How to Write a Retirement Speech for a Father
Speech writing is a particular form of writing. Writing retirement speeches for a father can further complicate the effort by importing intrinsic emotion. However, the emotional impact can be controlled by using a few easy methods. Remember that speeches are verbal vehicles meant to deliver information, emotion and a message in a clear, compact way.
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Instructions
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Retirement Speech
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Write a clear thematic statement. Ask yourself, "What is my core objective?" Although this may seem overly simple, it is not. Are you trying to congratulate him? Are you highlighting his accomplishments? Are you trying to convey your appreciation for his dedicated work ethic or perhaps all three and more? The theme of the speech will be the central message that the speech should revolve around. For example, a thematic statement highlighting a father that never gave up despite odds would be: "My father has personified perseverance in all his years at the XYZ Corp." Again, it should be a clear and concise statement that prepares the listeners for what is to come.
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Organize and prioritize the things you want to say in the order of importance to you. If his accomplishments are the most important to you, start there. For instance, is your father started as a janitor and worked his way up to president, this would be praiseworthy. The priority order can typically be done two ways. The most important first, immediately highlighting the most significant events, or starting with the less important things and saving the best for last, building the speech to a climax. These accomplishments or other topics should all have a clear connection to your theme.
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Communicate clearly. Stay away from complicated stories that are long and unknown by the audience. Anecdotes are fine if they have a clear connection to the theme and emphasize a point without having to preface the story too much. This sort of long-winded back story dilutes the power of clear message.
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Be brief. Brevity is the soul of wit. Many great speeches are spoiled by the fact that they prattle on far too long. Stay to the points and keep your main objective in mind.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice your speech. Carry note cards with talking points, rather than a complete typed speech. You can get bogged down in reading, rather than speaking, and lose emotional impact.
