speech planning worksheet

• Games, topic printables & more
• The 4 main speech types
• Example speeches
• Commemorative
• Declamation
• Demonstration
• Informative
• Introduction
• Student Council
• Speech topics
• Poems to read aloud
• How to write a speech
• Using props/visual aids
• Acute anxiety help
• Breathing exercises
• Letting go - free e-course
• Using self-hypnosis
• Delivery overview
• 4 modes of delivery
• How to make cue cards
• How to read a speech
• 9 vocal aspects
• Vocal variety
• Diction/articulation
• Pronunciation
• Speaking rate
• How to use pauses
• Eye contact
• Body language
• Voice image
• Voice health
• Public speaking activities and games
• Blogging Aloud
• About me/contact
• How to plan a speech

Planning your speech

- a complete, unabridged guide with multiple examples to help plan a successful speech ☺.

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 06-05-2023

Planning your speech is where your success begins. I do not jest! 

In your imagination you may hear yourself being stunning, the audience clapping wildly  as they rise to their feet to give you a standing ovation.

You may see yourself being deluged in red roses and offered several speaking contracts. Obviously, they are all lucrative but you choose the one with optional extras: an extended holiday in the South of France …

But first you have to begin at the beginning: planning your speech. Without a plan you are whistling in the wind, dreaming.

What's on this page:

How to plan a speech step by step:

• gathering the information to write your speech
• brainstorming : what is a brainstorm, examples of brainstorms, getting started, with full step by step explanations and examples
• how to shape material to fit an audience, the speech setting, and time allocation
• an example speech outline
• how and why to research
• how to meet varying learning style needs: visual, auditory, and  kinesthetic
• links to other useful pages: how to rehearse, make cue-cards...

Planning your speech from the start

A note about these notes.

These notes are general guidelines for ALL types of speeches. I know they are long.

(Actually that's an understatement! They are very long.)

I also know if you take the time to go through them they'll give you a solid introduction to thorough speech preparation.

They cover the basics of good presentation planning, research, writing and rehearsal: aspects you’ll want to consider regardless of the type of speech you’re giving.

Gathering your information

Once you have information about:

• WHY you are going to speak (the purpose of your speech),
• WHO you are going to speak to (your audience),
• WHAT your general or specific subject matter is,
• HOW long the speech is to be,
• and WHERE it is...,

you are ready to make a rough or draft outline.

This will be your guide for writing.

You may alter the outline as you go along, as better or different ideas occur to you and that’s OK. It shows you’re flexible and thinking but before we can change anything we have to have something to start with.

To get to the outline stage in the speech planning process we first need to collect up all the "why", "who", "what", "when", "how", and "where" information needed. And that begins with a brainstorm * .

* What is a brainstorm?

A brainstorm is the name given to a commonly used, and effective, technique for generating lots of ideas on a topic, or theme, fast.

Using a heading as a prompt to get you thinking, you quickly note everything you can think of relating to it. You do not edit yourself.  You simply let the ideas flow until you can think of no more, making no judgements about whether it's a good idea, a silly idea, or a right or wrong one.

Ultimately, some will be more useful than others. You will sort through and order them later. However, the first step in the brainstorming process, is to accept everything you think of without hesitation. Stopping to decide what's OK and what's not breaks the flow.

If you'd like to see what a completed brainstorm looks like I have examples of them on my site. You'll see they provided the ideas that were then used to write the example speeches.

• one for a maid of honor speech
• one for a 50th wedding anniversary speech
• and another for a farewell speech for a colleague

Return to Top

Brainstorm to begin planning your speech

The brainstorm you are going to do is about making sure you thoroughly understand everything you possibly can about the speech you intend to give.

On a large piece of paper or in a word document write these headings with enough space between them for notes.   

WHY are you giving this speech?

What is the purpose of the speech? Do you intend to inspire? To motivate? To entertain? To inform? Or perhaps you want to combine several, like to inform, motivate and inspire?

Knowing what you want your audience to think, feel and do as a result of listening to your speech is the WHY underpinning your presentation. It will help guide what content you use and how you structure it.

WHO is your audience?

Write down as much as you know about the audience.

This will give you ideas about what they will want to hear and be interested in. It will also be your guide when it comes to shaping your material. (More about this later!)

For now, make notes covering:

• the number of people expected to be in your audience,
• their age group,
• ethnicity, if appropriate,
• and the common, or uniting factors they share,
• and specific interests they may have.

Why is knowing who you're talking to vital?

Find out more about why being in harmony with your audience is so important. Check out building rapport.

Examples of WHY, WHO, WHAT...brainstorm notes 

Meet Martha Brown. She's fictional. I've made her, and the presentation she's preparing for up, to show you how the brainstorming part of the planning process works.

Martha's been asked to give a motivational speech to a group of women whose background is similar to her own. She, too, came from a family who struggled financially.

Today she is one of the few amongst her relatives who has maintained a marriage, raised children and has a successful business. Her small catering firm specializes in delivering beautifully presented gourmet meals and finger food on demand.

The organizer of the event wants her to share her life story as a guide or inspiration.

Martha is conscious of her good fortune but also knows the starting point, or the seed, lay within her. She desired the change of circumstances so much she enabled them to happen.

WHY is Martha giving this presentation?

What's the principal purpose behind Martha's speech? What does she want her audience to think, feel or do as a result of listening to her? 

Let's put ourselves in her shoes.

She wants to:

• motivate and inspire her audience
• give them hope 
• show them there is a way out of the circumstances they find themselves in

WHO is Martha's audience?

These are Martha's notes covering the key points about her audience.

• Approximately 25 people ( number )
• Mostly mid to late 30s (age)
• All women (gender)
• Mixed ethnic background but all speak English (ethnicity)
• City dwellers (uniting factor)
• Mostly work inside the home (uniting factor)
• Many have children (uniting factor)
• Interested in achieving work/life balance for themselves and their families and in particular a better financial situation (interest/uniting factor)
• All belong to the same church group (uniting factor)

WHAT are you going to talk about?

