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3 Minute Self Introduction Speech Examples: Make an Impact

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Delivering a self-introduction speech can be a powerful tool when making a lasting first impression. Whether meeting new colleagues at a networking event or introducing yourself to a new team, a well-crafted self-introduction can help you establish credibility, connect with your audience, and leave a lasting impact.

This article will explore the importance of a self-introduction speech and provide 3 minute self introduction speech examples to help you craft your own. Following our tips and guidance can make a memorable impression on your audience.

Key Takeaways:

• A self-introduction speech can help you establish credibility and connect with your audience.
• A successful self-introduction speech follows a specific format, including the opening, body, and closing.
• Incorporating personal stories, highlighting achievements and expertise, and conveying your goals and passions can make your self-introduction speech engaging.
• Polishing your delivery and presentation skills can ensure your message resonates with your audience.

3 Minute Self Introduction Speech Example

In a three-minute introduction, you have the opportunity to delve deeper into your narrative, showcasing your personality and achievements in a manner that fosters a memorable connection. Here’s an example that strikes a balance between professionalism and personal connection:

A Strong Opening

“Hello and warm greetings to everyone here. My name is [Your Name], and in these next few minutes, I hope to take you on a brief journey through my professional landscape, sharing the milestones that have significantly shaped my career and aspirations.”

Laying the Foundation

“I began my academic career at [Your University], where I pursued a degree in [Your Field of Study]. My time there was not just about gaining knowledge; it was about challenging the status quo. I was involved in [Projects/Research], which ignited my passion for [Industry/Field of Interest].”

Professional Growth

“After graduating, I stepped into the world of [Your Industry/Field], starting at [Your First Job] and eventually finding my way to [Current Position and Company]. Along this path, I’ve embraced roles that demanded [Skill #1] and [Skill #2], each position offering a unique set of challenges and learnings.

Sharing Success Stories

“One of my proudest achievements to date has been [Describe a Significant Achievement or Project], which not only impacted our [Client/Customer/User] base by [Result of Project], but it also taught me valuable lessons in leadership and innovation.

Personal Insights

“While my professional life has been a whirlwind of excitement and challenges, I also find joy in [Personal Interests]. Whether it’s [Hobby #1] or [Hobby #2], these activities keep me grounded and have honed skills that I often draw upon in my professional life, such as [Skill or Trait].”

Vision for the Future

“As I look to the future, I am driven by a vision to [Your Professional Aspiration], aspiring to contribute to [Field/Industry/Society] in meaningful ways. The road ahead is full of possibilities, and I am eager to collaborate with others who share this vision.”

Call to Engage

“I am here today because I believe in the power of connection and the incredible outcomes that can arise when like-minded individuals come together. I look forward to exchanging ideas and exploring how we can make a collective impact.”

Grateful Acknowledgment

“To conclude, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this opportunity to introduce myself. I’m enthusiastic about the potential conversations and partnerships that may emerge from this gathering. Thank you for your attention, and I hope to speak with many of you afterward!”

Understanding the Purpose of a Self-Introduction Speech

Before we dive into more examples of effective self-introduction speeches, let’s discuss why this presentation skill is crucial. A self-introduction speech establishes credibility, connects with your audience, and creates a memorable first impression. When done correctly, it can help you win over an audience and set the tone for the rest of your presentation.

Key Components of a Self-Introduction Speech

A well-structured self-introduction speech can captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. A successful self-introduction speech typically consists of three key components: the opening, body, and closing. Here’s a breakdown of each:

Following this basic format, you can create an effective and engaging self-introduction speech to impress your audience. In the following sections, we will explore each component in more detail and provide tips on maximizing your self-introduction speech .

Crafting a Memorable Opening

The opening of your self-introduction speech is your chance to capture your audience’s attention and establish a connection. A strong opening sets the tone for your entire presentation and can make a lasting impression on your listeners.

Using a Quote

One way to start your self-introduction speech is by using a memorable quote. The quote should relate to your topic or personal story and be brief but impactful. For example:

“As Maya Angelou once said, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'” This quote encapsulates my belief that it’s not just about what we achieve, but how we impact the lives of those around us. My name is [Name], and I’m excited to share my story with you today.”

Asking a Rhetorical Question

Another way to start your self-introduction speech is by asking a rhetorical question. This can pique your audience’s interest and get them thinking about your topic. For example:

“Have you ever experienced something that completely changed your life? That’s what happened to me last year when I…” Starting with a rhetorical question can make your audience feel like they are part of the presentation and make them more engaged in your story.

Sharing a Personal Anecdote

You can also start your self-introduction speech by sharing a personal anecdote. This can make you more relatable to your audience and establish a connection. For example:

“I remember the first time I walked into a courtroom. I was intimidated, nervous, and unsure of myself. But then I took a deep breath and reminded myself of all the hard work I had put in to get there. Hi, my name is [Name], and I’m a lawyer who’s passionate about helping others overcome their fears and achieve their goals.”

Remember, the opening of your self-introduction speech should be short, memorable, and relevant to your topic. Use one of these techniques or devise a creative way to start your speech on a strong note.

Engaging the Audience with Your Personal Story

Sharing your personal story can be one of the most effective ways to hook your audience and make a lasting impression. By revealing your experiences and challenges, you can connect with your listeners on a deeper level, making your self-introduction speech more relatable and engaging.

One way to incorporate your personal story is by using anecdotes or specific events that have shaped who you are today. For example, you could share a story about overcoming a difficult obstacle or achieving a significant milestone. This not only showcases your achievements but also highlights your resilience and determination.

Another approach is using humor to lighten the mood and entertain your audience. Sharing a funny or embarrassing story can help break the ice and make your speech more memorable. Ensure the story is appropriate and doesn’t detract from your overall message.

Highlighting Your Achievements and Expertise

One effective way to capture your audience’s attention during your self-introduction speech is by highlighting your achievements and expertise. This establishes credibility and demonstrates why you are the right person for the job or opportunity.

When discussing your achievements, focus on those relevant to the topic or situation. For example, if you’re introducing yourself at a networking event for entrepreneurs, highlight any successful businesses you’ve started or projects you’ve launched. It’s also important to keep your tone humble and avoid appearing arrogant or boastful.

As for showcasing your expertise, highlight your relevant skills and experiences. For example, if you’re a marketing professional, discuss any successful campaigns you’ve led or any innovative strategies you’ve implemented. This can help demonstrate your value and expertise in the field.

Conveying Your Goals and Passions

An effective self-introduction speech should provide your audience with your background and accomplishments and convey your passions and goals. Sharing your aspirations with your listeners can inspire and deepen their connection with you.

When incorporating your goals and passions into your self-introduction speech, it’s essential to be authentic and passionate. Enthusiasm is contagious, and your audience will be more likely to engage with you if they can feel your passion.

Consider sharing a personal story highlighting your field interest or commitment to a particular cause. This can help establish your credibility and make you more relatable to your audience.

Wrapping Up with a Strong Conclusion

Now that you have crafted an engaging and effective self-introduction speech , it’s important to wrap up with a strong conclusion. Your conclusion should leave a lasting impression on your audience and encourage them to remember you.

To conclude your speech, summarize the key points you have discussed and reiterate your main message. You can also share a memorable quote or personal anecdote that ties in with your overall theme. Consider incorporating a call to action, such as inviting your audience to connect with you on social media or to continue the conversation after the presentation.

Remember to emphasize the importance of your topic and show gratitude for your audience’s attention. End your speech with a confident and enthusiastic tone, leaving your audience inspired by your words.

Polishing Your Delivery and Presentation Skills

Delivering a successful self-introduction speech requires excellent content and effective delivery. Here are some tips to help you polish your presentation skills:

Crafting a self-introduction speech can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the key components outlined here and practicing your delivery skills, you can create a powerful and memorable introduction that will leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Remember to personalize your speech and highlight your achievements, expertise, goals, and passions. Incorporate storytelling techniques and hook your audience from the start. Conclude your speech with confidence and leave your listeners inspired.

Whether you’re delivering a self-introduction speech for a job interview, a networking event, or simply to introduce yourself to a new group of people, these tips and examples will help you make a positive and influential first impression. Good luck!

How do you introduce yourself in 3 minutes?

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Self Introduction Speech – How To Write With Examples

First impressions are very important. Whether it is at school, work, or organization, your introduction is an audience’s first real chance to know you. It will have a huge impact on how they perceive you.

But the good news is: You get to control that narrative.

The key to a good self-introduction speech is balance. You want to present your accomplishments but without coming off as bragging. Typically, this type of speech is known as an “icebreaker” as it aims to break the ice and let others know you. This is your chance to establish good credibility.

Fear not! We will help you craft the best introduction speech with our outline, tips, as well as self-introduction speech samples.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Self-introduction Speech Outline

Sample introduction speech topics, sample self introduction speech objectives, write the outline, including hobbies and interests, sell yourself, use short, simple sentences..

What exactly do you need to cover in your introduction speech? You might choose to include a wide variety of information but there are some things you should not miss. Some of them are as follows:

• What is your name?
• Where are you from?
• What are some of your main interests and hobbies?
• What has been your passion in life?
• Who has been your role model?
• Any fun facts that make you stand out.
• Your credibility or job title.

Tip: If possible you should definitely include a visual aid in the form of pictures to compliment your speech. Pictures of you, your travels, family, or pets are always endearing!

Writing a self-introduction speech always seems easy at first. Besides, you definitely know yourself the best. However, once you begin writing you can find yourself getting lost. What do you want to include in this speech? So, grab a pen and scan through the topics in the list below. Circle any of the ones that speak to you so that you have a better grasp of what direction you’d like to take with your speech.

• What event has played an important part in shaping your life? Tell the story and the lesson you’ve learned.
• What is your goal in life?
• Where are you from? Is there anything about your culture or traditions that you’d like to share?
• How do you like to spend your time?
• What are some of your pet peeves?
• Do you have any special skills that you’re proud of?
• What does a day in your shoes feel like?
• What have been some of the most important milestones in your life?
• Have there been any difficult times that guided your life?
• What is a topic you could talk about for hours?
• What is an object that is dearest to you?
• What quirks make you the individual you are?

Now that you have an idea on how to draft your outline, here are some objectives for you to tick off.

• First off, grab their attention. Just because it is your introduction does not mean that your opening has to be plain. Find something catchy and concise.
• Start with some background. Set up the stage and introduce who you are. Try to present it in chronological order.
• Build a story. The speech is about you but make sure you build a relatable story to keep the audience’s attention.
• Show, don’t tell. Instead of saying how reliable you are, tell a story that shows it.
• For conclusion, try to leave your audience with a takeaway. Whether from your experiences or from a relatable standpoint. Either that or you can build the story leading up to who you are right now and leave the stage on an inspirational note.

How to write a self-introduction speech?

Are you ready to write your self-introduction speech? We’ve got just the steps for you:

The outline of your speech is simply a skeletal draft of your speech. It can initially simply take the form of bullet points. What matters is you figure out what elements are going into the speech. Similarly, figure out what order you will be presenting these elements. Typically icebreakers follow a chronological order so that you can build up to the current you.

It is common to start with your roots. Pick out some childhood traits that are relatable or that make you stand out. You can build on this with stories, talk about your education, and go on to talk about how you got to where you are currently.

If you are introducing yourself in a work setting, make sure you link your interest to your ambition. It will project you in a good light to your superiors and will also make your hobbies a lot more relevant. This is also a great idea to keep your speech concise and to the point. From a professional standpoint, you should follow your hobbies with the steps you are taking to reach the goal. For example, “I’ve always been into sketching, but now I’m taking illustrator courses to put my designing skills to use.”

Your hobbies are a great insight into who you are in your free time. If you’re into a particular niche hobby like bird-watching or pottery, you might even end up finding others in the crowd with similar interests. Similarly, it is a great way to gain credibility on a certain subject.

When people talk about their passion, there is a certain twinkle in their eyes. This is such an endearing quality that is sure to get your audience to respond. Try to give a short insight into you pursuing the hobby or how you came about to discover it in the first place. It is much more effective than simply listing out your interests. Talk about what aspects of the hobby draw you to it. It can help the audience get the bigger picture in getting to know you.

If the icebreaker is being delivered in a much more formal setting, you might want to focus more on your personal skills than your hobbies. The audience there might be more interested in your soft skills than your love of photography.

It might help to list out all your hobbies, interests, and skills along with why you are drawn to those interests. It can help you draw a parallel between them and deliver a much more well-rounded speech.

Knowing a person is an endless process. We’re sure you must have gone through your own journey with highs, lows, milestones and learnings that could be their own feature movies. It can be difficult to decide what exactly gets to make it to the speech when all of it made you who you are. But the longer you pad your introduction, the less are the chances of people actually listening to it.

This is why your self-introduction speech needs to spend a good amount of time on the cutting floor as well. Assess your audience and try to think of it from their perspective. What is relevant? Also, think of the location and if your stories are appropriate for the setting. Make sure you respect the time by picking only the most relevant information and keeping it short.

Even if your usual style is something like self-deprecating humor, for this occasion try to present yourself in a much more positive light. You want to project confidence. This is the impression that most of these people are likely to remember, so make it a good one. Pick your traits and stories well.

A self-introduction speech is almost always a great floor to pitch yourself. When else will you get this open invitation to present yourself to potential clients? Remember, the aim is to boost yourself and not boast about yourself. If you talk too much about what you can do and have done, it is easy to sound pompous and turn people off.

Try to stick to the truth. Instead of listing accomplishments by the dozens, talk about a passion you had and how you turned it into an accomplishment. Stay humble when speaking of future aspirations. And most of all, be grateful. Show appreciation to the people who have helped you so far.

How you sell yourself is not just dependent on the words you speak but also on your delivery. All the words in the world won’t be able to make up for a meek delivery. So make sure you write from your heart as that will be the easiest to deliver. Work on your build-up so that the ending is satisfying. Don’t just give an account for accomplishments by the year. For example: talk about how curious you were about animals from early on, how you got into photography because it lets you keep a moment with you forever, and eventually you got into animal photography. This way, it feels like a complete story.

In a more professional setting, you’d say, “As a freelance photographer, I used my marketing background to promote myself and stayed active in networking. I learned that creativity is wonderful but paired with due diligence, it can get you to much greater heights.” It showcases your skills, your traits, as well as shows you as an individual that is constantly reflecting, learning, and growing. This is the sweet spot you are aiming for.

While we’ve stressed the importance of relatability and humility, it is also important to create your own place on stage. You cannot be yet another person with only music and travel as their interests. Think of things that make you unique.

Put your humble hat aside for a bit. If you’ve assisted in making a big project happen, mention it. Talk about how you’ve led a team through a crisis. Discuss your learning experiences. Present a before and after of a milestone to show how much a role has impacted who you are today. Even if the project wasn’t successful, you can talk about how you’d approach it differently in the present day.

Even for relatively common interests like travel, you can pick unique memories and what aspects of travel have changed you for the better. Take every opportunity to spin a story to showcase a trait or talent. Think of the unique things that make you, you.

It can be easy to get lost in your stories. Try not to ramble too much and stick to the point. When writing your script, use varied sentence structures to keep things interesting. It will help if you read it out loud or record yourself so you can track how you’re doing. Try not to use too much jargon. Keep it simple and clear.

Self-Introduction Speech Examples & Tips to Help You Be Confident & Calm

Here's how you can nail your self-introduction speech, without the sweaty palms! Go from nervous to natural with these tips.

It's time! The moment for your self-introduction speech is upon you. Are your palms sweating just at the thought? There are two secrets to making it easier to give an introduction speech about yourself: practice and preparation.

And with those two things already on your to-do list, we took care of some of the lifting for you with these self-introduction speech examples. Plus plenty of tips to help you not only get through it but get through it and feel good about it after. Yes, it is possible. And you're on your way!

Easy Self-introduction Speeches for School

It's the first day of school or of the semester. Perhaps you've found yourself in a new classroom halfway through the academic year. No fear, these intros will ease you into things and hook you a few new friends and classroom groupmates, too.

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Self-Introduction for Elementary or Middle School Kids

For the younger kiddos, these intros are all about who they are and what makes them happy.

• "Hi, everybody! My name is [Your Name], and I'm super excited to be in this class with all of you. I'm [Your Age] years old. I live with my family, and we have a dog named [Dog's Name] who likes to eat all my homework. I really love dinosaurs, especially the T-Rex because he's big but has tiny arms, just like my baby brother when he tries to reach for cookies on the high shelf. In my free time, I love building rocket ships from Legos. One day, I hope to become an astronaut and find aliens -- friendly ones, of course!"
• "Good morning, everyone! I'm [Your Name], and I'm really excited to be part of this class. I am [Your Age] years old. At home, I'm the queen/king of board games, although my cat [Cat's Name] often tries to join in and messes up the pieces. My favorite food is pizza, because who can say no to pizza? And when I grow up, I want to be a detective because I love solving mysteries, like where my missing socks go in the dryer. I'm looking forward to learning and having fun with all of you this year!"

Self-Introduction Speech for High Schoolers

Give new classmates an in or let people know that you're just like them so you can make friends once you find the cafeteria.

• "Hey everyone, I'm [Your Name]. I'm new here, so please go easy on me if I can't find my way to the cafeteria. A few facts about me: I love music and play the guitar -- it's like a six-stringed stress buster for me. I'm a total sci-fi geek. If you need someone to debate Star Wars vs. Star Trek, I'm your person! And I have a secret ambition: to try every ice cream flavor in the world. Looking forward to getting to know all of you."

Self-Introduction Speech for College Kids

A quip about your major is a great way to start, but you can also loop in anything you love (or avoid) on your campus too, even if it's the steps by the library that seem to go on for eternity.

• "Hello everyone! My name is [Your Name] and I'm majoring in [Your Major]. When I'm not elbow-deep in textbooks or caffeine, I love exploring the city, one coffee shop at a time. Yes, I'm a self-confessed coffee addict and my dream is to find the perfect cup of coffee. I also enjoy [Another Hobby], because what's life without a little variety, right? Excited to be on this journey with you all!"

Job Interview Self-Introduction Speech

There's nothing like the dreaded "tell us about yourself" comment at an interview. The good news? You won't have any more nightmares because this intro is the perfect way to ease into the answer.

• "Good morning/afternoon! I'm [Your Name], and it's a pleasure to meet you. I graduated from [Your University] with a degree in [Your Major], and since then, I've gained [Number of Years of Experience] years of experience in the [Your Field] field. During my previous role at [Your Previous Company], I was responsible for [Key Responsibility] and I [Describe a Key Achievement or Impact You Made]. What I particularly enjoyed about that role was the opportunity to [Something You Enjoyed that Relates to the New Job]. In my free time, I enjoy [Briefly Mention a Hobby], which helps me to [Explain How It Applies to the New Role]. For example, [Concrete Example of How Hobby Relates to Job]. I'm excited about the possibility of bringing my unique experience and passion for [Mention Something About the Company or Role] to this position. Thank you for this opportunity to interview."
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Work Self-Introduction Speeches

Make a smooth, witty, and warm self-introduction when you land the job or want to kick off an introduction with ease.

