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Speech Writing

dulingo

  • Updated on  
  • Jan 16, 2024

Speech Writing

The power of good, inspiring, motivating, and thought-provoking speeches can never be overlooked. If we retrospect, a good speech has not only won people’s hearts but also has been a verbal tool to conquer nations. For centuries, many leaders have used this instrument to charm audiences with their powerful speeches. Apart from vocalizing your speech perfectly, the words you choose in a speech carry immense weight, and practising speech writing begins with our school life. Speech writing is an important part of the English syllabus for Class 12th, Class 11th, and Class 8th to 10th. This blog brings you the Speech Writing format, samples, examples, tips, and tricks!

This Blog Includes:

What is speech writing, speech in english language writing, how do you begin an english-language speech, introduction, how to write a speech, speech writing samples, example of a great speech, english speech topics, practice time.

Must Read: Story Writing Format for Class 9 & 10

Speech writing is the art of using proper grammar and expression to convey a thought or message to a reader. Speech writing isn’t all that distinct from other types of narrative writing. However, students should be aware of certain distinct punctuation and writing style techniques. While writing the ideal speech might be challenging, sticking to the appropriate speech writing structure will ensure that you never fall short.

“There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience.”- Alexander Gregg

The English language includes eight parts of speech i.e. nouns , pronouns , verbs , adjectives 410 , adverbs , prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

  • Noun- A noun is a word that describes anything, such as an animal, a person, a place, or an emotion. Nouns are the building blocks for most sentences.
  • Pronoun – Pronouns are words that can be used in place of nouns. They are used so that we don’t have to repeat words. This makes our writing and speaking much more natural.
  • Verb – A verb is a term that implies activity or ‘doing.’ These are very vital for your children’s grammar studies, as a sentence cannot be complete without a verb.
  • Adjective – An adjective is a term that describes something. An adjective is frequently used before a noun to add extra information or description.
  • Prepositions- A preposition is a term that expresses the location or timing of something in relation to something else.
  • Conjunction- Because every language has its own set of conjunctions, English conjunctions differ from those found in other languages. They’re typically used as a connecting word between two statements, concepts, or ideas.
  • Interjections- Interjections are words that are used to describe a strong emotion or a sudden feeling.

Relevant Read: Speech on the Importance of English

The way you start your English speech can set the tone for the remainder of it. This semester, there are a variety of options for you to begin presentations in your classes. For example, try some of these engaging speech in English language starters.

  • Rhetorical questions : A rhetorical question is a figure of speech that uses a question to convey a point rather than asking for a response. The answer to a rhetorical question may be clear, yet the questioner asks it to emphasize the point. Rhetorical questions may be a good method for students to start their English speeches. This method of introducing your material might be appealing to the viewers and encourage them to consider how they personally relate to your issue.
  • Statistics: When making an instructive or persuasive speech in an English class, statistics can help to strengthen the speaker’s authority and understanding of the subject. To get your point over quickly and create an emotional response, try using an unexpected statistic or fact that will resonate with the audience.
  • Set up an imaginary scene: Create an imaginary situation in your audience’s thoughts if you want to persuade them to agree with you with your speech. This method of starting your speech assists each member of the audience in visualizing a fantastic scenario that you wish to see come true.

Relevant Read: Reported Speech Rules With Exercises

Format of Speech Writing

Here is the format of Speech Writing:

  • Introduction : Greet the audience, tell them about yourself and further introduce the topic.
  • Body : Present the topic in an elaborate way, explaining its key features, pros and cons, if any and the like.
  • Conclusion : Summary of your speech, wrap up the topic and leave your audience with a compelling reminder to think about!

Let’s further understand each element of the format of Speech Writing in further detail:

After the greetings, the Introduction has to be attention-getting. Quickly get people’s attention. The goal of a speech is to engage the audience and persuade them to think or act in your favour. The introduction must effectively include: 

  • A brief preview of your topic. 
  • Define the outlines of your speech. (For example, I’ll be talking about…First..Second…Third)
  • Begin with a story, quote, fact, joke, or observation in the room. It shouldn’t be longer than 3-4 lines. (For Example: “Mahatma Gandhi said once…”, or “This topic reminds me of an incident/story…”)

This part is also important because that’s when your audience decides if the speech is worth their time. Keep your introduction factual, interesting, and convincing.

It is the most important part of any speech. You should provide a number of reasons and arguments to convince the audience to agree with you.

Handling objections is an important aspect of speech composition. There is no time for questions or concerns since a speech is a monologue. Any concerns that may occur during the speech will be addressed by a powerful speech. As a result, you’ll be able to respond to questions as they come in from the crowd. To make speech simpler you can prepare a flow chart of the details in a systematic way.

For example: If your speech is about waste management; distribute information and arrange it according to subparagraphs for your reference. It could include:

  • What is Waste Management?
  • Major techniques used to manage waste
  • Advantages of Waste Management  
  • Importance of Waste Management 

The conclusion should be something that the audience takes with them. It could be a reminder, a collective call to action, a summary of your speech, or a story. For example: “It is upon us to choose the fate of our home, the earth by choosing to begin waste management at our personal spaces.”

After concluding, add a few lines of gratitude to the audience for their time.

For example: “Thank you for being a wonderful audience and lending me your time. Hope this speech gave you something to take away.”

speech writing format

Practice Your Speech Writing with these English Speech topics for students !

A good speech is well-timed, informative, and thought-provoking. Here are the tips for writing a good school speech:

Speech Sandwich of Public Speaking

The introduction and conclusion must be crisp. People psychologically follow the primacy effect (tendency to remember the first part of the list/speech) and recency effect (tendency to recall the last part of the list/speech). 

Use Concrete Facts

Make sure you thoroughly research your topic. Including facts appeals to the audience and makes your speech stronger. How much waste is managed? Give names of organisations and provide numerical data in one line.

Use Rhetorical Strategies and Humour

Include one or two open-ended or thought-provoking questions.  For Example: “Would we want our future generation to face trouble due to global warming?” Also, make good use of humour and convenient jokes that engages your audience and keeps them listening.

Check Out: Message Writing

Know your Audience and Plan Accordingly

This is essential before writing your speech. To whom is it directed? The categorised audience on the basis of –

  • Knowledge of the Topic (familiar or unfamiliar)

Use the information to formulate the speech accordingly, use information that they will understand, and a sentence that they can retain.

Timing Yourself is Important

An important aspect of your speech is to time yourself.  Don’t write a speech that exceeds your word limit. Here’s how can decide the right timing for your speech writing:

  • A one-minute speech roughly requires around 130-150 words
  • A two-minute speech requires roughly around 250-300 words

Recommended Read: Letter Writing

Speech Writing Examples

Here are some examples to help you understand how to write a good speech. Read these to prepare for your next speech:

Write a speech to be delivered in the school assembly as Rahul/ Rubaina of Delhi Public School emphasises the importance of cleanliness, implying that the level of cleanliness represents the character of its residents. (150-200 words)

“Cleanliness is next to godliness,” said the great John Wesley. Hello, respected principal, instructors, and good friends. Today, I, Rahul/Rubaina, stand in front of you all to emphasise the significance of cleanliness.

Cleanliness is the condition or attribute of being or remaining clean. Everyone must learn about cleaning, hygiene, sanitation, and the different diseases that are produced by unsanitary circumstances. It is essential for physical well-being and the maintenance of a healthy atmosphere at home and at school. A filthy atmosphere invites a large number of mosquitos to grow and spread dangerous diseases. On the other side, poor personal cleanliness causes a variety of skin disorders as well as lowered immunity.

Habits formed at a young age become ingrained in one’s personality. Even if we teach our children to wash their hands before and after meals, brush their teeth and bathe on a regular basis, we are unconcerned about keeping public places clean. On October 2, 2014, the Indian Prime Minister began the “Swachh Bharat” programme to offer sanitation amenities to every family, including toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, village cleanliness, and safe and appropriate drinking water supplies. Teachers and children in schools are actively participating in the ‘Clean India Campaign’ with zeal and excitement.

Good health ensures a healthy mind, which leads to better overall productivity, higher living standards, and economic development. It will improve India’s international standing. As a result, a clean environment is a green environment with fewer illnesses. Thus, cleanliness is defined as a symbol of mental purity.

Thank you very much.

Relevant Read: Speech on Corruption

You are Sahil/Sanya, the school’s Head Girl/Head Boy. You are greatly troubled by the increasing instances of aggressive behaviour among your students. You decide to speak about it during the morning assembly. Create a speech about “School Discipline.” (150 – 200 words)

INDISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS,

It has been reported that the frequency of fights and incidences of bullying in our school has increased dramatically in the previous several months. Good morning to everyone present. Today, I, Sahil/Sanya, your head boy/girl, am here to shed light on the serious topic of “Increased Indiscipline in Schools.”

It has come to light that instructor disobedience, bullying, confrontations with students, truancy, and insults are becoming more widespread. Furthermore, there have been reports of parents noticing a shift in their children’s attitudes. As a result, many children are suffering emotionally, psychologically, and physically. The impact of this mindset on children at a young age is devastating and irreversible.

Not to mention the harm done to the school’s property. Theft of chalk, scribbling on desks, walls and lavatory doors, destruction of CCTV cameras and so forth. We are merely depriving ourselves of the comforts granted to us by doing so.

Following numerous meetings, it was determined that the main reasons for the problem were a lack of sufficient guidance, excessive use of social media, and peer pressure. The council is working to make things better. Everyone is required to take life skills classes. Counselling, motivating, and instilling friendly ideals will be part of the curriculum. Seminars for parents and students will be held on a regular basis.

A counsellor is being made available to help you all discuss your sentiments, grudges, and personal problems. We are doing everything we can and expect you to do the same.

So, let us work together to create an environment in which we encourage, motivate, assist, and be nice to one another because we are good and civilised humans capable of a great deal of love.

Relevant Read: How to Write a Speech on Discipline?

The current increase in incidences of violent student misbehaviour is cause for alarm for everyone. Students who learn how to manage their anger can help to alleviate the situation. Write a 150-200-word speech about the topic to be delivered at the school’s morning assembly. (10)

HOW TO CONTROL ANGER

Honourable Principal, Respected Teachers, and Dear Friends, I’d like to share a few “Ways to Manage Anger” with you today.

The growing intolerance among the younger generation, which is resulting in violence against teachers, is cause for severe concern. The guru-shishya parampara is losing its lustre. Aggressive behaviour in students can be provoked by a variety of factors, including self-defence, stressful circumstance, over-stimulation, or a lack of adult supervision.

It has become imperative to address the situation. Life skills workshops will be included in the curriculum. Teachers should be trained to deal with such stubborn and confrontational behaviours. Meditation and deep breathing are very beneficial and should be practised every morning. Students should be taught to count to ten before reacting angrily. Sessions on anger control and its importance must also be held.

Remember that Anger is one letter away from danger. It becomes much more crucial to be able to control one’s rage. It’s never too late to start, as a wise man once said.

“Every minute you stay angry, you lose sixty seconds of peace of mind.”

Relevant Read: English Speech Topics for Students

Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have A Dream’ is one of his most famous speeches. Its impact has lasted through generations. The speech is written by utilising the techniques above. Here are some examples:

“still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination” – emotive Language

“In a sense, we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check” – personalising the speech

“to stand up for freedom together” – a call to action.

Importantly, this is an example of how the listener comes first while drafting a speech. The language chosen appeals to a specific sort of audience and was widely utilised in 1963 when the speech was delivered.

  • The Best Day of My Life
  • Social Media: Bane or Boon?
  • Pros and Cons of Online Learning
  • Benefits of Yoga
  • If I had a Superpower
  • I wish I were ______
  • Environment Conservation
  • Women Should Rule the World!
  • The Best Lesson I Have Learned
  • Paperbacks vs E-books
  • How to Tackle a Bad Habit?
  • My Favorite Pastime/Hobby
  • Understanding Feminism
  • Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Is it real or not?
  • Importance of Reading
  • Importance of Books in Our Life
  • My Favorite Fictional Character
  • Introverts vs Extroverts
  • Lessons to Learn from Sports
  • Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Also Read: How to Ace IELTS Writing Section?

Ans. Speech writing is the process of communicating a notion or message to a reader by employing proper punctuation and expression. Speech writing is similar to other types of narrative writing. However, students should be aware of some different punctuation and writing structure techniques.

Ans. Before beginning with the speech, choose an important topic. Create an outline; rehearse your speech, and adjust the outline based on comments from the rehearsal. This five-step strategy for speech planning serves as the foundation for both lessons and learning activities.

Ans. Writing down a speech is vital since it helps you better comprehend the issue, organises your thoughts, prevents errors in your speech, allows you to get more comfortable with it, and improves its overall quality.

Speech writing and public speaking are effective and influential. Hope this blog helped you know the various tips for writing the speech people would want to hear. If you need help in making the right career choices at any phase of your academic and professional journey, our Leverage Edu experts are here to guide you. Sign up for a free session now!

