Introduction to Speeches and Interviews

Welcome to your guide on two of the most dynamic text types in Paper 1: The Speech and The Interview. Both belong to the "Mass Media" category, meaning they are designed to reach an audience and project a sense of authority or interest. Whether you are standing at a podium (virtually!) or asking the "big questions" to an expert, these formats allow you to show off your ability to adapt your language to a specific audience and purpose. Don't worry if you feel a bit nervous about writing "spoken" language—we will break down the exact conventions you need to succeed.

The Speech: Connecting with Your Audience

A speech is more than just a series of paragraphs; it is a performance in written form. Your goal is to communicate a message directly to a group of people, whether it’s your classmates, a local community, or a panel of experts.

Key Conventions of a Speech

To get full marks in Criterion C (Conceptual Understanding), your speech must look and sound like a speech. Ensure you include:
  • A Formal Opening: Address your audience directly. Example: "Good morning, fellow students and teachers," or "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for being here today."
  • The Hook: Start with a sentence that grabs attention or clearly states your purpose.
  • Direct Address: Periodically use "we," "you," or "us" to keep the audience involved.
  • Logical Structure: Use clear transitions between your points (e.g., "First," "Furthermore," "In addition").
  • A Strong Conclusion: Summarize your main point and leave the audience with a "call to action" or a final thought.
  • A Formal Closing: Thank the audience for their time. Example: "Thank you for listening."

Tone and Register

The tone of your speech depends entirely on the prompt.
  • If you are speaking to friends about a school trip (Theme: Experiences), your tone might be semi-formal and enthusiastic.
  • If you are speaking to local leaders about environmental issues (Theme: Sharing the Planet), your tone should be formal, serious, and persuasive.

Quick Tip: Use rhetorical questions! Asking a question like, "Is this really the world we want to leave for our children?" makes your writing feel much more like a real speech.


The Interview: The Art of Conversation

In Paper 1, an "Interview" usually refers to a transcript (a written record of a conversation). This usually involves two people: the Interviewer (who asks questions) and the Interviewee (the person being interviewed).

Key Conventions of an Interview

To make your interview look authentic, use these formatting rules:
  • The Title/Headline: Give the interview a catchy title. Example: "Sustainable Living: An Interview with Dr. Green."
  • The Introduction: Write a brief paragraph (2-3 sentences) explaining who is being interviewed, where, and why.
  • Q&A Format: Use labels for the speakers.
    Interviewer: [Question]
    Dr. Green: [Answer]
  • Varied Questions: Don't just ask "Yes/No" questions. Use open-ended questions that start with "How," "Why," or "Can you explain..." to allow for deeper answers.
  • The Outro: A short concluding remark, usually the interviewer thanking the guest.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Don't let the interviewer do all the talking! The Interviewee should provide the majority of the information. The interviewer's job is to guide the conversation, but the marks for "Message" (Criterion B) come from the depth of the answers provided.

Word Count and Requirements

Remember, the length of your response is part of your task fulfillment.
  • Standard Level (SL): You must write between \(250-400\) words.
  • Higher Level (HL): You must write between \(450-600\) words.
Note: HL students are expected to use more complex structures and show higher-order thinking, such as evaluation and analysis of the topic.

Connecting to the IB Themes

Your writing task will always be based on one of the five prescribed themes. Here is how a speech or interview might look for each:
  1. Identities: An interview with a student about their experience growing up in a bilingual household.
  2. Experiences: A speech to your class about the lessons you learned during a recent volunteer project.
  3. Human Ingenuity: A speech at a science fair about how a new app could change the way we communicate.
  4. Social Organization: An interview with a local business owner about the challenges of the modern working world.
  5. Sharing the Planet: A speech to a community group urging them to reduce plastic waste.

Did you know? In the IB Language B guide, Speeches and Interviews are considered Mass Media Texts because they are often intended for a large audience, like radio listeners or magazine readers!


Summary Checklist for Paper 1

Before you finish your writing, ask yourself these questions:

  • Speech: Did I include a greeting at the start and a "thank you" at the end?
  • Interview: Does it have an introductory paragraph and clear speaker labels?
  • Register: Is the tone right for the audience? (e.g., Don't use slang if you are talking to a Principal!)
  • Themes: Have I clearly addressed the topic given in the prompt?
  • Word Count: Am I within the required range for my level (\(SL\) or \(HL\))?

Key Takeaway: For both text types, the most important thing is context. Always identify who you are, who you are talking to, and why you are talking to them before you start writing!


For other text types like Articles or Blogs, please refer to the specific chapters in the "Paper 1: Writing text types" section.