introduction speech for campaign in school

Writing a Campaign Speech | Steps, Uses & Examples

BA in Political Science with Emphasis on Social Studies Education at Brevard College, 6 years experience (2 years online) teaching Economics, Personal Finance, APUS Government and more. Certified Gifted/Talented Teacher.

Elisha has a Master's degree in Ancient Celtic History & Mythology, as well as a Bachelor's in Marketing. She has extensive experience creating & teaching curricula in college level education, history, English, business and marketing.

Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. She has been teaching English in Canada and Taiwan for seven years.

Table of Contents

What is a campaign speech, how to write a speech about yourself, preparing to write a campaign speech, how to write a campaign speech, presidential campaign speech examples, lesson summary, campaign speeches: deeper dives.

This lesson gave you detailed instructions for writing your own campaign speech. Use the following activities to deepen your understanding of this concept further.

Write Your Own

The obvious next step, now that you have read all about what makes a good campaign speech, is to write your own speech. You can write a real campaign speech for a student government position or you can imagine that you are campaigning for a political office. Use the tips given in this article to create an excellent speech. Make sure to edit your speech carefully.

You are now an expert on writing a good campaign speech. Luckily for you, there are many campaign speeches available online that you can watch or read. Look up a few speeches and see how they measure up to the advice given here. Do they follow the same pattern that this lesson suggests? Write a paragraph analyzing the structure of a speech that you have watched or read with reference to the guide given here.

In your research into past campaign speeches, you may have found one or two that did not really seem to make the grade. Maybe they didn't really hold your interest, or maybe they didn't do a good job of adhering to the pattern given here. Imagine that you are the speech writer for that politician. Edit their speech and give them a few pointers to make their speech more effective next time around.

How do you introduce yourself in a campaign speech?

Introducing yourself in a campaign speech should be the first part of any speech. The introduction should give the audience a chance to get to know the person giving the speech and clearly stating the reason why they are there.

How do you write a student campaign speech?

A student campaign speech is written similarly to how any other campaign speech is written. Students giving campaign speeches for schools can study, research, and practice by modelling after presidential campaign speeches.

Is a campaign speech persuasive?

Campaign speeches can be informative or persuasive. Campaign speeches can be used to persuade people to vote for a candidate or persuade people to support a policy.

A campaign speech is a speech given by politicians to advertise their platform when running for publicly elected offices. Campaign speeches can help connect the audience to the official. Campaign speeches can be delivered throughout the election process, from the beginning until the end. The main objective for a campaign speech is to persuade an audience of something or help achieve a goal. Campaign speeches require a lot of effort in research and writing. There is also skill involved in delivering a campaign speech in front of an audience. The most famous campaign speeches are presidential campaign speeches.

Uses for Campaign Speeches

There are different uses for campaign speeches.

• Most often they are used in local, state, and national politics. Campaign speeches are delivered in high frequency during election seasons. Politicians use campaign speeches to win votes and to address their audience about their platform.
• Students in school officer elections can use them. Student elections like class officers are great ways for the younger generation to practice their public speaking with a campaign speech.
• People use speeches to introduce themselves to an audience. These speeches can also be designed to thank their support base whether they win or lose an election.
• Businesses can use a campaign speech format introduce a new product or launch a new business venture.

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• 0:04 Campaign Speeches
• 1:16 Pillars of Campaign Speech
• 2:57 How to Deliver a Speech
• 4:17 Lesson Summary

The first step in how to write a speech about yourself often starts with a person introducing themselves. The introduction should include background on who the person is. During the introduction the person should try to appeal to the audience and allow them to get to know about their history so they can connect on a personal level. The next part of the introduction should include what the speech is about and why the speech is being delivered. Another important step in the introduction is to tell the audience about accomplishments and achievements. This will help engage the audience with the objectives a person seeks and the impact that the objective has on the intended audience. The introduction is one of the most important parts of a speech because it is what garners first impressions.

There are certain elements a writer should consider when preparing a campaign speech.

• Audience - The language used in the speech should help connect to the audience. Audience profiles should be known so the language can be crafted to help a person relate to the speech giver.
• Point of the speech - The reason why the speech is being given needs to clearly state the objectives and goals desired.
• Tone - The tone of the speech should reflect the audience and the setting. A speechwriter might want to take a conversational tone with the audience to engage them in the speech.
• Word choice - Word choice is essential in a speech to make sure the speech is easily understood by the audience. Complex vocabulary can confuse an audience and distance them from the speech while elementary-level vocabulary can make the speech seem not well educated.

The step-by-step process in how to write a campaign speech or how to write an election speech involves a list of core principles. A writer should keep in mind these principles when drafting their campaign speech.

• List the foundational ideas in the pillars of the speech
• Organize the pillars to detail the main changes and the actions that will make them happen
• The pillars of a speech are the foundational ideas of the speech like the main part of the argument, or the emotional appeal to vote for a certain candidate.
• Choose the style the speech needs to best impact an audience
• Engage with audience by appealing to emotion
• Use stories, humor, and conversation to better relate with audience
• State background information and accomplishments to portray that the speech writer can get things done

Tips for Delivering a Campaign Speech

Once the speech is written and edited, the speech is ready for its finally stage: delivery. There are some tips that a speech giver can use to deliver a campaign speech effectively.

• Body language - A person delivering a speech should seem confident and energized. Good posture, alertness, energy, and focus can be easily read by the audience. If a person giving a speech has poor body language, it could come off as they do not care or are not professional.
• Speaking speed - Typically, nervous delivery will cause the speaking speed to increase which will make it difficult for the audience to follow. If the speech is too slow however, it may come off as the person giving the speech is not too knowledgeable in that area. Pausing at opportune times to slow down, taking deep breaths, and articulating the words are all tips required to monitor the speed of delivery.
• Handling nerves - Preparation and practice are needed before the delivery of a speech to help build confidence and quell nervousness. Speaking in front of an audience still does arouse nerves, however. Breathing, purposefully pausing, and getting to the point of the speech can assist in calming nerves. Showing personality and even using humor are also helpful ways to ease tensions and calm the nerves.
• Correcting mistakes - Mistakes will happen during the delivery of a speech. Admitting the mistake, apologizing, and moving on can be a great tip if the mistake was big enough. If the mistake is minor, like a misspoken word, it can be beneficial to just continue on and forget about the mistake. Again, preparation and practice can help limit the mistakes during delivery.

Some of the most well delivered, and well-written, campaign speeches are presidential campaign speeches.

There are other campaign speech examples that are great, but the most well-known and widely studied are these presidential campaign speech examples.

• The "Gettysburg Address" by Abraham Lincoln - President Lincoln gave remarks for the future of the nation using the Gettysburg Battlefield as the backdrop. He gave a speech about unity and the way forward for the Union.
• Ronald Reagan's speech at Brandenburg Gate, Germany - Ronald Reagan's remarks were powerful and strong addressing the issue of the Soviet Union's Berlin Wall. Reagan's speech was bold, ordering the Soviet's leader to tear down the Berlin Wall. He was able to gain support from the majority of the international community.
• JFK's "Going to the Moon" speech - JFK delivered this speech to raise pride and nationalism in the U.S. He was able to challenge the American people with future goals. In his speech he was able to appeal to patriotism motives for accomplishing goals.
• FDR's Pearl Harbor Address ("Day of Infamy" speech) - FDR's speech inspired the American people to fight back and rise up against the challenge after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was able to engage the emotions of the people, both in mourning for the loss, and the anger to get the nation ready to fight.
• George Washington's Farewell Address - Washington's Farewell Address was an impactful speech because of the warnings and advice he left to future politicians and presidents.

Studying these examples and researching presidential campaign speeches can help people build on better speeches. Students' school election speech samples can be a great way for students to apply what they have learned from studying campaign speeches.

A campaign speech is a formal speech given by people who are seeking a publicly elected office. Campaign speeches can be used in election time for local, state, and national elections. They can also be used for student elected offices at schools. When writing the speech, writers should first focus on introduction as the introduction is one of the most important parts of a speech because it is what garners first impressions. Certain elements are essential and need to be included when writing a speech like considering the audience, objective, tone, and word choice. Most speeches should take a conversational tone with the audience to engage them in the speech. The foundational ideas are the pillars of the campaign speech. A speech should have the details of the main changes wanted to make and the actions that will make them happen in the pillars of the campaign speech. The pillars of the speech are the main ideas for the speech, like building up the character of the speech giver or appealing to the emotions of the audience. Stating accomplishments relevant to the position someone wants is important because it shows that the person giving the speech has the ability to enact change.

Video Transcript

Campaign speeches.

When starting the process of writing a campaign speech, you have to remember the introduction , since it's one of the most important pieces of your speech. You've heard that first impressions count; this is key in your campaign speech.

If your speech starts off droning on with no excitement or enthusiasm, it's likely your audience has already tuned out and won't hear the main part of your speech. These are all things you need to remember when you're working on the beginning.

Know your audience

Your speech is going to be different if you're speaking with college students versus if you're speaking to the Chamber of Commerce.

• Introduce yourself, if necessary

If you're just now starting the campaign, you may need to introduce yourself, not only your name, but who you are in one concise sentence.

• Summarize your overall image

In the introduction, you do not need to lay out your whole plan, but summarize who you are and what you stand for.

• Discuss what you're promising

If you have changes you're planning on making, hit the high points in the introduction; this way, when you get to the main area of your speech, you can reiterate and define how you will accomplish them.

Once you have addressed these points, then move into the pillars of your speech.

Pillars of a Campaign Speech

The pillars of your campaign speech are the foundational ideas. At this point, you not only want to address your points and the issues you'd like to change, but explain the steps you will take to change them.

