who should i write a tribute speech about

Tribute Speech Topics, Outline, And Examples

A tribute speech is a type of commemorative speech that is typically given to honor someone else. The focus of a tribute speech is to highlight the positive attributes and accomplishments of the person, institution, event, idea, or place being honored.

Tribute speeches often make use of personal anecdotes and stories of hope, trust, kindness, courage, wisdom, success, dignity, loyalty, camaraderie, and tradition in order to paint a more complete picture of the individual or subject being celebrated.

When to deliver a tribute speech?

There are many different occasions that may call for a tribute speech. Some examples include:

• Retirement : A retirement speech is a tribute to the retiree’s years of hard work and dedication. It is an opportunity to look back on all that has been accomplished and to wish the retiree all the best in their future endeavors.
• Wedding : Wedding toasts are another type of tribute speech, given in honor of the newlyweds. The focus of a wedding toast is usually on wishing the couple a long and happy life together.
• Funeral or memorial services : A eulogy is a tribute speech that is given in honor of someone who has passed away. The focus of a memorial tribute speech is usually on celebrating the life of the individual and remembering them fondly.
• Reunion : A reunion speech is a tribute to the past, present, and future of the group being honored. It is an opportunity to look back on all that has been accomplished and to look forward to all that will be accomplished in the future.
• Anniversaries : An anniversary tribute speech is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the individual or group being honored and to look forward to the future.
• Award ceremony : An award tribute speech is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the individual or group being honored and to thank them for their contributions.

Characteristics of a tribute speech

There are certain characteristics that make for an effective tribute speech. Some of these include-

• It is sincere and honest : The tribute should be coming from a place of honest admiration and respect. It shouldn’t be overly flowery or insincere. It should also use proper language. This means avoiding profanity and using terms that everyone in the audience will understand.
• It is well-prepared : A tribute speech that has been carefully prepared will usually be more effective than one that is off-the-cuff. This doesn’t mean that it has to be written out word for word, but it should be well-organized and thought out.
• It is personal : A tribute speech that is personal and anecdotes will usually be more effective than one that is purely factual. This is because it will help the audience to connect with the person being tributed and understand why they are being tributed.
• It is appropriate for the occasion : The tribute speech should be appropriate for the occasion. For example, if it is a tribute speech for a funeral, it should be more serious in tone than if it is for a retirement party.
• It is within the time limit : Tribute speeches should usually be between 5 and 10 minutes long. This is because if they are too long, the audience will start to lose interest.

How to write a tribute speech?

When writing a tribute speech, it is important to choose a topic that is significant and meaningful to you. The tribute should also be well-organized and coherent, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Here are some trips tips for writing an effective tribute speech:

• Start by brainstorming a list of people, things that you admire, and why you admire them. This will help you to narrow down your topic.
• Choose a topic that is significant and meaningful to you. This will make it easier to write from a place of sincerity and honesty.
• Write an outline of your tribute speech. This will help you to organize your thoughts and make sure that your tribute is coherent.
• Write in a clear and concise manner. Avoid using flowery or overly complicated language. Use terms that everyone in the audience will understand.
• Keep within the time limit. Tribute speeches should usually be between 5 and 10 minutes long.
• Practice delivering your tribute speech. This will help you to ensure that you are loud enough for the audience to hear, clear, and with proper enunciation.

Outline for writing an effective tribute speech

Here is a tribute speech outline that you can use as a guide when preparing your own tribute speech:

Introduction

• Introduce the person or thing that you are tributing to.
• Provide background information about the person or thing being tributed.
• Explain why you admire the person or thing being tributed.
• Describe the qualities that you admire about the person or thing being tributed.
• Give examples of how the person or thing has positively affected your life.
• Share a personal story about the person or thing being tributed.
• Summarize why the person or thing being tributed is significant and important to you.
• Thank the audience for listening.

Famous tribute speeches and examples from history

There are many famous tribute speeches in history. Here are a few you could get inspired from:

• “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. : This speech was given during the Civil Rights Movement where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about his dream for a future where all people would be treated equally, regardless of skin color.
• “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln : In this speech, Abraham Lincoln spoke about the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. He also spoke about the importance of preserving democracy.
• “Inaugural Address” by John F. Kennedy : In this tribute speech, John F. Kennedy spoke about the need for Americans to work together to achieve their goals.
• “9/11 Address to the Nation” by George W. Bush : In this famous tribute speech, George W. Bush spoke about the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the need for Americans to unite in the face of adversity.
• “We Shall Overcome” by Barack Obama : In this famous tribute speech, Barack Obama spoke about the importance of hope and resilience in the face of challenges.

Tribute speech topics & ideas

Here are 20+ tribute speech topics and ideas;

1. Your favorite teacher

2. Your parents

3. A friend or family member who has passed away

4. A soldier who has served in the military

5. A first responder who has risked his life to save others

6. A person who has made a significant contribution to your community

7. A person who has inspired you

8. A historical figure that you admire

9. A mentor who has helped you in your life

10. An athlete who has achieved greatness

11. A person who has overcome adversity

12. A person who has made a significant impact on the world

13. A person who has shown courage in the face of challenges

14. A person who has demonstrated compassion for others

15. A person who has fought for justice

16. A couple who stayed together through thick and thin

17. A person who has inspired others to be their best selves

18. A friend who has always been there for you

19. A person who has brought happiness into your life

20. Your favorite pet

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Words at Ease

6 Tribute Speech Examples

Paying tribute to someone who has made a meaningful impact on your life or the lives of others is a sincere way to express gratitude and admiration.

A well-written tribute speech not only honors the person but also inspires and moves the audience.

Tribute Speech Examples

In this article, we’ll explore six examples of tribute speeches that you can use as inspiration for your own.

Whether you’re preparing for a retirement party, a milestone birthday celebration, or a memorial service, these examples will help you find the right words to convey your sentiments.

Let’s explore and discover the power of a beautifully delivered tribute speech!

1. Short Tribute Speech for a Mentor

Thank you all for gathering here today to honor an extraordinary person who has touched so many lives – our beloved mentor, [Name]. I’ve had the privilege of knowing [Name] for the past five years, and I can say without a doubt that they have been a guiding light in my life.

[Name]’s dedication to their craft and their unwavering commitment to helping others grow is truly inspiring. They have a way of seeing potential in people, even when they don’t see it in themselves. Their patience, wisdom, and kindness have helped countless individuals work through the challenges of their personal and professional lives.

I recall the first time I met [Name]. I was a nervous, unsure young professional, but they immediately put me at ease with their warm smile and encouraging words. Over the years, [Name] has been there for me through the ups and downs, always offering sage advice and a listening ear.

[Name], your impact on my life and the lives of so many others is immeasurable. You have taught us the value of hard work, integrity, and compassion. Your legacy will live on through the countless lives you’ve touched and the ripple effect of your kindness. Thank you for being an extraordinary mentor, friend, and role model. We are all better because of you.

— END OF SPEECH —

Commentary: This short tribute speech is perfect for honoring a mentor who has made a meaningful impact on your life. It highlights the mentor’s dedication, wisdom, and the lasting influence they’ve had on you and others. This speech is suitable for a retirement party, a milestone celebration, or any event where you want to express gratitude to a mentor.

2. Medium-Length Tribute Speech for a Parent

Today, I stand before you to honor an extraordinary person who has been my rock, my inspiration, and my guiding light – my [mother/father], [Name]. Growing up, I watched in awe as [she/he] faced life’s challenges with grace, strength, and an unwavering commitment to family.

[Name] taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. [She/He] worked tirelessly to provide for our family, often sacrificing [her/his] own dreams and aspirations to ensure that we had every opportunity to succeed. Despite the long hours and demanding responsibilities, [she/he] always made time for us, showering us with love and attention.

Beyond being an incredible provider, [Name] was also my confidant and my biggest cheerleader. [She/He] celebrated my successes, no matter how small, and picked me up when I stumbled. [Her/His] wise words and comforting hugs got me through the toughest times, and [her/his] belief in me gave me the courage to pursue my dreams.

[Name], your love and dedication have shaped me into the person I am today. You have taught me the importance of family, the power of resilience, and the beauty of unconditional love. Your selflessness and compassion have touched not only our family but also the lives of everyone you’ve encountered.

As I stand here today, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible [mother/father] you have been. Your legacy lives on through the love you’ve given, the values you’ve instilled, and the memories we’ll cherish forever. Thank you for being my hero, my friend, and my guiding light. I love you more than words can express.

Commentary: This medium-length tribute speech is perfect for honoring a parent who has been a constant source of love, support, and inspiration. It highlights the parent’s hard work, sacrifices, and the profound impact they’ve had on your life. This speech is suitable for a parent’s birthday, retirement party, or any occasion where you want to express your deep appreciation and love for your parent.

3. Long Tribute Speech for a Friend

Friends, we gather here today to celebrate an extraordinary individual who has touched our lives in countless ways – our dear friend, [Name]. [Name] is the kind of person who lights up a room with [his/her] presence, whose laughter is contagious, and whose kindness knows no bounds.

I first met [Name] during our early years in college, both of us wide-eyed and eager to take on the world. From the moment we met, I knew [he/she] was someone special. [Name]’s zest for life, quick wit, and compassionate heart drew people to [him/her] like a magnet.

Over the years, our friendship grew, and I watched in admiration as [Name] tackled life’s challenges with grace and resilience. [He/She] faced adversity head-on, always emerging stronger and wiser. [Name]’s unwavering optimism and ability to find the silver lining in even the darkest of times inspired me and everyone around [him/her].

But what truly sets [Name] apart is [his/her] unwavering loyalty and commitment to [his/her] friends. [He/She] has been there for me through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, always ready with a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a word of encouragement. [Name]’s selflessness and generosity know no bounds, and [he/she] has touched the lives of countless people with [his/her] acts of kindness.

[Name], your friendship has been one of the greatest gifts in my life. You have taught me the true meaning of friendship, the power of laughter, and the importance of cherishing every moment. Your impact on my life and the lives of everyone here today is immeasurable, and we are all better people because of you.

As we celebrate you today, I want you to know how much you are loved and appreciated. Your presence in our lives is a constant reminder of the goodness in this world, and we are forever grateful for the light you bring. Thank you for being an extraordinary friend, a true inspiration, and a shining example of what it means to live life to the fullest.

To [Name], our dear friend, our confidant, and our guiding light – we raise our glasses in your honor. May your journey be filled with endless laughter, love, and the joy you so freely give to others. We love you, [Name], and we thank you for being an integral part of our lives.

Commentary: This long tribute speech is perfect for honoring a dear friend who has made a meaningful impact on your life. It highlights the friend’s unique qualities, their unwavering support, and the profound influence they’ve had on you and others. This speech is suitable for a milestone birthday, a wedding toast, or any occasion where you want to express your deep appreciation and love for your friend.

4. Long Tribute Speech for a Colleague

Today, we come together to honor an exceptional individual who has made an indelible mark on our lives and our workplace – our esteemed colleague, [Name]. [Name] is not just a coworker; [he/she] is a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to us all.

I had the privilege of working closely with [Name] for the past [number] years, and I can say without a doubt that [he/she] embodies the very best of what it means to be a dedicated professional and a compassionate human being. From the moment [he/she] joined our team, [Name] brought a level of expertise, enthusiasm, and creativity that elevated our work to new heights.

But what truly sets [Name] apart is [his/her] unwavering commitment to excellence and [his/her] ability to bring out the best in everyone around [him/her]. [Name] is a natural leader, always ready to lend a helping hand, share [his/her] knowledge, and guide others towards success. [His/Her] patience, kindness, and genuine interest in the growth and well-being of [his/her] colleagues have made [him/her] a beloved figure in our workplace.

I recall countless instances where [Name] went above and beyond the call of duty. Whether it was staying late to help a team member meet a tight deadline, taking on additional responsibilities to ensure the success of a project, or simply being there to offer a word of encouragement during challenging times, [Name] has been a constant source of support and inspiration.

[Name]’s impact extends far beyond the walls of our office. [He/She] has been a driving force behind our company’s success, consistently delivering exceptional results and setting a high standard for all of us to aspire to. [His/Her] innovative ideas, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to excellence have not only propelled our team forward but have also earned [him/her] the respect and admiration of clients and industry peers alike.

As we bid farewell to [Name] today, we do so with heavy hearts but also with immense gratitude for the incredible contributions [he/she] has made to our lives and our organization. [Name], your legacy will live on through the countless lives you’ve touched, the projects you’ve brought to fruition, and the culture of excellence you’ve helped to foster.

On behalf of our entire team, I want to express our deepest appreciation for your dedication, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to making our workplace a better place. Your presence will be sorely missed, but the impact you’ve made will endure. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, knowing that wherever you go, you will continue to inspire and make a difference in the lives of those around you.

[Name], thank you for being an extraordinary colleague, a true friend, and a shining example of what it means to live and work with purpose and integrity. We are all better because of you, and we will carry the lessons you’ve taught us and the memories we’ve shared with us always.

Commentary: This long tribute speech is perfect for honoring a colleague who has made a meaningful impact on your workplace and your professional life. It highlights the colleague’s exceptional qualities, their dedication to excellence, and the lasting influence they’ve had on you and your team. This speech is suitable for a retirement party, a farewell celebration, or any occasion where you want to express your deep appreciation and respect for your colleague.

5. Lengthy Tribute Speech for a Teacher

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the minds and lives of their students, and today, we gather to honor an extraordinary educator who has left an indelible mark on countless lives – our beloved teacher, [Name]. [Name] is not just a teacher; [he/she] is a mentor, a guide, and an inspiration to all who have had the privilege of learning from [him/her].

I first met [Name] when I walked into [his/her] classroom as a wide-eyed [grade level] student, eager to learn but unsure of my own potential. From the moment [Name] greeted us with [his/her] warm smile and infectious enthusiasm, I knew I was in the presence of someone special. [His/Her] passion for teaching and genuine care for each and every student was evident from day one.

[Name]’s classroom was a sanctuary of learning, a place where curiosity was encouraged, and mistakes were celebrated as opportunities for growth. [He/She] had a way of making even the most complicated subjects come alive, infusing [his/her] lessons with creativity, humor, and real-world relevance. [Name] understood that education was not just about memorizing facts and figures but about nurturing critical thinking, fostering a love for learning, and empowering students to become lifelong learners.

But what truly set [Name] apart was [his/her] unwavering belief in the potential of every student who walked through [his/her] door. [He/She] saw beyond test scores and grades, recognizing the unique talents and strengths of each individual. [Name] took the time to get to know us, to understand our dreams and aspirations, and to guide us towards reaching our full potential.

I recall the countless hours [Name] spent outside of class, offering extra help, reviewing assignments, and providing guidance and support. [He/She] was always there for us, whether we needed academic assistance, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement. [Name]’s dedication to [his/her] students knew no bounds, and [he/she] went above and beyond to ensure that we had the tools and confidence to succeed.

[Name]’s impact extended far beyond the classroom walls. [He/She] was a pillar of the school community, actively involved in extracurricular activities, mentorship programs, and initiatives that enriched the lives of students and staff alike. [Name]’s leadership and commitment to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment were an inspiration to all who had the privilege of working with [him/her].

As I stand here today, I am just one of the countless lives that have been forever changed by [Name]’s guidance, wisdom, and unwavering belief in our potential. [Name], your legacy lives on through the generations of students you have inspired, the minds you have nurtured, and the lives you have touched. Your impact is immeasurable, and we are all better individuals because of the lessons you have taught us, both inside and outside the classroom.