Write down the title and/or type of speech you have been asked to prepare. Now using your notes from the WHO section of your brainstorm, begin another set.

This time you are looking to see how WHAT you're going to talk about can be specifically shaped to meet and serve the interests of your audience.

Let's look at an example of WHAT

How does martha shape her life story to fit her audience.

She doesn't want to overwhelm them with information so they can’t think straight or digest it. That will turn them off.

They will think it’s too difficult and beyond them. They may listen, be interested, but they won’t  identify  with it.

She wants them to feel they can take from her experience and use it to enrich their own lives.

Her notes for WHAT may look like this:

• S peech Title How to win a future for your family when the kids need feeding and the bills want paying.
• Content - main points
• I am like you – I get too busy to plan ahead, I have a tendency to deal with what or whoever squeals loudest, I get tired …
• Before and after – life before I made the decision to start my own business – life after I made the decision. Comparisons – several examples.
• The hardest part of making the decision and acting on it was … Examples.
• The best part of making the decision … Examples. People who inspired me to act.
• What I’ve learned in the process about my family, others and myself … Examples.
• How I keep myself inspired … goal setting, listening and learning from others
• The future – a possible way forward for you, the women in the audience listening.

It’s not a speech yet but you can see the beginnings of its shape and how she’s used her knowledge of the audience to ensure giving them something they’ll enjoy listening to and identify with.

How? (How long will I speak for? How will I deliver my speech?)

There are two important 'hows' to consider.

1. How long have I got to speak?

The first is HOW long have I got to speak.

The time allocation you have been given will determine what you put into your speech and what you will leave out.

If you have a relatively short time, 3-5 minutes, you will need to either focus on one major topic with examples to illustrate or settle for covering a maximum of three lightly.

The purpose of your speech and your audience will help you make the most relevant choice. A longer time gives you more freedom to develop several ideas/themes fully.

2. How will I deliver my presentation?

The second 'how' relates to the method of presentation. HOW will you deliver this speech?

For example:

• Will this be a speech told with humor?
• Will you have a 'show and tell'? (This is when you take objects relevant to your speech to illustrate your points. It could be photographs or other items if they are suitable to transport.)
• Could you give a demonstration?

Shaping delivery to meet different learning styles

When you consider this 'how' bear in mind the different needs of your audience. Most people have a preferred mode for receiving information. That is their learning style.

Some people understand well through listening. They are called 'auditory'.

Some people get most of their understanding through looking. They are called 'visual'.

Others receive and understand information best when they can touch, feel or do what is being explained to them. These are the 'kinesthetics'.

Most of us have a preference for one or two modes. For instance, I am 'auditory' and 'visual'. I want to hear and see.  

A considerate speaker tries to include all three modes (learning styles) in their speech.

(For more on catering for learning styles with examples see the foot of the page.)

Delivery and time are yoked together

How you to choose to deliver your presentation is governed by the time you have available. If it is short, you may have to leave out a 'show and tell' or a demonstration but you will always be able to include something to meet all three modes satisfactorily.

'HOW' example from Martha's brainstorm notes 

Let’s return to Martha’s Notes to see what she does with the 'how' segment of her brainstorm.

How long? Time available = 10 minutes. (Maybe a little more but that depends on the rest of the agenda of the meeting and how well it flows. Could be some space for questions from the audience and answer.)

How to present? Definitely with humor! Also take some fliers, business cards and samples of finger food along. These can be available for people to pick up at the end of the presentation.

WHEN will this speech be given?

WHEN has two aspects you'll want to take into consideration.

The first is the actual date you have to have it ready for delivery. That lets you know how much time you have for preparation. Is it three weeks, six weeks, or two days?

You'll use that information to plan your workflow. For example, allocating yourself one week to get your preliminary outline and any research required, completed.   

The second aspect is the actual time of day and season you deliver a speech. This can have an impact on what you do and say.

For example: You can use an early bird start in the middle of winter on a wet Monday morning effectively by acknowledging the efforts people have made to be there, and by making sure the heaters are on and there's hot coffee available.

Finding ways of tying in what is happening in the 'here and now' is a good way to connect with your audience.

A word of warning : Be conscious about presenting difficult or challenging material when people are either both tired and hungry (just before lunch or dinner) or when they’ve just eaten! Concentration spans are not at their best in either situation. If possible save this type of content for a mid-morning or afternoon slot.

Martha’s Notes, WHEN:  2.45pm, Wednesday, 2nd August – Summer heat

WHERE will this presentation take place?

The environment/room/space you are to speak can play a big role in shaping the final presentation of your speech.

Points to consider are:

• Where will I be in relation to the audience?
• Will they see me easily?
• Will they hear me easily?
• Do I need a microphone?
• Is there a place to put notes if I’m using them?
• Where can I set up my samples for people to take them easily?
• Are there power points if I want to use any electronic devices?
• Do I have to provide everything I want to use (e.g.: computer, screen, leads…)?

Many fully prepared, beautifully rehearsed speeches fail because insufficient thought has gone into where they are to take place.

It’s no fun when people can neither see nor hear you or the carefully thought through demonstration is stymied through lack of an electric socket in the right place!

Martha’s Notes, WHERE: Church meeting room. It can seat everybody comfortably and there’s room for a table to put out a display of fliers and trays of food, paper napkins etc. Arrange the chairs in a horseshoe or semi-circle so everybody can see clearly.

Pulling the brainstorm notes together in an outline

Once you've worked your way through making notes under your WHY, WHO, WHAT, HOW, WHEN, and WHERE headings, you're ready for the next step.

