How many words should there be in a five minute speech?

I have to give a 5 minute speech

Could you tell me how many words I should have in the speech?

As a rule of thumb if you allow up to 150 words per minute you shouldn't go too far wrong.

Don't be afraid of slowing down the delivery. The use of pauses can often be very powerful

[PCarahan]

That is true, pauses add a very dramatic effect to your audience! This will keep the audience attention on you! Remember to keep good eye contact throughout your whole presentation.

How many pages would a standard 5 minute speech be?

I know this is a but late and will probly never get read by anyone but it's more like 180wpm without pauses.

[Danmans]

Basically, the average length is about 100-120 per min. If your a fast talker, try to slow it down a bit so you don't lose your audience. If your slow, try to be eloquent and enthusiastic. That's always a good attention-getter

[neto]

Maybe you should try anywhere from 400-450 words or 8-9 paragrahs. I think that that will last all of your 5 minutes.

Originally Posted by neto

Maybe you should try anywhere from 400-450 words or 8-9 paragrahs. I think that that will last all of your 5 minutes.

[b]noo i belive it is 550-600 words

FOR 5 MIN,I have done a 5 min speech it should be about 2 pages long.

I've done a 5 minute speech with a wall of text of 1.5 pages.
However I recently did a 45 minute speech with 3 pages of dot points :S
It varies

it depends on the person

I don't think we should set the number of pages or even number of words a five minutes speech should contain.

Know your audience. Know your material. Write it down. Even if its 10 pages (the fonts maybe size 38 or something) so be it. You will know it is too long once you have practiced out loud.

[quote=Tim]I have to give a 5 minute speech

Could you tell me how many words I should have in the speech cause im doing it for school

[sarah liddle]

I wouldnt be focusing so much on the amount of words but the amount of points that you want to put accross.
In five minutes you should be able to get accross 2 points (3 max) for the audience.

Its all about the audience remember, words are insignificant. It is how you use and deliver those words that make the difference between good and GREAT!




Good luck,
Sarah

i was told by a lecturer it was around the high 80's

I only see a few semi-correct answers. If you are focused on "writing" a speech, then go ahead and worry about the amount of words. If you are truly focused on "giving" a speech then you really shouldn't write a full speech. If you are, you write it, then read it. Check the time. Then outline it. Then practice giving it with the outline 2-3 times. Then you break the outline down to index cards, but only as little as you need. Usually a key word to help remember the introduction, all the points you are making, and then the conclusion is the simplest way to go. Try presenting a speech which you hold passion for. Time will go much more smoothly. ....To whoever said pause alot it ..and so on......That is absurd. The only time you should pause is when it is calculated. To cause dramatization of your point or to lead someone along in anticipation but not for stalling!

[SimonR]

Nothing personal, but why do you have to give a five minute speech.....? That's a silly, artificial cut-off. In the real world your presentations and speeches should be as long as is absolutley necessary and not a second longer.

And what's absolutely necessary is usually not as long as people think it is, either!

S

i think there is 750 words in a 5 minute speech!!!

i also doing a 5 min speech for school and mines 2 pgs font 12. and that lasted a bit over 5 mins speaking at around 180 wpm

I hate when teachers tell you it has to be like 2 pages no more will be accpeted size 12 font double spaced, its like why

i have to make a 5-min speech, and i dont know what to talk about. I want a title that will be interesting for the audience. what should i pick?

In answer to the person who asked WHY someone has to give a five minute speech and claims it is unnatural, I don't think it is. I have been asked to do a presentation as part of an interview and have been told it has to be five minutes long.

If I was making a speech at a wedding or a conference then obviously I would just speak for however long it takes to get my points across best, but interviews and academic settings often create these rigid tasks.

[remembrancebook]

I agree with the Toast Masters Reply. You shouldn't be reading a speech.
Sort out what you want to say, get a beginning, middle and end.
Practice it until you know it by heart.
Keep practicing it until you are passionate about what you're saying.
Then time yourself (if you must)
Alter it by cutting things out or add things until it's the right length.
Keep practicing.
Throw your notes away (or keep the briefest of notes on a card).
On the day, you will know your subject, you will know how long your talk will last, you will be passionate about what you're saying, and it'll go fine.

Good luck

[ArchitectLINK]

As someone who speaks a lot to varied audiences, I was asked today to give a 4 minute speech on a new topic. I also attend a LOT of dinners where speakers go on and on and on until everyone is about to scream.

The reason for this particular timeframe, is because 10 OTHER people were also asked to speak in a given time frame, and it is unfair to the audience and to the other speakers if someone rambles on and on for twice their time...

So, these are great questions and great answers for those of us who are mathematically inclined to frame our topic first and see if we have enough material or too much material to cover in the timeframe given.

I am planning on writing an outline and also a speech that is 480-720 minutes and practicing it several times so that I don't bore my audience and so that I can use my 480 MINUTES as wisely as possible. After all, I want to be a good speaker cognizant of my audiences time.

Yea Words In A Speeeech Yaaaaaaaay!!!
Go For It Man A Five Minute Speech??!!?
Sock It To 'em Knock 'em Dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Imagine Everyone In Their Underwear!!!
Say 600 Words 600 Words 600 Words!!!!

Goooooood Luuuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 minutes speech topics??

something interesting

[SimonR]

Unlike your post you mean!?!?!

To the person who said you should really get into the speech:

For those of us who loathe public speaking, I don't think getting into the speech is likely to happen. I just want to get it over and done with. I hate getting low marks as I have high standards for myself, but when oral presentations are concerned I stop caring so much and just want it to be over.

AND, it is just a school assignment..

For the speech topic:
I did a presentation on the history of the sponge once.. that was fun