[Name], on behalf of all your students, past and present, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your dedication, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to our growth and success. You have been more than just a teacher; you have been a guiding light, a role model, and a true inspiration. Your lessons will stay with us long after we leave the halls of this school, and your influence will continue to shape our lives in countless ways.

As you embark on this new chapter of your life, know that you have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all those who have had the privilege of learning from you. We are forever grateful for the gift of your teachings, your wisdom, and your unwavering belief in our potential. Thank you, [Name], for being an extraordinary teacher, a true mentor, and a shining example of what it means to live a life dedicated to the service of others.

Commentary: This lengthy tribute speech is perfect for honoring a teacher who has made a profound impact on your life and the lives of countless students. It highlights the teacher’s passion for education, their dedication to student success, and the lasting influence they’ve had on shaping minds and nurturing potential. This speech is suitable for a teacher’s retirement celebration, a school event honoring educators, or any occasion where you want to express your deep appreciation and gratitude for an exceptional teacher.

6. Lengthy Tribute Speech for a Community Leader

Today, we come together to honor an extraordinary individual who has dedicated [his/her] life to serving our community and making a difference in the lives of countless people – our esteemed community leader, [Name]. [Name] is not just a leader; [he/she] is a visionary, a tireless advocate, and a true inspiration to us all.

I first met [Name] when I joined [his/her] community organization as a volunteer, eager to make a positive impact but unsure of where to begin. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was struck by [Name]’s warmth, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of our community. [His/Her] passion for service and genuine care for each and every individual was evident in everything [he/she] did.

[Name]’s leadership style was one of inclusivity, empowerment, and collaboration. [He/She] had a way of bringing people together, bridging divides, and fostering a sense of unity and purpose. [Name] understood that true change could only be achieved through the collective efforts of a community working towards a common goal, and [he/she] tirelessly worked to create opportunities for people from all walks of life to get involved and make a difference.

Under [Name]’s guidance, our community organization flourished, taking on projects and initiatives that addressed the most pressing needs of our community. Whether it was providing support for underprivileged families, advocating for social justice, or spearheading educational programs, [Name] was always at the forefront, leading by example and inspiring others to join the cause.

But what truly set [Name] apart was [his/her] unwavering commitment to empowering others and building a stronger, more resilient community. [He/She] recognized the potential in every individual and worked tirelessly to provide the resources, support, and guidance needed to help them achieve their goals. [Name] was a mentor, a confidant, and a source of strength for countless individuals who sought [his/her] guidance and support.

I recall the countless hours [Name] spent listening to the stories and concerns of community members, offering words of encouragement, and working tirelessly to find solutions to the challenges they faced. [His/Her] door was always open, and [he/she] made time for anyone who needed [his/her] help, no matter how busy [he/she] was. [Name]’s compassion, empathy, and genuine desire to make a difference touched the lives of so many, and [his/her] impact will be felt for generations to come.

[Name]’s leadership extended far beyond the walls of our community organization. [He/She] was a vocal advocate for change, working tirelessly to bring attention to the issues that mattered most to our community. [Name] fearlessly stood up for what was right,

even in the face of adversity, and [his/her] unwavering commitment to justice and equality inspired others to join the fight.

As I stand here today, I am just one of the countless lives that have been forever changed by [Name]’s leadership, guidance, and unwavering dedication to our community. [Name], your legacy lives on through the lives you have touched, the organizations you have built, and the positive change you have brought about. Your impact is immeasurable, and we are all better individuals and a stronger community because of your tireless efforts.

[Name], on behalf of our entire community, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your leadership, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to making our world a better place. You have been more than just a leader; you have been a role model, a changemaker, and a true inspiration. Your lessons in service, empathy, and the power of community will stay with us long after you leave this role, and your influence will continue to shape our lives and our community in countless ways.

As you embark on this new chapter of your life, know that you have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all those who have had the privilege of working with you and learning from you. We are forever grateful for the gift of your leadership, your wisdom, and your unwavering belief in the potential of our community. Thank you, [Name], for being an extraordinary leader, a true advocate, and a shining example of what it means to live a life dedicated to the service of others.

Your legacy will endure, and we pledge to carry forward the work you have started, to continue building a stronger, more compassionate, and more just community for all. We are forever indebted to you, [Name], and we will strive to honor your legacy through our own actions and commitment to making a difference.

Commentary: This lengthy tribute speech is perfect for honoring a community leader who has made a meaningful impact on your community and the lives of its members. It highlights the leader’s dedication to service, their ability to empower and unite people, and the lasting influence they’ve had on shaping a stronger, more resilient community. This speech is suitable for a community event honoring a leader’s contributions, a retirement celebration, or any occasion where you want to express your deep appreciation and gratitude for an exceptional leader who has made a difference in the lives of many.

Tribute speeches are a powerful way to honor and celebrate the individuals who have made a meaningful impact on our lives and the lives of others.

Whether you’re paying tribute to a mentor, a parent, a friend, a colleague, a teacher, or a community leader, the key is to speak from the heart and share the unique qualities, accomplishments, and influence of the person you’re honoring.

The examples provided in this article showcase the diversity of tribute speeches, from short and sweet to lengthy and profound.

Use these examples as inspiration, but remember to infuse your personal experiences, memories, and sentiments to create a truly heartfelt and meaningful tribute.

When writing your tribute speech, focus on the person’s character, their impact on your life and the lives of others, and the lessons they’ve taught you.

Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points and bring your words to life. Above all, let your genuine appreciation and admiration shine through in every word you speak.

As you deliver your tribute speech, remember that you are not only honoring the person but also inspiring and uplifting those who are listening.

Your words have the power to touch hearts, evoke emotions, and create lasting memories.

Embrace the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary individuals in your life and to express your gratitude for the profound impact they’ve had on you and the world around them.

So, whether you’re standing in front of a small gathering or a large audience, deliver your tribute speech with sincerity, warmth, and heartfelt appreciation.

Your words will not only honor the person you’re celebrating but also serve as a testament to the enduring power of human connection, love, and the indelible mark we leave on each other’s lives.

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• Tribute speech guide

Tribute speech guide 

- how to prepare a sincere commemorative speech.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

A tribute speech belongs in a special category of speeches called commemorative. Its principal purpose is to inspire and celebrate; uniting listeners in sincere, heartfelt gratitude and admiration for its subject.

Have you been asked to prepare a tribute speech and need to know more?

What you'll find on this page

• what occasions are most likely to call for a tribute speech
• the characteristics of a tribute speech
• how to begin the process of writing a tribute speech  
• how to choose a topic
• information about eulogies or funeral speeches, (a special type of tribute speech), with links to examples.

What occasions call for a tribute speech?

A tribute speech may be delivered at any of the following celebrations:

Anniversaries

These may be family events for example; a  50th wedding anniversary  or a  milestone birthday , or they could be public ones, for example; celebrations marking historic events like  Remembrance Day  or, the passing of a famous person.

At a family reunion this form of speech may be given to honor its senior members.

Similarly it will be an important part of the reunions of people brought together by work, sport, interests or vocation.

Memorial services or funerals

The eulogy you hear at a memorial service or funeral is a special type of tribute speech celebrating the life of the person who has passed away.

A tribute speech at an award presentation will honor the achievements of the award recipients. For example film, music or sports awards.

Although thought of as  'wedding speeches', the best man, father-of-the-bride speeches and their variations, are all forms of tribute speeches.

Retirements

The tribute speech heard at a retirement celebration honors the retiree by acknowledging their service and contribution.

The characteristics of the speech

Whether the focus is a person,  or an event involving a  group of people, its characteristics are:

• admiration and respect
• a focus on positive qualities: perseverance, dedication, humility, compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty, sacrifice, service, kindness, humor ...
• highlighting accomplishments and the difficulties overcome to achieve them
• a reflection on the positive impact and contribution of the focal group or person on the lives of others
• grateful acknowledgment of what we can learn from their example to take into the future

How to begin writing a tribute speech

The first step in your process is finding out as much as you can about the occasion itself and then deciding on a topic, (if it hasn't already been decided for you).

You'll want to know:

• who the audience is
• whether you are the only speaker, or one in a series of speakers
• how long you expected to speak for
• whether the event is formal or informal
• if there are any special requirements the organizers may have that need to be included in your speech

How to choose a topic

Generally the occasion chooses it for you! If you're asked to speak at the celebration marking your Mother's 70th birthday or a similar event, then you know what the central topic is.

What you'll need to decide is how to handle it or what angle to take.

Get some help to find the right topic

If it's not clear what you should talk about, you'll find this page on how to select an inspiring tribute or  commemorative speech topic  helpful.

It walks you step by step through the process of finding a topic to suit your audience's needs and has a great selection of carefully picked links to help you research topic possibilities.

Get some help with planning and writing

There's a  tribute speech template  here that will be useful to help you plan the sections of your speech. Use it as a guide.

(On the same page is a speech I wrote to honor my Mother. It follows the template.)

Or if you'd like more than an outline to help you, you'll find the entire process of writing a speech mapped out step by step here:  how to write a speech .

Are you here because you need to prepare a eulogy?

These links below will guide you through the process:

• How to write a eulogy Step by step guidance for preparing, writing and delivering a eulogy with a free printable eulogy planner. 
• And if you'd like to include a special verse or quotation browse these pages of   funeral poems  and  inspirational quotations .

Would you like to read a sample eulogy before you begin?

Reading others can be really useful in helping you decide what you want to achieve with your own speech.

Well-known tribute speeches 

Here are three famous speeches, each illustrating the characteristics of a fine commemorative speech.

• Ronald Reagan's tribute for the crew of the  Challenger Space Shuttle  that exploded during its launch.
• Sen. Edward Kennedy's eulogy for his slain brother:   Robert F. Kennedy .
• Oprah Winfrey's eulogy for  Rosa Parks .

Not-so well known tribute speeches

I am very fortunate to have a collection of  not-so famous tribute speeches   on write-out-loud.com.  

These are very special because they're by people probably similar to yourself who have been asked to write a speech about someone they've loved dearly. 

There are eulogies for mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, colleagues,  and friends.

All of them have been sent in to provide examples to help people who are trying to write.  Seeing how others have handled the task gives them the courage and confidence to begin.

These eulogy pages get thousands of visitors every week.

And lastly, here is that link to the  commemorative speech for my mother.

Do you need help with preparing to deliver your speech?

You'll find everything you need to help you give your speech confidently by visiting the site map .

There's tips on making and using cue cards , how to overcome fear or anxiety of public speaking , how use your voice well , and more.

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Tribute Speech

Tribute speech generator.

A Tribute Speech is a profound way to honor and celebrate an individual’s impact or a significant event. This comprehensive guide, filled with eloquent speech examples, offers step-by-step instructions on crafting a moving and memorable tribute. Whether honoring a colleague, a loved one, or a notable figure, these guidelines will help you convey your admiration and respect powerfully. Learn to express heartfelt emotions and share impactful stories that do justice to the person or occasion being commemorated.

What is Tribute Speech?

A tribute speech is a specific type of commemorative address dedicated to expressing honor, admiration, and respect towards a person, event, thing, or idea. It is crafted to celebrate and acknowledge the significance and impact of its subject. Typically, tribute speeches highlight the exceptional qualities of the honored subject and reflect on their profound influence.

Download Tribute Speech Bundle

A tribute speech is one of the most personal and emotional speech. Because it talks about the life of a particular person or a group of people. It is a speech that will inspire others and make the listeners come together as one in commemorating and honoring the life of the subject.A tribute speech is not only given to a deceased person, in fact, it is also given to a living person who still manages to give contribution or service, doing remarkable things, and still inspire and influence others. The best speeches are ones that are honest, sincere, full of admiration, and has a good speech outline .

Tribute Speech Format

Introduction Good evening, everyone. We are gathered here today not just to celebrate an extraordinary career but to honor a life that has made a profound difference. I’m here to speak about Dr. Jane Thompson, a person whose contributions have not only advanced the field of environmental science but have also inspired a generation to live more conscientiously. Body Early Life and Background Born in a small coastal town, Jane was always fascinated by the ocean. Her early years, spent volunteering at marine sanctuaries, laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to environmental conservation. Despite facing early challenges, including limited access to advanced education and resources, Jane’s determination led her to earn a scholarship to a prestigious university, where she began her journey to becoming the influential figure we admire today. Achievements and Contributions Professionally, Dr. Thompson’s work has been groundbreaking. Her research on coral reef preservation has not only won her numerous international awards but has also played a critical role in developing sustainable marine practices worldwide. However, Jane’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She founded the Green Future Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young people about environmental stewardship, demonstrating her belief that real change begins with education. Personal Stories I remember a time when Jane organized a community clean-up. It wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and fostering a sense of community responsibility towards our environment. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her genuine care for both people and the planet was evident in everything she did. Conclusion As we reflect on Dr. Thompson’s contributions, it’s clear that her legacy is not just in her scientific achievements but in the hearts and minds she has touched. Jane once said, “Change is the collective sum of our actions.” Today, we not only celebrate her remarkable contributions but also commit to continuing her legacy through our actions. In closing, I’d like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jane Thompson for her unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and compassionate heart. Thank you, Jane, for showing us the way forward

Tribute Speech Example

Ladies and Gentlemen , Good [morning/afternoon/evening], Thank you all for being here today as we gather to honor and celebrate the life of [Loved One’s Name]. I am [Your Name], and it is both a privilege and a deeply emotional task to stand before you and share my thoughts about someone who meant so much to all of us. [Loved One’s Name] was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of everyone they met. They were a loving [relationship, e.g., parent, sibling, friend], a cherished member of our community, and a source of joy and inspiration to all who knew them. One of my fondest memories of [Loved One’s Name] is [share a specific memory, such as a shared activity, a special trip, or a meaningful conversation]. Their ability to [describe a characteristic, such as make people laugh, bring people together, offer wise counsel] made every moment we spent together truly special. [Loved One’s Name] had a unique gift for making everyone feel valued and loved. [Loved One’s Name] was a person of immense strength and character. They faced life’s challenges with resilience and grace, never losing sight of what was truly important. They taught us the value of perseverance, the importance of kindness, and the power of a positive outlook. What I will always cherish about [Loved One’s Name] is their unwavering kindness and generosity. They had a heart of gold and were always willing to lend a helping hand, offer a listening ear, or provide words of encouragement. Their selflessness touched many lives and left a lasting impact on our hearts. [Loved One’s Name] was also a person of great wisdom and insight. They were always there to offer advice, to listen, and to provide a different perspective. Their counsel was invaluable, and we all knew that we could always count on them for guidance and support. As I stand here today, I am filled with gratitude for the time we had together. While I wish we could have had more time, I am comforted by the countless memories we created and the lessons they taught us. Their legacy lives on in the values they instilled in us, in the love they showed to our family and friends, and in the positive impact they had on everyone who knew them. [Loved One’s Name], thank you for being a beacon of love, wisdom, and strength. Thank you for the laughter, the lessons, and the countless memories. We will carry your memory in our hearts forever and strive to honor you in all that we do. In closing, I would like to share a quote that reminds me of [Loved One’s Name]: “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.” [Loved One’s Name], your love and your legacy will live on in all of us. Thank you for everything. Thank you, everyone, for being here today to honor [Loved One’s Name]. [Your Name]

