powerful connection.

If you’re looking to improve your storytelling skills, you might find some helpful tips in writing compelling author bios or exploring memoir writing prompts .

2. Determine the Purpose of Your Speech

Before putting pen to paper, it’s crucial to know why you’re giving this speech.

Are you aiming to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire your audience?

Having a clear purpose will guide your content and help you stay focused.

For example, if your goal is to motivate people to take action on environmental issues, you might include a fact like “Single-use plastics account for 40% of the plastic produced globally each year.”

Whatever your purpose, make sure every part of your speech supports that central goal.

Determining your purpose is a bit like choosing the right topic for a book index ; it keeps everything organized and relevant.

3. Know Your Audience Well

Getting to know your audience is key to delivering a speech that hits home.

Consider their age, background, interests, and what they might already know about your topic.

If you’re speaking to a group of young entrepreneurs, referencing the statistic that “There are over 2,000 billionaires in the world” could inspire them to aim high.

You might tailor your language and examples to suit their experiences and expectations.

Understanding your audience is similar to knowing your target audience when writing a book ; it helps you connect more effectively.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions or even survey your audience beforehand to gather insights.

4. Craft a Clear and Focused Message

Having a clear and focused message is like having a roadmap for your speech.

It helps you stay on track and ensures your audience understands your main point.

Start by identifying the core idea you want to convey.

Think of it as the takeaway you want your listeners to remember even after they’ve left.

If you’re discussing the importance of education, for example, you might center your message around the fact that “In sub-Saharan Africa, almost 60% of youth between the ages of 15 and 17 are not in school.”

This statistic highlights a significant issue and anchors your speech around a clear purpose.

Keeping your message focused prevents you from straying into unrelated topics, which can confuse your audience.

It’s much like writing a story with a central theme; everything should tie back to your main point.

5. Research and Gather Supportive Information

Backing up your message with credible information adds weight to your words.

Do some digging to find facts, statistics, or anecdotes that support your main idea.

Make sure your sources are reliable so your audience can trust what you’re saying.

For instance, if you’re talking about social media usage, mentioning that “Snapchat has 170 million daily users, but Facebook has 1.37 billion daily users” can illustrate the vast reach of these platforms.

Including such data not only strengthens your speech but also keeps your audience engaged with interesting facts.

Researching thoroughly is like preparing for a debate; the more information you have, the better you can make your case.

Just be careful not to overload your audience with too many numbers—pick the most impactful ones.

If you’re looking for more ways to enhance your speech with stories, check out some writing prompts for inspiration.

6. Structure Your Speech Effectively

An organized speech is easier for your audience to follow and understand.

Start with an introduction that grabs attention, then move into the body of your speech where you elaborate on your points.

Finally, conclude with a strong closing that reinforces your main message.

This classic structure helps guide your listeners through your ideas seamlessly.

Think of your speech like a journey—you need a clear path from start to finish.

Using signposts or transitional phrases can also help your audience keep up.

For example, saying “Let’s move on to the second reason why education is vital…” signals that you’re progressing to a new point.

Effective structuring is similar to outlining a book; it ensures all the parts fit together logically.

If you’re curious about different ways to present your ideas, you might explore how to write a one-act play for inspiration.

7. Make Your Speech Engaging and Memorable

Capturing your audience’s attention is key to delivering a successful speech.

Use storytelling, humor, or rhetorical questions to make your speech more engaging.

Add personal anecdotes that relate to your topic; people often remember stories more than facts.

For instance, sharing a moment when you overcame a challenge can inspire others facing similar obstacles.

Visual aids or props can also enhance your message and make it more memorable.

Just ensure that any humor or stories are appropriate for your audience and topic.

Making your speech engaging is like writing a captivating novel—you want your audience to be hooked from the beginning to the end.

If you’re looking for creative ideas to spice up your speech, consider using vivid language and descriptive details.

8. Use Simple Language for Clarity

Using simple and clear language helps your audience understand your message without getting lost.

Avoid jargon or complex terms that might confuse listeners.

Speak as if you’re explaining the topic to a friend over coffee.

Short sentences and everyday words make your speech more accessible to everyone.

