What are the latest research-backed techniques for structuring a motivational speech?

1 The power of storytelling

One of the most effective ways to structure a motivational speech is to use storytelling. Stories are powerful tools for capturing attention, creating emotional connection, and conveying your message. Research shows that stories activate multiple areas of the brain, such as the sensory, emotional, and cognitive regions, and stimulate the production of oxytocin, a hormone that enhances trust and empathy. To use storytelling in your speech, you need to follow a simple formula: introduce a relatable hero, present a challenge or a problem, describe the journey or the solution, and reveal the outcome or the lesson. Make sure your story is relevant to your topic, audience, and goal, and use vivid details, dialogue, and metaphors to make it memorable.

2 The rule of three

Another technique for structuring a motivational speech is to use the rule of three. This is a rhetorical device that involves presenting three main points, examples, or arguments to support your message. The rule of three is based on the idea that humans can easily remember and process information in groups of three, as it creates a sense of balance, completeness, and simplicity. For example, you can use the rule of three to state your main message, such as "To achieve success, you need passion, persistence, and purpose", or to organize your speech into three parts, such as "What is the problem, why does it matter, and how can we solve it". The rule of three can help you structure your speech in a clear, concise, and catchy way.

3 The contrast technique

A third technique for structuring a motivational speech is to use the contrast technique. This is a rhetorical device that involves comparing and contrasting two opposite or different scenarios, situations, or outcomes to highlight your message. The contrast technique can help you create interest, suspense, and curiosity in your audience, as well as emphasize the benefits of your solution, the urgency of your call to action, or the difference between the status quo and the desired state. For example, you can use the contrast technique to show the before and after effects of your product or service, to compare the results of taking action versus not taking action, or to contrast your vision with the current reality. The contrast technique can help you structure your speech in a persuasive and impactful way.

4 The primacy and recency effects

A fourth technique for structuring a motivational speech is to use the primacy and recency effects. These are psychological phenomena that suggest that people tend to remember the first and the last items in a series better than the ones in the middle. This means that you need to pay special attention to how you start and end your speech, as these are the parts that will have the most lasting impression on your audience. To use the primacy and recency effects in your speech, you need to make sure that your introduction and conclusion are strong, clear, and memorable. In your introduction, you need to grab attention, establish rapport, state your purpose, and preview your main points. In your conclusion, you need to summarize your main points, restate your message, and end with a call to action or a memorable quote.