Resources for speakers

Some excellent resources for speakers and speechwriters are available on the web. If you need inspiration for a speech, whether it is a wedding toast, retirement speech, business presentation or eulogy, here are some other websites that can help.

These sites are listed by topic on the basis of

  1. presentation techniques
  2. speechwriting tips
  3. examples of great speeches.

Resources for presenting an effective speech

Six Minutes: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills blog  
Andrew Dlugan got the title of his blog from the average time of a Toastmasters speech. His site focuses on speaking and speechwriting tips as well as reviews of books to help speakers and writers improve.  

Manner of Speaking
John Zimmer, an attorney who has captured some international speaking titles from Toastmasters provides excellent advice on delivery techniques. He also analyzes great speeches so we can all improve by studying these examples.

Toastmasters, International
The educational organization known worldwide for helping people become accomplished public speakers has a variety of resources. Search for a local chapter to find a solid program that will help you gain confidence and enhance your speaking skills. 

Rhetorical Devices
Here's a list with examples of your favorite rhetorical devices as well as a few dozen you've never heard of.  Stretch yourself and try something new.

Write Out Loud 
A fantastic collection of tips, ideas and practices especially for teachers, students and anyone else who wants to improve their speaking talents.

Speaker checklist
A downloadable list of everything a speaker could possibly need from breath mints to spare batteries.

Public Words
A blog by Harvard Professor Nick Morgan who writes about speaking techniques with some interesting connections to the neuroscience of body language, presentations and impressions speakers unconsciously make.

Best Speech Topics

This website developed by teacher/attorney Brian Bellamy has tons of ideas on topics for a host of speeches. He's also quite familiar with Aristotle's three pillars of persuasion: logos, pathos and ethos.

woman working on laptopImage by Bartek Zelowsky, Pixabay
woman working on laptopImage by Bartek Zelowsky, Pixabay

Speechwriting resources

Money-saving Guide for Authors and Writers

This listing is a reference and list of tools for writers and editors ranging from the classic Elements of Style to scholarship opportunities for students and potential careers for writers.

Examples of great speeches

Vital Speeches Of The Day 

TED Talks: Riveting Talks by Remarkable People - Ideas Worth Spreading.
Great speakers surface in all walks and professions. This site collects gems from the worlds of business, education, science and the arts.  

The Top 100 American Speeches as selected by American Rhetoric
This site contains both printable and audio versions of some of the most significant speeches in American history.   


Tools for speechwriters

Online Rhyming Dictionary -  If you are a poet and know it, this site will help you write rhyming verses. If you believe poetry does not need to rhyme, this site will be pretty useless.

Cicero Speechwriting Awards: Honoring Excellence In Speechwriting 
A site for speechwriters who want to match their skills with others in the profession.

Collections of everything speech-related
Alltop.com, the WalMart for webpages, offers a listing of bloggers with the best advice on speechwriting, public speaking and presentation skills. 

Quotation sources

The Quotations Page is a good source for famous quotes.  

Living Life Fully - A collection of motivational and inspirational quotes on a variety of topics.

You might like these

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    Mothers Day Messages

    Mothers Day messages and quotes to inspire you on this special holiday.

  • Celebrate mom with one of these mothers day songs and tributes. Our ways of appreciating mom in song and verse have changed over the years.

    Mothers Day Songs and Tributes

    Celebrate mom with one of these mothers day songs and tributes. Our ways of appreciating mom in song and verse have changed over the years.

  • If you have a big speech coming up, here's a checklist for speakers that will help you plan your remarks and ensure that your audience stays with you.

    Checklist for speakers

    If you have a big speech coming up, here's a checklist for speakers that will help you plan your remarks and ensure that your audience stays with you.

  • Need a tribute speech that feels real? Use 8 planning questions, add a strong opener and closer and share one story that shows why they matter.

    Tribute speech checklist for retirements, awards, birthdays

    Need a tribute speech that feels real? Use 8 planning questions, add a strong opener and closer and share one story that shows why they matter.

  • Here are tips for a great graduation speech if you are one of the lucky ones who will play a major role in this important ceremony.

    Tips for a great graduation speech

    Here are tips for a great graduation speech if you are one of the lucky ones who will play a major role in this important ceremony.

  • Schools usually honor retiring teachers with a tribute or special presentation. Here are some ideas for a retiring teacher tribute that can fit the tone of the occasion, whether it's solemn or joyful.

    Retiring teacher tribute

    Schools usually honor retiring teachers with a tribute or special presentation. Here are some ideas for a retiring teacher tribute that can fit the tone of the occasion, whether it's solemn or joyful.

  • Check out these ways to get attention when you start your speech to connect with your audience from the beginning.

    Get attention when you start your speech

    Check out these ways to get attention when you start your speech to connect with your audience from the beginning.

  • Some lighthearted and serious mother poems you can use and adapt for Mother's Day or birthdays.al day.

    Mother Poems

    Some lighthearted and serious mother poems you can use and adapt for Mother's Day or birthdays.al day.

  • Whether it's a special holiday like Mother's Day or a graduation, find out what to say.

    Special event speeches

    Whether it's a special holiday like Mother's Day or a graduation, find out what to say.

  • Momisms -- the things your mother always told you to do, to be or to become.

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    Momisms -- the things your mother always told you to do, to be or to become.

  • Wisdom and wise sayings from mother for a Mother's Day tribute or a Mothers Day card

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    Wisdom and wise sayings from mother for a Mother's Day tribute or a Mothers Day card

  • Here are some special quotes about dad to help you honor your father on Father's Day or his birthday.

    Quotes about Dad

    Here are some special quotes about dad to help you honor your father on Father's Day or his birthday.

  • Add rhetorical devices to your speech to give it added interest and color.

    Add rhetorical devices to your speech

    Add rhetorical devices to your speech to give it added interest and color.

  • Using stories and anecdotes for your speech will help you connect with your audience in ways that facts never will.

    Stories and Anecdotes for your speech

    Using stories and anecdotes for your speech will help you connect with your audience in ways that facts never will.

  • Your fear of public speaking is natural. Here are some tips that go through the process of relieving anxiety that is natural for anyone approaching a speech. to help you master your talk and quell the nevous jitters that are common when you have to give a speech.

    Your Fear of Public Speaking

    Your fear of public speaking is natural. Here are some tips that go through the process of relieving anxiety that is natural for anyone approaching a speech. to help you master your talk and quell the nevous jitters that are common when you have to give a speech.

  • Writing a tribute to honor someone who has made a remakable contribution or accomplished something extraordinary to improve a community is an honor. This page gives you an example of a sample tribute with an outline you can use to make your own speech.

    Sample tribute to a special volunteer

    Writing a tribute to honor someone who has made a remakable contribution or accomplished something extraordinary to improve a community is an honor. This page gives you an example of a sample tribute with an outline you can use to make your own speech.

  • What good is a great speech unless you keep your audience engaged? Here are some techniques to add to your speech.

    Keep your audience engaged

    What good is a great speech unless you keep your audience engaged? Here are some techniques to add to your speech.

  • Make a tribute to Mother this Mother's Day to let her know how much she means to you.

    Tribute to Mother

    Make a tribute to Mother this Mother's Day to let her know how much she means to you.

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