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  • How many words per minute in a speech

How many words per minute in a speech?

A quick guide for slow, average and fast rates of speech.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

If you're preparing a speech or presentation with a strict time limit it’s useful to have an estimate of the number of words you’ll need to fit the number of minutes you've been given.

And it's even more useful to have those guidelines before you rush into writing, only to discover when you’re done, you’ve written far too much. Something I used to do on a regular basis! (And then, I had the tedious job of pruning to fit.)

What's on this page:

How many words are there in a 1-minute speech, how many words are there in a 2-minute speech, how many words are there in a 3-minute speech, how many words are there in a 4-minute speech, how many words are there in a 5-minute speech, how many words are there in a 6-minute speech, how many words are there in a 7-minute speech, how many words are there in an 8-minute speech, how many words are there in a 9-minute speech, how many words are there in a 10-minute speech, how many words are there in a 15-minute speech, how many words are there in a 20-minute speech, how many words are there in a 25-minute speech, how many words are there in a 30-minute speech.

  • How to calculate your own speech rate: 2 easy methods
  • How many pages is a 4, 7 or 20-minute speech?     

speech writing word limit

About this quick reference guide

The following table (below) shows the average number of words spoken per minute for speeches from 1 to 30 minutes long. It's a quick reference guide: one only intended to provide general information.

Who, and what, is truly average?

An average word count for any timed speech (one minute, two minutes, three, four, five, six...or more, minutes) is impossible to give. As there really is no such thing as an average person, who uses an average rate of words per minute when they speak.

We are individuals: each of us different. Speech patterns and speech (speaking) rates vary considerably between person to person for a great many reasons. The best you’ll ever get is an educated guess.

Use as an estimate: test yourself to be sure

That aside, the following estimates will give you a handy indication of the number of minutes it takes to say x number of words depending on whether you talk at a slow speed, a medium speed or you're one of the world's fast talkers.

(And, no, it's never a good idea to gabble at a mile a minute to fit everything you've prepared into the length of time you've been given!)

To be absolutely sure what you've done will fit the time allocation you've been given it's a good idea to test yourself to establish your own speaking rate or speed of speech .

How many pages is a 'x' minute speech?

Multiple variations on the question how many pages are needed for a speech are frequently asked. For instance:

  • How many pages is a 4-minute speech?
  • How many pages is a 7-minute speech?
  • How many pages is a 20-minute presentation?

Unfortunately, the answer is not simple. Calculating the number of A4 pages of text you need for a speech of any number of minutes long is tricky for two reasons.

How many words are on an A4 page?

The first reason is that the number of words on an A4 page depends on how the page has been formatted. The answers to the questions below make a very big difference to the total number of pages needed to print a speech.

  • What is the font family being used? (Different fonts take up differing amounts of space because of the shape/design of their characters.)  
  • What is the size of the font? (The font size you're reading right now is 20px.)
  • What is the spacing between each of the letters in a word?
  • What is the spacing between each line of text? Is it single spacing, 1.5 or double line spacing?
  • What spacing has been set for paragraphs?
  • What size have the margins of the page been set at?
  • Are there headings? Sub-headings or lists?

On average if the font is plain, (sans-serif, without embellishment), like Arial or Verdana, its size is set for 12px, and the line spacing is set for 1.5, then a page may have between 400-500 words on it.

Speech rate changes how we calculate the number of words we need

The second reason why using the number of pages to gauge how long a speech will take to deliver is problematical is because we speak at different rates. 

A 500-word page may take someone speaking at very slow rate 4 minutes to get through.

Another person, who has a much faster speaking rate, may take about 2.5 minutes to deliver exactly the same text.

Using the number of pages as a guide for a speech that has to fit a time limit is completely unreliable.

If you need to use a 'guesstimate' use the speech rate table below. Forget about counting the pages! 

If you are a slow speaker, less than 120 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 120 - 160 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 160 - 200 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 240 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 240 - 320 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 320 - 400 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 360 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 360 – 480 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 480 - 600 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 480 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 480 – 640 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 640 - 800 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 600 words,

If you speak at an average speed between: 600 – 760 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 760 - 1000 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 720 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 720 – 960 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 960 - 1200 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 840 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 840 – 1120 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1120 - 1400 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 960 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 960 – 1280 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1280 - 1600 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 1080 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1080 – 1440 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1440 - 1800 words.

If you are a slow speaker a little less than 1200 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1200 – 1600 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1600 - 2000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 1,800 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1,800 - 2,400 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 2,400 - 3,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 2,400 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 2,400 - 3,200 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 3,200 - 4,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 3,000 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 3,000 - 4,000 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 4,000 - 5,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 3,600 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 3,600 - 4,800 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 4,800 - 6,000 words.

Return to Top

Find out more about speech rate

  • How to calculate your own words per minute speech rate - two easy methods
  • The factors influencing a faster rate or slower rate of speech
  • How to develop an ideal rate of speech : one matching content, speech purpose and your audience: six exercises for flexible speaking rate

Words per minute calculator

Lastly here's the link to a useful online words per minutes calculator . Once you've completed your speech enter the total number of words, and select whether you want it to give you an average for a minute of your speech at a slow rate, average or fast rate. Again, it's a 'guesstimate'. ☺

The only really safe way to find out whether your speech fits your time allocation is to say it aloud at an ideal rate or pace: one taking into account the content, and the audience who is going to listen to it, while timing it.

(Use the record function on your phone. It will assist in lots of other ways too! You'll hear where you need more vocal variety, where your pronunciation is blurred ...and, so on. It's super helpful.)

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The Word Limit in Academic Writing (and How to Stick to It)

3-minute read

  • 24th September 2016

Even the phrase “word limit” can cause panic among students . For some it’s the challenge of writing enough, while others find it hard to stick within the limit given. In either case, it can lead to spending more time worrying about the length of your paper than the content!

And length isn't everything, right ladies? Ahem.

But why do college papers come with set word limits? And what should you do to ensure you don’t write too much or too little?

Why Have a Word Limit?

There are two main reasons that academic papers usually come with a word limit:

  • Fairness It’s impossible to grade two papers of vastly different lengths (e.g., 20,000 compared to 2,000 words) on the same scale. The word limit makes sure that everyone taking the same class knows what is expected of them.
  • Communication Skills As well as testing your knowledge, college papers are about communicating clearly and concisely. Setting a word limit forces you to consider what you’re saying more carefully, helping you to develop your writing skills.

Sticking to the word limit is, therefore, part of being a good academic, since being a long way over or under could suggest you’ve misjudged the scope of the essay topic or that you’re having trouble communicating your ideas.

How to Stick to the Word Limit

Although many colleges give you roughly 10% leeway on the word limit, you should aim for your finished paper to be as close to the suggested word count as possible. If you find yourself writing too much, you can reduce the word count by:

Find this useful?

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  • Editing out repetition, redundant words and padding phrases
  • Cutting down long or unnecessary quotations
  • Reducing the number of examples or case studies used (if you’ve included several)
  • Using the active voice instead of the passive voice

More generally, you should re-read your work and eliminate anything that isn’t directly related to the question you’re answering. As well as helping you stick to the word limit, this will make your work more focused, which could boost your grades.

How to Increase Your Word Count

If you’re struggling to write enough, the temptation might be to add padding phrases like “in my opinion” or long block quotations until you hit the minimum word count. But this will simply detract from the clarity of your writing.

Instead, the answer is usually to go back over your work and look for things that could be improved with a little additional attention. This might involve:

  • Addressing anything from your essay question that you’ve overlooked
  • Adding illustrative examples to support a point
  • Considering different sources and views on the same issue
  • Using short quotations as evidence for your arguments

Moreover, whether you’ve written too much or too little, getting someone else to read your work and offer feedback is a fantastic idea (especially if you ask a professional for help). This will help you to identify areas that could be expanded or cut in the next draft, so eventually you should be able to get your essay to the required length.

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speech writing word limit

Speech Writing Format for Class 11 and 12, Topics and Examples

Speech Writing Explained

Your guide for writing the perfect speech in your class 11, 12 examinations. In this article you will learn all about speech writing, Format of Speech writing, examples and also solutions to previous years English  question papers. Don’t miss out the tips for writing a great speech in English.

  • Speech writing Class 11,12
  • Speech Writing Format Class 11, 12

Speech Writing Tips for Class 11 and 12

Speech writing examples, speech writing faqs.

  • 10 Examples of Speech writing
  • Tips to score more in Speech writing Questions

speech writing

What is a speech?

Speech refers to a formal address or discourse delivered to an audience.

Speech writing Class 11,12 

Speech Writing – In an examination, nothing is written purposelessly. All the writing tasks have a purpose. Before writing a speech, make sure you are writing to inform people, to persuade them, to convince them, or to entertain them. Clarity of purpose will ensure clarity in the choice of style and vocabulary.

In the writing section (Section-B of Class 12 English paper ), Speech writing comes as a Very long answer type question (5 marks) with the maximum prescribed word limit of 120-150 words.

Generally, there is a choice (internal) between the following:-

1. Debate writing

2. Article writing

3. Speech writing

4. Report writing 

Talking about marks, it comes as a 5 marks question. The breakup of marks for class 12 English writing skills – speech writing (as per CBSE Marking scheme ) is as follows:-

(opening address and conclusion)

Speech Writing Format Class 11, 12 

Speech Writing Format – In order to write a perfect speech, we must be well acquainted with the topic and must possess a wide range of vocabulary, a thorough knowledge of the subject, some research, and excellent organizational skills. Here are the ideal format and tips to help you write your perfect speech.

A perfect speech must consist of:-

1. HEADING – The heading should be catchy and in not more than 5-6 words. You can go as creative as you want with this one just make sure you do not devote too much time to it in the exam.

2. OPENING LINE- This includes salutations, introduction, and the topic. Make sure you do not mention your personal details (name, school name, etc.).

Speech writing Example – Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends! Today, I (the name is given in the question) stand before you all to speak on the topic “(given in the question)”.

OR you could start with a quote related to the topic and then go with the salutations and introduction.

1. BODY- It is the main part of your writing piece.

2. It is always prescribed that you begin with a short introduction on the topic, it’s meant to be precise.

3. Then you need to explain the current situation, the problems (if any), and whether after any corrective actions, betterment in the situation has been observed or not.

4. It may include advantages/ disadvantages depending upon the topic in question.

5. Now here, it is important you follow a sequence. It is possible that you have too many points or very few points. When you have a lot of varied points, it is better you choose a few best ones and write a line on each. In case you have very few already, explain them in at least two lines each.

6. You have to strictly follow the prescribed word limit in a limited time frame so just do not go on writing and writing.

7. MOST IMPORTANT- Always begin with your strongest point. You can accommodate the weaker ones in between and end with another strong point.

8. Feel free to give your personal opinion in one or two lines.

9. It is very important that you do not deviate from the topic. There are chances you may get ideas linking from one to another that may deviate you from the main point. You have to refrain from doing so.

10. SOLUTION/CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH- Now, it is to be remembered that wherever you elaborate a problem, you always have to mention the steps being taken to improvise the situation and suggest a few solutions as well.

Now, it would be great if you could add a few quotes relating to motivating the people to take action.

Here also, the rule of STRONG-WEAK-STRONG applies.

1. Last but not the least, the concluding line, thanking the audience for their cooperation and their patience. It is very important to conclude what you’ve started. Never leave a speech or for that matter, any of your answers open-ended.

Below is an example from the Sample Paper by CBSE.

SPEECH WRITING: IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS

Suggested value points:

• Importance of Cleanliness – School, home & Surroundings • Present status • Prevents diseases • Need to practice? • Reflects the character of the nation • Benefits of Cleanliness • Conclusion

Tips on Speech writing – Here are a few valuable tips for you to attempt the class 12 English writing skills – speech writing question in a better way-

1. Make sure you use language which is suitable for the audience you are addressing. Usage of complex vocabulary for addressing children is not advisable.

2. Usage of quotes is highly recommended. Quotes can be used at the time of commencement or as an ending statement. A quote in the middle of the speech would also be fine.

3. Make sure you write in paragraphs.

4. Practice previous year question papers.

5. Read as many samples as you can. It will give you an idea as to how they are actually written.

6. Read newspaper editorials or opinions. They give new ideas and opinions that may help during exams.

7. Plan before you pen. Just make a list of all your important points on the rough sheet (last sheet of your answer booklet) so that you do not forget relevant points while writing. This also helps you in maintaining a sequence, which is very important.

8. The presentation is very important.

9. Make sure you double-check for grammatical accuracy and spellings. They carry marks.

10. Leave an adequate number of lines between paragraphs to make it look clean.

11. Underlining the main points is very important. But it is advised to do it after finishing your exam. Use a pencil and scale for underlining.

12. Always have a few general quotes in handy. They help in the presentation and show that you’re prepared.

Speech Writing Question Answers – Previous Years solved questions (Sample)

Below are a few solved questions for you so that you get an idea as to how to attempt class 12 English writing skills – speech writing question well. Remember, the more you read and practice, the better it is. As per, CBSE guidelines, it should not exceed the prescribed word limit of 150-200 words.