• Relate to your audience

If your audience is students, share relatable experiences they will understand. If your audience is military, even if you do not personally have a military background, discuss friends or family members that do.

• Address changes and actions

Now you need to address the changes you want to see happen and the actions you will take to ensure they do happen. However, at the same time, make sure you speak about the things that are good that do not need to be changed. Change can be scary, so reassuring your audience that some things will remain the same can help reduce apprehension.

• Share your accomplishments

Whether these people know you or not, it's good to share your accomplishments, while still trying to stay humble. If you're looking to change major issues, share other times when you have managed to change or reform something just as large, so they know you have the capability and experience.

• Bring the audience in

To engage the audience, tell them they will be a key part of your campaign and your tenure in office. Also, make sure you let the audience know that you want their input and that you'd like open communication.

• Bring it to a close

Once you have addressed the big aspects, bring the speech to a close, summarizing your most persuasive points, while leaving your speech somewhat open ended. You want the audience to want to hear more from you, so bringing up another idea without fully discussing it may entice your audience to come back for more.

How to Deliver a Speech

Now that we know all the pieces needed for a speech, it's important to know how to write it for proper delivery. How you are planning to speak to the crowd will change how you write the speech to begin with. Keep these delivery ideas in mind:

Humor is not always needed in a campaign speech, depending on the gravity of the situation. However, making an audience laugh can go a long way to engaging your crowd. If jokes aren't your thing, then perhaps being clever and using silly puns might be enough to maintain interest.

• Conversational

Write your speech like you're having a conversation. Be a little casual, but stay formal and respectful.

• Be succinct

Flowery or excess words are not going to win your fans. Instead, be succinct so that the audience does not fall asleep on you.

• Be strong and passionate

Using some strong words is a good thing. It may inspire some controversy, but you want people to know you are willing to take flak for something you believe in. In addition, you will not attract very many followers by making generalizations and using words like ''I might'' or ''maybe.'' Instead, use ''I will.''

Just remember to research your desired role, past people who held this role, and the changes you want to make. The more prepared you are, the better.

When writing a campaign speech, it's important to address three pieces: the introduction , or beginning; the pillars of the speech, or foundational ideas; and delivery. This will steer your speech in one way or another. Also, remember your audience, because relating to the crowd is essential for an engaging campaign speech.

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Student Council Speech Ideas & Tips to Help You Win

Whether you want to be president or head up PR, we've got you covered with tips and example student council speeches.

Lori personal and professional experiences have helped her cultivate a broad writing portfolio, spanning publications on subjects like education and parenting.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

Kate is an experienced writer who has written hundreds of articles for publication.

Getting involved in student council is an amazing way to have a little extra influence in your school, but you have to win an election to get that influence. If you want to convince people to vote for you, you'll need a great student council speech that they'll remember on election day.

Serving on your school's student council gives you a say in student activities and a voice with the school administration, and that's a pretty big deal. It also looks good on college applications. However, to make it onto the student council, you'll first need to give a speech and gather votes from the other students. We've got you covered with writing tips, examples, and ideas to give you tons of extra confidence (and hopefully that win you want).

Winning Student Council Speech Ideas

You've probably done a little (or a lot) of persuasive writing in your classes, and you can totally build on that to write a great speech. You'll also want to make your speech memorable and fun to listen to since you need these kids to think of you when it's time to vote.

• Funny Student Council Speech Ideas to Help Everyone Relate to You
• Tips for a Winning Student Council Speech for Treasurer
• Self-Introduction Speech Examples & Tips to Help You Be Confident & Calm

Use these suggestions to help you craft a speech they'll never forget. It's important that you make sure your speech suits your school and position.

Open With a Humorous Story

Start your speech with something that will make everyone laugh . That can be a joke or a hilarious anecdote — there are no wrong answers as long as you amuse people and don't offend them.

• Funny Intro Ideas for Student Council Speeches

Tell What You've Done Already

Next, you need to establish your credibility. Why should people vote for you? Why are you awesome at this role already? Show off your leadership experience and your connections to people in the school or community.

Explain the Role You're Running For

At this point in the speech, you want to clearly state what you want people to do. Tell them what student council role you're hoping to get and that you will do well in this position.

Keep your speech short and to the point and be honest about why you'd like the position regardless of whether it's a big or smaller role. For smaller roles, such as sergeant-at-arms, auditors, or public relations, hone in on what qualifications you have and use vivid examples to keep your audience interested.

Clearly Ask for Their Vote

Finally, you need to make sure you clearly ask people to vote for you. Mention the election day specifically. It's also nice if you offer to answer any questions or chat with people one-on-one.

Make Your Student Council Speech Stand Out

While there are certain traits and promises the student body expects from every candidate's speech, they want to choose one person who stands out from the crowd. Even if you're running for a smaller position, such as a PR officer or sergeant-at-arms, you may need to make a great speech as well in order to get elected. Make your speech the most memorable one in the room.

• Grab a thesaurus and look for synonyms of common words used to describe the position you're running for. When all the other secretarial candidates talk about their attention to detail, you can use words like "meticulous" or "assiduous" to sound different.
• Include visuals like props, a themed outfit, or specific hand gestures to give your speech a multidimensional feel.
• Choose a speech theme to structure your presentation like a specific social media platform, a historical event, or a particular sport. Look for a theme that relates well to the role you want.
• Invent a catchphrase that captures the spirit of your speech to keep the student body talking about it all the way to the polls.
• Add sound effects, song lyrics, or music to give the speech more life.

Student Council Speech Examples for Each Role

Get inspired to write the perfect speech with these examples for each major role. Whether you're hoping to be president or secretary, these samples can help you get started writing your own speech.

Sample Speech for President

Hello, my name is John Doe and I'm a junior. I'm not the type of student who will lead a senior prank or skip class with you, but that probably isn't what you want in a class president anyway. What I do offer is steadfastness, hard work, and the ability to work with others even during difficult circumstances while still keeping a sense of humor.

Last year, when the cafeteria stopped serving the salad bar, I was able to get it reinstated by starting a petition, having many of you sign it, and taking it to Principal Smith. Because we worked together, we were able to bring the salad bar back, and now it's better than ever.

During the last three years at Sample High School, I've been involved in many activities. I've played basketball, spent a short time in the school band, worked on various committees, and helped tutor students after school. Last year, I was adopted into the National Honor Society and started an after school club for airplane enthusiasts that meets once a week.

As your student council president, I vow to end all homework. Just kidding. I can't do that, but what I can do is be your voice with the school administration and work to make this the best year Sample High has ever had. I will introduce ideas for events, such as dances after high school basketball games, and we'll work together to help the community through volunteer work and showing them just how dedicated the students at Sample High are.

I would appreciate your vote for president. If elected, I will continue to fight for the things that are important to students, no matter how big or small they might be. Let's work together to make our stamp on this community and on the world.

If you're running for the highest role in your class or school, your speech really needs to stand out. This is the most competitive race, so make sure you leave people with a clear idea of who you are and what you want to do.

Vice President Speech Example

Instead of starting with my name and what I'm running for, at which point you'll tune me out and start looking at the smudge on your left shoe, I am going to tell you my favorite memory so far from high school. On my first day at Sample High School, I had no idea how to get to my classes. This school is big, and I was lost.

On top of that, I was rushing around trying to find my class and tripped and fell flat on the floor in front of the cutest guy I'd ever seen. Not only was he nice enough to help me up, but several other students rushed to help me, got me to my classroom, and made me feel better about how goofy I was. That was the moment I fell in love with Sample High School. We all help each other and you don't find that just anywhere.

One of the reasons I'm running for Vice President of the student council is that I want to give back to the high school I love so much. I want to be that friendly face for new students coming in and a defender for students already here.

During the last two years, I've prepared myself to serve as Vice President by taking on extra work organizing a fan club for our football players to cheer them on when they play at home and make sure our school is represented in the stands at every away game. I've spent time as an office aid, learning about the everyday running of the school and silently taking notes on what we as students can do to improve things and how we can work with the administration.

As your Vice President, I will stand beside your president, offering support and stepping in when she is not able to be here or asks for some extra help. I'll sit on the student council and get actively involved in planning prom , graduation, and homecoming. I will always be here to listen to your concerns or to help you off the floor should you fall flat on your face like I did.

I am asking for your vote for VP of the student council. I love this school. I want to be helpful, and I want us all to build memories we'll remember and treasure forever. Now, if I can just get off this stage without falling on my face, I'll be in good shape.

A vice presidential speech needs to be highly effective to gain student confidence. This means you need to grab their attention and keep it throughout the speech, as well as clearly telling your audience what you want to accomplish.

Secretary Election Speech Sample

Today, I want to tell you something about me that you might not know. From the time I was five years old, I've been taking guitar lessons. I don't play in a band and I don't take music classes at school, but every night when I get home, I pick up my Fender and I relieve any stress from the day by playing a few of my favorite classic rock songs.

Learning to play a musical instrument takes a lot of time and stubbornness. There are times when I just wanted to quit because my fingers were raw from trying to learn a new chord or that song just didn't sound right. However, I stuck with it until I overcame the challenge and that is exactly what I'll do as your secretary. If there is an issue that needs to be solved, I won't quit until we figure out a solution. I will bring your concerns to the other council members, and like learning a new chord, I will stick with that concern until we figure it out.

I would like your vote for secretary of the student council. You never know, I may even bring my guitar to a student council meeting or two and just set it by my side as a reminder of why we need to work hard to achieve worthwhile things.

In your secretary speech, explain why you are perfect for the role. Highlight your organizational skills, perseverance, and ability to get along with everyone.

Treasurer Election Speech Example

Those of you who already know me probably know that math is my favorite subject. I'm proud of my inner geek, and I think it makes me perfect for the job of Treasurer. The student council treasurer is in charge of keeping track of money and numbers, so this role is a perfect fit for me and I've decided to run for the position.

