Right now, it doesn’t matter if your ideas are not feasible or even downright silly — your desire to outlaw homework on weekends, for instance — just put them down on paper. Then, start to whittle down your list to about three to five key points of emphasis — adding healthy food options at lunch, expanding a tutoring program, or working to reduce bullying, perhaps — and think about how they connect to your overall plan as a candidate.
Slogans don’t just fit nicely on campaign signs, they provide a quick glimpse of your personality and your plans. They can be lighthearted (“The Right Manuel for the Job”) or serious (“Your Voice for Change”), focused on one issue (“Save the Spring Formal”) or aimed more broadly (“Let’s Fly Higher Together”). The slogan should suit you, make people think of you when they hear or see it, and give them an idea of how you’ll serve their interests. When writing a slogan, avoid negative language. The best slogans are positive and forward-thinking.
First things first, find out how much time you have to give your speech. School election speeches are often limited to only 1-2 minutes, which is only about 150-250 words. [4] X Research source If so, you need to be laser-focused on what you want to say and how you want to say it. You may have to further cut down your campaign ideas to two or three, or maybe even just one for the speech. Even if you don’t have a short time limit, people rarely complain that speeches are too short. Don’t waste time on unreasonable promises, unnecessary details, or anything else that detracts from the directness of your message. Establish the need you see, what you believe can be done to address it, and why you are the person to do it. [5] X Research source
You might just assume that the popular kids win all the school elections, but often it is the person who seems most genuinely interested in doing the job who earns the most votes. It is easier to express that enthusiasm when being true to who you are.
Your English teacher won’t be grading your speech text, so utilize a more conversational tone and worry less about grammar rules. Use short sentences and even sentence fragments to keep your message fresh and clear throughout the speech. [6] X Research source You need to build a rapport, a sense of connection, with the audience very quickly and hold it throughout the speech. Slogans and simply-stated goals suit this need, and so too does a speech that doesn’t lose the audience along the way with long or complicated sentences, jargon, or unnecessary asides.
Give a few details about why you’re the right person for the position. This doesn’t have to be your whole resume, but a solid detail or two about your past responsibilities or personal traits will help you “sell” yourself as the right candidate. [8] X Research source Plant your slogan in this introduction. Make them associate that phrase with you and the plans you are about to lay out in the body of the speech. Something as simple as “Hi. I’m Jane Thomas, and I want to be your class president because I am dedicated to ‘Making Butler High Better Together’” can work. Or, if better suited to your personality: “Some people say that Leon Lawson is too wild and not serious enough to be vice-president. Well, I am Leon Lawson, and I say that I’m ‘Seriously Wild’ about shaking things up in our student government. ”
This is one of your chances to build a rapport with your audience. You want them to feel like all of you are on the same page, facing the same issues, and seeking solutions together. For instance: “Bullying is an epidemic at Adams High School. Odds are that you have been bullied, seen someone being bullied, or even been a bully yourself. We can all do better. ” When stating the issue, avoid mudslinging or negative comments aimed at a particular person or group. Even when you’re talking about something you want to change, keep your comments framed positively. This will reflect well on your candidacy and encourage others to see you as someone dedicated to fixing issues, not blaming others for them.
If you’re running for re-election or have held a different office, talk about a few things you have done and a few you will do. Make it clear how they all link together. For example, “As my time as President of Spanish Club shows, I can manage a team of people to achieve common goals. I will use this experience in pursuing change at our school. " Make your actions sound active. Use active verbs to describe what you have done/will do. Some examples include: “pursue,” “follow,” “take up,” “initiate,” “present,” “represent,” “create,” “build,” and “lead. ”[11] X Research source
Go back to your slogan somewhere in the brief conclusion. Such repetition can help tie everything together. For example: “We all know that there are too many cliques and factions that divide us as students here at West Branch High. This Friday, please consider voting for me, Ben Davis, for student council. I’ll make it my number one job to bring all West Branch Eagles together so we can ‘Fly High as One. ’”
Consider, perhaps, a simple sentence near the end along the lines of: “I have several additional ideas for ways to bring back more Tiger pride to our school, and I would love to hear your ideas as well. ”
Practice in front of a mirror, in front of your cat, and in front of anyone who will listen. Record yourself and play it back to get a better sense of your tone and pace. If permitted, practice giving the speech in the location where you will present the real one. Get a feel for the room and the podium so you’ll be that much more comfortable come speech day.
Practice your speech often enough that you only need to have some notes for reference. Look down only occasionally, as needed, and practice looking around the room. You don’t necessarily have to make direct eye contact with anyone, just make it seem as though you are. You also, however, don’t want to sound as though you have simply memorized every word of your speech and are now regurgitating it. You want to know the speech, not just the words, so that you can seamlessly adjust to a misstated phrase or an unexpected opportunity during the speech.
You want to be “real,” to look and act like the fellow student the audience knows — maybe just an extra-polished, comfortable, and confident version of your “real” self.
Rely on whatever relaxation techniques work for you to get ready for your performance. If that means employing the old trick of imagining the audience naked, go for it — maybe just watch who you tell about having used it!
