How to Plan Debutante Ball Speeches

If you are a debutante or the parent who is presenting her to society, you should be prepared to give a speech at the debutante ball. Your guests may remember a good speech as the highlight of the ball.

Instructions

1. Prepare index cards with only the major points you would like to touch upon during your debutante ball speech. Though you may want to write out your entire speech as you plan it, you should not rely on a written copy of it when you are actually speaking at the event. Reading from a piece of paper usually results in speeches that sound slightly stiff and impersonal.

2. Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror before delivering it at the debutante ball. This will give you a good sense of how you will look in front of the audience and is a good way to practice making eye contact and smiling during your speech.

3. Thank all of your guests for coming to the debutante ball. Plan to thank any family members or friends who have helped with the preparations for the party. This is a good time to take a deep breath as you begin your speech, remembering to smile and be yourself.

4. Tell a personal story about the debutante or your parents, depending on your role in the ball. If you are the debutante, it is a nice idea to share an anecdote that is a good example of the way your parents have helped you grow into a young adult. Parents can tell similar stories from their perspectives, using humor whenever it is appropriate.

5. Avoid telling personal jokes that only a few guests are likely to understand. Inside jokes are tempting during speeches, as they tend to produce easy laughs from the people who are in on the joke. It's important to remember that they are also likely to make the rest of your guests feel left out, distracting them from listening to the rest of your speech.

Tips & Warnings

• A speech is usually a good time to propose a toast during a party. Be prepared with sparkling cider for your younger guests to use as a substitute for champagne during the toast.