#speechwriting

After watching "Oscar-winning actor & writer Tom Hanks gives the Oxford Union an acting lesson" on YouTube I felt inspired to write this blog. The link below if interested.

Public speaking is an art that transcends mere words; it involves a deep understanding of human psychology, effective communication techniques, and the strategic use of rhetorical devices. Among these, repetition stands out as a powerful tool that can elevate a speech from ordinary to extraordinary. In this blog, we delve into the Repetition class in speaking, exploring how this technique can captivate audiences, enhance message retention, and leave a lasting impact.

The Basics of Repetition:

Repetition involves the intentional reuse of words, phrases, or ideas within a speech. When employed thoughtfully, it can create emphasis, reinforce key points, and establish a rhythm that resonates with the audience. There are various forms of repetition, each serving a unique purpose:

Anaphora: This involves repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. For example, Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech masterfully uses anaphora with the repetition of "I have a dream."

Epistrophe: In contrast to anaphora, epistrophe repeats a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Winston Churchill's famous "We shall fight on the beaches" speech is a classic example of epistrophe in action.

Anadiplosis: This technique involves repeating the last word of one clause or sentence at the beginning of the next. This creates a seamless connection between ideas and builds momentum. Yoda's sage advice, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering," is an example of anadiplosis.

The Impact of Repetition:

Emphasis: Repetition serves as a spotlight, directing the audience's attention to specific words or ideas. By repeating a key point, a speaker can emphasize its importance, making it more likely to be remembered.

Rhythm and Flow: A well-crafted repetition adds a musical quality to a speech, creating a rhythmic flow that engages the audience. This cadence can make the message more memorable and enjoyable.

Connection: Repetition helps to establish connections between different parts of a speech. It ties ideas together, creating a cohesive narrative that is easier for the audience to follow.

Persuasion: Through repetition, a speaker can subtly persuade the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action. The consistent reinforcement of a message can influence attitudes and beliefs.

Practical Tips for Using Repetition Effectively:

Choose Key Points: Identify the core messages you want to convey, and strategically repeat key words or phrases associated with these points.

Consider Your Audience: Tailor your repetition to resonate with your audience. Understanding their preferences, values, and expectations will help you use repetition more effectively.

Vary Your Approach: While repetition is a powerful tool, overusing it can diminish its impact. Vary your repetition techniques to keep the audience engaged and interested.

Practice Pacing: The timing and pacing of repetition are crucial. Practice delivering your speech with the right rhythm to maximize its impact.

As an English major turned speechwriter, I find myself returning to Shakespeare’s Henry V, because the play depends on the unique power speeches have to motivate and inspire, while locating that power in two distinct places: the words of the speaker and the minds of the audience.

Most writers go to hell.

          We are gathered here today to come to a moment in history. This moment will not be easy, nor will it be simple. We are not the same people that we were yesterday, last year, or ten years ago. Fifty years. Two hundred years ago, bearing witness to the formation of a republic that has endured since, but like all republics before it, has fallen to ruin. We are not the same people.

          We are not the same because we have new faces, new names to greet every day. We have new smiles to remember in our hearts, new hands to hold, and new songs to share and sing. We are not the daughters and sisters of revolutionaries, of brave men who looked into the face of a king who was unjust, and said 'no more'. Those sisters and mothers and wives have passed on, leaving us, their legacy. We are the lost generation in the chapter book of history.

          Those women have never seen a film. Or written a blog. Or reached out to touch someone a world away, with merely the press of a button. They have not ever stood upon a stage as wide as ours is, the platform that is the Internet. They have never reached out and touched the hearts of women around the world. Their words are held in fragile letters, in legends and tales and myths. They have become our ancestors not because we are related to them, but because they have stood as the backbone of the men who were busy changing the world. Their voices are the echoes of what we today hold as the highest law of our land.

          Our revolition is now. Our enemy is hate. Our weapons are truth, and compassion, and faith. Not in any god, but in each other. Our belief that we can make the world a better place. That we can build from the ashes a kinder world, a more complete America. For what are we, but the children of immigrants, of slaves, of the displaced and the persecuted. We are those that see cruelty, and desire to end it.

          Standing here today we are not black or white or brown women, we are women. And men. And neither and both. We are people. We are American Citizens standing here today to protest the actions of this regime. It is not a presidency any longer. The man may have been elected by a broken system, but not by our nation! Through fraud and violations of all our rights as free citizens, our current President has stolen the next four years of our nations future, and the next generation of our children. Because the decisions made today are going to affect people tomorrow, and in a year, and in ten years. Fifty. Two hundred years from now, and the actions of this administration are going to be remembered!

          Will this administration be remembered as heroes, or as evil? Do we remember Ceasar as a kind and just tyrant? Do we consider Napoleon to be the hero of France? Do we find Musolini, Stalin, or Hitler to be good men, doing the right thing? NO! We see their actions, and we condemn their greed, their hate, and their cruelty. We condemn their power hungry crawl across the maps of their eras, and we look at their legacies and say NEVER AGAIN.

          Our current administration is being insidiously staffed by people who consider Hitler a good leader. Who consider Stalins legacy a good one. Who see our democracy, our REPUBLIC as a machine that they can push buttons on, and wealth and power fall out. WE WILL NOT ALLOW THIS MACHINE TO WORK.

