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• Public speaking resources shop
• Types of speeches: writing guidelines, speech examples and supporting material
• Speech topics: ideas for all sorts of speeches
• How to prepare a speech: how to plan it, outline, write...
• Speech delivery: HOW to present a speech effectively 
• Public speaking games and activities
• Poems and poetry related pages
• Quotations to use in speeches
• Managing public speaking fear or anxiety
• Newsletter - Speaking Out Loud
• Contact, about me, privacy and what's new
  
  

Public speaking resources shop

Links to write-out-loud.com's downloadable digital products and one-to-on online services. 

Public speaking resources for teachers

• 28 public speaking games - A complete resource for teachers - everything you need to start immediately.
• Three public speaking games: Permission to Present Badly, One Minute Speeches, and Tangling Tongue Twisters.
• Single public speaking games: Permission to Present Badly, One Minute Speeches, Tangling Tongue Twisters
• 17 superb impromptu speech activities to ease people into impromptu speaking without stress.
• 5 printable resource files for impromptu speech activities.
• Printable impromptu speech topic cards: 98 Proverbs, 98 Quotations, 98 Serendipity speech topics

One-to-one: speech writing and coaching

• Custom speech writing - hire me to write a speech for you
• Coaching - online one-to-one public speaking assistance
  
  

Types of speeches: writing guidelines, speech examples and supporting material

• An introductory overview of the 4 main speech types: informative, demonstration, persuasive and special occasion
  
• Example speeches - a directory page to all the speech examples on write-out-loud.com: farewell, welcome, engagement, introduction, persuasive, maid of honor, thank you, icebreaker, and more. 

Acceptance speeches

• Acceptance speeches (how to write one) 
• an award acceptance speech example

Anniversary

• a 50th or golden wedding anniversary speech example from a husband for his wife 
• how to write a golden anniversary speech - guidelines

Birthday speeches

• how to write a birthday speech - guidelines 
• a 50th birthday speech example -a lighthearted roast from a man for his best friend's 50th. 
• a 40th birthday speech example - toast from a mother to her daughter for her 40th
• an 18th birthday speech of thanks example - a speech from an 18-year-old thanking guests and his parents for the party to celebrate his birthday
• quotations for milestone birthdays: 20th, 30th, 40th, and more
• 30 wisdom themed birthday quotations: insights about the real meaning of birthdays
• 42 witty birthday quotations, mostly on aging, to giggle and smirk your way through

Bridesmaid and Maid of Honor speeches

• how to write a bridesmaid speech - step-by-step guidelines 
• 2 short, sincere maid of honor (MOH) speech examples
• a maid of honor for your sister speech example - filled with warmhearted stories plus a printable outline template 
• how to end a Maid of Honor speech: 20 examples of effective closings

Christmas speeches

• how to write a Christmas speech with printable outline template 
• an extemporaneous office party Christmas speech example 
• 2 short, sweet and sincere company Christmas speech examples

Declamation speeches

• Declamation speech resources: how to choose and rehearse a piece, links to speech banks and more

Demonstration or 'how-to' speeches

• how to prepare an excellent demonstration speech - step-by-step guidelines 
• a demonstration speech sample outline with a printable
• 290 themed 'how to' demonstration speech ideas  
• 6 themed demonstration topic lists using the magic of 'how'
• 50 soft skill 'how to' demonstrative speech topics
• 100+ 10-minute, or less, demonstration speech topics
• 188 funny how-to speech topics 

Engagement party speeches

• how to write an engagement party speech  
• 5 short example engagement toasts - a toast from a mother, a father, the best friend of the bride to be, the bride to be, and the groom to be. 

Eulogies/funeral speeches

• Help and resources to prepare a eulogy - a directory/overview page of all the eulogy allied material on the site.
• How to write a eulogy - detailed step by step guidelines with a free printable eulogy planner.
• Links to specific eulogy examples for: mothers, fathers, sons, sisters, brothers, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers, in-laws, colleagues, friends, mentors and, ourselves.
• Submit a eulogy to inspire and help others who may be struggling to get started on a eulogy they need to write.
• Readings and poems for funeral speeches - a broad collection of best loved readings, some with audio
• Bereavement poems - another collection of inspirational funeral readings, some with audio
• Bereavement support - a free series of 7 inspirational messages to comfort and support grieving
• Readings of four poems frequently used in funeral services: Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep, Funeral Blues, I Am Standing Upon The Seashore, and the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi.
• Funeral Blues (Stop All the Clocks) by WH Auden: text, audio, the meaning and history of the poem, plus a printable.
• Funeral poems| Remember me - 4 much loved funeral poems called Remember Me: Text, interpretation, audio and a printable for each of them.
• Inspirational quotations - a large multi-cultural selection of wisdom spanning countries and times.