1. As Mukul / Mahima of Alps Public School, write a speech to be delivered in school assembly highlighting the importance of cleanliness suggesting that the state of cleanliness reflects the character of its citizens. (150-200 words) (10) (CBSE Sample Question Paper 2018-19)

IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS.

In the words of the great John Wesley, “Cleanliness is next to godliness” Good Morning respected principal, teachers, and my dear friends. Today, I, Mukul/Mahima, stand before you all, to highlight the importance of cleanliness.

Cleanliness is the state or quality of being clean or being kept clean. It is essential for everyone to learn about cleanliness, hygiene, sanitation and the various diseases that are caused due to poor hygienic conditions. It is crucial for physical well-being and maintaining a healthy environment at home and at school. An unclean environment is an invitation for a lot of mosquitoes to breed in and spread deadly diseases. On the other hand, not maintaining personal hygiene leads to a lot of skin problems and decreased immunity.

The habits learnt at a young age get embedded into one’s personality. Even if we inculcate certain habits like washing hands before and after meals, regular brushing and bathing from a young age, we are not bothered about keeping public places clean. For this, on 2nd October, 2014, the Indian Prime Minister launched a nation-wide cleanliness campaign, “ Swachh Bharat” to provide sanitation facilities to every family, including toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, village cleanliness, and safe and adequate drinking water supply. Teachers and students of schools are joining this ‘Clean India Campaign’ very actively with great fervour and joy.

Good health will ensure a healthy mind, which will lead to increased overall productivity resulting in higher standards of living, thus developing the economy. It will boost India’s international image. Thus, a clean environment is a green environment with less people falling ill. Cleanliness, hence, is defined to be the emblem of purity of mind.

2. You are Ali/Alia, Head girl / Head boy of your school. You are deeply disturbed by the rising cases of aggressive behaviour of students in your school. You decide to speak during the morning assembly about it. Write a speech on ‘Indiscipline in Schools’. (150 – 200 words) (10) (CBSE ALL INDIA Board 2017-18)

INDISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS

It has been reported that number of fights and cases of bullying has gone up tremendously in the last few months in our school. Good morning to one and all present here. Today, I, Ali/Alia, your head boy/girl stand before you to throw light upon the grave issue of “Increasing Indiscipline in Schools”.

It has been brought into lime light that disobedience of teachers, bullying, fights with peers, truancy and insults is becoming a common trend. Not only this, there have been complaints of parents witnessing a shift in their children’s attitude. This is resulting in a lot of children getting hurt emotionally, mentally and physically. The impact this attitude is having on kids at early age is disastrous and irreversible.

Not to forget the damage that has been done to the school property. Stealing chalks, scribbling on desks, walls and washroom doors, destroying CCTV cameras and the list goes on. By doing this, we are only letting us deprive ourselves of the amenities being provided to us.

After a lot of meetings, lack of proper guidance, excessive use of social media and peer pressure have been observed to be the root causes of the problem. The counsel is taking steps to improve the situation. Life skill classes are being made mandatory for everyone. Teachings will include counselling, motivation and inculcating friendly values. Seminars for parents and students will be regularly organised. A counsellor to help you all share your feelings, grudges and sharing your personal problem is being made available. We are doing everything we can and expect the same from you.

So, let’s join our hands together and build an environment where we encourage, motivate, help and be kind to each other for we are good and civilised beings capable of a lot of love.

3. The recent rise in incidents of violent behaviour of students is a matter of concern for all. The problem can be curbed if students learn how to manage anger. Write a speech on the topic in 150-200 words to be delivered in the school morning assembly. (10) (CBSE COMPARTMENT JULY 2018)

HOW TO MANAGE ANGER

Honourable Principal, Respected teachers and my dear friends, today I would like to share with you few “Ways to Manage Anger”.

The growing intolerance among the new generation resulting in violence towards teachers is a matter of grave concern. The old-age guru-shishya parampara is losing its sheen. Aggressiveness in students may be triggered by several things: as a self-defence reaction, stressful situation, over-stimulation or lack of adult supervision.

It has become the need of the hour to curb the situation. Life skills classes shall be inculcated in the time-table. Teachers should be given training to handle such defiant and hostile behaviour. Meditation and deep breathing also helps and thus, should be practiced every morning. Students must be taught to count till 10 before reacting in anger. Also, sessions on anger management and it’s far-reaching importance must be held.

Remember, Anger is one letter short of danger. It makes it all the more important to be able to diffuse one’s anger. It’s never too late to begin because a wise man once said,

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of your peace of mind.”

Related – Free Online English Test – MCQ Test Series

4. Write a speech in 150-200 words on ‘Benefits of early rising’ to be delivered by you in the morning assembly of your school. You are Karuna/Karan, Head Girl/Head Boy. (10) (CBSE 2016)

BENEFITS OF EARLY RISING

Honourable Principal, Respected teachers and my dear friends, today I, Karuna/Karan, your Head Girl/Head Boy stand before you all to highlight the far-reaching “Benefits of Early-rising”.

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise.”

The words of Benjamin Franklin have been backed by science. It has been proved that morning people are persistent and proactive. It leads to better performance, greater success, and higher standards of living. Rising up early also relieves stress and tension because it gives you the time to squeeze in a workout before you get distracted. This is why; morning people tend to be healthier and happier as well as have lower body mass indexes.

For this, one needs to maintain a proper schedule and has to go to bed on time. You should restrict the usage of gadgets immediately before going to bed and these tiny steps will help you become an early riser. Researchers have also said that early morning is the best time to study and gain knowledge. This will help you in staying ahead in the class and keep your grades up. Most entrepreneurs are early risers as they believe it is the key to a successful, happy and content life.

Hence, if you don’t develop a habit of waking up before the rest of the world, you won’t be able to change the world.

5. Your PGT English Ms. Geetha is a short story writer also. ‘Sky is not Far’ is a collection of her latest short stories. This book has won a national award. Write a speech in 150 – 200 words you will deliver in her honour in the morning assembly. (10) (CBSE DELHI – 2017)

IN HONOUR OF Ms. GEETHA’S ACHIEVEMENT

Good morning everyone! Today, I stand before you all to bring into limelight the “Commendable Achievements of our PGT English teacher Ms. Geetha”.

Ms. Geetha has made all of us proud by winning the National Award for her book “SKY IS NOT FAR”. The book is all about the infinite possibilities in life and that there is no such word as “impossible”. The word itself says, “I M POSSIBLE”. Nothing is unachievable if we have decided what we want and are working for it. It is very important to have a positive outlook and be fearless.

Through her book, she has given us all hope and motivation.

We all know what an articulate writer she is; she masters the art of short story-writing. She has contributed immensely and profoundly to the school’s literary society. Her works have a special place in the school library. A versatile writer, as she is, she has written books on various themes. Her other books are a work of triumph.

Thus, we congratulate her on this very special occasion. It is a proud moment not only for her, but for the entire school. She has set an example for all of us. Indeed, the sky is not far.

Once again, Congratulations, ma’am! Today is your day.

BELOW IS THE LINK TO THE SAMPLE PAPER ALONG WITH ITS’ MARKING SCHEME:

  • SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
  • MARKING SCHEME

ALL THE BEST! A GOOD TRAVELLER LEAVES NO TRACKS. JUST LIKE IT, A GOOD SPEECH LACKS FAULT FINDING.

1. What is speech writing? A1. Speech writing is a form of writing in which we write a speech or a formal disclosure to an audience on a general topic.

2. How to write a speech? A2. A speech should be written according to its format:

Opening line

  • Introductory paragraph

3. What is the marks weightage and breakup of marks for class 11 speech writing? A3. Speech writing is of 5 marks. The breakup of these 5 marks is as follows-

  • Format carries 1 mark
  • content is for 2 marks
  • expression has 2 marks.

4. In how many words should we write a speech for class 11? A4. The word limit for speech writing is 120-150.

5. What are the important topics for speech writing? A5. Important topics for speech writing are as follows:

  • Importance of cleanliness
  • Importance of health
  • Global warming and climate change
  • Importance of hard work
  • Importance of discipline
  • Social media: Boon or Curse?

6. How can we score full marks in speech writing? A6. You can score full marks in speech writing easily with the following tips and tricks:

  • When you have a variety of points, choose the few best ones and write one line on each point.
  • Always begin your content with the strongest point.
  • Do not deviate from the given topic.
  • Add a few quotes to make it impressive.
  • Do not use complicated or elaborate vocabulary.
  • Plan before your pen.

7. Give two examples of endings of speech. A7. In the ending of speech, we can write these phrases:

  • Quotes motivating people to take action.
  • We can suggest solutions

8. Give two ways to start a speech. A8. The two ways to start a speech are as follows:

  • Start with a quote.
  • Start with salutations and introductions.

9. Should we add a title to a speech? A9. Yes, we should add a title to our speech.

10. How many paragraphs should be there in a speech? A10. Ideally, there should be three paragraphs in a speech, as follows-

  • Main paragraph

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How to write a speech that your audience remembers

Confident-woman-giving-a-conference-with-a-digital-presentation-how-to-give-a-speech

Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

  • It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
  • A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
  • It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
  • Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

  • Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
  • Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
  • Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
  • Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
  • Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
  • Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
  • Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
  • Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
  • Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
  • Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

Man-holding-microphone-at-panel-while-talking--how-to-give-a-speech

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

  • Explanation 1
  • Explanation 2
  • Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

  • Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
  • Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
  • Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
  • Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
  • Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

People-clapping-after-coworker-gave-a-speech-how-to-give-a-speech

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

  • What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
  • What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
  • What audience am I writing for? 
  • What do I know about my audience? 
  • What values do I want to transmit? 
  • If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
  • What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
  • What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Woman-at-home-doing-research-in-her-laptop-how-to-give-a-speech

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

  • Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
  • Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
  • Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
  • Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
  • Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
  • Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
  • Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
  • Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

Man-holding-microphone-while-speaking-in-public-how-to-give-a-speech

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

  • Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
  • Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
  • Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
  • Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
  • Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
  • Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
  • Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
  • Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
  • Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
  • Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
  • Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
  • Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
  • Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
  • Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
  • Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Boost your speech skills

Enhance your public speaking with personalized coaching tailored to your needs

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Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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How Long is an Essay? Guidelines for Different Types of Essay

Published on January 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The length of an academic essay varies depending on your level and subject of study, departmental guidelines, and specific course requirements. In general, an essay is a shorter piece of writing than a research paper  or thesis .

In most cases, your assignment will include clear guidelines on the number of words or pages you are expected to write. Often this will be a range rather than an exact number (for example, 2500–3000 words, or 10–12 pages). If you’re not sure, always check with your instructor.

In this article you’ll find some general guidelines for the length of different types of essay. But keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity – focus on making a strong argument or analysis, not on hitting a specific word count.

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Table of contents

Essay length guidelines, how long is each part of an essay, using length as a guide to topic and complexity, can i go under the suggested length, can i go over the suggested length, other interesting articles.

Type of essay Average word count range Essay content
High school essay 300–1000 words In high school you are often asked to write a 5-paragraph essay, composed of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
College admission essay 200–650 words College applications require a short personal essay to express your interests and motivations. This generally has a strict word limit.
Undergraduate college essay 1500–5000 words The length and content of essay assignments in college varies depending on the institution, department, course level, and syllabus.
Graduate school admission essay 500–1000 words Graduate school applications usually require a longer and/or detailing your academic achievements and motivations.
Graduate school essay 2500–6000 words Graduate-level assignments vary by institution and discipline, but are likely to include longer essays or research papers.

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In an academic essay, the main body should always take up the most space. This is where you make your arguments, give your evidence, and develop your ideas.

The introduction should be proportional to the essay’s length. In an essay under 3000 words, the introduction is usually just one paragraph. In longer and more complex essays, you might need to lay out the background and introduce your argument over two or three paragraphs.

The conclusion of an essay is often a single paragraph, even in longer essays. It doesn’t have to summarize every step of your essay, but should tie together your main points in a concise, convincing way.

The suggested word count doesn’t only tell you how long your essay should be – it also helps you work out how much information and complexity you can fit into the given space. This should guide the development of your thesis statement , which identifies the main topic of your essay and sets the boundaries of your overall argument.

A short essay will need a focused, specific topic and a clear, straightforward line of argument. A longer essay should still be focused, but it might call for a broader approach to the topic or a more complex, ambitious argument.

As you make an outline of your essay , make sure you have a clear idea of how much evidence, detail and argumentation will be needed to support your thesis. If you find that you don’t have enough ideas to fill out the word count, or that you need more space to make a convincing case, then consider revising your thesis to be more general or more specific.

The length of the essay also influences how much time you will need to spend on editing and proofreading .