That's picking and choosing, then re-ordering and re-writing the material you've taken from the WHAT and HOW segments of your brainstorm until you're satisfied it flows well and meets your speech purpose.

After you’ve completed outlining your speech, you’ll be ready to do any extra research required, and then you’re on to the task of writing your speech.

Martha's completed outline

Here's Martha’s Finished Outline as an example. 

Speech length : 15 minutes with extra time for a 'Question and Answer' session at the end of the presentation.

Speech title : How to win a future for your family when the kids need feeding, and the bills want paying

Introduction (2.5 minutes): Thanks for coming today … Summer heat, we’d all rather be at beach reading a book under a sun umbrella….etc. But I hope I’ve got something for you that’ll more than make up for it. I look around the hall and I see a lot of women just like me: women, who work hard, love their families, etc., … want the best for them.

(Insert anecdotal humor, perhaps a small personal story about credit cards. For instance, the only way I could manage them was to banish them the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet. Or use them to test how sharp my scissors were.)

Main Idea 1 (3 minutes): Introduce business and what it is.

Explain how it functions on a daily basis. Briefly outline long-term goals.

(Quick show-and-tell with flyers and food. Invite people to sample at end and ask questions.)

Main idea 2 (3.5 minutes): My life before the business (tie to women in audience). My life after business started. What I have achieved. The hardest part about starting, staying in business. The best part about starting, staying in business. People who have inspired me.

Main idea 3 (3.5 minutes): What I’ve learned in the process about my family, others and myself … Examples. How I keep myself inspired … goal setting, listening and learning from others

Summary : (2.5 minutes): Very quick round up of principal points. The future – the way forward for you, the women in the audience listening. Invite questions if time. Remind them about the fliers and the food! Thank organizers.

Summary - Core speech planning questions

That’s it! Very short, sweet and simple.

There’s nothing magical about planning your speech. It's just methodical: one-step-after-another. If you find yourself flustered go back to the core brainstorm headings and ask yourself the key questions once more.

• WHY am I giving this presentation? What is my purpose?What do I want my audience to do, think, or feel as a result of having heard me speak?
• WHO is this speech for?
• WHAT am I going to tell them that’s relevant and interesting?
• HOW long is the speech expected to be?
• HOW am I going to present it?
• WHEN is the speech for? (Date, day, time, season)
• WHERE is the speech going to happen? (Hall, outdoors, stadium…)

Write your answers down and let them be your guide.

Remember this is not your finished speech.

It’s your outline * : a map of what you’re going to cover.

Don’t spend too much time trying to get it perfect. You’ll want that energy for researching, writing and rehearsing!

And guess what is coming up next?

* If you'd like more about outlining a speech, including a printable outline template to use, go to sample speech outline .

Getting from planning to delivery

Here are links to articles on:

• how to research your speech . The reasons for research are discussed under the heading below -"When and What to Research"
• how to write your speech
• how to prepare and use cue cards. The benefits of using cue cards over reading from a word-for-word script are enormous. Because you are freed from having to focus on your notes you can interact with your audience directly. Your speech becomes more spontaneous and "in-the-moment".
• how to use story telling to enrich your speech . Do consider weaving your personal stories into your speech. They add tremendous audience appeal. 
• how to use props. If you're planning a "show and tell" type speech, this page is essential reading.
• how to rehearse. Rehearsal will lift your speech from ordinary to extraordinary. You'll find out privately where the glitches are, rather than publicly. It gives you an opportunity to refine your delivery.  I think it's absolutely essential!  

When and what to research

If you already know your subject thoroughly, inside out, back to front and sideways, there will be no need to research and you can skip this part of planning your speech.

BUT if you don’t, the outline should point up the gaps needing to be filled with specific information.

In our example it there seems little need for Martha to do any further research, as this speech is her personal story.

However, there are a number of ways she could strengthen her speech and add real benefits for her audience.

For example: she could bring along fliers from local training institutions providing courses especially geared for women setting up business on their own or she could provide a list of business women in the community willing to mentor and advise women in start-ups. A reading list would be helpful, as would a resource list.

All of these ideas need researching before presenting.

Careful research adds authority to your work. It shows care, thought and dedication to getting it right. Your audience will appreciate and respect you for it.

NB. If you are presenting material as fact rather than as opinion, check it! Make sure you know rather than think you know. If you can’t find out, then say so.

PS. Remember those modes or preferred learning styles?

Did you pick how Martha planned to meet each of them in her outline?

For the 'auditory' learners she would tell her story using her voice in a lively, interesting-to-listen-to way! Nothing turns an auditory focused person's ears off faster than a monotone drawl.

For the 'visual' people, she would provide fliers and food to see. Plus her appearance and body language would 'say' to them, this is a vibrant, purpose-filled person who loves what she does.

And lastly, she would use 'word pictures' to illustrate the points she made in her speech. The 'visual' would literally 'see' where she was coming from by using their imagination to recreate her images in their own minds!

For the 'kinesthetics', Martha planned to actively tell her story. She would use vivid 'action' words describing how she did things.

Example: ' I started a business.'  is bland. It doesn't communicate any of the effort or feelings involved.

By contrast: ' I started my own business. What a journey! I know you've watched your children learning to walk. Well, that was me! I fell. I skinned my knees and bruised myself. I got up, took two steps and crashed again...'

You get the idea. This is action, living and real.

The 'kinesthetic' folk will appreciate and know what she is talking about.

Additionally, Martha's fliers and food will appeal too. They can hold them, actively read the fliers and taste the food.

Lastly, they will be aware of what Martha does while she's talking to them. Is she conveying energy, excitement and action in her body language? If so, she'll have them with her!

