Step 1:  Select one of the following scenarios to work on:

1. Giving the wedding toast as a best man/maid of honor
2. Accepting an award for outstanding work
3. Giving the valedictorian speech for your graduating class

Step 2: Answer the following, to the best of your ability or using an educated guess, about the occasion selected in Step 1.

• Who—is this speech about, who else is speaking, and who invited me to speak?
• What—is the reason for the occasion and what is the goal of my speech?
• Where—will I be speaking during the program and where is the location of the function?
• When—is the occasion, and can I practice in the venue before the event?
• Why—have they chosen me to speak and what can I bring to this speech that is uniquely mine?
• How— long will I have to speak and how do I want my speech to be remembered?
• How—much do I want my message to resonate? How will I match the event’s style/tone?

Step 3: Identify and list one way you will utilize one of the following devices mentioned in the chapter “Imagery, Simile, Metaphor, Repetition, Alliteration.”

For example, in my speech as the valedictorian, I will use alliteration to create the main points, which will be going, gifting, and getting.

Step 4: Write the first paragraph of introduction for the special occasion speech selected in Step 1. Consider the steps of a speech introduction, which include attention-getter, stating topic, credibility, thesis, and forecast of speech order.

For example: As Henry David Thoreau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.” After four years of working through our studies and learning about ourselves and one another, I am honored to deliver this valedictorian speech today. As we peer into our future, we cannot imagine what lies ahead, but we can go confidently and trust the process. Today, I will speak to you about the going, the gifting, and the getting of our futures.

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