Introduction for a New Job

You're the new kid on the block at the office, you have enough to learn, here's an easy intro on your first day before jumping in.

• "Hello team, I'm [Your Name]. I'm thrilled to be joining the [Company Name] family as your new [Your Job Title]. I come with a background in [Relevant Skills or Experience], and most recently, I was at [Previous Company] where I [Describe a Key Achievement or Project]. Outside work, I love [A Personal Interest or Hobby]. I look forward to collaborating with all of you and contributing to our shared success."

Introduction for a Presentation or Meeting

Before you launch into the important information, take a moment to let people know who you are, why you're giving this presentation, and why you're qualified to do it. After all, you've done all the hard work, allow your accolades to shine.

• "Good morning/afternoon everyone, for those who don't know me yet, I'm [Your Name], the [Your Job Title] here at [Company Name]. I oversee [Briefly Describe Your Responsibilities]. I've been with [Company Name] for [Duration at the Company], and before that, I worked at [Previous Company]. Today, I'm excited to discuss [Topic of Presentation or Meeting]. Although if you want to chat after, I also love [Hobby]."

Introduction for a Networking Event

You'll be introducing yourself a lot at networking, so now is the time to make yourself pop and be memorable.

• "Hello, I'm [Your Name], currently serving as a [Your Job Title] at [Company Name]. I've been in the [Your Industry] industry for [Number of Years], specializing in [Your Specialty]. When I'm not [Job-Related Activity], I like to [Personal Interest or Hobby]. I'm eager to meet like-minded professionals and see how we can help each other grow in our careers."

Introducing Yourself at a Funeral

Whether you're delivering a eulogy, poem, or making a brief introduction of yourself to other family and friends, you can rely on this intro to make things a little easier.

• "Good morning/afternoon, everyone. My name is [Your Name], and I had the honor of being [Deceased's Name]'s [Your Relation to the Deceased, e.g., friend, colleague, neighbor]. We shared many [memories/experiences] together, and I am here to pay my respects and celebrate the remarkable life they led. Their [specific quality or memory] has always stuck with me, and it is something I will carry in their memory."

How to Introduce Yourself at a Party

It's party time! Keep the intro laid back and casual.

• "Hi! I'm [Your Name]. I may know some of you from [How You Know Some People at the Party]. I'm [a brief sentence about yourself, e.g., your job, where you're from]. I'm a bit of a [Hobby] enthusiast, so if you ever want to chat about [Topic Related to Hobby], I'm all ears."

Examples of How to Introduce Yourself to a New Group

You're the newbie, and there's nothing wrong with that. Start your clean slate with a short and sweet intro.

• "Hello, everyone! My name is [Your Name]. I'm thrilled to be joining this group! I have always been passionate about [Your Hobby]. It all started when [A Short Story About How You Got Started With This Hobby]. Over the years, my love for it has only grown, and I've spent countless hours [Describe Something You Do Related to The Hobby].
• Apart from this, I'm [Something About Your Job or Other Interests]. In my day-to-day life, I'm a [Your Profession], which can be pretty demanding, but [Your Hobby] has always been my perfect stress-buster.
• I joined this group because I wanted to meet people who share this passion, learn from your experiences, and hopefully contribute with some of my own insights. I'm really excited to be a part of this community and can't wait to get to know all of you better!"

10 Tips for Writing and Making a Self-Introduction Speech

Here are some tips to keep in mind while writing and giving your self-introduction speech. The most important tip, however, is to do what feels natural and flows easily.

• Know Your Audience : Tailor your introduction to the context and the audience. A self-introduction at a professional event will be very different from one at a casual party.
• Start Strong: Grab the audience's attention from the beginning. You can start with an interesting fact about yourself, a short story, or a joke if the setting is informal.
• Keep It Brief: Your introduction should be concise and to the point. Stick to key details about who you are, what you do, and perhaps one or two interesting facts or hobbies.
• Be Authentic : Genuine introductions are the most memorable. Be honest about who you are and don't be afraid to show some personality.
• Highlight Key Moments : Especially in a professional setting, it can be helpful to highlight a few key experiences or achievements that have defined your career or personal life.
• End on a Positive Note: Conclude your introduction on a positive or forward-looking note. You could express excitement about the event or meeting, or share a hope or goal for the future.
• Practice, Practice, Practice : Rehearse your introduction speech so you can deliver it confidently and naturally. This will help reduce any nerves and ensure you come across as polished and professional.
• Be Engaging : Use body language to engage your audience. Make eye contact, smile, and use gestures where appropriate.
• Relate It to the Purpose of the Event : If there's a specific reason for your introduction (like starting a new job, or joining a club), make sure to mention your relationship to the event or group and your expectations or goals.
• Provide A Personal Touch : Share a little about your personal life (like a hobby or interest) to make your introduction more unique and memorable.

Remember, the goal is to introduce yourself effectively, not to tell your entire life story. Keep it brief, engaging, and genuine .

Introducing Yourself With Ease

Sit yourself in front of the mirror, and run through your lines like an actor for a play, and in no time at all, the words will flow and you'll find a natural cadence. You may even surprise yourself with how easily your introductions flows once you take the stage. Don't be surprised if people ask how you were so calm and cool.

How to Write a Speech About Yourself

Use this extensive guide to learn everything that you need to know about giving speeches. Nobody has to be born with an overwhelming amount of confidence and charisma to be good at speeches, even if that helps a lot.

Moreover, to deliver a great speech, you’ll need to come prepared with the written version of it. So, there’s no skipping this step. After that, it’s just practicing until it feels right. With the knowledge we will provide in this article, you can become more confident and skilled at speech writing.

We will also provide persuasive speech examples for you to have a clear reference for what you can write, so there’s no need to fret. Let’s go through this step by step with our write my dissertation service .

What We’ll Cover 

Don’t skip anything in this article if you want to make a stellar self-introduction speech about yourself that delivers your message and leaves an impact on your audience. The impact that you want, of course. 

On a side note, if you’re looking for expert writing help via the web, then EssayPro is a paper writing service with hundreds of expert writers ready for your beck and call. 

Moving on, this article will help you with:

• Making a speech outline
• To learn what to say about yourself
• Writing a 2-minute speech
• Writing persuasive speeches
• Learning how to write in the correct tone, as well as learning how to create an interesting hook

This info will be very useful if you want to create a well-written self-introduction speech about yourself. '

What Is an Introductory Speech? 

An introductory speech is a speech talking about yourself and particular aspects of yourself to persuade a crowd or perhaps reach a certain goal. Too burnt out? If you need a writer to help you make a speech, then you should consider outsourcing some of the writing to a professional.

But if you decide to take on the challenge of writing a self-introduction speech, after all, you should remember that the point of it is to communicate who you are to your audience first and foremost. 

Start With an Outline 

Preparation is key when writing an introductory speech. As an example, we’ve given you an entire speech outline that focuses on personal achievements at work and school. Of course, the content of your speech can change depending on the context. But the basic structure stays the same. Here it is:

Introduction. In the intro, state any fundamental information about you. This includes your full name, faculty, expertise, and college/university if you are attending one. Use a hook to get your audience invested in what you have to say.

‍ Informative Body Part . If the goal is to persuade and present oneself in a good light through personal achievements, then the body part should be as straightforward as possible. You can start by talking about:

• Personal experiences and achievements 
• Professional experience, work life, and professional achievements, your expertise, and specialty
• Social activities like volunteering, community work, charities, etc. 
• Your educational background 

Bonus Information. Include info on your skills, hobbies, and any additional languages you might speak.

Conclusion. You can write about future goals, dreams, and ambitions here. 

You are slowly learning how to write a speech about yourself the right way. Keep reading. 

What You Can Write About Yourself in a Speech

When writing and delivering an engaging ‘all about me’ speech, you can consider including the following (if it’s context-appropriate): 

• Telling a personal story about your life and experiences
• Using quotes that motivate and inspire. Only use quotes that have a significant meaning to you 
• Asking questions to further engage the audience  

Speeches are similar to rhetorical analysis, so you might learn a thing or two from reading up on them. Moreover, there is no one way to answer the question ‘how to write a persuasive speech’, but you can interject these elements in between information about yourself to keep it dynamic. 

Writing a Two Minute Speech About Yourself 

If you want to write a 2-minute speech about yourself, then it’s important to write about what matters since time is so limited. If you want to freshen up your writing, review types of sentences for a memory boost. But don’t stretch yourself too thin.

Let’s look at an example of how to write a speech. Let’s say you’re writing a speech for a job opportunity. Here are some things you can keep in mind but can also be applied to other contexts: 

• Mention your current job and your educational background, and don’t forget to talk about your dreams and goals.
• Get into detail. Mention what you did in your job and your professional achievements. Don’t be vague. You want to radiate confidence and provide concrete information.
• Talk with enthusiasm . Charisma can sometimes be seen from a mile. Do you think a recruiter would hire a monotonous and overly hesitant speaker over someone charismatic, precise, and enthusiastic? 

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Persuasive Speech Outline 

An introductory speech could also be persuasive, especially if you’re trying to get the audience to agree with your point of view. That’s the essence of a persuasive speech - to persuade. If you’re confused, start with a persuasive speech outline of the course. It could resemble this:

• Introduction : Include a hook, information about the topic, and perspective that you want to talk about, and then hit the audience with your thesis/claim.
• Body : Extrapolate on the points you made in the intro, just like in an essay. Start with the main ideas, then follow up with evidence.
• Conclusion : Restate the main idea/claim of your choosing. Restate your arguments, then write why you think your arguments are positive and have value. Then, depending on the context, call the audience to action.

And that basically answers the question of ‘How to write a speech outline for persuading?’. If you need some inspiration material - you can look up any TED talk. You’ll see that they tend to follow this structure pretty often.

Check out some narrative writing topics , the information may be helpful to you. 

Persuasive Speech About Yourself 

Speaking of persuasive speech examples, let’s look at an example of how to write a speech. If you need more references, then use ours below to refine your writing. It’s good to look at references since it can easily help you with any individual blocks in your creative process.

Persuasive Speech Example

Persuasive speech for a business presentation, step by step tips.

We’ve come this far in answering the questions of ‘How to write a speech about yourself?’, and for those who are still confused - it’s okay. We’re going to break it down for you, simple and clear. Follow our step-by-step guide, and you’ll overcome hurdles while writing what you need to. 

And on that note, for any writing difficulties you may have, the college essay writing service is ready and accessible through the click of your mouse. If your burdens are piling up, it’s time to get a helping hand. 

Now let’s go through our guide to help you learn how to start a speech about yourself and how to end a speech about yourself. 

Tone of Voice

Let’s not forget to cater the language and tone of your speech to the context and audience. We’ve learned that in speeches for a change in education or career opportunities, it’s best to keep a professional tone of voice and highlight your achievements. 

However, if the introductory speech is for a toast, or perhaps to persuade a general audience, a more relatable tone of voice is acceptable. 

Write a Hook

A hook should be intriguing, attention-grabbing, strong, and catchy. Its goal is to capture an audience, so try to think of something that subverts the audience’s expectations. For example, if your speech is going to be about yourself, don’t start with, “My name is Jeff.” Start things with something like, “I’ve always wanted to speak in front of an audience and share what’s important to me, and here I am now.”

Any speech class deals with this part of a self introduction speech in great detail. It will help you capture the audience’s attention. And once you have that - you are pretty much golden. Any speech is about capturing the audience’s attention first and foremost.

Make an Outline

As we’ve stated time and again, an introduction speech about yourself should be written after you’ve made a solid outline. Outlines streamline the process of making the speech and can help clear out any brain fog as well as give you a sense of direction. 

Write Your Speech

Now that you’ve got an outline, it’s time to take all the pieces together and write them down. And just like that, you’re halfway there already. By following what you’ve learned in the whole article, the writing part should have been made easier. Take the time to write your speech, edit it, and then it’s on to the next. Stick around to see an example of how to write a persuasive speech example.

Start with a short speech at first. A couple of sentences will be more than enough. You can then work your way up, adding some fluff to the opening statement, mentioning your professional life, and utilizing bullet points to make a stronger impression. Just be sure not to lose your main point, provide only relevant information without too much derailing, and use simple sentences to make a stronger impression.

You can also use some minimal prompts to push you in the right direction. Your first rough draft should not be perfect. But as you move forward, it should be getting better and better with every revision up until you arrive at your final draft. Introductory speeches require a lot of detailed feedback to polish. Run your draft by your friends, and see what they can help you with. This is going to be a turning point in your writing process. Public speakers are used to rehearsing their speeches multiple times in advance.

Practice It! 

It’s crunch time. All the effort, preparing, writing, and researching ideas come down to this point. While there are individuals who are great at improvising, don’t take a chance if you’ve never given a speech before. It’s best to be prepared. Being prepared can help you gain confidence in what you’re saying. Even if you’re not very good at public speaking - this is how you make it work.

If you have enough time, you can even take a speech class. It will help you be more confident about your public speaking. Giving some smaller speeches could also help you improve your public speaking skills. A self-introduction speech is not really that hard. And public speaking is not a talent, it’s an acquired skill. So work on improving it.

If you’re still looking for ideas, then here are some about me speech ideas that can help and might still give you some more insight on how to write a good speech about yourself. 

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is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Writing an elevator pitch about yourself: a how-to plus tips

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Why write an elevator pitch?

When to give an elevator pitch about yourself, how to write an elevator pitch about yourself: 5 steps.

How to deliver an elevator pitch about yourself

Pitch with confidence

Sometimes, you only have 30 seconds to make yourself stand out.

Whether you’re at a networking event, job interview, or career fair, you need to make a good first impression to gain your audience’s interest. Everyone has their own agenda. You must make the most of their time by providing them with all the information they need to understand who you are and what you offer. That’s where a personal elevator pitch comes in.

An elevator pitch, or elevator speech, is a concise explanation of your professional or personal brand. You write and memorize one you can deliver like a speech when the time is right. It usually lasts less than a minute — or about the time it takes to ride an elevator.

Creating and presenting an elevator pitch about yourself forces you to consider your strengths, describe your skills with brevity, and remember why you’re an asset.

Even though it’s a small sample size of you and your ideas, an elevator pitch can leave a lasting impression. It only takes a few milliseconds for someone to judge your character . If you use your time wisely with a well-prepared pitch, you’ll make your mark. 

You can also use an elevator pitch to encourage an emotional response from your audience. As Maya Angelou said , “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Psychology backs this up: emotional memories are often more powerful and long-lasting . If your elevator pitch includes a brief anecdote from your childhood that resonates with your audience, for example, they might remember who you are and what you offer long after the interaction. 

And because you’re meant to pull out an elevator pitch at a moment’s notice and make it concise, crafting one is a great way to learn to efficiently present your thoughts. Creating one can help you develop your writing, editing, and communication skills , among others. You’ll also develop research skills since you should customize every pitch to your audience or the networking event.

Drafting a personal elevator pitch is also an opportune time to affirm your value. If you experience imposter syndrome , or the feeling that you’re not good enough or prepared as well as you should be, brainstorming what makes you or your product valuable convinces you of this as well.

You can treat drafting, practicing, and delivery as a self-affirmation process that reminds you of your worth. Lastly, writing an elevator pitch is a fantastic time to discover any kinks in your business model. If you’re just starting out with a business idea, you can begin the brainstorming process by jotting down a one-minute speech about your offering.

Then, go off of this information to note any shortfalls, risks, and issues with your idea. This will help you develop a more comprehensive and thoughtful business plan to move forward with.

Some pitch-worthy situations are subtle, like when a professional in your industry starts chatting you up at your kid’s favorite park. Others are more obvious, like in an interview when asked , “Tell me about yourself.”

Here are some more settings that are perfect for delivering a pitch about yourself:

• Networking events : The purpose of networking opportunities is to connect with like-minded professionals. Use these events to broaden your circle and share your offering with as many people as possible.
• Job interviews: Typically right at the start, a recruiter or hiring manager will ask you to briefly describe yourself and your career up to that point. They usually want more than a reminder of your cover letter and resume , instead hoping to gain a well-rounded summary of your work ethic , personality, and employee strengths .
• LinkedIn professional summary and messages: Your professional social media presence speaks volumes about who you are and what you’re capable of. Make your LinkedIn profile reflect your offering and differentiators to increase the chance viewers consider you for opportunities.
• Career fairs: A career fair tests your ability to carry small talk and practice your elevator pitch. If you’re trying to land a job, you might consider creating a networking plan to execute at a job fair. To take some pressure off, remember that employers want you to be the one — they're looking for a good match for their organization and hope every person they encounter is it.
• Reunions: Be it a “Class of '09” school get together or a professional dinner for previous colleagues, reunions can be valuable networking opportunities in disguise. You never know what industry your high school best mate ended up in — and whether he might have the resources necessary to help you climb the corporate ladder of your choosing.

Your elevator pitch should be straight to the point, error-free, and compelling enough that they remember you. After reading or hearing about your expertise and offering, they should know precisely the opportunities they ought to keep you in mind for. 

Follow these five steps to craft your personal proposal.

1. Explain who you are

Start by introducing yourself — your name and current profession. Then find a couple key explanatory words to describe yourself further, perhaps altering your word choices to your audience.

If you’re a graphic designer, you might say, “Hey, I’m [name], a graphic designer focusing on search-engine-optimized websites. But really, I love any project that gets the creative juices flowing.” The listener now knows your name, what you do, your specialty, and that you’re a creative individual who might take on any fun project that comes your way. 

2. Explain what you want

Next, get to the point of what you want. If you’re looking for funding for your startup, say so — right off the bat. People appreciate transparency , so being honest puts you in a good light right away. You also can only gain what you ask for, and mentioning your needs immediately ensures you share this information before they lose interest. 

3. Explain what makes you unique

Your unique selling point depends on what you’re selling and could be anything from a great accomplishment, unique product feature you worked to create, or an interesting hobby.

If you’re trying to make a good impression on a coworker, you might express interest in an activity you know they enjoy. And if you’re pitching yourself to a hiring manager, you might note an employee strength that perfectly suits a role they’re hiring for. 

4. Create a call to action (CTA)

A CTA is an action you prompt the reader or listener to take after an interaction. When an email ends with a “Sign up for our newsletter!” button, that’s a CTA. 

In most situations, the best elevator pitches end with a CTA to keep the momentum going and spur engagement from your audience. You might direct them to check out your website or look at a demo you’ve sent. Or you might simply leave them with your contact information, like on a business card, and extend the offer for them to reach out. And you can let them know you’ll follow up to show your proactivity and care. 

But sometimes, like in a job interview, you won’t close a pitch with a CTA. Instead, you can simply leave them on the intriguing note of your unique differentiator.

5. Edit what you’ve written

Editing helps you condense information and ensure only the most important bits remain. Grammar and spelling errors also seem unprofessional so you can make a better impression if your work is error-free. 

If your pitch is verbal, you can still edit the content you memorize, reading it aloud several times to catch sticky areas or confusing sentences.

How to deliver an elevator pitch about yourself 

As Malcolm Gladwell argued, it takes 10,000 hours to perfect any craft . You likely won’t require this much time to write and memorize a great elevator pitch, but practice helps. You’ll feel more confident and comfortable knowing you won’t forget any details.

