How to Write a Speech About Someone I Admire

It is an honor to be asked or to be able to write a speech about someone that you admire. When the task is to write a speech, it can feel like a daunting endeavor, particularly when the subject is someone you look up to or who had a large impact on your life. Whether it is for an award ceremony or a school assignment, family reunion or wedding anniversary, cobbling together a compelling speech about someone you admire can be a moving moment as well as an enjoyable experience.

Getting Started on Speech Writing

Before you reach for all the words, begin with just a few. Create an outline that will touch on your key points. Consider the person and jot down what comes to mind when you concentrate on the individual as well as how he or she has made an impact on you and others. If it is a family member, reach into the past and showcase some of his or her early experiences.

Once you have a relatively rough outline of what you hope to touch on, write your introduction. The introduction sets the tone and grabs your audience. Some ways to craft an attention-grabbing introduction is to start with a question, a well-known joke or anecdote. Make sure it is something that the entire audience can understand.

Person I Admire Speech Body Basics

When writing a speech about someone you admire, turn your attention not only to the person, but accomplishments, inflections of speech or other personal traits. There are two objectives when giving a speech, to make a good impression and leave the audience with a clear and informative understanding of your subject. Consider your audience before sitting down to write your speech. The missive should reflect the occasion, either light and jovial or stern and touching. Focus your audience’s attention on the main facts quickly by giving a preview in the opening descriptive paragraph. Establish goodwill from the beginning and grab the crowd’s attention with a pithy turn of phrase or poignant piece of literature.

Reach Out for Inspiration

Look at an example of a speech about someone who was admired for speech writing tips. Comedian and actress Maya Rudolph gave a gripping commencement speech in 2015 that focused on people that she admired. These included her family as well as people she admired in the industry, including Oprah Winfrey and Beyonce. If you need moments of inspiration while you are writing your speech about someone you admire, turn to those who have gone before you. Studying compelling speeches can help you understand how to convey emotion and impact through your carefully chosen words. If you are writing about family members, ask those who have given speeches in the past for encouragement.