Tribute Speech Short Example

Ladies and Gentlemen , Good [morning/afternoon/evening], Thank you all for being here today as we gather to honor and celebrate the life of [Loved One’s Name]. I am [Your Name], and it is both a privilege and an emotional task to share a few words about someone who meant so much to all of us. [Loved One’s Name] was a remarkable person who touched the lives of everyone they met. They were a loving [relationship, e.g., parent, sibling, friend] and a cherished member of our community. Their kindness, strength, and unwavering love made a profound impact on all of us. One of my fondest memories of [Loved One’s Name] is [share a specific, brief memory, such as a shared activity or meaningful moment]. Their ability to [describe a characteristic, such as make people laugh, bring people together] made every moment we spent together truly special. [Loved One’s Name] faced life’s challenges with resilience and grace, teaching us the value of perseverance and the importance of kindness. Their wisdom and generosity left a lasting impression on our hearts. As I stand here today, I am filled with gratitude for the time we had together. Though I wish we could have had more time, I am comforted by the memories we created and the lessons they taught us. Their legacy lives on in the values they instilled in us and the love they shared. In closing, I would like to share a quote that reminds me of [Loved One’s Name]: “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.” [Loved One’s Name], your love and legacy will live on in all of us. Thank you for everything. Thank you, everyone, for being here today to honor [Loved One’s Name]. [Your Name]

Tips for Delivering a Tribute Speech

• Practice Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with your speech through repeated practice. This helps reduce nervousness and ensures a smoother delivery.
• Speak from the Heart: Authenticity resonates. Speak sincerely about your feelings and experiences related to the honoree. Authentic emotion is compelling and engaging.
• Maintain Eye Contact: Make eye contact with your audience to create a connection. This helps convey your sincerity and enhances the impact of your words.
• Use Notes Sparingly: If you use notes, glance at them briefly to jog your memory, but try to keep your attention on the audience. Over-reliance on notes can disconnect you from the emotional depth of your speech.
• Control Your Pace: Nervousness can lead to speaking too quickly, which might make it hard for your audience to follow. Practice pacing your speech so it’s easy to listen to and digest.
• Pause for Emphasis: Use pauses strategically to let important points sink in or to compose yourself if you become emotional. Pauses can be powerful in adding weight to your message.
• Use an Appropriate Tone: The tone of your speech should match the occasion and the personality of the honoree. Whether it’s solemn, celebratory, or humorous, ensure it’s appropriate.
• Manage Emotions: It’s okay to show emotion, as it underscores the sincerity of your tribute. However, if you’re worried about becoming too overwhelmed, find techniques to compose yourself, like focusing on a spot in the room or taking deep breaths.
• Personalize Your Delivery: Include personal anecdotes or traits of the honoree that you admire. This personal touch can make your speech more relatable and memorable.
• Conclude Strongly: End your speech with a powerful statement or a call to action inspired by the honoree’s life and achievements. This leaves your audience with a lasting impression.
• Rehearse with Feedback: Practice your speech in front of friends or family members who can provide constructive feedback. This can help you refine your delivery and content.
• Be Prepared for the Unexpected: Sometimes emotions can catch you by surprise, or the audience might react in ways you didn’t anticipate. Be prepared to adapt and continue gracefully.

More Tribute Speech Samples

• Tribute Speech for Teachers
• Tribute Speech for Parents
• Tribute Speech for Mother
• Tribute Speech for Father
• Tribute Speech for Grandmother
• Tribute Speech for a Friend
• Tribute Speech to Dad From Daughter
• Tribute Speech to a Famous Person
• Tribute Speech to a Dead Person
• Tribute Speech on Funeral
• Tribute Speech to Dad from Son
• Tribute Speech to Mother from Daughter
• Tribute Speech to Mother from Son
• Tribute Speech to Sister
• Tribute Speech to Brother
• Tribute Speech to Husband
• Tribute Speech to Wife
• Tribute Speech to Grandparents
• Tribute Speech to a Mentor
• Tribute Speech to a Retiree
• Tribute Speech to Veterans
• Tribute Speech to a Deceased Loved One
• Tribute Speech to a Community Leader
• Tribute Speech to a Spouse

Tribute Speech for Famous Person

Free Download

Tribute Speech for a Funeral

Retirement Tribute

Short Tribute Speech

Parent Tribute Speech

If you still having trouble in giving speech, you can get more ideas in our self-introduction speech example  here.

Tribute Speech Outline

Birthday Speech

Free Tribute Speech

Tribute Speech By The Leader Of The House

How to write a Tribute Speech

Step 1: choose your focus.

• Select the Person: Clearly define who you are honoring. It could be a friend, family member, colleague, or a public figure.
• Determine the Purpose: Understand the occasion and what you aim to achieve with your speech—celebrate their life, highlight their accomplishments, or honor their memory.

Step 2: Gather Information

• Research: Collect information about their life, achievements, and impact. This may involve speaking with friends and family, looking at their social media, or recalling personal memories.
• Select Key Points: Identify the most significant aspects of their life and work that you want to highlight. These should reflect their values, contributions, and the difference they made.

Step 3: Organize Your Speech

• Follow the tribute speech format outlined previously, organizing your speech into an introduction, body, and conclusion. Within this structure, decide how you will present the information (chronologically, thematically, etc.).

Step 4: Write the Introduction

• Hook: Begin with a powerful opening to grab attention. This could be a quote, an anecdote, or a profound statement.
• Purpose: State the purpose of your speech and briefly introduce the person you’re honoring.

Step 5: Develop the Body

• Early Life and Background: Start with some background information that provides context to their life and achievements.
• Achievements and Contributions: Highlight their professional and personal accomplishments, focusing on how they’ve impacted others.
• Personal Stories: Share anecdotes and personal stories that showcase their character and the personal side that people admired.

Step 6: Craft the Conclusion

• Summarize: Briefly recap the key points you’ve made throughout your speech.
• Reflect: Offer a reflection on their legacy and what they mean to you and others.
• End with a Tribute: Conclude with a heartfelt tribute, expressing gratitude, admiration, or a final farewell.

Step 7: Edit and Practice

• Review and Refine: Read through your speech, making adjustments to ensure clarity, flow, and emotional impact. Aim for a tone that matches the occasion and your relationship with the honoree.
• Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times. This helps with memorization, timing, and delivery. Pay attention to your pacing, tone, and body language.

The Impact of Tribute Speeches

• Emotional Healing: Tribute speeches can offer comfort and emotional healing to those grieving by celebrating the life and accomplishments of the deceased, helping to focus on positive memories and legacies.
• Increased Appreciation: They heighten the audience’s appreciation for the honoree’s contributions, achievements, and character, often revealing aspects of their life and work that were not widely known.
• Preservation of Legacy: Tribute speeches serve to preserve and honor the legacy of an individual, ensuring that their contributions and values are remembered and passed down through generations.
• Motivation and Inspiration: Hearing about the challenges overcome and achievements made by the honoree can motivate and inspire others to pursue their own goals with greater determination and passion.
• Strengthened Community Bonds: They can strengthen bonds within a community or organization by bringing people together to celebrate and reflect on the values and achievements of one of their own.
• Public Recognition: Tribute speeches provide a platform for public acknowledgment of an individual’s contributions, offering a sense of validation and recognition for their hard work and dedication.
• Encouragement of Similar Values: By highlighting the honoree’s virtues, tribute speeches can encourage others to emulate similar values in their own lives, such as kindness, perseverance, and excellence.
• Catharsis for the Speaker: The process of writing and delivering a tribute speech can offer a cathartic experience for the speaker, allowing them to process their feelings and articulate their admiration or love.
• Enhanced Historical Record: These speeches can enhance the historical record of an individual’s contributions, especially in cases where their work has had a significant impact on society or a specific field.
• Promotion of Unity: In moments of collective grief or celebration, tribute speeches can promote a sense of unity and shared purpose among those in attendance.
• Cultural and Social Reflection: They reflect the cultural and social values of the time, providing insight into what a community or society values in its members.
• Educational Impact: Tribute speeches can have an educational impact, teaching the audience about the honoree’s field of work, their approach to challenges, and the impact of their achievements.

Purpose of Tribute Speech

• To Honor: The primary purpose is to pay homage to the person being recognized, acknowledging their contributions, achievements, and the positive impact they have made on others.
• To Celebrate: Tribute speeches are used to celebrate milestones, such as retirements, birthdays, or significant achievements, highlighting the reasons these milestones are noteworthy.
• To Inspire: By sharing stories of the honoree’s challenges, perseverance, and successes, a tribute speech can inspire others to strive for excellence and pursue their goals with determination.
• To Express Gratitude: It’s an opportunity to thank the individual for their contributions, whether to a community, an organization, or in a personal capacity, acknowledging their efforts and the difference they’ve made.
• To Educate: Through detailing the honoree’s life, work, and philosophy, the speech can educate the audience about values such as resilience, dedication, and compassion, and about the honoree’s field of work or influence.
• To Reflect: It allows the speaker and the audience to reflect on the qualities and actions that make the honoree’s life exemplary and how these can influence their own lives.
• To Preserve Memory: In cases of posthumous tributes, the speech serves to preserve the memory of the deceased, ensuring their legacy continues to be remembered and celebrated by future generations.
• To Connect: A tribute speech can foster a sense of connection among the audience, uniting them in their shared admiration or affection for the honoree, and in shared values or experiences.
• To Heal: Particularly in memorial services, tribute speeches can offer comfort and healing by celebrating the life of the deceased, providing solace through remembrance and shared grief.
• To Motivate: By highlighting the honoree’s contributions and achievements, the speech can motivate others to contribute positively to their communities or fields of work, encouraging them to make a difference.

Occasions That Call for a Tribute Speech

A tribute speech is common in funerals and memorial services. However, a tribute speech can be given at various occasions.

1. Reunions

A thank you speech can be given to honor the senior member of a family in a family reunion. In class reunion or other forms of reunion, a tribute speech is given to a person who has achieved a lot in his/her life.

2. Anniversaries

A tribute speech is given to the one celebrating an anniversary or this could be a celebration marking a historic event such as a day to remember the passing of a famous person. You may also like thank-you speech examples & samples.

This could be a tribute speech that is given by the award recipient to commemorates the person who influences him/her or a tribute speech that is given to the one who receives the award that will honor his/her achievements. You may also see presentation speech examples & samples .

4. Weddings

In wedding celebrations, although it could be a wedding speech , the speeches made by the parents of the couple can be all forms of a tribute of speech too.

5. Retirement

A tribute of speech is given to the retiree to honor and acknowledges his/her contribution and service.

How Do You Start a Tribute Message?

Begin a tribute message with a personal greeting or a poignant quote, followed by an introduction that sets the tone, such as expressing the significance of the person being honored and your relationship to them.

What Is the Central Idea of a Tribute Speech?

The central idea of a tribute speech revolves around celebrating, honoring, and remembering the life, achievements, and influence of an individual. It’s about acknowledging their contributions and expressing gratitude and respect.

How to Start a Speech?

Start a speech with a powerful opening that captures the audience’s attention, such as an intriguing question, a surprising fact, a relatable anecdote, or a compelling quote that ties into your speech’s main theme.

How Do You Write a Heart-Touching Tribute?

To write a heart-touching tribute, share personal stories and anecdotes that highlight the honoree’s virtues, impact, and the memories you shared. Use sincere and emotive language to express your admiration and gratitude deeply.

How Do You Write a Short Tribute Speech?

A short tribute speech should concisely highlight the individual’s key achievements, character traits, and impact on others. Begin with a brief introduction, include memorable anecdotes, and conclude with a heartfelt expression of gratitude or respect.

What Type of Speech Is a Tribute?

A tribute speech is a ceremonial speech that honors and commemorates the life and contributions of an individual. It is characterized by its focus on praising, remembering, and expressing admiration and gratitude towards the person being honored.

How long should a tribute speech be?

A tribute speech should be 5-10 minutes long, depending on the occasion and audience.

Can I use humor in a tribute speech?

Yes, appropriate humor can make the speech engaging, but ensure it respects the person being honored.

How do I conclude a tribute speech?

Conclude with a memorable closing statement, summarizing the person’s impact and expressing gratitude.

What tone should I use in a tribute speech?

Use a respectful, heartfelt, and positive tone to convey sincerity and admiration.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Key Elements for a Memorable Tribute Speech

Making Your Tribute Speech Stand Out: Unique Ideas

The Emotional Impact of a Well-Delivered Tribute Speech

Tribute Speech Tips for Capturing the Essence of a Loved One

Overcoming Nerves: Delivering a Tribute Speech with Confidence

How to Personalize Your Tribute Speech for Maximum Impact

The Role of Humor in an Effective Tribute Speech

Crafting a Heartfelt Tribute Speech: Step-by-Step Guide

Tribute Speech: Honoring Achievements with Words

Choosing the Right Tone for Your Tribute Speech

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27 Tribute Speech: Celebrate the Occasion, the Person, or the Monument

A tribute is a type of celebratory speech that honors a person, a monument, a holiday, or an event.

Tribute to a Person

A tribute to a person typically includes one of these items:

• Small descriptions so we can “see” the person in their element.
• Stories of their deeds.
• Stories of how the person affected others.
• Funny or emotional moments.
• The legacy that person is leaving.

Tribute to an Event or Occasion

Tributes to occasions can be any of the following:

• Milestone Birthday, Retirement, Anniversary
• Mother’s day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, D-Day
• Race for the Cure, We Day
• Family reunion, School reunion

Tributes to occasions typically include:

• Emphasis on shared values
• Appreciation for the people involved
• Origin and evolution of the event
• Stories of people related to the event
• The larger context surrounding the event

Gather all the information

• Who is the audience?
• Are there other speakers?
• What is the time limit?
• Is this formal or informal?
• Will there be a podium? microphone?

Brainstorming a Person

• What life lessons did they teach you?
• How are you different because of this person?
• What are some of their favorite things?
• What are their best qualities? Tell a story about that quality
• What three words best describe this person?
• What makes this person so great?
• What is the funniest thing that you remember?
• What is this person known for?
• What are some sayings—one-liners—they are known for?
• What is something simple that they do that demonstrates their character?
• What is unique about her lifestyle or behavior?
• What is a special gift that they gave you and why is it so special?
• What does this person do for fun?
• What does he do when he is stressed?
• What adventure have you shared with this person?
• What’s a story that everyone tells about this person?
• What helpful advice has this person given you?
• Every time you see a ______, you’ll think of ____ because ———
• Look through a photo album—what one or two pictures tell about them ?
• What smell do you associate with this person

Make Everyone Feel Included

Notice how this speaker invites all listeners to be part of the memorial.

I stand here today to pay tribute to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bombing Memorial in Oklahoma City.

This memorial represents the honor and strength as well as all the pain of every person who remembers that historical day.

It has helped an immense number of people to cope with this national tragedy

It is a place of reflection, emotion,  and healing.

In this excerpt, Drew speaks to all those who are present at the Doolittle Raider reunion  (A reunion of men who in 1942 led the first attack after the bombing of Pearl Harbor)

Each of us in this room has our own memories of growing up with these men and the reasons why they are so special to us .  For these men, it is an everyday occurrence that someone thanks them for their service to their country and what they did 65 years ago.  So today is my pleasure to share with you the reason why these men are my heroes and why one of them impractically means the world to me.

I hope each of you will always remember the little things these men have done for you.  L.M. Heroux once said “heroism is not just pulling a child from a burning house or a driver from an icy river or a kitten from a tall tree.  Heroism is also holding the door for a frail elderly and driving courteously and cooperatively and listening with an attentive heart to a friend’s words.  Small daily acts of love are as heroic as big once-in-a-lifetime acts of rescue.”

