presentation of cake speech

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Tips for Delivering a Speech with Confidence and Celebrating Love at a Wedding Ceremony

Holidays & Special Events

January 27, 2024

By Mackenzie Roche

When it comes to weddings, one of the most anticipated moments is the cutting of the cake. This tradition symbolizes the couple’s first task together as a married couple and is often accompanied by a speech. Giving a speech before cutting the cake can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you’re not used to public speaking. However, with a little preparation and some helpful tips, you can deliver a memorable speech that will delight the newlyweds and their guests.

To begin, it’s important to know what to include in your speech. You’ll want to start by congratulating the couple on their special day and expressing your joy for their union. You can also share a personal story or memory that highlights the couple’s love and compatibility. It’s a good idea to acknowledge and thank the parents and other important individuals who have supported the couple throughout their journey. Finally, you can offer well wishes for the future and toast to their happiness.

When it comes to delivering the speech, it’s important to speak clearly and confidently. Take your time and don’t rush through your words. If you’re feeling nervous, try practicing your speech in front of a mirror or with a close friend. This will help you build confidence and ensure that you’re comfortable with the content and delivery. Remember to make eye contact with the couple and their guests, and use gestures and facial expressions to emphasize your points.

In addition to the content and delivery, it’s also crucial to consider the timing of your speech. You’ll want to keep it concise and to the point, as the main focus of the moment is the cutting of the cake. Aim for a speech that is around three to five minutes long. This will allow you to convey your heartfelt message without overshadowing the main event. Practice your speech beforehand to ensure that you stay within the time limit and maintain a smooth flow.

Overall, giving a speech before cutting the cake at a wedding is a wonderful opportunity to share your love and support for the newly married couple. With careful planning, thoughtful content, and confident delivery, you can create a speech that will be cherished by the couple and their guests for years to come.

Tips for Giving a Speech at a Wedding Cake Cutting

Giving a speech at a wedding cake cutting ceremony can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with some preparation and practice, you can deliver a memorable and heartfelt speech. Here are some tips to help you give a great speech:

• Plan your speech: Take some time to think about what you want to say. Consider the couple’s relationship, their personalities, and any special moments you want to highlight. Create an outline or write down key points to keep you on track during your speech.
• Know your audience: Understand who will be present at the wedding cake cutting ceremony. Consider their relationship to the couple, their age group, and any cultural or religious customs they may follow. Tailor your speech to resonate with the audience while maintaining authenticity.
• Keep it concise: Avoid rambling or going off on tangents during your speech. Keep your message clear and focused. Aim for a speech that is around 3 to 5 minutes long, as this will keep the audience engaged and prevent their attention from waning.
• Speak from the heart: It’s important to be sincere and genuine in your speech. Express your love and admiration for the couple, and share anecdotes or stories that reflect their relationship. Your words should come from a place of affection and support while also reflecting your own unique perspective.
• Practice, practice, practice: Rehearsing your speech will help boost your confidence and ensure a smooth delivery. Practice in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend or family member. Pay attention to your tone, pace, and body language to make sure your speech comes across as polished and well-prepared.
• Use humor wisely: Adding a touch of humor can help lighten the mood and engage the audience. However, be cautious with jokes and ensure they are appropriate for the occasion. Avoid offensive or embarrassing humor that may offend or alienate anyone present at the ceremony.
• End on a positive note: Finish your speech with a well-wishing message for the couple. Offer your blessings and congratulations, and encourage the guests to join in celebrating the couple’s love. End with a toast, raising a glass to their joyous future together.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to give a speech at a wedding cake cutting ceremony. Remember to speak from the heart, keep it concise, and practice beforehand. Your words of love and support will contribute to a memorable and joyous event for the happy couple and their loved ones.

Prepare in Advance

When giving a speech before cutting a cake at a wedding, it’s important to prepare in advance to ensure that you deliver a memorable and meaningful message. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

By preparing in advance, you can ensure that your speech is heartfelt, engaging, and fitting for the couple’s special day. Remember to speak from the heart, be confident, and enjoy the moment!

Share Personal Anecdotes

One of the best ways to engage your audience during a speech before cutting the cake at a wedding is by sharing personal anecdotes. These stories can be heartwarming, funny, or sentimental, and they help create a connection between you and the listeners.

Start by reminiscing about your memories with the couple, such as how you first met, any important milestones you’ve shared, or funny moments you’ve experienced together. These personal stories not only show your relationship with the couple but also allow the audience to get to know them better.

Highlight the unique qualities of the couple and the special bond they share. Talk about their shared interests, values, or the challenges they’ve overcome together. Sharing personal stories will make the speech more relatable and authentic.

Remember to keep the anecdotes concise and relevant. You don’t want to bore the audience with lengthy stories. Use strong and emotional words to capture their attention. If appropriate, you can use humor to lighten the mood and make the atmosphere more relaxed.

For example, you can tell a funny story about how the couple decided on the flavors of the wedding cake. Did they have a disagreement? Did they have a hilarious taste-testing experience? Sharing these amusing anecdotes will add a lighthearted touch to your speech.

Sharing personal anecdotes not only makes your speech more enjoyable but also adds a personal touch to the wedding ceremony. It shows the couple and their guests that you have a deep connection with them and that you truly understand and appreciate their love story.

Overall, by sharing personal anecdotes during your speech before cutting the wedding cake, you can create a memorable and engaging moment for the couple and their guests.

Express Gratitude

When giving a speech before cutting a cake at a wedding, it is important to express your gratitude to all the guests for their presence and support. Begin by thanking everyone for being a part of this special day and for taking the time to celebrate with you and your partner.

Express your appreciation for the love and support you have received throughout your relationship and on this joyous occasion. Take a moment to acknowledge the efforts of the wedding planning team, the venue staff, and anyone else who has contributed to making the day memorable.

Highlight the significance of the moment by expressing your gratitude to your parents and family members for their love, guidance, and support. Thank them for raising you and for the role they have played in shaping the individuals you and your partner have become.

Lastly, express your deepest gratitude to your partner. Share how they have brought love, joy, and happiness into your life and how grateful you are to have found them. Talk about the journey you have taken together and the love that has grown between you.

Remember to speak genuinely and from the heart when expressing your gratitude. This will create a warm and meaningful atmosphere, allowing everyone present to feel the love and appreciation you have for them.

Remember: A little bit of gratitude goes a long way!

When giving a speech before cutting a cake at a wedding, one effective way to engage the audience is to incorporate humor. A well-timed joke or a funny anecdote can lighten the atmosphere and make the moment more enjoyable for everyone.

You can start by sharing a lighthearted story about the couple or your personal experience with them. This will help create a connection with the audience and make them feel more involved in the celebration.

It’s important to keep the humor appropriate and in line with the tone of the wedding. Avoid offensive or inappropriate jokes that might offend anyone in the audience. Instead, focus on telling funny stories that highlight the couple’s personalities or quirks.

Remember to use comedic timing and delivery to enhance the humor. Pause for laughter after delivering a punchline or a funny remark. This will allow the audience to fully appreciate and enjoy the humorous moment.

Using self-deprecating humor can also be effective in making the audience laugh. By poking fun at yourself in a light-hearted way, you can show the audience that you’re not taking yourself too seriously and create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Lastly, be authentic and true to yourself when incorporating humor into your speech. Avoid trying to imitate a professional comedian if that’s not your style. Instead, embrace your own unique sense of humor and let it shine through in your words and delivery.

Overall, using humor in your speech before cutting a cake at a wedding can help create a joyful and memorable moment for the couple and their guests. By incorporating well-timed jokes and funny anecdotes, you can engage the audience and make the celebration even more special.

Keep It Short and Sweet

When giving a speech before cutting a cake at a wedding, it is important to keep it short and sweet. This is because the main focus of the event is the cake cutting ceremony and the celebration that follows. The speech should be concise and to the point, allowing the couple and their guests to enjoy the delicious cake without any unnecessary delays.

Here are a few tips to keep your speech short and sweet:

• Start with a warm welcome and a simple introduction. Keep it brief and avoid going into too much detail about yourself.
• Express your happiness and gratitude for being a part of the special day. Keep the tone positive and heartfelt.
• Share a short anecdote or story about the couple that is light-hearted and entertaining. This can help create a personal connection with the audience.
• Offer a few words of advice or well-wishes to the couple. Keep it sincere and avoid lengthy lectures.
• Wrap up the speech by raising a toast to the newlyweds and encouraging everyone to raise their glasses for a toast.

Remember, the purpose of your speech is to add a touch of warmth and joy to the cake cutting ceremony, not to give a lengthy lecture. By keeping it short and sweet, you can ensure that the focus remains on the couple and their special day.

End on a High Note

To wrap up your speech before cutting the cake at a wedding, it’s essential to end on a high note that leaves a lasting impression on the happy couple and the guests. Here are a few tips to ensure a memorable ending:

By following these tips, you can ensure that your speech ends on a high note, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the couple and the guests. Remember to speak from the heart and let your genuine emotions shine through.

How to Cut a Wedding Cake [Bride and Groom]

Mackenzie Roche

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The Ultimate Guide to Write a Wedding Emcee Script

Do remember to contact Just Married Films for your wedding videography and wedding photography needs for your Wedding Day.

If you’re approached by the couple to be their wedding emcee, don’t fret! It might be stressful to be given such responsibilities but with this guide, you’ll be able to ace your role and give the couple and all the guests a memorable evening.

Table of Contents

Wedding Emcee Guide

Understand the couple.

The couple are the main characters for their big day. Their wedding should be centered around them. It’s important to understand what tone and theme they are going for. You should discuss the flow of the wedding to be able to plan your speech more effectively. Get to know who’s going to give a speech and the order of speakers too. 

To make the speech more personalised to the couple, get to understand any personal stories they have. Also check if they have any taboo subjects or topics that they want to avoid. When everyone is on the same page, the wedding will be able to flow more smoothly without hiccups.

Know the important names on your wedding emcee script

Ensure that you recognise important guests. These could be the couple’s parents, grandparents or significant friends. You don’t want to mispronounce the names of their loved ones in front of them and everyone. While some may laugh it off, it can lead to awkward situations. Double check with the couple while planning to prevent such situations!

Plan of the wedding

Different wedding couples may have different programs for their wedding banquet. Make sure you understand the plan and the flow of events that the couple wants. General segments you can expect are speeches by the couple and some of their loved ones, cake cutting and yum seng ceremonies. Some couples may also have games, dances or audience interactions planned. 

While there may be a fixed flow and script, you can also prepare some jokes to add spontaneity and spice up the atmosphere.

Coordinate with wedding vendors

To ensure a wedding goes smoothly through, other wedding vendors also play major roles. It’ll be good to meet with the wedding planner and coordinate some cues to use on the actual day. For instance, while preparing for the cake cutting ceremony, you can use hand signals to get each other’s attention. This allows for the cake to be set up promptly while the emcee hosts. 

Other than the wedding planner, other vendors you should also communicate with include the restaurant or hotel manager, photographer, videographer and performance band if any. Find out if there are any specific moments you should know about.

Wedding Emcee Script

When you have the details, it’s time to start writing your script. It may be easier for you to follow through and keep track of time if you separate your script into different segments. This is a sample that you can refer to and make changes accordingly. 

It will usually be done in both English and their mother tongue language. Some couples may choose to get a host each for each language. If you’re the only emcee, you will usually be required to handle both languages.

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How To Introduce Cake Cutting At A Wedding

Table of Contents:

Step 12 is to announce the cake-cutting ceremony.

The MC will then typically make the following announcement to start the speeches:

Though this can change, it is customary for the speeches to be given as coffee is being served. Usually, they are shown in the order that is indicated up front.

The MC might say something like, “To get things started.

How do you invite someone to a cake cutting?

Celebrating the addition of a new year to my life’s journey. As I cut the cake, please join me. Birthdays are special, and you are special, so I would like to invite you to my birthday party. Please come and grace us with your presence as we celebrate my birthday and sing my name when blowing out the candles.

Everybody has a different perspective on how to celebrate a birthday, but birthdays are a time to rejoice. Some prefer to enjoy their parties outside, while others prefer to host them at home with their families, friends, and other loved ones. Everybody celebrates in a unique way. We obviously don’t print invitation cards for such a celebration, so we message friends to share birthday invitation wording. The birthday invitation wordings are casual invitations that provide information about the celebration. These invitations are a lovely piece of knowledge. We have a fantastic assortment of birthday invitation wordings for birthdays of various age groups.

To celebrate my little darling finishing her first year, I cordially invite you to come and join us. Join us if you can!

My little princess turns one today. You are cordially invited to my princess’ first birthday party. Please come celebrate with us!

What do you say during the wedding cake-cutting ceremony?

Cute Quotes We’ll create a life together and take little, savoring bites every day, just like this cake. Holding hands today is the start of a journey toward eternal happiness. Let’s swap the icing for this life instead of the cherries. Everything I have experienced with you has been something I will always treasure.

Emotions have a hard time getting through to your heart when they are expressed without words. And besides your wedding day, what other significant occasion could cause feelings to well up inside of you?

When you cut the cake for the next chapter of your life, the cheers and well wishes will be at their highest. Only a brief message has the power to break your partner’s heart; the cake can have any lovely design to appeal to everyone’s aesthetics.

