I'm writing a speech for school, and it's supposed to be 2-3 minutes (I'm going for 3). If you're talking at an average speed, how many words do you think a 3 minute speech would have? I'm up to 1081 (about a third in, I think), and I'm guessing I really need to cut down, but I'm not sure to what.  

Um... this is about where you sit and time yourself reading your speech  

Hmm we used note cards for ours I managed about 5 minutes with mine, but if you want to manage 3, research your topic thoroughly.

The more you have the better chance of getting your goal.

Speak fluently, and "do not" rush your speech. Keep it a steady pace, but use a strong voice so not to put the audience to sleep.

Use topics in your speech that will grab their attention, and keep the transitions between topics smooth.

I googled a timer to time myself as well, might be useful or any timer.

Hope that helps.  

There is a reason why I don't do math.
I would probably hurt myself thinking about it.  

Well, I had a speech 2 years ago, 5 minutes length, I noticed I was in my 2nd minute and finished 3/4 so I started improvising, I got away with it without anyone noticing, but I advise you, don't improvise much.  

Leela: "Fry, there's nothing else here. You only wrote two pages of dialog."
Fry: "Well, it took an hour to write. I thought it would take an hour to read."  

Posted by Dusty

Um... this is about where you sit and time yourself reading your speech

Somehow, I didn't think of that. xD Thanks!  

Make sure you read it out loud as you practice. You tend to go faster in your mind so it throws off your time when you actually pressent. I loved giving speeches in school <3 good luck!  

Posted by Dusty

Um... this is about where you sit and time yourself reading your speech

 

Yup, time yourself saying it out loud. It's good practice too.