Establish rapport and tell the audience why you care about the topic or why you are credible to speak on the topic.
Tell the audience why they should care about this topic.
Introduce the speech thesis/preview/good idea.
Give a transition statement to the body of the speech.
“Everybody close your eyes.”
I don’t want to close my eyes; it makes me feel awkward and exposed to be in a group of people with my eyes closed. Because of that, I keep my eyes open. The problem is when I keep my eyes open, I feel like some sort of horrible nonconformist rebel. I feel awkward with my eyes closed and I feel guilty if they are open. Either way, I just feel bad. Besides, half of the time when speakers tell audience members to close their eyes, they forget to tell us when we can open them. If you are wanting me to imagine a story, just tell me to imagine it, don’t make me close my eyes (rant over).
“Can everybody hear me?”
You should plan your opening to be intentional and with power. “Can everybody hear me” is a weak and uncertain statement and this is not the first impression you want to leave. Do a microphone check before the audience members arrive and have someone stand in different corners of the room to make sure you can be heard. Don’t waste your valuable speech time with questions that you should already know the answer to.
“How long do I have to speak?”
You should know that before you begin. Even if the presentations for the day are running over and you are the last speaker, you should ask the MC before you begin. Always plan your first words with power.
“Can you read this?”
You should make your slides big, really big. Test out your slides in advance of your speech, walk all around the room and make sure you can read them. Have a friend check them out as well. You should know they are big enough because you planned for it and tested it.
“Turn off your cell phones and laptops.”
People really hate having things taken away, not to mention that your audience may want to take notes on their devices. Chances are you are speaking to adults, let them determine if it is appropriate to have out their technology.
“I’m sorry, I’m losing my voice.” “I’m stopped up.” “I’m under the weather.”
Stop apologizing! Stop making excuses! While these lines may be true, they just come of as excuses and can make the audience either feel like you don’t want to be there, or they just feel sorry for you.
“I’m so nervous right now.”
Talking about your nervousness will make you more nervous and will make them look for signs of your nervousness. Just start your speech.
“So, Um, Ok.”
Do not start with hesitation. Plan the first words, memorize the first words, practice the first words. Do not start with “Ok, so um, now I’d like…” Plan strong and start strong.
Do Not Discuss Your Business with People Watching…Really! I Mean It! Many of us are giving and listening to presentations in an online format. I have attended numerous presentations this year through Zoom where I have to sit and watch while the organizers engage in personal small talk or deal with the details of the presentation. This is how the speech I recently attended began. “Donna, you are going to share your screen, right?” “Yes. I have my PowerPoint ready to go. Will you push “record” when I give the signal?” “Sure. Where did you say that button is again? Do you think we should wait five more minutes, I think we had more who were coming? Dave, what was the total we were expecting?” “Yeah, we had 116 sign up, but the reminders went out late so this may be all we have. We can give them a few more minutes to log on.” “Donna, How is your dog? Is she still struggling with her cone since her spay surgery? My dog never would wear the cone –she tore her stitches out and broke her wound open. It was terrible. Well, it looks like it is about time to begin, thank you everyone for coming.” If you are organizing an event online, hosting a speech online, giving a presentation online–please keep it professional. Most platforms will allow you to keep the audience in a waiting room until it is time to start. If you have a business to deal with, keep the audience out until you have everything ready to go. Once the audience is in the meeting, you should engage the audience in group-type small talk or you should just start the presentation. In professional settings, you should start the meeting on time. Why punish those who showed up on time to wait for those who aren’t there yet?
A Conversation Over Coffee with Bill Rogers
I asked my long-time friend, Bill Rogers, to write an excerpt to add to the book. I met Bill when he was the Chief Development Officer for a hospital in Northwest Arkansas and I met him again when he was reinventing himself as a college student getting a Master’s Degree in the theater. He would love to share a symbolic cup of coffee with you and give you advice about public speaking.
Perfect morning for a walk, isn’t it? Join me for a cup of coffee? Wonderful. Find us a table and I’ll get our coffee.
There you go; just like you like it. There’s nothing like a great cup of coffee on the patio of your neighborhood coffee shop, is there?
Now that you’re settled in your favorite chair, take a sip, and let that glorious caffeine kick in and do its stuff. Okay, let’s talk.
So, you were asking me about public speaking.
Well, let’s see. Where do we begin?
One of the first pieces of advice I ever received was to imagine that every member of your audience is sitting there in their underwear! Yeah, right. That never worked for me. I tried it once with a local civic group of community leaders both male and female. If the intent of that tidbit is to make you relax, it certainly didn’t work for me. It just made me more self-conscious…and more nervous. I not only got distracted, but I also lost my train of thought, I started sweating, and, of course, imagined myself standing there without clothes. Needless to say, that speech was a disaster and I’ve never used it again. I suggest you don’t either.
In the early days, I also relied very heavily on my typed-up speech. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that unless you find yourself reading it word for word as I did. Nothing is more boring nor puts an audience to sleep quicker than a speaker with their nose down reading a speech. There’s no connection and connection with your audience is key.
As you know, I love theatre and I’ve done a bit of acting over the years. Early on, I learned that the quicker I learned my lines, the more I could play, experiment, and shape my character. It relaxed me and gave me enormous freedom. It led me to find a mantra for myself: “With discipline comes freedom.” This freedom will allow you to improvise as your audience or situation dictates while still conveying the core message of your presentation. That discipline and its resulting freedom apply to public speaking of any kind and, I think, will serve you well.
Another old adage we’ve all heard is Aristotle’s advice. You know the one. No? Well, roughly, it’s to tell your audience what you’re going to say, say it, and then tell them what you just said. That’s the basic formula for public speaking. And it works as a good place to start.
However, effective speaking is much more and, to me, it starts with a story or even a simple sentence.
You know the feeling you get when you read the first sentence of a good book and it just reaches out and grabs you? That should be your goal with every presentation. One sentence to capture your audience’s attention. Something that causes them to lean forward. Something that sparks their imagination.
It doesn’t have to be all that profound either. It can be something very simple. A personal story that relates to your topic. A relevant fact or statistic that defines or illustrates the issue or subject matter at hand.
A couple of classics come to mind. The first is Alice Walker’s, “The Color of Purple.”
“You better not tell nobody but God.”
And the second one is from my favorite novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee.
“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm broken at the elbow.”
Both sentences hook you immediately. A few simple words speak volumes. After reading or hearing those words, you naturally lean in. You want to learn more. You want to find out what happens next. Every effective speech or presentation does the same thing.
Of course, make sure that the first and last thing you say to your audience is both relevant and appropriate. I share this out of an abundance of caution. I once worked for an internationally recognized and well-respected children’s research hospital and I was given the privilege to speak at a national educational convention. The room was filled wall to wall with teachers. I thought I’d be cute and add a little levity. I opened my presentation with this line, “You know, I’ve had nightmares like this…” Instead of the roars of laughter, I was expecting, a wave of silence ensued. Not only was the line not funny, but it was also wholly inappropriate and I immediately lost my audience. Not my best day. Learn from my mistakes.
Finally, let’s touch on the importance of approaching a speech as a conversation. You and I are sitting here enjoying our coffee and having a friendly, relaxed conversation. Strive for that every chance you get. You may not always have that luxury. Some speeches and presentations simply demand formality. But even in those cases, you can usually make it somewhat conversational. I always try to write my speeches in a conversational style. Like I’m talking to a friend…or trying to make a new one.
So, to recap: tell a story, learn your lines, hook your audience with a simple sentence, close with a question or call to action, use repetition, keep it conversational, treat your audience as a friend, and give yourself permission to relax.
Above all, be yourself. Allow yourself to be as relaxed as you are with those closest to you. If you’re relaxed, if you try to think of your audience as a friend, then, in most cases, they too will relax and they will root for you. Even if they disagree with what you are telling them, they will respect you and they will listen.
How about another cup?
Key Takeaways
Remember This!
The most important part of your speech is the introduction because if you don’t get their attention, they are not listening to the rest of what you have to say.
To get attention, tell a story, use humor, share a quote, tell a startling fact, show a prop, ask a question, reference the occasion.
In addition to the grabber, a good introduction should establish rapport and tell the audience why you are credible.
An introduction often includes a “so what who cares statement” to tell the audience why this should matter to them.
The thesis/preview should be clear enough that someone could read just that sentence or couple of sentences and know what the speech is about.
Please share your feedback, suggestions, corrections, and ideas.
I want to hear from you.
Do you have an activity to include? Did you notice a typo that I should correct? Are you planning to use this as a resource and do you want me to know about it? Do you want to tell me something that really helped you?
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21 Brilliant Presentation Quotes To Start Your Speech
By: Leslie Belknap
We all know the saying, you only get one chance to make a first impression . This quote continues to be repeated, even though it is borderline cliché, because first impressions can make or break relationships. This is true even if a first impression is a presentation.
If you are at a loss for how to make a lasting, positive impression during the first few seconds of your next presentation, consider telling a story, sharing a joke, or even leading with a powerful quote that relates to the message of your talk. If you want to begin with a quote, you are in luck, because below are 21 brilliant presentation quotes that are sure to start your speech off on the right foot.
1. The common question that gets asked in business is, ‘why?’ That’s a good question, but an equally valid question is, ‘why not?’. – Jeff Bezos
2. There’s lots of bad reasons to start a company. But there’s only one good, legitimate reason, and I think you know what it is: it’s to change the world. – Phil Libin
3. A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business. – Henry Ford
4. If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late. – Reid Hoffman
5. If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough. – Mario Andretti
6. A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. – Max Lucado
7. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. – Steve Jobs
8. The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. – Confucius
9. The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything. – Warren Buffett
10. Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth. – Rumi
11. You don’t have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream. – Michael Dell
12. Build something 100 people love, not something 1 million people kind of like. – Brian Chesky
13. The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. – Mark Twain
14. The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. – Bruce Lee
15. Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. – Albert Einstein
16. If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it. – Elon Musk
17. In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. – Deepak Chopra
18. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. – Thomas Edison
19. Fall seven times and stand up eight. – Japanese Proverb
20. I was taught the way of progress is neither swift nor easy. – Marie Curie
21. Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. – Napoleon Hill
Like these quotes? You might also enjoy:
Inspirational Quotes for Presentations from Aristotle
Our Favorite Presentation Quotes
Also check out 13 Inspiring Quotes about Design :
Need help making a great impression during your next presentation? We are here to help! Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you succeed.
9 Killer Speech Openers to Start a Talk or Presentation.
Danny Riley 8 min read
What you’ll learn:
The importance of a “killer” speech opening.
9 powerful speech openers and how to use them.
Examples from great speakers you can learn from.
Great speech openers hook your audience.
“ Well begun is half done” – Mary Poppins.
A killer speech opener will make the difference between a presentation that makes you soar or your audience snore .
I’ve researched the whole web to find nine killer speech openers to make your audience lean in and listen rather than tune out and daydream.
You’ll see how masters of the craft have used them, and how you can too.
Number seven takes hutzpah to pull off. Ready for the whole list of killer speech openers?
The Shock Opener
One of the best ways to open your speech with a buzz is to startle or shock them.
You can shock an audience in many ways, but they all rest on the major senses of VAKS:
Kinesthetic (touch)
We don’t want your audience tasting your talk, but it should leave a good taste in their mouths.
Changing Minds suggests asking if the audience is awake after appearing from a flashbang and a cloud of smoke, and this might work for you if you’re a magician or playing some kind of character for your speech like a genie.
Suppose you aren’t going for the magic angle.
In that case, you can shock them on a psychological level instead, as Conor Neill recommends, and tell your audience a surprising fact or statistic that makes them question their thinking or beliefs.
“Did you know that half the water on earth is older than the sun?”
Questions like these will shake an audience awake and turn on their critical thinking nervous-system.
Don’t take my word for it; you can see an incredible demonstration of the shock opener in Mohammed Qahtani’s speech, The Power of Words .
Qahtani opens by taking out a cigarette and placing it into his mouth before trying to light it. The audience is so shocked that they gasp and tell him to stop.
Remember, if your audience is shocked, they are listening.
Your audience doesn’t always have to be jolted to attention with a shock opener, though you can use a more subtle approach to grab their focus.
Ready to speak with confidence ? Explore our training options...
The story opener.
You can set the tone of your speech instantly with a story .
In Hollywood, filmmakers and directors use an ‘establishing shot’ to set the tone and theme of the entire film.
When creating your speech, think of a short story that sums up your talk.
Maybe you tell half the story to begin with, and then the other half at the end.
The important thing is your tale must be relatable . If your audience can’t imagine themselves in the story, they won’t be engaged.
We all experience very similar things in life:
We all went to school and had a teacher we loved
We all have parents who loved us or made mistakes in our upbringing
We all had a first crush.
We are all cut from the same cloth, so it’s good to be reminded that others are going through what we face or think as we do.
Bryan Stevenson does a stellar job of recounting his mischievous grandmother in his TED talk, We need to talk about an injustice .
The best thing is, you can combine a story-opener with any other speech opener in this list.
It’s truly versatile.
One of my favourite speech openers is next, though.
The Intrigue Opener
I love this speech opener.
What better way to hook your audience than to intrigue them with mystery or a juicy secret?
Take a look at Daniel Pink’s TED Talk The puzzle of motivation . After he begins, Pink, looking like a guilty man sent to the gallows tells his audience:
“I need to confess something, at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something I regret. Something I’m not particularly proud of”.
Wow. How intriguing, right?
You have to admit; you want to know what he’s about to confess.
Choose every sentence, every word, and every mark of punctuation to increase the tantalisation temperature.
Whether it’s a secret or confession, the Intrigue Opener piques just enough curiosity in your audience to keep them from checking Whatsapp.
As humans, we need closure.
We do not like open loops.
That’s why it is both enthralling and aggravating when someone plays on our need to be sure.
Just as we cannot stand an open loop, we are instantly engaged when someone gives us a puzzle to solve.
You’ll notice the best speeches, books, tv shows, and films do not spoon feed you all of the information.
I’ve always liked the way Malcolm Gladwell writes his non-fiction books because they contain puzzles that you solve as a reader.
This puzzle needs to be related to the speech or presentation you’re delivering, of course. It cannot be a random puzzle and will ideally be impossible or extremely difficult to solve at first.
After the speech begins and the puzzle is revealed, you should slowly drop hints on how to solve the mystery.
Up next, speech openers that use a physical object to create curiosity in the audience’s mind.
The Prop Opener
One of the most potent ways you will captivate your audience is to use a powerful prop in your opening address.
What better way to capture an audience’s imagination than to show them a mysterious or beautiful object?
If you’ve never seen the Prop Opener done well, then take a look at one of the greatest speeches of all time:
Dananjaya Hettiarachchi’s, See Something .
Danajaya enters with a simple rose in his breast pocket, takes it out, gazes at it nostalgically, smells it and then begins to speak.
This same prop appears again right at the end of his speech to end his talk with a flourish.
There are many different props you can use.
JJ Abrams used a Mystery Box to absorb the audience’s attention and used the box as a metaphor for his entire career.
If you think the prop opener is just for TED Talks and Toastmasters Final Speeches, remember that most company product launch centre around one or more props.
Steve Jobs revealed his new products in ever-innovative ways.
Still, while the last two speeches I’ve mentioned opened with physical items, most of Jobs’s presentations built intrigue through the sight of the product.
So remember, you can use an object, or tease your audience with the absence of a prop, but make that prop integral to your talk.
You don’t always have to use a prop, of course.
A more minimalist approach to opening your speech uses the best audience reaction a speaker can receive: laughter.
The Funny Opener
Using laughter to win over your audience is the golden ticket to immediate rapport with your audience.