Here are five tips to help you deliver a fantastic personal pitch. 

1. Speak naturally and articulately 

For verbal pitches, your delivery is just as important as its content. You don’t want to sound like a pushy salesperson — even though you’re selling yourself. And you want them to understand your words well so they catch important information.

If you animate some of the highlights of your speech by adjusting your intonation or adding emotion, they might retain this information more because you’ve increased their engagement. 

When deciding how to deliver a pitch, work on cultivating welcoming body language but respecting their personal space. You should also make eye contact to keep them listening and try to convey a calm and relaxed demeanor to show them your confidence .

2. Tweak your pitches

Make your pitch more effective by customizing it to your audience. This builds rapport and shows you respect their time and aren’t simply delivering a generic speech. Instead, you’ve taken the time to research who they are, their interests, and how you might fit into their plans.

If delivering this pitch during a job interview, use language from the job description to show you’re a great fit. And if introducing yourself at a networking event, include industry-specific achievements those around you might care about.

3. Take it slow

While you have a lot you want to say in 30–60 seconds, don’t rush through your pitch. This makes it difficult for the listener to catch important details (like what you do or offer) and makes you seem nervous. You also want them to become engaged in your pitch — asking questions is the best outcome because this means the conversation can continue and you can provide even more information. 

Slowing down requires practice. Deliver your speech to a trusted friend or coworker and ask for feedback about your speed. Once they approve of a certain pace, figure out how long it takes for you to deliver it that way and practice always reaching that allotted time. 

You can also practice breathing exercises to train yourself to deliver comfortably. Your vocal power, tone, and pace are all connected to your ability to control your breathing and, therefore, your pulse . Breathing exercises also help control anxiety (the jitters) and allow you to focus on what matters — making a good impression.

4. Engage with a question

Ending your speech with a question is a fantastic way to keep the conversation going and show interest in your audience instead of just talking about yourself. You might ask a hiring manager if they could tell you more about the company’s origin story, for example, or a fellow industry professional about what their career path has looked like thus far.

5. Avoid rambling

You’ll typically ramble if you’re nervous or your thoughts are disorganized, and this is especially likely if you haven’t practiced your pitch and feel put on the spot. But rambling means you’ve lost the story’s point — and so will your audience. You’ll likely focus on unimportant details, missing the highlights you need your listener to remember. 

The best way to avoid rambling is to practice your pitch. And if you expect you’ll need to sell yourself on the spot in situations where you can’t prepare, like a large networking event, you can memorize several key points about yourself to make conversing easier.

If you notice yourself rambling, don’t fret — simply return to your point to strengthen this habit and with time, you’ll rarely lose your train of thought.

Expressing who you are and what you offer can be difficult, but doing so reminds you of your worth and ensures others understand the solutions you provide.

When presenting your personal brand, make sure the elevator pitch about yourself is snappy, informative, and memorable. You’ve got a 30-second elevator ride — and hopefully tons of practice — to get your point across.

If possible, rehearse several versions of your speech so you’re prepared for every occasion. You’ll know how to effectively sell yourself to the interested hiring manager and the distracted investor. And you’ll have gained priceless professional growth , like researching your audience and adjusting your body language and tone of voice to the situation.

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Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Self Introduction Speech [Topics + Outline Sample]

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.

This page deals with self introduction speech topics for classroom or other public speaking events an opportunities in life for a good first impression.

In this article:

Sample Introduction Speech Topics

Sample self introduction speech outline.

Another short manner for introducing yourself is the elevator speech, meant for business purposes.

The key question for successful and effective presenting yourself to others in both occasions is: how much and what information do you want the audience to know about you?

Due to the fact you have to write your talk around one theme, I recommend to develop one aspect of your life. That aspect will tell who you are and what you are about. Some people call this type a one-point preliminary, because it is based on one speaking idea.

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Look at the sample self introduction speech topics and pick out the aspects of your personal life you want to share with the audience. Approach the list below with the who, the what, the whereabouts, for sure the why, the how and when questions. That is an effective way to outline your first thoughts.

• What activity has played or plays an important part in your life? Tell the story and distract the message.
• What is your main personal goal?
• What do you like very much? Your hobby?
• What do you hate or dislike? Your aversions?
• Do you have developed a very special skill?
• What is your lifestyle?
• Can you come up with a turning point or milestone in you life?
• What is your hobby or interest in your spare time?
• What is a pet peeve or another very familiar topic you like to talk about, to do or to discuss?
• Where you are from? Do your roots reveal something about yourself that is new for the audience? That always works in a small nice text for introducing your biggest personal features.
• Is there an object or prop that means a lot to you?
• What distinguishes you from other individuals in class?

Now that you have picked out a central thesis, use this example profiler I have created:

Grab their attention . Immediately bring in your central message and come to the point.

Give some background information . Tell why it is important to you, why you are doing it, why you want to tell them, etcetera.

Now work out your item of discussion in a few sentences. Draw the contours, make it personal.

Give an example .

In conclusion, offer a memorable answer in your self-introduction speech on the question the listeners probably will have when they listen to your public speaking efforts: what’s in it for me? Tell how this aspect of your life makes who you are and what you are. It will be the perfect ending of your spoken presentation.

113 Extemporaneous Speech Topics

147 Unique Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative]

2 thoughts on “Self Introduction Speech [Topics + Outline Sample]”

i think that talking about some people that have influenced you the most really gives good base to your speech and it helps you by writing about things that you are familiar with so if you write about what has inspired you and what you care about you can easily write about anything.

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Public Speaking Helpline

How to Write a Speech About Yourself?

To write a speech about yourself, start by identifying your key accomplishments and experiences in a concise manner and then structure your speech around these points. When it comes to providing a speech about oneself, it’s crucial to strike a balance between confidently highlighting your achievements and maintaining humility.

Crafting a compelling speech can be challenging, but with a clear structure and effective storytelling, you can effectively convey your personal narrative. This article offers practical tips and insights to help you write a speech about yourself that captivates your audience’s attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Whether you’re preparing for a graduation ceremony, job interview, or a personal event, this guide will ensure your speech is well-organized, engaging and highlights the unique aspects that define you. Let’s delve into the process of writing an impactful speech about yourself.

Table of Contents

2. Crafting Your Personal Story

Crafting Your Personal Story is a crucial aspect of writing a speech about yourself. Through this process, you can effectively highlight your unique experiences, skills, and achievements, capturing the audience’s attention and making a lasting impression.

• Introduction: Start with a captivating opening that grabs your audience’s attention. Introduce yourself briefly and state the purpose of your speech.
• Main Body: Divide your speech into sections or paragraphs, with each focusing on a specific key experience. Start by providing some context for each experience, and then share the details of what happened, including any challenges or lessons learned.
• Transition: Use transitional phrases or sentences to smoothly move from one experience to the next. This will help create a logical flow and maintain the interest of your audience.
• Conclusion: Summarize your key experiences and tie them back to the theme of your speech. Leave your audience with a memorable closing statement or call to action.

Credit: www.wikihow.com

3. Engaging With Your Audience

When delivering a speech about yourself, it’s crucial to engage your audience to capture their attention and make a lasting impression. By establishing a connection, relating to their experiences, and incorporating humor, you can create a memorable and impactful speech.

3.1 Establishing Connection

Establishing a connection with your audience is fundamental to building rapport and keeping them engaged throughout your speech. You can achieve this by:

• Maintaining eye contact to make your audience feel involved and connected to your story.
• Mirroring their body language subtly to create a sense of familiarity and rapport.
• Using inclusive language such as “we” and “us” to establish a shared experience.

3.2 Relating To Their Experiences

Relating to your audience’s experiences helps them connect your story to their own lives, making it more relatable and engaging. Consider:

• Sharing personal anecdotes that your audience can resonate with and find common ground.
• Using examples and analogies that illustrate situations similar to the ones your audience may have encountered.
• Addressing universal struggles or aspirations that your audience can relate to emotionally.

3.3 Using Humor

Integrating humor into your speech not only entertains your audience but also helps them remember your message. Here’s how:

Remember, striking a balance between relatability and humor is key. Make sure the jokes or anecdotes you use are appropriate for the occasion and align with the overall tone of your speech.

Engaging with your audience during a speech about yourself not only captures their attention but also builds a connection and leaves a lasting impact. By establishing rapport, relating to their experiences, and incorporating humor, you can ensure your speech resonates with your audience and creates a memorable experience.

4. Showcasing Your Achievements

Crafting a speech about yourself requires showcasing your achievements effectively. Highlight your accomplishments in a concise and engaging way to captivate your audience. Let your successes shine while staying authentic in delivering your story.

4.1 Highlighting Accomplishments

• Make a list of your top achievements.
• Categorize them based on their relevance to your speech.
• Select the most impressive and impactful achievements to include in your speech.
• Describe each accomplishment briefly, focusing on the challenges you faced and the results you achieved.
• Use specific examples, numbers, or metrics to quantify the success.

4.2 Demonstrating Expertise

• Clearly state your qualifications and relevant experience at the beginning of your speech.
• Provide examples of how your expertise has been applied in real-world situations.
• Share success stories or case studies to illustrate your problem-solving abilities.
• Highlight any certifications, degrees, or training that reinforce your expertise in the topic.
• Show enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter to further establish your credibility.

4.3 Imparting Lessons Learned

• Reflect on your experiences and identify valuable insights or key learnings.
• Craft concise and impactful statements that encapsulate each lesson.
• Explain how these lessons have influenced your growth and success.
• Relate the lessons to the audience’s context to increase relevance and engagement.
• Encourage your audience to reflect on their own experiences and apply the lessons to their own lives.

Credit: www.pinterest.com

5. Ending With Impact

Learn how to write a speech about yourself that leaves a lasting impact with these effective tips. Craft your sentences to be concise, captivating, and memorable, ensuring your audience is engaged from start to finish.

5.1 Call-to-action

• Clearly state what you want the audience to do.
• Make it specific and achievable.
• Highlight the benefits they will gain.

5.2 Summarizing Key Points

• Start by briefly restating your main message or thesis statement.
• Highlight the main supporting points you covered throughout your speech.
• Reinforce the significance and relevance of your main ideas.

5.3 Leaving A Lasting Impression

• End with a powerful quote or thought-provoking statement that encapsulates your speech.
• Share a personal anecdote that leaves a strong emotional impact.
• Reiterate your main message, emphasizing its significance.

Frequently Asked Questions On How To Write A Speech About Yourself?

How do i start a speech about myself.

To start a speech about yourself, introduce yourself with a brief personal background and highlight your expertise or achievements that are relevant to the topic of the speech.

What Are Some Tips To Engage The Audience In A Speech About Myself?

Engage the audience in your speech about yourself by using storytelling, incorporating humor, asking thought-provoking questions, and maintaining eye contact to create a connection.

How Can I Make My Speech About Myself Memorable?

Make your speech about yourself memorable by sharing personal anecdotes, using visuals or props, expressing passion and emotion, and ending with a strong and inspiring conclusion.

Writing a speech about yourself can be a daunting task, but it is also an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and experiences. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can create an engaging and impactful speech that will captivate your audience.

Remember to be authentic, speak from the heart, and use storytelling techniques to connect with your listeners. With practice and confidence, you will be able to deliver a speech that reflects who you truly are. Good luck!

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A short speech – create a 3 minute speech that rocks

I’m in the Charles Pearson Theatre at the University of Melbourne, watching 12 short speeches. It’s a 3 minute speech competition called the  3 minute Thesis .

These annual, 3 minute speech competitions challenge Ph.D and Masters students to effectively communicate 3-1/2 years’ of technical research into a short speech. Their task is to convey only the most important ideas and findings to a non-technical audience – and with only a single slide.

A short speech is a great test

As you’d imagine, it can be difficult to condense all that research and knowledge into a 3 minute speech, yet still convey all the pertinent information .

But that’s exactly why it’s such a great exercise for all speakers .

That’s because, in order to be effective, your ideas must be able to be communicated in the most brief, simple and clear manner possible. You need them to stick in the listener’s mind.

Not everyone is good at this skill – indeed, few people are. But you need to be if you want other to see the value of your ideas.

By the way, if you think giving a good 3 minute speech is hard, try doing one in just 5 words! That’s what they do at the Webby awards .

What did the winning speakers do right?

Despite giving a short speech on very different topics, there were some common practices I noticed about the winning speakers.

• They presented an exceptionally clear message .
• They included a “ top and tail ” element.
• They made use of metaphor and other verbal illustrations to simplify a complex idea.
• They spoke like they were having a conversation with their audience – not ‘giving a formal speech’.

The losing speakers, by contrast, were more forced. Some were so unnatural they seemed to be giving a pantomime a speech for an audience of children. The engagement of conversation was missing. We’ve talked before about the importance of an unforced, natural style .

How to create a short speech.

1. use a simple structure..

Start by clearly saying the ‘headline’ and key idea underpinning your speech in simple, everyday language, and follow with a simple structure supporting your main point. Here are some examples:

A: Headline and 3 supporting reasons:

With this approach, follow your “headline” statement with 3 simple supporting reasons. State each reason clearly, and explain how each one helps achieve or support the objective.

“We must change the way we work – for 3 important reasons:

• Thwack …,
• Kapow…,
• Whamm. “

B: Problem – solution:

This is a simple structure of only 2 parts. It’s an easy yet powerful way to capture people’s attention and interest when done well. But you’ll want to avoid the trap of rushing through the problem, and spending too much time on your brilliant solution.

If you really want to hook people, take some time to paint a vivid picture of the problem first. Your audience will then be clambering for a solution with both ears open.

C: Timeline:

In this type of short speech, you might cover:

• The history of the issue …
• The current situation …
• What might happen in the future …
• And the ramifications of agreeing (or disagreeing) with your main argument.

D: Metaphor/Top & Tail:

To “top and tail” simply means starting with a story/quote that hints at your message. At the end, you recall that story and link it to your message.

This short speech from a 3 minute speech competition makes excellent use of this approach.

Start your speech (“the top”) with a compelling metaphor to make a memorable point, and end the speech (“the tail”) with the same metaphor — but adjusted to show the benefit of adopting your central argument.

2: End with a memorable message:

Just as important as how you begin and structure your speech, is how you end it .

Consider the same techniques at the end of your speech. A metaphor that links back to your original premise, or finishing with a thought-provoking question, are two ways to burnish your speech in your listener’s mind.

These videos of the 1st and 2nd place winners of a 3 minute speech competition show how effective these closing techniques can be: 1st Place: Sara Ciesielski 2nd Place: Samantha Lichter

People worry that time limitations mean they have to ‘dumb down’ their valuable research — this is not the case!

A vivid message and a compelling short speech can become a window to the depth of your research, and give clarity to the value of your ideas.

A 3 minute speech gives you a huge amount of time to do this – if you use the time wisely and structure your speech to maximum effect.

Want to be a great speaker? Get the kindle ebook from amazon.com: What’s Your Message? Public Speaking with Twice the Impact, Using Half the Effort

How Can I Write A Speech About Myself: 7 Tips

Table of contents

• 1.1 “Speech about me” plan example:
• 2 Common Mistakes You Must Avoid At All Cost
• 3 How To Make Your Autobiographical Speech Excellent?
• 4 Example Of A Speech

Why do you need to compose an autobiographical speech outline, and what is it at all? Its concept is to demonstrate one’s personality to achieve a specific goal. Make a competent self-presentation about yourself. You can achieve significant success in life because a person who understands how to present himself in a favourable light can always find a good job, maintain friendly relations with others, and influence people to achieve any goals.

How does one prepare an autobiographical speech and correctly present it? In this case, every detail is important. Our speech writing services have created detailed guidelines for you! Want to know how to write a speech about yourself? Well, we can help you with that as well, and the answers you seek are below.

7 Main Tips To Create A Persuasive Speech About Yourself

While writing a speech about you does not appear to be such a complicated task, there are a number of possible issues that you can face, which is why being aware of some efficient writing tips is not a bad idea! Therefore, if you are not sure how to write a speech of this kind, read the tips below and with their help, you will be able to create a perfect speech regardless of a lack of experience or a tight deadline! However, if you feel that you might have difficulties with writing your speech, you can always speech writing service at PapersOwl.

1. Gather information

Find out the most about where to whom and in which circumstances it will be necessary to present an informative speech, everything is important:

• the time of the performance and its timing;
• the place: the meeting room or the hall, the presence of a microphone;
• who is the audience: the number of listeners and speakers.

2. Make a plan

It is important to plan your paper. First, make it easier for you to track the time of the performance, and secondly, it helps you set priorities. Also, when making a plan, move from bigger points to smaller ones. The points should not be too long.

“Speech about me” plan example:

Introduction: The introduction should be short and simple. Start with the greeting and present yourself. State your name and surname, faculty, specialty, and course (if in a university). Add a hook to make it interesting. To make it flawless, look for good self-intro speech ideas.

Basic information part (the most informative part):

• Participation in academic events, contests, and competitions (indicate only those events or works that are relevant to the persuasive speech topics );
• Internships, work experience (indicate the type of work; indicate the place of work and position);
• Participation in public events (social activities within the university, not counting studies);
• Additional education (courses, certificates, training).

Additional information part:

• Knowledge of foreign languages (specify language and level of knowledge);
• Computer skills (list of computer programs that you work with);

Conclusion. Typically about plans for the future and ambitions:

• Continuing education (outline what kind of education you plan to receive after finishing college);
• Employment (you can specify the type and scope of activities in which you would like to work or the name of the positions that you are interested in).

It is important to write my speech well. However, it is only one small step in the whole process, after which you should spend enough time proofreading and editing it, making it as good as possible. Writing a persuasive speech should not take much effort. Make adjustments by reading the text again and again. Ask a friend to read your text or listen. It’s important to have an independent opinion, and maybe he or she will bring some new speech ideas, and you will know how to write a persuasive speech .

4. Keep in mind the details

If you do not know how to give a speech about other person or yourself, and it will be your first experience, you should pay attention to details. Wear clothes should fit the format and be comfortable. This will always make a good impression on the audience, your appearance will conclude a general impression of you, and this is why your appearance should be nice and appropriate. Keep this in mind.

Before the beginning of the speech, outline yourself, pause – pull out the papers, smile, and straighten the microphone. This will set the audience to a dialogue, and you will be given the opportunity to prepare and assess listeners psychologically.

Watch gestures. Sometimes, they speak louder than words. Hands are your helpers, so do not grip them behind your back and do not put them in your pockets, a crossed arm on the chest is evidence of a defensive position or lack of confidence. However, to freeze, like a monument, is also bad as it’s unnatural, so ensure that your movements during the performance are light and accurate, slightly subtle and unobtrusive.

6. Practice

Believe it or not, even public speakers can be nervous before public connection or speaking, but for newcomers. They are distinguished by the fact that they know how to cope with the excitement. The simplest thing you can do is to work through the speech, first read it to yourself, then read it aloud several times in front of a mirror.

