(See sample speech here)
Introduction
Humor is the spice that will add interest and excitement to virtually any speech. Effective use of humor is a skill worth developing because it will mark you as a speaker who should be invited back again. Although this project calls for a strictly humorous speech, the principles explained here can be used in almost any speech you give.
Executive Summary
Humor is an ideal way to attract and hold an audience’s attention. You can also use humor to build rapport, emphasize points, convey a sensitive point, or deal with unexpected incidents that occur during your talk. Humor includes some kind of unexpected twist that pleasantly surprises the audience. Practice delivering the material until you can do so smoothly, pausing before the punch line to create tension.
Objectives
- Entertain the audience by relating a personal experience.
- Organize an entertaining speech for maximum impact.
Your Assignment
For this project, prepare, rehearse and deliver a five- to seven-minute humorous speech using original material drawn from your own experience as well as material from other sources, adapted to fit the talk. Possible topics you may use are:
- Embarrassing experiences
- Explaining a complex subject, making humorous mistakes as you do so
- Trying to cope with an unusual situation
- Making fun of yourself.
The Entertaining Speaker Manual
