Most people dread making speeches, for all kinds of perfectly understandable reasons. It’s understandable maybe, but not necessarily acceptable. Why not? Because sometimes we simply must get up and make a speech. And we need to be willing and prepared when we do.
Not all of us have the skills to organise our thoughts spontaneously and deliver a coherent well-structured speech, even for a few minutes. We are not all naturally articulate. But anyone can learn to make a simple speech and deliver it with sincerity and aplomb, maybe even humour. You can do it by yourself over time through experience, gauging what works and doesn’t work or by seeking assistance from a professional speechwriter.
Think about the occasions when you wished you had the ability to just get to your feet and say what was in your heart and mind – in public – and then lost your nerve and remained seated, later berating yourself for not having the courage or the skills to say what needed to be said.
I have spoken at several funerals for both family and friends. I prepared the speeches in advance and practised reading them until I knew them well enough not to have to read them word for word. On each occasion I knew without a doubt that I was absolutely doing the right thing, no matter how agonising it might have been to control my emotions sufficiently to speak. I spoke to honour the dead person and our relationship as well as to share my deep knowledge and understanding of them. I also spoke for the benefit of the bereaved, to offer insights and memories of the dead person which would hopefully provide comfort. On each occasion I was thanked profusely. Frequently I was told that people had learned things about the dead person that were new to them. I was also told that I had said what others wished they could say. In other words, I had given them a voice. I mention this not to big note, but to say that sometimes occasions demand we step up – and we need to be ready.
I was fortunate to be introduced to speechmaking at an early age. At the convent school I attended the nuns were keen for me to participate in interschool public speaking competitions and I was trained accordingly. This experience has stood me in good stead in my life. I’ve been required to do public speaking over the years on author promotional tours, as a panellist at three international writers’ festivals, for presentations to clients, at anniversaries and special events, to students as a tutor, and to educational institutions as a guest speaker. I always put effort into making notes before I speak. Sometimes they were just bullet points on prompt cards, often they were written speeches. I always practised my speeches and timed them before hand. I also practised projecting my voice, which is soft and light and therefore usually requires a microphone. These days I mainly write speeches for others to deliver. These have ranged from mayoral speeches to speeches for special birthdays or public events.
What’s the most important thing you learned from preparing your speech?