I've been a member of Jackson High's Mathletes for the last two years. In case you're not familiar with this group, we are a group of students who love math and go out and compete in events. We've won state twice in the last three years. I also am a member of the orchestra. We perform throughout the school year and at school basketball games.

The student council treasurer has to be good at math to keep track of all those numbers. Vote for me, and I'll make sure our numbers add up. I'll also have fun doing it because I'm just crazy enough to love numbers.

• Example Student Council Speech for Treasurer & Tips to Write Yours

A class treasurer needs to show his or her trustworthiness and math abilities during the speech.

Example Speech for Any Student Council Role

Many of you probably know me best for tripping over my feet and falling face-first off the stage during prom. Once I got over that embarrassment, I decided I could face you here today.

From the first day I arrived at Sample High School, I knew I wanted to become more involved. From serving on the school newspaper as the Features Editor to helping plan prom last year, I consistently spend time in leadership roles and try to make this school an even better place than it already is. Many of you probably know me from my work with Key Club and the volunteer time I've spent at Sunnyvale Nursing Home and cleaning up our community park.

It probably won't surprise you that I have decided to run for student council for the role of ___________. As student council _________ (role), I will strive to continue to make improvements in the school for every student here at Sample High. The student council works side-by-side with the student body and the administration to ensure student events throughout the year are successful. As _______, I will ensure that you have a memorable year.

Today, I am asking for your vote for me on election day. Should you elect me, I will listen to your concerns and work hard for you. I'm happy to chat with anyone after this event to answer any questions you might have.

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Ways to Add Humor to Your Speech

One of the best election speech ideas for students is to work some humor into your speech. Infusing a bit of humor into your speech can help you better connect with your audience while making your speech really stand out. You can try using silly jokes, sarcasm, or inside jokes that only those who attend your school would get. These ideas might help. 

• Say in a serious tone, "Settle in, I've got about three hours' worth of material to get through."
• After your speech, say, "Okay, now for my speech."
• Use a teacher or principal as a funny example, such as, "I'm as passionate about our school as (insert teacher) and as energetic as (insert teacher) after he/she's finished his/her coffee."
• Say, "I care about this position as much as (teacher) cares about (insert book, movie, or learning principle that teacher speaks about a lot)."
• Say, "I was really nervous to give this speech, so I've been practicing a lot in front of my (insert pet). He/she/they said it could use some work, so I guess I'll just give this my best shot."
• Use self-deprecating humor by saying, "My annoying need to be organized and scheduled would make me a great fit for this position."
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Deliver the Speech With Confidence

Once you've prepared your speech, practicing a few times alone and in front of an audience can help you get ready to deliver your speech with confidence. Whether your speech is lighthearted and funny or serious and to the point, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Make eye contact with those you are speaking to and don't focus too heavily on one person.
• If you make a mistake, keep going. No one knows what your speech is supposed to sound like.
• Practice some deep breathing exercises or mindfulness beforehand to calm nerves. Remember to take deep breaths throughout your speech and speak a bit slower than you normally would, as nerves can cause you to speak more rapidly.
• Visualize yourself doing your speech well the morning of it.

Make Your Election Speech Memorable

Whether you use one of the samples listed here or write an entirely new speech, be sure to put a personal touch on the speech. By focusing on what makes you unique, your passions, and your skills, you will show confidence in front of your classmates and let them see a side of you they may not have seen before. Whether you win or lose the election, you can hold your head high and know you gave the speech your best.

How to Write a Student Election Speech

Brandi laren, 25 jun 2018.

If you are a leader and aspire to inspire others, running for student government is an ideal choice. Even the process of entering an election will give you a first-hand lesson in leadership, voting, elections and politics. It doesn't matter if you are running for president, vice president or secretary of the student council, you will have to prepare a speech and present it to your classmates. This speech, along with other campaigning tactics, like putting up posters, can make a big difference.

Explore this article

• Introduction
• Main Points

1 Introduction

Start your speech by welcoming your classmates and thanking them for attending. Then, introduce yourself, describe what office you're running for and quickly state why you're the best candidate. For example, "Good morning, everyone. My name is John Smith and I'm running for president of the student council. As students, we are ready for change in our school. I am the person who can help. As president of student council, I would fight for better school lunches, more after-school activities and more field trips." Talk briefly about some of your other leadership positions at school and why they have prepared you for the position. Use your personality to draw in your classmates and ignite their interest in learning more about you.

2 Main Points

Focus on the student body's interests. What are some things that students have been requesting at your school? What have they been complaining about? If you could improve five things about your school, what would they be? Use these elements in your speech. Let them know that you've been paying attention. For example, "We are tired of bad school lunches. As president of the student council, I will fight to get us better meals." Try not to make false promises. Talk about school supplies and events and other things that you are more likely to have control over. State these things briefly in your speech. If you have a catchy slogan you've been using on your posters around the school, don't forget to use that, throughout your speech.

Conclude by letting your classmates know that if you are elected, you'll be working for them. Tell them that you'll always be open to their ideas on how the school can be improved and be more fun and enjoyable. Your campaign speech should only be about one to two minutes long, so make sure you keep your points short and meaningful. Think of a creative ending that will serve as a punctuation mark and leave your classmates wanting more.

• 1 Benedictine University: How to Write a Meaningful Manifesto
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Jan 02, 2020

Stump Speech: The Ultimate Speechwriting Guide

by Martín Diego Garcia

Other Resources show related blog posts

• Political Communication Strategy - Don't Skimp on Speechwriting
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• Write a Political Speech

Stump Speech: Connect With Voters by Creating a Campaign Speech.

Here is our ultimate guide to writing a great stump speech. We all know that the candidate is the campaign’s best asset, and the stump speech is the best campaign tool for delivering a 7C’s (clear, concise, contrastive, connective, creative, compelling, consistent) message and personal story about the candidate and campaign. 

WHAT IS A STUMP SPEECH?  A political Campaign speech has been a staple on the campaign trail since the 1800s and is still a critical tool for modern day campaigns. Your stump speech should be the core message for you campaign and repeated at almost every campaign event or activity. A candidate should be able to repeat their stump speech in their sleep and might just start doing that involuntarily after delivering it a couple of hundred times. The speech should be a quick way for the candidate to answer the following questions for their audience:  

• WHO the candidate is? This should be a short introduction of the candidate’s name and a little background to humanize them to voters. Where you’re from, your family, your connection to the community?
• WHY they are running for this office? There should be a very clear and compelling connection between your person story and the collective challenge your community is facing that has prompted you to run for office. Tell a story about the issue(s) you’re running on. Who specifically is being harmed by these problems? 
• WHAT is the contrast/choice for voters? This is VERY important. You need to lay out your vision for the future and differentiate it from your opponent(s)’s idea for the future of your community. If there is no clear contrast the voters will not have a compelling reason to cast a vote. 
• WHAT is the ask for the audience? Lastly, you need a simple and specific ask for your audience. Do you need them to vote for you? Knock on doors? Donate to your campaign? And by when do you need them to do it? 

HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR STUMP SPEECH BE?  An average campaign speech given at an event, at the doors, on an interview can be between 5-10 minutes in length. However, most often a candidate has about 90 seconds to 3 minutes when on the campaign trail for an introduction. So be prepared! 

Think of the shorter version as a quick introduction like cliff notes or a synopsis. This can be used to start a conversation at the door or introduce yourself on the fly. For the longer version of the speech you are merely adding a little more context and color to the story depending on your audience. 

WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR STUMP SPEECH?  Here are the core campaign speech writing components that should be in your speech. They do NOT need to be in this order necessarily, but the speech should have a nature order that flows together. 

• INTRODUCTION: You need to have a hook to grab a person’s (peoples) attention right from the start (be careful with telling jokes unless you’re good at them) and then give the basics – your name and office you’re running for. 
• PERSONAL STORY: Weave in your personal story. What is your motivation for stepping up to run for office? What are the values you hold that are needed in the office or to solve this issue? But whatever your do, please DO NOT list off your resume. No one is interested in hearing that. Trust me.
• PROBLEM STATEMENT: Present a clear and relevant (to audience and electorate) issue that needs to be solved. What is wrong that needs to be fixed? (For incumbents, what needs more work OR to be protected?).  Why do you care about this issue and why is it relevant to the community at large? What is at stake for them? 
• SOLUTION/VISION: What is your solution to solving this program? What skills, experiences or qualities do you have that make you suited to solve this issue? Paint a picture for the audience about what their future could look like if this problem was solved. 
• ASK: What is it you need from the audience you’re speaking to? You need a clear and concise call to action that allows them to be part of your vision and get involved with your campaign. Do you need an endorsement? Donations? Volunteers? Votes? Tell them exactly how they can help be part of the solution. 
• Thank them for their time! 

WHY SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR PERSONAL STORY? 

Stories have been a part of civilization since the dawn of time. Stories have been used to pass down history through generations. It is also how we connect with each other through a shared humanity. It’s no wonder we’re all wired to engage with and react to stories that includes voters! Stories are all around us in books, TV, movies, music, news, brunch, literally everywhere.  As a candidate you’ll get much farther with your constituents by telling a story to show people your vision versus just throwing facts and data at them. 

Utilizing your personal stories can be extremely beneficial due to one thing: it makes you seem normal. One of the issues that America faces today is the lack of care for politics. Candidates who use their personal stories are able to create a positive feeling around their candidacy. Talk about yourself as a way to relate to your audience. Funny stories are great icebreakers. Lastly, and most importantly, always tell the truth. Especially in today’s technological age, it is much easier to find out if a candidate isn’t speaking the truth or is speaking in half-truths.

DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE RUNNING? 

Voters want to know why you are running for office. They want to hear your motivation, so they can see if they trust you or not. Voters know what the problems in their communities are, so instead of repeating them back, tell them how they’ve affected you and your community. 

For example, if education is your core issues, don’t start by throwing out all the stats and facts about struggling, underfunded schools. Start by showing voters how this is affecting actual people, specifically children, talk about a student who was not able to reach their full potential because of the lack of funding or current policies in place. That way, you’re painting a picture and humanizing the issue for voters, so they see it more personally. 

WHY DO YOU NEED TO USE AN EMOTIONAL APPEAL? 

People are not rational beings and we often make decisions based on our emotions rather than the facts. If you look at the sweeping victories for Biden, Obama or Trump the one thing that connects them is that they both got voters to feel something. Biden campaign was based on empathy, Obama’s entire campaign was based on hope and aspiration, while Trump’s was based in fear and division. Two very different strategies but both based in telling emotionally captivating narratives. 

WHY SHOULD YOU AVOID LISTING OFF YOUR RESUME? 

We’ve all been there. Waiting to hear from a candidate and all we get is a rundown of their resume of accomplishment.  Spoiler alert: your degrees and awards won’t buy you love from voters. Yes, having them is important but defining yourself by them is not going to create an emotional connection with your audience. Your stump speech should show not tell your story. It should weave in your accomplishments as supporting evidence but not the main plot line. 

Remember that every  campaign speech will be different, but if you can speak from the heart and tell people your story, they are much more likely to remember you when it comes to casting their vote. So practice, practice, practice and if you need help please feel free to reach out to our team. 

Have questions about writing a stump speech? Drop us a note. 

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Student Council Speech Sample

Writing a student council speech may seem daunting, but having an example to look at can help inspire you.

Use the speech on this page to help you think about what you might like to say to the students voting for you.

Following the example below, you will learn how to prepare the following parts of the Student Council Speech:

• Introduction

If you need more guidance after reading this page, visit  Twelve Vital Tips for Student Council Speeches and see another Sample Speech by "Charlie" that follows a twelve step process from knowing your audience to ending with a call-to-action.

The speech below was sent in by Stephanie who was running for student council President of her high school. 

Thanks for sharing your speech, Steph, and for helping other students get an idea of what to say!

After reviewing Steph's speech, check out another  student council speech sample  for additional inspiration.

Also, the book   Student Council Campaign: Winning Strategies, Speeches, Poster, and Slogans  reviewed below can help you take your entire campaign to a whole different level, not only your speech. 

Beginning of the student council speech

• Introduce yourself
• Set your audience at ease
• Use a quick attention getter or theme
• Provide a brief foreshadowing of your call to action 

Good afternoon, students and staff members! My name is Stephanie, and I'm running for student body president. I'll keep this quick as I'm sure you are ready to get out of here.

You might be saying to yourself, "Should Stephanie really be the student body president? After all, she's only been at our school for two years."

Body of the student council speech

• Organize around just 2-3 main ideas
• Provide 2-3 supporting details for each claim
• Points should solve for a pain your audience (your fellow students) feels

It's true that I am fairly new to Jefferson Anderson High School. At first glance, this may seem like a disadvantage. I didn't attend this school for my freshman and sophomore years, and I've only known most of you for a couple of years.

When you think about it though, there is actually a benefit in choosing someone who is coming into the school from somewhere else. I have new ideas that I can bring in from the school I was at before.

Are you tired of doing the same old things year after year? Are you ready to do something different?

One thing I noticed about this school when I came last year is that most of the students didn't really get to make any of the decisions here at the school.

Did anyone ever ask you what you wanted to do for a fundraiser? Did anyone ever ask you what you wanted to buy with the money we raised? Who makes these decisions?

Those types of decisions are left up to student council. The person you choose to represent you as president will speak for the entire senior class. Do you want to choose someone who will make those decisions for you without knowing what you want?

If you vote for me as student council president, I promise to always get your opinions before making any decisions. You should have a say in the actions that will affect you.

Every single one of you can come to me with your ideas, and I promise to listen and speak for you.

Conclusion of the student council speech

• Briefly summarize your main points
• Weave in your theme
• Include a clincher and call to action

I may not be the most well-known person running for student council president, but I promise to listen to each and every one of you.

You matter. Your opinion matters. Don't choose someone who will make all of the decisions for you. Don't vote for the person who will pick whatever their friends want them to choose.

Choose someone who wants to be your spokesperson. Choose someone who cares about what you want.

Choose me, Stephanie, for your student council president.

End of Speech

When writing a student council speech, you need to remember to research what the student body NEEDS and WANTS . Connecting with the audience is key. Let them know how you will serve them!

You can interview students, teachers, administrators, etc. to find out what would help your school grow and develop in a positive direction, then incorporate those ideas into your presentation.

This advice is useful whether you're running for student council president, treasurer or secretary. Do your due diligence and know what it is your target audience wants to hear before you write your speech!

Continue reading  Twelve Vital Tips for Student Council Speeches  and see another Sample Speech.

Or, check out the student council speech in the video below for more ideas on how to present the best address ever. This guy has charisma and is funny as well!

Winning Strategies for a Student Council Campaign eBook:

According to Isaac Myhrum, a winner of student council seats beginning in the 6th grade, you can develop the confidence and skills to lead. Isaac rose above the typical popularity contest to win on merit and credibility. His book  Student Council Campaign: Winning Strategies, Speeches, Poster, and Slogans  will guide you to improve your overall strategy and your student council speeches. 

Some of the lessons to help you win election include:

• developing campaign speech ideas and topics
• voter audience analysis
• forming a campaign team
• examples of successful posters
• and more advice for appealing to student voters.

You can order on  Amazon  for reading with the free Kindle App and support Best Speech Topics with a small commission. 

[Full disclosure: Best Speech Topics is a compensated affiliate of Amazon.]

Running for student council is an admirable pursuit. Use our student council speech guidance to become a representative of your council for the right reasons - to make positive change and help fellow students. Winning provides an opportunity to improve your school and make meaningful change. (Owens, E. (2015, August 11). Viewpoint: 4 reasons to run for student government . Retrieved December 2, 2018, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/college/2015/08/11/viewpoint-4-reasons-to-run-for-student-government/37405191/)

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Another Student Council Speech 

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How to Write a Student Council Speech

Last Updated: April 24, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 127 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,046,121 times.

Being a member of the student council can help you help your school. However, it takes hard work to get into the student council . You need to craft a good speech that gives your classmates incentives to vote for you.

Your Student Council Speech

Use a strong, attention-grabbing opening. Discuss your qualifications briefly, then move on. Focus your speech on your passion and present a blueprint to achieve your goals. Close with a strong summary and call to vote for you.

Sample Speeches

Writing the Introduction

• Do not merely start by saying, "My name is ___ and I'm running for student council." Your classmates will already know as much and this is not really a unique statement. There will be time to state the basic information after you've got the class's attention. [1] X Research source
• You can open with a question. Something like, "If there was one thing you could change about this school, what would it be?" Or a question that adds some humor , like, "I know what you're thinking. Why should I listen to this person?" and then proceed to lay out your credentials. Quotes on leadership, power, and guidance would also make good openings. However, make sure to double-check your sources and especially if you're finding quotes online. Many online quote databases, like Quote Garden or Brainy Quote, sometimes attribute quotes to the wrong sources. [2] X Research source
• If you're stuck, look up and read famous speeches. You can find many speeches from presidents, world leaders, civil rights activists, and others online. Pay attention to how they opened their speeches and ask yourself, "Was this interesting? Do I want to keep reading/listening? Why?" [3] X Research source

• State your name and grade in school. This may feel somewhat unnecessary if you go to a small school, but it's considered a formality. If you're missing this part of the speech, you may end up looking sloppy in comparison to other students. [5] X Research source
• State what you want. That is, what you're running for. Do you want to be the president , vice president , treasurer, secretary? Even if you think most students are aware of what position you're running for, make sure you state it here to remind them. [6] X Research source
• Try to keep this section brief as it's not as important as your qualifications and plans to improve the school . Even one sentence would suffice. For example, "My name is Ramona Hart, I'm in the 11th grade, and I'm running for treasurer of the student council."

• Any accomplishments relevant to the position warrant mentioning here. If you're running for secretary, for example, talk about your summer job filing papers in your uncle's law firm. If you're running for student council president, talk about your leadership experience being captain of the swim team. [7] X Research source
• While this section is important, try to keep it minimal. A couple of sentences laying out your qualifications is enough as the body of your speech is where you should spend the most time. For example, let's go back to the above example. From there, we could say, "I am currently enrolled in advanced placement algebra and I have been an honor roll student for three years. This knowledge of numbers and diligence qualifies me to have responsibility for finances for our student council." [8] X Research source

Writing the Body of the Speech

• You should list your ideas and then expand on them later in the body. It might take a bit of research to figure out what you want to change. Ask around the school, talking to students and teachers, and see where there's room for improvement. What are the concerns of the students? What are people happy with regarding the school? What would they like to see change? Asking these questions can help you get a sense of your audience and community.
• Remember, you should not make promises you cannot keep. Do not say anything just to get elected. While many students might want gum-chewing policies eliminated or for the lunch period to run twice as long, this is probably not necessary or possible. Try to focus on areas that seem important to keep your school running safely and efficiently. Concerns about things like bullying , academic standards, and extracurricular activities should be your concern over fun and games. [10] X Research source
• A good opening statement for your body would state the causes important to you and what you plan to do about them. For example, if you were running for president, you could say something like, "I understand we need to improve how we handle bullying, increase interest in extracurricular activities, and expand access to AP courses throughout the school. As your president, I would work to bring in speakers to talk about sensitivity in the classroom, increase advertising for basketball games and quiz bowl tournaments, and start a tutoring program to help students struggling with certain subjects." [11] X Research source

• Using the school library or computers, figure out the best means to tackle certain problems many schools face. How have other schools dealt with bullying? Poor test scores? Low interest in extracurricular activities? What can you reasonably do as a student council member to address these problems? [12] X Research source
• You do not have to have a point-by-point plan laid out, but a few sentences on some preliminary ideas can help you stand out from your peers. People are more inclined to vote for someone who's thought about how to solve problems in addition to identifying problems. [13] X Research source

Ending with a Strong Conclusion

• Do summarize, briefly, your qualifications but do not put the main focus on them. This is where you should sincerely state your passion. Students should not just vote for you because you'd do a good job but because you genuinely care about the school. State your passion for your community and how much you want to see other students succeed. Lots of students have high qualifications. You can set yourself apart by being a candidate who really cares. [16] X Research source

• Research what other student council speeches are like on video websites. This could help give you ideas.

