How to Plan a Speech for a Quinceanera

A Quinceanera is a unique celebration for a Hispanic girl's 15th birthday. The festivities surrounding the day have been in the making since the child's infancy. Honored friends and family members take part as "padrinos" to assist the parents in staging this happy event. The honoree makes a speech to the assembly expressing her gratitude. This coming-of-age tradition shows that the girl is ready to be accepted as a respected lady in the community. Careful planning of this speech is mandatory.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Index cards
• Pen or pencil
• Photographs of family and friends

Instructions

1. Look through photographs depicting events in earlier life. Identify people who participated at those special moments.

2. Think what of what to say to thank significant people who encourage and cherish you. If you are religious, it is appropriate to even thank God. Take notes of your thoughts.

3. Plan an unusual beginning such as a bold statement or unknown story about yourself. Use index cards to write out what you want to say. Use one card for each individual idea that comes to mind.

4. Lay the cards out in front of you to organize your thoughts and decide what you will weed out. Keep only information makes your speech interesting, sincere and insightful. Try saying your speech in a variety of orders. Choose the order you like the best.

5. Practice saying the speech aloud five times. Find someone who will listen to your speech and give you valuable suggestions. Practice until you feel at ease.

Tips & Warnings

• You can record your speech to critique it.

References

• All Write; Dave Kemper, Patrick Sebranek and Verne Meyer;1998