• Return to the top of planning your speech page  

speaking out loud 

Subscribe for  FREE weekly alerts about what's new For more see  speaking out loud  

Top 10 popular pages

• Welcome speech
• Demonstration speech topics
• Impromptu speech topic cards
• Thank you quotes
• Impromptu public speaking topics
• Farewell speeches
• Phrases for welcome speeches
• Student council speeches
• Free sample eulogies

From fear to fun in 28 ways

A complete one stop resource to scuttle fear in the best of all possible ways - with laughter.

Free Downloads Speech Therapy Activities

Teaching Talking Blog - Speech Therapy Articles

Easter Story Vocabulary Activities

Free boom cards - articulation activities for /g/, free boom cards - following directions, free boom cards - understanding regular plurals, free articulation activity for r - notebook template, divider tabs for language notebooks freebie, articulation notebooks divider tabs, thanksgiving vocabulary cards freebie, language activities for notebooks free sample, binder covers & spines freebie, free preschool speech and language activities for home programs (summer verbs), free speech and language homework for preschool.

Join Pilot Waitlist

Home » Blog » General » Practical Speech Worksheets: Engaging Activities for Effective Communication

Practical Speech Worksheets: Engaging Activities for Effective Communication

Effective communication is a vital skill that plays a significant role in our personal and professional lives. It allows us to express our thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and to connect with others on a deeper level. However, for some individuals, communication can be challenging due to various factors such as speech disorders, language difficulties, or social communication deficits.

Speech worksheets are valuable tools that can help individuals develop and enhance their communication skills. These worksheets provide structured activities and exercises that target specific areas of communication, such as articulation, language, fluency, and pragmatics. By engaging in these activities, individuals can improve their speech and language abilities, boost their confidence, and foster meaningful connections with others.

Understanding Speech Worksheets

Speech worksheets are designed to facilitate the development of effective communication skills. They provide a structured framework for individuals to practice and refine their speech and language abilities. These worksheets can be used by speech language pathologists, educators, parents, and individuals themselves to support the learning and acquisition of communication skills.

Using speech worksheets offers several benefits for effective communication. Firstly, they provide a clear focus and direction for practice, allowing individuals to target specific areas of communication that need improvement. Secondly, these worksheets offer a variety of exercises and activities that cater to different learning styles and preferences, making the learning process engaging and enjoyable. Lastly, speech worksheets support social emotional learning by promoting self-awareness, self-regulation, and social interaction.

Types of Speech Worksheets

Speech worksheets can be categorized into different types based on the specific area of communication they target. Let’s explore some of these types:

Articulation Worksheets

Articulation worksheets focus on improving speech sounds and pronunciation. They provide exercises and drills that help individuals produce specific speech sounds correctly. These worksheets may include activities such as identifying target sounds, practicing sound production in isolation, and using the target sounds in words, phrases, and sentences.

For example, a speech worksheet for the /r/ sound may include words like “rabbit,” “carrot,” and “red” for practice. By repeating these words and practicing the correct production of the /r/ sound, individuals can gradually improve their articulation skills.

Language Worksheets

Language worksheets aim to enhance vocabulary, sentence construction, and narrative development. These worksheets may include activities such as matching words with their definitions, creating sentences using given words, and developing storytelling skills.

For instance, a language worksheet may provide a list of words and ask individuals to create sentences using those words. This activity not only improves sentence construction but also encourages individuals to expand their vocabulary and express their thoughts more effectively.

Fluency Worksheets

Fluency worksheets focus on improving smooth and fluent speech. These worksheets may include exercises that target stuttering modification techniques, breathing techniques for smooth speech, and desensitization activities to reduce anxiety related to speaking.

One example of a fluency worksheet is a breathing exercise where individuals are guided to take deep breaths before speaking. This exercise helps individuals regulate their breathing and promotes a more relaxed and fluent speech pattern.

Pragmatic Worksheets

Pragmatic worksheets aim to develop social communication skills and nonverbal communication abilities. These worksheets may include activities that focus on social skills development, conversational turn-taking, and understanding nonverbal cues.

For example, a pragmatic worksheet may provide scenarios and ask individuals to identify appropriate social responses. This activity helps individuals develop their understanding of social norms and improve their ability to navigate social interactions effectively.

Tips for Engaging Activities

Engaging activities are essential for effective learning and practice. Here are some tips to make speech worksheets more engaging:

• Incorporate play and creativity into the activities. For example, turn articulation practice into a game by using colorful pictures and encouraging individuals to create stories using the target sounds.
• Utilize technology and interactive resources. There are various speech therapy apps and online platforms that offer interactive speech worksheets and games.
• Tailor activities to individual interests and preferences. Consider the individual’s hobbies, favorite characters, or topics of interest when designing speech worksheets. This personalization enhances motivation and engagement.

Implementing Speech Worksheets

To make the most of speech worksheets, it is important to implement them effectively. Here are some tips:

• Set clear goals and track progress. Identify specific communication targets and regularly assess progress to stay motivated and focused.
• Establish a consistent practice routine. Dedicate regular time for speech worksheet activities to ensure consistent practice and skill development.
• Seek guidance from a speech language pathologist. A professional can provide personalized guidance, monitor progress, and offer additional resources and strategies.

Speech worksheets are valuable tools for developing effective communication skills. By engaging in targeted activities and exercises, individuals can improve their articulation, language, fluency, and pragmatic abilities. These worksheets offer structured practice, promote engagement and creativity, and support social emotional learning.

Exploring and utilizing speech worksheets can lead to personal growth, improved communication skills, and enhanced social interactions. Start your journey towards effective communication by incorporating speech worksheets into your practice routine.

Stay tuned for future blog posts on social emotional learning and speech therapy, where we will delve deeper into various aspects of communication and personal development.

Start your EverydaySpeech Free trial today and discover the benefits of using speech worksheets for effective communication.

Related Blog Posts:

Pragmatic language: enhancing social skills for meaningful interactions.

Pragmatic Language: Enhancing Social Skills for Meaningful Interactions Pragmatic Language: Enhancing Social Skills for Meaningful Interactions Introduction: Social skills play a crucial role in our daily interactions. They enable us to navigate social situations,...

Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12

Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12 Key Takeaways Strong social communication skills are crucial for academic success and building meaningful relationships in Grade 12. Social communication includes verbal and non-verbal communication,...

Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12 Preparing for Success: Enhancing Social Communication in Grade 12 As students enter Grade 12, they are on the cusp of adulthood and preparing for the next chapter of their lives. While academic success...

FREE MATERIALS

Better doesn’t have to be harder, social skills lessons students actually enjoy.

Be the best educator you can be with no extra prep time needed. Sign up to get access to free samples from the best Social Skills and Social-Emotional educational platform.

Get Started Instantly for Free

Complete guided therapy.

The subscription associated with this email has been cancelled and is no longer active. To reactivate your subscription, please log in.

If you would like to make changes to your account, please log in using the button below and navigate to the settings page. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it using the button below.

Unfortunately it looks like we’re not able to create your subscription at this time. Please contact support to have the issue resolved. We apologize for the inconvenience. Error: Web signup - customer email already exists

Welcome back! The subscription associated with this email was previously cancelled, but don’t fret! We make it easy to reactivate your subscription and pick up right where you left off. Note that subscription reactivations aren't eligible for free trials, but your purchase is protected by a 30 day money back guarantee. Let us know anytime within 30 days if you aren’t satisfied and we'll send you a full refund, no questions asked. Please press ‘Continue’ to enter your payment details and reactivate your subscription

Notice About Our SEL Curriculum

Our SEL Curriculum is currently in a soft product launch stage and is only available by Site License. A Site License is currently defined as a school-building minimum or a minimum cost of $3,000 for the first year of use. Individual SEL Curriculum licenses are not currently available based on the current version of this product.

By clicking continue below, you understand that access to our SEL curriculum is currently limited to the terms above.

Goal-Setting: 20 Templates & Worksheets for Achieving Goals

We wish to become a painter, to move to a new house, to write a book, to eat healthily, to exercise more, to become less anxious, and to run a marathon.

The list is endless, if ill defined. And yet, how much do we really want each one?

If something is vital to us, we need to make plans.

So, how do we do this?

Goal setting is widely accepted as the most effective way to focus our attention on the right activities, energize us, and increase our commitment (Sheard, 2013).

And yet, unless the goal is well formulated, the strategy appropriate, and the actions directed, it will lack purpose, relevance, direction, and accountability (Ogbeiwi, 2017).

Thankfully, this is an area that has received considerable scientific attention.

Goals are most effective when we use well-formulated frameworks that provide a logical, reliable platform to plan and monitor their completion.

Use the techniques and tools that follow to inspire you and find out what you want to achieve, why, and how you are going to do it.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients create actionable goals and master techniques to create lasting behavior change.

This Article Contains:

3 ways to set achievable goals, our 5 favorite goal-setting worksheets, what are smart goals a template, goal-setting tools for therapy and coaching, 2 templates for cbt and dbt, worksheets for teachers and students.

• Goal Planning With Children

2 Templates for Businesses and Employees

Worksheets for achieving life goals, a look at daily and weekly goal planners, a take-home message.

There are many types of goals. But ultimately, all goals boil down to one thing:

We need to move from one state to another, from where we are now to where we want to be.

Firstly, what sort of goal do you want to achieve?

• Outcome goal – I want to be the best at X in the world.
• Performance goal — I want to better at X.
• Process goal — I want to train or practice at doing X.
• Delivery-focused goal — I want to deliver a change, such as a business, technology, or construction project.

The type of goal will influence your approach.

Discomfort zone

Goals should be meaningful. They should challenge us, change us, and sometimes lie in the discomfort zone .

In Your Best Year Ever , Michael Hyatt (2019) outlines four steps (modified below) for defining goals that stretch us and help us overcome our built-in resistance.

• Acknowledge the value of moving outside the comfort zone. Accept that comfort may not lead to growth. Recognize and acknowledge that there is value in discomfort.
• Lean in. Take the opportunity to challenge yourself. This may require a change in mindset.
• Recognize your fear. Own the negative emotions that arise. Decide if the rewards outweigh the fear.
• Don’t overthink it. Avoid ‘paralysis by analysis.’ Sometimes you take the next step even when the end goal remains unclear.

Meaningful goals

Humans have a set of innate psychological needs, one of which is to add meaning to life (Ryan & Deci, 2018).

Does this goal align with your overall life goals?

Use the steps below to focus on becoming more aware of the most meaningful things in your life (modified from Ivtzan, Chan, Gardner, & Prashar, 2011; Ivtzan, 2016):

• Sit comfortably, relax.
• Close your eyes.
• Become aware of your breathing.
• Inhale deeply and slowly.
• Concentrate on each breath; observe it.
• Visualize yourself in the future, living a full and meaningful life.
• Connect fully to the experience.
• Try not to dwell on how you got there.
• Shift attention to your body and feel the sensations that arise.
• Breathe into and explore these sensations; let them spread over your whole body.
• When you open your eyes, you should experience the full effect of the meditation.

As you refine your goals, make sure they continue to align with the picture you have created of a meaningful life.

The more vividly they are captured, the more likely you are to accomplish them.

The GROW model (Goals, Reality, Options, and Way Forward) is a simple but highly effective method for setting goals, recognizing where you are now, and identifying what to do next (Whitmore, 2014).

Complete the four worksheets as follows:

Goal setting

• Establish where you want to be.
• Where do you want to get to, and how will you know when you arrive?
• Complete the Goal Setting Worksheet with your answers.

What is your current reality?

• Where are you right now with this goal?
• What are the issues and challenges?
• How far away are you from your goal?
• Complete the Reality Worksheet with your realistic insights.

What options do you have?