Jack Schafer, PhD at Psychology Today, said that People Will Like You If You Make Them Laugh , which seems obvious, but at least you know we have scientists on the case.
He also mentions that constructing humour requires and projects a high level of intelligence .
Of course, laughter is subjective, but it is also infectious, and if you get enough members of your audience to titter, it will spread across the whole group.
If you want to see just how quickly you can win an audience over with humour, take a look at Ken Robinson’s subtle but delightful ability to raise a chuckle in his speech Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Ken’s ability to speak conversationally to an audience of thousands is genuinely remarkable.
If you break down his humour, it is easy to see how you could include similar content in your presentations.
Whether you can pull it off as well as Ken is another story.
Not everyone feels like they can be a comedian, though; I get that.
Well, that’s alright because there are other ways to open your talk that play on other strong emotions.
You can inspire your audience too.
The Inspirational Opener
One of my favourite ways to help beginner speakers to open their presentation is with a quote.
A quote acts like a story in that it sets the tone and theme of your speech, but it takes much less effort and even less skill.
An effective quote is usually only one line long and supported by the credibility of the original author who uttered those words.
Watch the way Clint Smith opens his TED Talk The Danger of Silence .
Using Martin Luther King’s voice to start his speech gives Clint what psychologists call the transference effect .
Just by citing someone else, especially someone admired and famous, you redirect the emotions an audience have towards that person onto yourself.
One caveat to using quotes, though:
Fact check them . I cringe whenever I see someone incorrectly quoting someone.
Have you ever heard the quote by Albert Einstein:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results”?
A great quote, isn’t it?
But Albert Einstein never said those words .
A quick check on Reuters will help you add more credibility to your inspirational opener.
Finally, try to use a quote few people have ever heard. Inspiring words have been filling the archives of history for millennia, so seek out something that has been left dusty on the shelf rather than the same recycled iterations.
Next, let’s look at a type of bold speech opener that take real hutzpah to land well.
The Perspective Shift Opener
A powerful speech opener that will take confidence is the perspective shift opener.
This opener will lead the audience in one direction before changing direction and setting a new pace for the speech.
Cameron Russel does a fantastic job of controlling the frame in her TED Talk Looks aren’t everything. Believe me; I’m a model.
Russel takes to the stage dressed in a skimpy dress and begins to tell the audience about her career, but then does a rapid wardrobe change on stage in front of the entire audience.
This change of dress sets a new tone, feel, and direction for the speech.
If you can change the audience’s perspective or frame of reality, you are in the driving seat.
One of the best things you can hope for as a speaker is moving hearts and changing minds.
If you aren’t a confident speaker, start small.
Vanessa Van Edwards suggests never mentioning how nervous you are.
It’s distracting and makes the audience pick up on all the subtle nervous energy and cues you give off. Control the frame instead and act cool and confident: they will buy into it.
Another great way to hold frame control over an audience is by using the power of silence .
The Silence Opener
Silence is a valuable commodity in today’s noisy and distracting digital world.
Creating silence at the beginning of your talk can profoundly affect your audience and their focus.
Did you ever have a teacher at school who used silence effectively?
When my English classmates were noisy, our teacher Mr Rylance would hold up his hand in silence.
Slowly we would settle down and focus on his raised hand.
A few would giggle, but that would peter out until we all wrapt in a hypnotic stillness.
If you want to see an example of how to use silence, then look at Neal Glitterman’s speech The Power of Silence .
You can see how much gravity silence can have , especially as a speech opener.
The final killer opener I want to introduce you to is the big promise opener.
The Big Promise Opener
I believe that all speeches and presentations should contain a big promise as it tells your audience why they should keep on listening.
Ideally, your big promise will be your speech title or phrase that pays which is a recurring foundational phrase you will use throughout your presentation.
A big promise is your way of making a deal with the audience : you listen to me, and you’ll get something in return.
Creating a big promise at the beginning of your speech is like adding a teaser trailer to the beginning of a TV show. It suggests a reason you should stick around.
When Arthur Benjamin introduces his talk Faster than a calculator by announcing:
“I am a human calculator!”
You know that proof is on the way.
Remember the essential rule of the Big Promise Opener: make it big and keep your promise.
WOW your audience with these killer speech openers.
I hope you feel that I kept my promise of sharing nine killer speech openers to start a presentation.
Did you notice any other speech openers at the beginning of this article?
Don’t forget; these openers can be mixed and matched.
You can include a number of these speech openers in the same presentation to create more impact.
Let me know which of these killer openers was your favourite, and let me know if you have any more you’d like to share.
– Danny Riley
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How to Start a Speech: 7 Tips and Examples for a Captivating Opening
By Status.net Editorial Team on December 12, 2023 — 10 minutes to read
1. Choosing the Right Opening Line
Finding the perfect opening line for your speech is important in grabbing your audience’s attention. A strong opening line sets the stage for the points you want to make and helps you establish a connection with your listeners.
1. Start with a question
Engage your audience from the very beginning by asking them a thought-provoking question related to your topic. This approach encourages them to think, and it can create a sense of anticipation about what’s coming next.
“Have you ever wondered how much time we spend on our phones every day?”
2. Share a personal story
A relatable personal story can create an emotional connection with your audience. Make sure your story is short, relevant to your speech, and ends with a clear point.
“When I was a child, my grandmother used to tell me that every kind deed we do plants a seed of goodness in the world. It was this philosophy that inspired me to start volunteering.”
3. Use a quote or a statistic
Incorporate a powerful quote or an intriguing statistic at the outset of your speech to engage your audience and provide context for your topic.
“As the great Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'”
4. Make them laugh
Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn’t offend your audience.
“They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!”
5. Paint a mental picture
Draw your audience in by describing a vivid scene or painting an illustration in their minds. This creates an immersive experience that makes it easier for your audience to follow your speech.
“Picture this: you’re walking down the beach, and you look out on the horizon. The sun is setting, and the sky is a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and pinks.”
2. Using a Personal Story
Sharing a personal story can be a highly effective way to engage your audience from the very beginning of your speech. When you open your talk with a powerful, relatable story, it helps create an emotional connection with your listeners, making them more invested in what you have to say.
Think about an experience from your life that is relevant to the topic of your speech. Your story doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic, but it should be clear and vivid. Include enough detail to paint a picture in your audience’s minds, but keep it concise and on point.
The key to successfully using a personal story is to make it relatable. Choose a situation that your audience can empathize with or easily understand. For example, if you’re giving a speech about overcoming adversity, you could talk about a time where you faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge and overcame it.
Make sure to connect your story to the main point or theme of your speech. After sharing your experience, explain how it relates to the topic at hand, and let your audience see the relevance to their own lives. This will make your speech more impactful and show your listeners why your personal story holds meaning.
3. Making a Shocking Statement
Starting your speech with a shocking statement can instantly grab your audience’s attention. This technique works especially well when your speech topic relates to a hot-button issue or a controversial subject. Just make sure that the statement is relevant and true, as false claims may damage your credibility.
For example, “Believe it or not, 90% of startups fail during their first five years in the market.” This statement might surprise your listeners and make them more receptive to your ideas on how to avoid pitfalls and foster a successful business.
So next time you’re crafting a speech, consider opening with a powerful shocking statement. It could be just the thing to get your audience sitting up and paying full attention. (Try to keep your shocking statement relevant to your speech topic and factual to enhance your credibility.)
4. Using Humor
Humor can be an excellent way to break the ice and grab your audience’s attention. Opening your speech with a funny story or a joke can make a memorable first impression. Just be sure to keep it relevant to your topic and audience.
A good joke can set a light-hearted tone, lead into the importance of effective time management, and get your audience engaged from the start.
When using humor in your speech, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Be relatable: Choose a story or joke that your audience can easily relate to. It will be more engaging and connect your listeners to your message.
Keep it appropriate: Make sure the humor fits the occasion and audience. Stay away from controversial topics and avoid offending any particular group.
Practice your delivery: Timing and delivery are essential when telling a joke. Practice saying it out loud and adjust your pacing and tone of voice to ensure your audience gets the joke.
Go with the flow: If your joke flops or doesn’t get the reaction you were hoping for, don’t panic or apologize. Simply move on to the next part of your speech smoothly, and don’t let it shake your confidence.
Don’t overdo it: While humor can be useful in capturing your audience’s attention, remember that you’re not a stand-up comedian. Use it sparingly and focus on getting your message across clearly and effectively.
5. Incorporating a Quote
When you want to start your speech with a powerful quote, ensure that the quote is relevant to your topic. Choose a quote from a credible source, such as a famous historical figure, a well-known author, or a respected expert in your field. This will not only grab your audience’s attention but also establish your speech’s credibility.
For example, if you’re giving a speech about resilience, you might use this quote by Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Once you’ve found the perfect quote, integrate it smoothly into your speech’s introduction. You can briefly introduce the source of the quote, providing context for why their words are significant. For example:
Nelson Mandela, an inspirational leader known for his perseverance, once said: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
When you’re incorporating a quote in your speech, practice your delivery to ensure it has the intended impact. Focus on your tone, pace, and pronunciation. By doing so, you can convey the quote’s meaning effectively and connect with your audience emotionally.
Connect the quote to your main points by briefly explaining how it relates to the subject matter of your speech. By creating a natural transition from the quote to your topic, you can maintain your audience’s interest and set the stage for a compelling speech.
In our resilience example, this could look like:
“This quote by Mandela beautifully illustrates the power of resilience. Today, I want to share with you some stories of remarkable individuals who, like Mandela, overcame obstacles and rose every time they fell. Through their experiences, we might learn how to cultivate our own resilience and make the most of life’s challenges.”
6. Starting with a Question
Opening your speech with a question can be a great way to engage your audience from the start. This strategy encourages your listeners to think and become active participants in your presentation. Your opening question should be related to your core message, sparking their curiosity, and setting the stage for the following content. Here are a few examples:
For a motivational speech : “Have you ever wondered what you would do if you couldn’t fail?”
For a business presentation : “What’s the biggest challenge your team faces daily, and how can we overcome it?”
For an educational talk : “How does the way we use technology today impact the future of our society?”
When choosing the right starting question, consider your audience. You want to ask something that is relevant to their experiences and interests. The question should be interesting enough to draw their attention and resonate with their emotions. For instance, if you’re presenting to a group of entrepreneurs, gear your question towards entrepreneurship, and so on.
To boost your question’s impact, consider using rhetorical questions. These don’t require a verbal response, but get your audience thinking about their experiences or opinions. Here’s an example:
For an environmental speech : “What kind of world do we want to leave for our children?”
After posing your question, take a moment to let it sink in, and gauge the audience’s reaction. You can also use a brief pause to give the listeners time to think about their answers before moving on with your speech.
7. Acknowledging the Occasion
When starting a speech, you can acknowledge the occasion that brought everyone together. This helps create a connection with your audience and sets the stage for the rest of your speech. Make sure to mention the event name, its purpose, and any relevant individuals or groups you would like to thank for organizing it. For example:
“Hello everyone, and welcome to the 10th annual Charity Gala Dinner. I’m truly grateful to the fundraising committee for inviting me to speak tonight.”
After addressing the event itself, include a brief personal touch to show your connection with the topic or the audience. This helps the audience relate to you and gain interest in what you have to say. Here’s an example:
“As a long-time supporter of this cause, I am honored to share my thoughts on how we can continue making a difference in our community.”
Next, give a brief overview of your speech so the audience knows what to expect. This sets the context and helps them follow your points. You could say something like:
“Tonight, I’ll be sharing my experiences volunteering at the local food bank and discussing the impact of your generous donations.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some effective opening lines for speeches.
A powerful opening line will grab your audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your speech. Some effective opening lines include:
Start with a bold statement: “The world needs your creativity now more than ever.”
Share a surprising fact: “Did you know that the average person spends (…) years of their life at work?”
Pose a thought-provoking question: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
Tell a short, engaging story: “When I was 10 years old, I discovered my passion for baking in my grandmother’s kitchen.”
Can you provide examples of engaging introductions for speeches?
Use humor: “As a kid, I believed that 7 pm bedtime was a form of torture. Now, as an adult, I find myself dreaming of 7 pm bedtime.”
Share a personal experience: “On a trip to Italy, I found myself lost in the winding streets of a small village. It was there, amidst my confusion, that I stumbled upon the best gelato I’d ever tasted.”
Use an analogy: “Starting a new business is like taking a journey into the unknown. There will be challenges to overcome, and you’ll need resilience, determination, and a strong compass.”
Which speech styles can make a powerful impact on the audience?
Different speech styles will resonate with different audiences. Some styles to consider include:
Inspirational: Motivate your audience to take action or overcome challenges.
Storytelling: Share personal experiences or anecdotes to illustrate your points and keep listeners engaged.
Educational: Provide useful information and insights to help your audience learn or grow.
Persuasive: Present a compelling argument to convince your audience to adopt a particular perspective or take specific action.
How do successful speakers establish a connection with their listeners?
Establishing a connection with your listeners is key to delivering an impactful speech. Some ways to connect with your audience include:
Show empathy: Demonstrating understanding and concern for your audience’s feelings and experiences will generate a sense of trust and connection.
Be relatable: Share personal stories or examples that allow your audience to see themselves in your experiences, thus making your speech more relatable.
Keep it genuine: Avoid overrehearsing or coming across as scripted. Instead, strive for authenticity and flexibility in your delivery.
Encourage participation: Engaging your audience through questions, activities, or conversation can help build rapport and make them feel more involved.
What are some techniques for maintaining a friendly and professional tone in speeches?
To maintain a friendly and professional tone in your speeches, consider these tips:
Balance humor and seriousness: Use humor to lighten the mood and engage your audience, but make sure to also cover the serious points in your speech.
Speak naturally: Use your everyday vocabulary and avoid jargon or overly formal language when possible.
Show respect: Acknowledge differing opinions and experiences, and treat your audience with courtesy and fairness.
Provide useful information: Offer valuable insights and solutions to your audience’s concerns, ensuring they leave your speech feeling more informed and empowered.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in Leadership [Examples, Tips]
Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
Empathy: Definition, Types, and Tips for Effective Practice
How to Improve Key Communication Skills
38 Empathy Statements: Examples of Empathy
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Public speaking quotes: funny, inspiring insights for your presentation.
June 2, 2014
by Andy Saks
Over many years as a professional presenter and speaker, I’ve accumulated a treasure trove of funny, inspiring, insightful public speaking quotes.
These quotes are near and dear to my heart. They’ve helped me immensely, and helped me help others.
Some date back to biblical times. Others are hot off the Twitter press.
Sometimes I show them in a looping slideshow to warm up an audience before a keynote speech or presentation skills training program.
Other times I peek at them when I need some inspiration myself.
And here they are, for the first time, categorized and alphabetized for your presentation pleasure.
Which quotes make you laugh? Which inspire you? Which rub you the wrong way? Which of your favorites should I add? Which did you use in your presentation? Tell me by sharing your comment at the bottom of the page.
QUOTES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY / FEAR
“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than delivering the eulogy.” – Jerry Seinfeld
“All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears, of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, or speaking before the Rotary Club, or the words ‘some assembly required.’” – Dave Barry
“…and from the first moment that I ever walked on stage in front of a darkened auditorium with a couple of hundred people sitting there, I was never afraid, I was never fearful, I didn’t suffer from stage fright, because I felt so safe on that stage. I wasn’t Patrick Stewart, I wasn’t in the environment that frightened me, I was pretending to be someone else, and I liked the other people I pretended to be. So I felt nothing but security for being on stage. And I think that’s what drew me to this strange job of playing make-believe.” — Patrick Stewart
“Feel the fear of public speaking and do it anyway.” – Arvee Robinson
“I was dreading winning. I didn’t even prepare an acceptance speech. I was worried that I would slip up or do something horrible. I was shaking in my seat, putting on a posed smile. Inside I was petrified.” – Leonardo DiCaprio (at the 1998 Academy Awards)
“It’s all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation.” – Rob Gilbert
“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” – George Jessel
“There are two types of speakers: Those who get nervous and those who are liars.” – Mark Twain
QUOTES ON ASKING QUESTIONS & LISTENING
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, and to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” – Jimi Hendrix
“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” – fortune cookie Andy got (really!)