In contrast to wedding cards and invitations, it can be challenging to know what to write in a limited space on the wedding cake.

What do you say to sell a cake?

Your slice of heaven, according to cake advertising messages Every layer is mouthwateringly delicious. Each slice contains joy. Enjoy the pleasant surprise. Unique taste just for you. Before your eyes, your fantasy cake materializes. Our cakes each have a unique tale to tell. Holidays became sweeter and battered.

Cakes play a significant role in all types of celebrations, including weddings, birthdays, graduations, and professional events. It would seem that cake is a necessity for every celebration.

Cakes can be enjoyed for no particular reason, as we all know; parties aren’t the only occasions when people enjoy them. Here are some tested marketing strategies you can use on social media sites like Instagram or Facebook to increase sales for your cake business.

What happened when the cake first came out?

Cake is a sweet dessert that is typically baked. Since then, cakes have evolved into a diverse range of desserts that can be simple or elaborate and share characteristics with pastries, meringues, custards, and pies, in addition to other desserts. In their earliest forms, cakes were merely breads modified into desserts.

What can you do to help with the cake-cutting ceremony?

The groom should hold the knife in one hand and place the other hand around the bride when cutting the cake. To facilitate the cake cutting, the bride should place her hand on his. The bride serves the groom first. The bride is subsequently fed by the groom.

The cutting of the wedding cake is such a significant milestone that a separate ceremony is held for it. While on the surface it appears to be a straightforward procedure, the execution of this special event requires near-master technique. We are going to give you some advice on how to have the cake-cutting ceremony so that it turns out just right.

An elegant cake plate and fully furnished cake table should be offered by your wedding venue. The wedding cake should always be the only cake on the table and should be kept separate from the dessert table and the groom’s cake. An essential component of every wedding is the photography. The cake-cutting ceremony will be a significant occasion that merits its own photo shoot. When setting up the cake table and cutting the cake, always keep the photography background in mind. Your images’ backgrounds will reflect whatever is in the foreground.

You must properly set up the space and gather a few necessary tools and items. You’ll need two forks, two napkins, a server, a decorative cake knife, fresh champagne, two champagne glasses, and a cake plate. A little to the side and in front of the groom is how the bride should position herself. One hand should be placed around the bride by the groom, while the other is placed over the knife. To direct the cake-cutting, the bride should place her hand on his. The first bite is given to the groom by the bride. The bride is subsequently fed by the groom. There are instances where the bride and groom decide to eat together. You should have this conversation with your partner in advance if you don’t want the cake to hit you in the face. Always keep in mind that this is a photo opportunity. During the cake-cutting ceremony, avoid slicing the top tier and refrain from separating the cake’s tiers. On your first wedding anniversary, save some of the best for yourself.

Does the wedding cake-cutting announcement include you?

Someone from your wedding party should make a formal announcement that you will be cutting your wedding cake before you begin. You might ask your DJ to start playing a song you’ve chosen in advance as the crowd gathers around you and the cake. The song might be about food, or it might just be a well-known song. Cached.

These questions were answered by experts, so you don’t have to worry about them.

The bridal cake, ah. The day’s highlight in terms of confections An important enough detail to merit its own moment at the reception. Who, essentially, hasn’t dreamed about their wedding day since they can remember? Who would’ve thought a baked good could be elevated to such high esteem? Even though everyone enjoys wedding cake, selecting the menu for such an important event is no easy task.

You have plenty of frosting and filling options. More aesthetic embellishments and fashions than we can even fathom Toppers and dessert tables are additional features. oh my. Do not worry if you feel a bit overwhelmed and are about to raise the white flag. We are here to assist you and lead you through this delicious process.

Do you have to make a formal announcement before cutting the cake?

Prior to the cutting, the ceremony for cutting the wedding cake should be announced. This can be accomplished by making an announcement to that effect or by playing the first dance song of the newlyweds. A special wedding cake knife made just for this occasion is used by the bride and groom to cut the first slice.

The wedding guests treasure and eagerly await the wedding cake cutting ceremony. For cutting a wedding cake, there is a set procedure. Listed below is a quick cutting guide.

The proper placement of the wedding cake is where wedding cake etiquette begins. Before the main or head table (also known as the bride’s table), the wedding cake should be displayed on a gorgeously decorated table. However, it shouldn’t obstruct the guests’ view of the head table. At the table, a special knife is typically placed (this is not required, but it is recommended).

The cake must be cut during the reception at the appropriate time, according to etiquette. The kind of response you receive will determine this. You should cut the wedding cake after the welcome speeches and guest introductions if it is a more casual event, like a tea party or cocktail reception. For more formal events, the cake should be cut after the main reception lunch or dinner has been served.

How do you introduce a cake?

Step 1 of baking a cake: prepare the baking pans Allowing the ingredients to warm up is step two. 3. Preheat the oven. Step 4: Combine all the dry ingredients. Step 5: Mix the sugar and butter. Sixth step: Add eggs one at a time. dot. Step 7: Alternately add dry and wet ingredients. 8. Pour the batter into the pans and bake.

A deliciously moist cake is a must-have centerpiece for any special occasion, whether it’s a classic vanilla cake or something for chocolate lovers. It should be light, fluffy, and covered in frosting. The foundation of many of our best cake recipes is the same: fluffy butter or shortening is made by beating sugar and butter together until they are smooth. Because the fat and sugar are creamed together, these cakes are occasionally referred to as creamed cakes. We’ll show you how to make a homemade cake that is so delicious that everyone will think you bought it from a high-end bakery using our Test Kitchen’s tried-and-true techniques. You’re about to discover that none of these steps for making a cake are particularly challenging, despite the fact that they do take some time.

You must select a recipe first. A chocolate devil’s food cake or a vibrant red velvet cake are two recipes that are slightly more showy than the straightforward yellow cake (shown above). Try a German chocolate cake if you don’t like the conventional frostings. For special occasions, we also have a few birthday cake recipes. There are a virtually limitless number of options, and these instructions will help you make them all. However, angel food, pound cakes, sponge cakes, and chiffon cakes call for different techniques, so learn about those separately.

It’s important to prepare your pans before adding the batter because nobody wants their cake to stick to the pan. Most recipes call for preparing the pan by flouring it, sprinkling it with butter, or lining it with parchment or waxed paper, with the exception of angel food and chiffon cakes.

How should a cake be served at a wedding?

You start by saying hello. Starting off right, you say hello. You then extend a greeting to them. Then comes. So you say hello to them. So let me just give a brief presentation after that.

How should a cake be presented and cut?

From there, it’s as simple as slicing the single large slice into numerous smaller slices for the visitors. enabling them to consume the cake in any quantity they see fit.

How do you conduct the cake cutting at a wedding?

The groom puts his hand over the bride’s as they make two delicate cuts to create a single slice of cake. The bride places her hand on the cake-cutting knife. After cutting the slice and placing it on a plate, you take the first bite, the groom takes the second, and so on. Cached.

Is there a particular way we’re supposed to cut the cake, and when are we supposed to have the cake cutting? – Naomi.

A wedding cake and a “cake cutting” ceremony are two traditions that are just sort of assumed without much explanation. We’ll break it all down for you, though, so stay with us!

First, the cake-cutting ceremony should occur shortly after dinner. This often serves as a cue for older guests to leave politely or for other guests who don’t want to party all night. If you’re the DJ for your own wedding, you can intuit the ideal time by feeling out when it is. Otherwise, your band leader or DJ will know the ideal time for this.

Before cutting the cake, say something

Step 12: MC INTRODUCE: “And now comes the cutting of that beautiful cake (find out who made it and announce that).”. In order to fulfill their first obligation as husband and wife, I would like the bride and groom to move around to the front of the bridal table.”.

The MC then typically makes the following announcement to signal the start of the speeches:

Although this can vary, it is customary to deliver the speeches as the coffee is being served. They typically appear in the order that is indicated up front.

What is “complimentary cake cutting”?

According to the envy-free cake-cutting procedure, if two people want to split a cake so that each feels like their portion is at least as good as anyone else’s, one person (the cutter) must cut the cake into two pieces, while the other person (the chooser) must pick one of the pieces. The cutter then takes the chosen piece.

In the context of economics and game theory, envy-freeness is a criterion of fair division where each person believes that in the division of some resource, their share is at least as good as the share of any other person — thus they feel no envy. The so-called divide and conquer” procedure is used when there are n = 2 participants in the experiment.

The protocol becomes significantly more complicated in situations where there are more than two, or n, people sharing. The process has many uses, including (quite obviously) resource allocation, but it also has uses in artificial intelligence, conflict resolution, and other fields. There are currently two types of envy-free caking cutting procedures being researched for:

The various cases (n = 2, 3, etc.) of how to fairly divide a cake into connected and general pieces, with and without the additional property of envy-freeness, are demonstrated through examples in this essay. Enjoy your reading!

The toast before cutting the cake at a wedding

Step 12: MC INTRODUCE: “And now comes the cutting of that beautiful cake (find out who made it and announce that). In order to fulfill their first obligation as husband and wife, I would like the bride and groom to move around to the front of the bridal table.”.

What should be said before cutting the cake?

The memories are everything. Therefore, while cutting the cake, let’s sing happy birthday. We wish you a happy birthday celebration as we recognize that today is a special day for (name of birthday boy goes here). A wonderful day full of cake, affection, and gifts.

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• Cutting A Three-Tier Wedding Cake
• How To Make A Wedding Cake Cutting Announcement
• Proper Wedding Cake Cutting Techniques
• Round Wedding Cake Cutting Instructions
• A Tiered Wedding Cake’S Cutting Technique
• What Do You Say When Cutting A Wedding Cake?

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Examples of Dessert Presentations

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. No matter how tasty your sweet treat is, if you want to make it as a pastry chef presentation plays a huge part in what you do. For those that may not be in the culinary arts profession, knowing how to plate desserts can still come in major handy. But with so many different options to choose from, it can often be overwhelming and difficult to know exactly how to present one from the other. There’s definitely a huge difference between a colorful fruit tart and a giant, three-layer piece of chocolate cake. Sauces, garnishes and other lovely extras all play a major part in determining what exactly the best way to approach it is. But never fear, our baking and pastry arts expert is here with multiple examples of what you can do to make sure your presentation is just as pastry perfect as the recipe.

In this video tutorial with Chef Susie, she shows you how your presentation can look with a few guidelines and some good pointers. Watch as she elegantly and skillfully turns that ordinary piece of cake into an edible work of art.

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What Comes First: Cake Cutting or Toast?

What comes first: the toast or cake cutting? This is a great question to tackle today and it’s from one of our brides-to-be. Read on for the answer so you can plan your reception timeline accordingly.

What comes first: cake cutting or toast?

Bride-to-be, Jessa, wrote us with this question as she is busily putting her timeline together. She asks,

“Hi Emmaline! I’m figuring out my wedding reception timeline and I was wondering what comes first, cake cutting or toast? Do you do toasts before the cake cutting? Does it matter?”

Good question!

Here are two ways to do it: the choice is up to you and will be determined best by your venue and/or caterer. When you’re deciding what time is cake cutting, the best thing you can do is envision how the evening will unfold and which one you prefer out of these two methods.

Which Is First: Cake Cutting or Toasts>

1. cake cutting after dinner.

When deciding what comes first for the toasts or the cake cutting, it will depend largely on what works best with your venue and the caterer in terms of the timing of dinner and dessert.

The most traditional way to cut the cake is after the toasts and following dinner. Why? Once the cake is cut, it is no longer impolite to leave, helpful if some guests plan to leave earlier on in the reception. You aren’t supposed to leave before cake. :)

2. Cake Cutting Before Dinner

Now, if you want to do your cake cutting immediately, that works, too!

While you can customize your reception timeline any way you see fit, as a rule of thumb, if the couple is doing the cake cutting early on, it occurs immediately following the announcement of the couple in the reception.

This is to ensure the photographer and guests can get a great view of the cake cutting and take formal photos. Then, the newlyweds are seated at their sweetheart table or head table and the toasts begin.

Some couples like to do this because the cake looks its very best at that time. While your cake will likely last, some disasters can occur and it may not look as nice for photos later on in the evening. ;)

Also, when the cake is cut, it isn’t immediately served… until after dinner. The couple cuts one slice from the top tier and the remainder of the cake is returned to the kitchen where it will be cut, plated, and served following dinner.

By doing the cake cutting before the toasts, you’re also ensuring the caterer has enough time to plate dinners while toasts are happening, and then prepare the desserts following the meal. And guests won’t leave just because you cut the cake; they’ll wait until it is served anyway.

How did I do it? We did our cake cutting immediately after our grand entrance. The DJ suggested it as a part of our timeline and I liked the flow of it! Plus, it made sure we were able to do it in front of as many guests as possible in case anyone needed to leave early.

In my opinion, it is the best way to ensure the cake is formally cut with photos BEFORE dinner, giving everyone ample time to keep the timeline running smoothly.

Does it have to be this way for every couple? Of course not — you can decide to do toasts first and then move to cake cutting, but it makes the timeline a bit choppier as the meals will begin being served and guests will want to watch (and snap pictures of) you cutting the cake.

As with all wedding things, it’s 100% up to you! But, that’s just my two cents. :)

Is First Dance Before Cake Cutting?