In this tribute to his teacher, “the greatest swing pusher” Hosea Born reminds the group of a common thing, finding your name on the desk.

Walking into a new teacher’s classroom is terrifying. We have all been there. You remember. Finding your desk with your name on it. My name tag was an apple. Tribute to the best swing pusher.

Magnify the Small Things

Caitlyn Steiner wrote a tribute speech about the love her grandparent have for each other. Notice how she uses the little things to demonstrate love.

Love appreciates the smallest details the most. My grandpa still puts the toothpaste on both their toothbrushes every morning. My grandma still hangs a towel on the rack for my grandpa every day after he gets in the shower. And they still slow dance together every night in the living room before they go to bed.

In this example, Fawn Kurtzo gives a birthday tribute to her brother Buck. As you read this manuscript excerpt, I want to draw your attention to the fact that each line is a story for those who know him.

We are gathered here today to celebrate another year in the life of Buck. Congratulations Buck? Who am I kidding, CONGRATULATIONS US! We all survived another year of 10,000 questions why, mental duels, being outshot with bullets and arrows, countless times of side-splitting laughs as he carried the life of the party // begin terribly humiliated in a game of dominoes // and just flat being outlasted by this kid!  

Celebrate Don’t Inform

People in the audience may not know the person you are celebrating. Resist the temptation to give an informative speech about your person, that is the equivalent of reading someone’s Wikipedia biography–boring. Instead, pick a few things about them to celebrate.

In this tribute to his hometown dirt roads, Nathan Brock’s speech is a good example. He tells us the facts without sounding like an informative speech, I kept this sample in a manuscript format so you could see the emphasis and the rhythm. When you see /// it means to pause.

So, here’s to you, dirt roads

the defining feature of my hometown.

Here’s to you, dirt roads,  ///  the place of my upbringing in middle-of-nowhere America.

Pawnee , Oklahoma is a town with many dirt roads

A town with a population of 2,136//

It felt like less.

When Googling “living in Pawnee, Oklahoma” one can find a list of pros and cons

Pros include “cost-of-living”

Cons include “unattractive setting

That is where you came in, dirt roads.

Describe the situation or person in vivid detail so we can see the person in their element. Jeremy Stuthard gave a tribute to his Grandma and said they were “Two peas in a pod.” Notice how in one sentence you get a sense of grandma’s humor and personality. from only one line, “I remember when you dumped a whole bucket of water on me, to wake me up, just to have me help you with your TV.” In another example, Patience Beard describes cooking with her grandma, “Nana ALWAYS let me lick the spoon. We would make icing all from scratch she would turn that mixer on and it would never fail– icing would fly everywhere and her laugh …….would echo through the whole room.” In each example, you can “see” the interaction in your mind. The speaker didn’t tell you that his grandma was a trickster, he showed you that. Patience didn’t tell you her grandma cooked for her, she “showed” you that she did.

Teach Little Lesson in the Small Things

In tribute speeches, the little things are often the big things. What I mean by that is you can tell a story that appears to be a simple story but it is really about something deeper. In this speech, Brittany Brunson is telling the story about riding in her dad’s lap, but really it is a metaphor for their relationship. I kept this in manuscript form so you couldn’t get a feel for how she intended it to be heard.

I don’t remember much from the age of 7// But I do remember getting to sit on my dad’s lap and driving down the alley. I couldn’t reach the pedals // so my dad was in charge of those// Although I thought I was in charge of the wheel// My dad had ultimate control because if I ever got to close to the wall of the alleyway // my dad would steer me right back to the center. Ironically, I never got in big trouble growing up // except for maybe prank calling the police one time…………. but anyways// I never got in big trouble growing up because if I ever got close to that barrier of bad choices /// my dad //steered me right back to the center. Although I thought I had control of the wheel of my life ultimately my dad guided me on to the right path // that led me to hold myself to a higher standard // and stand firm in my beliefs.

Tell Stories

Watch How Kevin Durant turns his most valuable player award acceptance speech into a tribute to his mother calling her the real MVP. Telling stories that highlight personal stories with the person you are giving tributing can be very powerful.

In this tribute speech to her father, she tells a story of how a Jewish man and a Muslim man can transcend boundaries and become friends.

Yamani, N. (2015). A Tribute to My Father. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdRCNuBcAWQ

Tribute Speech at We Day

We Day was an annual series of stadium-sized youth empowerment events organized by We Charity, a Canadian charity founded by brothers Marc and Craig Kielburger. WE Day events host tens of thousands of students and celebrate the effect they have made on local and global issues.

Sadhguru (2020). A Tribute to All Healthcare Workers

Notice how Tom Hanks makes specific references to parts from the Star Wars movie in his tribute to George Lucas. His references are things that everyone has in common.

American Film Institute. (2009). Tom Hanks Salutes George Lucas at the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Trump, D. (2018). President Donald Trump Full Speech: Honors 9/11 Victims at Shanksville Memorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02YA6Nz70MA

Tribute to Famous Person

When giving a tribute to a famous person that you do not know personally, it is important to resist giving a biographical speech. Instead, you should talk about how that person influenced you in some way. The story of them becomes the story of you and them.

In his tribute to Stan Leee, David Lester wrote,

One of my earliest experiences with his work, is through his comics. When my mom would take forever shopping in Walmart, I would fly to the magazine section find those comic books and my time——– just——— evaporated .

Later he mentions the relationship again

 The first Marvel movie I remember seeing saw was IRON MAN. I remember seeing Robert Downey Jr. beat up terrorists and change the way we see superheroes, not as just statues but as complex people like us.

In his conclusion, he brings it around to impact on all of us

BUT Do you wanna know who Stan thought the real superheroes were? It’s not the ones we talk about all the time. It’s not the ones that are played by Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, and Chris Hemsworth. NO!  It’s us,  the fans. We were the heroes all along. Looking out for each other. Supporting people around us who needed it the most. Protecting others from harm.  Standing as examples for our community for what we can become. Doing more than the average man would do.  That one person can make a difference. That you don’t need a cape just to be a hero.  He brought us together. He did all of this.

Tribute to a Reunion by Drew

Today it is my honor to have been asked to speak at the Doolittle Raider of Reunion.  As many we all know on April 18th 1942, 80 brave men flew on the first ever joint mission of the Navy and Air Force Reserves to give the United States its first attack on Japanese main land after Pearl Harbor.  600 miles off the shore of Japanese mainland the USS Hornet was spotted by a fishing boat.  General Doolittle ordered the men to launch early causing the men not to have enough fuel to make it to unoccupied China as planned.  All, but one of the 16 planes either crashed landed or the crew bailed out.  Eight men were taken prisoners of war, but only four came home.  These four men endured 40 months of being malnourished and tortured.

Of those four men, I have the greatest honor of calling my great-grandfather.  For those who do not know these men on a personal level they are heroes for the actions taken on that day 65 years ago, but for those of us who have the honor on knowing these men personally they are heroes for so many other reason.

These men are our fathers, grandfathers and even great-grandfathers.

These men have been and will be apart of our lives in ways that go far beyond the Tokyo Raid.

These men are the crews that have made sure our families lives were on the right path.

Most of you know him as Lt. Col. Robert L Hite, but to me he is Bobby Hite. My great-grandfather is like the parachute he used to bail out of his plane that day.  He has guided our family through the years making sure we reached the ground safely. He has done everything from slipping me a few dollars for a college student to taking us to lunch ever Saturday.   As a child I can remember waiting on Saturdays for that special honk he had to inform us he was there.

I remember when my Uncle got married, I was so upset because I was going to ruin my perfect attendance record if I came to Fort Smith with my parents.  Bobby Hite hating to see me so upset told my parents that he and nanny would wait for me to get out of school on Friday and drive me up because that’s what would make me happy.

The times he gave his “driving lessons”, told stories of when he managed the Camden Hotel and of course waiting every Christmas morning for nanny and him to arrive before we could see what Santa had brought are all memories that mean the world to me and my two brothers.

Each of us in this room has our own memories of growing up with these men and reasons why they are so special to us.  For these men, it is an everyday occurrence that someone thanks them for their service to their country and what they did 65 years ago.  So today is my pleasure to share with you the reason why these men are my heroes and why one of them impractically means the world to me.

Key Takeaways

• Spend a lot of time brainstorming, reflecting, researching, and talking to others before you begin to write.
• Write in a manuscript format.
• Structure your speech so your audience feels like they are part of something.
• Celebrate the person’s accomplishments and don’t make it an informative speech about them.
• Tells stories when possible.
• Try incorporating colorful language: Simile, metaphor, antithesis, alliteration, parallel construction.
• Consider using a theme that fits the person or the situation.

Durant, K. (2014). 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable player acceptance speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GTiCUPZ9kw&t=32 9s

Lester, D. Tribute to Stan Lee. University of Arkansas Advanced Public Speaking.

Waln, F. (2017). Inspirational Native American Grank Walkn tells his story at WE Day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2SE-19WqS8 Standard YouTube License.

Media Attributions

• m-t-elgassier-G_acucnTJNw-unsplash © MT ElGassier is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Do a Tribute Speech

How to Write a Speech About Someone I Admire

Being asked to do a tribute at an event is an honor and a privilege. Tributes are a type of commemorative speech delivered at a ceremonial gathering such as an awards banquet, wedding reception, reunion or a milestone birthday party. Tributes can also be given in recognition of a group’s efforts, remembrance of a historic day or dedication of a memorial, for instance. Focusing on your audience and the purpose of your remarks can help you conquer any public speaking jitters.

What Is a Tribute to Someone?

A tribute is generally a short speech of five minutes or less. The purpose of a tribute is to express gratitude, appreciation, respect and admiration for a person who deserves public recognition. You might be called upon to deliver a tribute honoring classmates, teachers, coaches, teammates or family members. For instance, you may be asked to say a few words of appreciation at a retirement luncheon for your favorite teacher, or you may volunteer to do a tribute at a family function such as a reunion, wedding reception or your parents’ anniversary party. Your words should reflect how the audience feels about the special person or event being celebrated.

How to Write a Tribute Speech

When doing a tribute, choose words that feel sincere, genuine and complimentary. State reasons why the honoree is an awesome person, but don’t go overboard with flowery adjectives. Be as specific as possible in recalling praiseworthy accomplishments or acts of kindness. Vividly describe the honoree and offer compelling examples of noteworthy talents, virtues, courage or sacrifice. Mention how this person has made a difference in the world. Talk about what you have learned from observing or listening to this person.

The tone of your remarks should be appropriate for the audience and the setting. Tailor remarks to the occasion. Just be yourself if you are doing a tribute to great grandma at her 80th birthday party, but be more formal when delivering a tribute speech at a school function. Avoid curse words or jokes some might find offensive or off-putting. Incorporating humor is dicey. A funny story can liven things up, but humor can be hurtful if misconstrued. Consider asking others for their opinion as to the appropriateness of using humor for the occasion.

Sample Tributes for Special Occasions

When agreeing to do a tribute, clarify how long you are being asked to speak and write your remarks accordingly. Start with an introduction and mention your name if you don’t know everyone present. These tribute examples can help you get started.

• Thank you for coming to the annual student awards banquet. I think I know everybody here. Welcome! Tonight we will recognize students and teachers who have devoted countless hours to making this the best school year ever!

When acknowledging the guest of honor or award recipients, highlight special characteristics, personality traits and virtues that set them apart.

• Mr. Brown may be retiring soon, but he has more energy than most of us. This year alone he directed two musicals, supervised the school yearbook and chaperoned our class trip to the Big Apple. Always smiling and willing to help, he is truly an inspiration.

Tell a little story that reminds the audience of good times you have all shared, or reveal an interesting tidbit of information about the honoree’s behind the scenes contributions.

• You may not know this, but Mr. Brown saved the day when the bus broke down on the way to a state choir competition. Mr. Brown popped open the hood and quickly got the bus started. People driving by acted like they had never seen a mechanic in a tux.

Wrap up the tribute by expressing appreciation. Tributes sometimes end with a famous quote, clever saying or words to live by.

• Mr. Brown taught us that the secret of life is to wake up, show up, speak up, listen up and pay up.

Is a Eulogy a Commemorative Speech?

A eulogy is a commemorative speech usually done as a tribute to someone who died. Memorial services are also called a celebration of life because the service eulogizes the memory of the deceased. In other words, a eulogy is a speech praising that person’s contributions during his brief or lengthy stay on Earth. Approach a eulogy as you would a tribute by showing love and respect.

Related Articles

8th Grade Graduation Speech Ideas

How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech for Someone Else

How to Write a Thank You Note for a Memorial Donation

How to give an annual day speech in school.

Graduation Quotes

How to Greet an Audience When Giving a Speech

How To Write A Salutatorian Speech

How to Write a Retreat Letter

• Penn State: Commemorative Speech
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center: Speeches
• write-out-loud.com: Tribute Speech Guide
• Write Out Loud: A Sample Tribute Speech

Dr. Mary Dowd is a dean of students whose job includes student conduct, leading the behavioral consultation team, crisis response, retention and the working with the veterans resource center. She enjoys helping parents and students solve problems through advising, teaching and writing online articles that appear on many sites. Dr. Dowd also contributes to scholarly books and journal articles.

Latest Education and Career News

How to Write a Memorable Tribute Speech; Sample, Analysis

Reported by Anshika Saxena

Published on 11 September 2024

A Tribute Speech is one of the most special forms of speech. In this speech, the speaker lets the audience know about their admiration and love for a certain person. However, articulating your feelings for someone you consider a great personality can be tricky.

You must find the right words and structure them to make the Tribute special for that person and the audience. Your Tribute Speech needs to be uplifting, inspiring, and energetic. We are sharing this article to help you prepare a speech with all these qualities.

This article will share some insightful things to help you master your speech. We will also give you samples of nicely structured and worded Tribute speeches.

So, if you are struggling to find the correct words to Tribute a personality you deeply admire, check out this article to the end.

Constructing the Perfect Tribute Speech

To construct the perfect Tribute Speech, there are a few key points that you must keep in mind. The collection of all these key points is as follows.

• Write down all the good qualities of the Person you are Paying Tribute to:- This will help you prepare the material for the speech more easily.
• Think about why that person matters to you:- If you include raw emotions you feel about that persona in the speech, it will appear more genuine and authentic.
• Prepare a Rough Outline:- A pre-planned structure for your speech will help you develop a fitting material.
• Decide a Recurring Theme:- A theme will make your speech more powerful and memorable.

Below, we are sharing the conventional structure for a Tribute Speech. You can check it out and use it for your speech.

A Brief Introduction about Yourself and the Person You Are Paying Tribute To

To begin the speech, you have to briefly introduce yourself and the person you are paying tribute to through the speech. For this, you can tell your name to the audience and how you know the person being paid tribute to.

Secondly, you can tell the audience what that person means to you. You can keep this part of your speech as brief as possible.

Also, if you are clueless about introducing yourself, you can use a quote suitable for the occasion.

Paint a Picture of the Person You Are Paying Tribute to with Words

After briefly introducing yourself and the person you are paying tribute to, you can talk about what makes that person a great personality.

You can discuss different aspects of their life, such as accomplishments, successes, good deeds, hobbies , etc.

Try to cover as many good qualities of that person as possible. Also, you can talk about how that person toiled so hard to achieve what they become today. You must highlight only positive things about that person.

