The Anatomy of a Pump-Up Speech

Have you ever noticed that it feels like every great speech feels the same? Obviously those giving the speeches are under different circumstances and are up against varying tasks, but the anatomy of an inspirational speech remains largely the same. Not only does Shakespeare's St. Crispan's Day speech follow a similar pattern, it has likely served as the mold for many of the other great speeches in history.

A lot of the work has already been done for me by a certain Matthew Belinkie, but following this formula you can have an amazing speech anytime you need one.





Part One: The Flee Clause
No good battle is ever fought by cowards, so they need to be informed that should they not wish to fight, they needn't not. This forces each individual to decide in their mind that they will fight. It just became a personal decision.

Part Two:  Hint of Glory vs. Eternal Regret
Here you are; you have the option to be great forever, or you can look back at this day for the rest of your life and wonder what could have been. No one would ever want to live with those possibilities hanging over their heads.

Part Three: I'm In
Here is where the leader shows leadership. You've trusted him or her thus far, and he or she is determined.

Part Four: While, Yes...
Though this may be difficult, though the odds may be against us


Part Five: This Is It
We have to fight and win; we must fight and win.

Part Six: What That Entails
You will have to work really hard, you will have to fight like no one has ever fought.

Part Seven: But We Will Overcome
We are superior to the task at hand.

Part Eight: Hinting at Victory
Now we throw something in to let you think about how great it will be to win.

Part Nine: ROAR!
You have to FIGHT!

Part Eight: Let's Do It:
We will dominate according to the following very explicit definitions of success

Part Eleven: Because We're Legit
It's all about you, you're awesome.

Part Twelve: The Ultimatum
We win or we die.

Part Thirteen: All Together Now
"Cheer!"

Part Fourteen: Brief Summary; Ultimatum + Victory
We will fight and win or die. We will come off conquerors!

Now, does that hold true in Henry V?


Try it with another favorite speech; post whether or not it followed the same pattern in the comments.