Speech Training

Posts Tagged ‘Speech Writing’

The organization to which you belong wishes to honor one of its members by presenting a gift, representative of the good will of the entire body.

You have been chosen to make the presentation speech.

The time has arrived, the person to be honored, and all the members of the organization, are present. The moment for your speech has come. What will you say?

There are three things to do:

1. Develop a climax.

2. Develop a compliment.

3. Present a gift.

You must do this in such a way that all three purposes Will unite more or less in one effect.

To do all this follow six steps:

1. Tell how it happened that you and your associates became familiar with the person to be honored.

“Nine years ago the great J. and B. Company erected this plant. When you and I took our places here we found ourselves under the eye of a keen, active man of business. Whether or not he had a heart we did not know.”

2. Tell how the person’s worth became established.

“As time went on we found not only a master and driver, but also a friend.” (Name instances that show a sympathetic spirit.)

3. Name the immediate cause of the present feeling in the organization.

“All these things we had known. Then came the crowning event, the establishment of the free reading room, game room, and infirmary.” (Comment on this in detail.)

4. Speak of the desire to express recognition.

“Because of all his many acts of kindness, and, in particular, because of this last great benefit, the J. and B. employees here wished to do something, however slight, to show recognition.”

5. Exhibit the gift, with appropriate explanations.

“The J. and B. employees have procured this silver loving cup, which, we hope, will express for years to come, the good will and hearty appreciation of every employee here.”

6. Make the direct presentation.

“Mr. Nelson, on behalf of all the employees of the J. and B. Company, it gives me pleasure to present to you this silver loving cup as a testimonial of gratitude for kindnesses of all kinds, and, in particular, for the establishment of the free game room, reading room, and infirmary.”

Notice that not until the very end of your speech do you mention the name of the person to be honored, or the gift that you present.

Follow this summary:

1. Tell the story of the relationship to be honored.

2. Tell how worth was established.

3. Comment on the cause of present feeling.

4. Speak of the desire to express recognition.

5. Explain the nature and purpose of the gift.

6. Make a formal presentation of the gift, summarizing the immediate reasons for its presentation.

PROBLEM.

You have been appointed to present a gift to the retiring President of your Lodge. Think out the words of your speech.