For example, instead of saying “The ramifications of socioeconomic disparities are multifaceted,” you could say “Poverty affects people in many different ways.”

Simplicity doesn’t mean dumbing down your message; it means making it clear.

Remember, the goal is to communicate, not to impress with big words.

Keeping your language straightforward helps your audience stay focused on what you’re saying.

9. Practice Your Speech for Better Delivery

Practicing your speech is essential to delivering it confidently and smoothly.

Rehearse multiple times to get comfortable with the material.

Try practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself to see how you come across.

Pay attention to your pacing, tone, and body language.

You might also practice in front of a friend to get feedback.

The more familiar you are with your speech, the less nervous you’ll be on the big day.

Think of it like preparing for a performance—the more you rehearse, the better you’ll do.

Don’t aim for perfection, but for a natural and confident delivery.

10. Engage with Your Audience During Your Speech

Interacting with your audience can make your speech more dynamic and impactful.

Ask rhetorical questions or encourage the audience to think about a point you’ve made.

Make eye contact with different parts of the audience to keep them involved.

If appropriate, you might even include a brief activity or poll.

Engagement turns a one-way speech into a conversation.

It helps your audience feel connected to you and your message.

Remember, people appreciate feeling acknowledged and included.

Engaging with your audience is like having a dialogue rather than a monologue.

It can make your speech more enjoyable for everyone involved.

11. Conclude Your Speech with Impact

Your conclusion is your final chance to leave a lasting impression.

Summarize your main points and reinforce your core message.

End with a strong closing statement or a call to action.

For example, if your speech was about the importance of reading, you might say, “Let’s all pick up a book this week and rediscover the joy of reading.”

A powerful conclusion can motivate your audience to think differently or take action.

It’s like the final chapter of a book—it should provide closure and satisfaction.

Make sure your last words are memorable, so they stay with your audience long after you’ve finished speaking.

If you want to know more about crafting strong endings, consider reading about how to write a foreword effectively.

How do I determine the purpose of my speech?

Determining the purpose involves identifying what you want to achieve—inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire. Clarify your main message and desired outcome to guide your content, structure, and delivery, ensuring your speech aligns with your objectives.

What are effective ways to engage with my audience during a speech?

To engage the audience, use eye contact, ask questions, include anecdotes, incorporate appropriate humor, and involve them through activities or interactions. Tailor content to their interests and encourage participation to keep them connected.

How can I make my speech memorable?

Create a memorable speech by telling compelling stories, using vivid imagery, and sharing powerful quotes or statistics. Employ repetition of key messages, vary vocal tone and pace, and conclude with a strong closing statement that resonates.

What is the best way to practice my speech for better delivery?

Practice by rehearsing aloud multiple times, ideally in front of a mirror or with a test audience. Record yourself to identify areas for improvement. Focus on pacing, clarity, and body language to enhance delivery and build confidence.

Stefan is the founder of Automateed. A content creator at heart, swimming through SAAS waters, and trying to make new AI apps available to fellow entrepreneurs.

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How to Write an Impactful Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve been tasked with writing a speech, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to get started. We get it; we’ve been there. Public speaking isn’t easy! But with the right tools, writing and delivering an effective speech isn’t difficult.

Here’s a tip: Speech structure isn’t much different from an essay structure . Think of your speech as an essay you’ll speak aloud to the people watching.

A well-written speech is a memorable one, and when tasked with giving a speech, this is one of your primary goals. You may also have a secondary goal, like teaching the audience something new, congratulating one or more people, persuading listeners to take a specific position, or promoting yourself or another individual.

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What is a speech?

A speech is a piece of verbal communication, typically given to a crowd. This could be at a workplace event, a ceremony such as a wedding or graduation, as part of a political campaign, or when you’re asked to weigh in on a topic as an expert.

There’s no specific length for a speech, but in most cases, they typically last about 10 to 20 minutes. When written, this totals about 1,300 to 2,600 words. But this can vary according to factors like how fast you speak and whether you’ll incorporate visuals into your speech, like a set of slides for a work presentation .

Types of speeches

Informative speech.