• What are the options for overcoming the obstacles in your way?
• How do you get to where you want to be?
• Complete the Options Worksheet with the options available to you.

What is the way forward?

• What will you do?
• Convert the options into actions.
• Complete the Way Forward Worksheet with your completed plan of action.

The Wheel of Success

What abilities do you have or need to deliver your goals?

The Wheel of Success identifies the skills and abilities that promote your very best performance (Whyte, 2015).

• Identify a list of performance attributes required to perform successfully.
• Assign a score (0–4) to each that truthfully represents where you are now.
• Assign another score (0–4) that identifies how good you believe you need to become.

For example, a runner training for a fast marathon time may have the speed but lack endurance.

By scoring where you are now (blue) and where you want to be (green), it is possible to focus time, energy, and resources, on improving areas where you fall short.

Improving your skills

How do you improve the skills you have identified?

Thankfully, we know the answer.

Research has confirmed that deliberate practice results in expertise.

• The task should be neither too easy nor too hard.
• Ongoing feedback is required to optimize performance.
• There must be an opportunity to repeat the task, correct errors, and improve.

The quality and the form the deliberate practice takes are more important than the number of hours devoted to performing the task (Ericsson, 2007; 2012).

What motivates you?

Identify and connect with the motivation behind each goal.

Intrinsic motivation – being driven by internal rewards – increases engagement and the likelihood that you will reach the goal (Ryan & Deci, 2018).

Michael Hyatt (2019) has the following suggestions:

• Connect with your why; identify your key motivations. Why is this goal important? Write down the reasons, prioritize, and connect with them.
• Master your self-motivation ; identify your reward. Identify and anticipate the reward of completing the goal. Recognize what is personal to you, rather than extrinsic rewards such as financial gain.
• Build your team; identify who can help. Your bonds with friends, family, and colleagues can help fuel success through learning, encouragement, accountability, and competition.

Goals that align with your values – personal growth, contributing to the broader community, etc. – are strong intrinsic motivators and increase vitality.

The flow of success

Are you ready to begin setting clear and defined SMART goals?

Follow the steps in the diagram below (adapted from Whyte, 2015):

If you answer ‘no’ to any of the questions, then you must revise the challenge or the environment before setting the goal.

Once you have answered ‘yes’ to all three questions, you are ready to define the goal to meet the challenge head on.

Goal setting not only helps you to complete the task, but also impacts wellbeing, represents your strive to achieve personal change, and enhances your meaning and purpose in life (Sheard, 2013).

To achieve something big, you need to break it down into a set of smaller, manageable tasks. Each time you complete one, you move nearer to the overall goal.

The widely used SMART, or slightly extended SMART ER , template ensures that each goal or sub-goal is realistic, achievable, and time-bound.

Specific – Goals should be clear and concise.

Measurable – What does success look like? How is it measured?

Achievable – The goal or task must be challenging but possible. Gently pushing the limits encourages improvement and growth.

Relevant – Does the goal fit with your overall life goals and core values?

Time-bound – When will you finish?

Exciting – What excites you? The benefits should be worthwhile to maintain commitment.

Reviewable – Circumstances change. Revisit the goals, and revise them if needed.

The SMART Goals Worksheet offers a valuable tool for defining and documenting a SMART goal.

Goals should target the problem to be explored and outline the time available.

Setting new goals in therapy

What do you want to achieve? How do you want things to be different?

The following steps (modified from Wilding, 2015) help you set appropriate therapy goals:

• What is it you really want or wish for? I wish I could find someone special in my life. I wish I had a job that I was passionate about.
• Spend time imagining what it would be like if it happened.
• Change the wording from ‘wish’ to ‘would like.’ I would like to find someone special in my life. I would like a job that I was passionate about.
• These statements feel different. ‘Would like’ is very positive; it suggests doing something about it, rather than sitting back and wishing.

Well done! You are well on the way to having a set of goals.

Prioritize your goals

Some goals are urgent but do not need analysis.

Acting upon them will immediately make your life better.

I would like to get the car fixed. I would like to visit my mother; she is unwell.

Prioritize your goals and tackle the urgent ones first.

Act or think differently

Are the goals achieved through action or a change in the way you think?

Label your goals as either:

• Something that you need to do. (Action) I’m not very confident in giving presentations – Work on it.
• Something that you need to think about differently. I’m not very tall – Learn to accept who you are. (Acceptance)

Labeling each goal will confirm whether you need to work on how you think, behave, or both.

Download 3 Free Goals Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients create actionable goals and master techniques for lasting behavior change.

Download 3 Free Goals Pack (PDF)

By filling out your name and email address below.

• Email Address *
• Your Expertise * Your expertise Therapy Coaching Education Counseling Business Healthcare Other
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Coaching needs to be goal driven to maximize its benefits.

The following two worksheets will help:

Coping Styles Formulation

If your coping strategies are not effective against the problems you face, then a set of actions are needed to direct the best way forward.

The Coping Styles Formulation worksheet identifies a list of problems, potential coping strategies, and the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness is often taught as part of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Clients are helped to gain awareness of their thoughts and feelings and eliminate behaviors that interfere with goals (Soler et al., 2012).

Being in the right state of mind and grounding yourself in the present can help you identify and deliver your goals.

The 3-Step Mindfulness Worksheet is deceptively simple but provides a valuable way of practicing mindfulness throughout the day and bringing awareness to the present.

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

The Positive Psychology Toolkit© is a groundbreaking practitioner resource containing over 500 science-based exercises , activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments created by experts using the latest positive psychology research.

Updated monthly. 100% Science-based.

“The best positive psychology resource out there!” — Emiliya Zhivotovskaya , Flourishing Center CEO

Goal setting is crucial to maximize and direct limited resources in education.

However, the teacher’s and student’s states of mind are equally important.

Motivation to learn

Like all of us, students and teachers need to be motivated to meet their goals.