7.  Learn by heart

Be sure to ask your family, friends, or colleagues to listen to you. This is an excellent opportunity to practice and learn an engaging monologue with a nice tone that doesn’t sound like you are reading a piece of paper. It is very important to learn speech by heart to make your performance great and look confident when you speak in public.

If you feel lost while writing a speech about yourself, you can always hire an essay writer to help you create a compelling narrative. It is important to remember that you should be honest and confident when writing a speech about yourself. An experienced essay writer can help you create an outline and structure the speech according to your desired goals.

Common Mistakes You Must Avoid At All Cost

Your speech is a similar thing to communication skills in public speaking. Hence, we can see that the same tips should be used, and the same mistakes must be avoided. You may need this for professional connections or even for your best friend. If you are delivering this speech live, make sure to keep eye contact all the time. One of the main points here is to make sure you know what you are doing, and for that, you have to read the basics from above. They can help you more than you can imagine. Anyway, here are the mistakes you have to avoid.

• Not tailoring the speech for your audience An important piece of information here is that you need to tailor the speech for your audience. Is this for your family members or something else? The goal is to optimize your speech for the people who will hear it. Try to understand them more and realize what they need and what they want to hear, and then focus on that from the start. If you are writing about personal development, it is possible that a teacher will read it. Try to put an accent on education and similar elements.
• Using too much data Maybe you are writing about time attending apps, or you think that a rough draft is boring, so you add a lot of data to it. The mistake here is obvious. If you add tons of data to the speech, you will make it boring, and you will end up with a low grade. The goal is to make a speech interesting and not boring.
• Presenting a not inspiring speech The tone for the rest should be slow and casual. But, at the same time, it must be inspiring. One of the main points here is that if your speech can inspire, you are looking at a much better result. Yes, you can use body language here as well. That will make all things even better if you can use it.
• Not making a pause You need to use a research source and also use pauses. These can make a massive difference. They have been known for helping people understand speech better and easier. At the same time, they make the speech sound better and more professional. If you have to read it in front of a class (writing speech for a class), make sure you use pauses.

How To Make Your Autobiographical Speech Excellent?

It is impossible to write a speech about yourself and make it 100% perfect, but who needs it to be perfect? During the performance, anything can happen: the microphone will break, someone will sneeze loudly, or perhaps the lights will go out. Whatever happens, keep yourself calm and appear confused, react with humor and try to somehow beat the situation, so, you show that you completely control what is happening. At the end of the performance, be grateful to the listeners. If you still have any questions about how to write a letter about yourself, just sit and start to write it.

Keep in mind that this self-presentation does not end only in your performance. You present yourself further, answering any questions from teachers or people from the audience, so it is important to be ready for it.

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Example Of A Speech

The content of your speech must be detailed, simple, and straightforward. For this purpose, you need to know a few things. It must have a simple intro, an idea about your future plans, and something from your past. Once you have all of these, audience members and business partners will be impressed. Keep in mind that this is not as simple as it may sound. Hence, we will want to help you even more by providing an example of the speech. The example here will give you an excellent idea of what you should write and how to make the writing process simple but effective.

This is a short speech, but you get an idea of what is needed to include in these creations and what you need to make sure your speech contains. A good idea is not to go with a lot of details and use long sentences and complicated words. Your audience may get bored or may want you to speed things up. It is always a good idea to practice as well and try to create a speech that is ideal for you and can help you get the desired effect.

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Effective Self-Introductions (Inspiring Examples and Scripts)

By Status.net Editorial Team on September 22, 2023 — 21 minutes to read

• Structure of a Good Self-introduction Part 1
• Examples of Self Introductions in a Job Interview Part 2
• Examples of Self Introductions in a Meeting Part 3
• Examples of Casual Self-Introductions in Group Settings Part 4
• Examples of Self-Introductions on the First Day of Work Part 5
• Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Social Setting Part 6
• Examples of Good Self Introductions on Social Media Part 7
• Self-Introductions in a Public Speaking Scenario Part 8
• Name-Role-Achievements Method Template and Examples Part 9
• Past-Present-Future Method Template and Examples Part 10
• Job Application Self-Introduction Email Example Part 11
• Networking Event Self-Introduction Email Example Part 12
• Conference Self-Introduction Email Example Part 13
• Freelance Work Self-Introduction Email Example Part 14
• New Job or Position Self-Introduction Email Example Part 15

Whether you’re navigating a job interview, networking event, or simply meeting new people, the way you introduce yourself sets the tone for the entire interaction. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll equip you with the essential tools and techniques to confidently and effectively introduce yourself in any situation, leaving a lasting and positive impression.

Part 1 Structure of a Good Self-introduction

• 1. Greeting and introduction: Start by greeting the person you’re speaking to and introducing yourself. For example, “Hi, my name is Jane. Nice to meet you!”
• 2. Brief personal background: Give a brief overview of your personal background, such as where you’re from or what you do. For example, “I’m originally from California, but I moved to New York a few years ago. I work in marketing for a tech company.” Related: 10 Smart Answers: “Tell Me About Yourself”
• 3. Professional experience: Highlight your relevant professional experience, including your current or previous job titles and any notable achievements. For example, “I’ve been working in marketing for about 5 years now, and I’m currently a Senior Marketing Manager at my company. Last year, I led a successful campaign that resulted in a 20% increase in sales.” Related: How to Describe Yourself (Best Examples for Job Interviews)
• 4. Skills and strengths: Mention any skills or strengths that are relevant to the conversation or the situation you’re in. For example, “I’m really passionate about data analysis and using insights to inform marketing strategy. I’m also a strong communicator and enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams.” Related: 195 Positive Words to Describe Yourself [with Examples] 35 Smart Answers to “What Are Your Strengths?” What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses? (Answers & Strategies)
• 5. Personal interests: Wrap up your self-introduction by mentioning a few personal interests or hobbies, which can help to humanize you and make you more relatable. For example, “In my free time, I love hiking and exploring new trails. I’m also a big fan of trying out new restaurants and cooking at home.”
• Related: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values Best Examples of “Fun Facts About Me” What Are Your Values? How to Discover Your Values

Part 2 Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Job Interview

When introducing yourself in an interview, you should be confident, clear, and knowledgeable. Maintain eye contact, speak with a steady tone, and be concise. Prepare your introduction beforehand to avoid stumbling or getting too wordy. Try to cover these aspects:

• Current or most recent position/job
• A relevant accomplishment or strength
• Why you are excited about the company or role

Templates and Scripts

“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I recently worked as a [Your Most Recent Position] at [Company/Organization]. I successfully managed a team of [Number] members, achieving a [Relevant Accomplishment or Growth]. I’m excited about the opportunity at [Interviewer’s Company] because [Reason Why You’re Interested].”

“Hi, I’m [Your Name], a [Current Job Title or Major Accomplishment]. I’m passionate about [Relevant Industry or Skillset] and have a proven track record of [Specific Result or Achievement]. I believe my skills and experience make me well-suited for this role at [Company], and I’m excited to explore how I can contribute to [Company Goal or Project].”

“Hi, my name is Jane Doe, and I’m the Assistant Marketing Manager at ABC Corp. I recently implemented a successful social media campaign, which increased engagement by 30%. I’m thrilled about the possibility of working with XYZ Inc. because of your innovative marketing strategies.”

“Hello, I’m John Smith, a financial analyst with five years of experience in the banking industry. I’ve consistently exceeded sales targets and helped my team win an award for excellent customer service. I’m excited to join DEF Ltd. because of your focus on sustainable and responsible investing.”

Remember to tailor your introduction to the specific interview situation and always show enthusiasm for the position and company. This will show the interviewer that you are the right fit.

Related: How to Describe Yourself (Best Examples for Job Interviews)

Part 3 Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Meeting

General tips.

When introducing yourself in a meeting, consider these tips:

• Start with a greeting: Begin with a simple “hello” or “good morning.”
• State your name clearly: Don’t assume everyone knows you already.
• Mention your role in the company: Help others understand your position.
• Share relevant experience or accomplishments: Give context to your expertise.
• Be brief: Save detailed explanations for later conversations.
• Show enthusiasm: Display interest in the meeting and its objectives.
• Welcome others: Encourage a sense of connection and camaraderie.

Here are some templates and scripts to use when introducing yourself in a meeting:

• Basic introduction : Hi, I’m [Name], and I work as a [Your Role] in the [Department]. It’s great to meet you all.
• Involvement-focused : Good morning, everyone. I’m [Name], [Your Role]. I handle [Responsibility] in our team, and I’m looking forward to working with you on [Project].
• Experience-based : Hello! My name is [Name] and I’m the [Your Role] here. I’ve [Number of Years] of experience in [Skills or Industry], so I hope to contribute to our discussions during the meeting.

Here are some examples of self-introductions in different scenarios:

• New team member : Hi, I’m [Name]. I just joined the [Department] team as the new [Your Role]. I have a background in [Relevant Experience] and am excited to start working with you on our projects!
• External consultant : Hello everyone, my name is [Name], and I’m here in my capacity as a [Your Role] with [Your Company]. I specialize in [Skill or Industry], and I’m looking forward to partnering with your team to achieve our goals.
• Guest speaker : Good morning, I’m [Name], a [Your Position] at [Organization]. I have expertise in [Subject], and I’m honored to be here today to share my insights with you.

Related: 10 Smart Answers: “Tell Me About Yourself”

Part 4 Examples of Casual Self-Introductions in Group Settings

Template 1:.

“Hi, I’m [your name], and I’m a [profession or role]. I love [personal hobby or interest].”

“Hi, I’m Emily, and I’m a pediatric nurse. I love gardening and spending my weekends tending to my colorful flower beds.”

“Hello, I’m Mark, and I work as a data analyst. I love reading science fiction novels and discussing the intricacies of the stories with fellow book enthusiasts.”

“Hey there, I’m Jessica, and I’m a chef. I have a passion for traveling and trying new cuisines from around the world, which complements my profession perfectly.”

Template 2:

“Hey everyone, my name is [your name]. I work as a [profession or role], and when I’m not doing that, I enjoy [activity].”

“Hey everyone, my name is Alex. I work as a marketing manager, and when I’m not doing that, I enjoy hiking in the wilderness and capturing the beauty of nature with my camera.”

“Hello, I’m Michael. I work as a software developer, and when I’m not coding, I enjoy playing chess competitively and participating in local tournaments.”

“Hi there, I’m Sarah. I work as a veterinarian, and when I’m not taking care of animals, I enjoy painting landscapes and creating art inspired by my love for wildlife.”

“Hi there! I’m [your name]. I’m currently working as a [profession or role], and I have a passion for [hobby or interest].”

“Hi there! I’m Rachel. I’m currently working as a social worker, and I have a passion for advocating for mental health awareness and supporting individuals on their journeys to recovery.”

“Hello, I’m David. I’m currently working as a financial analyst, and I have a passion for volunteering at local animal shelters and helping rescue animals find their forever homes.”

“Hey, I’m Lisa. I’m currently working as a marine biologist, and I have a passion for scuba diving and exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystems that our oceans hold.”

Related: 195 Positive Words to Describe Yourself [with Examples]

Part 5 Examples of Good Self-Introductions on the First Day of Work

On your first day of work, it’s crucial to make a good impression with a well-crafted self-introduction. Keep it brief and concise, focusing on your name, role, and background. Make sure to smile, maintain eye contact, and exude confidence. It’s fine to share a little about your personal life, but avoid oversharing.

Here are some templates and scripts to help guide your self-introduction:

• Simple Introduction : “Hi, my name is [Your name], and I’m the new [Your position] here. I recently graduated from [Your university or institution] and am excited to join the team. I’m looking forward to working with you all.”
• Professional Background : “Hello everyone, I’m [Your name]. I’ve joined as the new [Your position]. With my background in [Your skills or experience], I’m eager to contribute to our projects and learn from all of you. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.”
• Personal Touch : “Hey there! I’m [Your name], and I’ve recently joined as the new [Your position]. On the personal side, I enjoy [Your hobbies] during my free time. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you and working together.”

Feel free to tweak these scripts as needed to fit your personality and work environment.

Here are some specific examples of self-introductions on the first day of work:

• Marketing Manager : “Hi, my name is Alex, and I’m excited to be the new Marketing Manager here. I’ve been in the marketing industry for five years and have worked on various campaigns. Outside of work, I love exploring new hiking trails and photography. I can’t wait to collaborate with you all.”
• Software Engineer : “Hello, I’m Priya, your new Software Engineer. I graduated from XYZ University with a degree in computer science and have experience in Python, Java, and web development. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and attending live concerts. I’m eager to contribute to our team’s success and learn from all of you.”

Related: Core Values List: 150+ Awesome Examples of Personal Values

Part 6 Examples of Good Self Introductions in a Social Setting

When introducing yourself in a social setting, it’s crucial to create a positive impression. Keep your body language open and approachable, maintain eye contact, smile, and project confidence. Start with a greeting and follow up with your name. Share something interesting or unique about yourself to engage others in conversation, but avoid oversharing or dominating the conversation. Listen actively and show interest in others, asking questions and seeking common ground.

Here are some templates and scripts to help with your self-introduction in various social settings:

Casual gatherings: “Hi, I’m [Name]. Nice to meet you! I’m a huge fan of [hobby]. How about you, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?”

Networking events: “Hello, I’m [Name] and I work as a [profession] at [company]. I’m excited to learn more about what everyone here does. What brings you here today?”

Parties at a friend’s house: “Hi there, my name is [Name]. I’m a friend of [host’s name] from [work/school/etc]. How do you know [host’s name]?”

Here are some examples of self-introductions in various social settings:

• Casual gathering: “Hey, my name is Jane. Great to meet you! I love exploring new coffee shops around the city. What’s your favorite thing to do on weekends?”
• Networking event: “Hi, I’m John, a website developer at XY Technologies. I’m eager to connect with people in the industry. What’s your field of expertise?”
• Party at a friend’s house: “Hello, I’m Laura. I met our host, Emily, in our college photography club. How did you and Emily become friends?”

Related: Best Examples of “Fun Facts About Me”

Part 7 Examples of Good Self Introductions on Social Media

When introducing yourself on social media, keep it concise, personable, and informative. Showcase your personality while maintaining a professional tone. To stand out, include unique interests or hobbies, and highlight your skills or achievements.

• Keep it brief: Social media is fast-paced, so stick to the essentials and keep your audience engaged.
• Show your personality: Let your audience know who you are beyond your job title or education.
• Include a call-to-action: Encourage your followers to engage with you by asking a question or directing them to your website or other social media profiles.

Template 1: Brief and professional

Hi, I’m [Your Name]. I’m a [Job Title/Field] with a passion for [Interests or Hobbies]. Connect with me to chat about [Subject Matter] or find more of my work at [Website or Social Media Handle].

Template 2: Casual and personal

Hey there! I’m [Your Name] and I love all things [Interest or Hobby]. In my day job, I work as a [Job Title/Field]. Let’s connect and talk about [Shared Interest] or find me on [Other Social Media Platforms]!

Template 3: Skill-focused

Hi, I’m [Your Name], a [Job Title/Field] specializing in [Skills or Expertise]. Excited to network and share insights on [Subject Matter]. Reach out if you need help with [Skill or Topic] or want to discuss [Related Interest]!

Example 1: Brief and professional

Hi, I’m Jane Doe. I’m a Marketing Manager with a passion for photography and blogging. Connect with me to chat about the latest digital marketing trends or find more of my work at jdoephotography.com.

Example 2: Casual and personal

Hey there! I’m John Smith and I love all things coffee and travel. In my day job, I work as a software developer. Let’s connect and talk about adventures or find me on Instagram at @johnsmithontour!

Example 3: Skill-focused

Hi, I’m Lisa Brown, a Graphic Designer specializing in branding and typography. Excited to network and share insights on design. Reach out if you need help with creating visually appealing brand identities or want to discuss minimalistic art!

Part 8 Self-Introductions in a Public Speaking Scenario

When introducing yourself in a public speaking scenario, maintain eye contact, speak clearly, and show enthusiasm. Keep it concise, focusing on your background and what you bring to the table. Stay genuine, along with sharing something relatable or interesting about yourself to form an emotional connection.

• Professional introduction: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I have [number of years] of experience working in [your field]. Throughout my career, I have [briefly mention one or two significant accomplishments]. Today, I am excited to share [the main point of your presentation].”
• Casual introduction: “Hey everyone, I’m [Your Name], and I [briefly describe yourself, e.g., your hobbies or interests]. I’m really thrilled to talk to you about [the main point of your presentation]. Let’s dive right into it!”
• Creative introduction: “Imagine [paint a visual with a relevant story]. That’s where my passion began for [the main point of your presentation]. My name is [Your Name], and [mention relevant background/information].”
• Professional introduction: “Hello, my name is Jane Smith, and I have 15 years of experience working in marketing and advertisement. Throughout my career, I have helped companies increase their revenue by up to 50% using creative marketing strategies. Today, I am excited to share my insights in implementing effective social media campaigns.”
• Casual introduction: “Hey everyone, I’m John Doe, and I love hiking and playing the guitar in my free time. I’m really thrilled to talk to you about the impact of music on mental well-being, a topic close to my heart. Let’s dive right into it!”
• Creative introduction: “Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the breathtaking view of nature. That’s where my passion began for landscape photography. My name is Alex Brown, and I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my hobby into a successful career. Today, I’ll share my expertise on capturing stunning images with just a few simple techniques.”

Effective Templates for Self-Introductions

Part 9 name-role-achievements method template and examples.

When introducing yourself, consider using the NAME-ROLE-ACHIEVEMENTS template. Start with your name, then mention the role you’re in, and highlight key achievements or experiences you’d like to share.

“Hello, I’m [Your Name]. I’m currently working as a [Your Current Role/Position] with [Your Current Company/Organization]. Some of my key achievements or experiences include [Highlight 2-3 Achievements or Experiences].”

“Hello, I’m Sarah Johnson. I’m a Senior Software Engineer with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. Some of my key achievements include leading a cross-functional team to develop a groundbreaking mobile app that garnered over 5 million downloads and receiving the ‘Tech Innovator of the Year’ award in 2020.”

“Hi there, my name is [Your Name]. I serve as a [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Workplace]. In my role, I’ve had the opportunity to [Describe What You Do]. One of my proudest achievements is [Highlight a Significant Achievement].”

“Hi there, my name is David Martinez. I currently serve as the Director of Marketing at XYZ Company. In my role, I’ve successfully executed several high-impact marketing campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in brand visibility and a 15% boost in revenue last year.”

Template 3:

“Greetings, I’m [Your Name]. I hold the position of [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Company]. With [Number of Years] years of experience in [Your Industry], I’ve had the privilege of [Mention a Notable Experience].”

“Greetings, I’m Emily Anderson. I hold the position of Senior Marketing Manager at BrightStar Solutions. With over 8 years of experience in the technology and marketing industry, I’ve had the privilege of spearheading the launch of our flagship product, which led to a 40% increase in market share within just six months.”

Part 10 Past-Present-Future Method Template and Examples

Another template is the PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE method, where you talk about your past experiences, your current situation, and your future goals in a concise and engaging manner.