You should always aim to meet the minimum length given in your assignment. If you are struggling to reach the word count:

  • Add more evidence and examples to each paragraph to clarify or strengthen your points.
  • Make sure you have fully explained or analyzed each example, and try to develop your points in more detail.
  • Address a different aspect of your topic in a new paragraph. This might involve revising your thesis statement to make a more ambitious argument.
  • Don’t use filler. Adding unnecessary words or complicated sentences will make your essay weaker and your argument less clear.
  • Don’t fixate on an exact number. Your marker probably won’t care about 50 or 100 words – it’s more important that your argument is convincing and adequately developed for an essay of the suggested length.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

In some cases, you are allowed to exceed the upper word limit by 10% – so for an assignment of 2500–3000 words, you could write an absolute maximum of 3300 words. However, the rules depend on your course and institution, so always check with your instructor if you’re unsure.

Only exceed the word count if it’s really necessary to complete your argument. Longer essays take longer to grade, so avoid annoying your marker with extra work! If you are struggling to edit down:

  • Check that every paragraph is relevant to your argument, and cut out irrelevant or out-of-place information.
  • Make sure each paragraph focuses on one point and doesn’t meander.
  • Cut out filler words and make sure each sentence is clear, concise, and related to the paragraph’s point.
  • Don’t cut anything that is necessary to the logic of your argument. If you remove a paragraph, make sure to revise your transitions and fit all your points together.
  • Don’t sacrifice the introduction or conclusion . These paragraphs are crucial to an effective essay –make sure you leave enough space to thoroughly introduce your topic and decisively wrap up your argument.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

  • Ad hominem fallacy
  • Post hoc fallacy
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  • False cause fallacy
  • Sunk cost fallacy

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Is specifying a minimum word count beneficial for academic writing?

As we all know, during our higher-education careers there have been many professors who have assigned academic papers that require a minimum word or page count in some shape or form.

Personally, I feel this simply forces students to create “fluff” in their papers. I can understand creating a maximum word count (this makes students sift out what they feel is relevant to answering the prompt of the paper) whereas a minimum word count encourages one to think more broadly about how to go about the prompt. In some situations this is good – perhaps the instructor expects evidence or more critical thinking – but in most situations this will only lead students to find more evidence to reaffirm their claim (which is not very useful if you can prove your claim with less evidence) or create “fluff” in their paper in order to meet the requirement.

I found a blog post about word counts for people writing stories/articles but this is in the professional world (not academic) and doesn’t actually have statistics, but it does give some interesting perspective.

I want to know if there are any statistics or studies that prove specifying a minimum word-count is beneficial or hurtful in academic paper writing? Does it vary based on subject? Perhaps instructors can give their experience and/or thoughts on this?

So far there have been answers of people’s experiences which is extremely beneficial and I encourage more of them. Inevitably though, I am hoping to accept an answer that has a case study or any research relevant to this topic.

  • reference-request

Wrzlprmft's user avatar

  • Technically a minimum word count is irrelevant; the instructor has to assess whether the content is fluff or not. –  alexyorke Nov 22, 2014 at 23:33
  • @alexy13 That's true but that is from the instructor perspective. From a student's perspective, they feel obligated to meet this requirement and it could end up hurting their paper. It's been a while since I have checked in on this question but given the answers, I have temporarily accepted earthling's answer. I still encourage any answers on studies for this question though. –  aug Nov 23, 2014 at 0:23
  • That's true. I had to add up about 200 words on an essay to reach the word requirement recently, and then I was ironically told I was "repetitive". –  Orion Oct 14, 2018 at 23:36

7 Answers 7

As we all know, during our higher education careers it is inevitable to be assigned essays or academic papers that require a minimum word-count.

I do not agree with your premise here. For my undergraduate and graduate students I rarely include a minimum word count. I do include a maximum word count (which students often want extended) for the reason you wrote: Encourage students to write concisely.

Minimum word counts do promote the things we want to avoid. Writing the same information with fewer words give greater power to the writing so encouraging students to do the opposite does not really do what I want to do.

That said, I do find that I have to be VERY clear with my students that writing too little can cause them to fail. I explain that when it comes to word count, there is a maximum, say 3,000 words, but no minimum. If they can show they understand everything they should understand in 500 words, great! However, unless they are an exceptional writer, they should expect to fail if they submit too little.

earthling's user avatar

  • 3 I fixed my premise. It was wrong of me to make the notion everyone does it but I assure you there is a large handful of professors who do require this. I really appreciate your answer though. –  aug Dec 9, 2013 at 10:36

Well, you don't specify in which area you are. I certainly know that in mathematics and theoretical computer science , only a very weird professor would enforce a minimal length on a solution of a problem (which is a typical assignment: to solve a problem). You simply assign a problem and you think to yourself: "This should be for 2 or 3 pages of proof." To your surprise, the student writes a 10-line proof in a way in which you never treated the problem before (and maybe no one else either)!

So you never put a lower bound on the length of the solution, for the above reason. You can put a upper bound so that the student "can't simply list all possibilities", but even that is not necessary; however, it still of course makes sense if you have many students and a lack of time.

N.B.: One of my favourite scientific paper has 5 pages including abstract and references, and shortens a proof that was previously ~20 pages. Isn't that beautiful?

yo''s user avatar

Let me start by saying I'm an undergraduate, so take me as seriously as you feel I deserve. I've TA'd for a 200-level class with a fair amount of writing, which meant grading lots of papers, and dealing with students who need to have a word/length requirement to be happy. I also have worked in journalism both as a writer and editor (again, college paper), so I've done lots of writing, and spent a lot of time working with writers on their articles.

In class, length is seen as a good thing, while in journalism, it's seen almost as a bad thing (due to space requirements). Dealing with tight space constraints was very tough for me at first, but after doing it for a few years I've learned to write compact stuff. You write better when every word is a gift. You really think about what you can cover in a given space, and how to give every word as much impact as possible. You think about structure more, knowing you won't have room re-summarize later, and you don't bring up anything that's not essential to what you're writing. It's harder, but it makes you better.

Giving long length requirements seemed to have the opposite effect. Topics diverge, and structure can easily be ignored. Writing/syntax is encouraged to be verbose. I see many writers come onto staff used to writing they do in class, and what I've noticed is that their writing often lacks clarity and purpose.

Most of what I do as an editor/teacher is ask questions like, "What exactly are you trying to say?" and "Explain this to me like I'm a 5-year-old." I find that this really helps, and that good writing follows good and clear ideas. This is regardless of the length of assignment, but I think having limited space forces students to do this.

Captain Stack's user avatar

I agree that providing a minimum word count promotes fluff. I have often used an approximate number of pages (12 pt double spaced) expected together with a minimum number of references. The reason for providing anything, is that students ask how much they need to write.

The question from the students is the key, as I see it. They do not know what constitutes good scientific writing and tend to try to quantify knowledge as "number of pages to be read to the exam" and similar quantities they can relate to. How this should be translated into what we usually are looking for "quality" is not at all clear to them, nor us in most cases! This has made we think more about the training throughout the education and how to get the message of "quality" across. I, unfortunately, do not have a patented solution but believe that organized writing exercises throughout the education is necessary. The problem is that most if not everyone in the education have to synchronize exercises across course boundaries in order to build understanding of academic writing among the students, starting with simpler exercises and leading towards essays.

Part of the writing task should also be a clear goal providing a goal for the writing exercise, other than a ten page requirement. what are the goals? to write ten pages? To quickly gather some information on a topic? To handle references correctly? To write concisely? The list can be extended substantially. The goals need to be made clear and then one must have a clear picture of what one expects out of all these goals because a different number of them can be satisfied at different levels of an education.

Peter Jansson's user avatar

  • 2 +1 for your thoughts. Just explain me how you manage to read something double-spaced and not be horrified by the look? I prefer them to use narrower columns instead, which leaves me the space for making notes, but I can't stand double-space writing , it's on a similar level as using Comic Sans ;) –  yo' Dec 10, 2013 at 5:39

Whether a minimum length is justified depends on the purpose of the assignment. For a typical problem set, of course it would be ridiculous. The purpose is to solve the problems, and a short solution is even better than a long solution. However, I sometimes assign term papers to teach students about technical writing. Writing a very short essay would defeat the whole purpose of gaining writing experience (and writing one perfect paragraph is very different from writing twenty good pages, in terms of the level of organization and skills required). In these assignments, the students are given quite a bit of choice regarding the topic, and I offer guidance and feedback. If the paper is not long enough, then either it's poorly written or the topic was too narrow, and the student should figure this out early enough that the topic can be broadened if necessary. I'm not sympathetic if someone says "I started writing my twelve-page paper the night before it was due and discovered that I could only think of four pages to say on this topic." [Of course precise rules are silly, and I make it clear that there's a little flexibility. I wouldn't penalize someone for turning in eleven pages with no fluff, while twelve pages with a lot of fluff would count as bad writing.]

Anonymous Mathematician's user avatar

Generally, I try and provide enough room between the minimum and maximum word counts to accommodate both verbose and terse writers. I use word counts to provide a guide as to the scope and depth I want in the assignment. Generally, the students who stretch out/tighten up their writing to stay within the minimum/maximum range have bigger issues than just being overly verbose or terse.

I would probably see better writing if I let students use their natural length, but generally my writing assignments are about learning a topic in breadth (long assignment) or focusing on a key issue (short assignment).

StrongBad's user avatar

Minimum word requirements can encourage fluff, but they can also encourage greater research and more depth to the writing. Fluff comes from the students who would rather not have to write anything in the first place. At least that has been my experience. The minimum word requirement is not always successful in accomplishing this.

Jim Mullins's user avatar

  • "but they can also encourage greater research" I always collect and analyze the data before writing the mauscript. Writing while still collecting data is terrible and will lead to a lot of confusing and I cannot imagine getting good results going back to collecting more data just to get over the word limit. –  user64845 Dec 8, 2017 at 10:10
  • @DSVA Are you in the sciences? Because I inevitably do lots of research while writing my articles. In fact, I doubt anyone that works in literature has everything ready to go to write their paper and doesn't stop midway to go and research one or many new topics. It's partly why it's common to have an article on the backburner for months or years. –  user0721090601 Dec 9, 2017 at 17:51
  • @guifa so how often do you have to rewrite the part you've already written because it would work together with the new data you gathered during this process. Seems extremly inefficient. What we do is collect our data during which we make kind of a "storyline" for the manuscript to see what is still missing. If we got everything together we sit down and write the whole thing. –  user64845 Dec 9, 2017 at 17:58
  • @DSVA Pretty common actually. I highly doubt that anyone could write a monograph without constantly going back and researching things that pop into their head as their writing, or chunking out entire chapters and leaving them to be reworked later as an article or a separate book. An article is really just a monograph on a smaller scale, but the same process applies. As we write, new ideas come into our head, and we incorporate them, but they often require further research. The humanities writing process is very different than the sciences'. –  user0721090601 Dec 9, 2017 at 18:51

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English language (1123), about english language:.

The Cambridge O Level English Language syllabus enables learners to communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively and to understand and respond appropriately and imaginatively to what they read and experience. They will employ different forms of writing to suit a range of purposes and will show that they can understand the contentand argument of given texts.

General Comments by the Author:

Cambridge O Level English is interlinked with real English. You need to be a good writer to get an A*. You might be able to get away with an A with a bad Paper 1, but for an A*, you definitely need to be good in writing. Of course, you can’t account for stuff like writer’s block happening in the paper, that’s sheer bad luck.

O Level English Paper 1 is more driven on your writing style rather than vocabulary. Only fit in those difficult words that you know will sound right. The more you read, the better your grasp of said words. I personally read a lot of online articles which led me to a good Paper 1. My vocabulary isn’t very broad but I have read articles on news, sports etc and as such I know how to write on such issues with conviction. And yes, keep as less grammar mistakes as possible. You cannot write a good paper in a month without luck; it requires a lot of hard work on your end. There’s a general misconception that for English you don’t need to study anything, but the inverse is true; you need to study/read a lot of things to master the language. You must speak a language if you want to be in good in it.  Regarding what to read, either follow my tip (read articles on politics, sports, reviews, whatever you like) or go to books (more preferred). The more you read, the more you will write (in school or home), the more practice you will have and the better it will be. That’s just how languages work. However, it isn’t that it is tough. The percentile for this subject is low.

Regarding the word limits, don’t worry about them. I, personally, wrote a 900+ words narrative and secured an A*. It’s good to stick to the word limit, but if you exceed the limit then don’t worry at all as it won’t pose any problems. However, you must keep track of time when writing lengthy scripts!

Also, keep a look out on formats and styles (the formats for different directed writings are discussed in their respective sections. Click here to move to the list of directed writings).But remember, formats are just for presentation, which to some extent should not be totally ignored. So yes follow the formats, but don’t stress over them, rather concentrate on the content and language skills shown by your piece of writing.

Do not the count the words! The word limit is given for just a rough estimate of how long your composition should be. You never need to count. Its just wastage of time. But, for summary writing in paper 2, you must take care of words.

Now moving to English Paper 2. This paper has a lot of free time available so you can easily revise and think the best solution. You need some practice, but it’s only those 5 word meanings that can catch you out. Recent comprehensions (solve them here ) aren’t very difficult. Do answer the first question in your head, whether you can analyze the passage and answer. If you can’t, I recommend googling on tips on how to read critically and applying them. This wasn’t a problem for me so I can’t really help you here (all I would say would be rehashing stuff on Google ).