Expert Q&A

• Only promise to do things that you really can do. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 0
• Practice reading your speech a few times, as you'll likely be nervous before giving it. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0

• Even if you write a great speech, understand you may lose. Be prepared to lose graciously and sincerely congratulate the winning candidate. Thanks Helpful 105 Not Helpful 17
• Unlike in a governmental election, student council candidates should not attack each other, previous leaders, or other students. Otherwise, you could get into trouble and leave a bad impression on voters. Thanks Helpful 80 Not Helpful 16

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.studentcouncilpro.com/student-council-speeches.html
• ↑ http://www.write-out-loud.com/student-council-speeches.html
• ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.

About This Article

To write a student council speech, start with an attention-grabbing statement such as a question or a powerful quote about leadership. Next, briefly explain who you are, what position you are running for, and why you are running. Then list any relevant qualifications, such as a summer job. In the body of the speech, discuss at least 3 ways to improve the school. For this section, make sure not to make any promises you can’t keep. Finally, end by briefly reiterating your main points and asking for the students’ vote. To learn more about how to support your ideas and research for your speech, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Speech for School Election in English - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

An election is one of the essential pillars of democracy, and it is through this democratic system that people can choose the representatives of their choice who they feel have the capability to become leaders. Here are some speeches for the school election.

10 Lines Speech for School Election

"Somewhere inside us is the power to change the world."

1. A pleasant morning to all my friends who are present here. As we are aware, today is school election day. The fact that you are here shows that I have your support.

2. The decision to contest the student council election was challenging. But If you aspire to help the people around you, solve their problems and work for their interests.

3. A school provides the first opportunity to give wings to your dreams.

4. We all are fortunate to study in this excellent school where students have ample opportunities to explore, expand and excel.

5. Being a student takes work; becoming a school leader will take a lot of work.

6. But I assure you, if I win the election, I will work for the benefit of all of us.

7. If you would like the school to introduce an introductory Artificial Intelligence course as a vocational subject or provide excellent quality food in the canteen, I will vouch for that.

8. Friends, I believe in working as a team. No leader can survive alone, and the best results are obtained when the interests of everyone are taken care of.

9. I stand for justice and won't let you down if you choose me.

10. As I conclude my speech, I urge all of you to vote for me and give me a chance to take this school to greater heights.

Short Speech for School Election

"If there was one thing you could change about this school, what would it be!"

A pleasant morning to everyone present here. I am so happy to see all of you in active mode, and this points to your support for me.

Once Abraham Lincoln said, "Of the people, by the people, for the people." This describes the essence of democracy; in a democratic country, people can choose their government by themselves without any pressure.

Elections are the best tool if they are used relatively and no malpractice is allowed. Candidates should remember this if people have the right to choose them and will enable them to run the government, and if they don't, then they can be overthrown as well by the people. They are free to vote for any candidate according to their preferences.

Election gives us the power to choose the best leader in every session. If one is not performing up to the mark, he can be replaced in the next voting session. An election is an excellent opportunity for people to voice their dissatisfaction. People can replace undesirable leadership with a better alternative through the election.

With my experience and passion, I could be a great leader. I promise to do my best to curb bullying, increase student interest in school and increase overall academic achievement.

Long Speech for School Election

"Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves and one another."

Firstly, let me thank you all for your presence here today. As you all know that I am running for the Presidential post in the upcoming school council election, I would like to use this opportunity to share my views about the kind of work I would love to do for the welfare of the school and the students.

"Of the people, by the people, for the people," stated Abraham Lincoln once. This sums up democracy in its most basic terms; citizens make their own, pressure-free decisions about their government. Same way, students can make these decisions to elect a candidate for the presidential post for the school student council.

As a student, I feel that education is not just the pillar of success for us. We all need good services, be it infrastructure, adequate counseling, focus on extracurricular activities, and vocational courses on personality development. Being a student takes work; becoming a student leader is challenging. Today, I am feeling the same while addressing you and asking for your support in the election.

If I Get Elected

It is rightly said, “with great power comes great responsibility”.

If I get elected, my first work would be to improve the sanitation and hygiene of the students. I shall ensure that our playground and the parking lot are appropriately maintained and sanitized. I am also considering seeking confirmation from the administration to allow two game periods a day, considering the workload we have.

We are thinking of implementing a photography course and piano classes as vocational subjects in the coming days, and our team is working hard to achieve all these goals. If given this opportunity, I shall fight for equality, justice, and transparency for our student council, where every student gets a chance to raise their voice.

Sadhguru once said, "Integrity, Insight, and Inclusiveness are the three essential leadership qualities". We also believe in the same principle of leading an organization or a system, where our sole aim is to take care of the interests of the students of our school so that they get the best education, health, and hygiene facilities. All these factors are essential for their overall development, as well as for the school's progress too.

Our focus is not just on academic progress, but we also have our priorities set on co-curricular activities and sports. We plan to allocate more coaches in games like volleyball, cricket, football, badminton etc to all sports enthusiasts who want to pursue a career in this field.

With my experience and passion, I think I could be a great leader. Friends, I also believe in working as a team, and fighting for justice, whenever the need arises. Together with me, let us work for the well-being of the student and the school. Choose your vote wisely, and may the best person win.

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How to Write a Campaign Speech for Kids

How to give an annual day speech in school.

Writing a campaign speech for kids isn't all child's play. Children are smart and informed voters, and can tell when you are lying about giving out free chocolate every Friday after you are elected. Your speech has to stand out and catch their attention, usually in under two minutes. Writing a good and appropriate children's campaign speech increases your chances for winning the election.

Start off with a good, clean, short joke. The children hear speech after speech and are going to start to tune out what is said. You need to say something to catch their attention. Getting them to laugh will give them a little break.

Introduce yourself and declare the office that you are running for. Not making yourself known could be a big mistake later when the children are voting and remember who you are.

Talk about what you will do if elected. Everyone has ideas about how the school could be run better — maybe more vending machines in the cafeteria, maybe off-campus lunches, maybe getting to wear shorts on Friday. Tell your peers how you will work hard to change things for the better.

Thank the students for their time. Remember to be gracious and to treat the audience and the other candidates alike.

Keep the speech short. Usually, you will be given a time limit of up to two minutes. Make sure that you do not run over or you could be disqualified.

• Coin a slogan that you can use on your posters and in your speech.
• Do not make any promises that you are not willing to keep. Nobody likes a liar.

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• Write Out Loud: How to Write a Speech for Kids

Chance E. Gartneer began writing professionally in 2008 working in conjunction with FEMA. He has the unofficial record for the most undergraduate hours at the University of Texas at Austin. When not working on his children's book masterpiece, he writes educational pieces focusing on early mathematics and ESL topics.

Written Samples

10 student council speech samples.

Running for a position on the Student Council is a commendable endeavor that requires courage, planning, and a clear vision. Student Council serves as the voice of the student body, advocating for changes, planning events, and representing student interests.

A strong, compelling speech can significantly impact your campaign, resonating with peers and motivating them to vote for you. This article provides 10 distinct student council speech samples tailored for various roles and personalities.

Student Council Speech Samples

Whether you’re running for president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, or a specific committee, these speeches are designed to inspire and guide you in crafting your unique message.

Speech 1: The Visionary Leader

“building a brighter future together”.

Fellow students, today marks a significant moment in our journey together. I stand before you, not as an individual, but as a representative of the collective dreams and aspirations we all share for our school. As a candidate for your Student Council President, I am committed to making those dreams a reality.

Our school is more than just a building; it’s a vibrant community where each of us has the opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed. However, like any community, we face our share of challenges. Whether it’s improving school lunches, increasing club funding, or ensuring that every student’s voice is heard, there is always work to be done.

My vision is to create a more inclusive, supportive, and dynamic school environment. This means establishing open forums where every student can voice their concerns, working closely with administration to implement sustainable changes, and building a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.

I bring to this position my experience as class representative, my passion for student involvement, and my unwavering commitment to our school’s welfare. Together, we can build a brighter future for all students. Let’s make it happen!

Speech 2: The Approachable Vice President

“uniting for a stronger community”.

Hello, fellow students! I am thrilled to stand before you as a candidate for Vice President of the Student Council. My goal is clear: to work alongside the president in creating a united, empowered student body ready to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities that come our way.

As Vice President, I will focus on enhancing communication between the council and you, the students. I plan to set up a suggestions box, hold regular meet-ups, and ensure your ideas and concerns don’t just stay heard but acted upon. I understand the importance of teamwork, and I promise to be an accessible, friendly face you can always turn to.

My dedication to our school community stems from my own experiences as an active member of several clubs and organizations. These experiences have taught me the value of listening, the importance of action, and the transformative power of community spirit. Let’s work together to make our school not just a place of learning, but a home of lasting memories and achievements!

