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Year 10
AQA

Considering and emulating the use of direct address in the opening of a speech

I can use direct address to structure the opening to a speech in a way that engages the audience.

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Year 10
AQA

Considering and emulating the use of direct address in the opening of a speech

I can use direct address to structure the opening to a speech in a way that engages the audience.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A speech is different to other types of writing since it is designed to be delivered aloud.
  2. Speech writers should aim for a conversational tone that is clear, concise and engaging for the audience.
  3. Direct address can make the audience feel included in a speech and increase engagement.
  4. Personal pronouns help to forge a connection between the speaker and the audience.
  5. Effective speech openings begin by grabbing the audience’s attention and end by summarising why the issue is important.

Keywords

  • Engaging - captivating and holding attention or interest

  • Direct address - speaking personally to another person or group of people, often by name, within a sentence

  • Personal pronouns - pronouns that refer to specific people or things (e.g., I, you, he, she)

  • Purpose - the reason or intention behind the creation of a text

  • Call to action - a prompt urging immediate response or engagement from the audience

Common misconception

A speech should be approached like any other written text.

Speeches should be approached in a very different way to other types of written text as they are designed to be spoken aloud. Long sentences, for example, should avoided since they are difficult for audiences to follow when heard aloud.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Considering and emulating the use of direct address in the opening of a speech, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to support this lesson by showing students recordings of effective speeches. For example, Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech begins with direct address.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

You may wish to use different coloured pens or highlighters for this lesson (when redrafting in Task B) but this is optional.

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are personal pronouns?
Correct answer: you
Jenny's
Correct answer: hers
Q2.
What is the main purpose of the introduction in a speech?
to summarise the entire speech
Correct answer: to capture the audience's attention
to provide detailed information
to thank the audience
Q3.
Which of the following is a good way to conclude a speech?
introducing new topics
repeating the introduction
Correct answer: summarising key points
telling a random story
Q4.
What is an effective way to organise the main points in a speech?
randomly
Correct answer: chronologically or logically
alphabetically
by personal preference
Q5.
What is a good strategy to start writing a speech?
write the conclusion first
Correct answer: make an outline of main points
memorise a famous speech
ignore the audience
Q6.
Why is it important to know your audience when writing a speech?
to use the same speech for different events
Correct answer: so you can tailor your message/style to appeal to them
to make the speech as short as possible
so you can use visual aids

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is direct address?
a narrative technique where the story is told by an all-knowing narrator
Correct answer: speaking personally to another person or group of people, often by name
providing detailed descriptions of locations in a speech or writing
the use of statistics and data to support an argument in a speech
Q2.
How do speeches differ from other types of text?
Correct answer: speeches are delivered aloud to listeners
speeches don't use an introduction or conclusion
Correct answer: speeches often use a more conversational tone
grammar and sentence structure are less important with speeches
Q3.
The tone/style of an effective speech is...
Correct answer: snappy
formal
Correct answer: engaging
intelligent
Q4.
Which of these is an example direct address that you could use to begin a speech?
I am here today to speak about a subject close to my heart.
Correct answer: Ladies and gentlemen, we are running out of time.
Keeping animals in captivity must end today.
Trapped, depressed, anxious - this is how animals in captivity feel everyday.
Q5.
Using complex vocabulary in a speech can add detail and show your expertise but too much can...
make you look like a know-it-all and disengage the audience.
Correct answer: make it difficult for your audience to follow your argument.
confuse young children who may be listening
make it difficult for your to remember your speech
Q6.
Starting with the first, put these steps for writing an effective introduction in the correct order.
1 - engage your audience and grab their attention
2 - state your argument clearly
3 - give brief reasons to support your argument
4 - summarise why your listeners should care about this issue