Whether you are giving a graduation speech, a wedding speech or a persuasive speech you should always speak with sincerity. You must believe in what you are saying. So if you cannot say the bride’s mother has been caring you might, with truth, be able to mention the fact that she had an excellent eye for colour or was a great cook, talents which her daughter has obviously inherited. If you believe that graduates are in for a tough time because of an economic recession you should not say everything in the garden looks rosy. Instead your speech as a Dean should offer suggestions on how to overcome the recession. If you are giving a persuasive speech you should choose a topic in which you believe. If you are anti abortion for instance that should shine through your speech.

So be honest and be sincere and your audience will respect you for it.

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How do you choose a speech to suit your audience? It’s quite easy if you have been asked to talk to engineers about town planning. Obviously your speech will be technical and geared towards that particular audience and you’ll probably be an expert anyhow. If, however, your audience is more general and you are not an expert you should choose a subject that is common to all. Health is always a good idea because it affects us all. So you might speak about Diabetes, Asthma or another ailment such as Acne. Other subjects might be something we all do such as sleep or dream. In that way you will capture the attention of your audience and hopefully, you won’t send them to sleep!

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The lead up to a wedding is usually a very busy time. By the time the wedding rehearsal dinner comes around people are often worrying about what they will say on the big day itself… They forget that the wedding rehearsal dinner sets the tone for the wedding. As it is the groom’s parents who often hosts the dinner the father of the groom, or indeed the mother of the groom, may take this opportunity in his speech to make everyone of the bridal party happy and relaxed in each others’ company. Of course someone else, such as the bride’s parents who may host this less formal occasion. Whoever does it, though, it is the ideal time to wish the couple well on their wedding day. Unlike on the wedding day there is no set formula for the speeches and so the speeches can be very intimidate or very light-hearted in tone. The whole idea is that you say what you would say if you were with a group of very close friends.

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As a valedictorian you are graduating with honours but will your valedictory speech reflect this? You may be a genius at maths or an expert on law but that does not mean that you are a competent speechwriters. Your valedictory speech should laud your fellow students and speak meaningfully of the education you have received. You should give gracious thanks to tutors, family or those who helped you attain your education. It should have some humour and a little pathos. Above all it should be optimistic, speaking of the golden future that lies ahead.

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Giving a eulogy can be heartbreaking but it can also be your last chance to pay public tribute to someone you love. If you are giving a eulogy for a father or a eulogy for a grandmother you will usually have had years of close contact to recall. Your eulogy then can reflect the life you shared and that closeness. You can speak of what the deceased meant to you and to others too. You can tell of their attributes and their influence on your life. The words of your last farewell should be moving and sincere. However if you think you will break down crying ask somebody else to say it on your behalf. Otherwise your friends and relatives will never hear what your loved one meant to you.

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Has it ever occurred to you that what you say in a speech could change the world? If you give a speech against abortion or give an anti euthanasia speech you should do it with passion because you believe these things are wrong. Your speech should be so powerful and your argument so persuasive that you make people think… Christianity started for instance, with the speeches of only one man, Jesus Christ. In time he influenced his disciples and today Christianity is a worldwide religion. So never underestimate the power of your speech. You may not be addressing thousands but with every person you influence you are making that difference.

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