Farewell speeches

• Farewell speeches - guidelines on how to give a great goodbye speech including a sample farewell speech from a colleague leaving a workplace to their colleagues
• Sample farewell speech for a colleague leaving, plus guidelines and a printable speech outline to use.

Humorous speech

• Humorous speech - What happens when funny is not enough, especially when you've entered a speech contest! With an example speech (mine). An example of a lesson learned the hard way.

Icebreaker speech example (Toastmasters)

• Icebreaker speech example (Toastmasters), with thorough step-by-step guidelines covering its purpose, how to choose a topic, how to brainstorm the content, how to write the speech, what to expect from the feedback you'll receive, how to work with it... and more. With a completed speech and audio.

Impromptu speech resources 

• Impromptu speeches: an introductory 'how-to', tips and templates to use
• Impromptu speech outlines: 7 structural patterns to memorize with examples, plus printables of each one
• Impromptu speech topics -200 - suitable for middle school upward
• 150 1 minute speech topics - with sample speech outlines, speeches: full text & audio
• 11 themed sets of fun topics for impromptu speeches
• 80+ themed table topic questions, with printables 
• 50 Halloween themed speech topics for 1-2 minute speeches - with printables
  (Also see public speaking games and activities) 

Informative speeches

• Informative speeches - an overview of the 4 types of informative speeches: definition, description, demonstration, explanation, plus topic suggestions and an outline example of each
• Informational speech topics by the 100s

Introduction speeches

• Introduction speeches- how to write an introduction speech for a guest speaker - a step-by-step guide with an example speech, 
• How to prepare a short self-introduction speech - guidelines with an example speech

One minute or just a minute speeches

• One-minute speeches - example speeches, with audio, sample outlines plus 150 topic suggestions and a printable outline using the PREP format (Point - Reason - Example - Point).

Persuasive speeches: outlining, examples, topics

• Persuasive speeches - writing a persuasive speech with a 7-step checklist: choosing a topic, setting a speech goal audience analysis, selecting a structural pattern and more.
• a sample persuasive speech outline using Monroe's 5-step Motivated Sequence: with explanations of each step plus a printable persuasive outline 
• an example persuasive speech using Monroe's Motivated Sequence
• 100 Persuasive speech ideas
• 50 Good persuasive speech topics
• 205 Fun persuasive speech topics
• 309 'Easy' persuasive speech topics
• 310 Persuasive speech topics for college
• 108 Feminist persuasive speech topics

Retirement speeches

• Guidelines for writing a retirement speech
• A retirement speech for a teacher example
• Quotations to use in retirement speeches and cards

Student Council speeches

• Student Council speeches - step-by-step guidelines for writing a good student council speech plus an example Student Council President speech, and a Vice-President speech
• An example Student Council Treasurer speech - with an overview of the position's duties, and a printable speech planner.  
• An example Student Council Secretary. With a printable speech outline.

Thanksgiving speeches and toasts

• Thanksgiving speeches/toasts - how to prepare a short effective speech, with an example toast.

Thank you speeches

• Thank you speeches - how to write a short thank you speech, with an example thank you speech for an award 
• 18th birthday party speech of thanks example 
• a business thank you speech template and an example employee appreciation (thank you) speech
• 38 thank you quotations to select one from to include in a speech or an appreciative note

Tribute or commemorative speech resources 

• Tribute speech guide - how to prepare an inspiring commemorative speech
• Commemorative speech topics: ideas to engage your audience
• An example tribute speech for my mother  

Welcome speech examples and resources

• Welcome speeches - how to write one, plus a short example welcome speech for an event. With a printable welcome speech planner. 
• An effective, short and warm church welcome speech example
• A welcome speech example to acknowledge a newcomer to the family - a fiancée.
• Phrases for welcome speeches - a useful collection of different ways to say welcome

Speech topics: subjects or ideas for speeches

• Speech topics - a directory page to 100s of topics ordered by speech type and theme
• Cause and effect speech topics - 145 'if this, then, that' ideas. Perfect for essays or speeches.
• Commemorative speech topic ideas: helpful guidelines to choose the right topic for the occasion 
• Controversial or argumentative speech topics: 239 ideas with guidelines best suited to high school and college students.
• Demonstration speech topics: 290 themed 'how to' speech ideas, plus the pages below:  

