‘Tis the season for venerated commencement speakers to dispense pearls of wisdom to the future leaders of America. Unfortunately those waiting graduates are much more interested in getting that diploma and getting on with life than in anything a speaker might have to say. Nevertheless commencement addresses are a traditional part of the ceremony and soContinue reading “What makes a good commencement address?”
Tag Archives: Public Speaking
What was this person thinking?
I had the opportunity to judge a speech contest recently. It was a Toastmasters area contest with only a few contestants, all with fairly good speeches and deliveries. One contestant was especially memorable but for reasons that she probably would not relish. Her speech was okay but her dress made me wonder what in theContinue reading “What was this person thinking?”
The memorable conclusion: ending with oomph
The conclusion of a speech is your final chance to give your audience a takeaway. Leave them with words to remember.
Getting past the BLAH BLAH BLAH
Open your speech with impact. If you don’t capture your audience at the beginning, what you say later will not matter.