“Nothing calms a person faster than hearing his own ideas repeated back.” – Sandra DeLozier
“One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears, by listening to them.” – Dean Rusk
“Open your ears before you open your mouth; it may surprise your eyes!” – Earl Nightingale
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
“The finest art of communication is not learning how to express your thoughts. It is learning how to draw out the thoughts of another.” – Ted Tripp
“Two monologues do not make a dialogue.” – Jeff Daly
“You can tell if a man is clever by his answers. You can tell if a man is wise by his questions.” – unknown
QUOTES ON HAVING A GREAT ATTITUDE
“Our attitude towards others determines their attitude towards us.” -Earl Nightingale
“Say what you mean, mean what you say, just don’t say it mean.” – Nguyen Van Tho
“Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you’ll ever regret.” – Laurence Peter
“The words you speak today should be soft and tender, for tomorrow you may have to eat them.” – unknown
“Think lovingly, speak lovingly, act lovingly, and every need shall be supplied.” – James Allen
“You have to smile, if you expect anybody to smile back.” – Jonathan Evison
QUOTES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR AUDIENCE
“Designing a presentation without an audience in mind is like writing a love letter and addressing it: To Whom It May Concern.” – Ken Haemer
“In the preaching moment, there is a liminal moment in which is dawns on you standing there that yes, there is something more going on here that I did not anticipate…You feed of the congregation, because black preaching is so dialogical. The affirmation in that dialogue is the place where you locate revelation.” – Dale Andrews (professor, Boston University, and occasional preacher)
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” – @mediatraining
“The goal of effective communication should be for listeners to say ‘Me too!’ versus ‘So what?'” – Jim Rohn
“The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.” – Dale Carnegie
“To communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world, and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” – Tony Robbins
“To sway an audience, you must watch them as you speak.” – C. Kent Wright
“When are you going to understand that if it doesn’t pertain to me, I’m not interested?” – Candace Bergen as Murphy Brown
QUOTES ON CLARITY, SIMPLICITY AND WORD CHOICE IN SPEAKING
“Eloquence is the essential thing in a speech, not information.” – Mark Twain
“I understand a fury in your words, but not your words.” – William Shakespeare, Othello
“If we use common words on a great occasion, they are the more striking because they are felt at once to have a particular meaning, like old banners, or everyday clothes, hung up in a sacred place.” – George Eliot
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein
“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.” – Dianna Booher
“If you can’t state your position in eight words, you don’t have a position. “ – Seth Godin
“One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.” – Jack Kerouac
“Precision of communication is important, more important than ever, in our era of hair-trigger balances, when a false or misunderstood word may create as much disaster as a sudden thoughtless act.” – James Thurber
“Speak clearly, if you speak at all. Carve every word before you let it fall.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hoffman
“The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter–’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” — Mark Twain
“The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one’s real and one’s declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like cuttlefish squirting out ink.” – George Orwell
“The way something is presented will define the way you react to it.” – Neville Brody
“Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” – William Butler Yeats
“Those who run to long words are mainly the unskillful and tasteless; they confuse pomposity with dignity, flaccidity with ease, and bulk with force.” – H.W. Fowler
QUOTES DEFINING PUBLIC SPEAKING AND PRESENTATIONS
“A presentation is a chance to share, not an oral exam.” – M.F. Fensholt
“All speaking is public speaking, whether it’s to one person or a thousand.” – Roger Love
“Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style.” – Jonathan Swift
“Speech is power. Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good sense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Through the picture, I see reality. Through the word, I understand it.” – Sven Lidman
“To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.” – Ben Jonson
“Words do two major things: they provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness.” – Jim Rohn
“Words. Words, when spoken out loud for the sake of performance, are music. They have rhythm, and pitch, and timbre, and volume. These are the properties of music, and music has the ability to find us and move us and lift us up in ways that literal meaning can’t.” – Martin Sheen as President Bartlet, The West Wing
FUNNY QUOTES ON PUBLIC SPEAKING & PRESENTATIONS
“Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself. It’s the only way you can be sure somebody’s listening.” – F.P. Jones
“Every speaker has a mouth, an arrangement rather neat. Sometimes it’s filled with wisdom, sometimes it’s filled with feet.” – Robert Orben
“Light travels faster than sound. That’s why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.” – Albert Einstein
“Look your audience straight in the eyes, and begin to talk as if every one of them owed you money.” – Dale Carnegie
“My job is to talk; your job is to listen. If you finish first, please let me know.” – Harry Herschfield
“Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” – Mark Twain
“Public speaking is very easy.” – Dan Quayle
“Speak the truth, but leave immediately after.” – Slovenian proverb
“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it’s taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw
QUOTES ON HONESTY IN SPEAKING
“Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” – Mark Twain
“I didn’t lie. I was writing fiction in my mouth.” – Homer Simpson
“Speech is a mirror of the soul. As a man speaks, so is he.” – Publilius Syrus
“Teach the tongue to say ‘I do not know.’” – Maimonides
“When the eyes say one thing, and the tongue another, a practiced man relies on the language of the first.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
QUOTES ON HUMOR IN PRESENTATIONS & PUBLIC SPEAKING
“Humor is a rubber sword – it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.” – Mary Hirsch
“Humor is treacherous. It can charm, coax, and persuade, but it can also distract, baffle or alienate the audience.” – Eugene Finerman
“I learned at an early age that when I made people laugh, they liked me. This is a lesson I never forgot.” – Art Buchwald
“If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.” – Oscar Wilde
“Once you get people laughing, they’re listening and you can tell them almost anything.” – Herbert Gardner
“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” -Mark Twain
QUOTES ON THE POWER AND IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING
“Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.” – Charles Dickens
“Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half of people who have nothing to say and keep saying it.” – Robert Frost
“I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
“If all my talents were to be taken from me by some inscrutable providence, and I had to make a choice of keeping but one, I would unhesitatingly ask to keep the power of speaking, because through it, I would quickly recover all the rest.” – Daniel Webster
“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.” – Edward R. Murrow
“The tongue has the power of life and death.” – Solomon
“The tongue is like a sharp knife. It kills without drawing blood.” – Buddha
“When nobody speaks your name, or even knows it, you, knowing it, must be the first to speak it.” – Marlon Riggs
“Improve your communication skills and you will earn fifty percent more money over your lifetime…In my office you’ll not see the degree I got from the University of Nebraska. You’ll not see the master’s degree I got from Columbia. But you’ll see the award certificate I got from the [public] speaking course.” – Warren Buffett
INSPIRING PUBLIC SPEAKING QUOTES
“Between your brain and your mouth (or your fingers) is magic: your power to choose what you say next. Use that magic.” – Chris Brogan
“Oratory should raise your heart rate. Oratory should blow the doors off the place.” – Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn, The West Wing
“The difference between a good speech and a great speech is the energy with which the audience comes to their feet at the end. Is it polite? Is it a chore? Are they standing up because their boss just stood up? No. You want it to come from their socks.” – Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn, The West Wing
“The world is made up of words. And if you know the words that the world is made of, you can make of it whatever you wish.” – Terence McKenna
“The world is waiting for your words.” – Arvee Robinson
“Your words can make you rich” – Dr. Donald Moine
QUOTES ON OPENING LINES IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
“He who fails to please in his salutation and address is at once rejected, and never obtains an opportunity of showing his latest excellences or essential qualities.” – Samuel Johnson
“You had me at ‘Hello.’” – Renee Zellweger as Dorothy Boyd in Jerry Maguire
QUOTES ON PASSION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING & PRESENTATIONS
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
“Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.” – Jim Rohn
“I don’t like to hear cut-and-dried sermons. When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees!” – Abraham Lincoln
“It doesn’t matter how elegant the argument or inspiring the prose, a presentation won’t move anyone if the presenter isn’t visibly feeling what they are saying.” – John Neffinger, KNP Communications
“Technique alone is never enough. You have to have passion. Technique alone is just an embroidered pot holder.” – Raymond Chandler
“The best speeches come from the heart and reflect your passion. Speak as if your life depended on it.” – Arvee Robinson
“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Carol Buchner
“When genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.” – D.H. Lawrence
“You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.” – John Ford
“You cannot speak that which you do not know. You cannot share that which you do not feel.” – Jim Rohn
QUOTES ON POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
“A designer knows he or she has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Nolan Haims
“If God is in the details, then the Devil is in PowerPoint.” – @AngryPaulRand
“The more strikingly visual your presentation is, the more people will remember it. And more importantly, they will remember you.” – Paul Arden
QUOTES ON PREPARATION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
“All Abe Lincoln needed was a pencil and paper to make his speech at Gettysburg.” – @TipsForSpeakers
“All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Communication works for those who work at it.” – John Powell
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln
“If you wing it when speaking, you’ll get wing it results.” – Arvee Robinson
“It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain
“Let he who would be moved to convince others be first moved to convince himself.” – T. Carlyle
“Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills, so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.” – Jim Rohn
QUOTES ON SALES PRESENTATIONS
“Good listeners generally make more sales than good talkers.” – B.C. Holwick
“He that has no silver in his purse should have silver on his tongue.” – Thomas Fuller
“If you can’t say it, you can’t sell it!” – Arvee Robinson
“Samson killed a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. That many sales are killed every day with exactly the same weapon.” – unknown
“The single most important tool in selling is being able to communicate effectively.” – Dan Brent Burt
QUOTES ON SILENCE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
“It’s the space you put between the notes that make the music.” – Massimo Vignelli
“Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.” – Dionysius of Halicarnassus
“Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.” – cowboy saying
“Speak only if you can improve upon silence.” – unknown
“Talking is like playing the harp; there is as much in laying the hand on the strings to stop their vibrations as in twanging them to bring out their music.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
“The most precious things in speech are pauses.” – Ralph Richardson
“Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” – Abraham Lincoln
QUOTES ON SMILING IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
“So much is said with the electricity of the eyes, the intensity of a whisper. Less is more.” – Elizabeth Taylor
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia
“Your smile is a messenger of your goodwill.” – Dale Carnegie
QUOTES ON SPEED AND BREVITY IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
“A fool uttereth all his mind.” – Proverbs 29:11
“A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.” – William Strunk, Jr.
“A speech is like a love affair. Any fool can start one, but it requires considerable skill to end it.” – unknown
“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.” – Franklin Roosevelt
“Blessed is the man who, having nothing [more] to say, refrains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact.” – George Eliot
“For effective communication, use brevity. Jesus said, ‘Follow me.’ Now that’s brief!” – Jim Rohn
“He who talks more is sooner exhausted.” – Lao Tzu
“If it takes a lot of words to say what you have in mind, give it more thought.” – Dennis Roth
“If you want me to speak for an hour, I am ready today. If you want me to speak for just a few minutes, it will take me a few weeks to prepare.” – Mark Twain
“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what other men say in whole books.” – Nietzsche
“It is with words as with sunbeams. The more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.” – Robert Southey
“It’s better to say nothing than spend 1,000 words or an hour speech saying nothing. Get to the point.” – Richard Branson
“It’s quite simple: say what you have to say and when you come to a sentence with a grammatical ending, sit down.” – Winston Churchill
“Make sure you have stopped speaking before your audience has stopped listening.” – Dorothy Sarnoff
“Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink.” – Martin Lomasney
“Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary.” – Evan Esar
“The best speech has a good beginning and a good ending – and has them close together.” – unknown
“The best way to make a good speech is to have a good beginning and a good ending – and have them close together.” – unknown
“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The secret of being a bore is to tell everything.” – Voltaire
“Think all you speak, but speak not all you think. Thoughts are your own; your words are so no more.” – Patrick Delany
“To make a speech immortal, you don’t have to make it everlasting.” – unknown
“What is powerful is when what you say is just the tip of the iceberg of what you know.” – Jim Rohn
QUOTES ON STORYTELLING IN PRESENTATIONS
“Every story has its time to be told.” – Sekou Sundiata
“Stories open the hearts of your listeners, and then their wallets.” – Arvee Robinson
QUOTES ON WORDS VERSUS ACTIONS
“Be content to act, and leave the talking to others.” – Baltasa
“One deed is worth a thousand speeches.” – American proverb
“People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.” – unknown
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
“Words may show a man’s wit, but actions, his meaning. “ – Benjamin Franklin
ABOUT SPARK PRESENTATIONS
Spark owner and speaking quote compiler Andy Saks
Spark Presentations is a private company founded in 1998 that provides presentation skills training and speech coaching for executives, salespeople, marketers and other businesspeople, plus booth staff training for trade show exhibitors.
Spark also books professional presenters and public speakers to represent its clients at high-profile events, in roles like keynote speaker, trade show booth presenter, master of ceremonies (emcee) and auctioneer, as well as on camera talent and voice talent.
Spark’s client list includes large corporations like AT&T, Best Buy, Covidien, FedEx, Hyundai, Intel, Kimberly-Clark, Owens-Corning, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Volvo; high-tech industry players like AMD, Atrion, Citrix, Gigamon, and Symantec; service organizations like Vistage, 1nService and NERCOMP; and New England institutions like Community Rowing and the Boston Jewish Film Festival.
Spark’s owner, Andy Saks, is also the author of The Presentation Playbook Series: Be a Most Valuable Presenter (MVP) , a three-volume series of books that help businesspeople master common presentation situations by building and running speaking “plays” like a coach or player calls a key play in a game. Volume 1 is available now in print and PDF formats on Spark’s website and at these online retailers and formats: Amazon print , Amazon Kindle , Apple iBooks and Barnes & Noble print and Nook .
For questions, quotes or orders, contact Andy Saks at 781-454-7600, email or Spark’s Contact page .
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The big fish blog, 25 awesome public speaking quotes.
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Public speaking is the number one fear in America. Death is number two.
From sweaty palms to cracking voices, speaking publicly can be terrifying, yet it is a crucial skill to have in the business world. We’d like to alleviate some of this stress by offering up some inspirational, informative quotes. These quotes are in no particular order, and the speakers range from well-known orators to presentation gurus. Some are serious, some are classic, and some are short and funny. Feel free to spread these around, write them in your journals, whatever you want! Enjoy!