1. 6 themed demonstrative topic lists: business, entertainment, frugal living, caring and more 
2. 50 soft skill 'how to' demonstrative speech topics
3. 100+ 10-minute, or less, demonstration speech topics
4. 188 funny how-to speech topics

• Easter themed speech topics: 32 with resource links to help research the topic
• Fun or humorous speech topics: 60 ideas for kids of all ages, plus these pages:

1. 105 fun persuasive speech topics
2. 188 funny how-to/demonstration speech topics

• Impromptu speech topics: 200 good ideas, plus the pages below:

1. 150 1-minute speech topics - with sample speech outlines, speeches: full text & audio
2. 11 themed sets of fun topics for impromptu speeches
3. 80+ themed table topic questions, with printables 
4. 50 Halloween themed speech topics for 1-2 minute speeches - with printables 

• Informative speech topics: 100s of ideas for good informative speeches
• Interesting speech ideas: 180 topic suggestions encouraging people to push beyond ordinary.
• Persuasive speech topics: 91 good topic suggestions, plus these pages below:

1. 50+ persuasive speech topic ideas
2. 105 fun persuasive speech topics
3. 309 easy persuasive speech topics
4. 310 persuasive speech topics for college
5. 108 feminist persuasive speech topics

• Narrative speech topics - 125 topics for storytelling speeches
• Speech topics for children: (approx. middle school age) 8 themed lists with guidelines for parents on how to help a child choose a topic and prepare a speech, plus the one below.
• 50+ elocution topics for kids
• Vocal variety and body language speech topics: 60 ideas for speeches to highlight the effective use of vocal variety and body language. Perfect for a Toastmaster project.
  
  

How to prepare a speech

Once the topic has been chosen how do you prepare the speech? These pages answer that question.

• How to write a speech - thorough step-by-step guidelines for preparing a speech.
• How to write a speech for kids that they really want to hear. 
• How to plan a speech - how to fit/angle your chosen topic to suit your audience with examples
• How to build rapport with an audience: tips and suggestions on connecting meaningfully with the people you're speaking to.
• Great funny speeches:5 keys to writing & delivering humorous speeches
• How to use humor effectively - 6 tips with examples
• Types of verbal humor - an overview with examples eg. puns, mixed metaphors, malapropisms...
• How to use storytelling in a speech: how to choose a story and tell it well. (See also: how to use characterization in storytelling.)
• How to set-up/introduce a story in a speech: ways to seamlessly and effectively integrate a story into a speech. 
• How to outline a speech - a sample speech outline with a printable (see also: demonstration speech outline, persuasive speech outline, impromptu speech outlines)
• How to end a speech effectively: examples of compelling speech endings
• How to write a great speech introduction: 12 ways to hook an audience from the start with examples.
• How to prepare good note or cue cards - step-by-step guidelines to help prepare a useful set of cue cards.
• How to use visual aids or props effectively - Can they be seen? Are they relevant? Tips and tricks for using visual aids well.
• How many words per minute in a speech - a quick reference guide - useful if you have to speak inside a fixed time limit.
• Speech evaluation - The aspects assessed in a formal evaluation, with a printable speech evaluation form.

Speech delivery: HOW a speech is presented

A speech is not a speech until it is spoken out loud. How that is done is called delivery which is made up of multiple aspects: the rate or speed of speech, voice quality, whether you read your speech verbatim from a script or make it up on the spot... My articles about 'how' or 'delivery' are below.

• Speech delivery: an overview/directory page with links to multiple pages covering different aspects of speech delivery
• The 4 modes of speech delivery - an overview of manuscript, impromptu, extemporaneous and memorized speech delivery, plus their pros and cons.
• How to rehearse a speech well: step-by-essential step
• How to practice public speaking: 9 keyways to effectively prepare a presentation
• Vocal aspects of speech delivery: 9 features of effective speech delivery, plus how to maximize your vocal potential.
• Voice image - how our voice delivery influences how people respond to us
• Vocal warmups - a simple set of essential preparation exercises for confident speech delivery
• Voice health-tips for maintaining good voice health
• A teacher's voice - the importance of developing and maintaining a flexible, dynamic speaking voice. (Page includes links to research on the effect of the teacher's voice on children's learning)
• 10 easily learned and taught public speaking exercises for improving delivery that cover the essentials
• Diction/articulation exercises - tongue twister drills, and more, for clean articulation. With a printable. 
• Tongue exercises for articulation - Mrs Tongue Does Her Housework. With a printable.
• Proper pronunciation - Commonly mispronounced words & phrases
• American English pronunciation: an interview with ESL expert Amanda Lillet on the common problems non-native speakers have with English and links to resources to remedy them. 
• Exercises to modify speaking rate: speech that is either too slow or too fast 
• What is speech rate? How many words spoken per minute is fast or slow?
• Exercises to develop the power of the pause - How to use silence effectively
• Vocal variety: 14 exercises covering pitch, tone and volume to develop vocal variety.
• Why is eye contact important? - 5 activities for teaching good eye contact.
• Body language: tips and exercise to support your speech with effective body language