Is the first dance before or after cake cutting?

It depends. One way to lay out the timeline is:

-Entrance -Cake Cutting -Toasts -Dinner -First Dance -Cake is Served

This ensures the cake cutting is before the first dance.

As an alternate, you can do:

-Entrance -Toasts -Dinner -First Dance -Cake Cutting -Cake Is Served

This means your cake cutting is after the first dance.

Another question we usually tackle on this topic is what you’re supposed to say during the cake cutting.

What to Say During Cake Cutting

What do you say? Nothing at all! Most couples don’t say anything during the cake cutting because they’re simply smiling for the camera and, ya know, cutting the cake!

Then you serve the cake to each other (don’t smash it into their face) and then everyone applauds.

There’s really no room, time, or need to say or use any specific words… just actions!

Plan Your Wedding Timeline

If you have more questions on how to plan your wedding timeline, here are some helpful posts:

• Here’s EXACTLY How to Make a Wedding Timemline

• 5 DOs + DONTs for Your Wedding Day Timeline

• Here’s How Long a Wedding Toast Should Be

Hope it helps!

Emma Arendoski

Emma is the CEO of Emmaline Bride, The Handmade Wedding Blog, published author, leading wedding expert, and wedding planner. Read her latest book: The Inspired Wedding . Wife, mother, coffee lover. Follow on Instagram and at Emmaline Baby for baby + kids inspiration.

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Presentation Guru

3 reasons your wedding speech is a piece of cake.

Our community is always focused on delivering a message in the best way possible, however much of the time we focus on business-oriented presentations . What about when we need to speak to an audience in a more familial atmosphere? Here, Lisa gives some tips on how to make your next wedding speech quick, easy and efficient.

It’s wedding season, and many of you will be called upon to give the speech of your life: the speech that sums up your entire relationship with the bride or groom, using humor and poignancy, prompting the wedding guests to laugh and cry in equal measure. Oh, and all in under five minutes. Good grief!

Many people consider the wedding speech to be their worst nightmare. Whether you’re the best man, maid of honor, father of the bride, or just a family friend who’s been asked to say a few words, you may not be an experienced speaker, and you may feel overwhelmed by the desire to be formal, funny, profound, touching and memorable, as a part of this momentous occasion.

In this two to five-minute speech, you also must not embarrass yourself or the wedding party (of course, there is always the one speaker whose goal IS to embarrass the wedding party… but that’s another article). And even more pressure arises from knowing you’ll be videotaped for posterity. There is no do-over, and the bride and groom (and perhaps others, if they think to pull out their phones) will have this recording of you flubbing your speech until the end of time.

Here’s the secret of the wedding speech: it may be the easiest speech you ever give, so look at it as an opportunity to have fun, and don’t make it more than it is. Don’t believe me? Read on.

The audience isn’t there to hear you

In a typical presentation, you are expected to KNOW STUFF. You have material to deliver, and your audience depends on you to learn something or take action after your talk.

However, at a wedding, there are no expectations of expertise on your part. You’re just a guy or gal who’s there to support the bride and groom. You don’t have to know anything!

You don’t need to create content

At a wedding reception or rehearsal dinner, all anyone wants to hear is stories about the bride and groom. The stories can be funny, heartbreaking, silly or (slightly) embarrassing, but you don’t have to make anything up. Any story you remember from your relationship is good enough. And if you’ve been asked to speak, you certainly have many stories to choose from. Tell a story and you’re good.

People just want to drink

Notice how everyone has their fingers wrapped around a glass of champagne? They’re just waiting for you to finish so they can make a toast and tip their glass. The audience is there to celebrate. It’s a party. So keep it short and bottoms up!

I hope these tips help you find the fun in the wedding speech. Always remember: it’s not about you, it’s about the audience. And in this case, it’s really just about the bride and groom. No speech could be easier, when the audience is so focused on someone else. Speak from the heart and have a great time.

• Latest Posts

Lisa Braithwaite

Latest posts by Lisa Braithwaite ( see all )

• Big-Picture Thinking for Speakers: Don’t Get Lost in the Weeds - 24th July 2018
• Why Comparisons are Bad But Can Be Made Good - 22nd June 2017
• 3 Reasons Your Wedding Speech is a Piece of Cake - 26th September 2016

26th September 2016 at 10:52 pm

Thanks for sharing Lisa. There is lots of pressure on Wedding speeches so I hope this helps.

27th September 2016 at 2:20 pm

Thank you, Emma!

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The Only PowerPoint Templates You’ll Ever Need

Anyone who has a story to tell follows the same three-act story structure to...

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How to Write a Demonstrative Speech

Last Updated: September 19, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 272,259 times.

Demonstrative speeches are intended to teach an audience how to do a specific thing. They can be long and detailed, or short and simple. Even if you're an expert at your topic, the process of writing your speech can seem difficult. However, once you sit down to write a great speech, you're likely to get more excited about your topic than ever.

Choosing a Topic

• For example, to give a speech about how to perform general car maintenance, you might need an hour for your presentation. That's because it's a broad topic. If you only have 15 minutes, you should narrow your speech to something like how to change a car's oil.
• If you don't have control over the length of time or the topic, you'll need to adjust your speech accordingly. If you have too much information for a short amount of time, don't go into much detail. If you have a long time for a simple topic, you can expand your speech with some history or related facts.

• For example, if you're giving a speech to professional bakers, it might not be appropriate to choose the topic, “How to Bake a Cake.” You'd probably want to make your topic more interesting to them with something like, “How to Bake Authentic French Style Pastries.”
• The age of your audience matters, too. For example, if your audience is young children, you might choose the topic, “How to Take Care of a Plant” instead of, “How to Grow Perennials.”

• Look up your topic online. Other people may have made instructional videos that you can get tips from.
• If you know any experts on your topic, ask them for advice.
• Visit your local library and checkout books on your topic. Books are excellent sources of information, and are considered reliable sources when doing research.

• You should be able to use useful visual aids via a PowerPoint presentation or manageable props and examples. So a topic like, “How to replace your car's transmission” is probably not a great topic. However, something like, “How to make a spinach salad” would be easy to do.

Writing the Speech

• The outline should contain three sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.
• The body should be broken up into the various steps of the process.

• When writing a speech, you want to simply write notes. You don't need to write out the speech word for word. Write enough to make you comfortable with the material, but not so much that you'll be reading off of your paper.
• Try to remember what it was like when you learned how to do this thing. What steps required more explanation than others?
• Unplug the saw.
• Locate the screw under the blade.
• Turn the screw enough to loosen the blade.
• Remove the blade.
• To keep the audience engaged, think of how you can involve them. Will you include audience participation? Will the demonstration be hands-on? Will you tell jokes or ask the audience questions? These can all be great strategies for keeping people engaged.

• Your call to action could be something like, “By learning to change your own motor oil, you'll be able to save money and feel the empowerment of taking care of your own car!” or, “French style pastries are a welcome addition to any gathering, as you'll see when you bring them to your next party.”
• Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion. That will leave the audience confused and with unanswered questions.

• Writing the introduction last is a good idea, because then you'll have already thought hard about your speech. By now, you know everything you want to say about the speech, so you can determine what is most essential to get people excited about it.
• To get people excited, use inspiring language such as, “You may have never thought you'd be able to change a flat tire yourself, but actually, it's remarkably simple!” or, “French pastries are one of the treasures of European cuisine.”
• Even though you write the introduction last, it is always the beginning of the speech.

• Take note of anything you'll want to add to the speech to explain the visual aids. For example, do you want to say something like, “I'm using unbleached white flour, but you can also used bleached flour if you prefer.”

Practicing Giving the Speech

• Review your notes as you would before giving the speech in front of people.
• Try performing the speech in front of a mirror. You should be able to look yourself in the eye much of the time, instead of always having to look at your notes.
• Go through the complete demonstration, along with your visual aids. If you don't, you might not realize that parts of the demonstration don't work as you've written them.

• Once you've made the changes, practice and try performing the speech for yourself again.
• Always use the visual aids, even if you've already used them once.

• You may want to invite some friends who know nothing about the topic and some who are experts in the topic. That way, you can get different perspectives on how useful your speech was.

• Ask specific questions of your test audience. You can ask them if they understood the different steps, or if there was anything they felt you missed.
• You may want to write down the feedback you get, or ask your friends to write it down so you can look at it later.

• You don't always need to incorporate others' feedback. Sometimes it won't be useful or accurate. However, if you got the same feedback from more than one person, chances are that it would be worthwhile to consider.

Sample Demonstrative Speeches

Expert Q&A

• Writing a speech and giving a speech are related, but are different skills. When it's time to deliver your speech, practice good public speaking. Be warm, upbeat, and clear. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Watch videos of other people giving demonstrative speeches. Notice what you appreciate about the good ones, and what doesn't work for you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

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• ↑ http://www.myspeechclass.com/demonstration-speech-topics.html
• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-demonstration-speech
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/how-to-outline-a-speech
• ↑ https://www.comm.pitt.edu/visual-aids
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery
• ↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/publicspeaking/chapter/14-4-practicing-for-successful-speech-delivery/

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My personal baking journey… mishaps and all

Top Tips for Tidy Cakes & Beautiful Presentation

Congratulations!  You can make one killer cake.  It tastes amazing, but unfortunately, it looks just a bit messy.  Does this sound familiar?  Making a delicious cake is only half the battle.  Now let’s talk about how to make neat and tidy cakes with beautiful presentation.

This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission as an Amazon Associate (or other affiliate program) from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products that I use and trust.

Before You Can Make a Tidy Cake…

But before we dive in, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.  Making cakes that are as beautiful as they are tasty means having the right cake tools and making sure you’re not sabotaging yourself . 

If you still need help on the “baking delicious cakes” part, make sure to read up on my top cake and cupcake tips .  You can also check out the tips in this post because there’s no reason you can’t work on your cake presentation at the same time.  Heck, you’ll find some of the same tips pop up time and time again because they are just so important.

1. Have a Plan

This bit of advice is a pretty important one, as far as I’m concerned.  Hastily decorating a cake with a slap dash approach is almost guaranteed to produce a mess.  I like to sketch all of my cake ideas with the help of my cake templates .  

Beyond sketching, I suggest having at least one back up idea in case one of your decorating elements ends up not working out.  For example, the sugar sheet did not wrap all the way around this mini cake, so I added a cascade of frosting in the gap.  

Poop happens, if ya know what I mean.  And the first time you run into this issue, you’ll be glad you were prepared.  You can watch how I use the cake templates in this video .  I even have one of the 10 templates available for free in the Bakes & Blunders Resource Library .

2. Cover Your Cake Board

No judgement, I promise, but one of my biggest cake pet peeves is a naked, ugly cardboard round sticking out from under a beautiful cake.  They totally take away from the beauty of your bake, plus some of them aren’t grease proof and end up looking stained and nasty.  Ick.

But this is one of the easiest ways to improve your cake presentation.  Some cakers like to cover their boards in fondant or special foil, but I don’t care for those options myself.  Instead, grab some supplies from the dollar store and create your own custom cake boards in minutes .  I’ve got a full tutorial with pictures and video to show you how.

3. Crumb Coat

A crumb coat is important for two reasons.  One, it will help provide structure to your cake while you add the final coat of frosting.  After you chill the crumb coat, your cake will be firmer and it won’t slide around.  When I frosted this mini strawberry cake, it was sliding all over the place until it got a decent “crumb coat and chill” treatment.

Two, a crumb coat traps the crumbs.  Kinda obvious I guess, but crumbs in your final coat of buttercream will really mess up your beautiful presentation.  Chocolate and red velvet cakes are especially important to crumb coat!  After that first coat, chill your cake until firm, usually 20- 30 minutes.  Now you can add the final coat of buttercream.

4. Frosting Consistency

And while we’re talking about crumb coats, your frosting consistency matters too!  For filling and stacking, I like it a bit stiff.  But when you’re adding a crumb coat, stiff buttercream will just shred your cake and make a mess.  

5. Use a Hot Scraper

Neat and tidy cakes with beautiful smooth sides are the key to a stunning presentation.  When you’re smoothing the sides of your cake with a bench scraper (my fave was $1 from the Dollar Tree), get down level with it and make sure it is perpendicular.  Otherwise, your cake will have an angle like this pretty purple cake.

Once you’ve got straight sides and feel like the cake is almost done, use a hot bench scraper to get it perfectly smooth.  Dip your scraper in recently boiled water, run it under a hot faucet, or hit it with your kitchen torch (metal scrapers only and be super careful!!).  The heat will gently melt a bit of the butter in the frosting, deepening the color, and getting rid of air bubbles.

Related Reading: Tips From a Beginner Cake Decorating Class

Bonus Tips for Adorable Cake Pics

These first 5 tips for tidy cakes are great for just about any home baker who wants to improve their cake presentation.  But if you are also interested in how to improve your cake pictures, keep reading!

6. Cute Cake Stands

Adorable cake stands are a must have if you want gorgeous Insta- worthy cake pics.  Buying cake stands can easily become an expensive hobby, just ask my husband.  Luckily, you don’t actually have to spend a ton.

Check out the Target dollar section (which I just learned is called Bullseye’s Playground).  I’ve gotten several cute cake stands there, like my pink one, yellow one, a two tiered stand, and several mini cupcake stands.  I also like to scope out TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods. 