“You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.” -John Ford
“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.” -D. H. Lawrence
“Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.” -Dionysius Of Halicarnassus
“What we say is important… for in most cases the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” -Jim Beggs
“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.” -Dianna Booher
“There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.” – Dale Carnegie
“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain
“A good orator is pointed and impassioned.” -Marcus T. Cicero
“Oratory is the power to talk people out of their sober and natural opinions.” – Joseph Chatfield
“He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.” – Joseph Conrad
“There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience.” – Alexander Gregg
“The success of your presentation will be judged not by the knowledge you send but by what the listener receives.” – Lilly Walters
“If you don’t know what you want to achieve in your presentation your audience never will.” – Harvey Diamond
“Best way to conquer stage fright is to know what you’re talking about.” – Michael H Mescon
“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.” – Mark Twain
“No one ever complains about a speech being too short!” – Ira Hayes
“90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.” – Somers White
“It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time.” – Wayne Burgraff
“The most precious things in speech are the pauses.” – Sir Ralph Richardson
“Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.” – Martin Fraquhar Tupper
“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Carl W. Buechner
“The problem with speeches isn’t so much not knowing when to stop, as knowing when not to begin.” – Frances Rodman
“Words have incredible power. They can make people’s hearts soar, or they can make people’s hearts sore.” -Dr. Mardy Grothe
“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” – Mark Twain
Tags: 25 , art , audience , awesome blog , big fish , big fish presentations , blog , cool blog , emerson , entrepreneur , entrepreneurship , famous quotes , john ford , mark twain , presentation , public speaking , quotes , speakers , speaking , speech
These are 25 quotes that every writer on oratory as well as every orator need to have in his or her repertory of quotes. The one by Martin Fraquhar Tupper, “Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.” is a special favorite of mine because I’m always telling the new speakers that I mentor to pause when speaking as an alternative to using filler words when they need a moment to gather their thoughts. A well-laced pause can add dramatic impact to a speech while filler words do nothing but detract from the quality of ones speech.
We completely agree. Pausing adds that special dramatic impact. Filler words like “umm” and “ahh” can get dangerous if used too much…
Thank you!!!!
No problem, Jon! We’re glad you liked it! Stay tuned for more!
I just stumbled across this blog, and I love those Mark Twain quotes. What a genius, that man.
We completely agree, Mike! Make sure to subscribe to our blog for more posts!
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In it, you’ll find our step-by-step techniques, the best tips on new presentation tools, innovative ways to deliver your ideas, case studies of presentations, as well as ways to recover if things go wrong.
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Free storytelling ebook, yolo design is now, new name, same awesome team.
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We are happy to announce that we are now part of the ThreeSixtyEight family. Our shop has joined forces with Hatchit Co to launch a full service digital experience agency that challenges brands to embrace their creative confidence through web, video, and digital brand strategy. Come over and say hello! If you’re just looking for presentation services though, please just exit out this box and continue along. Our team is always happy in helping you deliver an experience.
Top 15 Inspirational Quotes for Student Speeches
If you're searching for some wisdom, these pithy sayings may help
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Most high school students will get to experience giving speeches in front of their fellow students. Typically, a speech component is included in at least one of the English classes that students are required to take.
Many students will also make speeches outside of class. They might be running for a leadership position on the student council or a school club, or they might need to give a speech as part of an extracurricular activity or to try and win a scholarship. The lucky few will stand in front of their own graduating class and deliver a speech meant to inspire and motivate their friends and classmates for the future.
These quotes are meant to inspire you and those around you to achieve to the highest degree. Hopefully, these quotes can form an excellent basis for graduation and other speeches .
Inspirational Quotes
Thomas Edison : "If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves."
Ralph Waldo Emerson : "Hitch your wagon to a star."
Michelangelo : "If you knew how much work went into it, you wouldn't call it genius."
Mother Teresa : "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."
Walt Disney: "All our dreams can come true—if we have the courage to pursue them."
Dr. Seuss : "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
Winston Churchill : "Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts."
Henry David Thoreau : "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."
Eleanor Roosevelt : "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe : "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
Oliver Wendell Holmes: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
Eddie Rickenbacker: "Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared."
Albert Einstein : "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
David Zucker: "Quit now, you'll never make it. If you disregard this advice, you'll be halfway there."
Thomas Edison: "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
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How to Start a Speech: The Best (and Worst) Speech Openers
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One of the hardest things about public speaking is knowing how to start a speech. Your opening line is your first impression. It’s how you capture attention. It’s how you captivate the audience. So how do you make sure you nail it every time?
The best way to know how to open a speech is to look at what has worked in the past. When we examined the top speeches of all time and the most popular TED talks of all time, we found some interesting speaking patterns.
Time has identified the top 10 greatest speeches of all time. They are:
Opening Lines of the Top 10 Greatest Speeches of All Time
#1: Socrates – “Apology”
#2: Patrick Henry – “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”
#3: Frederick Douglass – “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery”
#4: Abraham Lincoln – “Gettysburg Address”
Opening Line: “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
#5: Susan B. Anthony – “Women’s Rights to the Suffrage”
#6: Winston Churchill – “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat”
#7: John F. Kennedy – “Inaugural Address”
Opening Line: “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom — symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning — signifying renewal, as well as change.”
#8: Martin Luther King, Jr. – “I Have a Dream”
#9: Lyndon B. Johnson – “The American Promise”
#10: Ronald Reagan – “Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate”
How do all of these historical greats start their speeches? Is there a difference between these and some of the more modern top TED talks?
Before we dive in, let’s recap with some critical do’s and don’ts when opening a speech:
Opening Lines of the Top 10 TED Talks of All Time
Here are the opening lines to the top 10 Ted Talks of all time according to view count:
#1: Sir Ken Robinson – “Do schools kill creativity?” Opening Line: “Good morning. How are you? It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. In fact, I’m leaving.”
#2: Amy Cuddy – “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are” Opening Line: “So I want to start by offering you a free, no-tech life hack, and all it requires of you is this: that you change your posture for two minutes.”
#3: Simon Sinek – “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”
#4: Brene Brown – “The Power of Vulnerability” Opening Line: “So, I’ll start with this: a couple years ago, an event planner called me because I was going to do a speaking event.”
#5: Mary Roach – “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Orgasm” Opening Line: “All right. I’m going to show you a couple of images from a very diverting paper in The Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.”
#6: Julian Treasure – “How to Speak so that People Want to Listen” Opening Line: “The human voice: It’s the instrument we all play.”
#7: Jill Bolte Taylor – “My Stroke of Insight” Opening Line: “I grew up to study the brain because I have a brother who has been diagnosed with a brain disorder: schizophrenia.”
#8: James Veitch – “This is What Happens When You Reply to Spam Email” Opening Line: “A few years ago, I got one of those spam emails.”
#9: Cameron Russell – “Looks Aren’t Everything; Believe Me, I’m a Model” Opening Line: “Hi. My name is Cameron Russell, and for the last little while, I’ve been a model.”
#10: Dan Pink – “The Puzzle of Motivation” Opening Line: “I need to make a confession at the outset here.”
What can we learn from these opening lines? There are some patterns that can help us. First, let’s start with what you shouldn’t do. Have you ever made one of these cardinal speaking sins?
Never Start a Presentation with…
Anything technical! This is a big mistake people make when they have not done a tech check ahead of time or are feeling nervous. Never start with these openers:
Is this microphone working?
Can you hear me?
Wow, these lights are bright!
Your nervousness. Many people think it is vulnerable to start with how nervous they are about speaking — you can mention this later, but it should not be the first thing. Why? People will then only be looking for signs of your nervousness. Don’t start with:
I’m so nervous right now!
Wow there are so many people here.
I’m not a great public speaker.
A lackluster or non-believable nicety. It’s great to be grateful to the person who introduced you, but it’s not a great way to include the audience. It’s ok to thank the audience for being there—but do it at the end (not as your opening line). These are all too boring:
Thanks for having me.
Thanks for that intro.
Nice to be here.
Boring, shmoring! I have an exception here if you can make it funny. Ken Robinson started with a nicety and then turned it into a joke. He said, “ “Good morning. How are you? It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. In fact, I’m leaving.”
More Public Speaking Resources
Get even more public speaking tips with our related resources:
10 Presentation Ideas that will Radically Improve Your Presentation Skills
6 Public Speaking Apps to try Before Your Next Presentation
My Top 5 Favorite Public Speakers
15 Science-Based Public Speaking Tips To Become a Master Speaker
How to Give Captivating Presentations
How to Give an Awesome Toast
How to Start a Presentation
A story. The absolute best way to start a presentation is with a story. There is nothing better to capture the imagination and attention of an audience. Try to use these speaking openers as fill-in-the-blanks for your speech.
I’m here for a reason. And it’s an interesting story…
The best thing that ever happened to me was…
Once upon a time…
In his talk, “The lies our culture tells us about what matters,” David Brooks started off with a great opening line AND a story. He said, “So, we all have bad seasons in life. And I had one in 2013. My marriage had just ended, and I was humiliated by that failed commitment.” Makes you want to watch right…
And if you need help on storytelling basics, be sure to check out some of my top 5 favorite speakers .
A BIG idea. Sometimes you want to share your big idea right up front. This can be helpful because it is intriguing and gets people clued in right away. All TED speakers try to integrate their big idea early.
You’re here for a reason. It’s…
The single most important thing I want to share with you today is…
Today, I want to share a big idea…
I love how Stacy Smith starts off her talk with her big idea framed in an interesting way. She said, “Today, I want to tell you about a pressing social issue. Now, it’s not nuclear arms, it’s not immigration, and it’s not malaria. I’m here to talk about movies.”
Special Note: Be very careful to NOT deliver your one-liner by re-reading your title slide. You also want to position it as exciting and intriguing. For example, don’t say, “Today I am going to talk about body language.” Instead say, “Today I am going to teach you the single most important thing you can do to improve your charisma… and it starts with your body.”
A quirky one-liner. If you can use humor — do it! Humor or curiosity is a great way to start a speech on a high. You can get creative with these! Think of an interesting fact about you, your audience or your topic that can lead you into your content.
One thing most people don’t know about me is…
A teacher, a mother and a duck walk into a bar…
I want to tell you something surprising.
When I gave my TEDx London Talk I started off with a quirky one-liner that immediately got a few laughs. It was “Hi, I’m Vanessa and I am a recovering awkward person.” It worked so well it is also the first line of my book, Captivate .
II love the way Eve Ensler opens her speech with an interesting one-liner: “For a long time, there was me, and my body.”
This is a great tip from Conor Neill. He says that it is great to start with a question that the audience is asking themselves or would be very curious to know the answer to. This might be phrasing a pain point or worry for your audience.
Do you ever worry about…?
Have you ever wondered…?
You might have always thought…
See Cono Neill’s examples here:
Did you know…? Any interesting factoid or curiosity is bound to intrigue your audience. This is great if it leads into your content or a story. I like to start with did you know… Here are some that I use. You will have to fill in the blank for your audience:
Did you know that it takes less than a second to make a first impression ?
Did you know that your nonverbal communication is 12.5 times more powerful than your words ?
Did you know that we are lied to 200 times a day ?
Jamie Oliver does this amazingly in his TED Talk. He starts with this mind-blowing fact, “Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead through the food that they eat.”
Hopefully these opening lines will give you some ideas to use to open your speech.
How to End a Speech: My Favorite Closers
Do you know how to end on a high? Leave a lasting impression in your presentation? Science tells us that the first and last parts of your presentations are the most important. Get our FREE download to get our closer guide.
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20 thoughts on “how to start a speech: the best (and worst) speech openers”.
Love your material
didnt help me but still good stuff
Thank you Vanessa. I’ve been a public speaker for 25 years and I’m impressed with your content here. Thank you. Looking forward to a deep dive into more of your material. With gratitude.
Found these examples super informative. Can’t wait to mix match the examples to see which one will work best for my presentation!
I am preparing to make a presentation on Public Speaking and came across your article. This is very instructive and timely too.Many thanks.
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100 Public-Speaking Jokes to Add Humor to Your Next Speech
So, if you are looking to add humor to your presentation, one of the best ways is to insert self-deprecating humor in the form of funny stories. A good story from your own personal experience will be easier to insert into your speech. The story will also create more of a shared experience with your audience. For details about how to use stories to add humor to your speech , click here.
With that being said, though, sometimes, you just need to get a quick laugh out of your audience. And good jokes can be a great way to lighten the mood. We’ve organized the post into four categories of public-speaking jokes.
100 Public Speaking Jokes to Add Humor to Your Next Speech.
Public-Speaking Jokes .
One-Liners about Public Speaking and Presenting .
Funny Public Speaking Quotes .
Dad Jokes that You Can Use as Presentation Icebreakers .
Public-Speaking Jokes for Your Next Presentation to Add a Little Fun.
Between you and I, telling jokes in front of an audience is pretty risky. But sometimes, just getting the audience to laugh right from the start can lighten the mood. Here are a few jokes about public speaking that you can use when you are public speaking.
Jokes about Being Nervous and the Fear of Public Speaking
Why did the public speaker hire a pitching coach? Because he needed to improve his delivery!
I used to think I was afraid of public speaking, but just now, I realized I was actually afraid of audiences.
A public speaker asked the audience, “How many of you are afraid of public speaking?” About half the audience raised their hands. The speaker replied, “Don’t worry, I used to be too. In fact, there was a 50/50 chance that I’d canceled today’s talk!”
My wife was nervous about public speaking. So, I told her she should embrace her mistake to add a little humor to her delivery. She gave me a hug. Then she laughed.
Public speaking tip: Imagine the audience naked. But not if you’re giving a eulogy.
Funny Jokes about Presentation Challenges.
Okay, funny may be a little overexaggerated, but corny can work too. Here are a few jokes about challenges that can come up in a presentation.
Why did the PowerPoint presentation go to therapy? It had too many issues with transitions.
I was going to tell a time-traveling joke during my speech, but you didn’t like it.
I asked the librarian if there were any books on how to overcome the fear of public speaking. She whispered, “They’re in the self-help section, but you might have to speak up to find them.”
I used to be a baker before I became a public speaker. I kneaded the dough, and now I need the audience!
Why did the public speaker become a gardener? Because he knew how to plant ideas and watch them grow!
These Jokes Are about Audience Interaction.
I asked the audience if anyone had experience with public speaking. A cricket in the corner started chirping.
The best way to become a confident public speaker is to imagine the audience in their underwear. Unless you’re speaking at a nudist colony.
I told my wife I was going to give a speech on procrastination. She said, “Maybe next time.”
How do you make a tissue dance during a speech? You put a little boogie in it!
Why did the extroverted computer become a public speaker? Because it had great social networking skills!
Public Speaking Jokes about Presentation Themes.
These funny (or corny) jokes are about the process of public speaking. You can easily use one of these if you start with… “Before I actually start my presentation…” then add the joke.
I asked my friend if he had any advice for public speaking. He said, “Yes, just imagine the audience is full of cats. They don’t care what you’re saying, but they’ll pay attention if you have treats.”
How do you organize a fantastic space-themed presentation? You planet!
Why did the public speaker bring a ladder to the presentation? To reach new heights in communication!
My friend tried to give a speech on patience, but the audience left before he finished. It seems they didn’t have the patience for it.
Why did the microphone apply for a job in public speaking? Because it wanted to be heard at work!
A Few Random Public Speaking Jokes (Use with Caution.)
These last few public speaking jokes are a little more tricky. You’d want to save these only for the right type of crowd.
I used to be afraid of public speaking, but then I realized it’s just talking in front of people. Now I’m terrified of public listening.
What’s a public speaker’s favorite kind of fish? The articulate!
I told my friend I was giving a speech about a famous chicken. He asked, “Is it poultry in motion?”
I was going to make a joke about public speaking, but I figured it would be better in front of a live audience.
Why did the scarecrow become a great public speaker? He was outstanding in his field!
Remember, just adding a joke or two to a speech won’t win over every audience. For help becoming a confident and effective presenter, we invite you to attend one of our 2-Day Fearless Presentations ® Classes . Click here for details.
Here Are a Few Public Speaking One-Liners to Get Your Audience Laughing.
You’ll have a much easier time just adding a funny one-liner every now and then. When you tell a joke, you typically have to get your audience to respond. And, in some cases, the audience will finish your joke.
So a well-placed one-liner will often get you a quick chuckle without as much risk. Here are a few that we organized into five different categories.
These One-Liners Are Related to Audience Interaction (Or Audience Reactions.)