This Self-Directed Speech Worksheet can help you change your self-directed speech and increase voluntary, or autonomous, motivation, which is linked to goal fulfillment (Ryan & Deci, 2018).

There are four steps to this exercise:

• Name the behavior you would like to change
• Name your inner voice
• List words that motivate you
• List sentences for when things get rough

Changing our inner narrative can be an effective way to motivate ourselves toward achieving personal, exciting goals.

Mindfulness in schools

Focus and attention are hugely important to the completion of goals. The absence of either will lead to an environment of distraction.

The Teaching Kids to Thrive worksheet discusses what mindfulness is and is not.

It helps to provide sufficient distance from disturbing or unwanted thoughts to act and deliver on outcomes.

Goal Planning with Children

Lack of focus, ease of distraction, and failing motivation are all possible challenges to overcome.

And yet, children asked to engage in a goal they value are likely to expend more effort and perform better (Koufoudakis, Erwin, Beighle, & Thornton, 2016).

Meaning and Valued Living

An excellent starting point for setting goals with children is to identify what inspires a sense of meaning in their lives.

Start by downloading and working through the three Meaning and Valued Living Exercises .

Self-awareness

Children need to gain an understanding of their strengths, along with what they find difficult.

The Self Awareness Worksheet is written for young children but is valuable at any age.

Through helping a child understand what they are good at, what they find hard, and what they like and don’t like, it is possible to define a set of goals that mix strengths and weaknesses.

Goals at any age should be challenging to encourage growth, but not beyond the child’s ability to complete, or they may become disillusioned and give up.

SMART for children

SMART goals are an effective way to direct focus in children.

The Student Goal Setting Worksheet is simple to complete, even for young children. Here is an overview of the questions and statements to consider:

• I am good at X.
• I am bad at X.
• What will I improve?
• How will I make these improvements?
• If my plan doesn’t work, what will I do?

Working through each of these will help a child understand which goals are important to them.

Goal setting templates can be a useful base from which to start planning. We share two templates especially applicable to business and employees.

SMART goals for businesses

Many employees are comfortable with the idea of setting SMART goals.

However, despite the familiarity, their value within the work environment is often underestimated.

When taken seriously, SMART goals can motivate employees to succeed beyond their current level of expertise and identify future opportunities for training and development (Clough & Strycharczyk, 2015).

Visualization of your future

Focusing on positive mental images can prepare and protect our minds, help us cope with change, and increase self-belief.

Mentally working through each step in as much detail as possible—imagining sounds, smells, touch, thoughts, emotions, and physical responses—on our way to hitting goals can feel as real to the mind as actually performing the activity (Clough & Strycharczyk, 2015).

• Think of what you want to achieve.
• Imagine completing it successfully.
• How does it feel? How do you react?
• What do others look like?
• How do they react?

Imagine feeling confident, in control, and enjoying the challenge and the moment.

How to design your life (my process for achieving goals) – ModernHealthMonk

What are your dreams? What is important to you? What do you want to accomplish in life?

Document your life goals to provide the focus you need to make hopes and dreams real.

Martin Seligman’s PERMA model helps us to understand the elements of our lives that promote happiness.

Download the PERMA worksheet to understand your five core elements of wellbeing:

P – Positive emotions

E – Engagement

R – Relationships

M – Meaning

A – Accomplishments

Review and change the goals over time, in line with your situation, your feelings, and what you want.

The Create a Legend Life Planner is available from Amazon and provides a high-quality home for your life goals.

The 90 Day Smart Goal Planner Calendar & Journal is also available from Amazon and uses SMART goals to target what you want to complete and change over the next three months.

17 Tools To Increase Motivation and Goal Achievement

These 17 Motivation & Goal Achievement Exercises [PDF] contain all you need to help others set meaningful goals, increase self-drive, and experience greater accomplishment and life satisfaction.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

Imagine acting on the dreams that you keep tucked away, the ones that seem too big or too personal to share.

Make them real. Write them down as goals.

Let them inspire you and transform the world around you. Use goals to become the best possible you.

So, go ahead, take the resources from this article and identify significant goals that excite you. Break them down, define them as SMART goals, and turn them into something realistic and achievable.

By crafting them into something tangible and working through the individual actions, you will grow into the person you need to be to complete them.

Goal setting provides you with a means to navigate through a complex world and will encourage your long-term persistence.

Don’t let your goals remain a list of wishes.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free .

• Clough, P., & Strycharczyk, D. (2015). Developing mental toughness: Coaching strategies to improve performance, resilience, and wellbeing. Kogan Page.
• Ericsson, K. A. (2007). Deliberate practice and the modifiability of body and mind: Toward a science of the structure and acquisition of expert and elite performance. International Journal of Sport Psychology , 38 (1), 4–34.
• Ericsson, K. A. (2012). Training history, deliberate practice, and elite sports performance: An analysis in response to Tucker and Collins review—What makes champions? British Journal of Sports Medicine , 47 (9), 533–535.
• Hyatt, M (2019). Your best year ever. Embassy Books.
• Ivtzan, I., Chan, C. P. L., Gardner, H. E., & Prashar, K. (2011). Linking religion and spirituality with psychological well-being: Examining self-actualisation, meaning in life, and personal growth initiative. Journal of Religion and Health , 52 (3), 915–929.
• Ivtzan, I. (2016). Second wave positive psychology: Embracing the dark side of life. Routledge.
• Koufoudakis, R., Erwin, H., Beighle, A., & Thornton, M. L. (2016). How feedback and goal-setting impact children’s recess physical activity. International Journal of Exercise Science , 9 (4), 497–506.
• Neenan, M., & Palmer, S. (2001). Cognitive behavioural coaching. Stress News , 13, 15–18.
• Ogbeiwi, O. (2017). Why written objectives need to be really SMART. British Journal of Healthcare Management , 23 (7), 324–336.
• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2018). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press.
• Sheard, M. (2013). Mental toughness: The mindset behind sporting achievement. Routledge.
• Soler, J., Valdepérez, A., Feliu-Soler, A., Pascual, J. C., Portella, M. J., Martín-Blanco, A., … Pérez, V. (2012). Effects of the dialectical behavioral therapy-mindfulness module on attention in patients with borderline personality disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy , 50 (2), 150–157.
• Whitmore, J. (2014). Coaching for performance: growing human potential and purpose: The principles and practice of coaching and leadership . Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
• Whyte, G. P. (2015). Achieve the impossible: How to overcome challenges and gain success in life, work, and sport . Bantam Press.
• Wilding, C. (2015). Cognitive behavioural therapy: Techniques to improve your life . Hodder.