“In the past, I worked as a [Your Previous Role] where I [Briefly Describe Your Previous Role]. Currently, I am [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Workplace], where I [Briefly Describe Your Current Responsibilities]. Looking to the future, my goal is to [Your Future Aspirations].”

“In the past, I worked as a project manager at ABC Corporation, where I oversaw the successful delivery of multiple complex projects, each on time and within budget. Currently, I’m pursuing an MBA degree to enhance my business acumen and leadership skills. Looking to the future, my goal is to leverage my project management experience and MBA education to take on more strategic roles in the company and contribute to its long-term growth.”

“In my earlier career, I [Describe Your Past Career Experience]. Today, I’m [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Company], where I [Discuss Your Current Contributions]. As I look ahead, I’m excited to [Outline Your Future Plans and Aspirations].”

“In my previous role as a software developer, I had the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies, including AI and machine learning. Today, I’m a data scientist at XYZ Labs, where I analyze large datasets to extract valuable insights. In the future, I aspire to lead a team of data scientists and contribute to groundbreaking research in the field of artificial intelligence.”

“During my previous role as a [Your Previous Role], I [Discuss a Relevant Past Achievement or Experience]. Now, I am in the position of [Your Current Role] at [Your Current Company], focusing on [Describe Your Current Focus]. My vision for the future is to [Share Your Future Goals].”

“During my previous role as a Sales Associate at Maplewood Retail, I consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by fostering strong customer relationships and providing exceptional service. Now, I am in the position of Assistant Store Manager at Hillside Emporium, where I focus on optimizing store operations and training the sales team to deliver outstanding customer experiences. My vision for the future is to continue growing in the retail industry and eventually take on a leadership role in multi-store management.”

Examples of Self-introduction Emails

Part 11 job application self-introduction email example.

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – [Job Title] Application

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to introduce myself and express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Profession] with [Number of Years] of experience in the field.

I am impressed with [Company Name]’s reputation for [Company’s Achievements or Mission]. I am confident that my skills and experience align with the requirements of the job, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the company’s success.

Please find my resume attached for your review. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and learn more about the position. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Related: Get More Interviews: Follow Up on Job Applications (Templates)

Part 12 Networking Event Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am excited to introduce myself to you. I am currently working as a [Your Profession] and have been in the field for [Number of Years]. I am attending the [Networking Event Name] event next week and I am hoping to meet new people and expand my network.

I am interested in learning more about your work and experience in the industry. Would it be possible to schedule a quick call or meeting during the event to chat further?

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Part 13 Conference Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – [Conference or Event Name]

I am excited to introduce myself to you as a fellow attendee of [Conference or Event Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Profession or Industry].

I am looking forward to the conference and the opportunity to network with industry experts like yourself. I am particularly interested in [Conference or Event Topics], and I would love to discuss these topics further with you.

If you have some free time during the conference, would you be interested in meeting up for coffee or lunch? I would love to learn more about your experience and insights in the industry.

Part 14 Freelance Work Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – Freelance Writer

Dear [Client’s Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I am a freelance writer with [Number of Years] of experience in the industry. I came across your website and was impressed by the quality of your content and the unique perspective you offer.

I am writing to introduce myself and express my interest in working with you on future projects. I specialize in [Your Writing Niche], and I believe my skills and experience would be a great fit for your content needs.

Please find my portfolio attached for your review. I would love to discuss your content needs further and explore how we can work together to achieve your goals. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Part 15 New Job or Position Self-Introduction Email Example

Subject: Introduction from [Your Name] – New [Job Title or Position]

Dear [Team or Department Name],

I am excited to introduce myself as the new [Job Title or Position] at [Company Name]. My name is [Your Name], and I am looking forward to working with all of you.

I have [Number of Years] of experience in the industry and have worked on [Your Achievements or Projects]. I am excited to bring my skills and experience to the team and contribute to the company’s success.

I would love to schedule some time to meet with each of you and learn more about your role in the company and how we can work together. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to meeting all of you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you create a powerful self-introduction script for job interviews.

To make a strong impression in job interviews, prepare a script that includes:

• Your name and current role or profession.
• Relevant past experiences and accomplishments.
• Personal skills or attributes relevant to the job.
• A brief mention of your motivation for applying.
• An engaging statement that connects your aspirations with the role or company.

Practice delivering your script with confidence and enthusiasm, maintaining eye-contact, and using a warm, professional tone.

How can students present a captivating self-introduction in class?

For an engaging self-introduction in class, consider mentioning:

• Your name and major.
• Where you’re from or something unique about your upbringing.
• Hobbies, interests, or extracurricular activities.
• An interesting fact or anecdote about yourself.
• Your academic or career goals and how they connect to the class.

Be sure to smile, maintain eye contact, and demonstrate enthusiasm and openness to making new connections.

What are tips for introducing yourself to a new team at work?

When introducing yourself to a new team at work, consider the following tips:

• Be friendly, respectful, and approachable.
• Start with your name and role, then briefly describe your responsibilities.
• Mention your background, skills, and relevant experiences.
• Share a personal interest or fun fact to add a personal touch.
• Express how excited you are to be part of the team and your desire to collaborate effectively.

How do you structure a self-introduction in English for various scenarios?

Regardless of the scenario, a well-structured self-introduction includes:

• Greeting and stating your name.
• Mentioning your role, profession, or status.
• Providing brief background information or relevant experiences.
• Sharing a personal touch or unique attribute.
• Concluding with an engaging statement, relevant to the context, that shows your enthusiasm or interest.
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Best 3 Minute Speech Topics (How to Come Ideate)

Hrideep barot.

• Body Language & Delivery , Presentation , Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

It’s challenging to deliver a speech in front of a large crowd, but choosing 3-minute topics is far harder. Moreover, the audience would not be engaged in the speech from the start if the speaker did not have an engaging or compelling topic or title.

You’ve come to the perfect article if you want to learn everything there is to know about 3-minute topics in order to improve your public speaking skills. So, READ ON.

Importance of 3-minute speeches

Speaking for three minutes is undoubtedly difficult to master. You must unquestionably conduct an adequate study and choose crucial issues to include in your speech. It is crucial to realise that you must deliver the most essential information first while speaking in a restricted amount of time, such as a 3-minute speech.

A three-minute speech is undoubtedly a wonderful starting point for public speaking. This is because you need to communicate with your audience more effectively when you just have a short amount of time. In addition, the speech ought to be concise, pertinent, and clear. Be more relatable to the audience and speak for them. To be the best, you must improve your communication abilities.

While giving a three-minute speech is fantastic, the fear of public speaking might frequently prevent you from doing it effectively. Without a doubt, practice and dedication will aid you in overcoming your deficiencies. You will undoubtedly master the art of public speaking if you overcome all of these obstacles. You can overcome your fear of public speaking by developing a few specific abilities.

What to say in a 3-minute speech?

Although a three-minute speech may seem brief, a lot of words and ideas may be said in that time. Despite the time constraint, if you are conversant with the subject matter, you may prepare for your three-minute speech swiftly. The secret is to create a strong outline that allows you to add or remove details based on how much time you have left.

1. Choose a topic

The topic of your speech and the main points you want to convey to the audience should be stated in one phrase. Choose the speech’s style—persuasive, celebratory, argumentative, or any other—so that you’ll know how to move on. This phrase should not be spoken aloud during your speech; instead, use it as a guide to help you focus while you write it.

2. Prepare an introduction 

Write an attention-grabbing introduction paragraph to draw the audience in. You could wish to think about opening with a humorous anecdote, a stunning statistic, or an intriguing quotation from a relevant source, depending on the subject and the audience.

3. Summarise the key points

You should quickly summarise the key points you wish to cover in your speech. Roman numerals should be used to identify these, and if you are typing, bold it to make it easier for you to see where you are in your speech. No more than five key points should be used in a three-minute speech.

4. Support the key points with evidence/examples

Each of your primary claims should be supported by three to five brief paragraphs. Count them. Using capital letters may make it easier for readers to quickly distinguish them from your major arguments.

5. Make an outline

Write as much of your speech as you think you’ll need to, word for word, then enter the phrases inside the outline. You’ll be able to write your speech more quickly the less you include. However, this also requires that you feel at ease structuring logical phrases and thoughts just before speaking.

6. Practise the speech

Prepare your speech in advance and memorise it before giving it to anyone who would listen. Aim for no more than one quick peek at your written speech every ten to twenty seconds.

How to prepare for a 3-minute speech?

1. organize yourself.

Before speaking in front of an audience, it’s a good idea to organise yourself. Furthermore, you must be aware that speaking clearly requires organising your thoughts and ideas.

2. Practice a lot

Hard labour, which you need to practise for, is the secret to excellent public speaking. Do it as much as you can; practice is something you just can’t get enough of. Moreover, start by putting the key points of your speech into practice.

3. Stay focused

Keep your speech on topic by avoiding letting other things distract you. Moreover, you can deliver your finest work by remaining focused. In addition, it is crucial to maintain your attention on the essential ideas and avoid being sidetracked by anything else.

4. Stay calm

You do have a fear of public speaking, but try to calm yourself down and remember that it won’t last forever. You can certainly get past it. Simply calming down and taking deep breaths can help a lot, especially when confidence is being threatened by fear.

5. Grab the audience’s attention

Keeping the audience interested is essential to giving a successful speech. Yes, it naturally improves confidence when you know that the audience is interested in hearing you and that you can engage them with strong information. Furthermore, by being more appealing to and relatable to the audience, you may gain their attention.

Length of a 3-minute speech 

At a normal speech rate of 130 words per minute , a three-minute speech would typically contain 390 words (wpm) .

In addition, the average speaking pace, according to speech and writing instructor Daphne Gray-Grant, is 125 to 150 words per minute , or 375 to 450 words for a three-minute speech.

Exploring 3-minute topics

• Look for events in periodicals, journals, and newspapers. At this point, it makes no difference if the information is current or historical; what matters are recent interesting facts that grab people’s attention. Articles on topics that interest you and those you feel at ease discussing are solid indicators.
• Note down any suggestions you may have for engaging speech topics. For a public speaking engagement, create a brief list of potential topics for yourself. Then skip the ones that are too hard and tough to prepare for in 8 to 10 minutes.
• For further in-depth knowledge about your topic, look up some online books on it. Alternately, visit a library and ask for books and scholarly articles on your topic. Moreover, try to comprehend the author’s treatment of it. How is he structured? Which facts, evidence, or arguments are the most persuasive? What instances and examples has she or he used?
• Peerless trustworthy statistics and recent findings can aid with writing and editing. Keep an eye out for debates, unusual viewpoints, and oddities. How do you feel about it? What do you hope they will make of it?
• Consider interesting interpretive cues to discuss that are linked. Try to add new ideas, consider things from different perspectives, or simply flip your assumptions as you look at your rough list. Furthermore, look at the unique features that shock the listeners. That has the potential to greatly enlighten the public’s judgement. What you try to explain or demonstrate in a few minutes, they can also feel, see, taste, and smell.
• Look for remarks, arguments in favour and against, and supporting and opposing opinions. Where you wish to draw attention to or underline a seemingly impossible point in your intriguing topic concept, include graphic aids.
• Watch debate programmes, historical documentaries, and newscasts, such as the morning and evening news. In particular, they are useful for creating a basic list of wheedling brainstorms.

General 3-minute topics

• Why is it so hard for us to fathom life without technology?
• Why are effective communication skills so crucial?
• An excellent sense of humour is crucial.
• My worst life event and the lessons it taught me.
• Helpful advice for acing an interview.
• Every firm should prioritise cybersecurity.
• How well does technology match our expectations?
• How can I choose a good career?
• Why being young is not all that it seems to be?
• Why do manners matter so much in defining a person?

Simple 3-minute topics 

• How the globe is becoming more united because of social media
• Why pets are preferable to kids
• My most embarrassing circumstance
• How to deal with the issue of online trolls
• My hope for mankind
• How to get the ideal selfie
• Why veganism is the way to go
• 5 tips for cutting down on cooking time
• Why lying is occasionally required
• What I wish a wise person had told my parents before I was born 

Funny 3-minute topics 

• Most amusing childhood memory 
• One Occasion I Got Caught 
• Quickly Make Money 
• When I Was Arrested
• My 15 Minutes of Fame
• A Time When I Escaped My Home
• Best Reasons To Miss Work
• How to Cheat on a Test
• The Weirdest Person I’ve Ever Known
• We are the individuals of whom our parents warned us.

Unique 3-minute topics 

• The finest kind of advertising will always be word of mouth.
• Racism will always exist.
• Sale flyers are ineffective.
• Text communications were destroyed by WhatsApp.
• People’s responses to you are influenced by your attire.
• The best form of government is democracy.
• There should only be organic farming.
• There is reincarnation.
• The most enthusiastic teachers are those who are young.
• People who lack order are more inventive.

3-minute topics for students

Everyone has interests, and everyone enjoys discussing them. You know, hobbies could also be passions. Simple inquiries to pose include:

• What interests you?
• Why are your activities so appealing to you?
• When do you engage in these pastimes?
• What are your hobbies, how long have you been doing them, and how did you start?
• What pastimes did you once enjoy but no longer do?
• Is it necessary to engage in hobbies? Why or why not?

Everyone enjoys music, and the majority of people have extremely strong feelings about it, especially when it comes to the music they enjoy (or detest) the most. Simple inquiries to make include the following:

• What genres of music do you enjoy or find boring?
• What emotions do various musical genres evoke in you?
• What genres of music are produced in your nation?
• What song, artist, or album is your favourite?
• What music is now in vogue in your nation?

3. Motivation

Whether or whether the pupils are motivated, it is a good idea to talk about motivation in order to motivate them. Examples of questions are:

• In general, how motivated are you?
• What spurs you on to action?
• What inspires people to accomplish the most?
• What actions do you do when you lack motivation?
• How can one effectively inspire others?

Everybody has objectives, and discussing them really makes us more motivated to take action. Goal-setting can be aided by sharing them with others. An excellent set of inquiries are:

• What are your present life objectives?
• How are your goals going to be attained?
• How frequently do you set yourself goals?
• What objectives have you previously set and attained?
• How do you feel after achieving your objectives?

Everyone has dreams, sometimes on a nightly basis, and discussing them in class is a terrific activity since it encourages pupils to be imaginative and even whimsical. Excellent inquiries on this subject include:

• How would you characterise your dreams?
• What do dreams represent to you?
• What percentage of your dreams can you recall? Why?
• What are your thoughts about prophecies? Are they genuine?
• What are some instances of your most cherished dreams?

Read the article for more useful insights: Speech titles and topics: Everything you need to know

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Final words 

Any speech, whether it be persuasive, informative, or emotive, must start with its theme. Moreover, the topic of the speech is chosen to convey a particular message to the audience and persuade them to accept the speaker’s views.

Making oneself a better and more persuasive speaker may benefit from the wise choice and effective utilisation of speech subjects.

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• Games, topic printables & more
• The 4 main speech types
• Example speeches
• Commemorative
• Declamation
• Demonstration
• Informative
• Introduction
• Student Council
• Speech topics
• Poems to read aloud
• How to write a speech
• Using props/visual aids
• Acute anxiety help
• Breathing exercises
• Letting go - free e-course
• Using self-hypnosis
• Delivery overview
• 4 modes of delivery
• How to make cue cards
• How to read a speech
• 9 vocal aspects
• Vocal variety
• Diction/articulation
• Pronunciation
• Speaking rate
• How to use pauses
• Eye contact
• Body language
• Voice image
• Voice health
• Public speaking activities and games
• About me/contact

How to write a good speech in 7 steps

By:  Susan Dugdale  

- an easily followed format for writing a great speech

Did you know writing a speech doesn't have be an anxious, nail biting experience?

Unsure? Don't be.

You may have lived with the idea you were never good with words for a long time. Or perhaps giving speeches at school brought you out in cold sweats.

However learning how to write a speech is relatively straight forward when you learn to write out loud.

And that's the journey I am offering to take you on: step by step.

To learn quickly, go slow

Take all the time you need. This speech format has 7 steps, each building on the next.

Walk, rather than run, your way through all of them. Don't be tempted to rush. Familiarize yourself with the ideas. Try them out.

I know there are well-advertised short cuts and promises of 'write a speech in 5 minutes'. However in reality they only truly work for somebody who already has the basic foundations of speech writing in place.

The foundation of good speech writing 

These steps are the backbone of sound speech preparation. Learn and follow them well at the outset and yes, given more experience and practice you could probably flick something together quickly. Like any skill, the more it's used, the easier it gets.

In the meantime...

Step 1: Begin with a speech overview or outline

Are you in a hurry? Without time to read a whole page? Grab ... The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist And come back to get the details later.

• WHO you are writing your speech for (your target audience)
• WHY you are preparing this speech. What's the main purpose of your speech? Is it to inform or tell your audience about something? To teach them a new skill or demonstrate something? To persuade or to entertain? (See 4 types of speeches: informative, demonstrative, persuasive and special occasion or entertaining for more.) What do you want them to think, feel or do as a result of listening the speech?
• WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic) - You'll want to have thought through your main points and have ranked them in order of importance. And have sorted the supporting research you need to make those points effectively.
• HOW much time you have for your speech eg. 3 minutes, 5 minutes... The amount of time you've been allocated dictates how much content you need. If you're unsure check this page: how many words per minute in a speech: a quick reference guide . You'll find estimates of the number of words required for 1 - 10 minute speeches by slow, medium and fast talkers.

Use an outline

The best way to make sure you deliver a perfect speech is to start by carefully completing a speech outline covering the essentials: WHO, WHY, WHAT and HOW.

Beginning to write without thinking your speech through is a bit like heading off on a journey not knowing why you're traveling or where you're going to end up. You can find yourself lost in a deep, dark, murky muddle of ideas very quickly!

Pulling together a speech overview or outline is a much safer option. It's the map you'll follow to get where you want to go.

Get a blank speech outline template to complete

Click the link to find out a whole lot more about preparing a speech outline . ☺ You'll also find a free printable blank speech outline template.  I recommend using it!

Understanding speech construction

Before you begin to write, using your completed outline as a guide, let's briefly look at what you're aiming to prepare.

• an opening or introduction
• the body where the bulk of the information is given
• and an ending (or summary).

Imagine your speech as a sandwich

If you think of a speech as a sandwich you'll get the idea.

The opening and ending are the slices of bread holding the filling (the major points or the body of your speech) together.

You can build yourself a simple sandwich with one filling (one big idea) or you could go gourmet and add up to three or, even five. The choice is yours.

But whatever you choose to serve, as a good cook, you need to consider who is going to eat it! And that's your audience.

So let's find out who they are before we do anything else. 

Step 2: Know who you are talking to

Understanding your audience.

Did you know a  good speech is never written from the speaker's point of view?  ( If you need to know more about why check out this page on  building rapport .)

Begin with the most important idea/point on your outline.

Consider HOW you can explain (show, tell) that to your audience in the most effective way for them to easily understand it.   

Writing from the audience's point of view

To help you write from an audience point of view, it's a good idea to identify either a real person or the type of person who is most likely to be listening to you.