To let the audience get more insights into his personality, you can also share a short story about that person, emphasising their good deeds.

Share how that Person Impacted Your Personally

Once you talk about all that person’s accomplishments and good deeds, you can let everyone know how you are personally impacted by him/her. This will explain to the audience why you are the right person to deliver this speech.

You can tell everyone your pure emotions about that personality. You must let the audience know the person you are paying tribute to greatly influences how and how they changed your life for good.

Conclude Your Speech by Honoring that Person Again

To conclude your speech, you must honour the person you are paying tribute to with a few takeaway thoughts. Since you are preparing your speech, you must keep the introduction short and crisp.

Tell everyone how privileged you felt tributing that person with words in this speech. You can also end your speech with a sweet and positive thought that perfectly encapsulates your speech’s theme and purpose.

Below, we share a Sample of a Tribute constructed using the above structure. You can refer to it to plan your speech.

Sample of a Tribute Speech 1: Tribute to a Co-Worker

Good Morning/ Afternoon/ Evening to everyone present here. Today, we have gathered here to pay tribute to our beloved co-worker [co-woker’s name]. It feels like yesterday when I first got to know [co-woker’s name]. Ever since he/she joined our corporation, we saw some substantial changes that only an exemplary employee like him/her could bring.

Also, [co-woker’s name] has selflessly helped his/her co-workers whenever they faced issues. In his/her entire work life, [co-woker’s name] inspired me with their professional skills and good behaviour.

Now that [co-woker’s name] is retiring , I am grateful for his service to our organization. I wish him/her a splendid life from here on. May you keep inspiring people and changing their lives for good like this.

Sample of a Tribute Speech 2: Tribute to a Close Person after their Passing

A warm welcome to everyone. My name is [your name] and [name of the close person] was my [ your relationship with the person]. I thank each one of you for taking the time to celebrate the life of one of my closest people .

I cannot even begin to describe how [name of the close person ] was special to many other people and me. While he/she was alive, he /she created a lasting impact on everyone he/she knew. He may not be with us anymore, but he/she has given us many sweet memories to cherish.

I knew we had a special connection from the moment I got to know [person name]. He/she was always unbelievably kind and helpful to me. As I stand here to pay tribute to him/her, I wish he/she forever lives in our memories and continues to inspire us to be good individuals every day.

Tribute Speech Sample 3: Tribute to a Sibling on their Wedding Day

Hello to all. My name is [your name], and [your sibling’s name] is my brother/ sister. As we have gathered here to celebrate one of the most special days of [your sibling’s name]’s life, I want to take a moment to show how grateful I am for him/her.

Since I remember being alive, [your sibling’s name] has had my back. I have lost count of the times they helped me through tough times when no one else was there. [your sibling’s name] has always been unbelievably generous and kind to me and everyone around her/him. I can never genuinely reciprocate the love and warmth they showed me growing up.

On [your sibling’s name]’s special day, I wish they would continue to be the best version of themselves by including another special person . Once again, thank you for everything, and big congratulations.

Final Words

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Tribute Speech Examples To Inspire Your Next Celebration

A tribute speech honors an occasion, person, event, thing, or idea by recounting its significance. The content includes both facts and feelings. As these tribute speech examples show, the speaker might focus on a person’s best qualities and successes and then tell how they influenced the speaker and others.

Tribute speeches, also called commemorative speeches, are given in honor of someone.  They are used for many occasions, and the tone changes depending on the event and where it is given. A graduation speech might have a somewhat serious tone, whereas a 50th-birthday speech could be more fun. Retirement speeches often involve some gentle ribbing by coworkers. The event and the person you are honoring determine the tone.

Table of Contents

What Is The Purpose Of A Tribute Speech?

A tribute speech honors someone through public speaking to those in attendance. The event can be anything from a milestone birthday to honoring a retiree. Usually, someone close to the individual is asked to enumerate their attributes through personal stories, quotes, or summarizing their life. Another common tactic is to talk about the  positive impact the individual  has had on others.

How Do You Start A Tribute Speech?

The first thing that needs to be done anytime you are speaking in front of a group is to  introduce yourself  and your connection to the event. When honoring your best friend as you pay tribute, tell those listening about your relationship.

Next, you want to hook the audience. There are different ways to do that. It could be by using a famous quote or a carefully chosen story. You may want to share why the special occasion is so important to everyone assembled to honor the honoree.

Some ideas for hooking the audience are:

• Ask the audience a question that is sure to pull them in.
• Describe your loved one using three words without connecting them at first. Then enumerate why these words are so accurate to describe that specific person.
• Get the audience to laugh.
• Guided visualization as you get the audience to imagine something you will describe.
• Tell a great story.
• Share a quote.

What is The Content Of A Tribute Speech?

The content of a tribute speech does depend on what type of speech you are giving.

• Anniversary Parties:  When a couple reaches a milestone anniversary, it is common to celebrate with friends and family members. Someone, either a child of the couple or perhaps a member of their wedding party all those years ago, may give a speech about the couple’s life together.
• Birthday:  The same is true of milestone birthdays . Family or friends assembled could simply offer a toast, but sometimes, a loved one is invited to say more than a few words. This is especially popular as individuals get up in age. Why wait until someone is gone to say wonderful things about them? Say it while they are living.

• Memorial Service:  A eulogy is a type of tribute speech given at a funeral or celebration of life. These usually either take a chronological approach to summarize the person’s life, or the speaker chooses a few stories depicting some aspects of their life.
• Retirement Speech:  When speaking at a retirement party, it is common to tell stories about their work life and work ethic. One could undoubtedly discuss personal traits that loop back to their employment as they leave that portion of life. Sometimes the speaker talks about their plans for the next stage of life, whether that is golf or gardening.

How Do You End It?

You can end a tribute speech in many different ways. If you have gone the chronological route, it will have a natural conclusion as you near the end of the story. For those linking some stories around a common theme, summarizing the theme is an excellent way to wrap things up.

Sometimes people end a speech with a quote as parting words. Reminding the audience why you are all assembled is another excellent tactic. For example, you could finish a retirement speech by saying,  “Poor Ann. Like Chi Chi Rodriguez says, ‘When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income.’ But we know Ann and Robert will figure that out and enjoy their time together.”

How Long Should Your Tribute Speech Be?

Although there are no hard time limits on speeches like these, the commonly accepted practice is around 5 minutes. Most tribute speeches are roughly 4-6 minutes long. Rarely should a tribute speech extend to 10, so try to say everything you want to before that.

What Are Some Tribute Speech Examples?

Mom’s birthday.

Looking to write a tribute to Mom for her birthday? Consider these ideas:

• Ask others to share wonderful qualities about your mother.
•  Describe some of your favorite memories.
•  List the things you love about Mom.
•  Thank your mom for the things she has done for you.

Parent’s 50th Anniversary

How about helping your parents to celebrate their 50th anniversary? How do you go about writing a tribute speech for them?

• Interview people at the wedding and incorporate quotes from them into your speech.
• Share your top memories of your parents loving one another unconditionally.
• Talk about stories that make their marriage special.
•  Prepare a slideshow of milestone memories to accompany your speech.

Family Reunion

Getting a large family together is the perfect opportunity to create a tribute speech for the family.

• Ask questions of the oldest family members to include some of their thoughts in your speech.
•  Invite all family members to put together some memories around the family unit.
•  Weave those pieces together to paint a picture of the extended family unit.

Awards Ceremony

If someone you know is honored, it is lovely to be asked to speak about him or her before the award.

• Learn about the award to connect your knowledge of the person to that.
• Enumerate the person’s strengths in the speech.
• Explain why you think the individual is special and deserving of the award.

Celebration of Life

A different type of funeral speech, a celebration of life, focuses on the life well lived rather than the person’s death. You can take a chronological approach to their life, but you don’t have to. Sometimes it is far more interesting to tell a few fun stories and tie them all together.

Ask questions of others to be sure you can create a thorough picture of the person’s life. Since this is a celebration, your stories should be more light-hearted.

A former English teacher and currently an elementary principal in a rural school, Pam has honed her speaking skills in the classroom and before professional groups. Pam enjoys sharing her insights about public speaking almost as much as she enjoys running, which she does daily.

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Funeral Speech Examples for a Heartfelt Eulogy

We hope our funeral speech examples will inspire you to write a heartfelt eulogy to honour your loved one.

Delivering a funeral speech can be a daunting task.  Quite apart from the challenge of speaking in front of people while in a highly charged emotional state, the task of actually writing the funeral speech can be overwhelming. 

We are here to help you tackle this important job especially if you are in a state of shock from the grief of losing your loved one.

Further down the page there are links to example eulogies for all loved ones, friends or colleagues to give you inspiration.

Sales from links on this page result in a small commission to us, which enables us to continue to provide free content to help the grieving.  

Guidelines for Writing Funeral Speeches:

First of all, we have put together the following simple guidelines to help you to think of things to say: 

• Speak from the heart and say how you feel about the person
• Describe the person's qualities
• Talk about their career, jobs, hobbies and passions
• Talk about their relationships with family, friends and colleagues
• Mention things that you inherited or learned from them
• Perhaps mention some people who will be at the funeral
• Mention a couple of funny stories if appropriate
• Keep it real and don't be afraid of mentioning their less good points - you don't have to put them on a pedestal
• Thank people for coming to the funeral and for their support

Next, read the following two pages to give you step by step instructions on writing the eulogy and giving the speech:  

'How to write a eulogy'  

'How to give a eulogy' 

Eulogy Sample Speeches

All the following links are sample eulogies written about real people.  The ones for a father were written by myself and my brother when my Dad died.  The one for a mother was written by my mother (founder of this website) about her own Mum.  

Many of the others have been written for us by guest writers about their own lost loved ones.  

We hope they will give you some ideas for writing your own moving tribute.  

Eulogy Examples for a Father

Eulogy for a Father-in-Law

Eulogy for a Mother

Eulogy for a Mother by a Daughter

Eulogy for a Mother in Law

Eulogy for a Husband

Eulogy for a Wife

Eulogy for a Grandmother

Eulogy for a Grandfather

Eulogy for an Aunt

Eulogies for an Uncle

Two Eulogies for a Brother

One More Eulogy for a Brother

Eulogy for a Sister

Eulogy for a Best Friend

A Humorous Eulogy for a Friend

Eulogy for a Mentor

Eulogy for a Friend

Printable Eulogy Templates

Finally, to help you with your task of writing your funeral speech, we have some printable templates as a guide to write eulogies for adults and for children. 

Print them out and then fill in the information and stories for your own departed loved one.  

Free Eulogy Templates

Related Pages: 

Planning a Funeral - Step by Step

Funeral Music

How to Deal with Grief

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Online counseling can help by giving you that support so you don't feel so alone. You can have someone to talk to anytime you like, a kind and understanding person who will help you to find meaning in life again, to treasure the memories of your loved one without being overwhelmed and to enjoy your activities, family and friends again.

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Professional Eulogy Writing

Eulogy writing guide, funeral speeches for a work colleague, tribute speech to dad from daughter, funeral speech writing advice, how to write a tribute examples.

• March 9, 2024

An engaging and heartfelt tribute is a beautiful way to honour someone who had a significant impact on your life. But writing a tribute, especially when dealing with grief, can be an emotional and daunting task. If you're not sure where to start, don't worry – we've got you covered. In this article, we will outline how to write a tribute, offer some realistic examples to inspire you, and empower you to create a moving and fitting tribute to your loved one.

Are you struggling to write a meaningful eulogy during this difficult time?  Our professional eulogy writing service can help you honour your loved one in less than 48 hours, with no additional stress. We help you preserve the legacy of a cherished life, in your time of grief. Find out more →

Table of Contents

1. Begin with an opening statement

Personalized eulogies for inspirational spiritual figures, crafting a tapestry of spiritual insight and emotional resonance, echoes of heartfelt gratitude: client testimonials, what is a tribute, how do i begin writing a tribute, what should be included in a tribute, how can i make my tribute stand out, is it appropriate to use humor in a tribute, how long should a tribute be, can i write a tribute for someone who is still living, how do i personalize a tribute, should i include quotes in my tribute, how can i convey emotion in my tribute, is it okay to share challenges the person overcame, how should i end my tribute, can a tribute include contributions from others, how can i ensure my tribute is respectful, should i practice my tribute beforehand, can i write a tribute for a group or organization, what tone is appropriate for a tribute, is it necessary to mention the person's professional achievements, how can i incorporate their legacy into the tribute, can i use a poem as part of my tribute, 2. share personal stories and memories, 3. mention their achievements, interests, and passions, 4. acknowledge the person's impact on others, 5. end on a note of gratitude, a heartfelt tribute example, eulogy assistant: reverberating spiritual harmony, frequently asked questions.

Writing a tribute is an opportunity to express your love and admiration for someone you deeply care about. It could be a friend, a family member, or a mentor – someone who touched your life in a profound way. Before you begin, consider the person's character, relationships, accomplishments, and experiences that capture their essence, which you will need to convey in your tribute.

Start by expressing your love, admiration or respect for the person, and acknowledge the impact they've had on your life. This opening statement sets the tone for your tribute and helps your audience connect with your message.

Example: "To my dear friend Jane, whose compassion, intelligence, and unwavering support have made a lasting impact on my life – I am honoured to celebrate her memory today."

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Writing a eulogy for a loved one you have just lost, can be both challenging and painful. Alongside the pressure of delivering a meaningful tribute in front of other funeral guests.

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Tell stories that highlight unique qualities, contributions, and moments of the person's life. Personal anecdotes add depth to your tribute, allowing others to understand what made the person special.

Example: "I will never forget the time Jane and I volunteered at the soup kitchen together. The way she interacted with the people there, listening patiently and offering kind words, was a testament to her warmth and selflessness."

Talk about their professional accomplishments, hobbies, or interests they were passionate about. This will showcase who the person was beyond their personal relationships.

Example: "Aside from her dedication to her family and friends, Jane was an accomplished architect, designing homes that not only looked stunning but were environmentally responsible. Her love for nature translated into everything she did."

Express how the person influenced the people around them and contributed to the community, as well as the legacy they leave behind.

Example: "Jane's caring nature didn't stop with personal connections; she was also known for being active in various community projects, including establishing an annual charity fundraiser that will undoubtedly continue in her honour."

Conclude your tribute by expressing your appreciation for having the person in your life and sharing how much you will miss them.

Example: "Thank you, Jane, for teaching us the importance of compassion, friendship, and caring for our world. You may not be here in person, but the lessons and love you shared with all of us will continue to inspire and guide us in our lives."

Writing a tribute to someone you love can be a cathartic experience that allows you to process your grief and connect with the person's memory. But it can also be challenging to find the right words to express your emotions while capturing the essence of their life. Thankfully, Eulogy Assistant is here to help you navigate this sensitive task.

Distinguished guests, family, and friends, today I stand before you to pay homage to Sarah Thompson, a remarkable individual whose life journey has been an inspiration to us all. As we gather to remember and celebrate Sarah, I hope to encapsulate the essence of her spirit, her achievements, and the indelible mark she has left on our hearts.

Sarah was born on a spring morning in 1960 in the serene town of Oakwood. Her early life, filled with love and laughter, laid the foundation for the compassionate, vibrant, and determined individual she would become. Raised in a close-knit family, Sarah developed a deep sense of empathy and an enduring commitment to her loved ones, traits that would become the hallmark of her character.