Speech 3: The Meticulous Treasurer

“investing in our future”.

Good day, students! As a candidate for the position of Treasurer, I want to talk about an essential aspect of our student council: fiscal responsibility. The role of Treasurer is more than just handling funds; it’s about ensuring that every dollar you entrust to the council is spent wisely and benefits as many students as possible.

I come to you with a strong background in mathematics and a keen eye for detail, qualities that are crucial for managing our budget effectively. I plan to introduce transparent budget reports, seek your input on spending priorities, and negotiate for better deals on our events and supplies.

Investing in our future means more than just saving money; it means funding initiatives that build our skills, enhance our school spirit, and create lasting memories. With your trust, I promise to be a responsible steward of our resources, always seeking ways to improve our collective experience while maintaining fiscal prudence.

Speech 4: The Organized Secretary

“keeping us connected”.

Hello, everyone! As your prospective Student Council Secretary, I understand the significance of organization and clear communication in making our council effective. My mission is to keep us connected and informed, ensuring that every meeting, every event, and every decision is recorded and communicated to you promptly and clearly.

My approach involves not just meticulous note-taking and organizing but also harnessing technology to streamline our communication. This means regular updates through our school’s website and social media, creating a digital archive of minutes and decisions, and ensuring you’re always in the loop.

By keeping our council’s work transparent and accessible, I aim to build trust and encourage greater participation from all of you. Let’s work together to create a well-informed student body capable of making a difference!

Speech 5: The Dedicated Committee Member

“every voice matters”.

Hi, everyone! Running for a specific committee might seem like a small role, but it’s roles like these that make our student council function effectively. As a candidate for the [Insert Committee Name] committee, I am passionate about [Insert Committee Focus, e.g., environmental issues, school spirit, academic improvement].

My commitment is to bring fresh ideas, boundless energy, and a listening ear to this position. I want to ensure that every student who shares a passion for [Committee Focus] has a platform to express their ideas and see them come to life. Whether it’s organizing events, leading campaigns, or working on improvements, I am ready to dedicate my time and effort to make a real impact.

Your vote means not just support for me but an investment in the area we’re passionate about. Let’s join hands and make [Insert School Name] a beacon of [Committee Focus] excellence!

Speech 6: The Inspirational President

“leading with heart and vision”.

Dear students, as I stand before you, aspiring to be your next Student Council President, I am filled with a sense of purpose and determination. This school is not just an institution but a vibrant community where each of us has the potential to thrive and contribute. As your president, I aim to lead not just with decisions, but with vision, empathy, and unwavering dedication.

My vision for us is a school where every student feels valued and empowered. A place where we tackle challenges head-on, celebrate our diversity, and work collectively towards innovative solutions. I plan to initiate regular student-led forums, champion inclusive policies, and ensure that our activities and decisions reflect the rich tapestry of our student body.

My commitment to you is rooted in a deep belief in teamwork, respect, and perseverance. I have learned through various leadership roles that the key to effective leadership is listening, adapting, and inspiring. Together, we can elevate our school to new heights, create a nurturing environment, and build a legacy of positivity and progress.

Speech 7: The Dynamic Vice President

“collaboration and action”.

Greetings, fellow students! As candidates for Vice President of the Student Council, I am excited about the prospect of working closely with the president to amplify your voices and bring your ideas to fruition. I understand that this role is pivotal in facilitating smooth operations and fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration among us.

My focus will be on bridging the gap between students and the council, ensuring that we are not just a body making decisions but a dynamic team working in sync with the student community. I plan to introduce innovative collaboration tools and platforms where every suggestion is considered, and every voice is heard.

With my experience in organizing school events and managing teams, I bring a set of skills that are crucial for the effective execution of our shared goals. I promise to be proactive, resourceful, and most importantly, accessible to each one of you. Let’s work together to make our school a hub of vibrant student activity and shared success.

Speech 8: The Strategic Treasurer

“fiscal responsibility, our collective commitment”.

Hello to all! As your candidate for Treasurer, I am aware of the significant responsibility that comes with managing our student council’s finances. It’s not just about keeping books; it’s about strategic planning, transparency, and making every penny count towards improving our school life.

I bring to this position my experience with budgeting and finance, coupled with a deep commitment to serve each one of you. My plan includes introducing a participatory budgeting process where you get to have a say in our financial priorities, regular financial updates to keep everyone informed, and innovative fundraising ideas to boost our resources.

Investing in our collective future means making smart, ethical, and impactful financial decisions. With a keen eye on our goals and a strict adherence to transparency, I will ensure that our council’s financial health is robust and that our resources are aligned with our shared vision.

Speech 9: The Efficient Secretary

“the backbone of our council”.

Dear students, as a hopeful Secretary for our Student Council, I recognize the immense responsibility of being the link between you and the council’s activities. This role is more than just taking minutes; it’s about ensuring that every decision, every event, and every initiative is documented, communicated, and archived effectively.

My vision is to make our council’s workings as transparent and accessible as possible. This means not only meticulous record-keeping but also innovative communication strategies to keep everyone informed and engaged. I plan to utilize digital platforms to disseminate information, organize feedback sessions, and ensure that our council is always accountable to you.

With a commitment to organization and a passion for communication, I am ready to be the reliable backbone of our council, ensuring that as we move forward, every step is recorded, every voice is heard, and every achievement is shared.

Speech 10: The Passionate Committee Leader

“spearheading change, one initiative at a time”.

Greetings, peers! As a candidate for the [Insert Committee Name, e.g., Environmental Committee] leader, I am here not just to lead a committee but to ignite a movement. Whether it’s enhancing our school’s green initiatives, boosting academic resources, or strengthening our sports programs, each committee plays a crucial role in our student council’s mission.

I am passionate about [Committee Focus] and have spent my time at school actively involved in related projects and initiatives. As a leader, I plan to bring this passion to the forefront, driving innovative programs, rallying student support, and ensuring that our activities have a lasting impact.

Your support means empowering a dedicated leader focused on making tangible changes in our school. Together, we can champion causes close to our hearts, bring about meaningful change, and leave a legacy that future students will be proud of.

In crafting your speech, remember the importance of authenticity, clarity, and enthusiasm. Your fellow students are looking for leaders who not only promise but also inspire and enact real change. Use these samples as inspiration, but ensure your personal story and vision shine through. Good luck!

• Games, topic printables & more
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How to write a speech introduction

12 of the best attention getters to start a speech

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 01-12-2023

The audience settles in their seats. The lights dim. You walk out to the center of the stage. You pause, take a deep breath, open your mouth and begin.

What you say over the next 30 seconds to introduce your speech or presentation is crucial.

That's how much time you have to make a positive impression on your audience. In it they will decide whether or not you have anything relevant or useful to say. Those first impressions count!

So how do you write an effective speech introduction to grab and hold their attention?

Begin by finding out how to choose the right opener.

What's on this page:

• how to choose the right opener for your speech

12 of the very best ways to start a speech

3. What if?

5. Key fact

7. Rhetorical

9. Headlines

10. History

11. Challenge

How to choose the right opener for your speech

The better way to make your choice of opener is after you have carefully considered who you are talking to and why you're talking to them.

One size does not fit all. Different audiences will respond differently. If you are giving the same speech multiple times think about what you may need to change to fit. 

To work well your opening needs to be aligned with:

• the type of speech you're giving
• your main purpose for giving it
• your target audience and,  
• their interests or needs

Both the hook * to catch their attention and your topic must be relevant to them. Unless they're a captive audience, they've come freely to listen to you and they're expecting something of value from you.

How are you going to let them know they're in the right place? Why should they listen? What are they going to get or gain through listening?

Out of all the different ways to open, what attention getter is absolutely the best way?

The only way I know to work out what is best is to go through each of them, and as you do, consider your audience. Make a short list of those you think might work then try them out before making your final choice.

* hook – an opening statement that immediately captures the audience's attention just like a well baited hook on a fishing line catches a fish.

Return to Top

1. Use imagination to create mind pictures

Ask the audience to use their imagination. Get them to build evocative compelling images in their minds. Make them large. Add vibrant color, sound and movement.

For example:

“Let's take a break. Make yourself comfortable. Now close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breath, and you're there, in the place where you feel the most at ease, the place where all the tensions, all the demands of your normal everyday life disappear. Look around you. See it. Feel it. It's so good, it's perfect."

“Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and a moment to picture in your mind the people dearest to you, the people you feel you could not live without. Now when did you talk to them, or spend real time with them last?"

2. Use an item to build a connection 

Choose an image or an object related to your speech, for instance a pair of shoes, to trigger interest and build a connection.

For example, if I were giving a speech on the lives of upper-middle class 19th century women I could open by holding up a pair of ornately decorated kid leather pumps.

“What's the name of the young woman who wore these? Listen. Can you hear the rustle of her silk skirts? And hear her heart beat bom-biddy-bom as the beau of the ball stepped her way? Would he, or wouldn't he ask her to dance?”

3. Ask a 'What if...?' rhetorical question

'What if...?' invites an audience to consider the possibilities of something becoming real. They can be positive somethings or negative, trivial or something that would have a significant impact if it came to pass.

The power of a 'what if...?' rhetorical question as an opener lies in the potency of the images and feelings it triggers. A well-chosen 'what if...?' will immediately have an audience wanting to hear the rest of your speech.

• "What if we don't find a way to successfully manage climate change?"
• "What if we really did solve the affordable housing crisis?"
• "What if questions of race and color ceased to matter?"
• "What if medicines were freely available to everybody who needed them?"
• "What if the person sitting next to you turned, looked into your eyes and said they loved you? Truly. Madly. Deeply."