An informative speech is a speech given to educate listeners. It can be about any topic, such as new research, a historical figure, current or historical events, or an animal species. Informative speeches communicate facts and relevant statistics.

Persuasive speech

A persuasive speech aims to guide listeners to take a certain action, such as voting a certain way. They are often part of political campaigns but may also be given by entertainers and other public figures. Generally, persuasive speeches include facts to support the speaker’s claims.

Keynote speech

A keynote speech is a speech given at the beginning of an event to set the tone for the event. Often, they’re given at corporate functions, graduation ceremonies, and industry conferences. A keynote speech is usually upbeat and motivational.

Motivational speech

A motivational speech is a speech given to energize the crowd and inspire them to take action. The difference between a motivational speech and a persuasive speech is that motivational speeches rely primarily on anecdotes and words of encouragement for the listeners, rather than facts meant to drive their behavior.

Pitch speech

A pitch speech is a sales speech typically given to potential buyers or investors. In a pitch speech, the speaker discusses the benefits and capabilities of their product or service. In many cases, pitch speeches are tailored to their specific audiences and the speaker’s goal, such as motivating the audience to buy or invest in building or launching a product.

Oratorical speech

Oratorical speeches are formal speeches, often given at weddings and other milestone ceremonies, that speak about the event. This could be a toast to the new couple, the retiree, or the graduate, or a discussion of the event’s importance.

A eulogy is a speech given at a funeral, typically by a religious leader or somebody close to the deceased person. A eulogy honors the deceased individual, often discussing their achievements and the positive relationships they maintained during their life.

6 steps for writing an effective speech

As you start the speech preparation process, remember the following speechwriting tips. This can ensure that you stay on track and that your speech is appropriate and effective for its audience. Developing strong speechwriting skills can make you a better writer and speaker.

1 Define audience and purpose

The first step in speechwriting is determining who will be listening to your speech and why they should care about your topic. Define the type of speech you’ll be giving, such as a keynote, informative, persuasive, or another type of speech, to determine factors like the right length, tone, and information to include.

Each kind of speech requires a unique tone and approach to speech delivery. For example, the purpose of a keynote speech is to set the tone for an event, like a corporate gathering or a graduation ceremony . Because of this, a keynote speech typically has an upbeat, optimistic tone, and its content focuses on the event’s theme, emphasizing the reasons why the event is being held. In contrast, a persuasive speech aims to drive its audience to take a specific action, so it needs a more urgent tone and focuses on the facts and statistics meant to push listeners to take action.

2 Research and gather resources

After defining your speech’s audience and purpose, start the prewriting process. When you’re writing a speech that will be delivered as part of a series of speeches, like a maid of honor speech at a wedding, it can be helpful to connect with others who’ll be speaking at the event to coordinate things like:

• Topics you’ll cover

Your speeches don’t have to match exactly, but knowing what the other speakers plan to say and how long they plan to speak can help you craft an effective speech.

This is also the point where you should conduct any necessary research related to your speech. This could mean gathering relevant facts and statistics to cite for an informative speech. For a keynote speech, it could mean collecting anecdotes to weave into the speech. Depending on the kind of speech you’re giving, you may also want to include impactful quotes. For example, you may opt to include a quote from your company’s founder in a speech written for a workplace event.

Before moving on to the next stage of writing a speech, organize your ideas into a clear outline . This way, you can visualize where each piece of information will fit into the speech.

3 Write a compelling introduction

As you write the speech’s introduction , focus on crafting an engaging hook that captures listeners’ attention and keeps them engaged. Effective hooks include asking rhetorical questions, stating surprising facts or statistics, and sometimes saying something that makes the audience laugh or do a double-take. Here are a few examples of hooks that could work in different types of speeches:

Keynote: 42% of college graduates never read another book after college. Hopefully, you all will defy this statistic.

Oratorical: When I met the bride, she told me her name was Brianna. I believed her for months. I only found out the truth when I asked our teacher if I could be seat buddies with Brianna on the bus ride for our next field trip, and I was promptly informed that there was no Brianna in our class. Turns out, her name is Sam.

Motivational: If you could meet your 10-year-old self, what would they think of you?