“I’m not saying I’m a great public speaker, but I did once get a standing ovation… because I tripped over the microphone cord.”
“I asked my audience if they had any questions after my speech. One person raised their hand and asked, ‘When does the torture end?'”
“Public speaking is easy. It’s like riding a bike. Except the bike is on fire, you’re on fire, everything is on fire, and you’re in hell.”
“I used to be afraid of public speaking until I realized every audience is just a bunch of people hoping you don’t notice them.”
“I gave a speech on procrastination. The audience is still waiting for the punchline.”
Here Are a Few about Speech Techniques and Styles.
“I asked the audience if they knew the definition of a will. Apparently, ‘a dead giveaway’ wasn’t the right answer.”
“I don’t have a fear of public speaking; I have a fear of public not listening.”
“Why don’t public speakers ever get lost? Because they always find their way to the lectern.”
“I used to be a mime, but I couldn’t stay silent about it. Now I’m a public speaker.”
“I told the audience I’d be speaking off the cuff. Turns out, my cuff was more interesting than my speech.”
That’s Ironic! One Liners about Humor and Irony in Speech
“I used to be a public speaker at a mime convention. Needless to say, my speeches were a big hit.”
“I asked the audience if they could define irony. They said, ‘Sure, it’s like goldy and bronzy, but made of iron.'”
“Public speaking is a lot like a roller coaster. It’s terrifying, and I always feel like I’m going to lose my lunch.”
“I used to be a motivational speaker, but then I lost my train of thought. Now I’m just a ‘meh’-tivational speaker.”
“Why did the public speaker bring a ladder to the speech? To reach the high points, of course!”
These One-Liners Are about Speech Topics and Delivery.
“I told the audience I’m going to talk about time travel. They’re still waiting for my future self to arrive.”
“I tried to give a speech on humility, but everyone said I was the best at it.”
“Why did the public speaker get an award? Because he was outstanding in his field of expertise – corn farming.”
“I asked the crowd if they liked my tie. They said, ‘It’s not the tie, it’s what you’re saying that’s knot working.'”
“I tried to make a speech about sleep, but I dozed off during my own presentation.”
Funny One-Liners Related to the Challenges of Public Speaking.
“I asked the audience for silence during my speech. Apparently, their laughter didn’t get the memo.”
(If your audience won’t give you feedback.) “Dialogue is like a parachute – it only works when it’s open.”
(If you happen to break wind because of nervousness.) “I’m not a nervous public speaker. I just have a very expressive colon.”
“I told my wife I’m writing a book on public speaking. She told me to speak louder.”
“Why did the PowerPoint file go to therapy? It had too many issues with transitions.”
Funny Motivational Quotes Related to Public Speaking.
A really good way to add humor to any speech is to insert a funny quote from a famous person. These funny motivational quotes are very easy to insert. In fact, you can add them to your speech introduction right at the start. That will lighten the tension in the room and get your audience laughing.
Here are a few that always hit home!
Funny Quotes About Preparation and Delivery of Speech.
“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” – George Jessel
“It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain
“Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
“A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.” – Winston Churchill
“The best way to sound like you know what you’re talking about is to know what you’re talking about.” – Author Unknown
Quotes Related to Adding Humor to Your Speech.
If you are looking for a famous quote specifically about adding humor to a speech, try one of these.
“The first time I spoke in the West, the agents and organizers looked at me and said, ‘Oh, my God, she’s funny.’ And I thought, ‘Oh, my God, I’ve been funny all my life, but I never knew it.'” – Maya Angelou
“If you can’t make it good, at least make it look good.” – Bill Gates
“I have as much authority as the Pope. I just don’t have as many people who believe it.” – George Carlin
“The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.” – Ann Landers
“I used to be a good communicator, but then I realized I was talking to myself.” – Author Unknown
Here Are a Few Quotes About Creativity and Writing.
“I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done.” – Steven Wright
“I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands.” – Steven Wright
“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” – Douglas Adams
“I don’t need time. What I need is a deadline.” – Duke Ellington
“I can’t understand why I flunked American history. When I was a kid, my father took me to all the historic spots. Every time I refused to get out of the car.” – W.C. Fields
The Funny Quotes Can Help You Make Your Point Better.
Like the last group, these funny quotes aren’t about public speaking. But you will likely be able to use them if you are delivering an informative speech.
“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” – Oscar Wilde
“I have never been in a situation where having a sense of humor and a giving spirit didn’t lead to a better result.” – Ed Catmull
“The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his way.” – Josh Billings
“I like to talk about my obsession with food. I love to eat. I’m not a ‘foodie,’ but I do love to eat.” – Miranda Kerr
“I failed public speaking in college the first time and made a ‘D’ in the second class. It was horrible.” – John Grisham
These Last Funny Quotes Didn’t Fit the Other Categories. (LOL!)
These last quotes didn’t really fit in any of the other categories. But they are pretty funny. If you can find a way to insert them into your speech, you’re sure to get a laugh or two.
“It’s hard to be serious when you’re surrounded by balloons.” – Jerry Seinfeld
“I have six locks on my door, all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.” – Elayne Boosler
“The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” – Willie Nelson
“I used to be a heavy gambler. But now I just make mental bets. That’s how I lost my mind.” – Steve Allen
Dad Jokes that You Can Use as Presentation Icebreakers.
Years ago, I taught a leadership class for his team. And at the start of every session, he stood up in front of the group and told a corny Dad joke. The jokes were cringy. But whether the audience laughed or turned up their nose, they all smiled. Over the next few years, I noticed that Ron’s employee turnover was almost zero. It was unheard of in his industry.
It turns out that his team absolutely loved him. He made a tough job much more fun to come to. So, I changed my tune about Dad jokes. Here are a few that you can use to start your next speech or meeting.
Food Public Speaking Jokes
What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.
Did you hear about the cheese factory explosion? There was nothing left but de-brie.
What do you call a fish wearing a crown? A kingfish.
Why did the chicken go to the seance? To talk to the other side.
What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing, it just let out a little wine.
Science and Technology Jokes.
Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
I told my computer I needed a break, and now it won’t stop sending me vacation ads.
Did you hear about the guy who invented Lifesavers? He made a mint.
How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together!
What did one wall say to the other wall? I’ll meet you at the corner!
Academic Jokes for a Presentation.
Why did the math book look sad? Because it had too many problems.
Did you hear about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? He’ll stop at nothing to avoid them.
What do you call a factory that makes good products? A satisfactory.
I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don’t know y.
I used to have a job at a calendar factory, but I got fired because I took a couple of days off.
Spooky Jokes
Why did the skeleton go to the seance? To talk to the other side.
Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts.
What did the big flower say to the little flower? “Hi, bud!”
I went to buy some camouflage pants, but I couldn’t find any.
What did one hat say to the other hat? Stay here, I’m going on ahead.
Miscellaneous Jokes
I only know how to make holy water. I boil the hell out of it.
Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole in one.
Why did the bicycle fall over? It was two-tired.
What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet? Supplies!
What did the snowman with a six-pack say? An abdominal snowman!
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How to Use Quotes in Your Speech: 8 Benefits and 21 Tips
In this article, we examine eight benefits of using quotations in your speech, and then discuss twenty-one tips for superpowering your speech with effective quotes.
Speech Quotations
Rhetorical Questions
Triads (the Rule of Three)
Parallelism
Benefits of Using Quotations in Your Speech
There are numerous benefits to crafting quotations into your speech, including:
The primary reason to quote material in your speech is that it reinforces your ideas . A quotation offers a second voice echoing your claims, but is more powerful than simply repeating yourself in different words.
Quotations usually offer a concise, memorable phrasing of an idea. (This is why the quotation gets remembered and repeated, isn’t it?)
Using a quotation boosts your credibility because it implies that the person you are quoting agrees with the rest of your argument.
Most people do not have the ability to spontaneous offer relevant quotes to support their statements. So, when you deliver a quotation, it demonstrates your domain knowledge and preparation .
Quotations are one way to add variety to your logical arguments , along with facts, statistics, stories, metaphors, and other material. Audiences get bored if you offer a one-dimensional string of arguments of the same type.
Depending on how you deliver the quotation, you can create anticipation, suspense, or drama . For example, if you begin “Microsoft founder Bill Gates once said…” followed by a pause, then your audience will surely anticipate your next words. What did he say? What did he say?
Conversely, you might choose a quotation which adds humor to your presentation , due to the content of the quote or perhaps the person you are quoting.
If you are delivering with visuals, you might choose to display the quotation on a slide and let your audience read it. This creates a natural and purposeful pause in your vocal delivery , allowing you to check your notes, take a sip of water, and collect your thoughts.
Tips for Using Quotations in Your Speech
Okay, you are convinced of the benefits of incorporating quotations into your speech. But how do you do it? Who should you quote? When should you give the quotation? Read on to discover numerous tips for using quotes effectively in your presentations.
Do your Research
Make sure you get the phrasing correct. A quotation should boost your credibility, but quoting inaccurately weakens your credibility. A sloppy quotation makes you look lazy.
Get a reliable source. Wikipedia doesn’t count. Your credibility is on the line.
Beware quoting out-of-context. Be careful when quoting material on controversial topics. Make sure you understand the intent of the speaker, not only their words. A quotation taken out of context where you’ve garbled the meaning makes you look like you are deliberately misleading your audience.
Quote People Your Audience Knows
Quote a well-known expert in the field. Don’t quote individuals based purely on their fame or success; base your decision on their expertise in the subject area you are talking about. Quote Aristotle on philosophy or Serena Williams on tennis — doing the opposite gets you in trouble.
Quote a lesser-known expert in the field, but only with background context. If your desired quote comes from someone who your audience won’t immediately recognize, you’ll need to introduce the speaker and establish their credibility before delivering their quote.
Quote an earlier speaker at your event. Suppose you are speaking at an event where an earlier speaker made some statements relevant to your message. Referring back to their words will not only impress your audience, but also capitalize on the earlier speaker’s effectiveness.
Quote yourself (playfully). I’ve done this many times, and it always receives a positive audience response. One way I do this is to introduce a particularly important point as “Dlugan’s First Law of ( whatever topic I’m speaking on )”
Use your own words to open and close; quote in the middle.
Open your speech with a quote (sparingly). Starting with a quote can be effective, but don’t assume just any quotation will grab your audience’s attention. I’ve watched speakers open with a quotation that wasn’t very powerful, and even irrelevant to their content. There are usually more powerful ways to grab your audience’s attention.
Avoid closing your speech with a quote. I have heard speeches end strong with a quotation, usually when the quote refers back to the beginning. However, I would not advise it generally. Your final words should be your own. Ending with a quote is often a sign that you don’t have confidence in your own words.
Quotations work best in the body of your speech. The best time to introduce a quote is when you need more support for one of your arguments. One particularly effective time is near the end of a section. Reinforcing your arguments with a quotation brings good closure to your argument.
Draw attention to the quote through your delivery.
The traditional formula is okay. Most quotations are introduced simply: Albert Einstein once said “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” This simple formula is clear, direct, and acceptable.
Reading the quote from notes is okay. When possible, I would advise delivering the quote from memory. But sometimes, reading it can be better. If the quote is lengthy, for example, it’s better to read it to ensure you are accurate. Even a short quote can be read from notes effectively. I once saw a speaker who produced the note paper from his pocket, and was almost reverent as he read it. In this case, it could be argued that not reading it would have been disrespectful.
Or, let your audience read the quote. If you are using visuals, you might choose to display the quotation. When you do this, do NOT read it to your audience. Let them read it. (Remember, you should never read material to your audience when they can see the words.) This technique has an added benefit: you can stylize the slide to add impact. For example, you might add a photo of the speaker, or perhaps use a font which conveys mood.
Pause before and after. You should pause briefly before the quote (a little suspense, and to grab attention) and then a little longer after the quote (to allow the meaning of the quotation to be absorbed by your audience.) Give the quotation respect, and let its impact be felt.
Spice up your vocal delivery. Of course, you should be varying your voice throughout your presentation. Just like other key statements in your speech, a quotation deserves a little extra vocal emphasis. Maybe louder, maybe softer. Maybe happier, maybe sadder. Let the mood of the quote guide your delivery.
Set the context when necessary. Some quotations stand on their own, but other quotations won’t be effective unless you establish the context first. A quotation which has your audience guessing is a missed opportunity. Perhaps you need to give the historical context, or explain something about the life of the speaker. Make sure the quotation has maximum impact.
Use trustworthy sources.
Quotation compilations keep quotes within arm’s reach. Every serious speaker should own at least one quotation compilation. ( Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations is my personal favorite, ever since I first found a copy of a previous edition on my brother’s bookshelf 30 years ago.) A well-edited compilation provides several sort indices to help you find the perfect quote faster. An added benefit is that these types of sources should be trustworthy.
Biographies of famous people in your field are also rich sources. For example, a biography on Steve Jobs is sure to have numerous quotable lines on his business philosophy. Like quotation compilations, biographies are generally trustworthy.
Online quotation search engines offer unparalleled breadth. Quotation websites help you find quotations using a given keyword or spoken by a given person. It’s quick and easy, but the sources cannot always be trusted. Whenever I use these sources, I seek out a second source to verify. (Be careful, many quotation websites might use the same flawed source…)
Be selective.
Don’t use a quote that everyone knows. If your audience has heard the quote before, you will receive virtually no benefit from repeating it.
Don’t overdo it. There’s no rule about how many quotes you should use, but their effectiveness gets diluted if you use too many. Remember that your speech should primarily be told with your words, not someone else’s. Keep just the best quotes you found in your research, and trim the others.
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16 comments.
Excellent post. Doing your research is vital. In January I blogged about some people who quoted Penn State football coach Joe Paterno after he’d gone from famous to infamous: http://joyfulpublicspeaking.blogspot.com/2012/01/preparation-is-vital-before-using.html
Yesterday I blogged about how two apparently startling statistics weren’t really that impressive: http://joyfulpublicspeaking.blogspot.com/2012/09/is-540-million-minutes-per-day-large.html
Great advice! I appreciate that you tell speakers to use quotations that we DON’T already know. Too often, speakers use tired quotations and it doesn’t add benefit to the presentation.
Andrew, I am trying something a bit different with quotes for one of my advanced Toastmaster speeches,…the speech is about the importance of the words we say as told to me by an elderly friend of mine who is a survivor of Auschwitz. There are two powerful, but simple, quotes during the speech and I’ve decided to imitate my friend’s German accent to make the quotes more meaningful and memorable. I’ve never heard anyone in my club purposely use a different accent to make quotes in their speech stand out more. I’m interested to see how this will work.
Generally, I think delivering the quote using an accent is a great idea. This makes it much more like storytelling and is one way to create a meaningful context for your audience.
A couple things to consider: 1) Practice. Make sure that adding an accent doesn’t prevent you from accurately quoting. 2) Make sure that the quote is still clear with an accent. If your audience cannot understand the words, it will be less effective.
the article is so helpful and clearly understandable.thumbs up.
Great topic to post about Andrew, You make some really good points!
Definitely agree re:using quotes not everyone knows. You see the same quotes repeated to death on the internet – and esp. twitter (“you are what you repeatedly do”, anyone?) that the audience rolls their eyes and thinks ‘you prepared this?’ when they hear one in a talk.
Thanks for the tips. I have just referenced your article in my blog post about using quotes in high-tech presentations.
Thanks Andrew – I really enjoyed this post.
It inspired me to come up with 6 more tips for using quotes: http://remotepossibilities.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/how-to-use-quotes-in-your-presentation-tips-six-minutes/
Hope you find them helpful!
Thanks for extending the discussion, Craig.