4. Try a quotation from someone who's impacted your life in some way

To be effective a quotation doesn't have to be the clever quip or snippet of enduring wisdom: a famous quote from a well known person. It's origin could be personal, something someone important in your life said that's remained with you.

For example, my Mother answered all initial wails of outrage, pain or hurt from any of her five children with a command. "Breathe!" That was repeated, interwoven with encouraging asides, until whoever it was, was able to talk clearly and be understood.  "It's OK.", she'd say. "Breathe. Come on. You can do it. Breathe. That's it. Keep going. Good."

Or I could use this line from one of my high school reports which read, "...with further maturity she should do well." (Thank you Mr Phillips. Your prediction was right on target.) 

Or this from our son aged four as he watched me getting ready for another day of teaching: "When I grow up I'm going to wear pretty dresses and go to school just like you."

5. Use an interesting key fact

Choose an interesting key fact as an attention getting device: one of the most rarely known, or a shocking statistic from the body of your speech to open with.

For example: "Take a guess at what the most powerful and frequently used word is in the English language? 

It's not one of those usually thought of candidates.  Love? No. Money? Nope. Neither is it  any member of your family... Mum, Dad, brother, sister, son, or daughter.

It's a three letter word, so common it's overlooked and taken for granted. 'The'. It's the humble 'the'."

(For more see this BBC article:  Is this the most powerful word in the English language?

Or: "Between 2020/21 and 2021/2022, Americans consumed about 11 million metric tons of sugar, up from about 10 million metric tons in 2009/2010. Can you even begin to imagine the size of that sweet white mountain?"

(For more see: US sugar consumption statistics )

6. Share personal stories

Share a personal story related to your specific topic as the beginning of a speech. Done well, it lets the audience know you understand their situation and helps establish your credibility: your right to talk on the subject.

As an example here's the opening of a speech I gave about the impact of suicide on families and friends:

“One fine Spring day I biked home from school and found a policemen guarding our backdoor. Through it came sounds I'll never forget: my quiet Mother screaming. He said, "You can't go in."

I kicked him in the shins and did. It was the 15th of September, three days before my thirteenth birthday and my father was dead. Killed by his own hand. Suicide.”

(If you want to find out more about the speech and read it, it's here: After they're gone . It's an example persuasive speech using the five steps of Monroe's Motivated Sequence.)

7. Rhetorical questions

These are questions that although they are asked, they're never really intended to be answered by anyone other than the person asking them. * Their principal function is to act as a segue, or lead in, to what the person intends to say next. For instance, the first main point of your introduction.

Examples: "What if I were to say to you that there was no such thing as public speaking fear?"

"What do you think the main benefits of being able to speak up in public are?"

* Although there's bound to be someone in your audience who will. Be ready for them, and move on.

8. An empathetic question, aligning yourself with the audience and eliciting a response

These questions bring speaker and audience together, establishing a common ground, a mutual understanding, which is an effective way to ease into a speech. If your question 'works' you'll see heads nodding in agreement.

• "Have you ever experienced the butterflies in your stomach turning into a herd of rampaging elephants, just before you step up to give your presentation?"
• "Have you ever wanted a good day to never end?"
• "How often have you 'lost' your car in the supermarket car park?"
• "How often have you ever wanted to shout, NO? You want me to prepare a new presentation by tomorrow? NO. You want me to stay late, again? NO."

9. It's in the news

Take headlines from what's trending in media you know the audience will be familiar with and see.

Using those that relate to your speech topic as the opening of your speech is a good way to grab the attention of the audience. It shows how relevant and up-to-the-minute the topic is.

For example: "'Death toll soars to 76 in Florida after Hurricane Ian demolished entire communities.' 'Noru became a super typhoon in 6 hours. Scientists say powerful storms are becoming harder to forecast.' 'Hurricane Orlene strengthens into Category 4 storm as it heads toward western Mexico.'

Three front page headlines from CNN just today. Climate change. Let's do what we can."

10. This day in history

If you're giving a speech to celebrate a special birthday or an anniversary, consider using several carefully selected events that occurred on the same day as a speech opening. They could be either funny or serious, depending on the specific purpose of your speech. They're a great way to place the person in a much wider context and often with exalted company.

For example: "What do the 1863 National Thanksgiving Day proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, National Boyfriend Day, and Gwen Stefani have in common with Joe? Yes, the 3rd of October! It's a great date made better by being Joe's birthday. And we say Gwen is truly privileged to have the same one as him."

11. Issue a challenge

Let the audience know first thing, at the beginning of the speech, what action you expect they'll be able to take by the time your presentation is complete. Then when you come to the final points, repeat the call to action, or challenge, as part of your closing statement.

For example: "I've a challenge for you. That's to sign up for our public speaking course. Right now you may not see yourself doing that. Public speaking? Me? I'd rather have a root canal done, without painkillers. However, by the end of the presentation...well, let's see. There's a first time for everything!"

Use a startling statement, a fact, or a series of facts, to jolt the audience into paying attention.

"Covid. We've had 1.06 million of us die in the US, so far. Today there are nearly 60,00 new cases. More mothers, fathers, friends, colleagues, children – people. People ill. People who might die. So why have we stopped wearing masks?"

For more: Google: Covid stats US

Other speech writing resources

• how to end a speech effectively : explanations with examples showing how to close a speech with impact
• how to write a speech : a detailed guide with examples covering audience analysis, planning, writing oral language, transitions, how to use an outline... 

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Campaign Speech for Student Council

Ai generator.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Respected Teachers, and My Fellow Students ,

Good [morning/afternoon],

My name is [Your Name], and I am running for the position of [Position, e.g., Student Council President/Vice President/Secretary/Treasurer]. It is with great excitement and a sense of responsibility that I stand before you today, asking for your support and your vote.

Introduction

Being a part of this school has been an incredible journey. Over the years, I have had the privilege of participating in various activities, meeting many of you, and witnessing the potential we all possess. I believe that together, we can make our school an even better place for everyone.

Vision and Goals

If elected, my vision for our school is to foster an inclusive, supportive, and vibrant community where every student feels valued and heard. Here are some of the goals I aim to achieve:

• I will work to create more opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities, clubs, and sports. By increasing the variety and availability of these activities, we can ensure that everyone finds something they are passionate about.
• I will establish a student suggestion box and hold regular meetings with student representatives from each grade. This will ensure that your voices are heard and your ideas are considered in decision-making processes.
• I will organize events and initiatives that promote kindness, respect, and collaboration among students. This includes anti-bullying campaigns, peer support programs, and community service projects.
• I will advocate for more resources to help students succeed academically, such as tutoring programs, study groups, and access to additional learning materials.
• I will work with the administration to improve our school’s facilities, including better classroom equipment, cleaner restrooms, and more inviting common areas.

Why Vote for Me?

I believe I am the right candidate for this position because I am dedicated, approachable, and passionate about our school. I have held leadership positions in [mention any relevant clubs or organizations], where I have demonstrated my ability to listen, lead, and make positive changes. I am committed to being a voice for all students and ensuring that our school is a place where everyone feels included and inspired.

My fellow students, this is our school, and together, we can make it a place where everyone thrives. Your vote is not just for me; it is a vote for a better school experience for all of us. I humbly ask for your support and your vote to become your [Position]. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you for your time, and let’s make this school year the best one yet!

[Your Name]

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

Lesson Plan

Jan. 15, 2024, 9:20 a.m.

Lesson plan: Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech as a work of literature

For a google doc version of this lesson, click here .

Introduction

Students will study Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and discuss the rhetorical influences on King's speech, the oratorical devices that King used in delivering his speech and how a speech is similar to/different from other literary forms.

English, Social Studies, Government

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period, plus extended activities

Grade Level

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most memorable speech from his life as an activist, “ I HAVE A DREAM , ” was delivered on August 28, 1963, before more than 200,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The speech was part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It not only helped to galvanize the already growing civil rights movement across the country at the time, but also became one of the most influential and inspirational pieces of rhetoric in American history.

Remarkably, midway through his delivery, King suspended his pre-scripted text and began to improvise; what resulted was the speech’s most recognizable section, the passage in which the words “I have a dream” are passionately repeated. Indeed, King’s background as a Baptist preacher in the South instilled in him a talent for improvisation as a speaker and the skill to frame the urgency of the moment.

What is also apparent in “I Have Dream” is King’s deep commitment to scholarship (he earned a Ph.D. from Boston University). King was clearly well-versed in both American history and religious scripture, and he seamlessly weaves references to both into the fabric of his oration. Overall, “I Have a Dream” can be held up as a masterful creative work in itself; its dramatic structure coupled with its image-laden content render a remarkably moving piece of American literature that still strongly resonates today.

• Begin by supplying foundation material for the students through the NewsHour Classroom article and the NewsHour's Martin Luther King, Jr. section, the background explanation above and the links provided.
• Distribute the COMPLETE TEXT OF "I Have a Dream."
• Review the LITERARY TERMS HANDOUT with the students.
• What examples of figurative language can be found in the text? (For example, "seared in the flames of withering injustice"; "manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination"; "whirlwinds of revolt"; "oasis of freedom and justice"; "symphony of brotherhood."
• How do these uses enhance the overall impact of the speech? What oratorical devices does King use to add vitality and force to his speech? (For example, use of refrains such as "I have a dream," "let freedom ring" and "we can never be satisfied"; multiple shifts in sentence lengths; dramatic shifts in tone, such as from enraged to cautionary to hopeful; use of questions as well as exclamations, such as "when will you be satisfied?" and "I have a dream today!")
• In what specific ways does King call forth his experience as a preacher to lend persuasive power to the speech? (For example, he uses several images that call to mind both the plight of black Americans as well as the Old Testament Hebrews under the oppression of slavery — "the manacles of segregation" and the "chains of discrimination"; the final line of the speech invokes "the old Negro spiritual" and is steeped in Biblical influence — "Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
• Discuss the responses as a class.