Share this article:

Article feedback

What our readers think.

This article is well-structured and science-based, with useful templates. Generous, helpful, practical and informative. Thank you Jeremy! (Now I need to put it to use..)

Thank you this is exactly what I was looking for, today I started my journey on facing my obstacles head on and not creating diversions. Your templates will be valuable guides to help me acknowledge, get to the root of, work through and grow from the process of whatever I am seeking to improve. Just along writing this response was a start for me, thank you.

Do you receive some type of follow up?

Exactly what I was looking for in the first search!!! Dr. Sutton summarizes a HUGE amount of literature and proven techniques in one go. That is a huge time saver. I was looking for a template for doing weekly goal-setting as a family. We, as parents, have professional and personal goals and we want the children to begin thinking about goal setting for managing themselves, their schoolwork, sports, etc. This is a wonderful resource.

Thank you Dr. Sutton.

Thank you sir, Really its helped me.

Hi Roy, So glad you found these templates helpful. Thanks for reading! – Nicole | Community Manager

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related articles

How to Encourage Clients to Embrace Change

Many of us struggle with change, especially when it’s imposed upon us rather than chosen. Yet despite its inevitability, without it, there would be no [...]

Victor Vroom’s Expectancy Theory of Motivation

Motivation is vital to beginning and maintaining healthy behavior in the workplace, education, and beyond, and it drives us toward our desired outcomes (Zajda, 2023). [...]

SMART Goals, HARD Goals, PACT, or OKRs: What Works?

Goal setting is vital in business, education, and performance environments such as sports, yet it is also a key component of many coaching and counseling [...]

Read other articles by their category

• Body & Brain (52)
• Coaching & Application (39)
• Compassion (23)
• Counseling (40)
• Emotional Intelligence (22)
• Gratitude (18)
• Grief & Bereavement (18)
• Happiness & SWB (40)
• Meaning & Values (26)
• Meditation (16)
• Mindfulness (40)
• Motivation & Goals (41)
• Optimism & Mindset (29)
• Positive CBT (28)
• Positive Communication (23)
• Positive Education (37)
• Positive Emotions (32)
• Positive Leadership (16)
• Positive Parenting (14)
• Positive Psychology (21)
• Positive Workplace (35)
• Productivity (16)
• Relationships (46)
• Resilience & Coping (39)
• Self Awareness (20)
• Self Esteem (37)
• Strengths & Virtues (29)
• Stress & Burnout Prevention (33)
• Theory & Books (42)
• Therapy Exercises (37)
• Types of Therapy (54)

• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

3 Goal Achievement Exercises Pack

• International
• Education Jobs
• Schools directory
• Resources Education Jobs Schools directory News Search

Reported Speech ESL Lesson Plan Worksheet B1

Subject: English language learning

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

11 September 2024

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

Reported Speech ESL lesson plan for B1 Intermediate ELL and ELA learners. This ready to use TEFL resource includes everything from flash cards to activities as well as conversation topics and writing drills. Designed to boost proficiency, this engaging lesson plan covers the fundamental concepts and practical exercises related to reporting what someone else has said in everyday conversations. From understanding the structure and changes in reported speech to practicing its correct usage in different contexts, our lesson plan equips ESL learners with the knowledge and confidence to communicate effectively. With interactive activities, practice exercises, and real-life examples, this lesson plan fosters essential language skills and builds a strong foundation in English communication.

This is an B1 Intermediate ESL lesson plan from the TEAM TEFL B1 course book. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12105443

It is also included in our course book bundle https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12121091

This lesson plan includes; Flash Cards A warmer Main usage Construction Rules including any exceptions Examples Two closed exercises One open exercise Revision exercise Writing exercise Extra study Chatterbox - A feature throughout our course books that encourages conversation Activity - E.g Game, quiz, puzzle etc to finish the class. Answer key

This lesson plan is for ESL students from 14 years to adults and should take around 60-90 minutes depending on teacher style.

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 33%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Simple Passive / Reported Speech / Connecting Words B1 Intermediate ESL Lesson Plan Bundle

Three B1 Intermediate ESL lesson plans from the TEAM TEFL B1 Curriculum about ‘Simple Passive’, ‘Reported Speech’ and 'Connecting Words’. In the Simple Passive to unit we will learn how to use the passive simple when the object of the sentences becomes the subject. This lesson plan also includes the check point 'Listen v Hear' In the Reported Speech unit we will learn how to use reported speech to quote something that somebody has said. This lesson plan also includes the short story 'The Robbery'. In the Connecting Words unit we will learn how to transition from one point to another (sequencing), contrast two points (contrasting) and how to conclude an essay or article logically. These lesson plans will typically include; A warmer Main usage Construction Rules including any exceptions Examples Two closed exercises One open exercise Revision exercise Chatterbox Activity - E.g Game, quiz, puzzle etc to finish the class. Answer key These lesson plans are for ESL students from 14 years to adults and should take around 60-90 minutes depending on teacher style.

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

This resource hasn't been reviewed yet

To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource: