A prepared speech is a speech that is written and rehearsed in advance, as opposed to an impromptu speech that is given on the spot. The purpose of a prepared speech is to inform, educate, or persuade the audience on a single issue or topic. Here are some key features of a prepared speech:

• Structure: A prepared speech should have a clearly defined introduction, body, and summary. The body contains the development of the main ideas of the prepared speech. The summary should not introduce new material but should be used to reinforce the ideas developed in the body and cement the theme and main ideas in the minds of the audience.

• Length: The length of a prepared speech varies depending on the age group of the speaker. For example, a Cloverbud (ages 5-7) should speak for 1-3 minutes, while a Senior (ages 14-18) should speak for 5-7 minutes.

• Visual Aids: No visual aids are allowed in a prepared speech.

To prepare a speech, it is important to plan and outline the speech in advance. During the planning or pre-writing portion of your speech preparation, consider the following questions: What is the purpose of your speech? Who is your audience? What is the occasion? What is your topic? What is your thesis statement? . Once you have answered these questions, you can begin to gather potential content and organize it into a logical sequence. It is also important to practice and rehearse your speech multiple times to ensure that you are comfortable with the content and delivery.