Speeches Say A Lot, In Many Different Ways

Speeches can sell a message or paint a picture. They can be inspiring, motivating or persuasive. Speeches frighten or enlighten an audience. Speakers can be radical, conservative or liberal... It is a pity that they are so often boring.

Every occasion, every event calls for a different speech and a different approach. Many speeches are simply a repetition of what we have heard many times before. Wedding speeches are a case in point. The father of the bride or the best man will often look up a book of jokes or a book of speeches and use them word for word. Alternatively they say "Aah" or "M-mm-m" simply because they are lost for words. Yet loving words, spoken sincerely, can add immeasurably to the day. If they are slightly humorous so much the better.

It is worth noting that humour in speeches has to be carefully considered. Everyone has a different sense of humour and it differs not only from country to country but from region to region. Unless you are a brilliant public speaker with an excellent sense of timing and really funny, and clean, jokes you shouldn't attempt humour. Instead you should tell a story or recall an incident which will make people empathise with what you are saying.

Empathy is very important. It means ensuring your audience is at one with you in what you are saying. Even if the subject is an emotive one like abortion anti-abortion speakers can sway their audience with their understanding of the problems and heartaches of a Problem pregnancy. They can speak of their horror of rape for instance and of the sympathy they have for women who are abused. Then, and only then, should they speak of the alternatives to abortion. Militancy will never change opinions, a considered and sympathetic speech will.

Speeches summarise the reason for an occasion. A retirement speech summarises a lifetime of working. A military speech encompasses the duty and camaraderie of the forces. Wedding anniversary speeches speak of commitment and family life. Business speeches, on the other hand, tell of the importance of productivity and customer service. Whatever the reason for a speech it is important that you consider your audience and reach out specifically to them. Speeches can cajole an audience, humour them or make them understand a new concept. If you've something to say make sure your speech says it all for you.

Niamh Crowe
Copyright Speechwriters 1994-2007
marketing@speech-writers.com
Tel. +353 1 8333599