Lots of good points here. But I disagree about never using familiar quotes. In some cases, if you using a known quote to say something new or unexpected, it can be very effective, and often funny and memorable. P.S. #11 “stay” with problems longer. 🙂
Yes, if the known quote can be interpreted in a fresh way from a new perspective, then it may have value. Unfortunately, these common quotes are used predictably… and that’s boring.
Thanks for the typo alert, Shelly. It has been fixed.
Andrew: Great advice to not read the quote, but let the audience read the quote and then have the presenter comment on the quote and it’s meaning as it relates to the topic.
Enjoyed this article will be able to direct my speech students to your website for some good presentation tips
I completely disagree with most of this. It’s almost always feeble lazy technique to throw in a ‘famous’ quote into a speech. Why? Does not a speaker have original language of his/her own? Isn’t it annoying or presumptuous to try to dignify one’s own words with language appropriated from other people? Yes, using a quotation shows your ‘preparation’. It also shows that you’re unable to make a case without calling in bigger guns, and that shows weakness.
Sir, I have to give a speech. Should I add quote before my introduction or after my introduction?
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3 Blog Links
Do you use quotes in your speech? Here’s how: « Presenter News — Sep 24th, 2012
Wise men say | B2B STORYTELLING — Oct 2nd, 2012
How to use quotes in your presentation – 25+ tips from Six Minutes & me | Remote Possibilities — Oct 4th, 2012
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6 Examples of Killer Speech Openings That You Can Use
Think about a speech you saw or heard that stuck with you. What is it about that speech that makes you remember it long after you’ve heard it? The speaker was probably dynamic and engaging or the topic was compelling and of particular interest to you. The speech probably had a killer opening as well.
The introduction to a speech is one of its most crucial aspects. It’s where you grab your audience’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the speech. If your speech opening isn’t memorable, the rest of your speech probably won’t be either.
To help you understand the impact a good opening can have, here’s a list of six killer speech intros. The fact that these speeches are so memorable shows why public speaking is important and why your introduction should be strong.
Julian Treasure: Start with a question
“The human voice: It’s the instrument we all play. It’s the most powerful sound in the world, probably. It’s the only one that can start a war or say ‘I love you.’ And yet many people have the experience that when they speak, people don’t listen to them. And why is that? How can we speak powerfully to make change in the world?”
Julian Treasure’s speech “How to speak so that people want to listen” showcases a tried and true speech opening technique: asking a question. You shouldn’t ask just any question, though. It should be a compelling, thought-provoking question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer.
Asking the audience what they had for lunch that day isn’t compelling, unless you have an interesting reason for asking it that you follow up with. Treasure’s compelling question doesn’t require an immediate answer but instead asks you to think.
Ric Elias: Incredible story
“Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well, I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.”
One way to grab the attention of your audience right away is to tell an exciting or unbelievable story. Ric Elias’s speech about surviving a plane crash goes straight into the action, asking the listener to imagine unbelievable situation he was in. With an opening like that, who wouldn’t want to keep listening to find out what happens next?
To make your intro story more effective, don’t finish it right away. Come back to it later in the speech so that your audience is held in anticipation.
Dan Pink: Make a “confession”
“I need to make a confession at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret, something that I’m not particularly proud of.”
Dan Pink’s speech grabs your attention right away because he makes a confession. He’s letting you in on a secret about himself or something he did and you want to listen because you want to hear it.
Letting your audience know a secret or confessing information about yourself makes them feel exclusive, like they have access to something that others don’t. Exclusivity always piques interest.
Jane McGonigal: Provocative statement
“I’m a gamer, so I like to have goals. I like special missions and secret objectives. So here’s my special mission for this talk: I’m going to try to increase the life span of every single person in this room by seven and a half minutes. Literally, you will live seven and a half minutes longer than you would have otherwise, just because you watched this talk.”
Starting a speech with a provocative statement is similar to starting with a question. You make the audience think. You surprise them or say something unexpected and they keep listening to hear an explanation.
Jane McGonigal uses this tactic in her speech , claiming she will expand the life span of every audience member by seven and half minutes. It’s intriguing, provocative, and makes you wonder instantly how she’s going to do it.
Pamela Meyer: Set up a problem (then solve it)
“Okay, now I don’t want to alarm anybody in this room, but it’s just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar. Also, the person to your left is a liar. Also, the person sitting in your very seats is a liar. We’re all liars.”
People love hearing about a big problem and then knowing the solution — it’s a common framework from literature that you can borrow for your speech. By telling her entire audience that they are liars, Pamela Meyer sets up a problem that seems difficult to solve: how to know who is a liar. She unravels the solution in the rest of her speech , explaining how to become a liespotter.
Sir Ken Robinson: Humor
“Good morning. How are you?” (Audience replies “Good”) “It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. In fact, I’m leaving.”
Humor can be an impactful way to start a speech, but it’s also risky. Your joke might fall flat and leave everyone feeling uncomfortable. If you tell the right joke, however, it can go over well.
Sir Ken Robinson’s speech , “Do schools kill creativity?” is one of the most watched TED Talks of all time and for good reason. His speech is engaging and dynamic, centering on a topic that almost everyone can easily relate to. What could’ve been a boring start — “Good morning. How are you?” — becomes a funny and memorable speech opening thanks to Robinson’s timing and deadpan delivery.
Make your speech opening memorable
If you want to deliver an engaging address that your audience members will speak about years later, be sure to craft an unforgettable opening. By using any of the above techniques, you’re likely to have a more solid start to your speech. Who knows? Maybe your speech opening will be so good it’ll end up on a list just like this one.
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Are you struggling to find that perfect line to start your speech off right?
Whether you are delivering a speech for work, school, or a special occasion, opening with a funny quote can help you captivate your audience and get your point across.
So, if you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are 15 funny quotes to kick off your speech with a bang:
Quick Definition
There are countless funny quotes that can be used to begin a speech. Consider using an inspirational quote from a famous person, or one that is humorous and light-hearted that will draw in your audience.
Why Use a Funny Quote to Start a Speech?
When it comes to starting a speech, why not open with some laughter?
A funny quote can help grab the attention of an audience as well as ease any anxious energy in the room.
Not only is this approach amusing, but it also demonstrates confidence and puts your audience at ease.
Plus, you'll be setting a light-hearted tone for the remainder of your remarks, signaling to your audience that this won't just be a mundane affair. However, it’s important to remember that opening with humor isn’t always suitable.
Some presentations may call for more sobriety and when in doubt, skip the joke and stick to something that will get people’s ears perked up without offending anybody in the process.
Depending on the dynamic of the group and the content you’re delivering, going too far could backfire and ruin your credibility before you even get into your key points. So consider carefully whether opening with a funny quote is right for the occasion - and make sure it's genuinely witty or entertaining !
If used correctly, a humorous quote can spark interest from your audience and provide them with the incentive to stay focused until the end of your speech . Now that we've discussed why using a funny quote to start a speech can be beneficial, let's delve into how to gain attention from the audience when utilizing this approach in our next section.
Main Points to Remember
Starting a speech with a funny quote can help grab the audience's attention and ease any anxious energy in the room. It also signals to your audience that it won't be a mundane affair.
However, this approach isn't always suitable and should be used cautiously. If done correctly, a humorous quote can spark interest in your audience and provide them with the incentive to stay focused until the end of your speech.
Gaining Attention From the Audience
Getting attention from the audience is key when starting a presentation or speech. Depending on the size and type of audience, engaging the crowd and warming them up to what you have to say can be an effective way of ensuring they are interested and attentive. Adding humor to your start can be one way to get the audience’s attention right away. This can range from a joke , a lighthearted anecdote, or even quoting someone in the room (with their permission).
By adding a little bit of levity, you can break up the formal atmosphere that may exist in your audience. On the other hand, breaking the ice may backfire if delivered incorrectly - it can be juvenile or off-putting in certain contexts. Tying into something familiar or relevant in the room is another way to gain attention. This could be referring to a news story or current event that is related to your topic.
Finding something relatable for your audience will help create initial interest and give them a reason to listen . However, relying too heavily on this approach may lead to superficial interactions with topics that are not fully fleshed out. The next step in discussing any type of speech is adding impact to ensure your remarks have staying power with your listener.
Adding Impact to the Speech
Beginning a speech with an attention-grabbing quote can set the tone for an enjoyable and engaging delivery.
Quotes that are humorous or that playfully challenge conventional wisdom can help stimulate interest and discussion amongst your audience.
Lighthearted jokes or anecdotes can pique curiosity and show off your wit, while thought-provoking philosophies can provide food for thought. The only catch: Make sure to use a quote that fits the subject matter of your speech! Humorous quotes often make for some of the best kick-off points for a speech.
A funny joke or quip may lighten up the atmosphere and provide an infusing dose of energy to your audience. That said, it’s important to strike a balance; using humor to launch a serious presentation risks minimizing its importance or distracting from its main points—plus, it may detract from what you’re actually trying to say!
In most cases, it may be best to avoid humor altogether in order to ensure your message is seen as credible and valuable by the audience. On the other hand, if you’re giving an upbeat talk on a positive topic such as creative problem-solving, making insightful observations through edgy commentary may go down well with listeners!
Humorous quotes carefully chosen to complement the topic of your speech can prove entertaining while also adding depth and visual impact. In any case, try not to throw too many jokes into one presentation—oversaturation is also not recommended when it comes working humour into a speech. Moving on from discussing the impact of adding quotes to your speech, let us now look at different types of quotes which can be used to start a speech with a bang!
Types of Funny Quotes to Start a Speech
When crafting a discussion or speech, introducing the topic with a humorous quote can lighten up the atmosphere and set a positive tone.
But not all quotes are created equal, so depending on the situation it may be beneficial to choose an appropriate quote. There is an argument that using a quote from a famous person may have more impact to start off the discussion; however, there are also points to be made for using commonly known sayings or tongue-in-cheek quips. Many people believe that a quote from a distinguished person—whether historical figures, politicians, scientists, and so forth—can immediately draw attention and establish credibility.
It adds weight to the speaker’s ideas if they can reference legends who have come before them. However, it can backfire if the audience cannot understand or relate to whom the speaker is quoting, as well as their context.
Moreover, some might find certain quotes from prominent people cringe-worthy or too outdated for contemporary use. On the other hand, witty one-liners and popular phrases may prove to be more effective in connecting with an audience .
Since many of these jokes have been widely circulated over time, they are usually understood by all listeners. Certain regional or specialized acts require an audience familiar with particular terms; in this case you can use local sayings or inside jokes as long as you make sure it’s widely understood by everybody in the room.
Also, this type of humor is often seen as being more organic rather than forced because it sticks close to common knowledge. Finally, catered humor can elevate your performance tenfold when you take into account your particular audience’s interests and preferences.
If you’re having trouble deciding whether to use a famous person's quote or commonplace joke, consider asking yourself which will make your specific crowd laugh the most? That could be the deciding factor before beginning your speech with a bang. Turning now to quotes from famous people: successful speakers incorporate examples from historically esteemed individuals into their speeches to strike a chord with their crowd while also demonstrating intelligence and depth of knowledge.
Quotes From Famous People
Quotes from famous people can be a great way to start a speech. Not only are these quotes entertaining, but they can help create a bond between the speaker and the audience by referring to someone everyone knows and admires.
As a bonus, even raising the possibility of being taken seriously through association makes for an attention grabbing opening. On the other hand, with this comes the danger of misquoting or taking a famous quote out of context. Even if meant innocently, this could easily cause offense and cast doubt on the credibility of what follows afterwards in the speech. The use of quotes from famous people should then be treated with care and given due consideration before being used in a speech. For inspiration, here are 15 funny quotes from famous people that can kickstart any speech with a bang:
Quotes From Historical Figures
Quotes from historical figures have a lot of potential when it comes to beginning a speech.
Such inspiring words can provide insight about particular topics and become sources of motivation for listeners. Historical quotes can be used to set a serious tone or include some humor in an otherwise dry topic. However, depending on the situation, it is important to consider both sides of the argument when selecting these kinds of quotes. On the one hand, a quote from a historic leader can provide inspiration for the audience and bring attention to the importance of certain ideas.
Being a source of uplifting words, memorable lines taken from famous speeches can be especially effective in emotionally charged situations such as times of struggle or moments of hope. By quoting influential figures and making use of movements that changed lives, speakers can make their conversations meaningful and powerful. On the other hand, while quotations from history offer many benefits, they might fail to promote laughter or lightness at the start of a presentation. This could lead to monotonous public speaking engagements that could put people off instead of captivating their attention.
Furthermore, in some cases, controversial statements made by certain figures could have negative implications in an audience. Therefore, choosing an appropriate quote should involve careful selection and consideration before broadcasting it to an audience. In any case, having an impressive and catchy introduction with powerful words from inspiring leaders gives you an opportunity to capture your listeners’ imagination and successfully draw their attention towards your message.
Now that we discussed the pros and cons of using quotes from historical figures, let us turn our attention to finding relevant funny quotes which could be used to produce different results such as getting audiences laughing and energizing your speech right away.
Finding Relevant Funny Quotes
Finding relevant funny quotes to kick off a speech can be a great way to warm up the crowd and energize your audience.
When choosing a quote for this purpose, it's important to make sure that the content of the quote is both relatable and relevant to the message or topic of your speech . However, you want to ensure that it’s not something your audience has heard before or too risky that it could come across as offensive. Another factor when selecting a quote is how well known the author of the quote is. For example, quoting Will Rogers or Mark Twain will generally be better received than someone who may not have widespread recognition.
Generally, if you select a lesser-known author you should include some background information about them so people understand the context of their humour. Finally, another factor in finding good quotes for a speech is the relevance of the message within the quote itself. Selecting something broad can work but if possible it’s best to find something more tailored to your desired outcome.
Some good ways to research funny quotes are online collections from authors, comedians, or other sources that have come from people that specialize in creating humourous content. Finding relevant funny quotes can be challenging but can also be an effective way to grab an audiences attention and set the tone for an entertaining speech.
Before deciding on one though, it’s important to consider all factors such as the author, relevancy and risk-level associated with the content of what’s being said. With these pointers in mind, you can begin your search to figure out which humorous quote will give your speech the excellent start it deserves! With that process complete, now it’s time to move onto analyzing the situation and making sure each element lines up accordingly.
Analyzing the Situation
When choosing a funny quote to open a speech, it is important to carefully assess the situation.
Considering your audience and the occasion are two key elements to take into account for any successful speech. Joking around in a professional setting may be off-putting to some whereas in more light-hearted environments, it may go over well.
For example, while delivering a wedding toast at a lavish event it may be more appropriate to opt for a slapstick joke than if you’re talking at an academic conference. To ensure that your chosen quote won’t offend anyone or derail the tone of the event, consider searching for a mild joke that may still make people laugh without being too out of place. Likewise, researching jokes relevant to the topics discussed will make sure that you earn more laughter and appreciation from your audience. Overall, picking an appropriate funny quote is not always easy but analyzing the situation is an essential step for having a successful presentation. With thorough research and consideration of your audience and occasion, you can select a quote that will start your speech off with a bang. Now that you’ve gained insight into how to analyze the situation when selecting funny quotes, let’s move on to some tips and tricks for using them effectively when delivering your speech.
Tips and Tricks While Using Funny Quotes
Using funny quotes to begin a speech can be an effective way to grab the audience's attention. However, there are certain tips and tricks speakers need to remember if they wish to make the best of their funny quote. One of these tips is to choose the right quote. It’s important to pick one that is actually humorous and will be able to make your audience laugh or smile. Choose a quote that is relevant and contemporary – one that your audience will immediately relate and understand. In addition, it's also important to know how far your funny quote should go. Don’t choose a quote that may be considered offensive to any particular group of people. Make sure you find one that is lighthearted instead of overly edgy or inappropriate. When delivering your funny quote, don’t forget about using body language and facial expressions. A funny joke or punch line would sound flat without enough expression on the speaker’s face or in their delivery.