4 Structure the body of the speech

After the introduction, support your speech’s key points with body sections. Just like an essay, stick to one main idea for each supporting paragraph.

Determine the most logical way to order your speech’s body sections from your outline. Flow is important in a speech because if listeners can’t follow the narrative, they won’t grasp or internalize its content. Lean on storytelling techniques to make your speech flow more easily. This includes things like transition words between sections and the use of literary devices, like anaphora and metaphor, to engage readers.

Keep your audience in mind as you write your speech’s body sections. Are they a technical audience who will understand a speech that includes industry jargon and complex figures, or are they a general audience that needs to have concepts explained in a more accessible way?

Try to find the right balance between sharing in-depth content and ensuring that everybody in the room understands it. This can even extend to more personal speeches, like a best man speech—inside jokes can be fine at a bachelor party or a small wedding, but if most guests won’t understand them, leave them out of the speech.

5 Close with impact

Just like a speech that opens with an engaging hook, it should end with a powerful final statement. Focus on your speech’s goal: Is it to entertain the audience? Inform them? Persuade them? Set the stage? With a goal in mind, next think about the most impactful piece of information you shared in the speech. Find a way to repeat this information and deliver it in a way that leaves an impression on the audience at the conclusion .

This could mean including a call to action, like “Get out there and vote” or “Let’s party!” Or it could mean ending with a question for the audience to consider, like “Where do you see our company in the next 10 years?”

6 Revise and refine

With the first draft completed, the next step is to polish it into your final speech. With an essay, the standard advice at this stage is to wait 24 hours or so before going back to edit your work so you can review it with fresh eyes. With a speech, waiting can be part of the process, but at this stage, the most important step is to practice giving the speech.

Read the first draft aloud and note any points where you stumble or the words don’t sound right. You might need to rearrange a few lines or break run-on sentences into shorter ones. If you can, have somebody listen to you give the speech and ask them for feedback. They can help you pinpoint your speech’s strongest points and opportunities for improvement. You can also get a stronger sense of the right pacing, volume, and other aspects of speech delivery this way.

Speechwriting FAQs

How long should a good speech be.

A typical speech runs about 10 to 20 minutes. When written, this is approximately 1,300 to 2,600 words.

How can I make my speech more engaging for the audience?

Include intriguing statistics, unexpected facts, and where appropriate, entertaining anecdotes to make your speech more engaging for the audience.

What are some common mistakes in speechwriting, and how can I avoid them?

One common mistake in speechwriting is failing to time the speech properly. Practice reading the speech aloud so you know exactly how long it takes to deliver it—and adjust if necessary.

Another common speechwriting mistake is striking the wrong tone. As you write a speech, be mindful of the audience’s demographic and your goals for the speech. While a lighthearted, comedic speech can be great for a retirement roast, it’s not appropriate for a resignation speech.

Can I use humor in my speech, and how?

Yes, you can use humor in your speech, but be mindful about how you employ it. Make sure the humor will “land” with most, ideally all, of the people in the audience. Nobody should be offended or confused by the humor. A good approach is to have somebody listen to your speech and give feedback before you actually present it to your audience. They can tell you if the humor is effective.

Quote Investigator®

Tracing Quotations

The Will To Win Is Not Worth Much Unless You Have the Will To Prepare To Win

Vince Lombardi? Bobby Knight? Fielding H. Yost? John Cooper? Joe Paterno? Vernon Law? Anonymous?

• The will to win is important; the will to prepare to win is vital.
• The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.
• The will to win is not worth a nickel unless you have the will to prepare.

This saying has been attributed to several prominent coaches including: Bobby Knight who led the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team, Vince Lombardi who led the Green Bay Packers football team, Fielding H. Yost who led the Michigan Wolverines football team, and Joe Paterno who led Penn State Nittany Lions football team. Who should receive credit?