Make sure you select someone who represents the "majority" of the people who will be in your audience. That is they are neither struggling to comprehend you at the bottom of your scale or light-years ahead at the top.

Now imagine they are sitting next to you eagerly waiting to hear what you're going to say. Give them a name, for example, Joe, to help make them real.

Ask yourself

• How do I need to tailor my information to meet Joe's needs? For example, do you tell personal stories to illustrate your main points? Absolutely! Yes. This is a very powerful technique. (Click storytelling in speeches to find out more.)
• What type or level of language is right for Joe as well as my topic? For example if I use jargon (activity, industry or profession specific vocabulary) will it be understood?

Step 3: Writing as you speak

Writing oral language.

Write down what you want to say about your first main point as if you were talking directly to Joe.

If it helps, say it all out loud before you write it down and/or record it.

Use the information below as a guide

(Click to download The Characteristics of Spoken Language  as a pdf.) 

You do not have to write absolutely everything you're going to say down * but you do need to write down, or outline, the sequence of ideas to ensure they are logical and easily followed.

Remember too, to explain or illustrate your point with examples from your research. 

( * Tip: If this is your first speech the safety net of having everything written down could be just what you need. It's easier to recover from a patch of jitters when you have a word by word manuscript than if you have either none, or a bare outline. Your call!)

Step 4: Checking tone and language

The focus of this step is re-working what you've done in Step 2 and 3.

You identified who you were talking to (Step 2) and in Step 3, wrote up your first main point.  Is it right? Have you made yourself clear?  Check it.

How well you complete this step depends on how well you understand the needs of the people who are going to listen to your speech.

Please do not assume because you know what you're talking about the person (Joe) you've chosen to represent your audience will too. Joe is not a mind-reader!

How to check what you've prepared

• Check the "tone" of your language . Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?
• Check the length of your sentences. You need short sentences. If they're too long or complicated you risk losing your listeners.

Check for jargon too. These are industry, activity or group exclusive words.

For instance take the phrase: authentic learning . This comes from teaching and refers to connecting lessons to the daily life of students. Authentic learning is learning that is relevant and meaningful for students. If you're not a teacher you may not understand the phrase.

The use of any vocabulary requiring insider knowledge needs to be thought through from the audience perspective. Jargon can close people out.

• Read what you've written out loud. If it flows naturally, in a logical manner, continue the process with your next main idea. If it doesn't, rework.

We use whole sentences and part ones, and we mix them up with asides or appeals e.g. "Did you get that? Of course you did. Right...Let's move it along. I was saying ..."

Click for more about the differences between spoken and written language .

And now repeat the process

Repeat this process for the remainder of your main ideas.

Because you've done the first one carefully, the rest should follow fairly easily.

Step 5: Use transitions

Providing links or transitions between main ideas.

Between each of your main ideas you need to provide a bridge or pathway for your audience. The clearer the pathway or bridge, the easier it is for them to make the transition from one idea to the next.

If your speech contains more than three main ideas and each is building on the last, then consider using a "catch-up" or summary as part of your transitions.

Is your speech being evaluated? Find out exactly what aspects you're being assessed on using this standard speech evaluation form

Link/transition examples

A link can be as simple as:

"We've explored one scenario for the ending of Block Buster 111, but let's consider another. This time..."

What follows this transition is the introduction of Main Idea Two.

Here's a summarizing link/transition example:

"We've ended Blockbuster 111 four ways so far. In the first, everybody died. In the second, everybody died BUT their ghosts remained to haunt the area. In the third, one villain died. His partner reformed and after a fight-out with the hero, they both strode off into the sunset, friends forever. In the fourth, the hero dies in a major battle but is reborn sometime in the future.

And now what about one more? What if nobody died? The fifth possibility..."

Go back through your main ideas checking the links. Remember Joe as you go. Try each transition or link out loud and really listen to yourself. Is it obvious? Easily followed?

Keep them if they are clear and concise.

For more about transitions (with examples) see Andrew Dlugan's excellent article, Speech Transitions: Magical words and Phrases .

Step 6: The end of your speech

The ideal ending is highly memorable . You want it to live on in the minds of your listeners long after your speech is finished. Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major points.

Example speech endings

Example 1: The desired outcome of a speech persuading people to vote for you in an upcoming election is that they get out there on voting day and do so. You can help that outcome along by calling them to register their support by signing a prepared pledge statement as they leave.

"We're agreed we want change. You can help us give it to you by signing this pledge statement as you leave. Be part of the change you want to see!

Example 2: The desired outcome is increased sales figures. The call to action is made urgent with the introduction of time specific incentives.

"You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours. Can you do it? Will you do it? The kids will love it. Your wife will love it. Do it now!"

How to figure out the right call to action

A clue for working out what the most appropriate call to action might be, is to go back to your original purpose for giving the speech.

• Was it to motivate or inspire?
• Was it to persuade to a particular point of view?
• Was it to share specialist information?
• Was it to celebrate a person, a place, time or event?

Ask yourself what you want people to do as a result of having listened to your speech.

For more about ending speeches

Visit this page for more about how to end a speech effectively . You'll find two additional types of speech endings with examples.

Write and test

Write your ending and test it out loud. Try it out on a friend, or two. Is it good? Does it work?

Step 7: The introduction

Once you've got the filling (main ideas) the linking and the ending in place, it's time to focus on the introduction.

The introduction comes last as it's the most important part of your speech. This is the bit that either has people sitting up alert or slumped and waiting for you to end. It's the tone setter!

What makes a great speech opening?

Ideally you want an opening that makes listening to you the only thing the 'Joes' in the audience want to do.

You want them to forget they're hungry or that their chair is hard or that their bills need paying.

The way to do that is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with a "hook".

Hooks to catch your audience's attention

Hooks come in as many forms as there are speeches and audiences. Your task is work out what specific hook is needed to catch your audience.

Go back to the purpose. Why are you giving this speech?

Once you have your answer, consider your call to action. What do you want the audience to do, and, or take away, as a result of listening to you?

Next think about the imaginary or real person you wrote for when you were focusing on your main ideas.

Choosing the best hook

• Is it humor?
• Would shock tactics work?
• Is it a rhetorical question?
• Is it formality or informality?
• Is it an outline or overview of what you're going to cover, including the call to action?
• Or is it a mix of all these elements?

A hook example

Here's an example from a fictional political speech. The speaker is lobbying for votes. His audience are predominately workers whose future's are not secure.

"How's your imagination this morning? Good? (Pause for response from audience) Great, I'm glad. Because we're going to put it to work starting right now.

I want you to see your future. What does it look like? Are you happy? Is everything as you want it to be? No? Let's change that. We could do it. And we could do it today.

At the end of this speech you're going to be given the opportunity to change your world, for a better one ...

No, I'm not a magician. Or a simpleton with big ideas and precious little commonsense. I'm an ordinary man, just like you. And I have a plan to share!"

And then our speaker is off into his main points supported by examples. The end, which he has already foreshadowed in his opening, is the call to vote for him.

Prepare several hooks

Experiment with several openings until you've found the one that serves your audience, your subject matter and your purpose best.

For many more examples of speech openings go to: how to write a speech introduction . You'll find 12 of the very best ways to start a speech.

That completes the initial seven steps towards writing your speech. If you've followed them all the way through, congratulations, you now have the text of your speech!

Although you might have the words, you're still a couple of steps away from being ready to deliver them. Both of them are essential if you want the very best outcome possible. They are below. Please take them.

Step 8: Checking content and timing

This step pulls everything together.

Check once, check twice, check three times & then once more!

Go through your speech really carefully.

On the first read through check you've got your main points in their correct order with supporting material, plus an effective introduction and ending.

On the second read through check the linking passages or transitions making sure they are clear and easily followed.

On the third reading check your sentence structure, language use and tone.

Double, triple check the timing

Now go though once more.

This time read it aloud slowly and time yourself.

If it's too long for the time allowance you've been given make the necessary cuts.

Start by looking at your examples rather than the main ideas themselves. If you've used several examples to illustrate one principal idea, cut the least important out.

Also look to see if you've repeated yourself unnecessarily or, gone off track. If it's not relevant, cut it.

Repeat the process, condensing until your speech fits the required length, preferably coming in just under your time limit.

You can also find out how approximately long it will take you to say the words you have by using this very handy words to minutes converter . It's an excellent tool, one I frequently use. While it can't give you a precise time, it does provide a reasonable estimate.

Step 9: Rehearsing your speech

And NOW you are finished with writing the speech, and are ready for REHEARSAL .

Please don't be tempted to skip this step. It is not an extra thrown in for good measure. It's essential.

The "not-so-secret" secret of successful speeches combines good writing with practice, practice and then, practicing some more.

Go to how to practice public speaking and you'll find rehearsal techniques and suggestions to boost your speech delivery from ordinary to extraordinary.

The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist

Before you begin writing you need:.

• Your speech OUTLINE with your main ideas ranked in the order you're going to present them. (If you haven't done one complete this 4 step sample speech outline . It will make the writing process much easier.)
• Your RESEARCH
• You also need to know WHO you're speaking to, the PURPOSE of the speech and HOW long you're speaking for

The basic format

• the body where you present your main ideas

Split your time allowance so that you spend approximately 70% on the body and 15% each on the introduction and ending.

How to write the speech

• Write your main ideas out incorporating your examples and research
• Link them together making sure each flows in a smooth, logical progression
• Write your ending, summarizing your main ideas briefly and end with a call for action
• Write your introduction considering the 'hook' you're going to use to get your audience listening
• An often quoted saying to explain the process is: Tell them what you're going to tell them (Introduction) Tell them (Body of your speech - the main ideas plus examples) Tell them what you told them (The ending)

TEST before presenting. Read aloud several times to check the flow of material, the suitability of language and the timing.

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How Long is a 3 Minute Speech? Tips for Writing a Short Speech

What could be more nerve-wracking than standing in front of a room full of people and giving a speech in three minutes? It is no surprise that this can be a stressful task for many people. The good news is that most audiences are ready to listen and understand, if you know how to make your points in a clear, concise, and impactful manner.

But that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? How do you effectively deliver a 3-minute presentation and make sure your message gets across? Well, fear not, in this post, I will be breaking down how you can create an effective 3-minute presentation and tips that you can use to maximize the impact of your speech. So put away the fear and let’s get started!

Quick Answer

How many words can I write in a 3 minute speech? Answer: The number of words for a 3 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 300 and 480 words in your speech.

Calculating Speech Length in Minutes

The precise answer to how long a 3 minute speech is can vary depending on the speaker, their speaking rate, and length of words used. It’s important to consider these factors when preparing an effective presentation . While the conventional wisdom might be to assign a fixed word count per minute, the reality is that it takes more than this to calculate an exact speech length . Subject matter is one factor to take into account when calculating speech length. Complex topics require more words and use of larger vocabulary which will naturally increase the length of time the speaker needs to explain the material. Additionally, if there is content specified by a speaker for a 3-minute presentation, that can also affect the actual length of the speech. On average, one sentence will take about three seconds to deliver, so every extra sentence or phrase will add approximately six seconds to your presentation time. To ensure that your 3-minute speech includes all information needed without taking too much time from other presenters speaking after you, practice delivering your speech out loud and adjust as needed. The pros of using a fixed word count per minute approach are numerous. This method allows for easier calculation of speech timing and for comparison against other speakers in terms of number of words spoken. A disadvantage would be that if a presenter uses larger words or has generally slower delivery with longer pauses between sentences or sections, then the estimated “3 minutes” could be inaccurate; meaning less time available for other speakers or related activities. By considering subject matter, language choice and level of detail, presenters should have a better understanding on how to effectively gauge their intended speech length beforehand. This leads into an important measure of success in any given presentation – that being words per minute estimations which we’ll cover in the following section…

Words Per Minute Estimations

Words per minute estimations are key when it comes to preparing a 3-minute speech. Speaking faster than your natural delivery can hinder the effectiveness of a presentation. However, understanding the industry standard of words per minute can help speakers find the right tempo for their presentations. According to some sources , the average person speaks approximately 125 words per minute, making a 3-minute presentation around 375 words. Plans and speeches should be rehearsed in advance to ensure that they fit and exceed the word requirement. While you should practice going over the time limit, keep in mind that it is best practice to finish presentations at or before the allotted time. On the other hand, there is debate around whether simply filling up a speech with words that do not serve any purpose creates a more improved speech. Speakers must remember that quality matters over quantity when it comes to giving a presentation. While it is important to be aware of how many words are being spoken per minute, fillers such as “um” and “like” decrease performance quality and effectiveness of a presentation. It is essential to factor in tempo along with content breathlessness when delivering a powerful presentation. Therefore, it is important for speakers to practice their speech while focusing on both its content and delivery rate so as to achieve maximum impact. Preparing an effective 3-minute speech requires a combination of quality material and proper timing. The next section will cover tips on how one can prepare an effective 3-minute speech.

Preparing a 3-Minute Speech

As with most speeches, those that are three minutes in length must be planned ahead and prepared carefully. The goal of this section is to provide tips and advice that will help the speaker craft an effective 3-minute speech. First and foremost, speakers must decide on their topic . A specific focus should be chosen, as topics that are too broad will be difficult to cover in such a short time frame. Using any research materials needed, the speaker can begin gathering key points and facts about their chosen topic to include in the speech. Speakers may also have to consider time management when constructing their 3-minute speech. It’s important to use the allotted time for the best outcome, which may involve condensing sentences or eliminating examples that don’t fit into the final draft . If necessary, speakers can even work with rhythm and dramatic pauses to create more impactful and memorable moments within their 3-minute window. Finally, the speaker should practice delivering their 3-minute speech. It’s important to know what points they plan on emphasizing, when they will pause, how they will move while they are speaking, and how to vary their pitch and vocal delivery to capture audience attention—but all within the three minutes of allotted time. The more practice given to 3-minute speech preparation, the better chance of successfully delivering an effective presentation on one’s chosen topic. Armed with these preparation tips for crafting a 3-minute speech, speakers can proceed towards structuring their speech accordingly in order to maximize its creative potential and reach its intended purpose. The following section will address structuring the speech itself so that it packs a punch within a short window of time.

Structuring the Speech

A well-structured speech is a key part of delivering an effective presentation. When planning a 3 minute speech, selecting a structure to guide the flow of information can be essential in ensuring an effective outcome. The first factor in structuring a 3 minute speech is deciding whether to present in a chronological order, or alternatively divide into thematic elements. If a chronological approach is chosen, this allows the audience to gain insight on how ideas have developed over time and provides continuity between points. Conversely, when choosing to split the speech according to theme this allows for greater focus on specific topics and highlights any similarities or differences between them. Closely linked to the type of structure chosen, it can be beneficial to consider utilising subheadings, especially if the speech has been divided into thematic elements. Subheadings are also helpful for maintaining focus on the main point and ensure each idea is adequately covered within your time limit. However, too many subheadings may result in an overly structured presentation which could be distracting for the audience. Alternatively, little or no subheadings may mean that the content feels disjointed and difficult to follow. As such, finding the right balance is essential for ensuring successful communication. Finally, whilst considering how long each element should be within your speech, setting yourself a word target can also help achieve this balance. After deciding how long each major element will take up there are often nuances within these sections that would benefit from some additional elaboration. By setting yourself a total number of words you will become more aware of how much detail there needs to be within those subsections and ultimately produce a better outcome overall. Having established the structure of your 3 minute presentation it is now important to consider what content should fill it. Moving forward we will discuss how to choose an appropriate topic that suits both you and your audience…

Choosing a Topic

Choosing a topic for a 3 minute speech can be daunting. It’s important to consider the audience, purpose, and context of the speech when selecting your topic . Your aim should be to select a topic that will interest and engage the audience. Try to pick something that you are passionate about and ensure it is appropriate for the occasion. When debating topics, think carefully about both sides of the argument so your presentation can be balanced and comprehensive. Drawing on both sides of an argument demonstrates good critical thinking and builds respect from your audience. Also you may have to overcome initial opposition or skepticism from members of your audience. This technique encourages full discussion and understanding of a topic, allowing the audience to process both perspectives before coming to their own conclusions and making decisions. Finally, if you decide to debate a topic, consider ending your presentation with a call to action for your audience — this could be encouraging them to take action on what they have learned in your speech or engaging in further research, amongst others. Now that you have chosen a topic for your 3 minute speech, it’s time to move onto finding supporting ideas which will bring depth and clarity to your presentation.

Finding Supporting Ideas

Brainstorming and research are vital components for gathering the information needed to support a 3 minute speech. Asking questions can help identify topics and ideas to provide a focus for the presentation. Think about what the audience needs to hear and then decide which idea will be used as the center of discussion. Gather facts, figures, statistics, quotes, stories and anecdotes to substantiate the central idea. Additionally, consider points of view on both sides of the debate when appropriate. This will help strengthen the basis of evidence to better illustrate a point or opinion throughout the presentation. Use materials that are relevant, concise but still informative. It is important to have a good balance between material that’s interesting and familiar. As well as material that provides an argumentative edge so the audience has something new to think about after the presentation is finished. Thus it’s important to spend time evaluating all of the materials available that may be suitable in order to determine which pieces will provide maximum impact. Having strong supporting ideas can help make a 3 minute speech persuasive and effective. Here’s a few tips for finding great supporting ideas: 1) Research thoroughly – To ensure accurate information that gives authenticity to arguments 2) Brainstorm – Think critically surrounding common topics relating back to your main point 3) Debate both sides – Consider points of view on both sides of the debate when appropriate 4) Select materials with intention – Choose relevant, concise materials that provide maximum impact 5) Utilize multimedia – Media presentations such as videos, slideshows and graphics can bring extra interest and dimension With some brainstorming and careful selection of materials through a combination of research and thoughtful evaluation, finding effective supporting ideas for a 3 minute speech can be attainable! Now that we have discussed Finding Supporting Ideas for our speech, let’s move on to discuss Opening & Closing the Speech in our next section.

Essential Information

When preparing for a 3 minute speech, it is important to brainstorm for topics and ask questions related to the presentation. Furthermore, research facts, figures, statistics, quotes, stories and anecdotes to strengthen the basis of evidence and arguments. When selecting materials to support the speech, be sure it is relevant, concise but still informative in order to provide maximum impact. To ensure maximum effectiveness of the presentation, consider points of view on both sides of the debate, use multimedia such as videos and graphics. With careful research and evaluation when selecting materials one can be prepared to deliver a strong 3 minute speech.