          The late Sir Terry Pratchett wrote, in the voice of a venerable and respected character, that evil begins when you start thinking of people as things. I've said before to my friends that the corporations of America see us as just bodies, cogs in a machine that can be replaced. That we work so hard to find a place in the ladder of our economy that we forget that we are people. We look at the people around us, and think 'they're just doing their job'. That if their job is not done well, then it is a personal failing of theirs, not a systemic failing of each other.

WE ARE NOT THINGS.

          I want to hear all of us shout this. Women. Men. Those who are neither, or both. I want us to shake the hallowed walls of our governments seats. I want us to scream it and shout it and cry it. I want us to feel it so hard that they believe us when we say it!

We are not things.

          And we must defy those who think of us as things. As numbers, and statistics, and profit margins. As bits and pieces they can replace easily. We must break the machine so that these parts do not fit! We must damage their power base, and we do this by reaching into our hearts and believing this one truth. This is where it all begins.

We are not things. Say it with me.

WE ARE NOT THINGS.

WE ARE NOT THINGS.

Crafting a farewell speech is never simple. Whether you are saying good-bye to school, a job, or a community to which you have belonged for decades, the words you use leave an indelible mark. A farewell speech is more than mere ceremony—it is a chance to be thankful, reminisce, and motivate others as you embark on the next phase of your life.

In this guide, we're going to step by step examine how to write and give the best farewell speech. From knowing the reason to organizing your speech, incorporating personal elements, and delivering it with confidence, this blog is going to guide you through all that you should know.

Why Farewell Speeches Matter

A farewell speech is not just a goodbye. It:

Expresses gratitude towards individuals who have been along with you.

Leaves a pleasant memory of your presence.

Ensures the upholding of professional or personal relationships.

Brings closure to you as well as the audience.

If you are a student graduating from school, a professional switching jobs, or a person migrating to a new location, a farewell speech assists you in saying goodbye to the past while welcoming the future.

Step 1: Know Your Audience

Prior to writing your speech, reflect on whom you are speaking to.

Workplace colleagues: Be professional but friendly.

Classmates and teachers: Inject humor and shared experience.

Friends and family: Emphasize personal connections and appreciation.

Knowing your audience will enable you to get the tone right—formal, informal, or emotional.

Step 2: Organize Your Speech

A farewell speech becomes effective when it has a straightforward flow. Apply this easy formula:

Opening: Begin with a greeting and brief introduction.

Acknowledgments: Express thanks to key individuals or groups.

Memories: Relate key highlights and memorable moments.

Lessons Learned: Think about personal or professional development.

Closing: Close with thankfulness, hope, and a sincere farewell.

Step 3: Begin with Gratitude

Begin always with appreciation. Thank mentors, colleagues, friends, or family members who impacted your journey. Gratitude creates a positive note and resonates emotionally with your listeners.

Sample opening lines:

"Standing here today, I am with gratitude for the people who made this journey unforgettable."

"As I bid adieu, I would like to thank the wonderful colleagues who supported me throughout."

Step 4: Share Memorable Moments

Humans enjoy stories. Point out moments that defined your stay in school, college, or the workplace. Make them brief but effective. Select experiences that people can relate to and that make them smile or recall fond memories.

Such as:

A humorous moment on a team project.

A challenge that became an opportunity for learning.

A touching tale of help from friends or colleagues.

Step 5: Emphasize Growth and Lessons

Farewell speeches are as much about growth as they are about the past. Speak about the lessons you learned and how the experiences made you better. This displays maturity and makes for a reflective impression.

Example:

"This journey has taught me the value of teamwork, resilience, and kindness."

"I leave not only with skills but with friendships that will be life-long."

Step 6: Keep It Concise

A valedictory speech should be impactful but not too lengthy. Target 5–7 minutes if delivered verbally. Don't enumerate each and every person or moment. Highlight the most significant ones instead.

Step 7: Add a Touch of Humor

If appropriate, add light humor to keep the audience engaged. Jokes about common experiences or inside references make the speech lively. But ensure your humor is respectful and inclusive.

Example:

“I’ll miss the endless meetings that could have been emails.”

“The coffee machine probably deserves a mention for keeping us alive during deadlines.”

Step 8: End on a Positive Note

Finish with a note of hope and optimism. Invite your listeners to stay in touch and wish them well in their future projects.

Closing examples:

"Even though I am parting, the memories that I hold close will forever be a reminder of this period of my life."

"Goodbyes are not endings; they are merely beginnings of something different."

Tips for Giving Your Farewell Speech

Practice out loud: Practice several times to build confidence.

Make eye contact: Engage your audience as you talk.

Use natural pauses: Allow your words to sink in and make an impact.

Be sincere: Talk from the heart rather than memorizing word for word.

Sample Farewell Speech Outline

Here's a handy template you can modify:

Greeting and introduction.

Thank mentors, colleagues, or parents. Expressing gratitude is always appreciated.

Mention one or two highlight moments. Remind your audience of personal or professional achievements.

Close with good wishes and an optimistic note.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being overly formal or overly informal.

Keeping the speech too long.

Missing to thank important individuals.

Stuffing it with too many jokes or in-house references.

Reading verbatim without looking at people.

Final Thoughts

A farewell speech is not goodbye—it's goodbye with warmth, appreciation, and optimism. The finest speeches are sincere, straightforward, and sincere. Regardless of whether you are a student, employee, or member of the community, your words can inspire and leave an impression that lasts.