Quote Investigator: Fielding H. Yost was the head football coach at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for 25 seasons at the beginning of the twentieth century. His remarkably successful squads dominated opponents and won several national championships. During the 1929-30 academic year Yost delivered a speech to teachers in the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City. His “Wingate Memorial Lecture” included a prolix version of the athletic adage. Emphasis added to excerpts by QI : [1] 1930, Intimate Talks by Great Coaches: Wingate Memorial Lectures 1929-1930, Edited by E. Dana Caulkins, Lecture Title: Fundamentals of Football Coaching by Fielding H. Yost (University of Michigan), … Continue reading

The will to win. We hear a lot about that. The will and the wish to win, but there isn’t a chance for either one of them to be gratified or to have any value unless there has been a will to prepare to win : the will to prepare for service, to do the things that build and develop our capacity, physical, mental, and moral.

Yost reiterated this notion during several speeches, and QI believes he was primarily responsible for its popularization although the phrasing he employed was variable. During the ensuing decades other coaches adopted the saying.

Below are additional selected citations in chronological order.

In February 1930 Yost delivered a speech on the “Lasting Values in Athletics” which was later published in a collection called “The Barnwell Addresses”. Yost included the following passage: [2] 1931, The Barnwell Addresses: Volume 1 – 1922-30, Edited by John Louis Hanley (President, The Central High School of Philadelphia), Speech: Lasting Values in Athletics by Fielding H. Yost (The … Continue reading

Preparation—that is the big thing. It is all right to talk about this “will to win,” but I tell you it is not of much worth unless you have the will to prepare, whether for the game you are to play or for the business or profession you are to enter. A one horsepower man cannot do much to achieve a great result. He must develop by preparation, so that when the test comes he has something to rely upon and is able to make use of it.

In November 1930 “The Boston Herald” of Massachusetts reported that Yost spoke during Football Night at the University Club of Boston and said this: [3] 1930 November 7, The Boston Herald, “Hurry Up” Yost Refuses to Comment on Probable Victor in Stadium Game: Very Little Difference in Football Throughout Nation Says Yost at University … Continue reading

He said his gospel for clean play, because, among other reasons, clean play was the surest road to successful play. He scoffed at “The will to win” being adequate in itself. He said the boys have the will to prepare to win . His conclusion was to let the better team win and not to expect too much of the boys.

In 1955 Jack Landrum who was the head football coach at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio employed an instance of the saying during a speech delivered to high school students in Hillsboro: [4] 1955 December 16, The Press-Gazette, Football Dinner Held Monday; Capital University Man Speaks, Start Page 1, Quote Page 2, Column 1, Hillsboro, Ohio. (Newspapers_com)

Landrum emphasized this point in particular to conclude his talk. “The desire to win isn’t worth a nickel unless you have a tremendous desire to prepare. Exactly the same thing applies to life itself.”

In 1965 “The Pittsburgh Press” of Pennsylvania reported that major league baseball pitcher Vernon Law had filled a notebook with adages and principles he considered helpful. Some examples were reprinted in the newspaper: [5] 1965 July 30, The Pittsburgh Press, The Scoreboard: Going By The Law Book by Lester J. Biederman, Quote Page 25, Column 2, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Newspapers_com)

“Sportsmanship, like other virtues, comes by working at it. If you are a poor sport, keep your sportsmanship hidden, never let it come out in public. Never let it dictate or influence your actions and soon it will wither and die.” “Many have the will to win on the day of the contest but few have the will to prepare to win.”

In 1979 prominent basketball coach Bobby Knight authored a newspaper column that included the saying: [6] 1979 December 19, Greensboro Daily News, Bobby Knight: He Knows How To Win by Bobby Knight (N.Y. Times News Service), Start Page B3, Quote Page B8, Column 1, Greensboro, North Carolina. … Continue reading

Winning to me is a very wholesome objective, yet very few people know how to go about it. The will to win has always been grossly overrated as a means of doing so. Everyone wants to win. The will to prepare to win and the ability to prevent losing are of far greater importance.

Celebrated football coach Vince Lombardi died in 1970. In 1996 a newspaper in Odessa, Texas ascribed a version of the saying to him: [7] 1996 October 17, The Odessa American, Section: Good News, Joseph King navigates for the Navy, Quote Page 2C, Column 4, Odessa, Texas. (Newspapers_com)

Former Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi once said “Everyone has the will to win but very few have the will to prepare to win.”