Following are tricks, tips and notes for English Language Syllabus:

Composition Writing

  • Narrative Writing
  • Argumentative Writing
  • Descriptive Writing
  • Discursive Writing
  • One-Word Essays

Directed Writing

  • Letters (Formal)
  • Letters (Informal)
  • Speech Writing
  • Report Writing
  • Account Writing
  • Articles (News Paper articles)

General Writing tips / advices / expressions / words

  • Grammar – Video Lectures

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Syed

Very imp book

Moli

I need english dce papers

Osward Jere

I need some English books

Methma

Can you please make notes for other direct writings as well

SENIRU

their are no note for commerce students please help commerce students also

speech writing word limit

AP PGECET

Word Limit: What does it mean and how to tackle it?

  • by Sean Brown
  • October 28, 2023

Have you ever been assigned an essay or a speech with a word limit and wondered, “What does word limit mean?” Well, you’re not alone. Many of us have encountered this challenge at some point, whether it’s trying to fit all our thoughts within the confines of a 500-word essay or delivering a captivating presentation within a specific time frame . In this blog post, we will explore the concept of word limit and provide practical tips to help you navigate this writing hurdle.

Words have power, and the ability to express ideas concisely is a skill worth honing. But what exactly does word limit mean? It refers to the maximum number of words allowed for a given piece of writing or speaking engagement. It is a way to gauge your ability to communicate effectively within a set boundary, testing your creativity and resourcefulness. Whether you’re a student facing a tight deadline or a professional preparing a presentation, understanding and mastering word limits can greatly enhance your writing and speaking skills.

In this post, we will delve into various aspects related to word limits, including tips and techniques to write within a set word count, how to deliver a compelling speech within a time constraint, and debunking the myths surrounding automated essay tools like EssayBot and EssayTyper. So, if you’re ready to discover the secrets of conquering word limits and expressing your ideas with clarity and brevity, let’s dive in!

Now let’s answer your burning questions: “How do you write a 500-word essay in an hour?” and “How many handwritten pages is 500 words?”.

What Does Word Limit Mean

Understanding the boundaries of word count.

Have you ever been asked to write a “300-word essay” or a “1000-word blog post”? If you’re scratching your head, wondering what those numbers mean, fear not! In this subsection, we’ll dive into the world of word limits and unravel their mysterious ways.

Unlocking the Word Limit Enigma

Decoding the verbal conundrum.

When someone mentions a word limit, they’re simply referring to the maximum number of words allowed for a given piece of writing. Think of it as a boundary set in place to ensure brevity and conciseness. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just beginning your literary journey, word limits can be both a blessing and a curse.

Taming the Word Count Beast

Working within a word limit may seem like a daunting task, but fear not! Embrace the challenge and release your inner wordsmith. Remember, brevity is the soul of wit, as the saying goes. By honing your writing skills and mastering the art of succinct expression, you’ll be able to conquer any word limit that comes your way.

Why the Need for Word Limits

In the vast realm of the written word, word limits serve a multitude of purposes. Editors and content managers often impose them to maintain consistency across publications, ensure readability, and cater to readers’ attention spans. So, the next time you’re immersed in a captivating article, take a moment to appreciate the careful balance struck between a compelling narrative and a restrained word count.

Navigating Different Types of Word Limits

The microcosm of twitter.

When it comes to strict word limits, nothing beats the infamous 280-character constraint of Twitter. Crafting a concise and witty message within such limited space demands the utmost creativity, turning even the most long-winded individuals into haiku masters.

The Blogosphere’s Playground

In the blogosphere, word limits vary depending on the platform and content requirements. While some blogs may allow for lengthy pieces spanning several thousand words, others demand more succinct compositions. Adapting to different word limits challenges writers to deliver information quickly without sacrificing quality.

Academic Essays: Striking the Right Balance

For students and scholars, academic essays often come with predetermined word limits. These limits ensure that writers present their arguments precisely while demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the topic. It’s a delicate dance of providing substantial evidence and analysis within a confined space.

Embracing the Word Limit—Tips and Tricks

Sharpen your writing sword.

To conquer the word limit beast, you’ll need a trusty writing sword. Sharpen your literary skills by practicing succinct writing regularly. Seek constructive feedback from peers or join writing communities for valuable insights.

Kill Your Darlings (Or at Least Some of Them)

When faced with a tight word limit, it’s essential to be ruthless. Cut unnecessary words and phrases that don’t add value to your piece. Remember, brevity can enhance the impact of your message.

Outline and Structure Strategically

Before diving into the writing process, take a moment to outline your main points. This will help you maintain a logical flow and prevent unnecessary digressions. Structuring your content strategically can save you precious words without sacrificing coherence.

Edit and Refine

Once you’ve unleashed your words onto the page, it’s time to edit and refine. Read your piece critically, ensuring each sentence serves a purpose. Trim the excess, polish your prose, and embrace the elegance of concise expression.

Word Limits: A Writer’s Ally

In conclusion, word limits may initially appear daunting, but they can ultimately become a writer’s most treasured ally. By encouraging concise yet impactful writing, word limits help us refine our skills and captivate readers with focused storytelling. So, the next time you encounter a word limit, remember that it’s not a restriction—it’s an opportunity to unleash your creativity within a predetermined boundary. Happy writing, fellow wordsmiths of 2023!

FAQ: What Does Word Limit Mean

How do you write a 500-word essay in an hour.

Writing a 500-word essay in just one hour may seem like a daunting task, but with a little focus and discipline, it’s definitely achievable. Here are a few tips to help you get started and maintain a steady pace:

Plan your essay : Spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas and creating a rough outline. This will help you stay organized and ensure you cover all the necessary points.

Write an engaging introduction : Begin your essay with a captivating hook to grab the reader’s attention. State your main argument or thesis statement clearly.

Use concise language : Avoid unnecessary fluff or repetition. Stick to the main points and get straight to the heart of the matter.

Utilize paragraph structure : Break your essay into paragraphs with clear topic sentences. This helps maintain coherence and makes it easier for readers to follow your arguments.

Edit and proofread : Once you’ve finished writing, take a few minutes to review and make any necessary changes. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and ensure your essay flows smoothly.

Remember, writing under a time constraint can be challenging, so don’t stress too much about perfection. Focus on delivering a well-structured and concise essay that effectively communicates your ideas.

How Many Handwritten Pages is 500 Words

The number of handwritten pages 500 words can fill will depend on various factors, such as individual handwriting size and spacing. However, as a general guideline, a 500-word handwritten essay will usually occupy roughly one to two pages. Keep in mind that legible handwriting and proper line spacing are important to ensure clarity and ease of reading.

What Does a 500-Word Essay Mean

A 500-word essay is a concise piece of writing that aims to convey information, express a viewpoint, or argue a specific point within the given word limit. This word count requirement is commonly assigned in academic settings or for short articles where brevity is key. Writing a 500-word essay challenges you to consolidate your thoughts and communicate effectively within a limited space.

How Fast Does a Human Talk

On average, humans speak at a rate of approximately 125 to 150 words per minute. However, the speed of speech can vary based on factors such as language fluency, articulation, and personal speaking style. Public speakers or professionals trained in speaking engagements may even speak at a faster pace, reaching up to 200 words per minute. So, if you’re planning a presentation or speech, keep these numbers in mind to estimate the length of your delivery.

How Can I Write 500 Words Fast

When it comes to writing quickly, the following strategies can help you breeze through the process:

Create an outline : Before you start writing, spend a few minutes creating a clear and concise outline. This will serve as a roadmap for your essay and make the writing process smoother.

Focus on key points : Stick to the main ideas and avoid excessive elaboration. Be direct in conveying your thoughts and supporting them with concise and relevant examples.

Eliminate distractions : Find a quiet space, turn off notifications on your electronic devices, and eliminate any other potential distractions. This will help you maintain focus and stay in the writing flow.

Set a timer : Challenge yourself by setting a time limit and aiming to complete your essay within that period. This will help you stay motivated and avoid getting caught up in overthinking.

Edit during revisions : Rather than obsessing over every sentence as you write, focus on getting your ideas down on paper first. Once you’ve finished the initial draft, spend time revising and editing to fine-tune your essay.

Remember, writing fast should not compromise the quality of your essay. Prioritize clarity, coherence, and effective communication of your ideas.

Is EssayBot Safe

EssayBot is a highly reputable and user-friendly online writing tool. It provides useful features like generating essay outlines, suggesting relevant content, and helping with citation formatting. EssayBot utilizes artificial intelligence to assist writers, ensuring a streamlined and efficient writing process. Rest assured, your information and work are kept private and secure while using EssayBot. So go ahead, give it a try, and experience the benefits of this reliable online writing companion.

How Do You Write a Killer Essay

Writing a killer essay involves several key elements. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create an impactful piece of writing:

Choose a captivating topic : Select a topic that sparks your interest and engages your readers. This will set the foundation for a strong essay.

Craft a compelling thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or viewpoint in a concise and attention-grabbing manner. This will set the tone for the rest of your essay.

Conduct thorough research : Gather evidence and relevant information to support your arguments. Use reputable sources and take notes to organize your findings effectively.

Outline your essay : Create a structure that flows logically, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This roadmap will make the writing process smoother.

Write a captivating introduction : Begin with an engaging hook to draw your readers in. Present your thesis statement and provide a brief overview of what your essay will cover.

Develop coherent body paragraphs : Each paragraph should focus on a specific point related to your thesis. Support your arguments with strong evidence and include smooth transitions between paragraphs.

Craft a powerful conclusion : Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a way that leaves a lasting impact on your readers.

Edit and proofread : Take the time to review and polish your essay. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure your essay flows smoothly and consider seeking feedback from others.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a killer essay that stands out from the crowd.

How Long is a 7-Minute Speech

On average, a 7-minute speech consists of approximately 910 to 980 words. However, the actual word count may vary depending on the speaker’s delivery speed and pauses for emphasis. To ensure a well-paced presentation, it’s essential to rehearse your speech and time yourself accordingly. Remember, it’s better to be slightly under time than to rush through your delivery.

How Many Pages is a 20-Minute Talk

For a 20-minute talk, the number of pages required will depend on the speaker’s pace and style. On average, a 20-minute talk can range from approximately 1,820 to 1,980 words. However, it’s important to note that an excessive amount of text on slides or reading directly from a script can disengage the audience. Consider using visual aids, concise bullet points, and speaking points to complement your presentation rather than inundating it with excessive text.

How Many Words Can You Say in 1 Minute

The average individual speaks at a rate of about 125 to 150 words per minute. Therefore, in a one-minute timeframe, you could typically speak between 125 and 150 words. However, it’s important to note that factors such as clarity of speech, enunciation, and the complexity of the content being spoken can influence the actual number of words spoken within one minute.

Is EssayTyper Legal

While EssayTyper may seem like a convenient solution for academic writing, it’s important to note that it is not considered a reliable or legal tool. EssayTyper uses automated algorithms to generate content without taking into account the academic integrity required for original and authentic writing. Using EssayTyper to produce essays or assignments for educational purposes could potentially lead to plagiarism and academic misconduct. It is always best to develop your own ideas and put in the effort to produce original work that showcases your own knowledge and understanding.

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Improve your writing with word limits.

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Here’s a scenario that might sound familiar: you are listening to a speech or presentation, or perhaps you are reading an article, an essay, or a report, and it becomes clear that the writer is using words without communicating.  Some essays, articles, and books might be pleasant to read because the language is colorful, and a speaker might make pleasant, sincere-sounding noises.  No doubt some of your my writing or speaking can be described this way.  If you don’t think yours can, just wait.  As you improve, you will expect more of yourself.  One way to improve is to practice writing with word or character limits.

This matters in the idea-driven economy.  Consider George Orwell’s 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language.”  Words mean something.  Words are important.  Orwell argues that language should be “an instrument for expressing and not for concealing or preventing thought.”  Much could be accomplished with better writing, and yet quantitative social scientists, for example, try to earn status by one-upping one another with technical and mathematical sophistication.  Humanists try to out-jargon one another.  Important ideas are obscured by the impenetrable clouds of unclarity.

What can you do about it?  Try writing with hard word limits.  Give yourself a lower word limit than you might find comfortable.  Allow yourself to write a rough draft that is as long as you want it to be.  Then, when you’re editing, try to cut it down below the maximum word count.  If you’re writing a 10,000 word article, try to cut it to 9,000 words.  If you’re writing an 800-word op-ed, aim for 700 words.  Trim an essay with a 1500 word limit to 1200 words.

There are a couple of reasons for this.  First, your readers’ time is valuable.  Second, it forces you to confront trade offs in every sentence.  If you’re trying to trim a 1500 word essay into a 1200 word essay, you have to ask yourself at every juncture whether you can make the point with fewer words.  You will be shocked at how much you can tighten your prose without losing anything.  Indeed, tighter, punchier prose will improve the quality of your exposition.