Extension Activity

• How are the speeches alike and/or different in their choices of language? In other words, do the speeches seem as if they were composed for the general public or rather for specific groups?
• Of the three, which do you see as being the most direct? That is, which speech uses the least amount of figurative language and/or obscure references?
• Which of the three is the most metaphorical in its content? In other words, which makes the most use of figurative language?
• For each speech, explain how relevant its ideas would be in society if the speech were delivered today. Do the mentioned struggles still exist? Has the country evolved since the speeches were given? Has society responded to the specific appeals for change?
• Passionate?
• Intellectual?
• Persuasive?
• 5-10 minutes in length
• Clearly defined opening, body and conclusion
• Clearly defined thesis (main point)
• Use of supporting examples to support thesis
• Use of figurative language
• Use of oratorical devices such as refrain and hyperbole
• Clearly expressed goals (legal reform; public awareness; etc.)

Written by Doug DuBrin, French International School, Bethesda, Maryland, in 2010.

Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning of the school year. Fill out this form to share your thoughts on the lesson.

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Data Science Principles

Are you prepared for our data-driven world.

Data Science Principles is a Harvard Online course that gives you an overview of data science with a code- and math-free introduction to prediction, causality, data wrangling, privacy, and ethics.

What You'll Learn

What is data science, and how can it help you make sense of the infinite data, metrics, and tools that are available today? 

Data science is at the core of any growing modern business, from health care to government to advertising and more. Insights gathered from data science collection and analysis practices have the potential to increase quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of work output in professional and personal situations. 

Data Science Principles makes the foundational topics in data science approachable and relevant by using real-world examples that prompt you to think critically about applying these understandings to your workplace. Get an overview of data science with a nearly code- and math-free introduction to prediction, causality, visualization, data wrangling, privacy, and ethics. 

Data Science Principles is an introduction to data science course for anyone who wants to positively impact outcomes and understand insights from their company’s data collection and analysis efforts. This online certificate course will prepare you to speak the language of data science and contribute to data-oriented discussions within your company and daily life. This is a course for beginners and managers to better understand what data science is and how to work with data scientists.

Data Science Principles is part of our Harvard on Digital Learning Path.

The Harvard on Digital course series provides the frameworks and methodologies to turn data into insight, technologies into strategy, and opportunities into value and responsibility to lead with data-driven decision making.

Explore More Courses in this Learning Path

The course is part of the Harvard on Digital Learning Path and will be delivered via  HBS Online’s course platform .  Learners will be immersed in real-world examples from experts at industry-leading organizations.  By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the modern data science landscape and technical terminology for a data-driven world
• Recognize major concepts and tools in the field of data science and determine where they can be appropriately applied
• Appreciate the importance of curating, organizing, and wrangling data
• Explain uncertainty, causality, and data quality—and the ways they relate to each other
• Predict the consequences of data use and misuse and know when more data may be needed or when to change approaches

Your Instructor

Dustin Tingley  is a data scientist at Harvard University. He is Professor of Government and Deputy Vice Provost for Advances in Learning and helps to direct Harvard's education focused data science and technology team. Professor Tingley has helped a variety of organizations use the tools of data science and he has helped to develop machine learning algorithms and accompanying software for the social sciences. He has written on a variety of topics using data science techniques, including education, politics, and economics.

Real World Case Studies

Affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.

Mauricio Santillana

Listen to Harvard Professor and faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital analyze Google Flu, its failures, and lessons learned.

Latanya Sweeney

Explore the difficulties faced in keeping data anonymous and private with Harvard Professor and Director of the Data Privacy Lab in IQSS at Harvard.

Dan Restuccia

Learn how Burning Glass Technologies uses text analysis to recommend job openings, skill development, and labor market trends.

Available Discounts and Benefits for Groups and Individuals

Experience Harvard Online by utilizing our wide variety of discount programs for individuals and groups. 

Past participant discounts.

Learners who have enrolled in at least one qualifying Harvard Online program hosted on the HBS Online platform are eligible to receive a 30% discount on this course, regardless of completion or certificate status in the first purchased program. Past Participant Discounts are automatically applied to the Program Fee upon time of payment.  Learn more here .

Learners who have earned a verified certificate for a HarvardX course hosted on the  edX platform  are eligible to receive a 30% discount on this course using a discount code. Discounts are not available after you've submitted payment, so if you think you are eligible for a discount on a registration, please check your email for a code or contact us .

Nonprofit, Government, Military, and Education Discounts

For this course we offer a 30% discount for learners who work in the nonprofit, government, military, or education fields. 

Eligibility is determined by a prospective learner’s email address, ending in .org, .gov, .mil, or .edu. Interested learners can apply below for the discount and, if eligible, will receive a promo code to enter when completing payment information to enroll in a Harvard Online program. Click here to apply for these discounts.

Gather your team to experience Data Science Principles and other Harvard Online courses to enjoy the benefits of learning together: 

• Single invoicing for groups of 10 or more
• Tiered discounts and pricing available with up to 50% off
• Growth reports on your team's progress
• Flexible course and partnership plans 

Learn more and enroll your team ! 

Who Will Benefit

Students and Recent Graduates

Prepare for your career by building a foundation of the essential concepts, vocabulary, skills, and intuition necessary for business.

Early- and Mid-Career Professionals

Recognize how data is changing industries and think critically about how to develop a data-driven mindset to prepare you for your next opportunity.

Marketing and Project Management Professionals

Learn how data science techniques can be essential to your industry and how to contribute to cross-functional, data-oriented discussions.

Learner Testimonials

"This is a topic that people in any industry should have at least basic knowledge of in order to create more efficient and competitive businesses, tools, and resources."

Carlos E. Sapene CEO, Chief Strategy Officer

"I found value in the real-world examples in Data Science Principles. With complicated topics and new terms, it's especially beneficial for learnings to be able to tie back new or abstract concepts to ideas that we understand. This course helped me understand data in this context and what algorithms are actually trying to solve."

Alejandro D. Financial Services Analyst

"Data Science Principles applies to many aspects of our daily lives. The course helps guide people in everyday life through decision making and process thinking."

Jared D. Senior Director of Sales

"The way this complicated topic was presented and the reflection it caused was impressive. I enjoyed the way I could dive into a whole new world of expertise in such an engaging way with all these various tools such as videos, peer discussions, polls, and quizzes."

Sonja Schwetje Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, ntv

Data Science Principles makes the fundamental topics in data science approachable and relevant by using real-world examples and prompts learners to think critically about applying these new understandings to their own workplace. Get an overview of data science with a nearly code- and math-free introduction to prediction, causality, visualization, data wrangling, privacy, and ethics.

Download Full Syllabus

• Study a flu detection case study alongside Professor Dustin Tingley and Mauricio Santillana , Assistant Professor at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
• Explain why data collection is important.
• Identify factors that may affect data quality.
• Recognize that not all data is numerical.
• Explain how the organization of data can affect the information you are able to extract from it.
• Study a predicting sepsis case alongside Craig Umscheid , Vice President and Chief Quality and Innovation Office, University of Chicago Medicine.
• Understand the basic structure of a predictive algorithm.
• Identify where human decisions shape predictive systems.
• Evaluate the success of a predictive system.  
• Study The Google Tax Case. 
• Explain why it is important to establish causal relationships.
• Identify barriers to establishing causal relationships in a variety of settings.
• Identify why randomization can help establish a causal relationship but also create other problems.  
• Explore a privacy and facial recognition case study with Latanya Sweeney , Professor of the Practice of Government and Technology at the Harvard Kennedy School and Sciences, director and founder of the Public Interest Tech Lab , and director and founder of the Data Privacy Lab .
• Explain why data privacy is important.
• Describe what can constitute a violation of privacy.
• Critique existing privacy policies.
• Create a set of ethical tenets to guide data work at their own organizations.  
• Study the Burning Glass and Text Data case.
• Identify sources of non-numerical data.
• Explain why it would be useful to use non-numerical data.
• Describe the differences in approach for supervised and unsupervised learning.
• Identify use cases for neural networks.  
• Explore a case study on reducing food waste with Shelf Engine.
• Describe some algorithms commonly used in data science.
• Understand basic workhorse algorithms in data science such as regression.
• Explain why and how such tools are made substantially more complex.
• Explain the crucial role humans have in overseeing and maintaining algorithms.
• Explain some of the trade-offs between more sophisticated algorithms, including the costs of running and evaluating their success.
• Learn about the Harvard Link case study.
• Explain the importance of data transformation and wrangling.
• List the common technologies used within data science ecosystems.
• Describe the connection between data science tasks, software tools, and hardware tools.
• Identify potential sources of bottlenecks in the data science process.  
• Work on a health care prioritization case study.
• Recognize a problem that an algorithm might be able to solve.
• Recognize the challenges created by using data science tools in ways outside their intended use.
• Identify steps within the data science process that need auditing.  

Earn Your Certificate

Enroll today in Harvard Online's Data Science Principles course.

Still Have Questions?

Are there discounts available for this course? What are the learning requirements? How do I list my certificate on my resume? Learn the answers to these and more in our FAQs.

Explore and connect to our courses via articles, webinars, and more.

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How can data science benefit your business decisions? By combining knowledge and analysis of data with business acumen, modern companies can become experts in data science execution.

Building Data Science into your Strategy

Watch a webinar about how to rethink your business strategy for data-driven decisions.

Professor Dustin Tingley Explains How Data Science Is For Everyone

We spoke with Professor Tingley to discuss his mixed career path, his upcoming book, and his data-driven outlook on the future of technology and our world.

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