7. Pretty Backdrops

For pretty cake pictures, you absolutely must have nice backdrops.  I just got some great ones from Bessie Bakes (including this chevron one), but you can make do with more economical ones, like these ones made out of laminated paper that I’ve used a lot.  

I got several blank wooden signs from Michaels and used them as my base for a very long time.  This $9 IKEA table top is an even better option!  And all you need are two white foam core boards from the dollar store to use as a backdrop and to reflect light back onto the cake.  You can see my photography set up in this Instagram post .

Lindsay from Sprinkles for Breakfast and The Sprinkle Academy is one of my favorite sources for photography tips.  I got her Food Photography Starter Pack and loooved it.  

Are You Ready?

Now that you’ve got the information you need to make your delicious cakes look beautiful, are you ready to get back in the kitchen and start baking?  I’d love to see your next cakes, so be sure to tag @bakesandblunders on Facebook or Instagram if these tips help you out.

And if you want even more baking tips, tools, and recipes, you can find over a dozen free resources in the Bakes & Blunders Resource Library .  Email subscribers have access to this vault and I love adding to it!

My Favorite Products for this Post

Hi there! I’m Colleen, a novice baker with a passion for learning and improving my bakes… and blunders. On Bakes and Blunders, you can find all sorts of tasty recipes that range in difficulty, but most importantly, I’ll try to explain the reason behind important steps. If you know why a recipe works, you can tweak and adapt it to suit your unique tastes, and you’ll be able to reliably produce some very delicious treats. If you love baking and want to expand and grow your skills, or if you are a casual baker and just need some pointers, my blog is right up your alley! Join me on my baking journey and we’ll learn how to make more impressive recipes together.

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This is brilliant. I love how down to earth and common sense it is, but these tips are really going to make a big difference! Thank you for sharing your expertise!

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Speech Writing

Presentation Speech

Writing A Presentation Speech In English: Tips And Examples

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Presentations are a common part of our personal and professional lives. Whether you're a student, an employee, or an entrepreneur, learning the art of presentations is a valuable skill.

A well-crafted presentation speech can inspire, inform, and engage your audience, leaving a lasting impact. 

So how can you craft an engaging presentation speech?

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating and delivering a compelling presentation, step by step. From writing your speech to mastering public speaking techniques, we've got you covered.

So, let's dive in! 

• 1. What is a Presentation Speech?
• 2. How to Write a Presentation Speech?
• 3. Ways to Start a Presentation Speech
• 4. How to End a Presentation Speech? 
• 5. Presentation Speech Examples 
• 6. Tips for Making Your Presentations More Engaging
• 7. Presentation Speech Topics

What is a Presentation Speech?

A presentation speech is a type of public speaking where the speaker formally delivers information, ideas, or proposals to an audience. This type of speech is typically structured to introduce a topic, convey key points clearly, and engage listeners effectively. 

The goal of a presentation speech is to inform, persuade, or entertain the audience. They often use visual aids, storytelling, and other techniques to improve understanding and retention.

Main Components of a Presentation Speech

The key elements that set a presentation speech apart are its intentionality and structure. Here's a breakdown of these crucial aspects: 

• Purpose 

Every presentation speech has a clear purpose, which could be:

• To persuade
• To entertain
• To inspire and motivate 

Understanding your purpose is the foundation upon which you build your speech.

A presentation speech typically follows the basic speech format that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction lays out the context, the body conveys the main content, and the conclusion reinforces the key points. 

Effective presentation speeches are tailored to the needs and expectations of the audience. Knowing your audience helps you choose the right tone, style, and content.

• Visual Aids

Presentation speeches often make use of visual aids like slides, props, or multimedia elements to enhance the message and keep the audience engaged.

How to Write a Presentation Speech?

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you effectively write a presentation speech.

Step 1: Determine the Audience

The first step in crafting a presentation speech is to understand your audience. Consider their background, knowledge, interests, and expectations. Are they experts in the subject, or are they new to it? This information will shape the tone and depth of your speech.

Step 2: Choose a Topic

Select a topic that aligns with both your expertise and the interests of your audience. Your topic should be engaging and relevant. It could be a current issue, a problem-solving solution, or a subject of general interest. Make sure your passion for the topic shines through.

Step 3: Research and Gather Information

To build a strong speech, gather credible information from a variety of sources. Use books, articles, online resources, and expert interviews. Keep track of your sources and make note of key statistics, quotes, and examples that support your message.

Step 4: Make an Outline

Creating a structured outline for your presentation speech is essential for keeping your message organized and ensuring that your audience can follow your points easily. 

Here's how to construct a well-organized presentation speech outline:

Step 5: Review and Revise

After you've written your speech, review it for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Here are the steps you should take for reviewing your speech:

• Make sure that each point supports your main message and is easy to understand. 
• Check for grammar and spelling errors.
• Practice your speech in front of a mirror or with a friend. Pay attention to your delivery, pacing, and timing. Make necessary revisions based on your practice sessions.

Remember that a well-written presentation speech not only conveys your knowledge but also connects with your audience on a personal level. Your goal is to inform, persuade, or inspire, and the steps outlined here will help you achieve just that.

Ways to Start a Presentation Speech

Now that you’ve written your presentation and its content, the time has come to deliver your speech. If you're thinking how to start a presentation speech that grabs your audience's attention right from the beginning we have that covered for you. 

Here are some simple yet powerful ways to hook your readers from the beginning:

• Ask a Thought-Provoking Question: Start with a question that makes your audience think about the topic you're going to discuss. 

For example, "Have you ever wondered how technology will shape our future?"

• Tell a Story or Anecdote: Share a brief story or personal anecdote related to your topic. Stories capture attention and make your speech more relatable. 

For instance, "When I was a child, I once..."

• Use a Surprising Fact or Statistic: Begin with an interesting fact or statistic that will surprise your audience. 

For example, "Did you know that over 90% of people use their smartphones within 10 minutes of wa king up?"

• Start with a Relevant Quote: Begin with a quote from a notable person that relates to your topic. Quotes can inspire and set the tone for your speech. 

For instance, "Steve Jobs once said, 'Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.'"

• Pose a Problem and Offer a Solution: Introduce a problem your audience can relate to, and then hint at the solution you'll discuss. 

For example, "Many of us struggle with time management. Today, I'll share some effective strategies to help you maximize your productivity."

How to End a Presentation Speech? 

Ending your presentation speech effectively is just as important as starting strong. Here’s how to wrap up with impact:

• Summarize Key Points: Recap the main ideas you've discussed. Remind your audience of the key takeaways to reinforce your message.
• End with a Memorable Statement: Leave a lasting impression by concluding with a powerful statement, a thought-provoking question, or a call to action related to your topic.
• Thank Your Audience: Express gratitude for their time and attention. A simple "Thank you for listening" goes a long way in showing appreciation.
• Invite Questions (if applicable): If there’s time for questions, invite the audience to ask any they may have. This encourages engagement and shows you value their input.
• Leave Them Thinking: End with something that makes your audience reflect on what they've learned or consider how they might apply your ideas in their own lives or work.

Presentation Speech Examples 

Taking help from good and structured presentation speeches will allow you to write and deliver the address smoothly. Here are some presentation speech samples for students that can help you write a well-structured presentation. 

Award Presentation Speech Example

Product Presentation Speech Example

Thesis Presentation Speech Example

Presentation Speech Script Sample

Presentation Speech Template

Famous Presentation Speeches 

Here are five examples of famous presentation speeches that have made a significant impact:

• Al Gore - An Inconvenient Truth (2006) : Al Gore's presentation used slides and visuals to raise awareness about climate change, documented in the film "An Inconvenient Truth."
• Susan Cain - The Power of Introverts (2012) : Susan Cain's TED Talk celebrated introverted personalities and their strengths in a society that often values extroversion.
• Bill Gates - Innovating to Zero! (2010) : Bill Gates' TED Talk emphasized the urgency of reducing carbon emissions to zero to address climate change, proposing innovative solutions.
• Sheryl Sandberg - Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders (2010) : Sheryl Sandberg's TED Talk highlighted barriers women face in leadership roles and urged women to pursue their ambitions.
• Tony Robbins - Why We Do What We Do (TED Talk, 2006)? : Tony Robbins' TED Talk explored the psychology of motivation and behavior, offering insights into personal and professional development.

Tips for Making Your Presentations More Engaging

Here are some additional tips for giving better presentations:

• Use expressive body language: Gestures and movement can help highlight important points and keep your audience engaged. It shows your enthusiasm and makes your presentation more dynamic.
• Adjust your voice tone and pace: Varying your voice tone and speaking pace adds emphasis and maintains listener interest. It's like adding melody to your speech to keep things lively and engaging.
• Manage nervousness with relaxation techniques: Before your presentation, try deep breathing or visualization exercises to calm your nerves. Feeling relaxed helps you speak confidently and connect better with your audience.
• Add humor or anecdotes: A well-placed joke or personal story can lighten the mood and make your presentation memorable. It also helps to connect with your audience on a more personal level.
• Use visuals wisely: Visual aids like slides or charts should complement your speech, not replace them. Use them to illustrate key points visually and help reinforce understanding.
• Maintain eye contact: Look at your audience while speaking. It builds trust and keeps them engaged. It shows you're speaking directly to them, not just reading off slides.
• Speak naturally, avoid reading: Practice your presentation enough that you can speak comfortably without reading word-for-word from slides or notes. Natural speech is more engaging and shows your expertise.
• Stay focused and present: Practice mindfulness techniques to stay grounded and focused during your presentation. Being present helps you react to audience cues and adjust your delivery accordingly.

Presentation Speech Topics

Now that you know how to write and deliver an engaging presentation, you may be wondering about a topic to speak on. You need a strong and interesting topic to make your presentation speech impactful. 

Here are some presentation speech ideas to help you out:

• The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Job Market
• Climate Change and Sustainable Practices
• The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
• The Art of Time Management
• The Future of Renewable Energy
• The Psychology of Decision-Making
• Mental Health Awareness and Reducing Stigma:
• Innovations in Space Exploration
• The Art of Negotiation
• The Role of Music in Society

Need more ideas for your presentation speech? Our informative speech topics blog lists 100+ topics that are sure to inspire your next presentation.

To Conclude, remember, creating a successful presentation speech comes down to careful planning, delivering with enthusiasm, and understanding your audience. Outline your main points clearly, use visuals that grab attention, and practice confident body language to keep everyone engaged.

Need further help in making your presentation speech? No worries! 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to start a presentation speech in class.

To start a presentation speech in class, begin with a captivating opening like a question, story, or surprising fact related to your topic. This grabs your classmates' attention and sets the tone for your presentation.

How to introduce yourself in a presentation as a student?

Introduce yourself briefly by stating your name, grade, or class, and any relevant information about your background or interests related to the presentation topic. Keep it concise and focus on how your experience or perspective adds value to your presentation.

What are some effective presentation starting words?

Here are some good presentation starting words:

• "Have you ever wondered..."
• "Imagine a world where..."
• "Today, I'm going to talk about..."
• "Let's dive into..."
• "I'd like to begin by..."

How to speak during a presentation?

Speaking during a presentation involves several key techniques:

• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace to ensure your audience can follow.
• Use varied tones to emphasize important points and maintain interest.
• Practice pauses to allow your audience time to digest information.
• Maintain eye contact to build rapport and keep listeners engaged.
• Use gestures and body language to enhance your message and express enthusiasm.

What are some 'How to' speech presentation topics?

'How to' speech presentation topics can include practical skills or processes that are informative and engaging:

• How to effectively manage your time in college
• How to improve your study habits
• How to improve your public speaking skills as a student
• How to conduct meetings in the workplace
• How to develop strong leadership skills
• How to create an effective business plan
• How to create a budget and stick to it
• How to improve customer service skills in your role
• How to build a basic website
• How to negotiate a salary or contract effectively

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines (And How to Create Your Own)

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing

Powerful speech opening lines set the tone and mood of your speech. It’s what grips the audience to want to know more about the rest of your talk.

The first few seconds are critical. It’s when you have maximum attention of the audience. And you must capitalize on that!

Instead of starting off with something plain and obvious such as a ‘Thank you’ or ‘Good Morning’, there’s so much more you can do for a powerful speech opening (here’s a great article we wrote a while ago on how you should NOT start your speech ).

To help you with this, I’ve compiled some of my favourite openings from various speakers. These speakers have gone on to deliver TED talks , win international Toastmaster competitions or are just noteworthy people who have mastered the art of communication.

After each speaker’s opening line, I have added how you can include their style of opening into your own speech. Understanding how these great speakers do it will certainly give you an idea to create your own speech opening line which will grip the audience from the outset!

Alright! Let’s dive into the 15 powerful speech openings…

Note: Want to take your communications skills to the next level? Book a complimentary consultation with one of our expert communication coaches. We’ll look under the hood of your hurdles and pick two to three growth opportunities so you can speak with impact!

1. Ric Elias

Opening: “Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.”

How to use the power of imagination to open your speech?

Putting your audience in a state of imagination can work extremely well to captivate them for the remainder of your talk.

It really helps to bring your audience in a certain mood that preps them for what’s about to come next. Speakers have used this with high effectiveness by transporting their audience into an imaginary land to help prove their point.