Try and exaggerate for comedic effect by varying the rate you say each word or maybe even add exaggerated hand gestures with each phrase for extra emphasis. These tips and tricks for using funny quotes can help speakers start their speech with a bang and make sure their humor gets across effectively to their audience - but these are not all of the rules when it comes to using humor while speaking!
The next section of this article will discuss our conclusion and final thoughts on how best to use funny quotes in speeches .
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The conclusion of this article is that adding some humor to your speech can be a great way to engage and connect with your audience.
Using a few carefully chosen funny quotes can be the perfect way to open up a speech and get your audience's attention. Not only will it make them smile, it will also help break the ice, making it easier for you to warm up to speaking in front of an audience. There are pros and cons when deciding whether or not you should use humor in your speech.
On one hand, jokes and humorous quotes can be effective at engaging the audience , getting everyone laughing which can help create a relaxed atmosphere.
However, one must exercise caution as jokes that involve stereotypes or offensive topics might have unintended consequences. If a joke falls flat or people find the punchline inappropriate, then more than likely your presentation will not go as planned. So before using humor in your speech, make sure that it's appropriate and won't be taken the wrong way by your audience. Ultimately, if used correctly and tastefully, funny quotes can help increase engagement in any given speech.
Whether you're giving an inspirational talk or simply delivering facts to an audience, sprinkling in humor is always a nice touch that can be used to hit home a point or two while keeping the crowd entertained at the same time.
Here are 15 Funny Quote You Can Use to Start a Speech
Whoever said nothing is impossible is a liar. I’ve been doing nothing for years.
I really lack the words to compliment myself today.
Don’t underestimate me, that’s my mother’s job.
I am a nobody, nobody is perfect, therefore I am perfect.
At the very start, let me say that we both have something in common. You don’t know what I’m going to say… and neither do I.
You are not completely useless you can always serve as a bad example.
It’s good to learn from other’s mistakes, I wish people learn something from me.
The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.
I’ve only been wrong once, and that’s when I thought I was wrong.
Regular naps prevent old age, especially if you take them while driving.
Sorry, I’m late. I got here as soon as I felt like it.
You know God gave us brain to work out our problems. However we used it to create more!
Sometimes the best helping hand you can give is a good, firm push.
Whatever you do always give 100 %. Unless you are donating blood.
Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself. It’s the only way you can be sure somebody’s listening.
How do I determine which funny quotes to use in my speech?
When determining which funny quotes to use in your speech, it is important to consider the audience. Ask yourself if the quote is appropriate for the particular environment and crowd.
Additionally, you should consider the topics of your speech and choose quotes that are relevant to them. Furthermore, when selecting quotes make sure that they are short, concise and witty. You want the audience to get the joke so having simple delivery with a punchline helps with this.
Lastly, remember to have fun with it! Your sense of humor will help you pick out the best funny quote for your speech.
What are the best ways to structure a speech using funny quotes?
The best way to structure a speech using funny quotes is by mixing a few humorous statements in throughout the entirety of your presentation.
Begin with a funny opener quote to get everyone laughing, but don’t rely solely on jokes to carry your speech. Instead, use humor to set the tone and provide an entertaining break between informative points throughout your presentation.
It’s important not to overuse humor as too many jokes within a speech can take away from the main point of your presentation and also start to feel stale after a while.
Additionally, it’s good to check quotes you plan on using for accuracy and make sure that they fit the context of your message. If done well, humorous quotes can be great tools for engaging an audience in a stimulating way.
How can I use funny quotes to grab the attention of the audience?
Using funny quotes to grab the audience’s attention is a great way to start off your speech. Not only will it break the ice and get everyone laughing, it can also serve to introduce an important topic that you plan to discuss in your speech.
If the quote is clever and relevant to your subject matter, it can open up a meaningful dialogue about the main points of your speech and show your audience that you understand their perspective. To be effective, it’s important to pick out one or two funny quotes from your chosen source and use them strategically throughout the course of your speech. Avoid quoting too many jokes as this can lose its impact quickly.
Also make sure that any humorous words or phrases you use accurately reflect the tone and mood of the event so you don’t come across as overly jokey or inappropriate.
Finally, it’s good practice to acknowledge the original author or source of any funny quotes you use; this adds gravitas and ensures that proper credits are given where due.
10 of History’s Most Misinterpreted Quotes
By lorna wallace | jul 3, 2024.
It’s not uncommon for famous phrases to be slightly misquoted, but often these mistakes don’t really change the sense of the saying. There isn’t a huge difference, for instance, between “Houston, we have a problem” and the words that were actually said aboard Apollo 13 : “Houston, we’ve had a problem.”
But there are some quotes that have been entirely misinterpreted, sometimes even being used to express the exact opposite of their intended meaning. Below are 10 popular quotes that have suffered such a fate.
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
“two roads diverged in a wood, and i— / i took the one less traveled by, / and that has made all the difference.”, “well-behaved women rarely make history.”, “hell is other people.”, “one bad apple.”, “o romeo, romeo, wherefore art thou romeo”, “now is the winter of our discontent.”, “money is the root of all evil.”, “a rolling stone gathers no moss.”, “oh, east is east, and west is west, and never the twain shall meet.”.
Nowadays, telling someone that to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” means they should work hard to achieve success without help. Although often intended to be motivational, the words can sound insensitive to people who are trapped by circumstances beyond their control. That insensitivity is actually baked into the phrase itself (when used in this way!) because pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is physically impossible—which is exactly what this idiom originally meant.
The phrase can be traced back to 1834, when Nimrod Murphree claimed to have invented perpetual motion. A writer for The Woodstock Mercury, and Windsor County Advertiser called out this blatant lie, sarcastically commenting , “Probably Mr. Murphree has succeeded in handing himself over the Cumberland river, or a barn yard fence, by the straps of his boots.”
The last lines of Robert Frost ’s “ The Road Not Taken ” (1915) are often understood as a celebration of striking out on your own, rather than simply following in the footsteps of others. But the rest of the poem muddies this interpretation, with both roads being described as essentially the same. It didn’t really matter which path the person in the poem chose, but they tell themselves the decision held weight. “The poem isn’t a salute to can-do individualism,” writes David Orr , Professor of Poetry at Rutgers University, “it’s a commentary on the self-deception we practice when constructing the story of our own lives.”
This seemingly rebellious phrase can often be found printed on posters alongside pictures of famous women disrupters, such as Rosa Parks . Although sometimes misattributed to Marilyn Monroe , the words actually come from a 1976 journal article about Puritan women written by historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich [ PDF ].
Out of context, the quote certainly seems to be an encouragement for women to misbehave, but in Ulrich’s article, the rest of the sentence reads, “against Antinomians and witches, these pious matrons have had little chance at all.” Essentially, Ulrich is saying that well-behaved women are often forgotten by history, but that their stories deserve to be told, too.
This quotation from philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1944 hell-set play No Exit may seem like a rallying call for misanthropes, but it wasn’t intended to be as stark as it sounds. In 1964, Sartre commented on the misunderstanding, saying that he didn’t mean that “relations with other people are always poisoned, that they are invariably hellish relations.” The play is about other people’s judgments of us impacting our sense of self, but that’s only hellish, in Sartre’s words, “if relations with someone else are twisted, vitiated.”
The phrase one bad apple is often used to describe a single outlying bad person in a group, but this is a shortened—and consequently distorted—version of the saying. The full phrase is one bad apple spoils the barrel/bunch , meaning that the one bad person infects those around them in the same way as a piece of spoiled fruit causes nearby fruits to begin rotting.
A version of this proverb crops up as early as the 14th century. In “The Cook’s Tale” from Geoffrey Chaucer ’s The Canterbury Tales , apprentice chef Perkyn is fired because it’s feared his debauched behavior will spread to the other workers: “Wel bet is roten appul out of hoord / Than that it rotie al the remenaunt” (“Well better is a rotten apple out of the store / Than that it rot all the remnant”).
Many modern ears have heard the word wherefore at the start of Juliet’s famous speech in William Shakespeare ’s Romeo and Juliet and assumed that it’s the early modern English version of where . But wherefore actually means “why.” Juliet isn’t wondering where her beloved is, but why he has to be called Romeo as it’s their names that are keeping them apart. This is clarified by her very next line: “Deny thy father and refuse thy name.”
Another commonly misinterpreted quote from Shakespeare comes from Richard III . The play opens with Richard, who isn’t yet king, declaring , “Now is the winter of our discontent.” This line is often used to describe trying times, but the full sentence is about the end of political turbulence: “Now is the winter of our discontent / Made glorious summer by this son of York.” The use of winter here signifies an ending (in addition to evoking bleak weather), meaning that Richard’s brother, now King Edward IV, has ended their family’s discontentment by gaining the English throne (thus bringing about sunnier/happier days).
This quotation from the Bible is often used to argue that money is inherently evil , but three important words have been axed from the start of the phrase, which in full is the love of money is the root of all evil ( Timothy 6:10 ). It’s not money itself that’s the problem, but rather the desire for that sweet, sweet moolah that can lead to evil behavior.
This proverb—which provided The Rolling Stones band and Rolling Stone magazine with their names, as well as inspiring one of Bob Dylan ’s best-known songs —is commonly believed to be an ode to rootless and free-spirited lifestyles. But for hundreds of years it had the exact opposite meaning, with the moss signifying stability and success.
The phrase was popularized during the Renaissance by Erasmus’s Adagia , which includes the proverb , Lapis obuolutus non obducitur musco (“The rowling ston neuer gathereth Mosse”). Erasmus doesn’t provide an explanation, but John Ray’s 18th-century collection of proverbs likens the stony saying to a phrase from Quintilian , a 1st-century Roman educator: “A plant often removed cannot thrive.”
The opening line from Rudyard Kipling’s 1889 poem “ The Ballad of East and West ” is sometimes used to describe two cultures or ideologies being incompatible and has been held up as proof of Kipling’s racism. The writer’s personal views on race aside, the rest of the verse actually argues the opposite, declaring that people from different cultures can happily meet on equal terms: “But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth, / When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth!”
Read About More Famous Quotes Here:
Liberal justices say Trump immunity decision 'will have disastrous consequences' for the U.S.
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court's liberal bloc issued blistering dissents Monday in the Trump immunity ruling , arguing that it "reshapes the institution of the presidency" and "makes a mockery" of the constitutional principle that no man is above the law.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, reading her dissent from the bench, said that "relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom ... the Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more."
She added that "because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent."
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on ideological lines that former President Donald Trump has immunity for some of his conduct as president but not unofficial acts in the federal election interference case. The court did not determine what constitutes an "official" act in this case, leaving that to the lower court.
Follow live updates on the Trump immunity hearing
The decision adds another hurdle and further delay to special counsel Jack Smith's prosecution of the former president. Trump was indicted last year on charges he conspired to "overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election."
Sotomayor said that the majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, invents "an atextual, ahistorical, and unjustifiable immunity that puts the President above the law."
Their ruling, she went on, makes three moves that she said "completely insulate Presidents from criminal liability." Sotomayor said the court creates absolute immunity for the president's exercise of "core constitutional powers," creates "expansive immunity for all 'official acts,'" and "declares that evidence concerning acts for which the President is immune can play no role in any criminal prosecution against him."
Sotomayor warned that the ruling "will have disastrous consequences for the Presidency and for our democracy" and that it sends the message: “Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends.”
She added, “Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.”
In her own written dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that the majority's ruling "breaks new and dangerous ground."
"Departing from the traditional model of individual accountability, the majority has concocted something entirely different: a Presidential accountability model that creates immunity—an exemption from criminal law — applicable only to the most powerful official in our Government," she wrote.
Jackson warned that under the majority's "new Presidential accountability mode," a hypothetical president "who admits to having ordered the assassinations of his political rivals or critics...or one who indisputably instigates an unsuccessful coup...has a fair shot at getting immunity."
The chief justice dismissed the dissents, suggesting that his three liberal colleagues had misinterpreted the majority's opinion and were engaging in "fear mongering." Roberts argued that they "strike a tone of chilling doom that is wholly disproportionate to what the Court actually does today." He wrote that "like everyone else, the President is subject to prosecution in his unofficial capacity."
He also appeared to scoff at Sotomayor for what she included in her dissent, saying that her "most compelling piece of evidence consists of excerpted statements of Charles Pinckney from an 1800 Senate debate." He continued, "But those statements reflect only the now-discredited argument that any immunity not expressly mentioned in the Constitution must not exist."
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in a concurring opinion that she agreed with some of the majority opinion but not all of it. Notably, she said she agreed with Sotomayor that Trump’s immune conduct should still be allowed to be used as evidence in his trial.
“The Constitution does not require blinding juries to the circumstances surrounding conduct for which Presidents can be held liable,” she said.
Soon after the court issued the ruling, Trump celebrated the decision on his Truth Social account, writing in all caps: "Big win for our Constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!"
A Biden campaign adviser, on the other hand, said that the ruling doesn't change what happened on Jan. 6, 2021.
"Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election," the adviser said. "Trump is already running for president as a convicted felon for the very same reason he sat idly by while the mob violently attacked the Capitol: he thinks he’s above the law and is willing to do anything to gain and hold onto power for himself."
Rebecca Shabad is a politics reporter for NBC News based in Washington.
Elon Musk expected to make speech at opening of Shanghai's World AI Conference
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Talen asks US regulators to reject challenge to Amazon data center deal
Talen Energy has asked U.S. regulators to reject a challenge to its recent Amazon data center deal, which is being opposed by a group of electric utilities that say the agreement could raise power bills for the public, according to a filing on Friday.
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Stock Market News: Dow Gains After Powell Remarks
The s&p 500 and nasdaq notch new records..
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What to Watch Today
Stocks gained Tuesday, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite notched new closing records.
Earlier, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said recent inflation reports were promising, but he needed more confidence before lowering interest rates.
That sent Treasury yields lower, with the 10-year at 4.435%.
Elsewhere on the economic front, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed the number of job openings in May slightly increased from the prior month. Jobless claims will be released Wednesday and the unemployment report for June is scheduled for Friday.
Tesla stock surged 10% after the EV maker’s delivery numbers beat expectations. Rivian stock had a good day, too.
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S&P 500 and Nasdaq Hit New Records
S&p 500 heads for a new record, rivian deliveries were solid, big pharma stocks sell off, gm delivers more evs, venture-capital investments in carbon tech reached a record last year, the stock market is quiet. wall street is ready for another holiday., these stocks are moving the most today, tesla stock is rising for sixth straight day, treasury yields fall as powell remains unsure about disinflation, latest updates.
Connor Smith
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite marked record closes in a an otherwise sleepy session as another holiday break loomed.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 162 points, or 0.4%. The S&P 500 was up 0.6%. The Nasdaq Composite was up 0.8%. The S&P hit its 32nd record close of the year, while the Nasdaq hit its 22nd, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
The yield on the 2-year Treasury note pulled back to 4.737% while the 10-year yield fell to 4.435%. Bond yields turned lower after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged progress on reducing inflation, though he wouldn’t commit to a rate cut in September. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey also showed job openings ticked higher in May.
“As long as the job market is stable, the soft landing narrative appears likely as consumers will have some capacity to spend,” writes Jeffrey Roach, chief economist at LPL Financial. “However, a strong labor market will make the Fed’s job more difficult in their efforts to get inflation closer to their 2% target.”