As a young girl, Sarah's inquisitive nature and zest for learning were evident. She excelled in her studies, showing a particular interest in literature and history. Her teachers often spoke of her as a student who was not just bright but also genuinely passionate about understanding the world around her. This passion for knowledge followed Sarah throughout her life, influencing her career choices and her worldview.

After graduating from university, where she majored in English Literature, Sarah embarked on a career in education. She became a beloved teacher, known for her innovative teaching methods and her ability to inspire her students. Sarah believed that education was not merely about imparting knowledge but about nurturing young minds to think critically and compassionately. Her dedication to her students went beyond the classroom; she was a mentor, a guide, and a friend.

Sarah's contributions extended beyond her professional life. She was actively involved in community service, working with various organizations to support education for underprivileged children. Her commitment to social causes was driven by a deep sense of justice and a desire to make a tangible difference in the world. She approached this work with the same passion and dedication that she brought to every aspect of her life.

One of Sarah's most endearing qualities was her ability to connect with people. She had the rare gift of making everyone she met feel valued and heard. Her warmth, her genuine interest in others, and her ability to listen deeply endeared her to many. Sarah's friendships were not superficial; they were profound bonds that she nurtured with care and affection.

In her personal life, Sarah was a cherished family member and a loyal friend. She was the heart of our family gatherings, her laughter and energy brightening every occasion. As a sister, a daughter, and an aunt, she gave selflessly, always ready to offer support, celebrate successes, and provide comfort during difficult times.

Sarah's love for the arts and culture enriched her life and those around her. She was an avid reader, a lover of theater, and an enthusiastic traveler. These passions were not just hobbies; they were windows to the world, ways for her to explore, understand, and appreciate the diversity and beauty of the human experience.

Despite her achievements and the impact she had, Sarah was a model of humility. She sought no accolades for her work or her deeds; her satisfaction came from knowing she had made a positive contribution, however small it might have seemed. This humility, this selfless approach to life, was perhaps her most admirable quality.

As we celebrate Sarah's life, we are reminded of the profound impact one individual can have. She touched the lives of many, not just through her professional work or her community service, but through the simple act of being herself. Her kindness, her passion, and her unwavering commitment to her values left a legacy that will continue to inspire those who knew her.

In her passing, Sarah leaves behind a void that cannot be filled. Yet, we take solace in the memories we shared, the lessons she taught us, and the love she spread. Her life was a testament to the power of compassion, dedication, and integrity.

In remembering Sarah, let us honor her by emulating the values she lived by. Let us be kind, be passionate, and be committed to making a difference in whatever way we can. Let us cherish the time we have and the relationships we hold dear, just as Sarah did.

As we bid farewell to Sarah, I am reminded of a quote that she loved: “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Sarah will forever live in our hearts, her spirit a guiding light in our lives. Thank you, Sarah, for the joy, the wisdom, and the love you shared with us all.

Rest in peace, dear friend. Your journey through life was a gift to us all, and your memory will forever be a source of inspiration and comfort.

In the moments of serene contemplation dedicated to an inspirational spiritual figure, the endeavor of capturing your profound respect and memories in words can be as significant as a spiritual reflection. Eulogy Assistant is here to support you in this cherished task, adeptly blending dignified respect with heartfelt emotion, transforming your treasured memories into lasting tributes.

Our team, experienced in the art of empathetic eulogy creation, is committed to assisting you in crafting a eulogy that embodies the tranquil wisdom and enduring influence of your spiritual guide. Eulogy Assistant offers more than just a service; it's a partnership marked by empathy and deep understanding, devoted to memorializing a life of spiritual guidance and enlightenment.

At Eulogy Assistant , we prioritize the collaborative process of crafting an eulogy that authentically resonates with sincerity and emotional depth. Working in unison with you, we integrate your personal experiences and heartfelt sentiments with our professional expertise, crafting a tribute that honors with authenticity and connects deeply.

Our approach is based on genuine dialogue and shared creative journey. Your personal stories and insights are key in shaping a narrative that genuinely captures the essence of your spiritual mentor's legacy. This task is about more than just recounting their journey; it's about vividly illustrating their spiritual path and the depth of their teachings.

Together, our aim is to create a narrative that authentically represents your spiritual mentor – a eulogy that transcends standard commemorations, enriched with respect, personal connection, and heartfelt emotion. Our collective work results in a eulogy that is a beautiful harmony of words, reflecting the profound respect and affection your spiritual figure has inspired.

The essence of our service is authentically depicted in the testimonials from those we've assisted. These heartfelt stories of gratitude and appreciation from individuals who turned to us for guidance are the most sincere testament to our dedication.

"The process of honoring my spiritual figure was a profound journey, but Eulogy Assistant was a pillar of support, aiding me in crafting a eulogy that truly celebrated their spirit and teachings," says Alice, expressing her heartfelt gratitude.

John adds, "During my time of loss, the empathetic and professional guidance from Eulogy Assistant was a comforting presence. They helped me shape a eulogy that was more than words, a heartfelt and moving homage to my spiritual mentor."

These stories underscore our commitment to crafting eulogies that are not just formal speeches, but heartfelt expressions of honor, respect, and enduring memory. We are privileged to guide you on this journey, celebrating the unique contributions of those who have profoundly influenced our lives, and crafting eulogies that serve as enduring tributes to their spiritual wisdom.

Join us in shaping narratives that are deeply personal, respectful, and truly reflective of the inspirational spiritual figures who have enriched our lives.

A tribute is a speech, written or spoken expression that honors and celebrates a person, highlighting their achievements and personal qualities.

Start by reflecting on the person's impact on your life, their qualities, and memorable moments you shared with them.

Include personal anecdotes, their accomplishments, positive traits, and the influence they had on others.

Use specific examples, tell unique stories, and express genuine emotions to make your tribute heartfelt and memorable.

Yes, if it suits the personality of the person being honored and is in good taste, humor can add a warm, personal touch.

A tribute should be concise yet comprehensive, typically lasting no more than 5-10 minutes.

Absolutely, tributes can be a beautiful way to honor someone who is still alive, perhaps on a significant milestone or achievement.

Personalize a tribute by sharing personal stories, mentioning little-known facts, or quoting words that the person often used.

Yes, incorporating meaningful quotes can enhance your tribute, especially if they reflect the person's beliefs or philosophy.

Use descriptive language, recall emotional moments, and speak from the heart to convey genuine feelings.

Yes, mentioning challenges or obstacles they overcame can be inspiring and add depth to your tribute.

Conclude with a final statement of appreciation, a reflective comment, or a call to remember and honor the person's legacy.

Certainly, including thoughts, quotes, or anecdotes from others can provide a richer, more rounded portrait of the individual.

Stay truthful, focus on positive aspects, and avoid controversial or sensitive topics to ensure respectfulness.

Yes, practicing can help you manage emotions, refine your delivery, and ensure the tribute flows smoothly.

Yes, tributes can be written for groups or organizations, focusing on their collective impact and achievements.

Aim for a tone that is sincere, respectful, and in alignment with the personality of the person or the nature of the organization.

If relevant and significant, mentioning professional achievements can be a key part of honoring their life and work.

Discuss how their actions, values, or lessons have left a lasting impact, influencing others and shaping futures.

Incorporating a poem that resonates with the person's life or your relationship with them can add a beautiful and poignant element.

So, begin your journey toward writing a poignant and moving tribute to your loved one with the support of Eulogy Assistant .

Looking For Examples? Here Are Some of The Best Eulogies

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How to Write a Tribute Speech to Your Mother: Step-By-Step

Updated 06/6/2022

Published 11/12/2019

Cassie Barthuly, BA in English

Contributing writer

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

Writing a tribute speech is one of the best ways to memorialize your mom. Recognizing your mom's legacy is a gift to one of the most important people in your life. A speech is a great way to praise her and a great way of laying her life to rest. 

Jump ahead to these sections:

Step 1: do your research, step 2: think about impact, step 3: pick thematic anecdotes, step 4: be truthful, step 5: deliver your speech, sample outline speech for mom.

For most people, though, writing and delivering a speech is a little scary. How do you start? How do you keep from breaking down? How do you conquer fears of public speaking?

We’ve included a list of tips, below. You can build your narrative from the ground so you can deliver a poignant, emotional speech.

If writing a tribute speech is just one of your responsibilities after a death, check out our post-loss checklist for some help through the process.  

Even if you and your mother were best friends, it’s still a good idea to confirm the facts. Family stories and blurred memories over the years can change hard facts. Make sure to verify details, even if you’re sure you know the answer. In most cases, Google can’t help you. Look through mementos to find your answers. Diplomas, marriage certificates, and photos can help you confirm most details. 

If you don’t have access to these mementos, or your mother didn’t save anything, try something else. Other family members may have stories and mementos that you don’t. Fact-check with many people to help you gather enough information for a foundation. 

Don’t make the mistake of writing a tribute speech like a biography. You don’t need to write a third-person essay. Focus on the relationship you had with your mother and how that changed you. 

Share your final wishes, just in case.

Create a free Cake end-of-life planning profile and instantly share your health, legal, funeral, and legacy decisions with a loved one.

What do you want to emphasize? How do you want your audience to feel when your speech is over? It can feel daunting to try to condense an entire life into a short speech. You’re faced with so many memories, it can be hard to pick one, but make it simple: Decide how you want your audience to feel. 

There are a few common results that you might want. You may want people to feel grateful for their mothers. To achieve this result, you could emphasize the role she held in keeping the family together. You may want people to feel impressed by the type of person your mother was. To do this, you could share memories of her tireless volunteer work. You may not have something specific in mind, though.

Sometimes, grief is so overwhelming that all you want to do is share what your mother meant to you. If that’s what you want, think of memories that show your close relationship. Consider what your mother did for you, taught you, or provided you with. After all, mothers leave an indelible footprint.

When you’re selecting memories, it’s easy to be vague. After all, being specific means spending a lot of time living in memories. After a recent death, your first instinct might be to avoid this — but it won't help you through it. 

It doesn't help people who are grieving with you to give vague generalities. They want to know details, ones that couldn’t apply to every mother in the world. Tell specific stories. What traits do you highlight? When you think of your mother’s personality, what stands out? You might want to talk about what your mom meant to you. It’s up to you to dig deep and think about why your mom mattered so much. 

Her sense of compassion might have changed your outlook on the world. You could always depend on her and her reliability structured your childhood. Once you’ve discovered your “why,” pick out traits. Then spend some time recounting your memories. Which ones illustrate the traits you want to highlight? 

When you pick your stories, keep them streamlined. No one wants to listen to a speech that meanders through someone’s life. Choose two or three traits. This will condense your story for the audience. Streamline your stories in the retelling, too. Condense them into a few poignant sentences for a great way to hook your audience. 

Whether you're speaking a funeral , memorial service, or her retirement party, chances are that most people in the room knew your mother. Not everyone has a great relationship with his or her mother. Some people never knew their mother well. Others had a complicated relationship and you may struggle to share good qualities. 

This is okay! Not everyone has a "Gilmore Girls" relationship with his or her mom. Here are a few options if you're struggling: 

• Write the speech. If she had a drastic, public issue, such as alcoholism, most people attending already know. Dragging it into the light and expanding on it will make people uncomfortable. Using a tribute speech as a soapbox for your issues isn’t appropriate. 
• Focus on the positive. If you can’t, though, it’s appropriate to refuse the offer to deliver a tribute speech. Not saying anything is better than lying or making it sound like someone was a better person than they were. 

Some people, gifted with words, offer anecdotes and attention-grabbing openers. They’re made for writing a speech. But do you feel terror at the mere thought of giving a speech? 

There are a few simple tips to follow to ensure that your speech goes well. One of the most important tips is giving your opening hook a time to shine. If you remember college essays, you remember the importance of an attention grabber. Rather than starting with a boring sentence, craft an attention-grabber. This will inform and excite listeners. Wait for the audience to settle down and pay attention before you start speaking.

It’s important to come prepared, too. Bring tissues and a bottle of water to help you through your speech. Bring notes, too. If you want to type out your entire speech beforehand, do so. If not, try writing out cue cards.

Struggling with how to craft your speech? Here’s an example outline for you. Customize or rearrange to fit your unique needs!

Introduction: Start with something that will grab the audience’s attention. It could be a fact about your mother that’s surprising, one that no one else knew. It could be a mild joke if the mood is appropriate. Once you’ve snagged the audience’s attention, introduce the basic facts about your mother. State your relationship, too, so people know who you are. 

Overview: Provide a birds-eye view of what your relationship with your mother was like. How did her upbringing influence the kind of person she was? How did she pass that onto you? This is the place to highlight the traits you remember most about your mother. 

Anecdotes: The anecdotes you select go here. Share your memories, with an emphasis on the traits you discussed above. Stating those traits serve as a thesis statement and a road map through the rest of your speech. 

Influence: Depending on how many anecdotes you shared, you can talk about her in two ways. You can do so after each separate anecdote. If you only have one or two, you may save this for the end. Talk about how these character traits changed your life. Illustrate them with stories.

Why Your Speech Matters

It’s easy to feel like a tribute speech is impossible to craft. It seems like there’s always someone who could do it better. But a tribute speech serves as a personalized gift, one of the only ones you can give after your mother dies.

Categories:

• Loss Of Mother

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Debate Fact Check: Harris and Trump on the Economy, Immigration and Abortion

The 2024 presidential candidates clashed on their records and their visions for the country’s future in a high-stakes debate.

By The New York Times

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Luke Broadwater

“I had nothing to do” with Jan. 6

— Former President Donald J. Trump

Trump and his allies spread lies for months about vast fraud that they falsely claimed stole the 2020 election from him. His supporters then organized a large rally near the White House designed to pressure Congress to overturn his loss. Trump encouraged the crowd to attend, promising it would be “wild.” He urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, where the rally turned into a violent riot that injured about 150 police officers. He faces federal felony charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and similar charges in Georgia.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg

“Now she wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens that are in prison.”

This needs context..

Trump is referring to Harris’s response to a 2019 American Civil Liberties Union questionnaire , in which she said she supported using taxpayer funds to give access to gender-affirming care to transgender and nonbinary people, including those in immigration detention and prison.

CNN reported on the survey earlier this week, in a segment that drew sharp criticism from supporters of gay, lesbian and transgender people. The survey asked: “As president, will you use your executive authority to ensure that transgender and nonbinary people who rely on the state for medical care — including those in prison and immigration detention — will have access to comprehensive treatment associated with gender transition, including all necessary surgical care? If yes, how will you do so?”

Harris answered yes, writing, “It is important that transgender individuals who rely on the state for care receive the treatment they need, which includes access to treatment associated with gender transition. That’s why, as attorney general, I pushed the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide gender transition surgery to state inmates. I support policies ensuring that federal prisoners and detainees are able to obtain medically necessary care for gender transition, including surgical care, while incarcerated or detained. Transition treatment is a medical necessity, and I will direct all federal agencies responsible for providing essential medical care to deliver transition treatment.”

In an interview on Tuesday morning on Fox News, Michael Tyler, Harris’s campaign communications director, sought to distance Harris from the statement without disavowing it. “That questionnaire is not what she is proposing or running on,” Tyler said.

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Hamed Aleaziz

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”

A spokeswoman for the city of Springfield, Ohio, said this week that despite viral social media posts that have been promoted by Trump and his supporters, “there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.” A Clark County, Ohio, official said that they “have absolutely no evidence of this happening.”

