How to Write a Speech

Most people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy -Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry nailed it.  Public speaking is one of the number one fears, ranking before the fear of death. The thought of making a speech in front of an audience can be terrifying to some. It's a shame this fear may prevent someone from toasting the happy couple or properly memorializing a loved one.

It doesn't have to, the fear stems from not being prepared or not having the right words to say. The following are a few tips to find those words and deliver a wonderful speech.

1. Decide what tone you want for the speech.
As a rule, a sentimental speech is easier to both write and deliver than a humorous speech.

2. Figure out what is special about the speech's subject.
Whether it is a bride who makes the world a better place by doing charity work, the deceased grandfather's love of bird-watching, or a couple's unique proposal story, jot it all down.

3. Make notes about what is special about your relationship with the speech's subject.
People love a personal anecdote when listening to a speech; it brings them emotionally closer to both the speaker and the subject. So write down those special or funny stories.

4. Are there any other people close to the subject of the speech that should be included?
In both a eulogy and a wedding speech it is nice to mention close family and friends. Add an anecdote or two or simply welcome or thank individuals.

5. Are there any favourite songs or poems of the speech's subject?
It's nice to open a speech with a quote from the bride and groom's "song" or a favourite bible verse of the dearly departed.

*Congratulations, your speech is almost written. You are probably sitting with enough material for a three minute speech. Now you just have to put it together.

6. Start with a quote such as:
"Have I told you lately that I love you, Have I told you there is no one else above you". You can than lead in with "this song sums up how "Jack and Jill" feel about each other. It doesn't matter what the song is.

7. Simply add in the anecdotes and stories from steps two and three.
Your writing doesn't have to be perfect. If it's from the heart, people will love it, so don't stew over grammar or repeated words. No one will care.

8. Add in your welcomes and thank you's.
You can say something like "I would like to thank you all for attending what I know will be a lasting union" or "I would like to thank all of you for attending this celebration of my mother's life."

9. Add a poem or a toast.
There are many websites that offer free poems. You can use Google or try loveofpoems.com for eulogies or IslandIreland.com for wedding toasts.

10. Put the speech on recipe card sized paper and practice, practice, practice.

Do it in front of your spouse, your children, your parents, your friend, the mirror. The point of all this practice is to get used to the speech. The better you know it the easier it will be to deliver.

It may seem overwhelming at first but you can write this speech and deliver it. The nicest thing about overcoming this fear is that you may start to enjoy writing and giving speeches. It is rewarding to be able to speak to a crowd in your own words.

If worse comes to worse and you just can't write that speech, don't despair there is help. There are a few websites that offer a great service to the oratorically challenged:

To buy a speech, look to spend $50 - $200. Money well spent for some people.

Which ever direction you decide on, don't let the fear of public speaking overwhelm you. The trick is to practice and be yourself. People in your audience want you to succeed. Remember, it really is better to be giving the eulogy than to be in the casket.