An exercise might help.  Consider that last sentence: “Indeed, tighter, punchier prose will improve the quality of your exposition.”  I wrote it on a plane from Omaha to Memphis while my brain was toast, and it shows.

Let’s improve it.  First, drop “Indeed” because it adds nothing.  “(I)mprove the quality of your exposition” is a long way of saying “make you write better.”  So let’s try some revisions:

“Tighter, punchier prose improves your writing.” (better)

“Tighter, punchier prose makes you write better.” (awkward and clunky—it sounds like a lesson plan for the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can’t Read Good and Who Want to Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too)

Perhaps this: “Punchy prose makes good writing.”

There’s no objective right answer.  You have to play around with it, but as the cliché says, easy writing makes for hard reading.

You might also want to experiment with character and syllable limits. Orwell said to avoid using big words.  In the sentence we were critiquing above, “exposition” was a clunky, four-syllable way of saying “writing.”  Always use the easier word.

To write well requires dedicated effort.  I don’t claim to have mastered it.  Approach it like topiary.  Or bonsai gardening.  Or sculpture.  Or painting.  Or whatever.  As a writer, you are a skilled artisan.  Words are your medium, and you use hem to communicate information, evoke passions, and stir the consciences of your readers.  Get to work.  Change the world.  And take heart: you’re always improving.

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Powers of 10: Time Scales in Public Speaking

Have you ever thought about the relationship between time and public speaking ?

On the surface, you engage your audience second by second, stringing together words into sentences that, over the duration of your presentation, may last minutes or perhaps hours.

Yet, the impact of your speaking experiences may last days, weeks, months, or even years — for you and for those in your audiences.

In this article, we examine time scales ranging from a tenth of a second to hundreds of years, and consider how each of these scales is relevant to you as a speaker .

One Tenth of a Second

A typical speaking rate is 150 words per minute, or 2.5 words per second. This means the average time between words is just four tenths of a second. When you consider pauses, a syllable leaves your lips in about a tenth of a second. (Your brain, of course, has to operate on a much faster scale to keep up.)

In one tenth of a second, perceptions form in your audience’s mind  — either positive or negative. It could be an inflection that makes them cringe, or a visual that evokes a warm memory. It could be a facial expression which betrays a lack of sincerity, or a crackling voice which signals genuine emotion.

Pauses in your speech  range from a short “comma pause” (about one second) to longer pauses for rhetorical effect (lasting several seconds). The duration of pauses is critical; if it’s too long, you’ve got an uncomfortable pause.

The enemy of the pause is the filler word:  utterances which include “um”, “uh”, and “ah”. Everyone has a few filler words, but they are more common among speakers who are inexperienced, unprepared, or especially nervous. Skilled speakers understand that, instead of filler words, you can simply pause while you collect your thoughts; you don’t need a filler word to mark the moment.

Although the audience  perceives  slide visuals on the sub-second level, slide recognition occurs on the order of a second. Well-designed slides are recognized easily, and their meaning is associated the words of a speaker quickly. Particularly confusing slides can cause several seconds (or more) of high cognitive processing.

Ten Seconds

Effective eye contact is achieved when your gaze finds an audience member, and then stays there for perhaps a sentence or two — generally in the ten second range. Eye contact which is significantly shorter — like a ping pong ball — will seem insincere. Eye contact which is significantly longer may be uncomfortable, and perhaps leave other audience members feeling “left out.”

“ You should be able to clearly summarize your main message within ten seconds. ”

Ten seconds is also the range in which complete sentences are spoken , including most memorable phrases and quotations. You should be able to clearly summarize your main message within ten seconds.

One minute is about the length of good story which a speaker might tell. Stories significantly shorter probably do not develop adequate conflict, emotion, or a significant message. Stories significantly longer could likely benefit either from aggressive editing (removing superfluous details which detract from the story) or splitting in two (in case more than one point is being made).

One minute is about the maximum time needed to introduce a speaker in most contexts. Any longer than this, and the introducer risks boring the audience and stealing attention away from the speaker.

Ten Minutes

Ten minutes is the upper limit for what many people might call a “short” speech . In ten minutes, you’ve only got time to properly develop one central idea, while supporting it with several stories and supporting points. It requires precise focus and discipline from a speaker.

Many popular formats hover around this average.

  • Speaking formats such as Pecha Kucha (six minutes forty seconds) or Ignite (five minutes) restrict speakers down further and yet are wildly popular social events.
  • TED talks (which have been reviewed numerous times on Six Minutes ) come in various lengths, but the longest top out at 18 minutes.

Ten minutes is long enough to read most  articles on Six Minutes , or another speaking blog. These bite-sized lessons are intended to motivate, instruct, and challenge you to improve your skills.

In a longer speaking session (e.g. a training session), ten minutes is a rule of thumb for switching gears . It’s wise to vary your technique, switch formats, and otherwise add variety to your session to keep the energy of your session high.

One hour is a common length of a keynote address  or the corporate staple known as the noon-hour seminar . One hour provides time for a speaker to cover their topic in much more depth and breadth, as well as allowing for an extended question and answer (Q&A) period.

One hour is the most common length of a Toastmasters meeting . It’s short enough to allow members to fit it into their hectic day, but long enough to cover the core elements (prepared speeches, evaluations, and impromptu speaking).

One hour is also a convenient duration for speech coaching sessions . A good speaking coach can work with you to explore your strengths and weaknesses, and one hour provides lots of time for repetitive practice as well.

Ten hours is the upper bound for a daily seminar , or the daily program at many conferences . Most people will get pretty fatigued with 10 hours of listening to speakers. Speaking in this environment requires special skill in balancing valuable information with lighter, less cognitively draining activities.

“ Your speech should be designed with a clear and emphatic call-to-action to do something that can reasonably be done within a day. ”

One day is a practical upper bound for someone in your audience to act on your call-to-action . Nick Morgan claims that “ the only reason to give a speech is to change the world .” I agree, and that starts by changing the thoughts and actions of individual audience members. Your speech should be designed with a clear and emphatic call-to-action. It should be challenging enough that opting to do it truly does represent change, but simple enough that it can be started within a day of your speech .

  • For example, “losing 20 pounds” is not a call-to-action, but “starting an exercise habit tomorrow” is.

One day is also the outer range where you can receive useful feedback on your presentation (assuming it was not recorded, of course). The best time to solicit feedback is during (e.g. a feedback form) or immediately after (e.g. mingling with your audience) your presentation. Asking for feedback days or weeks after a presentation is not likely to reap many rewards as the feedback you receive will tend to be generic.

One week is a healthy period to practice your presentation . You certainly don’t need to practice twenty-four hours a day for a full week; thirty minutes per day will usually suffice. Rather than cramming all of your practice into the night before your presentation — or worse, the morning of your speech — consider spreading it over a week to allow yourself the time to become more comfortable with the content.

One week is also a good interval during which you should try to devote some time to developing your speaking skills . Like any habit, it’s hard to built momentum if you don’t get regular exposure. This includes both speaking before an audience, as well as support activities like working on speeches, gathering speechwriting material, or reading speaking blogs and books. It is not a coincidence that Toastmasters clubs (and most other extra-curricular activities) are designed to establish weekly participation.

Ten weeks is about the length of time it takes to establish a new speaking habit . Most of us resist change, either consciously or subconsciously. If you want to develop a new habit (speaking or otherwise), doing it once or twice will not suffice.

“ If you want to develop a new habit (speaking or otherwise), doing it once or twice will not suffice. ”

Ten weeks is the also upper limit needed to fully prepare for most major presentations . Do you think that’s too long? Well, let me bound it a bit.

  • By “major presentations”, I’m talking about the ones which can make or break your career (like landing a new client) or help you achieve a personal goal (like making your case before city council for a new bylaw).
  • By “fully prepare”, I mean the time from your initial idea that you’d like to give a speech to the time you deliver it. You might spend the first four or five weeks just brainstorming or researching content. Then, you might spend the next few weeks writing, practicing in front of a test audience, and honing your delivery.

One year is long enough to set yourself on a new speaking path . The new path depends a great deal on where you are now, and what your goals for the future are:

  • Maybe “I’m terrified of speaking” gets replaced with “I’m scared, but I speak”.
  • Maybe “I’m scared, but I speak” gets replaced with “I feel nervous, but I harness that energy”.
  • Maybe “I speak when I am required to” gets replaced with “I enjoy speaking whenever I can”.

In one year, you could recognize an opportunity, develop a course, market yourself, and launch supplementary income or a whole new career.

Over a span of ten years, you can completely reshape yourself with a disciplined, committed approach to improving your communication skills, and translating that into becoming more effective at whatever path you choose to pursue.

For example, maybe devoting yourself to becoming a master communicator will launch you into management and steer your career to new heights.

One Hundred Years (and more)

You may not live this long, but your words can live one hundred years or longer.

Maybe you’re going to give a political speech that is quoted for centuries to come.

Or, more likely, you’re going to inspire your children, your grandchildren, and your audience members with a message that continues to become more and more powerful as the years pass.

Individual syllables, which last only tenths of a second on your lips, can last for hundreds of years if they are carefully chosen. Consider that the next time you are writing your speech.

Inspiration for This Article

You may be interested on know that the inspiration for this article is Powers of Ten , a classic documentary by Charles and Ray Eames which can be viewed below.

As a science geek, the documentary is fascinating, but there are lessons to be learned for speakers too. Some particularly effective techniques include:

  • The use of a common, everyday occurrence to set the initial context.
  • The frequent use of comparison to easily understandable distances (e.g. 100 meters: the distance a man can run in 10 seconds)
  • The simple, repetitive use of 10 and the consistent pace of the documentary.

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A very interesting and original post using time over a scale from 0.1 seconds to 3.156 billion seconds (100 years). The original movie kept the same length units though. I’ve also been inspired by that movie.

In January 2010 I blogged about using decreasing powers of ten (How thin is “extremely thin”) to describe how stainless steels work. I pointed out that the passive film is about a millionth of a centimeter thick, and compared it with the 1 cm thickness of a finger. See: http://joyfulpublicspeaking.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-thin-is-extremely-thin.html

In December 2008 I blogged about how Audience size determines working distance, and thus presentation style. I considered audience sizes from one to a million. See: http://joyfulpublicspeaking.blogspot.com/2008/12/audience-size-determines-working.html

Brilliant! It is great to have you back blogging!

As always, I’ve learned something from one of your Posts, Andrew.

Thanks for sharing your insights!

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Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

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Precis writing is an invaluable skill that demands a keen understanding of a passage’s core ideas and the ability to condense them into a concise form. In this article, we’ll explore common questions related to precis writing, providing detailed answers, examples, and relevant topics to help you master this essential skill.

Understanding Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Precis writing involves summarizing a given passage while maintaining its key ideas and essence. It requires precision, clarity, and an adept grasp of language. Let’s delve into some frequently asked questions about precis writing.

What is Precis Writing?

Precis writing is a concise summary or shortened version of a text , maintaining its essence while condensing its main points. It involves extracting essential information, restructuring sentences, and ensuring clarity without losing the original meaning. The goal is to present a brief yet comprehensive rendition of the original material.

Why is Precis Writing Important?

Precis writing enhances communication skills, promotes clarity, and is widely used in academia, professional settings, and competitive exams.

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5 Important Rules for Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Understand the Passage Thoroughly: Read the given text multiple times to grasp its main ideas, key arguments, and nuances.

Identify Key Elements: Focus on the central theme, main points, and supporting details that convey the author’s message.

Maintain Clarity and Conciseness: Express the essence of the passage in your own words, ensuring clarity without losing the original meaning.

Craft a Coherent Structure: Follow a logical sequence, including an introduction, body, and conclusion, mirroring the original composition.

Use Precise Language: Choose words judiciously, avoiding unnecessary details while capturing the essential elements.

Global supply chains face unprecedented challenges, ranging from disruptions due to the pandemic to geopolitical tensions. The reliance on interconnected systems highlights vulnerabilities, prompting a reassessment of supply chain resilience. Businesses grapple with issues like demand variability, logistics bottlenecks, and the need for sustainable practices. The ongoing transformation underscores the importance of agile supply chain strategies, digital innovations, and a holistic approach to mitigate risks and build a more resilient global economy.

Global supply chains face challenges like pandemic disruptions and geopolitical tensions, highlighting vulnerabilities in interconnected systems. Businesses face demand variability, logistics bottlenecks, and sustainable practices. Agile strategies, digital innovations, and holistic approaches are crucial for mitigating risks and building a resilient global economy.

Format of a good Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

  • Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the central theme of the original passage.

Introduction:

  • Begin with a sentence that encapsulates the main idea and introduces the author and context.
  • Include essential details like the author’s name, title of the passage, and publication source.
  • Analyze the passage and extract its essential points.
  • Condense each major point into a clear, well-structured sentence.
  • Preserve the logical order and emphasis of the original passage.

