Perhaps you’ve seen YouTube videos or read articles that “reveal” The Secret Structure All Famous Speeches Have Used or The Proven Formula for the Perfect Speech. Many promise appealing hidden methods for public-speaking success. Imagining how easy and simple writing your speech would be (if only you had these magic foolproof formulas) might just inspire you to click.
After all, who wouldn’t want their speech to achieve sensational success and go viral overnight? But maybe the formula for crafting a speech that spreads isn’t so much of a formula after all.
Yes, there are typical frameworks and structures for organizing your speech. There are storytelling structures like the hero’s journey and Aristotle’s three-act structure that can guide you in crafting stories. And there are rhetorical devices and strategies that work consistently to create strong content.
The content of your speech matters. The organization and structure matters. The stories in your speech matter.
But ultimately, what makes a speech work—what makes it entertaining, compelling, and transformational—is that the speaker performs it in a unique and captivating way.
Five Examples of Great Performances
While there have been a great deal of famous speeches in history, objectively selecting the greatest speech of all time or the most inspirational speech ever is impossible. After all, speaking is an art, and in such a creative field, determining who’s “better” or “best” just depends on who’s doing the choosing.
Here are just a few examples of really phenomenal speeches that caught the attention of millions of people:
Admiral William H. McRaven’s University of Texas Commencement Speech
During this powerful commencement speech in 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven shares a simple but life-changing message: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” It’s universally applicable advice, accessible to everyone, regardless of their background—making it both memorable and impactful.
Now, one of the things he does masterfully is how he weaves storytelling with lessons learned—crafting a message that resonates deeply with the audience. His character, commitment, and dedication to his mission are made clear, not just through his words, but also through his tone, intonation, and resounding voice.
Although very accomplished and highly decorated, Admiral McRaven centers his speech not on what he’s done, but rather how other people have overcome obstacles and dedicated themselves to greatness. On a day of celebration and new beginnings, his speech is optimistic and focused on the future and what lies ahead for the new graduates.
James Earl Jones’s Field of Dreams Speech
This iconic speech from the film Field of Dreams captures the essence of storytelling. It’s a powerful example of the contrast between what the world is like now and what it could be like in the future.
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