How to Write a Speech with GitHub Copilot

Writing a compelling speech takes time, structure, and a good dose of inspiration. GitHub Copilot, the AI assistant integrated into your code editor, can help you at every step of this creative process. Whether you are preparing a wedding speech, a professional presentation, or a public address, Copilot assists you in writing by suggesting phrasings, structuring your ideas, and refining your tone. In this tutorial, you will learn how to use GitHub Copilot to generate a solid draft, organize your arguments, adapt your style to your audience, and polish your final text. Follow these steps to turn a blank page into a memorable speech, all from your usual development environment.

Prerequisites

1.Have Visual Studio Code installed with the GitHub Copilot extension active
2.Have a GitHub Copilot subscription (Individual, Business, or Enterprise)
3.Know the topic, occasion, and audience of your speech

Steps

Define the Context and Objective of the Speech

Open a new Markdown file in VS Code and write a comment describing the exact context of your speech: the occasion, the target audience, the desired duration, and the main message you want to convey. This initial framing helps Copilot generate relevant suggestions tailored to your situation.

Tip: The more detailed your context comment, the more precise and usable Copilot's suggestions will be.

Generate the Structure and Outline of the Speech

Under your context comment, start typing section headings (Introduction, Part 1, etc.). Copilot will automatically propose sub-points and logical organization. Accept relevant suggestions with Tab and modify those that do not match your vision. This step gives you a solid skeleton to build upon.

Speech Outline

Introduction

Hook:
Topic introduction:
Outline announcement:

Part 1: [MAIN_THEME]

Part 2: [KEY_ARGUMENT]

Conclusion

Summary:
Call to action:

Tip: Use Ctrl+Enter to open the Copilot panel and see multiple alternative suggestions for each section of the outline.

Write the Content of Each Section

Go through each section of your outline and start writing the first sentences. Copilot will complete your ideas with entire paragraphs. For each part, write a lead sentence that gives the desired direction, then let Copilot develop. You can use the Copilot chat (Ctrl+I) to request rephrasing or variations in tone.

Use the Copilot chat with: "Write the introduction paragraph of my speech about [TOPIC]. The hook should be a personal anecdote that grabs attention. The tone should be [warm/professional/humorous]."

Tip: Alternate between inline completion (Tab) for the writing flow and Copilot chat (Ctrl+I) for specific requests such as changing the tone or adding a quote.

Refine the Style and Transitions

Once the draft is complete, use the Copilot chat to improve transitions between sections, strengthen impactful sentences, and adjust the language register. Select a passage, open the inline chat, and ask for a rephrase. Work especially on the opening hook and the concluding sentence that will be remembered.

Select a passage then use Ctrl+I: "Rephrase this paragraph to make it more impactful and emotional. Add a smooth transition with the previous section. Use short sentences to create rhythm."

Tip: Read your speech aloud after each modification — a good speech sounds natural when spoken, not just when written.

Proofread, Time, and Finalize the Speech

Ask Copilot to check overall coherence, estimate reading time, and suggest final improvements. Use the chat to get a bullet-point summary of your main arguments, which will serve as a cheat sheet on the day. Then export your Markdown file to PDF or copy the text into your presentation support.

Via the Copilot chat: "Analyze this full speech. Check argument coherence, estimate reading time aloud (150 words/minute), and suggest 3 concrete improvements. Also generate a condensed bullet-point version to serve as a cheat sheet."

Tip: Count about 150 words per minute for a natural delivery. A 10-minute speech is about 1,500 words.

Common mistakes to avoid

✗Giving too little context in the initial comment, which produces generic and off-topic suggestions
✗Accepting all Copilot suggestions without personalizing them, resulting in an impersonal and inauthentic speech
✗Neglecting to read aloud and relying only on the written text, even though a speech is meant to be spoken

FAQ

Can GitHub Copilot write an entire speech automatically?

Copilot can generate a complete draft, but the best speeches come from a collaboration between your personal ideas and the AI's suggestions. Use Copilot as a starting point and inject your own anecdotes, experiences, and personality for an authentic result.

Which language works best with Copilot for writing a speech?

Copilot works very well in French. For best results, write your context comments and prompts in French. If a suggestion doesn't suit you, rephrase your request in the Copilot chat, specifying the desired tone and style further.

Can I use Copilot to adapt my speech for different audiences?

Absolutely. Select your text and ask Copilot via the inline chat to rephrase for a specific audience. For example, request a more accessible version for a non-expert audience, or a more formal version for an institutional context. You can generate several variants of the same speech.

How to use this prompt

Copy the prompt with the button above.
Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude or your favorite AI assistant.
Replace the bracketed variables with your details, then refine the result.

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