When Ric Elias opened his speech, the detail he used (3000 ft, sound of the engine going clack-clack-clack) made me feel that I too was in the plane. He was trying to make the audience experience what he was feeling – and, at least in my opinion, he did.

When using the imagination opening for speeches, the key is – detail. While we want the audience to wander into imagination, we want them to wander off to the image that we want to create for them. So, detail out your scenario if you’re going to use this technique.

Make your audience feel like they too are in the same circumstance as you were when you were in that particular situation.

2. Barack Obama

Opening: “You can’t say it, but you know it’s true.”

3. Seth MacFarlane

Opening: “There’s nowhere I would rather be on a day like this than around all this electoral equipment.” (It was raining)

How to use humour to open your speech?

When you use humour in a manner that suits your personality, it can set you up for a great speech. Why? Because getting a laugh in the first 30 seconds or so is a great way to quickly get the audience to like you.

And when they like you, they are much more likely to listen to and believe in your ideas.

Obama effortlessly uses his opening line to entice laughter among the audience. He brilliantly used the setting (the context of Trump becoming President) and said a line that completely matched his style of speaking.

Saying a joke without really saying a joke and getting people to laugh requires you to be completely comfortable in your own skin. And that’s not easy for many people (me being one of them).

If the joke doesn’t land as expected, it could lead to a rocky start.

Keep in mind the following when attempting to deliver a funny introduction:

• Know your audience: Make sure your audience gets the context of the joke (if it’s an inside joke among the members you’re speaking to, that’s even better!). You can read this article we wrote where we give you tips on how you can actually get to know your audience better to ensure maximum impact with your speech openings
• The joke should suit your natural personality. Don’t make it look forced or it won’t elicit the desired response
• Test the opening out on a few people who match your real audience. Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary
• Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you

4. Mohammed Qahtani

Opening: Puts a cigarette on his lips, lights a lighter, stops just before lighting the cigarette. Looks at audience, “What?”

5. Darren Tay

Opening: Puts a white pair of briefs over his pants.

How to use props to begin your speech?

The reason props work so well in a talk is because in most cases the audience is not expecting anything more than just talking. So when a speaker pulls out an object that is unusual, everyone’s attention goes right to it.

It makes you wonder why that prop is being used in this particular speech.

The key word here is unusual . To grip the audience’s attention at the beginning of the speech, the prop being used should be something that the audience would never expect. Otherwise, it just becomes something that is common. And common = boring!

What Mohammed Qahtani and Darren Tay did superbly well in their talks was that they used props that nobody expected them to.

By pulling out a cigarette and lighter or a white pair of underwear, the audience can’t help but be gripped by what the speaker is about to do next. And that makes for a powerful speech opening.

6. Simon Sinek

Opening: “How do you explain when things don’t go as we assume? Or better, how do you explain when others are able to achieve things that seem to defy all of the assumptions?”

7. Julian Treasure

Opening: “The human voice. It’s the instrument we all play. It’s the most powerful sound in the world. Probably the only one that can start a war or say “I love you.” And yet many people have the experience that when they speak people don’t listen to them. Why is that? How can we speak powerfully to make change in the world?”

How to use questions to open a speech?

I use this method often. Starting off with a question is the simplest way to start your speech in a manner that immediately engages the audience.

But we should keep our questions compelling as opposed to something that is fairly obvious.

I’ve heard many speakers start their speeches with questions like “How many of us want to be successful?”

No one is going to say ‘no’ to that and frankly, I just feel silly raising my hand at such questions.

Simon Sinek and Jullian Treasure used questions in a manner that really made the audience think and make them curious to find out what the answer to that question is.

What Jullian Treasure did even better was the use of a few statements which built up to his question. This made the question even more compelling and set the theme for what the rest of his talk would be about.

So think of what question you can ask in your speech that will:

• Set the theme for the remainder of your speech
• Not be something that is fairly obvious
• Be compelling enough so that the audience will actually want to know what the answer to that question will be

8. Aaron Beverley

Opening: Long pause (after an absurdly long introduction of a 57-word speech title). “Be honest. You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

How to use silence for speech openings?

The reason this speech opening stands out is because of the fact that the title itself is 57 words long. The audience was already hilariously intrigued by what was going to come next.

But what’s so gripping here is the way Aaron holds the crowd’s suspense by…doing nothing. For about 10 to 12 seconds he did nothing but stand and look at the audience. Everyone quietened down. He then broke this silence by a humorous remark that brought the audience laughing down again.

When going on to open your speech, besides focusing on building a killer opening sentence, how about just being silent?

It’s important to keep in mind that the point of having a strong opening is so that the audience’s attention is all on you and are intrigued enough to want to listen to the rest of your speech.

Silence is a great way to do that. When you get on the stage, just pause for a few seconds (about 3 to 5 seconds) and just look at the crowd. Let the audience and yourself settle in to the fact that the spotlight is now on you.

I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something about starting the speech off with a pure pause that just makes the beginning so much more powerful. It adds credibility to you as a speaker as well, making you look more comfortable and confident on stage. 

If you want to know more about the power of pausing in public speaking , check out this post we wrote. It will give you a deeper insight into the importance of pausing and how you can harness it for your own speeches. You can also check out this video to know more about Pausing for Public Speaking:

9. Dan Pink

Opening: “I need to make a confession at the outset here. Little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret. Something that I’m not particularly proud of. Something that in many ways I wish no one would ever know but that here I feel kind of obliged to reveal.”

10. Kelly McGonigal

Opening: “I have a confession to make. But first I want you to make a little confession to me.”

How to use a build-up to open your speech?

When there are so many amazing ways to start a speech and grip an audience from the outset, why would you ever choose to begin your speech with a ‘Good morning?’.

That’s what I love about build-ups. They set the mood for something awesome that’s about to come in that the audience will feel like they just have to know about.

Instead of starting a speech as it is, see if you can add some build-up to your beginning itself. For instance, in Kelly McGonigal’s speech, she could have started off with the question of stress itself (which she eventually moves on to in her speech). It’s not a bad way to start the speech.

But by adding the statement of “I have a confession to make” and then not revealing the confession for a little bit, the audience is gripped to know what she’s about to do next and find out what indeed is her confession.

11. Tim Urban

Opening: “So in college, I was a government major. Which means that I had to write a lot of papers. Now when a normal student writes a paper, they might spread the work out a little like this.”

12. Scott Dinsmore

Opening: “8 years ago, I got the worst career advice of my life.”

How to use storytelling as a speech opening?

“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.” Steve Jobs

Storytelling is the foundation of good speeches. Starting your speech with a story is a great way to grip the audience’s attention. It makes them yearn to want to know how the rest of the story is going to pan out.

Tim Urban starts off his speech with a story dating back to his college days. His use of slides is masterful and something we all can learn from. But while his story sounds simple, it does the job of intriguing the audience to want to know more.

As soon as I heard the opening lines, I thought to myself “If normal students write their paper in a certain manner, how does Tim write his papers?”

Combine such a simple yet intriguing opening with comedic slides, and you’ve got yourself a pretty gripping speech.

Scott Dismore’s statement has a similar impact. However, just a side note, Scott Dismore actually started his speech with “Wow, what an honour.”

I would advise to not start your talk with something such as that. It’s way too common and does not do the job an opening must, which is to grip your audience and set the tone for what’s coming.

13. Larry Smith

Opening: “I want to discuss with you this afternoon why you’re going to fail to have a great career.”

14. Jane McGonigal

Opening: “You will live 7.5 minutes longer than you would have otherwise, just because you watched this talk.”

How to use provocative statements to start your speech?

Making a provocative statement creates a keen desire among the audience to want to know more about what you have to say. It immediately brings everyone into attention.

Larry Smith did just that by making his opening statement surprising, lightly humorous, and above all – fearful. These elements lead to an opening statement which creates so much curiosity among the audience that they need to know how your speech pans out.

This one time, I remember seeing a speaker start a speech with, “Last week, my best friend committed suicide.” The entire crowd was gripped. Everyone could feel the tension in the room.

They were just waiting for the speaker to continue to know where this speech will go.

That’s what a hard-hitting statement does, it intrigues your audience so much that they can’t wait to hear more! Just a tip, if you do start off with a provocative, hard-hitting statement, make sure you pause for a moment after saying it.

Silence after an impactful statement will allow your message to really sink in with the audience.

Related article: 5 Ways to Grab Your Audience’s Attention When You’re Losing it!

15. Ramona J Smith

Opening: In a boxing stance, “Life would sometimes feel like a fight. The punches, jabs and hooks will come in the form of challenges, obstacles and failures. Yet if you stay in the ring and learn from those past fights, at the end of each round, you’ll be still standing.”

How to use your full body to grip the audience at the beginning of your speech?

In a talk, the audience is expecting you to do just that – talk. But when you enter the stage and start putting your full body into use in a way that the audience does not expect, it grabs their attention.

Body language is critical when it comes to public speaking. Hand gestures, stage movement, facial expressions are all things that need to be paid attention to while you’re speaking on stage. But that’s not I’m talking about here.

Here, I’m referring to a unique use of the body that grips the audience, like how Ramona did. By using her body to get into a boxing stance, imitating punches, jabs and hooks with her arms while talking – that’s what got the audience’s attention.

The reason I say this is so powerful is because if you take Ramona’s speech and remove the body usage from her opening, the entire magic of the opening falls flat.

While the content is definitely strong, without those movements, she would not have captured the audience’s attention as beautifully as she did with the use of her body.

So if you have a speech opening that seems slightly dull, see if you can add some body movement to it.

If your speech starts with a story of someone running, actually act out the running. If your speech starts with a story of someone reading, actually act out the reading.

It will make your speech opening that much more impactful.

Related article: 5 Body Language Tips to Command the Stage

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Final Words

So there it is! 15 speech openings from some of my favourite speeches. Hopefully, these will act as a guide for you to create your own opening which is super impactful and sets you off on the path to becoming a powerful public speaker!

But remember, while a speech opening is super important, it’s just part of an overall structure.

If you’re serious about not just creating a great speech opening but to improve your public speaking at an overall level, I would highly recommend you to check out this course: Acumen Presents: Chris Anderson on Public Speaking on Udemy. Not only does it have specific lectures on starting and ending a speech, but it also offers an in-depth guide into all the nuances of public speaking. 

Being the founder of TED Talks, Chris Anderson provides numerous examples of the best TED speakers to give us a very practical way of overcoming stage fear and delivering a speech that people will remember. His course has helped me personally and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to learn public speaking. 

No one is ever “done” learning public speaking. It’s a continuous process and you can always get better. Keep learning, keep conquering and keep being awesome!

Lastly, if you want to know how you should NOT open your speech, we’ve got a video for you:

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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

130+ Demonstration Speech Topics

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Begin your writing process by selecting some demonstration materials.

Choose a topic you are knowledgeable about, as this will help make your presentation much more effective.

If you cannot come up with good public speaking cases for a presentation, then use any of the subjects listed below for inspiration.

In this article:

How to Choose the Right Demonstration Speech Topic

Our list of good demonstration topics, process demonstration speech topics, health / fitness, technical how to ideas, demonstrate …, your central idea and purpose, how to introduce, your outline, the delivery of your demonstration speech topics.

You likely have plenty of processes and skills that you think would be valuable for others to know how to do, but that doesn’t mean that any topic you pick will be a good idea for your circumstance. You have to consider the complexity of the demo and whether your audience will be able to fully understand the process in the time given. Here are a few things to consider to help you choose a good demonstration speech topic:

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• Interests – Both you and your audience’s interests are an important factor when deciding on a demonstration speech topic. Your excitement and enthusiasm is needed to inspire the audience to care about what you are teaching. If your speech gains great audience attention, you’ll likely have questions to answer afterword. Make sure to choose a topic you are knowledgeable and confident in.
• Audience demographics – Consider what is appropriate for the group you are addressing. Aim to provide a skill that is of value to them, though be careful not to pick a topic that is either overly simple or complex.
• Setting – Consider what your presentation space is going to be like. Will you be indoors or outdoors? How much room do you have? These details will help you understand which topics will be better suited than others, given the conditions you’re delivering your speech in.
• Time limit – Think about what you can realistically teach in the time you’re given for your speech. While one topic may stand out to you, you may not be able to fully cover it if you’re only given five minutes.
• Visual aids – While your demonstration itself is a visual aid, many how-to speeches can benefit from videos, PowerPoint slideshows, and handouts. Consider what technology or props you’ll have available for your speech.

Speech topics can be broad. To give an effective demonstration speech, it’s a good idea to customize a topic to fit your unique situation. Take a speech topic that interests you and work to hone in on one central idea within that subject.

To discover the main point you want to make in your speech, determine what the specific purpose is of teaching your audience about this topic. What exactly do you want to demonstrate to your audience?

Form a clear thesis statement that answers this question in detail. Describe in one sentence what your demonstration is about and why it’s important that you share it.

Once you’ve determined the central idea of your speech, play with different action verbs to set up your main point. Here are a few phrases and verbs to frame your demonstrative speech topic:

• How to …
• Fix …
• Use …
• … Works
• … is done, produced, or made.
• Structure…
• X Steps to…

Try some of these other verbs too: deal with, draw, handle, execute, create, develop, incorporate, invent, operate, perform, or predict. Those words generate attention and they are in nature describing what your public speaking audience can expect .