Opening & Closing the Speech

When delivering a 3 minute presentation, opening and closing the speech effectively is critical to ensure the speech is impactful and memorable. An effective introduction grabs the audience’s attention and creates context, while a powerful conclusion provides a sense of completion and allows the presenter to leave a lasting impression. The introduction should be short, clear and interesting so that it immediately grabs the audience’s interest and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation. Presenters should consider using an anecdote or joke to draw people in, and be sure to include a succinct overview of what points will be discussed during the rest of the presentation. It is important to stay within time limits while still ensuring that the main idea is expressed in an appealing manner. In contrast, some argue that with only three minutes allotted, it is better to save time by omitting an introduction all together. This approach can be beneficial in certain circumstances as it allows more time for covering relevant material. Additionally, experienced speakers may have no trouble grabbing the audience’s attention without needing any kind of introduction. The conclusion should summarize key points touched on throughout the presentation while reinforcing the main idea of the speech and leaving listeners with something to ponder. Presenters might close with their opinion on the topic at hand or use ending remarks such as “thank you for your attention” or “questions?” An effective closure will provide a clear picture of why this topic is important or relevant and might use props, visuals or sound clips to deliver a final statement about being heard. Similar to an introduction, some might argue that a conclusion is not necessary given that speaker has only three minutes overall. However, like an introduction, skipping out on a proper closure could be detrimental if not done well as it has potential to leave the audience feeling unfulfilled or confused about what was actually presented. In conclusion, it is important to abide by time constraints while also giving an effective open and close when preparing a 3 minute speech – whether this requires including both parts or depending on individual circumstance. Now that we have covered opening and closing techniques, our next section will focus on how to practice delivering this speech efficiently ahead of time.

Practicing the Speech

Speaking confidently and effectively in public can be intimidating for even the most experienced speaker. Before delivering a speech , it is important to practice numerous times to make sure that it is well rehearsed. This allows the speaker to become familiar with their material and identify potential areas of concern so that they can be addressed before delivering the speech. In addition to practicing aloud, writing out the entire speech is also recommended, as it gives the speaker a better sense of organization and flow. However, memorizing every line may not be necessary if the speaker has walked through their material multiple times with both written words and rehearsed aloud. The advantage of memorizing a speech word-for-word is that it allows the speaker to focus on their delivery and make sure they are speaking at an appropriate pace. This can be especially helpful when timing is an issue or when the allotted amount of time to speak is limited. On the other hand, having a memorized presentation can be dangerous as speakers may get lost in thought if they forget where they are or forget a word. Regardless of whether or not a speech is memorized in its entirety, all speeches should still be practiced several times in order for them to flow naturally and coherently. Doing so will minimize any potential errors or pauses during delivery and offer more confidence to the speaker. To further ensure an effective public presentation, all speakers should practice in front of an audience who can give constructive feedback on both content and delivery. Practicing this way helps speakers become more aware of parts of their speeches that need improvement so that these issues can be addressed before delivering the actual speech. By taking the time to properly practice one’s 3 minute speech, any presenter can deliver their material without feeling nervous or unprepared, making for a successful dialogue. With these pros and cons considered, now comes time to prepare for actually delivering the speech .

Delivering the Speech

Once you have written the speech and chosen your message, the next step is to decide how you are going to present the speech. Even a 3-minute speech can be intimidating, making it essential for presenters to practice their presentation in advance. Ready your voice and familiarize yourself with presentations mistakes so that you can avoid these pitfalls during your actual delivery. When delivering a 3-minute speech, focus on maintaining eye contact with your audience, using strong gestures to emphasize points, and speaking slowly but steadily in order to keep within the time limit. It is also important to know when to pause , as this can help draw attention to key points and help optimize communication of the content. In addition to how you deliver the speech, another area is focusing on what words to omit or add if something is taking too long or too short. Depending on the context of the presentation, there are several approaches presenters can take here – some opt for minimizing or reducing descriptions while others choose to replace or substitute certain words or phrases with newer styles of language. Ultimately, it is up to the presenter’s judgement on what changes should be made in order to ensure an effective and informative presentation within three minutes. Certain topics may require speakers to further analyze their material in order to determine what information should be included or left out within three minutes. Here, it is particularly useful for presenters to determine which aspects of their synopsis holds primary importance by jotting down points that could be used as main points or context highlights. In summary, delivering a 3-minute speech successfully requires expertise in budgeting one’s time while still managing to pass along all necessary information needed by both themselves and the audience. Effective delivery will also enhance engagement with your listeners while strengthening your own self confidence as a speaker. Moving forward, let’s discuss some additional tips for speeches of any length.

Additional Tips for Speeches of Any Length

1) Make It Interactive: Engage your audience in the speech by inviting them to act out certain ideas or roles, giving them handouts that contain specific instructions, or even allowing them to ask questions or participate in discussions. Studies have shown that people are more engaged when they are actively involved in a presentation, so give people something to do! Checkpoints in your presentation can be great opportunities for feedback from your audience that you can use to tailor your content and keep their attention. 2) Vary Your Delivery: Use different techniques to keep your audience’s interest. Consider changing the tone of your voice and/or changing your body language throughout the speech. Doing so will help make the talk more interesting and engaging for everyone. Additionally, varying the pace of the presentation can help you drive home key points and keep listeners on their toes. 3) Focus on Clarity: Communicate with clarity and ensure that each point is clear and concise. This is especially important with longer presentations as listeners may become lost along the way if the central messages aren’t made obvious. Research has found that people are more likely to remember stories than facts , so consider incorporating anecdotes into your talk for greater impact. 4) Use Visuals Wisely: Visual aids such as charts or slides can be a great addition to long presentations, helping you explain complex topics quickly and easily, but it’s important not to overdo it. Too many visuals can take away from what you’re saying and make it difficult for listeners to stay focused. Only use visuals when necessary – if there’s a lot of data involved, consider summarizing some of it instead of going into too much detail. 5) Stick to the Point: You may feel incredibly passionate about a particular topic and want to talk extensively about it – but try not to go off-topic since this could confuse or bore your audience . Keeping an outline nearby should help you stay focused, plus cutting out excess details will leave you free to elaborate on thoughts more connected to the main purpose of your speech.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What types of topics are best suited to a 3 minute speech.

A 3-minute speech is best suited for topics which are brief and can be discussed in a short amount of time. It’s important to identify the key points that need to be covered within the allotted time frame. Consider keeping the topic as specific as possible – this helps to make sure all the key points are concisely discussed in the limited amount of time. Some examples of topics suitable for 3-minute speeches include: •Explaining a new product or service •Summarizing a research paper •Discussing the benefits of a particular solution •Outlining a well-known process •Highlighting recent advancements in technology •Providing a brief overview of an issue or current event •Giving an introduction to an unfamiliar concept. Ultimately, any topic that can be accurately presented and discussed in three minutes or less is appropriate for a 3-minute speech.

How much content can I fit into a 3 minute speech?

In a 3-minute speech, you can fit in quite a lot of content but only if it’s concise and well-constructed. To make the most of your time, decide on the main point you want to make, then use supporting evidence to back this up. You may also want to include some relevant anecdotes or stories to further illustrate your key points. When delivering the speech, practice pacing yourself and speaking clearly and confidently – this will make all the difference with how much content you’re able to get across. Ultimately, it comes down to how well you craft your message in such a short time frame; however, with careful preparation, you should be able to fit in a good amount of information that engages the audience.

How can I ensure my 3 minute speech is engaging?

When delivering a 3 minute speech, it is important to make sure your audience is engaged and attentive. To help ensure that your speech is engaging and effective, be sure to: 1. Focus on presenting your main points clearly and concisely. Make sure to choose words that are easily understood, and don’t be afraid to repeat yourself if needed. Keep your language simple , and avoid using abstract concepts. 2. Use stories, analogies or examples when introducing new topics or providing context for what you are talking about. This will allow the audience to better understand the content of your speech, while also making it more interesting and engaging. 3. Maintain good eye contact with your audience when speaking and use gestures when appropriate. This will show that you are confident and engaged in what you are saying. It will also help keep their attention on you rather than other distractions in the room. 4. Make sure to practice your speech beforehand so you can deliver it accurately, at a comfortable pace, and without running over time. Being able to gauge the allotted time of the speech and keep it within bounds will show the audience that you have prepared properly for the occasion. By following these tips, you can ensure that your 3 minute speech is both engaging and effective in communicating your key points to your audience.

How long is a 1 minute speech?

The number of words for a 1 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 100 and 160 words in your speech.

How long is a 2 minute speech?

The number of words for a 2 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 200 and 320 words in your speech.

How long is a 3 minute speech?

The number of words for a 3 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 300 and 480 words in your speech.

How long is a 4 minute speech?

The number of words for a 4 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 400 and 640 words in your speech.

How long is a 5 minute speech?

The number of words for a 5 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 500 and 800 words in your speech.

How long is a 6 minute speech?

The number of words for a 6 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 600 and 960 words in your speech.

How long is a 7 minute speech?

The number of words for a 7 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 700 and 1120 words in your speech.

How long is a 8 minute speech?

The number of words for a 8 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 800 and 1280 words in your speech.

How long is a 9 minute speech?

The number of words for a 9 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 900 and 1440 words in your speech.

How long is a 10 minute speech?

The number of words for a 10 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 1000 and 1600 words in your speech.

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How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples)

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How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples) was originally published on Forage .

Though people are complex and so much more than just their jobs, in a new social situation you’re often asked, “So, what do you do?” or “What are you majoring in?” While you probably have a stock answer ready to go (I’m in sales; I’m majoring in English), the person asking may be able to help you achieve your career goals — but they won’t know unless you’ve got an elevator pitch ready to go.

An elevator pitch is an enticing and interesting three or four-sentence summary of you. But you do more than talk about yourself. Your elevator pitch gets the listener interested in what you’re capable of.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

What Is an Elevator Pitch?

How to write an elevator pitch, elevator pitch examples, elevator pitch bonus tips.

Mike Gardon of CareerCloud sums up elevator pitches like this: “When meeting someone for the first time, we all get asked what we do, right? Well, an elevator pitch is how you answer that question.”

At its core, an elevator pitch is a brief synopsis of who you are and what you do (or are trying to do). It’s named so because of the idea that you’re in an elevator with the one person who can make your career dreams come true. You’ve got the length of that elevator ride (approximately 30 seconds) to convince that person to keep listening to you.

Why You Need an Elevator Pitch (and When You’ll Use It)

In many respects, an elevator pitch is all about you. And though it may seem strange — uncomfortable even — to talk about yourself, a well-designed elevator pitch starts with you and ends with the listener.

Gardon explains, “The elevator pitch is designed to engage the person with whom you are communicating, and get them to take some next action. Think about it like this: if you were writing an email, the elevator pitch would be the subject line plus the next couple of lines that are shown in an inbox. The purpose is to get the recipient to open the email.”

In the case of your elevator pitch, you’re attempting to spark a longer conversation (or later meeting) with someone who could potentially help you professionally.

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Your elevator pitch comes in handy when you’re looking for a job. But you’ll also use various versions of your elevator pitch in situations like:

• Networking events
• Prospecting for new sales and clients
• When you’re interviewing and asked, “Tell me about yourself.”
• As the “about me” on LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social media page
• In the summary of qualifications on your resume

How Long Should an Elevator Pitch Be?

While elevator ride times vary, the general rule of thumb is that an elevator pitch is no longer than 30 seconds, which means your pitch needs to be concise.

So, you can’t include every accomplishment from your last three jobs, just the top most recent ones. As you’re honing your pitch, write it down and limit yourself to four sentences. This will help you focus on your top highlights.

In general, an elevator pitch includes four essential elements: who you are, what you do, what’s unique about you, and what your “ask” is. Though the “meat” of your pitch likely doesn’t change often, you should prepare multiple elevator pitches that you can tailor to your situation.

For example, if you’re a student, the pitch you use at a career fair may not be the same one you use at a networking event. Likewise, if you’re changing careers, you may need to switch up what your “ask” is depending on who you talk to.

Gardon offers an example. “I wear so many different hats and am involved in different businesses. So, if I want someone to be a guest on my podcast, I might tell them how we’ve done over 400 episodes, instead of telling them that I’m a former derivatives trader.”

Also, while the below elements are crucial, they can go in almost any order. While a good elevator pitch usually begins with your name, you may find that listing your skills before your accomplishments is better for your pitch.

Part 1: Who Are You?

Your elevator pitch starts with your name, of course, but also consider throwing in a “hook” that gives the person you’re speaking with an opening to ask you questions. Here are some examples:

“I’m [your name], a recent graduate of [university] with a degree in [your degree].”

“My name is [your name] and I’m a junior at [university] majoring in [your major].”

“I’m [your name] and while I’m currently in product development, I’ve decided I want to change gears and go into graphic design.”

Part 2: What Do You Do?

The second part of your elevator pitch explains what you do. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to a job title. This is the place to mention one outstanding accomplishment from your job, internship, or even a class that will wow your listener.

Like all parts of your elevator speech, this needs to be brief, but it should also be detailed and help the listener get an idea of what you’re capable of:

“During my marketing internship at [name of company], I grew social media engagement by 43%, which resulted in an uptick in newsletter sign-ups year over year.”

“Our business is small, but that lets us have more personal interaction, which has helped us keep a small but loyal and profitable client base for 15 years.”

“After learning about the stock market, I wanted to test what I learned as well as my skills, so I created a mock portfolio that’s realized a 24% gain over the last year.”

Part 3: What’s Unique About You?

The next section of your elevator pitch includes something unique about you. While this can include specific skills, you can also trace your career path or accomplishments to illustrate how you use your skills.

Because you only have 30 seconds, you might be tempted to list your skills or accomplishments like a grocery list. But try to link them to an outcome or something you can do.

“I enjoy analyzing data and using the results to plan my content calendar, including social media posts.”

“I worked on my college newspaper, starting on the sports beat, eventually moving my way up to chief editor.”

The first example mentions one skill (data analysis ) and two outcomes (planning the content calendar and social media posts). The second example doesn’t mention any skills but illustrates the speaker’s career path (sports beat to chief editor), demonstrating an increase in skills and responsibilities.

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Part 4: Call to Action (or What’s Your Ask?)

The final part of your elevator pitch includes a call to action. Or, more specifically, what are you asking for?

Much like networking, you may not want to blurt out “a job!” even if that’s your desired outcome. This section is what you hope will happen, which could be a job, internship, or just a new networking connection.

“I would love to speak to you about being a potential mentor, if you have time.”

“I’d like to follow up with you about how I can get involved in and conduct summer research.”

“Can you tell me how you decided on [this] career?”

Each of these invites the listener to continue engaging with you either right now or in the future. 

Optional Part 5: Something Memorable

Finally, depending on the situation, you might want to include something memorable in your pitch. This is situation-dependent and only something you should do if you’re comfortable.

For example, the pitch on Gardon’s LinkedIn profile says, “Earned the Title ‘World Champion Funniest Person In The World (to my kids)’ 10 years running.”

Of course, not everyone can be the “Funniest Person in the World,” but your memorable moment could be your love of science fiction, who your favorite author is, or the fact that you just adopted a cat.

Here’s what all the elements look like when you put them together:

“I’m David, a rising senior at XYZ University and an education major. I spent last year student teaching at my old high school, and it was quite the experience being on the other side. I’m graduating in the spring and am looking to teach high school biology.”

“I’m Ella, and I’m currently an individual contributor at XYZ company running the social media accounts. I use Google Analytics to analyze and improve content performance, and my personal TikTok has XXX followers. I’m looking to move to a leadership role at a mid to large-size company where I can mentor others.”

“I’m Mike and I’m a sophomore at XYZ university. When I was a kid, I really wanted to communicate with animals, which is partly why I’m majoring in zoology. I’m not sure what career is best suited for me. Can you tell me how you ended up in yours?”

Once you’ve written (and rewritten) your elevator pitch, you’re almost ready to try it out. Before you do, though, ensure your delivery is memorable — for the right reasons!

• Practice. Practice makes perfect, of course. And while you don’t want to sound too rehearsed, you also don’t want to trip over your pitch or start rambling. Practice in front of a mirror, with friends or family, or record yourself to make sure you’re getting it right.
• Time yourself. Thirty seconds can feel like forever or fly right by. Time yourself to make sure your pitch isn’t too long or too short, and adjust as necessary.
• Use your “excited” voice. While you’ll want to use your “inside voice,” vary your tone. When you give a rehearsed speech, it should be polished but not robotic. Try to bring some excitement to your voice as you speak.
• Speak slowly. You may want to cram as much as possible into your 30 seconds, but that could result in you speaking too quickly to try to get it all in, making it tough for the listener to understand you. As hard as it might be, stick to one or two main points.
• Maintain eye contact. While you don’t want to stare at the listener the whole time, you don’t want to stare at the floor either. Maintain the level of eye contact that feels normal and natural to you, and break eye contact when appropriate.

Make Your Pitch

An elevator pitch is useful in all sorts of professional (and even personal!) situations. By taking stock of what you do and what you want to do, you’ll find the perfect elements to include in yours and impress the next person you pitch it to.

Want more insights into creating the perfect pitch? Check out Ashurst’s Building Your Personal Brand Virtual Experience Program .

Image credit: Canva

The post How to Give a Great Elevator Pitch (With Examples) appeared first on Forage .

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How to Write a Speech

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. 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 2,975,110 times.

Giving an original speech for a class, event, or work presentation can be nerve-wracking. However, writing an effective speech can help to bolster your confidence. With careful planning and an eye for detail, you can write a speech that will inform, persuade, motivate, or entertain! Give yourself plenty of time to craft your speech and practice it several times for best results.

Sample Speeches

Drafting an Effective Speech

• If you are writing a speech for a class, make sure to check with your teacher to get details about the number and acceptable types of sources.

• If you are writing an informative or persuasive speech, then plan to arrange your speech with a problem and solution structure. Start the speech by talking about what is wrong, then explain how to fix the problem in the second half of your speech. [4] X Research source

Tip : Keep in mind that you can always refine your outline later or as you draft your speech. Include all of the information that seems relevant now with the expectation that you will likely need to pare it down later.

• For example, if you are writing a motivational speech about weight loss, then you might say something like, “Five years ago, I could not walk up a flight of stairs without needing to take a break halfway up.”
• If you hope to persuade audience members to reduce their use of fossil fuels, then you might start off by saying, “Gas-powered vehicles are the reason why global warming is threatening to destroy our planet.”

• For example, if you are giving a speech on increasing funding for Alzheimer’s research, it would be helpful to provide information on how common Alzheimer’s disease is and how it affects families. You could accomplish this with a combination of a statistic and an anecdote.

Tip: Keep your introduction less than 1 paragraph or 1 double-spaced page long. This will help to ensure that you do not spend too much time on the context and background before getting to the meat of your topic. [7] X Research source

• For example, in a speech about ending animal testing for cosmetics, you might start with a point about how animal testing is cruel, then explain that it is unnecessary, and then talk about the alternatives to animal testing that make it obsolete.

• For example, if you are about to cover the concept of delayed onset muscle soreness (also known as DOMS), then explain what it is in a nutshell first, then go into more detail about it and how it relates to your point, then end that section of your speech with a brief summary of the main point you are trying to make.

• In that moment
• The following week

• For example, if you have just described the effects of global warming on the polar bear population, conclude your speech by telling your audience about non-profit organizations that are working to protect the environment and the polar bear population.
• If you have just shared your weight loss story to motivate your audience, tell them what they can do to start their own weight loss journey and share resources that you found helpful.