Alexandra Berzon

“A lot of these illegal immigrants coming in —” Democrats are “trying to get them to vote.”

This lacks evidence..

In recent months, Trump and other Republicans have frequently made the false claim that there’s a major crisis of noncitizens illegally voting in federal elections . They often claim, with no evidence, that Democrats are trying to get undocumented immigrants to vote in order to cheat their way to electoral victory.

In fact, people who are not U.S. citizens already face fines or imprisonment for voting in federal elections under a 1996 law. And experts point to data indicating that cases of noncitizens voting are rare and nowhere near the threshold to sway an election. Instance of undocumented people doing so are even rarer . Registrants to vote have to swear under penalty of perjury that they are citizens, and some states check for citizenship against federal databases.

Organizations including the left-leaning Brennan Center , the conservative Heritage Foundation and the libertarian Cato Institute that have examined the legal system, registration records or election offices for cases of citizenship fraud have found very few examples.

Jeanna Smialek

“We have inflation like very few people have ever seen before. Probably the worst in our nation’s history: We were at 21 percent.”

Inflation was higher by standard measures during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Consumer Price Index peaked at 9.1 percent in 2022, less than in that earlier episode. Analysts will sometimes argue that if one adjusts for a methodological change to how housing is measured, recent inflation has rivaled that episode, which may be what Trump is referencing. In any case, it is not true that America’s recent inflation episode is the world leader, as one can see by looking at international data

“All I can say is I read where she was not Black. That she put out. And I’ll say that and then I read that she was Black, and that’s OK. Either one was OK with me.”

It’s unclear what Trump read, but Vice President Kamala Harris has always identified as Black and South Asian during her time in public office. Harris wrote in her 2019 memoir that “my mother understood very well that she was raising two Black daughters.”

Harris joined Alpha Kappa Alpha, a sorority for Black women , at Howard University, a historically Black university. She was also the president of the Black Law Students Association at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. A 1999 Los Angeles Times article mentioning Harris, then an assistant district attorney in San Francisco, referred to her as a “liberal African American” prosecutor, and a 2000 San Francisco Examiner article called Harris a leader in the city’s Black community.

She first ran for public office in 2002 for San Francisco district attorney and, when she won her race, became the state’s first Black district attorney. She appeared on a panel as an emerging leader in the Black community in a 2006 conference. And in a 2009 speech to a Los Angeles-area high school about Black history, Harris spoke of her personal history as intertwined with that of the civil rights movement, alluding to how her parents “organized” in the streets during the 1960s.

Michael Crowley

“As of today, there is not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone, in any war zone around the world, for the first time this century.”

— Vice President Kamala Harris

No U.S. troops are fighting in an all-out war like the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. But thousands of American troops have become entangled in hostilities around the Middle East since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

President Biden has deployed numerous warships and fighter jets to Israel’s coast, and U.S. forces have intercepted Iranian missiles and drones fired at Israel. They have also launched dozens of airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi militants. American forces have also suffered casualties: Three U.S. service members based in Jordan were killed in January by an attack drone, and two Navy Seals drowned earlier in February during anti-Houthi operations. Iranian-backed militias have also repeatedly attacked U.S. forces stationed in Iraq and Syria, causing multiple injuries.

Zolan Kanno-Youngs

“Crime here is up and through the roof.”

The claim is factually incorrect. While there was an increase in crime during the pandemic, various studies have shown violent crime has now dropped to the lowest level in decades. Despite public perception of lawlessness, violent crime was higher in 2020 under Mr. Trump than under President Biden so far. The violent crime rate was 380.7 per 100,000 people in 2022, according to police agencies’ data gathered by the F.B.I. That was a lower rate than in all but three years — 2013, 2014 and 2015 — since 1985. Preliminary analysis from the F.B.I. suggested that violent crime decreased 15.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024 from the same period in 2023 , with an even greater drop of 18 percent in cities with more than one million people. Still, some studies have found that shoplifting and motor vehicle theft increased in 2023.

Kate Zernike

“Her vice-presidential pick says abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine. He also says execution after birth. It’s execution, no longer abortion, because the baby is born is, OK, and that’s not OK with me.”

Abortion terminates a pregnancy, so “abortion after birth” is a contradiction. Killing a child after birth is infanticide, which is illegal in all 50 states. Vice President Kamala Harris has said she wants to restore the abortion rights established in Roe v. Wade. Roe, the 1973 Supreme Court decision overturned in 2022, allowed states to prohibit abortion in the third trimester — the seventh, eighth and ninth months of pregnancy — so long as they made exceptions to save the health and life of the mother. “Late term” is defined as 41 weeks, or just beyond nine months. According to federal data , less than 1 percent of all abortions take place after the 20th week of pregnancy; 93 percent are at or before 13 weeks. Minnesota, where the Democrat vice-presidential nominee, Tim Walz, is governor, is one of the few states to allow abortion at any stage of pregnancy . But allowing abortions at that stage does not mean that doctors perform them. State data for 2022 , the most recent available, shows that of the 12,175 abortions in the state that year, only two happened between 25 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, and none after the 30th week of pregnancy, which is roughly the start of the third trimester.

Ben Protess

“Every one of those cases was started by them against their political opponent.”

Trump’s claims that the Biden administration orchestrated his four criminal cases , including the one in Manhattan that led to his conviction in May on charges of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal, has no basis in fact.

The Manhattan investigation began while Trump, not President Biden, was in office. The case was brought by the district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, a local Democrat who does not answer to Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. The same goes for Trump’s criminal case in Georgia, where a district attorney accused him of trying to overturn the 2020 election results in that state. And Trump’s two federal cases were brought by a special counsel, a semi-independent prosecutor who is accountable to the attorney general. While the attorney general is chosen by the president, the White House has no direct influence over the special counsel.

All of Trump’s legal challenges to the outcome of the 2020 election were dismissed on “technicalities” or the basis of “standing.”

This is false..

While some of the challenges to the last election were rejected on the basis of standing — that is, on the issue of whether the plaintiffs had the legal right to question the results and assert they had been harmed — there were some cases that were decided on the merits of whether there were improprieties in the race. And none of those cases were decided in Mr. Trump’s favor. One of the merits cases was decided in Wisconsin by Brett H. Ludwig, a federal judge appointed by Mr. Trump. “This court has allowed the plaintiff the chance to make his case,” Judge Ludwig wrote in his ruling, “and he has lost on the merits.”

Julian E. Barnes

“Putin endorsed her last week, said, ‘I hope she wins.’”

This is misleading..

Most observers believe that Vladimir V. Putin’s comments on Sept. 5 that he supported Vice President Kamala Harris were said in jest. The U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Putin supports the election of Trump. Documents released as part of an indictment against two employees of the Russian state broadcaster show the Kremlin developed a plan to influence swing state voters in favor of Trump. The Kremlin believes Trump will cut back, or end, U.S. military aid to Ukraine. While Trump has claimed that the invasion of Ukraine would not have taken place if he were president, there is little evidence that he would have taken action to deter Russia.

Helene Cooper

“They sent her in to negotiate with Zelensky and Putin, and she did, and the war started three days later.”

The vice president traveled to the Munich Security Conference in February 2022, in the days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that month. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was there, and Harris met with him. Putin was not present.

Margot Sanger-Katz

“When Donald Trump was president, 60 times he tried to get rid of the Affordable Care Act — 60 times.”

As president, Trump did try to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, urging Republicans in Congress in 2017 to pass several bills to repeal and replace major portions of it. Those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Republicans in Congress had voted many times since the health law was enacted in 2010 to fully repeal or substantially modify Obamacare. Most of those attempts predated Trump’s presidency. Various analysts have tallied those efforts at 70 , or even 100 . But those very high counts include even proposed changes to the landmark legislation that were relatively minor — and some that had bipartisan support. Most failed to become law.

“I had a choice to make” on Obamacare. “Do I save it and make it as good as it can be? Or do I let it rot? And I saved it. I did the right thing.”

Trump did not “save” the health insurance law known as Obamacare; the United States Senate did, in defiance of him. During his first year in office, Trump asked Congress to pass legislation repealing the Affordable Care Act, the 2010 law that created the program. The Republican-controlled House approved the bill. But in a dramatic moment on Capitol Hill, Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican and nemesis of Trump, cast the decisive vote to defeat the proposal, just days after returning to the Senate after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer. The vote was a surprise to Trump; he had cheered McCain’s return to Washington in a social media post calling the Arizona senator “brave” and a “hero,” apparently believing that he had come back to Congress to help kill — not save — Obamacare.

Andrew Duehren

“Over the last four years, we have invested $1 trillion in a clean energy economy.”

The current administration has facilitated a burst of private investment because of tax credits and other incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022. According to the Clean Investment Monitor, which tracks investments, clean energy investment since 2021 has totaled roughly $700 billion. Some experts expect the clean energy incentives to eventually help drive more than $1 trillion in private investment.

“Donald Trump, the candidate, has said in this election there will be a blood bath if this, and the outcome of this election, is not to his liking.”

Harris is correct that Trump warned of a “blood bath” if he did not win the 2024 election, but Trump has contended that he was speaking about an economic blood bath and was focused on competition from Chinese electric vehicles.

Here is the full quote of what Trump said at rally in March, so readers can decide for themselves.

“If you’re listening, President Xi, and you and I are friends, but he understands the way I deal, those big monster car manufacturing plants that you’re building in Mexico right now, and you think you’re going to get that, you’re going to not hire Americans and you’re going to sell the cars to us, we’re going to put a 100 percent tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and you’re not going to be able to sell those cars if I get elected,” he said.

“Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a blood bath. That’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a blood bath for the country. That’ll be the least of it. But they’re not going to sell those cars,” he continued.

“We have millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums.”

Immigration experts have said they could not corroborate Mr. Trump’s claims . The Trump campaign has previously cited a September 2022 article in Breitbart, a conservative website. One unnamed source told Breitbart that officials believed an unspecified number of Venezuelan prison inmates were headed for the United States’ southern border with Mexico. (No other news organization or government source has verified this report.)

The campaign also pointed to reports warning that Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal gang founded in Venezuela, was growing in the United States. But none of this is evidence that “millions” of criminals are infiltrating the southern border.

Customs and Border Protection reported apprehending 47 members of Tren de Aragua along the southern border under Mr. Biden. Prison populations all over the world have been increasing, not decreasing. Penal Reform International, a Netherlands-based nonprofit, estimated that the global prison population was a record 11.5 million in 2023 , an increase of 500,000 people since 2020 .

“For years we were paying almost all of NATO. We were being ripped off by European nations, both on trade and on NATO. I got them to pay up.”

Trump incorrectly characterizes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Member countries make direct contributions to the organization, based on national income, and also agree to spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on their own defense.

Trump’s complaints led to NATO reducing the United States’ contribution to the common fund. Previously the United States paid about 22 percent of its central budget, and it dropped to 16 percent. And the number of countries meeting that 2 percent guideline increased to 10 from five in recent years.

Trump can claim some credit for increased spending, but it’s worth noting that countries pledged in 2014 to meet that goal within a decade.

Jim Tankersley

“The Trump administration resulted in a trade deficit — one of the highest we’ve ever seen in the history of America.”

In 2020, at the end of Donald J. Trump’s tenure in office, the trade deficit — the difference between how much the United States imports and how much it exports — was about $650 billion. That was lower than four years of the George W. Bush administration, and the first three years of the Biden-Harris administration.

Brad Plumer

“We had the largest increase in domestic oil production in history, because of an approach that recognizes that we cannot over-rely on foreign oil.”

U.S. crude oil production has indeed risen to record highs this year , though experts say that has little to do with actions taken by the Biden administration. Most oil production has occurred on private and state lands, where the federal government has little oversight. At times, President Biden has actually tried to restrict drilling on federal lands and waters in the name of tackling climate change, but the courts have frequently limited his ability to do so .

Lisa Friedman

Biden “ended the XL pipeline, the XL pipeline in our country. He ended that.”

On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded the construction permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline , which would have transported carbon-heavy oil from the Canadian oil sands to the Gulf Coast. That same day, the sponsor of the project, TC Energy, a Canadian company, said that it was suspending work on the line.

Trump had revived the project after it stalled under the Obama administration, but it continued to face legal challenges that hampered construction. Opponents had fought the project for years over concerns that burning oil sands crude could make climate change worse and harder to reverse.

I “have built it into many, many billions of dollars; many, many billions.”

This is exaggerated..

Trump habitually exaggerates his wealth, so much so that the New York attorney general’s office sued him for fraudulently inflating his net worth, a case that led to a more than $450 million judgment against him .

In reality, he has about $400 million in cash, stocks and bonds, though if the New York case is upheld on appeal, it will essentially wipe out his liquid assets.

Much of his purported net worth is tied up in the real estate he owns. So when Trump says he is worth many billions, he appears to be referring to the value of that property. But property values fluctuate, and there is no reliable assessment of his assets. He also has a roughly $2 billion stake in his social media company, though he can’t yet access those shares and their value has plummeted in recent months.

“She wouldn’t even meet with Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech. She refused to be there because she was at a sorority party of hers.”

It is true that when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addressed Congress on July 19, Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend the speech. On that day she delivered a long-planned speech in Indiana to the national conference for Zeta Phi Beta, one of the country’s historically Black sororities. But Harris returned to Washington the next day for a meeting with Netanyahu .

“And when she ran, she was the first one to leave because she failed” in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.

Harris dropped out of the Democratic primary in December 2019 , which came as a surprise given expectations surrounding her candidacy. But her exit was preceded by more than a dozen others , including prominent members of Congress, former and sitting governors and the mayor of New York City.

“She went out in Minnesota and wanted to let criminals that killed people, that burned down Minneapolis.”

After the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the protests that ensued, Vice President Kamala Harris posted on social media in June 2020 asking supporters “to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota” by donating to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a bail fund.

The fund used some of those money to bail out people who committed serious crimes. But Ms. Harris did not specifically call to release murderers from behind bars.

Michael D. Shear

“Remember that she was the border czar. She doesn’t want to be called the border czar because she’s embarrassed by the border.”

Harris was never appointed “border czar,” nor was she tasked with addressing border security. Rather, she had a role in addressing the root causes of migration in Central American countries. Moreover, she did visit the border in June 2021, where she toured an immigration facility in El Paso.

“By the way, Joe Biden was found essentially guilty on the documents case.”

A special counsel, Robert K. Hur, was appointed by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to prosecute President Biden after his aides reported that classified documents from his time as vice president had been found in his possession. Hur spent months investigating Biden and in February issued a report in which he declined to bring charges against Biden for a number of reasons. Among them was that Biden, unlike Trump, cooperated with the federal inquiry into his handling of classified documents.

Elizabeth Dias

“And as far as the abortion ban, no, I’m not in favor of abortion ban.”

Trump privately expressed support for a 16-week abortion ban earlier this year, although he later reviewed polling suggesting it was problematic, and did not support it. His allies, including former Trump administration officials, have also planned new sweeping abortion restrictions that do not require a national ban passed by Congress. One plan includes enforcing a long-dormant law from 1873, called the Comstock Act , to criminalize the shipping of any materials used in an abortion — including the medication used in the majority of abortions in America.

“Fracking? She’s been against it for 12 years.”

During her first presidential campaign in 2019, Harris endorsed a ban on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking , a process used to extract oil and natural gas from bedrock. She also challenged federal approvals of offshore fracking when she was attorney general of California. When she became President Biden’s running mate in 2020, she distanced herself from that position, and now says she no longer supports a ban on fracking.

