How to Write a Retirement Speech

Retirement speeches are an important part of a company or family event. No matter whether you're giving your own speech or talking about the retiree's life, there are a few ways to write a better retirement speech.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Write a Retirement Speech

1. Write for the ears. Keep sentences short and simple so that the audience will easily understand them. Use the active voice (subject, verb and then the object) to avoid confusing your listeners.

2. Learn about the retirement event. The audience (family or business) will probably dictate most of the content and the length of your speech. The level of formality at the party may also need to be reflected in the amount of humor and type of language you use in the speech.

3. Focus on your personal experiences with the retiree and try to portray her in the best possible light. If you're giving a speech at your own retirement event, highlight a few memorable experiences from your years of work.

4. Throw in a few literary spices, like alliteration and metaphors, to add some style to your speech. Avoid clichés and don't over color your sentences because you might confuse the audience.

5. Rehearse your speech a few times to get a general sense of length and flow. If you notice that you're stumbling over certain phrases, consider revising them or just cutting them out. All the work you do to write a retirement speech will be for nothing if you can't deliver it well.

6. End your speech with a toast if appropriate. Your speech may also be an introduction to another speaker, so be sure to check and find out what follows you. The placement of your speech may have an effect on its length too.

7. Print your speech out in a larger than normal font if you plan to read it. Bring a few extra copies with you to the retirement event so you won't be embarrassed if you misplace one of them. Keep a copy with you even if you memorized the speech.

Tips & Warnings

• The age of the audience can vary, so be sure that your speech's content is appropriate for a varied demographic, including young children.
• Don't use a generic, pre-made speech that you find on the Internet unless you're forced to by time constraints.
• Avoid filling up your speech with inside jokes that only a few select members of the audience will understand.
• Don't exaggerate accomplishments or events in your speech and keep everything truthful.