1 What is memorable from the speeches you heard when you graduated from high school? If you were giving that speech, what could you have included to personalize it and make it more memorable?
2 When is it appropriate to use humor? Should speakers tell jokes? When/Why/Why not? Can there be too much of a good thing with humor for a speaker? Can humor hurt credibility?
3 Do you know any good toasts? What are the elements of an effective toast? How can you tell the difference between a good one and a bad one?
4 Have you seen someone introduce someone else in a formal speech setting? How did they do? What are the elements of an effective speech of introduction? Did the speech you are recalling satisfy these elements? What should speakers avoid?
5 Why are brevity and gratitude key elements of an effective acceptance speech? Is it appropriate for recipients to use the platform of their acceptance speech to further a cause they care about? What causes or issues are out of bounds? If there are some, why are they not appropriate?