Conclusion:

  • Summarize the overall message or argument of the passage.
  • Conclude with a sentence that reinforces the importance or impact of the author’s ideas.

Word Limit:

  • Keep the precis within the specified word limit, typically one-third of the original passage’s length.

Clarity and Coherence:

  • Ensure each sentence flows logically from the preceding one.
  • Use straightforward language to maintain clarity.

Avoid Personal Opinions:

  • Refrain from inserting personal opinions or interpretations into the precis.

Original Tone:

  • Capture the original tone and style of the author to maintain the passage’s integrity.

Example to verify the above points:

The surge in online learning has reshaped the educational landscape, accelerated by global events that necessitated remote alternatives. Virtual classrooms offer flexibility, accessibility, and diverse learning resources. However, challenges such as the digital divide and the need for robust online pedagogy persist. The ongoing debate about the efficacy of online learning underscores the importance of adapting traditional educational models to the digital era. Balancing technological advancements with inclusive practices remains essential in providing quality education for diverse learners

Title: “Transformative Impact of Online Learning”

“The surge in online learning, accelerated by global events necessitating remote alternatives, has reshaped the educational landscape. This phenomenon has given rise to virtual classrooms, offering flexibility, accessibility, and diverse learning resources.”

  • Online learning is reshaping education, emphasizing flexibility and diverse resources.
  • Challenges such as the digital divide and the need for robust online pedagogy persist in the evolving landscape.
  • Despite these challenges, virtual classrooms provide essential flexibility, accessibility, and diverse learning resources.
  • The ongoing debate about the efficacy of online learning highlights the need to adapt traditional educational models to the digital era.
  • Balancing technological advancements with inclusive practices is deemed essential in providing quality education for diverse learners.

In conclusion, the revolutionary influence of online learning, despite overcoming challenges, highlights the need to adjust traditional models.. Balancing technology with inclusivity is crucial for delivering quality education in this digital era.”

Precis Word Count: 108 words (within the acceptable range).

The precis maintains clarity and coherence, ensuring each point logically progresses from the introduction to the conclusion.

The precis refrains from incorporating personal opinions, presenting the ideas objectively.

The tone of the original passage, emphasizing the transformative impact of online learning, is faithfully captured in the precis.

Length of Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples in Different Exams

The acceptable length of a precis can vary depending on the specific exam or guidelines provided. Generally, the length of a precis is specified in terms of words or a percentage of the original text’s length.

For instance:

  • In some exams or academic settings, a precis might be required to be one-third (1/3) or one-fourth (1/4) of the original passage’s length. If the original passage is 300 words, the precis should be around 100-150 words.
  • Other exams might specify an exact word count for the precis, such as 100 words, 150 words, or any other specific count.

It’s essential to carefully follow the instructions in the exam or assignment guidelines regarding the required length of the precis. Exceeding or falling short of the specified word count might lead to penalties or a lower assessment score.

5 Dos & Don’ts in Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

Dos in precis writing:, understand the passage thoroughly:.

  • Do: Read the given text multiple times to grasp its main ideas and nuances.

Identify Key Elements :

  • Do: Focus on the central theme, main points, and supporting details to capture the essence.

Maintain Clarity and Conciseness:

  • Do: Express the ideas in clear, concise language, avoiding unnecessary details while preserving the original meaning.

Craft a Coherent Structure:

  • Do: Organize your precis with a logical structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion that mirror the original flow.

Use Precise Language:

  • Do: Choose words judiciously for clarity and brevity, ensuring every word contributes to the overall meaning.

Don’ts in Precis Writing:

  • Don’t: Insert personal opinions or interpretations into the precis; maintain objectivity.

Don’t Exceed Word Limit:

  • Don’t: Exceed the specified word limit, typically one-third of the original passage’s length.

Avoid Unnecessary Details:

  • Don’t: Include unnecessary details that do not contribute to the core ideas of the passage.

Don’t Alter the Original Meaning:

  • Don’t: Change the meaning or emphasis of the original passage while expressing it in your own words.

Don’t Disregard Logical Flow:

  • Don’t: Disrupt the logical flow of ideas; ensure each sentence follows logically from the preceding one.

Following these dos and don’ts will help create a precise and accurate summary while adhering to the guidelines of the task.

5 Key Differences between Precis and Summary

  • Precis: Typically, a precis is much shorter than a summary, often limited to one-third or one-fourth of the original passage’s length.
  • Summary: Summaries can vary in length and are generally more comprehensive, covering the main points of the entire text.

2. Level of Detail:

  • Precis: Focuses on condensing the passage to its essential points, often omitting examples, anecdotes, or illustrative details.
  • Summary: May include more details, examples, and supporting information to provide a more thorough overview of the original text.

3. Writing Style:

  • Precis: Requires rewriting the passage in a concise manner while maintaining the original author’s tone and style.
  • Summary: Allows for a more flexible writing style, and the summarizer may use their own words and structure to convey the main ideas.

4. Purpose:

  • Precis: Primarily aims to capture the core ideas of the passage while maintaining brevity; often used in academic or formal contexts.
  • Summary: Aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the entire text, including major themes, supporting details, and conclusions; used in various contexts, from academic to casual.

5. Content Inclusion:

  • Precis: Typically includes only the central theme, main points, and essential supporting details necessary to convey the passage’s meaning.
  • Summary: Can include a broader range of information, encompassing the main ideas, subplots, and various aspects of the original content to present a more holistic view.

In essence, while both a precis and a summary involve condensing a text, a precis is more focused on brevity and essential elements, while a summary may be more extensive and flexible in its coverage.

Here are 10 precis writing examples on current topics, with corresponding Answers:

Example 1: Impact of Remote Work

The rise of remote work has become a defining feature of the modern workforce. Accelerated by technological advancements and the global response to the pandemic, businesses and employees are reevaluating traditional office structures. Remote work offers flexibility, enabling professionals to balance personal and professional life. However, challenges such as maintaining team cohesion and addressing potential burnout have emerged. The shift towards remote work signifies a transformative phase in how we approach work, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies and technology-driven collaboration.

The rise of remote work, driven by technological advancements and the pandemic, has transformed the modern workforce, offering flexibility for personal and professional life. However, challenges like team cohesion and burnout persist, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies and technology-driven collaboration.

Example 2: Impact of Climate Change

The alarming acceleration of climate change poses unprecedented threats to the planet. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, the consequences are evident globally. The urgent need for sustainable practices, renewable energy sources, and international cooperation is more apparent than ever. Governments, businesses, and individuals must collaborate to mitigate the impact and adopt environmentally conscious initiatives. The ongoing discourse on climate change emphasizes the critical role each entity plays in preserving the planet for future generations.

Climate change is a global threat causing extreme weather events and rising sea levels, necessitating immediate action through sustainable practices, renewable energy, and international cooperation, emphasizing the crucial role of governments, businesses, and individuals in preserving the planet.

Example 3: Vaccine Rollout for Global Health

The global effort to vaccinate against COVID-19 is a monumental task with far-reaching implications. Vaccination campaigns, while making significant progress, face challenges related to distribution, vaccine hesitancy, and the emergence of new variants. Access to vaccines in developing countries remains a concern, emphasizing the need for equitable distribution. International collaboration and support are crucial in ensuring widespread vaccination to curb the impact of the ongoing pandemic and pave the way for a return to normalcy.

The global COVID-19 vaccine campaign faces challenges like distribution, vaccine hesitancy, and emerging variants. Equitable access, particularly in developing nations, is crucial for a return to normalcy and mitigating the pandemic’s impact.

Example 4: Rise of Cryptocurrency

The surge in popularity of cryptocurrencies, led by Bitcoin and Ethereum, is reshaping the financial landscape. Investors are drawn to the potential for high returns, and mainstream acceptance of digital currencies is growing. However, regulatory uncertainties and concerns about market volatility persist. The cryptocurrency boom underscores the evolving nature of finance and the need for a balanced approach that embraces innovation while addressing risks associated with this decentralized form of currency.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are gaining popularity due to their high returns, transforming the financial landscape. However, this growth comes with regulatory uncertainties and market volatility concerns, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that embraces innovation while addressing risks.

Example 5: Impact of Social Media on Society

Social media’s pervasive influence on society is profound, shaping communication, culture, and even political discourse. While connecting people globally, concerns about misinformation, privacy breaches, and mental health issues have intensified. The impact of social media on shaping public opinion and fostering both unity and division reflects its dual nature. Balancing the benefits with responsible usage and effective regulation is crucial to harnessing the positive aspects while mitigating the negative consequences.

Social media’s impact on society, communication, culture, and political discourse raises concerns about misinformation, privacy breaches, and mental health. Balancing benefits with responsible usage and effective regulation is crucial to maximize positive impacts and mitigate negative consequences.

Example 6: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is revolutionizing diagnostics and patient care. Machine learning algorithms analyze vast datasets to identify patterns and assist in early disease detection. AI-driven innovations range from personalized treatment plans to predictive analytics, enhancing medical decision-making. While the potential benefits are substantial, ethical considerations, data privacy, and the need for transparent algorithms require careful navigation. The ongoing evolution of AI in healthcare signifies a transformative shift, prompting continuous exploration of its capabilities and responsible implementation.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare by enhancing diagnostics and patient care through machine learning algorithms. This technology enhances medical decision-making, but ethical considerations, data privacy, and transparent algorithms require careful implementation. The ongoing evolution of AI in healthcare is a transformative shift.

Example 7: Impact of Online Learning on Education

The surge in online learning has reshaped the educational landscape, accelerated by global events that necessitated remote alternatives. Virtual classrooms offer flexibility, accessibility, and diverse learning resources. However, challenges such as the digital divide and the need for robust online pedagogy persist. The ongoing debate about the efficacy of online learning underscores the importance of adapting traditional educational models to the digital era. Balancing technological advancements with inclusive practices remains essential in providing quality education for diverse learners.

The rise of online learning has revolutionized education, offering flexibility and diverse resources. However, challenges like the digital divide and the need for robust online pedagogy persist. The debate emphasizes the need to adapt traditional education to the digital era.

Example 8: Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age

The digital age brings new mental health challenges, with increased screen time, social media pressures, and the constant influx of information. Concerns about digital addiction, cyberbullying, and the impact on well-being are on the rise. Amid technological advancements, fostering digital mindfulness, promoting positive online behaviors, and integrating mental health support within digital platforms become imperative. Addressing the intersection of mental health and the digital landscape is crucial for creating a healthier and more resilient society.

The digital age presents mental health challenges like screen time, social media pressures, and information overload, leading to concerns about digital addiction and cyberbullying. Therefore, promoting digital mindfulness, positive online behaviors, and mental health support is crucial for a healthier society.

Example 9: Future of Work Post-Pandemic

The post-pandemic future of work is undergoing a paradigm shift. Hybrid work models, remote collaboration tools, and a focus on employee well-being redefine the traditional workplace. Organizations are reevaluating office structures, emphasizing flexibility and technology-driven solutions. Balancing remote work advantages with maintaining organizational culture poses challenges. The evolving work landscape underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and a human-centric approach to foster a thriving workforce in the new normal.

The post-pandemic work landscape is shifting towards hybrid models, remote collaboration tools, and employee well-being. Organizations are reevaluating office structures, emphasizing flexibility and technology-driven solutions. Balancing remote work advantages with organizational culture presents challenges, emphasizing adaptability, continuous learning, and a human-centric approach.

Example 10: Challenges of Global Supply Chains

Frequently asked question – precis writing, what is the precis writing.

Ans: Precis writing is the art of condensing a given text to its essential points, expressing its main ideas and arguments concisely. It requires a clear understanding of the original content while maintaining brevity and coherence in the summarization process.

What is precis and example?

Ans: A precis is a concise summary of a text, capturing its main ideas and arguments. For example, in a precis of an article on climate change, one might condense key points like global impact, environmental challenges, and mitigation strategies while maintaining clarity and brevity.

What are the 4 rules in writing precis?

Ans: 1. Understand the passage thoroughly.

2. Identify key elements, including the main theme and supporting details.

3. Maintain clarity and conciseness in expression.

4. Craft a coherent structure following the original flow.

What is precis writing in SSC CGL?

Ans: In SSC CGL, precis writing assesses candidates’ ability to condense a given passage while retaining its essence. It evaluates comprehension, clarity, and conciseness. Candidates must express the key ideas of the text effectively within a specified word limit.

How can I get full marks in precis writing?

Ans: To secure full marks in precis writing, ensure a thorough understanding of the passage, identify key elements, maintain clarity and conciseness, follow the prescribed structure, and adhere to the specified word limit. Express the essence of the text accurately in your own words.

What is the word limit for precis in SSC?

Ans: In SSC exams, including SSC CGL, the word limit for precis writing is usually around one-third or one-fourth of the original passage’s length. Adhering to the specified word limit is crucial for effective summarization.

What are the 10 rules in writing a precis?