These action verbs and phrases help describe to your audience what they can expect from your speech. Your headline will be more of an attention getter with these demonstration-specific words.

Below are lists of demonstration speech topics separated by category. In order to choose an effective demonstration speech topic, remember to consider your interests, audience, and what visual aids are available. Use action verbs to create an attractive headline and better target your audience.

• cook a pie (or anything else you like / know how to cook).
• fix a flat tire.
• create a Halloween mask.
• clean your car.
• play piano.
• change a bank check.
• dress like a princess.
• play a computer game.
• make a cocktail.
• taste wine.
• organize a surprise party.
• print a digital photo.
• eat oysters.
• register for voting.
• make Irish Coffee.
• read music notes.
• learn playing guitar.
• use your breath when you sing.
• open a bottle of wine.
• make your garden full of flowers year around.
• build a web site.
• clean your swimming pool.
• clean your golf clubs.
• make a fast summer salad.
• make a new candle of old ones.
• make your own wedding dress.
• organize your wedding.
• make a water-color.
• build a shed.
• prevent injury.
• knot a carpet.
• stop thinking.
• speak Italian.
• become a good actress.
• become a famous film star.
• write a film script.
• write a business-like letter.
• make honey.
• blow a glass.
• train your brain.
• dry your hair.
• greet Japanese people.
• use the cruise control.
• make a genealogical tree.
• climb a building.
• make a dancing show.
• snow board.
• board on sand.
• make a golf swing.
• draw a cartoon character.
• build a snowman.
• use the content of articles without violating their copyrights.
• put a weave in hair.
• sculpt your eyebrows properly.
• apply nail polish.
• apply makeup.
• find a roommate.
• choose the perfect pet.
• survive in the wilderness.
• make an emergency kit.
• perform a magic trick.
• organize your closet.
• change a baby’s diaper.
• find your ancestors.
• set up an aquarium.
• choose a digital camera.
• use the process of deduction.
• tie various knots.
• use the U.S. Postal Service.
• weave a basket.
• write a resume.
• knit a scarf.
• write a will.
• read a map.
• avoid ID theft.
• make bread crumbs.
• pick a bottle of wine.
• make banana pudding.
• make homemade salsa.
• decorate a cake.
• make pizza.
• make ice cream.
• brush your teeth properly.
• be healthy.
• choose the right running shoe.
• shoot a basketball.
• wax a surfboard.
• play chess.
• play poker.
• weight lift.
• program car keys and remotes.
• backup your DVDs.
• pack a suitcase that passes customs.
• find cheap airline tickets.
• find the best spring break deals.
• use a makeup if you a guy.
• fly an real RC plane (only show this outdoors and only if you are good).
• scribe a good poem.
• be an ninja (PS Joking sorry).
• pot a plant.
• bake a birdhouse.
• build a model.
• make jello Jigglers.
• arrange flowers.
• polish Shoes.
• design wedding cakes.
• stamp greeting cards.
• make ornaments.
• color eggs.
• make a pinata.
• fold napkins in a funny way.
• tie Die shirts.
• get your keys out of a locked car.
• fix a flat tire on a bicycle.
• saddle horse (I did this and tooka video of saddling my horse and narrated it to my audience).
• be a good student
• make jewelrey.
• text effective and clear messages.
• make a paper airplane.
• grow herbs – e.g. chamomile, parsley, catnip – in your own mini greenhouse.
• make the crunchiest marshmallows at a camp fire place.
• care for hamsters or other household pets.
• fold an origami crane.
• prepare invisible ink to write secret messages.
• construct a boomerang that comes back to you.
• prepare a banana chocolate shake to recover from a hangover.
• make twirling confetti eggs for parties and events.
• select the proper running shoes for recreational walks.
• use a sextant for navigation like two centuries ago.
• select and prepare a backpack for travel abroad.
• make up a first aid kit for simple treatment of minor injuries.
• learn break dance tricks and street moves.
• build a rabbit hutch or cages and runs.
• make a real Italian pizza with classic recipes.
• read a barometer and analyze the results.
• get energy from solar cells on your roof.
• identify if a Louis Vuitton bag is authentic.
• practice active listening communication techniques.
• learn fast reading.
• clean and polish golden rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
• pick a color scheme and palette.
• count the calories and make healthier choices.

And so on …

Another way of inventing demonstration speech topics is by association . Look at the general categories and themes below.

Food and Drink, Household Appliances, Sports Equipment, Outdoor Recreation Travel Trips, Health and Beauty Tips, Home Improvement, Home Decoration, Vintage Cars, Government Science, Nature Medicine, College Games, Culture, Tires and Suspension Trademarks, Travel Packing, Acne Curing, Building Treehouses, Vaccines, Vacuum Cleaners, Valentines Day Dating, Vanishing Tricks, Ventilation Systems, Video Game Consoles, Making Home Videos, Volleyball Techniques, Warm Ups and Stretching Training Methods, Water Polo Rules, Wind Turbines, Tasting Wine Vintages, Woodworking, How to Write a Testimonial About Yourself, Sales Elevator Pitches, Yoga for Starters Programs … Et cetera.

Process demonstration speech topics about deciding on an evening dress, roommates, and even personalized rubber stamps for public speaking and on how to do or fabricate something and the working of things and performing their functions.

Here are thirty example topics. You could show and explain how to:

• apply table manners.
• investigate a black box in an airplane.
• choose jewelry for an evening dress.
• choose tasty French champagne.
• deliver an effective speech.
• bake the best doughnuts.
• organize a prom night the whole nine yards.
• find a good dorm roommate.
• get a refund after you bought something you do not like.
• get a satellite tv for free.
• secure your home from burglars.
• lose weight safely and with a lasting effect.
• build a recycle compost bin in your garden.
• build a pyramid of a team cheerleaders.
• prepare for a job interview.
• register or establish a legal valued trademark or patent.
• overcome fear of public speaking before you stand behind a desk.
• get rid of roaches, mice and other pests in the backyard the natural way.

Unique Demonstration Speech Topics

• How asphalt cement is made.
• How batteries and accus work.
• How original Aboriginal boomerangs work.
• How bulletproof vests work.
• How an artificial pacemaker stimulates a heart.
• How perfumes and fragrances are designed.
• How thermometer instruments work.
• How antique barometers work.
• How personalized rubber stamps for hallmark imprinted impresssions are made.
• How topographic maps and globes are fabricated.
• How air bags open.
• How an espresso machine produces your cup of coffee.
• Fireworks and other explosive devices precaution regulation.
• Preparations for a tandem hang glider flight.
• Why hot air balloons fly after the sun is down.
• How lie detectors detect lies. This genre of topics for demonstration speech in education should be prepared with the help of professional officers of course.
• How a cardiac surgeon does a heart bypass operation to relieve pain on the chest and improve blood supply?
• Intelligent high IQ tests of the Mensa foundation for gifted and talented students.
• How metal detectors for treasure hunting work.
• The Academy Awards ceremony of the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Academy.
• The patent examining procedure of the Trademark Office.
• The organization of political election conventions.
• The ultimate method to remove chocolate stains from your clothes or carpet.
• The UN Security Council explained – start with positioning the permanent
• The smartest and impertinent money laundering conspiracy tricks revealed.
• The sun eclipse – the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sunview on Earth.
• How a radar detector, a speed countermeasure equipment, works.
• The four forms a rainbow can take – primary, secondary and supernumerary rainbows, and glory clouds.
• Why our red blood cell production is important.
• Satellite orbit types – polar, sun synchronous, and geosynchronous.
• Barometers, the instruments used to measure atmospheric pressure.
• The VoIP call process diagram demonstrated for teleconferencing.
• The route of your Short Message Service text from your mobile phone to its destination. Ideal to show the virtual road for passage with a huge map.
• Unique uses for duct tape.
• Catcher hand signals in baseball and how to recognize them.
• How the sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your eyes.
• How to stake a rose bush to get more flowers.
• Making fake UFO photo’s is not difficult.
• Marinate jumbo-size shrimps for your barbecue.
• Tips for more privacy in a high school or college facebook.
• A step by step guide to write an ebook
• How to close a client
• How to create a business plan
• How to create an awesome finished product
• How to file taxes as a business owner
• How to network
• How to pitch your services
• How to prioritize your time
• How to research a potential product
• How to work from home
• How to ace a test
• How to balance your time as a college student
• How to create the perfect study space
• How to find cheap textbooks
• How to make any professor like you
• How to make friends on campus
• How to make money while going to school
• How to pick your schedule
• How to sign up for classes
• How to deliver an award-winning, persuasive speech
• How to perform well on standardized tests
• How to write a demonstration speech outline
• How to write an informative speech
• How to write in cursive
• How to avoid making eye contact with your ex
• How to breakdance
• How to dress like a princess
• How to prepare a presentation you forgot all about
• The best way to eat a deviled egg without being messy
• How meditation works
• How to check your blood sugar
• How to create a marathon training plan
• How to find the best health insurance
• How to perform an Olympic-style lift
• How to perform a yoga pose
• How to perform tai chi
• How to plan a vegetarian meal
• Incorporate veggies and fruits into your day
• The proper running technique
• The fundamentals of a weight-training routine
• How to bottle your own wine
• How to carve a pumpkin
• How to decorate a cake
• How to fly a kite
• How to grow a vegetable garden
• How to knit a sweater
• How to make peanut butter
• How to perform a simple magic trick
• How to swing a golf club
• Impress friends with an amazing card trick
• Best ways to pack a suitcase
• How to change a baby’s diaper
• How to change a flat tire
• How to organize closet space
• How to organize your email account
• How to save money
• How to tie a tie
• How to wash a car
• The proper way to fold a napkin
• 10 ways to use a curling iron
• How an STM image works
• How to choose the best pattern font for your website
• How to create an email account
• How to create an iPhone app
• How to insert an image placeholder in WordPress
• How to install WordPress
• How to print a digital photo
• Red/green/blue color mixing for website design
• How to apply make-up
• How to apply for college
• How to find a part-time job
• How to French braid hair

Technical how to speech topics to present information and instructional steps in a demo oral. To explain a techie or complicated issue to educate a public speaker must be concrete; do not only talk about abstract theories but describe it, make it vivid with visual aids, common metaphors and comparisons to ordinary live.

International fitting sizes; the different measurements for sizes in the United States and standards used in other countries, all about the yards, feet, inches, meters, centimeters and their history. You can limit these technical how to speech topics to clothing only.

Animation; show how to create a nice short animated movie or funny cartoon from a series of 2 D images. Give the full set of instructions while you are showing what you mean step by step. Start with a simple animated character, an avatar-like puppet that jumps over a wall.

Sunscreen; the working and the urgent need of using a topical product that absorbs and even reflects the ultraviolet sun beams. Everyone like to sit in the sun, although not everyone is aware that sun protection is important to prevent the damaging effects of sunlight on the long term.

Hard Disk Drives; how to recover data for a damaged hard drive, what does the police, government agencies, criminal investigation departments and internationally respected authorities do with modern technology to discover storages media on a computer.

April Fool’s Day; the best speech topics for a funny how to fool someone are from hoaxes and practical jokes on the First of April; give examples – your main points – in a top 3 on notoriety, absurdity and originality of the sense of humor that’s being used.

Tree Climbing Techniques; provide an adequate training in tree climbing for recreational climbers, discuss the gear, ropes and knots. And don’t forget the forest ethics!

Birth control pills; how does the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill or C O C P, containing the estrogen and progestin hormones, stop an ovulation.

Mosaic Tile Projects; for decorating your kitchen, bedroom, living areas and even the garden wall. Tell your public step by step in this technical topic how to do it.

Room Air Conditioners; how are energy efficient and reliable systmes designed to meet your comfort needs, and which special technology is used?

One advice to help you with making things easier: Most audiences relate to technology issues in general, so again, don’t get to technical and avoid highly complex demonstratives when exploring these nine technic possibilities.

How To Draw

Draw a Bearded Collie dog, an Abyssinian cat, a Swallow Belied Mangalitza pig, a Dwarf Hotot bunny.

To make a picture frame, to do a magic card trick, to draw a cartoon animal, to kick a soccer ball, to do origami, to make flowers out of tissue, to make a ribbon necklace, to make a friendship bracelet, to play indian poker, to play basketball, to hit a volleyball, to make homemade gatorade, throw a baseball the right way, to knit a crochet, to braid hair.

How to Play Baseball You could talk about the rules – show how to swing a bat – also show how to feild – to run the base’s hit homerun’s.

Caps and Hats Describe in speaking instructions lessons how you can tailor made you school sports and collegiate caps and hats with logos in the latest styles and trends. And for affordable prices. Your speech topics could be about the steps you have to take in getting cool caps for your friends. And the call to action could be: let us get those for us all. If you succeed in convincing and persuading them it would be great. Further I will advice you to spice up your demonstration address with some persuasive arguments topics!

Dirt Pudding For the dirt pudding you will need: 4 cups of milk, 2 packages of instant chocolate pudding, 16 ounces of cool whip, You also need: 32 ounces of crushed oreos, 16-20 clear cups.

