Winning Tips for Student Council Speeches

Tips for Student Council Speeches

Get more votes and win your election with these essential tips for student council speeches. Then, use the sample speech from Charlie, who followed these practices, to inspire your student council speech. 

Here are twelve essential tips for writing a student council speech:

  1. Know Your Audience: Understanding who you're speaking to will help you tailor your message to their needs and interests. Remember that your audience consists of your peers, and your student peers are likely interested in the same things you are.
  2. Introduce Yourself: Begin your speech by introducing yourself. Tell the other students about your interests and hobbies. This makes you seem relatable and real.
  3. State Your Intentions: Be clear about why you're running for student council. What motivated you? Was it a desire to bring change or to represent your peers better? Be honest and sincere.
  4. Present Your Ideas and Plans: Outline your plans if elected. What are your ideas for improving the school or community? Be specific so that your audience knows what you're proposing.
  5. Be Unique and Authentic: Try to differentiate yourself from other candidates. What unique perspective or experiences do you bring? Be authentic in your speech.
  6. Use Clear, Concise Language: Avoid using jargon or overly complex words. You want your message to be easily understood.
  7. Engage With the Audience: Ask rhetorical questions or include interactive segments to make your speech more engaging. You could ask for a show of hands or opinions on a particular issue.
  8. Show Passion and Enthusiasm: Show your audience that you genuinely care about your role and the issues you discuss. Passion and enthusiasm can be contagious!
  9. Use Anecdotes and Personal Stories: If you have a personal story or anecdote that illustrates why you're running or what you hope to achieve, share it. Personal stories can make your speech more compelling and relatable.
  10. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice your speech, the more confident you'll be when you deliver it. You'll be able to focus on your tone, delivery, and body language rather than worrying about forgetting your lines.
  11. Have a Clear Structure: Like any good speech, yours should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Open with a powerful introduction to grab the audience's attention, then move into the central part of your speech, where you lay out your plans, and conclude by reiterating why you're the best choice.
  12. End With a Call to Action: Encourage your audience to vote for you. Be direct and remind them that their vote can help bring about the changes you've proposed.

Remember, being elected to the student council is not just about the speech. It's also about how you conduct yourself before and after the speech, listen to your fellow students, and present yourself as a potential leader.

Charlie's Sample Student Council Speech

Charlie's Student Council Speech

Imagine our candidate, Charlie. He walks up to the podium, adjusts the microphone, clears his throat, and begins the following excellent performance among several student council speeches on election day...

"Good afternoon, fellow students. My name is Charlie, and I am running for the position of class secretary.

Some of you may already know me, but for those who don't, let me tell you a bit about myself. I love baseball, and though I may not be the best player on the field, I always show up, giving it my all. I have a dog named Scout and we've been through quite a lot of adventures together. He's even taught me a thing or two about being a good friend and listener.

I’m running for class secretary because I believe in the power of teamwork, just as much as I believe in the power of a solid kick to a football… we’ll just ignore the times when some unexpected surprises have knocked me over! I understand the value of each individual’s contribution to the team, and as your secretary, I’d work diligently to ensure that all your voices are heard and recorded.

If elected, I have several plans to improve our school. First, I want to establish a regular feedback system where you, my fellow students, can voice your concerns, ideas, and suggestions. You know, like a suggestion box, but maybe something more exciting - perhaps a 'Great Idea Garden'? Second, I want to organize inclusive events that celebrate our diversity, where everyone can share their unique traditions and talents. Maybe our history enthusiast could teach us about archaeology, our pianist could play a concert, or our resident philosopher could host a philosophy club meeting.

I don’t have a magic blanket or cool alter ego. What I do have is the commitment to serve, the tenacity to overcome difficulties, and the willingness to listen and understand. I may have a reputation for being a bit of a dreamer, but one thing's for sure - I always try my hardest, and I never give up, no matter how many times I stumble.

To ensure everyone understands what I’m saying, I’ll say it simply: I’m running for class secretary to make our school a better place for all of us, where every voice matters.

Now, how many of you want to be a part of a school where everyone’s ideas are respected and heard? [pauses for response]

See? Together, we can make this happen.

I am Charlie, a simple guy with a big heart and bigger dreams for our school. I may not always kick the football just right, but I guarantee you, I will always work my hardest to kick our school’s spirit and unity into high gear.

So, when it's time to vote, I ask that you consider me, Charlie, for class secretary. Remember, a vote for Charlie is a vote for every single voice in our school to be heard, respected, and included.

Thank you."

[Charlie walks off the stage to a round of applause, feeling a little less like a dreamer and a little more like a potential class secretary.]

Avoid student council speeches like this creative and funny example from @snerixx below. In this sample, the author illustrates how sometimes student council speeches could be more genuine and make promises that can't be kept. 

You might like the BST guide to writing a student council speech and analysis. 

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