In 1998 a colleague attributed the saying to well-known football coach Joe Paterno: [8] 1998 October 8, Herald and Review, Brees taking the Big Ten by storm by Mark Tupper (H & R Executive Sports Editor), Start Page D1, Quote Page D6, Column 3, Decatur, Illinois. (Newspapers_com)

Ohio State coach John Cooper says his team is proving to be a group that looks after details during practice. “I’ve heard coach Paterno say this over and over again: The will to win is important, the will to prepare to win is vital.”

In conclusion, Fielding H. Yost is the leading candidate for creator of this saying. He employed it in multiple speeches although his expressions were not compact. Other coaches and athletes adopted the saying in subsequent years.

Image Notes: Photograph of Fielding H. Yost circa 1902 from the 1902 Michiganensian accessed via Wikimedia Commons. Illustration of the Girl Scout Motto from “How Girls Can Help Their Country” (1917) by Juliette Low, Agnes Baden-Powell, and Robert Baden-Powell.

(Great thanks to Mike Sullivan whose inquiry led QI to formulate this question and perform this exploration.)

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How to structure a victory speech in three steps

Scroll down to the bottom to see our bonus video tip on writing victory speeches.

Writing an effective victory speech is tough.

You won something (hooray!), and you’re likely to be either in a state of euphoria or complete overwhelm.

Now is the time to express gratitude and all you can do is stutter ‘Oh, oh, I didn’t expect this, I am so grateful, I don’t know what to say, …’

Other people shut down their emotions and start endlessly (and boringly) thanking everybody and their grandmother.

A great victory speech is actually a balancing act. You want to acknowledge your own efforts while at the same time putting the spotlight on others.

Here’s a 3-part structure to help you compose your victory speech. We’ve illustrated each part with examples from Barack Obama’s famous 2008 Chicago Victory Speech.

1. Be grateful

A sympathetic winner acknowledges that many others helped him achieve his goals. This acknowledgement should be explicit: thank all the people that were important to you and if there are just a few, thank them extensively. Obama even goes as far as addressing the victory to someone else – those who elected him – and does not just thank others but praise them too.

“I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.”

2. Be modest

People want the modest, unexpected candidate to win. Therefore, you should emphasize the unlikeliness of your victory. Frame yourself as the underdog, state that you never expected to win, that this achievement is beyond expectations. Obama does this very strongly in his speech and portrays himself as a very improbable winner.

“I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.”

3. Be visionary

Victory is never a goal in itself. Victory should serve more noble goals or is just a step towards new, better or more victories. Also, victory might be just a first step of a long process. The winner should show that he oversees this process and knows where he stands. Obama emphasizes “change” as the highest goal and warns that this goal has not been reached and can’t be reached quickly nor easily.

“There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. […] This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change.”

Bonus tip: Speak to people’s potential

Watch this video for a bonus tip on how create even more impact for your victory speech.

Photo by  Designecologist  from  Pexels

The Will to Win by Berton Braley Summary

Table of Contents

The Will to Win by Berton Braley

In this post I am discussing an outstanding inspirational poem, “The Will to Win” by Berton Braley. I have selected this great poem for two reasons, the first is the message in the poem which is greatly inspirational and I completely love it and second is the manner the poem is composed; is so simple and easy to understand. I hope you will appreciate and post your remarks.

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Central Idea: ‘The Will to Win’ by Berton Braley is an inspirational poem on the fervent desire in pursuing a personal goal with relentless and consuming passion. The poem tells us if you take hold of and focus all that you are upon what it is that you want, then ultimately, ‘you will get it.

The poet urges us to give up time, peace and sleep in order to work towards the most important thing in your life. All else is supposed to take second place. Lose all fears of any kind, come what may be. If you show the courage, faith, and trust, then nothing will stop you from getting what you want.

Summary of The Will to Win by Berton Braley

The poem is full of wonderful and inspirational words from start to end. The poem is about a fervent desire in which the poet in his beautiful and simple style exhorts the reader that if you have a strong desire to achieve anything, you will definitely achieve it.

The poet states that if you want a thing sufficiently awful and go out and battle for it, constantly work hard day and night for it and surrender your precious time and your tranquillity and your comfort for it.