Horse Riding Saddle a horse, bridle a horse, clean and scrub a hore back, bath a hore tenderly, feed a horse water, feed a goat or sheep, bottle feed a baby goat nice and slow.

Wedding Planning a wedding: all the preps and the day itself.

• riding a unicycle.
• riding a bicycle.
• making a scarf.
• catching a fish.
• sewing something.
• making origami.
• feeding a chicken.
• cooking a meal.
• using a remote.
• eating really fast.
• making someone or yourself faint.
• using pressure points.
• doing self-defence.

Set a table, build a birdhouse, plant a garden, make a scrap book, make friendship bracelets, any type of food, make a duct tape wallet, make a piece of clothing, blow a bubble with gum, make play dough, make paper beads, write a letter, tie your shoe, make soap, any type of mathmatical method, make a snow globe.

These are just a few demos that I have done or thought about. Make sure when conducting your demonstration to make it fun, catchy, and full of personality. This will make the judges or audience. It can also make it memorable to take first place!

Also, it is important to describe why it is important to know how to do what you are demonstrating or how it can be useful. And also warnings or things to look out for as far as safety goes. This generally comes in the conclusion. Also, if there is something that is inexpensive, than include prices of the supplies.

For example: If you choose for a playdough. You could say that in comes in handy for a craft project while babysitting or it makes a great craft project and take home in vacation bible school. Be sure to not let the children eat the any of the supplies or finished product. Children may need parental supervision.

While it is not always necessary, judges often find it impressive if you list and discuss the nutrition facts in a food talk and point out a positive health benefit.

For example: ‘Peanut butter is a sweet treat the contains no cholesterol, but has a lot of protein in it.’

This shows your judges or audience you have complete knowledge of the subject.

Random Things You’ve Never Thought Of Act like a blind sea horse, bring animals back to life using facial hair, create a dinasour out of burnt pop tarts and ashes, use the three unforgivable spells in harry potter, flex a bust out of a steel box, tame a huge dragon after stealing it from its true master, win a cage match against a sea lion and a goat create a weird odd monster using black magic.

How to write a Demonstration Speech

Determine the specific purpose of your matter in hand. State it in one simple sentence. E.g. I want to demonstrate how to ___ .

Determine the central idea of the text. In other words: a clear factual statement. Construe representing features or delineate the stages by using ppt picture and figure slide sheets.

They see at once what your try on is about and why you want to share it. E.g. It is important to preserve family recipes and this project is the best way in which to do that..

Determine the central idea of the text. In other words, produce a clear factual statement. Explain representing features or delineate the stages by using Powerpoint picture and figure slide sheets.

E.g. It is important to preserve family recipes, and this project is the best way in which to do that. .

Once you have decided on a demonstration topic, write an attractive, effective, and interactive attention-getting introduction. Think about these sample elementary preliminary parts:

• Tell them what you are going to teach – (metaphor for “sell”) – them.
• Why you choose to demonstrate this topic.
• Why your listeners should know how to do it. Give them a sneak peek of a few benefits.
• Tell them that they are going to do it themselves in a couple of minutes and that the only thing your audience has to do is follow your instructions.

Lay out in clear terms the procedure – the particular course of actions. You could consider a series of tactical exercises to help them feel what you mean. Design some kind of an approach for acquiring and applying the knowledge you want to share in class.

Arrange the steps. Show the activities or moves you have to make in a logical chronological order. Describe the details. Be clear.

Do not think the audience will understand your demonstration speech topics immediately. Let them ask you questions after each step before you proceed.

Conclude each step in one uncomplicated phrase. Perform these action checks on the main points before you jump to the next step.

Just show them how to do it, step by step. Have you read my checklist? Okay, let’s move forward:

First and for all, remember this ground rule: think about the rules and time limit of the assignment. Plus apply these eight public speaking tips for delivering your demonstration speech topics:

• Visual aids, such as objects, actual items, models, and drawings all can help your presentation. Do bring them in. For a large object, ask your teacher how to incorporate it.
• Include personal stories and examples.
• Provide each audience member the proper materials and ingredients to practice with.
• Ensure everyone is participating – keep eye contact, laugh, and make some funny remarks in between the lines.
• Look around you and see if your audience is following you. If not, repeat some sections. There are always people who will not understand right away, but are too shy to admit it. Assist them to jump over the hump.
• Ask yourself if someone in the audience would assist you with your demonstration. Stay patient and polite, and help if needed. Do not make a fool of that volunteer: praise their efforts in loud and clear supporting terms. You can do it!
• Close with a memorable summary or with a sharply defined call to action.
• Ask if there are any questions. And leave a handout of the explored information for people who want to know more.

274 Speech Topics for Business [Persuasive, Informative]

78 Agriculture Speech Topics

15 thoughts on “130+ Demonstration Speech Topics”

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example of demonstrative speech about life

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• Types of speeches

The 4 types of speeches in public speaking

Informative, demonstrative, persuasive and special occasion.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

There are four main types of speeches or types of public speaking.

• Demonstrative
• Special occasion or Entertaining

To harness their power a speaker needs to be proficient in all of them: to understand which speech type to use when, and how to use it for maximum effectiveness.

What's on this page:

An overview of each speech type, how it's used, writing guidelines and speech examples:

• informative
• demonstrative
• special occasion/entertaining
• how, and why, speech types overlap

Return to Top

Informative speeches

An informative speech does as its name suggests: informs. It provides information about a topic. The topic could be a place, a person, an animal, a plant, an object, an event, or a process.

The informative speech is primarily explanatory and educational.

Its purpose is not to persuade or influence opinion one way or the other. It is to provide sufficient relevant material, (with references to verifiable facts, accounts, studies and/or statistics), for the audience to have learned something. 

What they think, feel, or do about the information after they've learned it, is up to them.

This type of speech is frequently used for giving reports, lectures and, sometimes for training purposes. 

Examples of informative speech topics:

• the number, price and type of dwellings that have sold in a particular suburb over the last 3 months
• the history of the tooth brush
• how trees improves air quality in urban areas
• a brief biography of Bob Dylan
• the main characteristics of Maine Coon cats
• the 1945 US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• the number of, and the work of local philanthropic institutions
• the weather over the summer months
• the history of companion planting 
• how to set up a new password
• how to work a washing machine

Click this link if you'd like more informative topic suggestions .  You'll find hundreds of them.

And this link to find out more about the 4 types of informative speeches : definition, description, demonstration and explanation. (Each with an example outline and topic suggestions.)  

Demonstration, demonstrative or 'how to' speeches

A demonstration speech is an extension of an informative process speech. It's a 'how to' speech, combining informing with demonstrating.

The topic process, (what the speech is about), could either be demonstrated live or shown using visual aids.

The goal of a demonstrative speech is to teach a complete process step by step.

It's found everywhere, all over the world: in corporate and vocational training rooms, school classrooms, university lecture theatres, homes, cafes... anywhere where people are either refreshing or updating their skills. Or learning new ones.

Knowing to how give a good demonstration or 'how to' speech is a very valuable skill to have, one appreciated by everybody.

Examples of 'how to' speech topics are:

• how to braid long hair
• how to change a car tire
• how to fold table napkins
• how to use the Heimlich maneuver
• how to apply for a Federal grant
• how to fill out a voting form
• how to deal with customer complaints
• how to close a sale
• how to give medicine to your cat without being scratched to bits! 

Resources for demonstration speeches

1 . How to write a demonstration speech   Guidelines and suggestions covering:

• choosing the best topic : one aligning with your own interests, the audience's, the setting for the speech and the time available to you
• how to plan, prepare and deliver your speech - step by step guidelines for sequencing and organizing your material plus a printable blank demonstration speech outline for you to download and complete  
• suggestions to help with delivery and rehearsal . Demonstration speeches can so easily lurch sideways into embarrassment. For example: forgetting a step while demonstrating a cake recipe which means it won't turn out as you want it to. Or not checking you've got everything you need to deliver your speech at the venue and finding out too late, the very public and hard way, that the lead on your laptop will not reach the only available wall socket. Result. You cannot show your images.

2.  Demonstration speech sample outline   This is a fully completed outline of a demonstration speech. The topic is 'how to leave an effective voice mail message' and  the sample covers the entire step by step sequence needed to do that.

There's a blank printable version of the outline template to download if you wish and a YouTube link to a recording of the speech.

3.  Demonstration speech topics   4 pages of 'how to' speech topic suggestions, all of them suitable for middle school and up.

Persuasive speeches

The goal of a persuasive speech is to convince an audience to accept, or at the very least listen to and consider, the speaker's point of view.

To be successful the speaker must skillfully blend information about the topic, their opinion, reasons to support it and their desired course of action, with an understanding of how best to reach their audience.

Everyday examples of persuasive speeches

Common usages of persuasive speeches are:

• what we say when being interviewed for a job
• presenting a sales pitch to a customer
• political speeches - politicians lobbying for votes,
• values or issue driven speeches e.g., a call to boycott a product on particular grounds, a call to support varying human rights issues: the right to have an abortion, the right to vote, the right to breathe clean air, the right to have access to affordable housing and, so on.

Models of the persuasive process

The most frequently cited model we have for effective persuasion is thousands of years old.  Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, 384–322 BC , explained it as being supported by three pillars: ethos, pathos and logos. 

Briefly, ethos is the reliability and credibility of the speaker. How qualified or experienced are they talk on the topic? Are they trustworthy? Should we believe them? Why?

Pathos is the passion, emotion or feeling you, the speaker, bring to the topic. It's the choice of language you use to trigger an emotional connection linking yourself, your topic and the audience together, in a way that supports your speech purpose.

(We see the echo of Pathos in words like empathy: the ability to understand and share the feels of another, or pathetic: to arouse feelings of pity through being vulnerable and sad.)

Logos is related to logic. Is the information we are being presented logical and rational? Is it verifiable? How is it supported? By studies, by articles, by endorsement from suitably qualified and recognized people?

To successfully persuade all three are needed. For more please see this excellent article:  Ethos, Pathos, Logos: 3 Pillars of Public Speaking and Persuasion 

Monroe's Motivated Sequence of persuasion

Another much more recent model is Monroe's Motivated Sequence based on the psychology of persuasion.

It consists of five consecutive steps: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization and action and was developed in the 1930s by American Alan H Monroe, a lecturer in communications at Purdue University. The pattern is used extensively in advertising, social welfare and health campaigns.

Resources for persuasive speeches

1.   How to write a persuasive speech Step by step guidelines covering:

• speech topic selection
• setting speech goals
• audience analysis
• empathy and evidence
• balance and obstacles
• 4 structural patterns to choose from

2. A persuasive speech sample outline using Monroe's Motivated Sequence

3. An example persuasive speech written using Monroe's Motivated Sequence  

4.  Persuasive speech topics : 1032+ topic suggestions which includes 105 fun persuasive ideas , like the one below.☺ 

Special occasion or entertaining speeches

The range of these speeches is vast: from a call 'to say a few words' to delivering a lengthy formal address.

This is the territory where speeches to mark farewells, thanksgiving, awards, birthdays, Christmas, weddings, engagements and anniversaries dwell, along with welcome, introduction and thank you speeches, tributes, eulogies and commencement addresses. 

In short, any speech, either impromptu or painstakingly crafted, given to acknowledge a person, an achievement, or an event belongs here.

You'll find preparation guidelines, as well as examples of many special occasion speeches on my site.

Resources for special occasion speeches

How to prepare:

• an acceptance speech , with an example acceptance speech 
• a birthday speech , with ongoing links to example 18th, 40th and 50th birthday speeches
• an office party Christmas speech , a template with an example speech
• an engagement party toast , with 5 examples
• a eulogy or funeral speech , with a printable eulogy planner and access to 70+ eulogy examples
• a farewell speech , with an example (a farewell speech to colleagues)
• a golden (50th) wedding anniversary speech , with an example speech from a husband to his wife
• an impromptu speech , techniques and templates for impromptu speaking, examples of one minute impromptu speeches with a printable outline planner, plus impromptu speech topics for practice
• an introduction speech for a guest speaker , with an example
• an introduction speech for yourself , with an example
• a maid of honor speech for your sister , a template, with an example
• a retirement speech , with an example from a teacher leaving to her students and colleagues
• a student council speech , a template, with an example student council president, secretary and treasurer speech
• a Thanksgiving speech , a template, with an example toast
• a thank you speech , a template, with an example speech expressing thanks for an award, also a business thank you speech template
• a tribute (commemorative) speech , with a template and an example speech
• a welcome speech for an event , a template, an example welcome speech for a conference, plus a printable welcome speech planner
• a welcome speech for new comers to a church , a template with an example speech
• a welcome speech for a new member to the family , a template with an example

Speech types often overlap

Because speakers and their speeches are unique, (different content, purposes, and audiences...), the four types often overlap. While a speech is generally based on one principal type it might also have a few of the features belonging to any of the others. 

For example, a speech may be mainly informative but to add interest, the speaker has used elements like a demonstration of some sort, persuasive language and the brand of familiar humor common in a special occasion speech where everybody knows each other well.

The result is an informative 'plus' type of speech. A hybrid! It's a speech that could easily be given by a long serving in-house company trainer to introduce and explain a new work process to employees.  