Public speaking games and activities

As a teacher I learned a sure-fire way to build confidence and skills was to make the process fun and as stress-free as possible. Hence public speaking games and activities - lots of them! ☺ Most are suitable for middle school upwards and adapt well for speaking groups like Toastmasters.

• Public speaking games and activities - a directory page listing all of them
• Public speaking games ebook - a compilation of 28 + activities with printables
• Impromptu speaking activities bundle - 17 fun skill and confidence building activities with printables
• Tongue twister games -7 highly effective articulation activities with a printable
• Picture prompts for impromptu speaking - 5 activities based on images with a printable of 40 quality images
• Tell-this-story picture prompts - 8 activities plus 3 printables: 41 images, 15 story starters and an add a word or phrase pdf.
• 10 superb activities for public speaking - This was the first collection of them I had on my site. The article has been shared thousands and thousands of times. 'Popular' is understatement.
• 6 fabulous poems for kids of all ages to play with - fun group and solo activities based on classic children's poems. With audio and a printable.
• 7 public speaking games: Oink, Connect the dots, Story starters, End lines, The BIG fat lie, plus two more.   
• 5 exercises to build skills and confidence: Interview introductions, For and against, The object of my affection...
• 5 warmups and icebreakers - excellent group and solo exercises borrowed from improv and drama.
• Halloween themed exercises: 4 fun, skill and confidence building solo, paired, and group activities. With printables.
• Speech and drama activities for children - suggestions to support the development of public speaking confidence and skills from a very young age plus understanding the cycle of public speaking fear - how it develops. (This is an older page. Nevertheless, I think it's worth keeping. It just needs reworking!)
  
  

Poems and poetry related pages

Poems to read aloud at funerals, weddings and just for fun: a gateway or directory page to all write-out-loud.com's poetry related pages.

Poems for eulogies or funeral speeches

• Readings and poems for funeral speeches - a broad collection of best loved readings, some with audio
• Bereavement poems - another collection of inspirational funeral readings, some with audio
  
• Readings of four poems frequently used in funeral services: Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep, Funeral Blues, I Am Standing Upon The Seashore, and the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi.
• Funeral Blues (Stop All the Clocks) by WH Auden: read the text, listen to the audio, find out about its meaning and history, get a printable.
• Funeral poems| Remember me - 4 much loved funeral poems called Remember Me. Read them. Listen to them and get a printable for each of them.

Other poetry pages

• Wedding poems and readings: a huge classic selection spanning varying cultures and times 
• Six fabulous poems for kids of all ages to play with: classic favorites with activities, audio and a printable
• How to read a poem aloud well: practical step-by-step help to take the mystery out of reading a poem out loud effectively
• How to write a poem in free verse: the process of writing a poem step-by-step
  
  

Quotations to use in speeches

• Inspirational quotations suitable for use in funeral speeches or eulogies- a large multi-cultural selection of wisdom spanning countries and times. 
• Thank you quotations: 38 quotations expressing gratitude for use in a thank you speech
• Retirement quotations: 50 quotes about retirement, some witty, some wise, and some a combination of both
• Milestone birthday quotations: quotes for 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, and 60+ birthdays
• Witty birthday quotations: 42 funny quotes about birthdays
• Wise birthday quotes: 30 snippets of wisdom about living our lives well
     

Managing public speaking fear or anxiety

• Breathing exercises to strengthen your voice and reduce anxiety
• 14 practical ways to manage public speaking fear
• How to manage public speaking anxiety with self-hypnosis
• The fight or flight response and public speaking fear explained
• Public speaking nerves: 5 excellent strategies to manage fear
• Benefits of public speaking: 14 reasons to let go of public speaking fear
• Goodbye public speaking fear - a 7 part self-administered e-course
  
  

Newsletter

Speaking Out Loud - my free weekly newsletter of useful public speaking tips
 

Other - those pages defying easy categorization

• Audience etiquette - how to behave well at a presentation
• Teaching English in Russia - report of a 5-day workshop teaching Russian English teachers
  
  

Contact, about me, privacy and what's new

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