If the desire just makes you distraught and if you never feel worn out on it and if for you all other things become tawdry and cheap for it.

If your life appears unfilled and futile without it and if you plan and dream about it. If you are gleefully ready to sweat for it, to worry for it, if you remove every fear of God and man for it.

In the event that you’ll simply pursue that thing you desperately desire with all your ability, quality, and intelligence, confidence, expectation, and certainty, determination, pertinacity and if neither chilly cold, nor poverty nor ailment nor suffering of body and mind dismisses you and the desire you want and above all if you are determined and stern for it you will definitely get it.

Appreciation of the poem ‘The Will to Win’

The poem, ‘The Will to Win’ has been written by Berton Braley. The title of the poem suggests that it is about the preconditions for success. The poem is written in a free-verse format which is the reason why the rhyme scheme is irregular and does not have a fixed pattern. The figures of speech beautifying the poem are Alliteration , Antithesis , Climax , Repetition and Tautology. An example of Tautology from the extract is “seems useless and worthless without it” where two words ‘useless’ and ‘worthless’ having the same meaning i.e. ‘meaningless’ are used in the same line. The central idea of the poem highlights the criteria for achieving success. The poet believes that success is the result of persistent struggle, relentless pursuit of one’s goal and unyielding determination. One must toil without giving up and only then with the blessings of God, can one succeed.

Special Highlights of the Poem

➡ The poem is inspirational. It contains very rich ideas for personality traits and circumstances that help one to get success. ➡ The poem ignites our brain. It motivates us that if you have the fervent desire to get anything, no one can stop you.

➡ The poem also tells us what we shall do or avoid in order to achieve success.

➡ The poem is full of powerful words such as fight capacity, strength, sagacity, faith, hope, and confidence, stern pertinacity, dogged

➡ The poem states that we have to give up so many things if we want our desires to come true.

➡ This poem inspires to keep on striving for success. If you have a will to achieve something incredible you will achieve it by your sincere effort s.

➡Above all, the poem is not beating around the bush. It is written in simple words that every can anyone. It doesn’t need to be examining and re-examining.

➡The poet has repeated that pronoun ‘it’ in most of the lines and in all instances at the end of the line. The repetition has been used at some other places also such as “Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it,”.

Read Also: The Road Not Taken

Analysis of the poem

This poem gives us the formula for success. The poem provokes us to build up a battling spirit so as to fight negative forces coming in the way of success. The poem spurs us to work ceaselessly in order to acquire sure success.

The poem has no rhyme scheme but rhymes are used randomly all through the poem. The most common type is in lines ending with the word “it”, for example, “for it, of it, without it, about it, beget it, sweat for it, fret for it and so on”. Other examples are ” capacity, pertinacity, sagacity, and pain, brain”.

The main figure of speech used in the poem is repetition. There is an abundance of “for it” phrases throughout the poem.

This is a motivational poem. It motivates one to target and achieve goals. The poem is rich in ideas for personality traits and circumstances that aid to achieve success. All the lines of the poem are very forceful encouraging us to be persistent and to keep on striving for success. My favourite line of the poem is:

If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it, You’ll get it!

This line is very powerful alliteration . It motivates to resist forcefully with our efforts in order to achieve success.

Questions and Answers

1. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct alternatives.

i. When you want something badly, you must go out and _______.

A. search for it B. purchase it

C. think about it D. fight for it.

Ans. D. Fight for it

ii. When you want something badly, life without it seems _______.

A. cheap and inexpensive B. useless and worthless. C. sad and pathetic D. dull and unattractive

Ans. B. useless and worthless.

2. Find lines from the poem as proof for the following:

i. toil hard happily

ii. get rid of all fears

i. “If you gladly sweat for, fret for and plan for it” ii. “Lose all your terror of the opposition for it.”

3. Pick out an example of Antithesis from the extract.

Ans. An example of Antithesis from the extract is,

“work day and night for it”

4. Give the antonyms of the following words from the extract:

i. weakness ii. despair Ans . i. strength ii. hope

2 thoughts on “The Will to Win by Berton Braley Summary”

I liked very much Hope you keep it up

• Pingback: Summary and Question-Answers of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost » Smart English Notes

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