Making Your Speech More Engaging

• For example, instead of saying, “Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is the pinnacle of human existence because it enables you to accomplish physical feats that boost your confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment,” say, “A healthy body weight allows you to do more physically, and this may make you happier overall.”
• Keep in mind that it is also important to vary your sentence structure. You can include a longer sentence once or twice per page to add variety to your speech. Just avoid using lots of long sentences in your speech. [15] X Research source

• For example, if you are giving a speech for a group of sales associates who are trying to increase sales of a new product called “Synergy,” then you might repeat a simple phrase to that effect, such as “Tell your customers about Synergy,” or you could simply say, “Synergy” a few times during your speech to remind your audience of this product.
• If you are writing a motivational speech about how running can help people to overcome emotional hurdles, then you might repeat a phrase in your speech to emphasize this idea, such as, “Run through the pain.”

• For example, if you are giving a speech about moose mating patterns, 2 numbers that show the decline in the moose population over a 50 year period may be a striking addition to your speech. However, sharing a complex set of moose population statistics would be less compelling and possibly even confusing to your audience.
• Choose quotes that are easy to follow and make sure that you explain how each quote you use supports to your argument. Try to stick with quotes that use simple language and take up no more than 2 lines on your page.

• For example, when describing your love of food in a motivational speech about becoming a chef, you might decide to include a joke and say something like, “I always wanted to become a chef, ever since I was a little kid and I discovered that people actually make donuts and they don’t just randomly fall from the sky.”

• Avoid relying on the slides to make the speech for you. You will still need to deliver your speech in an engaging manner. Only use the slides as a complement to your words.

• Make sure to read your speech out loud when you review it! This will help you to determine if it sounds natural and if there are any awkward sections that you can cut, smooth out, or explain more clearly. [22] X Research source

Expert Q&A

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• ↑ http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/speech/tips.htm
• ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.write-out-loud.com/howtowritespeech.html
• ↑ https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/7-sensational-essay-hooks/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/speeches/
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-introductions
• ↑ https://pac.org/content/speechwriting-101-writing-effective-speech

About This Article

To write a speech, start off with an attention-grabbing statement, like "Before I begin my speech, I have something important to say." Once you've gotten everyone's attention, move on to your strongest argument or point first since that's what audiences will remember the most. Use transitions throughout your speech, like "This brings us back to the bigger picture," so the audience doesn't get lost. To conclude your speech, restate the key points and leave your audience with a question or something to think about. To learn how to edit your first draft, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Full Text: Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs Graduation Speech

The Super Bowl champ and kicker spoke about the dignity of life, masculinity, and the most important role of all: motherhood.

Editor’s Note: Harrison Butker, 28, the placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. A transcript of his remarks is below.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2024:  I would like to start off by congratulating all of you for successfully making it to this achievement today. I'm sure your high school graduation was not what you had imagined, and most likely, neither was your first couple years of college.

By making it to this moment through all the adversity thrown your way from COVID, I hope you learned the important lessons that suffering in this life is only temporary. As a group, you witnessed firsthand how bad leaders who don't stay in their lane can have a negative impact on society. It is through this lens that I want to take stock of how we got to where we are, and where we want to go as citizens and, yes, as Catholics. One last thing before I begin, I want to be sure to thank President Minnis and the board for their invitation to speak.

When President Minnis first reached out a couple of months ago, I had originally said No. You see, last year I gave the commencement address at my alma mater, Georgia Tech, and I felt that one graduation speech was more than enough, especially for someone who isn't a professional speaker. But of course, President Minnis used his gift of persuasion. [ Laughter ] It spoke to the many challenges you all faced throughout the COVID fiasco ,and how you missed out on so many milestones the rest of us older people have taken for granted. While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique. Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.

Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro- abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.

He is not alone. From the man behind the COVID lockdowns to the people pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America, they all have a glaring thing in common. They are Catholic. This is an important reminder that being Catholic alone doesn't cut it.

These are the sorts of things we are told in polite society to not bring up. You know, the difficult and unpleasant things. But if we are going to be men and women for this time in history, we need to stop pretending that the "Church of Nice" is a winning proposition. We must always speak and act in charity, but never mistake charity for cowardice.

It is safe to say that over the past few years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind. I never envisioned myself, nor wanted, to have this sort of a platform, but God has given it to me, so I have no other choice but to embrace it and preach more hard truths about accepting your lane and staying in it.

As members of the Church founded by Jesus Christ, it is our duty and ultimately privilege to be authentically and unapologetically Catholic. Don't be mistaken, even within the Church, people in polite Catholic circles will try to persuade you to remain silent. There even was an award-winning film called Silence , made by a fellow Catholic, wherein one of the main characters, a Jesuit priest, abandoned the Church, and as an apostate when he died is seen grasping a crucifix, quiet and unknown to anyone but God. As a friend of Benedictine College, His Excellency Bishop Robert Barron, said in his review of the film, it was exactly what the cultural elite want to see in Christianity -- private, hidden away, and harmless.

Our Catholic faith has always been countercultural. Our Lord, along with countless followers, were all put to death for their adherence to her teachings. The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We fear speaking truth, because now, unfortunately, truth is in the minority. Congress just passed a bill where stating something as basic as the biblical teaching of who killed Jesus could land you in jail.

But make no mistake, before we even attempt to fix any of the issues plaguing society, we must first get our own house in order, and it starts with our leaders. The bishops and priests appointed by God as our spiritual fathers must be rightly ordered. There is not enough time today for me to list all the stories of priests and bishops misleading their flocks, but none of us can blame ignorance anymore and just blindly proclaim that “That's what Father said.” Because sadly, many priests we are looking to for leadership are the same ones who prioritize their hobbies or even photos with their dogs and matching outfits for the parish directory.

It's easy for us laymen and women to think that in order for us to be holy, that we must be active in our parish and try to fix it. Yes, we absolutely should be involved in supporting our parishes, but we cannot be the source for our parish priests to lean on to help with their problems. Just as we look at the relationship between a father and his son, so too should we look at the relationship between a priest and his people. It would not be appropriate for me to always be looking to my son for help when it is my job as his father to lead him.

St. Josemaría Escrivá states that priests are ordained to serve, and should not yield to temptation to imitate laypeople, but to be priests through and through. Tragically, so many priests revolve much of their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners, and in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar. This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time, because as my teammate's girlfriend says, familiarity breeds contempt. [ Laughter ]

Saint Josemaría continues that some want to see the priest as just another man. That is not so. They want to find in the priest those virtues proper to every Christian, and indeed every honorable man:  understanding, justice, a life of work — priestly work, in this instance — and good manners. It is not prudent as the laity for us to consume ourselves in becoming amateur theologians so that we can decipher this or that theological teaching — unless, of course, you are a theology major. We must be intentional with our focus on our state in life and our own vocation. And for most of us, that's as married men and women. Still, we have so many great resources at our fingertips that it doesn't take long to find traditional and timeless teachings that haven't been ambiguously reworded for our times. Plus, there are still many good and holy priests, and it's up to us to seek them out.

The chaos of the world is unfortunately reflected in the chaos in our parishes, and sadly, in our cathedrals too. As we saw during the pandemic, too many bishops were not leaders at all. They were motivated by fear, fear of being sued, fear of being removed, fear of being disliked. They showed by their actions, intentional or unintentional, that the sacraments don't actually matter. Because of this, countless people died alone, without access to the sacraments, and it's a tragedy we must never forget. As Catholics, we can look to so many examples of heroic shepherds who gave their lives for their people, and ultimately, the Church. We cannot buy into the lie that the things we experienced during COVID were appropriate. Over the centuries, there have been great wars, great famines, and yes, even great diseases, all that came with a level of lethality and danger. But in each of those examples, Church leaders leaned into their vocations and ensured that their people received the sacraments.

Great saints like St. Damien of Molokai, who knew the dangers of his ministry, stayed for 11 years as a spiritual leader to the leper colonies of Hawaii. His heroism is looked at today as something set apart and unique, when ideally it should not be unique at all. For as a father loves his child, so a shepherd should love his spiritual children, too.

That goes even more so for our bishops, these men who are present-day apostles. Our bishops once had adoring crowds of people kissing their rings and taking in their every word, but now relegate themselves to a position of inconsequential existence. Now, when a bishop of a diocese or the bishop's conference as a whole puts out an important document on this matter or that, nobody even takes a moment to read it, let alone follow it.

No. Today, our shepherds are far more concerned with keeping the doors open to the chancery than they are with saying the difficult stuff out loud. It seems that the only time you hear from your bishops is when it's time for the annual appeal, whereas we need our bishops to be vocal about the teachings of the Church, setting aside their own personal comfort and embracing their cross. Our bishops are not politicians but shepherds, so instead of fitting in the world by going along to get along, they too need to stay in their lane and lead.

I say all of this not from a place of anger, as we get the leaders we deserve. But this does make me reflect on staying in my lane and focusing on my own vocation and how I can be a better father and husband and live in the world but not be of it. Focusing on my vocation while praying and fasting for these men will do more for the Church than me complaining about her leaders.

Because there seems to be so much confusion coming from our leaders, there needs to be concrete examples for people to look to in places like Benedictine, a little Kansas college built high on a bluff above the Missouri River, are showing the world how an ordered, Christ-centered existence is the recipe for success. You need to look no further than the examples all around this campus, where over the past 20 years, enrollment has doubled, construction and revitalization are a constant part of life, and people, the students, the faculty and staff, are thriving. This didn't happen by chance. In a deliberate movement to embrace traditional Catholic values, Benedictine has gone from just another liberal arts school with nothing to set it apart to a thriving beacon of light and a reminder to us all that when you embrace tradition, success — worldly and spiritual — will follow.

I am certain the reporters at the AP could not have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine wouldn't be met with anger, but instead met with excitement and pride. Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify him. Reading that article now shared all over the world, we see that in the complete surrender of self and a turning towards Christ, you will find happiness. Right here in a little town in Kansas, we find many inspiring laypeople using their talents.

President Minnis, Dr. [Andrew] Swafford, and Dr. [Jared] Zimmerer are a few great examples right here on this very campus that will keep the light of Christ burning bright for generations to come. Being locked in with your vocation and staying in your lane is going to be the surest way for you to find true happiness and peace in this life.

It is essential that we focus on our own state in life, whether that be as a layperson, a priest, or religious. Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2024, you are sitting at the edge of the rest of your lives. Each of you has the potential to leave a legacy that transcends yourselves and this era of human existence. In the small ways, by living out your vocation, you will ensure that God's Church continues and the world is enlightened by your example.

For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.

I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I'm on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I'm beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.

[ Applause lasting 18 seconds ]

She is a primary educator to our children. She is the one who ensures I never let football or my business become a distraction from that of a husband and father. She is the person that knows me best at my core, and it is through our marriage that, Lord willing, we will both attain salvation.

I say all of this to you because I have seen it firsthand how much happier someone can be when they disregard the outside noise and move closer and closer to God's will in their life. Isabelle's dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you asked her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud, without hesitation, and say, “Heck, No.”

As a man who gets a lot of praise and has been given a platform to speak to audiences like this one today, I pray that I always use my voice for God and not for myself. Everything I am saying to you is not from a place of wisdom, but rather a place of experience. I am hopeful that these words will be seen as those from a man, not much older than you, who feels it is imperative that this class, this generation, and this time in our society must stop pretending that the things we see around us are normal.

Heterodox ideas abound even within Catholic circles. But let's be honest, there is nothing good about playing God with having children — whether that be your ideal number or the perfect time to conceive. No matter how you spin it, there is nothing natural about Catholic birth control.

It is only in the past few years that I have grown encouraged to speak more boldly and directly because, as I mentioned earlier, I have leaned into my vocation as a husband and father, and as a man.

To the gentlemen here today: Part of what plagues our society is this lie that has been told to you that men are not necessary in the home or in our communities. As men, we set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, disorder, dysfunction, and chaos set in. This absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation. Other countries do not have nearly the same absentee father rates as we find here in the U.S., and a correlation could be made in their drastically lower violence rates, as well.

Be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the cultural emasculation of men. Do hard things. Never settle for what is easy. You might have a talent that you don't necessarily enjoy, but if it glorifies God, maybe you should lean into that over something that you might think suits you better. I speak from experience as an introvert who now finds myself as an amateur public speaker and an entrepreneur, something I never thought I'd be when I received my industrial engineering degree.

The road ahead is bright. Things are changing. Society is shifting. And people, young and old, are embracing tradition. Not only has it been my vocation that has helped me and those closest to me, but not surprising to many of you, should be my outspoken embrace of the traditional Latin Mass. I've been very vocal in my love and devotion to the TLM and its necessity for our lives. But what I think gets misunderstood is that people who attend the TLM do so out of pride or preference. I can speak to my own experience, but for most people I have come across within these communities this simply is not true. I do not attend the TLM because I think I am better than others, or for the smells and bells, or even for the love of Latin. I attend the TLM because I believe, just as the God of the Old Testament was pretty particular in how he wanted to be worshipped, the same holds true for us today. It is through the TLM that I encountered order, and began to pursue it in my own life. Aside from the TLM itself, too many of our sacred traditions have been relegated to things of the past, when in my parish, things such as ember days, days when we fast and pray for vocations and for our priests, are still adhered to. The TLM is so essential that I would challenge each of you to pick a place to move where it is readily available.

A lot of people have complaints about the parish or the community, but we should not sacrifice the Mass for community. I prioritize the TLM even if the parish isn't beautiful, the priest isn't great, or the community isn't amazing. I still go to the TLM because I believe the holy sacrifice of the Mass is more important than anything else. I say this knowing full well that when each of you rekindle your knowledge and adherence to many of the church's greatest traditions, you will see how much more colorful and alive your life can and should be.

As you move on from this place and enter into the world, know that you will face many challenges. Sadly, I'm sure many of you know of the countless stories of good and active members of this community who, after graduation and moving away from the Benedictine bubble, have ended up moving in with their boyfriend or girlfriend prior to marriage. Some even leave the Church and abandon God. It is always heartbreaking to hear these stories, and there is a desire to know what happened and what went wrong.

What you must remember is that life is about doing the small things well, setting yourself up for success, and surrounding yourself with people who continually push you to be the best version of you. I say this all the time, that iron sharpens iron. It's a great reminder that those closest to us should be making us better. If you are dating someone who doesn't even share your faith, how do you expect that person to help you become a saint? If your friend group is filled with people who only think about what you're doing next weekend and are not willing to have those difficult conversations, how can they help sharpen you?

As you prepare to enter into the workforce, it is extremely important that you actually think about the places you are moving to. Who is the bishop? What kind of parishes are there? Do they offer the TLM and have priests who embrace their priestly vocation? Cost of living must not be the only arbiter of your choices, for a life without God is not a life at all, and the cost of salvation is worth more than any career.

I'm excited for the future, and I pray that something I have said will resonate as you move on to the next chapter of your life.

Never be afraid to profess the one holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church, for this is the Church that Jesus Christ established, through which we receive sanctifying grace.

I know that my message today had a little less fluff than is expected for these speeches, but I believe that this audience and this venue is the best place to speak openly and honestly about who we are and where we all want to go, which is Heaven.

I thank God for Benedictine College and for the example it provides the world. I thank God for men like President Minnis, who are doing their part for the Kingdom. Come to find out you can have an authentically Catholic college and a thriving football program. [ Laughter and applause ]

Make no mistake: You are entering into mission territory in a post-God world, but you were made for this. And with God by your side and a constant striving for virtue within your vocation, you too can be a saint.

Christ is King.

To the Heights.

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I’m Middle-Aged, and I Talk to Myself All Day

There, I said it.

By Jancee Dunn

This morning, I looked out my kitchen window and announced, to the empty room, “There’s something wrong with that squirrel — his tail seems extra twitchy.” Then I pulled out my air fryer, wondering aloud if 10:30 a.m. was too early for French fries. (“It’s not,” I said. Again, out loud.)

I never used to talk to myself. Now I do it constantly. When I asked my middle-aged friends if they did it, too, the confessions flooded in. One said that when she texts people, she says the message out loud when she’s typing, even in public.

“I just looked in my cabinet and said aloud, ‘Please, god, let there be vanilla extract,’” said another.

Do middle-aged people talk to themselves all day, every day? And is this a problem? I consulted some experts.

Talking about self-talk

I couldn’t find any research on middle-aged muttering, so I asked Ethan Kross, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan and the author of “Chatter,” if I had missed it. He told me I hadn’t. Talking to yourself in midlife is an “understudied phenomenon,” he said, adding that it was pretty common.

When people have conversations in their own heads, it is known as “ inner speech .” When they do it aloud, it’s called private speech or external self-talk . Studies suggest that private speech peaks in early childhood , said Charles Fernyhough, a professor of psychology at Durham University in England and the author of “The Voices Within.” But in midlife, many of us pick up the habit again, he said.

Dr. Fernyhough told me that he says things out loud quite a bit. “My kids will say, ‘Dad, what are you doing?’” he added. “And I’m just like: ‘I don’t care. I study this stuff.’”

As you get older, social pressures don’t bother you as much, he added, whether they involve talking to yourself or dancing “like an idiot” at a friend’s wedding.

It’s not only normal, it’s useful

Talking to ourselves serves a variety of purposes, Dr. Fernyhough said. It can quell anxieties (“You’ll be OK”) and heighten motivation (“You’ve got this”). It can cheer you up, aid in planning or make an empty room feel friendlier, he added.

Voicing your thoughts can help you puzzle through problems or rehearse potentially thorny conversations, Dr. Kross said. (If you’re practicing a breakup speech or asking for a raise in a public place, he suggested, pop in some earbuds so it just looks as though you’re on the phone.)

Speaking aloud also activates what is known as the verbal working memory system, Dr. Kross said, which can help you hold things such as shopping lists or schedules in your mind a little longer.

And if you are looking for something — say, at a grocery store — research suggests that naming the item out loud might help you find it faster.

When it can be too much

There are times, however, when a one-way conversation could perhaps raise questions about a person’s mental health, Dr. Kross said — when it violates social norms by being too disruptive or distracting to others.

It can also be harmful if it’s consistently negative, said Rachel Goldsmith Turow, a psychologist at Seattle University and the author of “The Self-Talk Workout.” Persistent self-criticism can exacerbate conditions such as anxiety, she said. “It’s like the smoking of mental health,” she added. “It makes everything worse.”

But saying “Will you look at those bananas!” to absolutely no one in the supermarket, as I did? That isn’t cause for alarm, Dr. Kross said. (The produce person had arranged them from green to yellow, creating a beautiful ombré effect.)

If there were “17 other little quirky things that accompany that behavior, then we might have a different conversation,” Dr. Kross said. But otherwise, his message is, “If it’s working for you, keep doing it.”

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The Week in Well

Here are some stories you don’t want to miss:

Talya Minsberg profiles two close friends competing for coveted Olympic spots .

Why are feet so stinky? Amy Jamieson has answers .

Readers tell Catherine Pearson about the special people who mothered them .

Alisha Haridasani Gupta explores why we are so obsessed with breasts .

Let’s keep the conversation going. Follow Well on Instagram , or write to us at [email protected] . And check out last week’s newsletter about how to survive your high school reunion .

Jancee Dunn , who writes the weekly Well newsletter for The Times, has covered health and science for more than 20 years. More about Jancee Dunn