Related pages:

• how to write a good speech . This is a thorough step by step walk through, with examples, of the general speech writing process. It's a great place to start if you're new to writing speeches. You'll get an excellent foundation to build on.
• how to plan a speech - an overview of ALL the things that need to be considered before preparing an outline, with examples
• how to outline a speech - an overview, with examples, showing how to structure a speech, with a free printable blank speech outline template to download
• how to make and use cue cards  - note cards for extemporaneous speeches 
• how to use props (visual aids)    

And for those who would like their speeches written for them:

• commission me to write for you

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Pound Cake Speech

Jul 12, 2014

140 likes | 462 Views

Pound Cake Speech. Bill Cosby. Background. Bill Cosby was born on July 12, 1937 as William Henry Cosby. He dropped out of high school to join the Navy, and also dropped out of college to be a comedian. Bill Cosby is an actor, author, comedian, and activist

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• major premise
• different men
• black community culture
• rhetorical devices
• real examples

Presentation Transcript

Pound cake speech bill cosby.

Background • Bill Cosby was born on July 12, 1937 as William Henry Cosby. • He dropped out of high school to join the Navy, and also dropped out of college to be a comedian. • Bill Cosby is an actor, author, comedian, and activist • He’s married to Camille O. Cosby and has four daughters. (Erika, Erin, Evin, and Ensa). He also had a son (Ennis) who was murdered, and has taken a more conscious tone on society since. • This speech was given in May 2004 during the NAACP awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. • This speech criticizes and emphasizes a lot on family values

Bill Cosby Giving Speech • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gh3_e3mDQ8

SOAPSTone Analysis • Subject – education and black community culture • Occasion – the NAACP awards ceremony in Washington D.C., to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education Court decision. • Audience – the speech is to the American public, but is mainly targeted toward the African American population.

SOAPSTone Analysis • Purpose – to criticize modern African American culture and its flaws. He uses real life examples and humor to gain support from his audience, and tries to get people to live up to the civil rights activist of the past. • Speaker – Bill Cosby, actor, author, and comedian. • Tone – ironic, sarcastic, serious, humorous, and criticizing.

Analysis • “The church is only open on Sunday. And you can’t keep asking Jesus to ask doing things for you. You can’t keep asking that God will find a way. God is tired of you. God was there when they won all those cases -- fifty in a row. That’s where God was because these people were doing something. And God said, “I’m going to find a way.” I wasn’t there when God said it -- I’m making this up. But it sounds like what God would do.” • Bill Cosby was saying that we have to act ourselves, and not rely completely on God and the church to take care of our lives. God will help, but he will not do everything for you.

Analysis • “We cannot blame white people. White people -- White people don’t live over there. They close up the shop early. The Korean ones still don’t know us as well -- they stay open 24 hours.” • He was saying that the black community, or more so the parents of the black community, have no one to blame but themselves.

Ethos • “Brown vs. Board of Education, these people who marched and were hit in the face with rocks and punched in the face to get an education and we got these knuckleheads walking around who don’t want to learn English.’’ • In this part of Bill Cosby’s speech, he refers to how many people are determined to learn and be educated, while most black children don’t even care to learn proper English.

Pathos • “Are you not paying attention, people with their hat on backwards, pants down around the crack. Isn’t that a sign of something, or are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up.” • “I’m talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was two?... And how come you don’t know he had a pistol? … And then they stand there in an orange suit and you drop to your knees. “He didn’t do anything.” Yes he did do it. And you need to have an orange suit on too.” • “ Grandmother, mother, and great grandmother in the same room, raising children, and the child knows nothing about love or respect of any one of the three of them.” • Bill Cosby is using real examples, like kids sagging or using guns, to show how out of control they are. He also states that the parents are just as guilty as the children for not parenting them correctly, and so they show no love for any of their elders.

Logos • “Fifty percent drop out rate, I’m telling you, and people in jail, and women having children by five, six different men. Under what excuse?  And these people are not parenting. They’re buying things for the kid -- $500 sneakers -- for what?” • Bill Cosby uses statistics, and examples of how women are having children with unknown men and are spoiling those children.

Major Premise • The major premise in this is that the community, especially the black community in Bill Cosby’s point of view, must be improved • He feels that the black community must be improved due to use of improper English, bad parenting, lack of responsibility, and crime issues • In the speech, Bill Cosby is saying that many people of the black community should stop blaming discrimination, segregation, and the government for high unemployment rates and the racial success gap. They only have themselves to blame.

Rhetorical Devices – Repetition • Ladies and gentlemen, I really have to ask you to seriously consider what you’ve heard, and now this is the end of the evening so to speak. I heard a prize fight manager say to his fellow who was losing badly, “David, listen to me. It’s not what’s he’s doing to you. It’s what you’re not doing." • Ladies and gentlemen, these people set -- they opened the doors, they gave us the right, and today, ladies and gentlemen, in our cities and public schools we have 50% drop out. In our own neighborhood, we have men in prison. No longer is a person embarrassed because they’re pregnant without a husband. No longer is a boy considered an embarrassment if he tries to run away from being the father of the unmarried child. • Ladies and gentlemen, the lower economic and lower middle economic people are not holding their end in this deal. • Bill Cosby uses the words, “Ladies and gentleman” in several parts of his speech

Powerful Lines • “I’m telling you Christians, what’s wrong with you? Why can’t you hit the streets? Why can’t you clean it out yourselves? It’s our time now, ladies and gentlemen. It is our time. And I’ve got good news for you. It’s not about money. It’s about you doing something ordinarily that we do -- get in somebody else’s business. It’s time for you to not accept the language that these people are speaking, which will take them nowhere. What the hell good is Brown v. Board of Education if nobody wants it?” • I think this is one of the best lines in the speech. I agree with his statement, “…Christians, what’s wrong with you?”, because some of us as Christians, don’t seem to be doing our job as Christians.

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Decorating By boygeniusandme Updated 16 Oct 2008 , 8:39pm by indydebi

I'd like to do something about cakes/cake decorating for my informative speech for class. I cannot narrow down an outline. I need 3 main points/topics. I am a beginner/intermediate decorator, and do not use fondant yet. I was thinking something like (1) Find perfect recipe/design/idea that fits with theme of event. (2) Gather all materials/supplies (3) Frost/Decorate. Or maybe (1) Bake cake, (2) Frost cake (Give buttercream recipe, explain how to fill in between layers and ice smoothly), (3) Decorate cake (give examples of common decorations). Any advice appreciated! I need to have posters/props/etc. I was also considering doing a demo of simple Halloween cupcake with grass and spiders piped on (since speech is right before Halloween). Also considering having enough materials for everyone to make a mini Halloween cupcake like the one I demo! Like every 2-3 people share supplies. I do have enough supplies, not too big of a class.

So this is a "how to" of sorts? Just some ideas... Introduction - what you are going to talk about. "I'm going to tell you how to do XYZ to create this final product." Background...how did you get started? Why are you interested in this topic? The following presentation will show you how to get started. Point 1 - Prepare materials and bake (1) Find perfect recipe/design/idea that fits with theme of event. (2) Gather all materials/supplies Point 2 - Tips to get the "perfect cake" ready to decorate. Point 3 - How to ice and decorate. This is where your creativity comes through 2) Frost cake (Give buttercream recipe, explain how to fill in between layers and ice smoothly), (3) Decorate cake (give examples of common decorations). You should also do the hands on demo. Anything interactive makes a great presentation.

Is this your informative speech or your demonstration speech? Or are you combining the two? I like the part about finding the right recipe .... why fondant or carved cakes need a more firm cake. Cake prep ..... how to wrap to properly freeze, how to properly thaw, how to trim the dome to make it flat (my neighbor thought this was GENIUS when I told her that's how we got flat cakes ... duh!!!), how to put a dam between the layers, how to place the dam slightly inside the edge of the cake to prevent bulging. How and why we crumb coat. Icing and smoothing techniques: Melvria, Viva, Hot Knife, drywall scraper, why a turntable is crucial.

Thank you both! There are just sooo many topics I could get into. So many gadgets/techniques to explain. I want to make it pretty specific and not be talking for hours, lol. Also, it is supposed to be an informative speech. Do you think I should not do the demo at all? I really wanted to demo while I talked about the decorating. And I also would like to get the class involved.

Maybe you want to save this topic for your demo speech? Or narrow the focus ..... "Inform" them on why styrofoam and centerpiece cakes are not cheaper, like the magzs say they are. "Inform" them on what's involved in making a Duff cake. Both of these make good demo speeches, but when you can make them understand it in an informative speech, then you've got it nailed!!

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Watch CBS News

Ashley Biden introduces her father at DNC as the "OG girl dad" and one of the most "consequential" leaders in history

By Kathryn Watson

August 20, 2024 / 10:12 AM EDT / CBS News

Ashley Biden, President Biden's 43-year-old daughter who typically stays out of the spotlight, introduced her father Monday night at the first night at the  Democratic National Convention in Chicago as he delivered one of his final and most historic speeches in his time as president and a public servant. 

A social worker in Philadelphia, Ashley Biden offered a different side to her father, as not just one of the "most consequential leaders ever in history," but also as the "OG girl dad."

"He told me I could be anything and I could do anything," she said. 

"And he wasn't just a girl dad. I could see that he valued and trusted women," Ashley Biden said. "How he listened to his mother. How he believed in his sister. And most of all, how he respected my mother's career. Dad was always there doing everything he could to be a true partner to her. Dad, you always tell us but we don't tell you enough that you are the love of our lives and the life of our love." 

Ashley Biden said that on her eighth birthday, her father, a U.S. senator at the time, took the Amtrak train from Washington, D.C., to Delaware just to hug her and watch her delight at seeing her birthday cake. 

She also recalled her wedding reception in her parents' backyard more than a decade ago, when Mr. Biden was vice president, and made sure that the backyard was perfect. 

"And by the way, he was very emotional," she said. "I thought that I would be a mess, but he was the one crying, and I was the one that had to comfort him."

All these years later, Ashley Biden said, "Dad, you are still my best friend." 

When Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015, Ashley Biden said she and her brother Hunter didn't know if the pain would ever subside. Mr. Biden has often said it should be Beau in the Oval Office, not him. 

"Dad had the capacity to step out of his own pain and absorb ours," she said. "And I know Beau is with us tonight, as he is always with us."

The president has lost two of his four children, since his first wife and daughter died in a crash in 1972. Hunter and Beau were also badly injured. 

Ashley Biden pleaded with the supportive crowd to work harder than ever before. 

"So tonight, I am asking you if you stood with us in 2020, call upon your courageous heart," she said. "Stand with us today. Work harder than you have ever worked before in your life. This is the fight of our lifetime."

After her speech, the president took a moment to dab at his eyes, the emotion of the moment overwhelming him, and called her "incredible."

Ashley Biden was a frequent prescence at her brother Hunter's trial earlier this year in Wilmington, Delaware, on federal gun charges. Hunter Biden, who was convicted in June , made an appearance at the end of Mr. Biden's speech with his children. 

Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.

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With Ella Emhoff, the D.N.C. Keeps Its Family Theme Going

The stepdaughter of Kamala Harris took the stage alongside Ms. Harris’s niece and goddaughter.

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Kamala Harris’s Stepdaughter Ella Emhoff Speaks at the D.N.C.

Continuing the d.n.c.’s family theme, vice president kamala harris’s stepdaughter ella emhoff took the stage on thursday night..

Kamala came into my life when I was 14, famously, a very easy time for a teenager. Like a lot of young people, I didn’t always understand what I was feeling. But no matter what, Kamala was there for me. She was patient, caring, and always took me seriously. She’s never stopped listening to me, and she’s not going to stop listening to all of us.

By Madison Malone Kircher

• Aug. 22, 2024

Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, spoke onstage at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday evening, alongside Meena Harris, Ms. Harris’s niece, and Helena Hudlin, Ms. Harris’s goddaughter whose mother introduced Ms. Emhoff’s father, Doug Emhoff, to Ms. Harris over a decade ago.

“Kamala came into my life when I was 14, famously a very easy time for a teenager,” Ms. Emhoff said. “Like a lot of young people, I didn’t always understand what I was feeling, but no matter what, Kamala was there for me. She was patient caring and always took me seriously. She’s never stopped listening to me and she’s not going to stop listening to all of us.”

She also described her stepmother’s focus on fighting for health, environmental and social justice. “She isn’t alone, we’re all in this fight together,” Ms. Emhoff, 25, said.

Ms. Emhoff and her family have been fixtures at this week’s events. Her brother, Cole Emhoff, introduced their father before his speech on Tuesday evening. Their mother, the film producer Kerstin Emhoff, has also been in attendance. (The couple divorced in 2009; Ms. Harris and Mr. Emhoff married in 2014.) In his speech, Mr. Emhoff proudly described his “ big, beautiful blended family .” Before Ms. Emhoff took the stage, Ms. Harris’s grandnieces, with some help from the actor Kerry Washington, taught the crowd how to properly pronounce Ms. Harris’s name. “Comma-la!”

Ms. Emhoff had discussed her father’s speech on Instagram earlier in the week, writing “if you saw me cry on tv NO YOU DIDNT.” She continued, “Just kidding I was crying like a little baby.”

In the post, she included a photo of herself kissing her purse for the evening: a black leather bag with a fake chocolate chip cookie affixed to the front from the designer Puppets and Puppets that she paired with a plaid suit from Thom Browne.

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