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Mastery of Speech: How to Speak
on Public Occasions
How to Make
an After-Dinner Speech
KEY
WORDS: IN MAKING AN AFTER-DINNER SPEECH PROCEED FROM A HUMOROUS
ANECDOTE
TO A SERIOUS PROPOSITION.
You have been notified
that you are to respond to an after-dinner toast at a dinner soon to be
given.
Naturally, you wish to speak well. Here are some
directions that will help you:
First, consider this list of "Don'ts."
1. Don't say you are not
prepared.
2. Don't say you are surprised that you should be called upon.
3. Don't say that you misunderstood the subject.
4. Don't say that you are embarrassed.
5. Don't tell an utterly stale story.
6. Don't talk at length.
7. Don't ridicule any person, present or absent.
8. Don't read any notes.
9. Don't extol yourself.
10. Don't make jokes at your own expense.
11. Don't be vulgar.
12. Don't be flippant about deeply serious matters.
13. Don't talk utter nonsense all the time.
14. Don't speak so that you cannot be heard.
15. Don't be dull.
This is a long list of "Don't," but it could be made even longer.
Now turn to what you should do.
1. Prepare yourself as
well as possible.
Even if you are not notified until a few minutes before you speak you
should make a short mental or written outline of what you will
say. If you have more time you should make a careful
plan of every part of your speech, and should think it all out in
detail.
2. Begin by telling an
appropriate humorous anecdote.
Whenever you read a story that makes you laugh note it
down, or cut it out. Have several of these stories
with you at all times, and you will never be in doubt what story to
tell. Tell your story somewhat at length, in such a
way that it will have the effect of climax. Show the
connection between your story and the occasion that is being
celebrated. Tell several humorous anecdotes, if
you wish, but in every case make some definite connection with the
thought of the occasion.
3. Lead to a consideration
of some one serious topic.
You should first make a thesis, a serious statement that can be
expressed in a single sentence. Present this thesis
and then support it by humor, by specific instance, by definite proof,
or by any method you please.
4. End your speech with
the presentation of your serious thought in its best
form.
Make your closing sentences particularly strong and impressive.
In general you will do well to follow these "Do's."
1. Prepare your speech
carefully.
2. Speak on the topic assigned.
3. Speak so that all can hear.
4. Begin with a humorous anecdote.
5. Tell several anecdotes, if you wish.
6. Lead to one serious thought.
7. Speak briefly.
8. Speak optimistically.
9. Speak of principles.
10. Be complimentary.
11. Make your expression reflect good humor.
12. Prophesy good fortune to come.
13. Be interesting.
14. Develop climax.
15. End your speech impressively.
PROBLEM.
Think out a five minute after-dinner speech on "The Old School," to be
given at a meeting of your Alumni Association.
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