“We made ventilators for the entire world.”

Early in the pandemic, the Trump administration was criticized for a shortage of ventilators . In March 2020, Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was put in charge of an effort to ramp up production. Trump later announced a plan to make the United States the “king of ventilators” by donating them to other countries. But ProPublica reported that while White House officials had pushed the U.S. Agency for International Development to purchase thousands of ventilators and donate them abroad, the effort was “marked by dysfunction.”

In the end, the ventilators weren’t needed. By May 2020, doctors began using ventilators only as a last resort, after observing unusually high death rates for Covid-19 patients who were put on the devices. The Associated Press quoted Daniel Edelman, a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, as saying the Trump administration was buying more than twice the number of ventilators it needed.

“People give me credit for rebuilding the military.”

Trump’s allies often repeat his talking point that he “rebuilt” the military. He did increase the defense budget during his four years in office, by around $225 billion. But he also promised to build a 350-ship Navy and to expand the Army. He did neither. The Army today is at its smallest size since 1940. The year Mr. Trump left office, the Navy was down to 294 ships. Efforts to expand the number of Air Force squadrons received no presidential push and went nowhere.

“I have nothing to do with Project 2025.”

Project 2025, a set of conservative policy proposals assembled by a Washington think tank for a Republican presidential administration, does not directly come from Trump or his campaign. Still, CNN documented that 140 people who worked for the Trump administration had a role in Project 2025. Some were top advisers to Trump in his first term and are all but certain to step into prominent posts should he win a second term.

Trump has also supported some of the proposals, with some overlap between Project 2025 and his own campaign plans. Among the similarities: undercutting the independence of the Justice Department and pressing to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs. And he enacted other initiatives mentioned in Project 2025 in his first term, such as levying tariffs on China and making it easier to fire federal workers. Trump has criticized some elements as “absolutely ridiculous and abysmal,” though he has not specified which proposals he opposes.

When the director of the project departed the think tank, Trump’s campaign released a statement that said, “Reports of Project 2025’s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign — it will not end well for you.”

“We handed them over a country where the economy and with — the stock market was higher than it was before the pandemic came in. Nobody’s ever seen anything like it.”

The economy grew at a fairly normal pace in the United States in the years leading up to the pandemic, and while the stock market did touch new highs under Trump’s watch, that is typically the case during a presidency: Historically, stock prices tend to climb over time. Stocks have traced new highs under the Biden administration, as measured by the S&P 500 index .

“Every legal scholar — every Democrat, every Republican, liberal, conservative — they all wanted” abortion policy “to be brought back to the states.”

Some conservative legal scholars asked the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that identified a right to abortion in the Constitution. They said state legislators, not unelected justices, should set abortion policy. But many legal scholars also filed briefs urging the court not to do so, arguing that the original decision had been on solid legal ground and that overturning federal protection for abortion would disastrously reverse five decades of precedent.

Immigrants are “coming in and they’re taking jobs that are occupied right now by African Americans.”

Various economists have found that immigrants are a crucial part of the U.S. labor force and that their presence has been healthy for the nation’s economy. The population of foreign-born workers is also not large enough to offset job creation over the past three years. A few studies have indeed shown negative wage effects, particularly on Black workers and other Americans in occupations in which there are many immigrants. But while this dynamic has been debated for decades, there is no clear conclusion.

Several studies have, however, found a mutually beneficial relationship between high-skilled immigrants and similarly skilled U.S.-born workers, as well as between low-skilled immigrants and more highly skilled U.S.-born workers, contributes to higher wages for natives. Economists also have found immigrants are especially important as more Americans age and leave the labor force.

Immigrants are “taking over the towns. They’re taking over buildings. They’re going in violently.”

The claim is factually incorrect. The former president was referring to towns in Ohio and Colorado that have seen large influxes of immigrants, most of whom came into the United States legally, often with work permits. There have been examples of crime in those cities, but the vast majority of the immigrants have been working and paying taxes. In Springfield, Ohio, for example, thousands of Haitian immigrants have helped fill jobs as the city recovered from steep economic decline, but their presence has divided the town politically. A traffic accident caused by a Haitian immigrant has roiled the city, but there has not been widespread violence, and many in the city support the Haitian migrants as an important part of the economy.

“She’s a Marxist. Everybody knows she’s a Marxist.”

Marxism refers to the political, social and economics theories of Karl Marx, practiced as socialism or communism. Ms. Harris’s campaign has described her as a capitalist . She has not proposed to seize the means of production. And she has received the backing of more than 80 chief executives , some of whom have called her “pro-business.”

“The only jobs they got were bounce-back jobs.”

Trump claimed that the only jobs created under the Biden-Harris administration were from recovering jobs that were lost under Trump amid the pandemic recession. In fact, under the Biden administration, the American economy has regained all the jobs it lost from before the pandemic and created nearly 6.5 million additional jobs on top of that.

“Donald Trump left us the worst unemployment since the Great Depression.”

Unemployment spiked to its worst levels since the Great Depression in the pandemic recession of 2020, but it was 6.4 percent the month Trump left office . That’s nowhere near the worst rate since the Depression.

Shawn Hubler

“This business about taking everyone’s guns away — Tim Walz and I are both gun owners.”

This is true..

A career prosecutor in California before she ran for the U.S. Senate, Harris has long said that she owns a handgun. “I am a gun owner, and I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do — for personal safety,” she told reporter s outside a campaign event in Iowa during her run for the White House in 2019.

Although she has long called for universal background checks, a ban on assault-style weapons and other controls, she has not called for seizing legally purchased firearms. Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, her running mate, is an Army veteran and a hunter who was endorsed by the National Rifle Association until he began supporting tighter firearm restrictions after a teenage gunman opened fire at a Florida high school in 2018.

“I was a better shot than most Republicans in Congress and I have the trophies to prove it,” he said. “But I’m also a dad. I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe that our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe.”

“He lost manufacturing jobs.”

The United States had lost nearly 200,000 factory jobs at the end of Donald Trump’s presidency compared with when Trump took office. Those losses were largely a product of the pandemic recession.

“We have created over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs.”

Since President Biden took office, seasonally adjusted manufacturing employment has increased by 739,000 jobs. Previous estimates put that increase above 800,000, but that number fell after the Labor Department issued an annual revision to its jobs numbers last month.

• AV Undercover
• Sauron tears down “Halls Of Stone” in a plotty, fleet-footed Rings Of Power

Our guy pretty much has Moria and Eregion by the beard and, uh, pointy ears

Rings Of Power isn’t playing coy about the focus of “Halls Of Stone.” The Dwarves are the canary in the coal mine for the problems permeating Middle-earth, and their waning connection to the mountain signals a demise only the Rings of Power can prevent. But everything has a cost, and the immediate benefits of Ring-bearing require gold on delivery.  

King Durin’s first day as Ring-bearer transforms the bearded monarch into a supernatural stud finder with X-ray vision but for mountains, pointing to potential light shafts in the wall with precision accuracy. Durin’s mountain sense provides a counterpoint to the Ring’s power over the Elves, shown in this episode through Gil-Galad’s dead-fish daydream and what’s-her-face’s testing of the Nine (more on that later). But in the show’s opening scenes, Durin is feeling himself. Ring-bearers tend to suffer the weight of the Ring more than their actions, and King Durin is no different. The Dwarves’ problems are over, thanks to him. “At last, it is daybreak once more in our mountain,” King Durin proclaims with the faintest echo of Reagan’s “Morning In America” speech. The Reagan comparisons don’t stop there, considering the deregulation field day Durin is about to go on. 

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Straining this Reagan metaphor into the Gipper’s successor’s presidency, the Elves and Dwarves have their own little Malta Summit, where Celebrimbor and Dwarvish door-maker Narvi trade barbs, present the Doors of Durin, and end their Cold War (“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Hall of Stone.” Okay. We’re done.) Cementing the coming together of these hostile races, the Doors of Durin were made in collaboration. Dwarves made the door, and Celebrimbor had an excuse to show off the mithril-laced lettering that would wow the Fellowship of the Ring in 6,000 years. Speak “friend” and enter—we know the bit. Let’s get to Annatar and Celebrimbor bickering like Niles and Frasier over who’s at fault for not securing a dinner reservation. 

A wedge is growing between Annatar and Celebrimbor over the always-controversial “Rings for Men?!” topic. You see, in his effortless manipulation, Annatar reminds Celebrimbor what a great dude the Lord of Gifts is because he wants to get Men some Rings, which would help them, sure, but almost definitely corrupt them. “Rings for Men?!” They’ll never sell, but the master manipulator knows how to get the Elf’s buy-in. Annatar will make the Nine Rings for Men without Celebrimbor’s expertise, come what may. 

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Charlie Vickers deserves a lot of credit for what he’s bringing to Annatar. As the Lord of Gifts, his spectral suggestions become the invisible hand guiding Middle-earth. He presents a different shade of his “trust-the-process” gaslighting that nudged Galadriel into forging the Three. That this works narratively at all is impressive. After last season, it seemed impossible to believe that Celebrimbor would allow Halbrand, a guy all the Elves know is evil (or, at least, not good), back into Eregion. But it makes sense once we’ve spent time with Celebrimbor. Charles Edwards, playing one of Middle-earth’s most powerful and stupidest Elves, vacillates between haughty professional satisfaction and the strangling reality that he already fucked it all up. Annatar and Celebrimbor delve deeper into the maelstrom as Vickers and Edwards sell a tricky proposition, one caked in dramatic irony that was always hard to swallow in Tolkien’s writing.

We just went through a season of “Where in Middle-earth is Sauron?” to mixed results. But it’s far greater fun to be implicated in his plans directly. Re-watching season one, there is so much more to his scenes with Galadriel. Every move is a tragic step forward, and it’s very satisfying. At every turn, Celebrimbor actively welcomes Annatar to go further. He invited him into the forge via fairytale logic (Halbrand waiting outside his prince’s tower) and he suggested they deceive the High King, a decision he’ll live to regret. Annatar turns the screw tighter when he reminds Celebrimbor that it was he who brought deceit into the mixture. By lying to the Gil-Galad, Celebrimbor essentially doomed the Dwarves. 

Annatar’s manipulation doesn’t end with Celebrimor. He’s quietly organizing the other Elven smiths against their master, telling students that they’re so talented and, actually, kind of look like a young Lady Galadriel. Elves, they’re just like us (want to be told they look like Galadriel). Annatar knows what he’s doing. If Celebrimbor gave a word of advice, it would spare them hours of work. Who knows? Maybe the Nine can redeem the Seven. Though it happens a little quickly for Tolkien—hamstringing this show to eight-episode seasons hasn’t done the show’s structure and pacing any favors—by the end of “Halls Of Stone,” Sauron pretty much has Moria and Eregion by the beard and, uh, pointy ears.  

But the Rings of Power all operate differently, amplifying the natural abilities of its wearer. Under the mountain, King Durin’s Ring-bearing has side effects, including dragon-sickness and the endless pursuit and hoarding of gold. King Durin has opened the already shaky mines to further digging as the mountains of shiny gold trinkets never sate the King, who is firmly in his “dig, baby, dig” era and delving deeper into more treacherous parts of Moria. He’s also offering other Dwarven leaders access to these incredible tools for the low, low price of half of their earnings. Don’t worry. He’s passing the savings on to the lower classes, imposing a “Ring tribute,” which amounts to a 100-percent sales tax on every crystal ball sold. 

Prince Durin is the only one who sees this trouble and spends another episode torn. Like Celebrimbor, he’s culpable for the successes and failures of the Ring. After all, he suggested they help the Elves and facilitated the deal. Now, he has to admit his failures and still convince the suddenly prosperous Dwarves that this is all a bad thing. That’s the mastery of Sauron’s plan: Getting the victim’s hands dirty. Not even Gil-Galad can formulate a strategy without considering Sauron’s hand in the planning. He has infiltrated each race at the highest order, smuggling his corruption onto Gil-Galad’s finger. Sauron is playing chess while the rest of Middle-earth is playing Harry Potter- branded checkers.  

“Halls Of Stone” is a little heavy on plot and light on spectacle (although watching Kemen’s arm snap like a twig was delightful). Kemen came out the gate this episode with a lot of Saved By The Bell bully-of-the-week energy in tonight’s Númenor check-in. After a quick conversation with his father, who is doing a classic “What if we could replace the gods?” slip into madness, Kemen assumes the role of town hall monitor, sash and all. Being the type of guy who sees his father’s doomed deicidal pursuits as an opportunity, he uses the whole thing as an excuse to act tough in front of his rival’s sister and make Isildur and his stupid friends look like the phonies they are. 

After a couple of rounds of very funny “Hey, you there—that’s illegal, get to jail!” Kemen comes face to face with Elendil, i.e. the only man with honor left on this crummy island! This twerp won’t shake Elendil’s faith in the Queen Regent, but he backs down for his daughter’s sake—even though, dude, forget Eärien. There’s not enough time to get into Númenor this week (or this season, for that matter), but the shorthand of Kemen being a total prick gets the job done. The bad guys are running Númenor, and the good guys are screwed at the moment. 

Rings Of Power is still effective in the broad strokes. Halfway through season two, the Elves’ failure is more and more one of their own making, but that goes for everyone else, too. Tides are flowing. Celebrimbor’s unreasonable demands and King Durin’s greed signal a broader problem that no one wants to deal with, let alone talk about. Everyone is trying to impress shareholders, whether with Celebrimbor’s next big thing or the vast resources under the mountain. The price of mithril is increasing because the guys who want unlimited power need it for their magic weapon. It’s morning in Middle-earth. 

Stray observations

• • I wasn’t immediately on board with the Ring testing scene. Namely, it’s inconsistent with how other Elvish Ring-bearers have reacted to use it, and that nameless Elf is a little too dramatic but not dramatic enough for the first Elf to cross into the Unseen World. It just felt off. But Sauron is testing the Rings for Men, which turn them invisible and send them to the Unseen World. It’s a feature, not a bug, that Sauron will carry over to the One Ring. So, upon closer inspection, this scene is good and furthers the show’s fascinating depiction of the Rings. 
• • Númenor has moments of life tonight. I thought the shots of Elendil’s palantir prophecy looked stunning in a John Howe way. Lord Of The Rings art rules, and the closer the show hues to some of those painterly aesthetics, the better. The show is gorgeous but rarely gives us time to enjoy it. When it sets out to compose a beautiful shot, it delivers.
• • I wish this show had a proper season length so there could be some villains-of-the-week episode. Part of enjoying Tolkien is hanging out in Middle-earth. I wish the series had a little more room to breathe (and considering how much it cost, it really should).
• • I will never get over how they got Jack Black to play Pharazôn.
• • Some new Kemen classics come in hot and fresh: “This shrine is condemned!” followed quickly by “How does it feel to have a daughter that’s ashamed of you?” Oh no, is that little craphead the best character?
• • Okay, I finally see the Walter White connection that the showrunners keep talking about. Sauron is Walter White, but the real key is that Celebrimbor is Jesse.
• • Eärien wants to patch things up with Dad, but how do you return from that Palantir reveal/coup d’etat that lands your dad’s girlfriend in jail? A Prancing Pony gift certificate? I think it’s over. 
• • Speaking of Frasier , do we think Celebrimbor’s First Age bottle was a sherry? Also, man, I’m still thinking about that wine he wasted. R.I.P. to what was probably a full-bodied delight.
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