How to Make a 21st Birthday Speech
Turning 21 signals a final passage into adulthood, and the occasion often calls for a special toast or speech to commemorate. Many people become nervous while speaking in public, making it more difficult to deliver an eloquent or humorous toast. Thorough and proper preparation, coupled with practice, can increase the speaker's confidence and ensure a more well-received speech. Honor your friend or family member with a unique, heartfelt and memorable toast that appropriately marks the 21st birthday milestone. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Brainstorm and write down several positive traits of the birthday person, then select the best ones and elaborate on how the honoree is unique or special. Discuss how the birthday person has grown and changed from birth through age 21.
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Jot down a few funny, happy or unusual memories about the birthday person, then incorporate the anecdotes at appropriate places in the speech. For example, when lauding the charitable nature of a 21st birthday honoree, discuss an instance when that person unselfishly spent a day helping others.
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Use index cards and make sure speech notes are neat, organized and easy to read, employing bullet points rather than paragraphs. Refer to your notes during the birthday toast to stay on topic and stave off nervous rambling.
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Run the speech by a few trusted people who can make recommendations on improving your delivery and/or the speech itself. The more you recite your toast, the more comfortable you'll feel delivering it in front of a large crowd.
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Visual aids often add to the overall effectiveness of a speech. Use a computer to scan several photos of the birthday person from birth through age 21, then create a slideshow of those photos. Run the presentation in the background while you deliver the speech.
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Maintain a strong speaking voice by clearly enunciating your words and keeping your volume level appropriate for the size of the room and number of attendees. Use a microphone for larger crowds, and have a trusted person nearby to give you a cue if your voice becomes too loud or too soft.
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Eye contact is important. Looking down at your notes for the duration of the speech could lead to boredom for the audience and spell doom for your toast. Occasionally look directly at the 21st birthday honoree, and scan the room often to make other attendees feel like they're a part of your toast.
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Tips & Warnings
Toastmasters International offers the following tips for making toasts or speeches at special events: Keep it short; practice; speak slowly, clearly and loudly; be positive; stay sober; dress your best; and use "clean" humor.