Tesla was the top performer by far for the S&P, but a broader collection of stocks rallied in the final hours of trading to push the index higher.
U.S. stock and bond markets will close early on Wednesday and stay closed on Thursday for Independence Day. Trading will resume on Friday as the Labor Department is slated to release the June jobs report.
But trading may stay subdued as some on Wall Street opt to take a longer weekend.
DJIA (Dow Jones Global)
S&P 500
SPX (S&P US)
COMP (Nasdaq)
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The Russell 2000 is now less composed of tech stocks and more of the various sectors that are more sensitive to changes in economic demand.
Super Micro Computer Inc.
SMCI (U.S.: Nasdaq)
Russell 2000 Index
RUT (US Composite)
Now the S&P 500 is on track for a record close, too.
The market benchmark was up 0.4% to 5495, above a previous closing high. The Nasdaq Composite was up 0.7%, but it only needs to close higher to a record of its own. The Dow was up 68 points, or 0.2%.
The indexes have bounced around all day, though they haven’t done much. Neither the Job Opening and Labor Turnover Survey nor the latest comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell sparked much movement from the indexes.
The biggest catalyst for the S&P 500 may have been Tesla, which was surging again on better-than-expected deliveries. Chip stocks were also rising: ON Semiconductor, Advanced Micro Devices, and Super Micro Computer were among the top S&P 500 performers.
About 261 stocks in the S&P 500 were still trading lower despite the record levels. Market breadth has been weak, which could cause challenges for the current run if technology stocks start losing momentum.
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Star Blanket Cree Nation celebrates grand opening of new water treatment plant
From: Indigenous Services Canada
News release
Star Blanket Cree Nation opens a new state-of-the-art water treatment plant that will bring clean drinking water to the community for generations to come.
July 4, 2024 — Star Blanket Cree Nation, Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan — Indigenous Services Canada and Star Blanket Cree Nation
Star Blanket Cree Nation opens a new state-of-the-art water treatment plant that will bring clean drinking water to the community for generations to come. Chief Michael Starr celebrated this milestone with Council, Elders, community members, representatives from the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, and representatives from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
The new plant brings a reliable water supply to all homes on reserve, as well as community buildings such as the band office, healthcare facility and early learning centre. The plant’s advanced technology uses biological filtration and membrane treatment to clean the source water so community members can trust that the water coming out of their taps is safe. The project also included drilling a new raw water well, construction of a raw water line, rehabilitation of an existing raw water well and flushing of the water distribution system.
Construction of the plant started in January 2023, with support from ISC of over $10.5 million, which includes training for the water treatment operator over the next three years to ensure the drinking water can be kept safe and clean for all to use.
Additional multimedia
“The completion of our new water treatment plant is a crucial step towards honouring the inherent right to clean and safe drinking water. After years of living under a water advisory, this memorable moment in history represents a significant victory in our ongoing environmental justice and self-determination advocacy. We remain keen in our commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our people.” Chief Michael Starr Star Blanket Cree Nation
“This critical piece of infrastructure will ensure access to clean drinking water for members of Star Blanket Cree Nation, serving their needs for years to come. This essential community project is a crucial step towards the Government of Canada’s path to reconciliation, and we are happy to be part of this historic day.” The Honourable Patty Hajdu Minister of Indigenous Services
Quick facts
Star Blanket Cree Nation is home to approximately 300 residents and located about 90 km northeast of Regina, Saskatchewan.
Associated links
Ending long-term drinking water advisories
Water in First Nations communities
Map of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves
For more information, media may contact:
Jennifer Kozelj Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor [email protected]
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COMMENTS
20 Great Quotes To Help You Deliver A Killer Speech
Then craft your message—and the quotes that will make it pop—based on the actions you want your audience to take. "The meaning of communication is the response you get.". ~NLP maxim. Use the power of REPETITION. One of the great speeches in U.S. history is Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
120 Inspiring Quotes to Start A Speech with Impact
Good Quotes To Start A Speech. "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.". "The only way to do great work is to love what you do.". "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.". "Believe you can and you're halfway there.".
Best Opening Quotes For Speeches & Presentations
72 Funny Inspirational Quotes About Life Inspiring Opening Quotes. Inspiring quotes are a great way to open graduation or valedictory speeches, award speeches and motivating events: 58 Powerful Quotes That Hit Hard; Life Is A Journey Quotes; 26 Inspiring Sayings of Hope; 36 of The Best Aristotle Quotes to Inspire & Motivate
50 Powerful Quotes To Start Your Presentation
50 Powerful Quotes To Start Your Presentation: 1) "The secret of getting ahead is getting started.". - Mark Twain. 2) "Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games.". - Babe Ruth. 3) "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.". - Albert Einstein. 4) "If you're too comfortable, it's ...
55 Powerful and Inspiring Quotes to Start Your Presentation
5 Best Techniques to start a Presentation or Speech. Quote someone else; Opening your presentation with a relevant quote can help set the whole tone for the rest of your speech. However, when making the quote, you need to remember two essential things: a) Quote the source of the sentence and b) "Tie it" to the central theme of the presentation.
15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines (And How to Create Your Own)
Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary. Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you. 4. Mohammed Qahtani.
50 Speech Opening Lines (& How to Create Your Own) l The Ultimate Guide
Examples of Speeches that Used Quotes as Opening Remarks 1. Increase your Self-Awareness with one Simple Fix By Tasha Eurich. Tennessee Williams once told us, "There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is what you'll ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in ...
101 Quotes to inspire speakers
101 Quotes to inspire speakers. "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.". "There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking.". "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right
Top 20 Public Speaking Quotes
Public Speaking Quotes Top 20. "A wise man speaks because he has something to say, a fool speaks because he has to say something.". Once a word has been allowed to escape, it cannot be recalled. "Grasp the subject, the words will follow.". "Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.". "Let thy speech be better than silence ...
8 Opening a Speech: Get Their Attention from the Start!
Typical Patterns for Speech Openings. Get the audience's attention-called a hook or a grabber. Establish rapport and tell the audience why you care about the topic of why you are credible to speak on the topic. Introduce the speech thesis/preview/good idea. Tell the audience why they should care about this topic.
21 Brilliant Presentation Quotes To Start Your Speech
5. If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti. 6. A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. - Max Lucado. 7. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.
9 Killer Speech Openers to Start a Talk or Presentation
One of the best ways to open your speech with a buzz is to startle or shock them. You can shock an audience in many ways, but they all rest on the major senses of VAKS: Visual. Auditory. Kinesthetic (touch) and Smell. We don't want your audience tasting your talk, but it should leave a good taste in their mouths.
How to Start a Speech: 7 Tips and Examples for a Captivating Opening
4. Make them laugh. Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn't offend your audience. Example: "They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!". 5.
Public speaking quotes: Funny, inspiring presentation insights
QUOTES ON PREPARATION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING. "All Abe Lincoln needed was a pencil and paper to make his speech at Gettysburg." - @TipsForSpeakers. "All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.". - Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Communication works for those who work at it.". - John Powell.
25 Awesome Public Speaking Quotes
1. The nervous and 2. Liars.". - Mark Twain. "No one ever complains about a speech being too short!". - Ira Hayes. "90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.". - Somers White. "It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time.".
Inspirational Quotes for Student Speeches
Mother Teresa: "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Walt Disney: "All our dreams can come true—if we have the courage to pursue them." Dr. Seuss: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
5 brilliant ways to open a speech (with examples)
1. Quote. It is always a great idea to open your speech using a compelling quote that is relevant to your topic. If I can make a request: please do not use the typical Aristotle's quotes.
How to Start a Speech: The Best (and Worst) Speech Openers
Opening Lines of the Top 10 Greatest Speeches of All Time. #1: Socrates - "Apology". "How you, men of Athens, have been affected by my accusers. I do not know.". #2: Patrick Henry - "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death". "Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.".
100 Public-Speaking Jokes to Add Humor to Your Next Speech
Apparently, their laughter didn't get the memo.". (If your audience won't give you feedback.) "Dialogue is like a parachute - it only works when it's open.". (If you happen to break wind because of nervousness.) "I'm not a nervous public speaker. I just have a very expressive colon.".
How to Use Quotes in Your Speech: 8 Benefits and 21 Tips
Pause before and after. You should pause briefly before the quote (a little suspense, and to grab attention) and then a little longer after the quote (to allow the meaning of the quotation to be absorbed by your audience.) Give the quotation respect, and let its impact be felt. Spice up your vocal delivery.
6 Examples of Killer Speech Openings That You Can Use
Dan Pink: Make a "confession". "I need to make a confession at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret, something that I'm not particularly proud of.". Dan Pink's speech grabs your attention right away because he makes a confession. He's letting you in on a secret about himself or something he ...
15 Funny Quotes to Start a Speech With a Bang
Whether you are delivering a speech for work, school, or a special occasion, opening with a funny quote can help you captivate your audience and get your point across. So, if you're looking for a little inspiration, here are 15 funny quotes to kick off your speech with a bang: ... Finally, another factor in finding good quotes for a speech is ...
10 of History's Most Misinterpreted Quotes
The opening line from Rudyard Kipling's 1889 poem "The Ballad of East and West" is sometimes used to describe two cultures or ideologies being incompatible and has been held up as proof of ...
Sotomayor and Jackson issue scathing dissents of Trump immunity ruling
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a blistering dissent in the Trump immunity ruling, arguing that it "reshapes the institution of the presidency" and "makes a mockery" of the ...
The Week Ahead: CPI Data, Earnings Opening Salvo On Deck
Things pick up Thursday, July 11,with jobs data, the regular and core consumer price index, core and non-core CPI year-over-year results, news of the monthly U.S. federal budget, and a speech from ...
Elon Musk expected to make speech at opening of Shanghai's World AI
Elon Musk will be among the keynote speakers at the opening ceremony of the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Thursday, according to an agenda released in advance of the event.
Analysis and commentary on CNN's presidential debate
Read CNN's analysis and commentary of the first 2024 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in Atlanta.
Stock Market News: Dow Gains After Powell Remarks
The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq rose Tuesday as the stock market looked ahead to jobs data later in the week. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new closing highs.
Star Blanket Cree Nation celebrates grand opening of new water
Quotes "The completion of our new water treatment plant is a crucial step towards honouring the inherent right to clean and safe drinking water. After years of living under a water advisory, this memorable moment in history represents a significant victory in our ongoing environmental justice and self-determination advocacy.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Then craft your message—and the quotes that will make it pop—based on the actions you want your audience to take. "The meaning of communication is the response you get.". ~NLP maxim. Use the power of REPETITION. One of the great speeches in U.S. history is Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
Good Quotes To Start A Speech. "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.". "The only way to do great work is to love what you do.". "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.". "Believe you can and you're halfway there.".
72 Funny Inspirational Quotes About Life Inspiring Opening Quotes. Inspiring quotes are a great way to open graduation or valedictory speeches, award speeches and motivating events: 58 Powerful Quotes That Hit Hard; Life Is A Journey Quotes; 26 Inspiring Sayings of Hope; 36 of The Best Aristotle Quotes to Inspire & Motivate
50 Powerful Quotes To Start Your Presentation: 1) "The secret of getting ahead is getting started.". - Mark Twain. 2) "Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games.". - Babe Ruth. 3) "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.". - Albert Einstein. 4) "If you're too comfortable, it's ...
5 Best Techniques to start a Presentation or Speech. Quote someone else; Opening your presentation with a relevant quote can help set the whole tone for the rest of your speech. However, when making the quote, you need to remember two essential things: a) Quote the source of the sentence and b) "Tie it" to the central theme of the presentation.
Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary. Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you. 4. Mohammed Qahtani.
Examples of Speeches that Used Quotes as Opening Remarks 1. Increase your Self-Awareness with one Simple Fix By Tasha Eurich. Tennessee Williams once told us, "There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is what you'll ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in ...
101 Quotes to inspire speakers. "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.". "There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking.". "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right
Public Speaking Quotes Top 20. "A wise man speaks because he has something to say, a fool speaks because he has to say something.". Once a word has been allowed to escape, it cannot be recalled. "Grasp the subject, the words will follow.". "Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.". "Let thy speech be better than silence ...
Typical Patterns for Speech Openings. Get the audience's attention-called a hook or a grabber. Establish rapport and tell the audience why you care about the topic of why you are credible to speak on the topic. Introduce the speech thesis/preview/good idea. Tell the audience why they should care about this topic.
5. If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough. - Mario Andretti. 6. A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. - Max Lucado. 7. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.
One of the best ways to open your speech with a buzz is to startle or shock them. You can shock an audience in many ways, but they all rest on the major senses of VAKS: Visual. Auditory. Kinesthetic (touch) and Smell. We don't want your audience tasting your talk, but it should leave a good taste in their mouths.
4. Make them laugh. Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn't offend your audience. Example: "They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!". 5.
QUOTES ON PREPARATION IN PUBLIC SPEAKING. "All Abe Lincoln needed was a pencil and paper to make his speech at Gettysburg." - @TipsForSpeakers. "All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.". - Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Communication works for those who work at it.". - John Powell.
1. The nervous and 2. Liars.". - Mark Twain. "No one ever complains about a speech being too short!". - Ira Hayes. "90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.". - Somers White. "It takes one hour of preparation for each minute of presentation time.".
Mother Teresa: "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Walt Disney: "All our dreams can come true—if we have the courage to pursue them." Dr. Seuss: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
1. Quote. It is always a great idea to open your speech using a compelling quote that is relevant to your topic. If I can make a request: please do not use the typical Aristotle's quotes.
Opening Lines of the Top 10 Greatest Speeches of All Time. #1: Socrates - "Apology". "How you, men of Athens, have been affected by my accusers. I do not know.". #2: Patrick Henry - "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death". "Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.".
Apparently, their laughter didn't get the memo.". (If your audience won't give you feedback.) "Dialogue is like a parachute - it only works when it's open.". (If you happen to break wind because of nervousness.) "I'm not a nervous public speaker. I just have a very expressive colon.".
Pause before and after. You should pause briefly before the quote (a little suspense, and to grab attention) and then a little longer after the quote (to allow the meaning of the quotation to be absorbed by your audience.) Give the quotation respect, and let its impact be felt. Spice up your vocal delivery.
Dan Pink: Make a "confession". "I need to make a confession at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret, something that I'm not particularly proud of.". Dan Pink's speech grabs your attention right away because he makes a confession. He's letting you in on a secret about himself or something he ...
Whether you are delivering a speech for work, school, or a special occasion, opening with a funny quote can help you captivate your audience and get your point across. So, if you're looking for a little inspiration, here are 15 funny quotes to kick off your speech with a bang: ... Finally, another factor in finding good quotes for a speech is ...
The opening line from Rudyard Kipling's 1889 poem "The Ballad of East and West" is sometimes used to describe two cultures or ideologies being incompatible and has been held up as proof of ...
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a blistering dissent in the Trump immunity ruling, arguing that it "reshapes the institution of the presidency" and "makes a mockery" of the ...
Things pick up Thursday, July 11,with jobs data, the regular and core consumer price index, core and non-core CPI year-over-year results, news of the monthly U.S. federal budget, and a speech from ...
Elon Musk will be among the keynote speakers at the opening ceremony of the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Thursday, according to an agenda released in advance of the event.
Read CNN's analysis and commentary of the first 2024 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in Atlanta.
The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq rose Tuesday as the stock market looked ahead to jobs data later in the week. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new closing highs.
Quotes "The completion of our new water treatment plant is a crucial step towards honouring the inherent right to clean and safe drinking water. After years of living under a water advisory, this memorable moment in history represents a significant victory in our ongoing environmental justice and self-determination advocacy.