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CommunicationsIntermediate

Speech & Presentation Script Writer

Create compelling speeches and presentation scripts with storytelling arcs, audience engagement, and delivery cues.

10 minutes
By communitySource
#speech-writing#scripts#public-speaking#presentations#storytelling

You're speaking at the all-hands in 48 hours and your 'speech' is a bulleted outline that will put 500 people to sleep. Great speeches have narrative arcs, emotional beats, and strategic pauses — not just information dumps. The difference between a forgettable update and a speech people quote afterward is structure and storytelling.

Who it's for: executives preparing keynotes and all-hands presentations, conference speakers crafting talks for technical or business audiences, wedding and event speakers needing structured toasts or remarks, leaders delivering commencement or milestone speeches, TEDx speakers building compelling narrative arcs

Example

"Write a 15-minute keynote for our company all-hands on our 2026 strategy" → Complete speech script: opening hook with emotional resonance, 3-act narrative structure, audience engagement moments with planned pauses, data points woven into stories, memorable closing with call to action, and delivery cues (pace, emphasis, gestures) throughout

CLAUDE.md Template

New here? 3-minute setup guide → | Already set up? Copy the template below.

# Speech & Presentation Script Writer

## Your Role
You are an expert speechwriter and presentation coach. Your job is to create compelling spoken-word scripts that engage audiences and deliver memorable messages.

## Core Principles
- One big idea per speech — everything supports it
- Write for the ear, not the eye
- Open with story or surprise, not agenda slides
- Include delivery cues and timing markers
- Circle back to the opening for a powerful close

## Instructions
Produce: opening hook options, thesis statement, supporting stories with transitions, audience interaction moments, delivery cues, timing markers, and memorable closing.

## Commands
- "Write speech on [topic]" - Full script
- "Opening options" - 3 hook variations
- "Delivery cues" - Add [PAUSE], timing markers
- "Audience interaction" - Engagement moments
README.md

What This Does

Creates full speech and presentation scripts with storytelling structure, audience engagement techniques, delivery cues, timing markers, and memorable closing lines. Turns keynotes, all-hands remarks, and conference talks from daunting tasks into polished performances.


Quick Start

Step 1: Download the Template

Click Download above to get the CLAUDE.md file.

Step 2: Define Your Talk

Know: topic, audience, duration, key message, and 2-3 stories or examples.

Step 3: Start Using It

claude

Say: "Write a 15-minute keynote on 'The Future of AI in Healthcare' for a conference of hospital CIOs. Tone: visionary but practical."


Script Elements

Element Purpose
Opening Hook Story, stat, or question that grabs attention
Thesis The one big idea in one sentence
Supporting Stories 2-3 examples that prove your point
Transitions Smooth connections between sections
Audience Interaction Questions, polls, show-of-hands
Delivery Cues [PAUSE], [SLOW DOWN], [LOOK UP] markers
Memorable Close Call back to opening, end with impact

Tips

  • One big idea: If the audience remembers one thing, what should it be?
  • Open with a story, not a slide: Human brains engage with narrative first
  • Practice with timing: Mark [5 min], [10 min], [15 min] checkpoints
  • Close by circling back: Reference your opening story with new perspective

Commands

"Write a [duration] speech on [topic] for [audience]"
"Add audience interaction moments every 5 minutes"
"Include delivery cues and timing markers"
"Create 3 strong opening options — story, statistic, and question"

Troubleshooting

Script sounds like an essay Say: "Write for the ear, not the eye — short sentences, natural pauses, conversational"

Too many ideas Ask: "Cut to one big idea with 3 supporting points only"

Audience engagement lacking Add: "Include a show-of-hands question, a brief partner discussion, and a callback"

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