2. Identify main theme and key points.

3. Maintain clarity and conciseness.

4. Follow a coherent structure.

5. Stick to the specified word limit.

6. Use precise language.

7. Avoid personal opinions.

8. Retain the original tone.

9. Do not alter the meaning.

10. Ensure logical flow of ideas.

What is the rule of precis writing?

Ans: The rule of precis writing involves condensing a passage’s essential ideas concisely. Understand the original text, identify key elements, maintain clarity, and follow a coherent structure. Use precise language, adhere to the specified word limit, and retain the author’s tone and meaning.

Related Posts:

7 Tips of Good Precis Writing in English for Competitive Exams

Free Text Shortener Tool

  • 📖 Text Shortener
  • 📜 When to Use It
  • 🎉 Benefits of the Tool
  • ✒️Writing a Summary
  • ✍️Summary Examples
  • 🎁 Bonus Tips

🔗 References

📖 text shortener guide.

Summarizing is an essential part of academic writing. It shows your ability to separate and present the main findings, plot elements, thoughts, etc. A good summary lets another person easily understand it without reading the original text.

Our free text shortener presents key takeaways of a text using AI technologies. To use it, you need to copy and paste the original text and choose the length of the expected summary. This is how you create a resume with zero stress in a couple of clicks.

In this article, we describe our tool and explain how to write top-scoring summaries.

📜 When to Use Text Shortener Tool

  • When you need to write a concluding paragraph. It can be an essay, research paper, lab report, or other academic text. Paste your body paragraphs into the box to create a summary for your concluding part.
  • When you need to shorten your essay. Use this tool if you exceed the word limit in your essay or a particular paragraph. It also works as a sentence shortener.
  • When you need to read an extensive article. You will do it faster as summarizing tool makes the text shorter, preserving the main information. It is helpful when you need to read many articles and highlight the key points.
  • When you need to shorten other researchers’ passages. Including lengthy quotes in your paper is not the best decision. Instead, you can use our tool to make them shorter without changing their sense.
  • When you need to take notes. Create an overview of the studying materials with our online shortener. It is a fast and easy way to make notes without writing or typing them manually.
  • When you need to refresh your knowledge. Instead of reading a full text or book, just use a summary generator. After a quick revision of the content, you can save and use these extracts later.

🎉 Shorten Sentence Generator Benefits

Below you will find reasons why students love our shortening tool.

You can use it as often as you want without paying a penny. You also don’t need to register, download apps, or leave your data on the website.
It excludes secondary or extra information and excessive wording.
Instead of noting, highlighting, or remembering, just copy the results from our tool.
You deal only with the core of a text. That is why it is a good idea to use our free tool to see if you can exclude some extra details from your essay.
You become more productive when you use automatic tools. The only thing you have to do is adjust a few details to fit your writing style.

✒️ How to Write an Outstanding Summary

If you want to write a summary yourself, this passage is for you. Follow these guidelines to shorten texts better and faster.

  • Find only one core thought – this is the basis of the text. Then look for supporting points that revolve around this idea. At this stage, you can list the essential ideas in the text.
  • Don’t use judgmental and emotional vocabulary while writing. Your goal is to be as objective as possible. You can also rewrite the informal style to formal. Remember that summarizing is not the same as paraphrasing .
  • Keep your summary brief: it shouldn’t be longer than 15% of the initial text. But we still recommend using synonyms and synonymic expressions not to repeat the original passage. Don’t forget to reference the works you have included.
  • Reread your summary . Make sure that its writing style corresponds with the rest of your work.
  • Add transition words if you notice that there is no flow. Ask yourself: can a person understand the core meaning of your text just after reading the summary?

If yes, congratulations! You have just created a good summary. If not, find the details that you have missed. It can be a logical sequence, a particular argument, event, or evidence. Rewrite your summary till it fully represents the original text.

✍️ Text Shortening Examples

Now let’s take a look at two summary examples.


Why is traveling so popular? As people are curious creatures, it is one of the best ways to satisfy the need to see and experience something new. As a tourist, you can explore new places, meet people, and try things you have never tried before. It can be considered positive stress that brings you out of your comfort zone pleasantly. Who doesn’t like to try new food and enjoy beautiful scenery? Another great thing about traveling is having a break from your routine. It can be a breath of fresh air for those trapped in Groundhog Day. Even if you prefer active traveling that involves sports and long walks, it is still a rest for your body and mind. Most importantly, you explore yourself when you travel. You understand your tastes and preferences, live through new experiences, and face challenges. Some traveling destinations might not be your type, but you never know before trying!
Seeing new places means going out of your comfort zone. Travelling is popular because it is a breath of fresh air for people who don’t like their lifestyle and want to try something new. People understand what they like and don’t like better after seeing places that are not their type.   The author mentions several benefits of traveling, including satisfying curiosity, changing scenery, and self-exploration. New destinations, local food, active time spending, communication, and other experiences allow people to explore their inner world and preferences along with local events.
The example has biased language and does not cover all the points mentioned in the text. The example covers all the main points, avoids judgment, and refers to the author.

🎁 Bonus Tips for Students

  • Make sure you know what kind of summary you need. For example, an executive summary has particular guidelines and writing formulas.
  • Avoid complex terminology and long sentences. Your summary should be independent and straightforward. Imagine that a person unfamiliar with the topic needs to understand the text.
  • To shorten a long text, make a one-sentence summary for each paragraph. It will help you control the size of the summary. It also will be easier to navigate the text if you decide to rewrite or adjust your summary.

What does summarize mean?

Summarizing means shortening a larger text without changing its meaning. You can usually see summaries at the end of essays and other academic papers. While shortening a text, you need to cover only the essential details mentioned in the text. In most summaries, you shouldn’t include your opinion on the matter and have to be objective.

How to summarize a story?

You need to retell a story briefly. Imagine that you have read a book and want to describe it to your friend. Highlight the main plot elements and characters that are crucial to the story. Omit the parts that are not essential for a person who wants to understand the plot.

How to summarize a quote?

Read the passage and find its key message. Briefly describe this thought in your own words. Make sure that the summarized piece fits your paper’s tone. If you leave more than three words unchanged, put them in quotation marks. Don’t forget to give credit to the author.

Note: short, clearly expressed quotes do not need shortening.

  • How to Write a Summary: 4 Tips for Writing a Good Summary | Masterclass
  • Guidelines for Writing a Summary | Hunter College
  • 10 Tips for Cutting Your Word Count | The University of Adelaide
  • 8 Ways to Reduce the Word Count for Your Research Paper | How to Write a Journal Article

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  2. Ms Word 2007, 2016: Line and Paragraph Spacing. In this video tutorial from Microsoft word

  3. Do you know the WORD LIMIT for PTE Writing? #pte #ptewriting

  4. how write word limit with marker #youtubeshorts #viral #music

  5. raises the limit on page MS Word MS Word 2007

  6. Letter writing ,Easy Writing word limit? SSC MTS DESCRIPTIVE PAPER

COMMENTS

  1. writing

    How do academics write that word limit occludes elaboration? We don't normally try to argue our way around them. First, because it would be unprofessional. Second, because word limits, though inconvenient for the writer, tend to improve the quality for the reader. We simply get used to word limits and learn to communicate efficiently.

  2. Speech Writing Format, Samples, Examples

    Don't write a speech that exceeds your word limit. Here's how can decide the right timing for your speech writing: ... Write a 150-200-word speech about the topic to be delivered at the school's morning assembly. (10) HOW TO CONTROL ANGER. Honourable Principal, Respected Teachers, and Dear Friends, I'd like to share a few "Ways to ...

  3. How many words per minute in a speech?

    Using the number of pages as a guide for a speech that has to fit a time limit is completely unreliable. If you need to use a 'guesstimate' use the speech rate table below. Forget about counting the pages! Return to Top How many words are there in a 1-minute speech? If you are a slow speaker, less than 120 words.

  4. The Word Limit in Academic Writing (and How to Stick to It)

    There are two main reasons that academic papers usually come with a word limit: Fairness. It's impossible to grade two papers of vastly different lengths (e.g., 20,000 compared to 2,000 words) on the same scale. The word limit makes sure that everyone taking the same class knows what is expected of them. Communication Skills.

  5. Speech Writing Format, Topics, Examples Class 11, 12

    In the writing section (Section-B of Class 12 English paper), Speech writing comes as a Very long answer type question (5 marks) with the maximum prescribed word limit of 120-150 words. Generally, there is a choice (internal) between the following:-

  6. 10 Tricks to Reduce Your Word Count in Academic Writing

    When you have little time to spare, small changes to your text can add up to the space you need. Here are a few simple tricks you can use to quickly tighten your text and meet the limit. 1. Delete "The". You can often omit the word "the" from your text without losing any meaning.

  7. Speeches

    Limit pronoun use. Listeners may have a hard time remembering or figuring out what "it," "they," or "this" refers to. ... Allyn & Bacon Publishing's Essence of Public Speaking Series is an extensive treatment of speech writing and delivery, including books on using humor, motivating your audience, word choice and presentation ...

  8. WC116/WC116: Speech Writing and Types of Speeches

    Writing the Speech. After you have analyzed your audience, selected the topic, collected supporting materials, and written an outline, it is time to write the speech with an introduction, body and conclusion. These major parts follow the broadcaster's maxim: (1) Tell them what you are going to tell them. (2) Tell them.

  9. How to Write a Good Speech: 10 Steps and Tips

    5 tips for writing a speech. Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land. Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech: 1. Structure first, write second

  10. How Long Should a College Essay Be?

    Revised on June 1, 2023. Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit. If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words. You should aim to stay under the specified limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely.

  11. How Long is an Essay? Guidelines for Different Types of Essay

    Essay length guidelines. Type of essay. Average word count range. Essay content. High school essay. 300-1000 words. In high school you are often asked to write a 5-paragraph essay, composed of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. College admission essay. 200-650 words.

  12. Is specifying a minimum word count beneficial for academic writing?

    I found a blog post about word counts for people writing stories/articles but this is in the professional world ... to a lot of confusing and I cannot imagine getting good results going back to collecting more data just to get over the word limit. - user64845. Dec 8, 2017 at 10:10

  13. Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

    The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out ...

  14. English Language (1123)

    Regarding the word limits, don't worry about them. I, personally, wrote a 900+ words narrative and secured an A*. It's good to stick to the word limit, but if you exceed the limit then don't worry at all as it won't pose any problems. ... Speech Writing; Report Writing; Account Writing; Articles (News Paper articles) General Writing ...

  15. Word Limit: What does it mean and how to tackle it?

    By encouraging concise yet impactful writing, word limits help us refine our skills and captivate readers with focused storytelling. So, the next time you encounter a word limit, remember that it's not a restriction—it's an opportunity to unleash your creativity within a predetermined boundary. ... On average, a 7-minute speech consists ...

  16. PDF Speeches

    Limit pronoun use Listeners may have a hard time remembering or figuring out what "it," "they," or "this" refers to. Be specific by using a key noun instead of unclear pronouns. ... speech writing and delivery, including books on using humor, motivating your audience, word choice and presentation. Works consulted

  17. 40 Big Words That Make an Impact In Speech and Writing

    Whether you're writing an essay or speaking in front of a group, there are certain big words you can use to impress your audience.

  18. Improve Your Writing With Word Limits

    If you're writing a 10,000 word article, try to cut it to 9,000 words. If you're writing an 800-word op-ed, aim for 700 words. Trim an essay with a 1500 word limit to 1200 words. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, your readers' time is valuable. Second, it forces you to confront trade offs in every sentence.

  19. Powers of 10: Time Scales in Public Speaking

    A typical speaking rate is 150 words per minute, or 2.5 words per second. This means the average time between words is just four tenths of a second. When you consider pauses, a syllable leaves your lips in about a tenth of a second. (Your brain, of course, has to operate on a much faster scale to keep up.) In one tenth of a second, perceptions ...

  20. Precis Writing Questions Answers with Examples and Topics

    Word Limit: Keep the precis within the specified word limit, typically one-third of the original passage's length. Clarity and Coherence: ... Speech Writing for Class 6 Format Topics and Examples; 19 Notice Writing Class 6 CBSE Topics with Questions Answers; Class 7: English Composition Writing Topics Examples ...

  21. Free Text Shortener Tool

    When you need to write a concluding paragraph. It can be an essay, research paper, lab report, or other academic text. Paste your body paragraphs into the box to create a summary for your concluding part. When you need to shorten your essay. Use this tool if you exceed the word limit in your essay or a particular paragraph.

  22. Does cbse cut marks for over writing the word limit? (10th ...

    According to CBSE's website we won't lose marks if we exceed word limit. According to some randos on quora they will cut marks lol. Even in cbse's board q paper and other English study resources it says to strictly adhere to the word limit given but in their website it's like it's not mandatory and we won't lose marks. 2.

  23. Free AI Video Generator

    Generate Al videos. with just text. Instantly turn your text inputs into publish-worthy videos. Invideo Al video generator simplifies the process, generating the script and adding video clips, subtitles, background music, and transitions. Add finishing touches with an intuitive editor. Create videos at scale without any learning curve!