Joan Detz Speaker Services

“You have but to hold forth in cap and gown, and any gibberish becomes learning, all nonsense passes for sense.”  (Moliere)

“Training is everything.  Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.”  (Mark Twain)

“Commencement speakers, said Father Flynn, should think of themselves as the body at an old-fashioned Irish wake.  They need you in order to have the party, but nobody expects you to say very much.” (NY Governor Mario Cuomo, giving the commencement address at Iona College)

“I am not unmindful of the fact that countless middle-aged moralists like me are rising these days on countless platforms all over the world to tell thousands of helpless young captives the score - and I suspect that all of those commencement orators are almost as uncomfortable as I am.” (Adlai Stevenson, speaking at Smith College)

“Only the educated are free.”  (Epictetus)

I’ve received several requests for information on writing commencement speeches.

For starters, turn to CAN YOU SAY A FEW WORDS? (St. Martin’s Press, 2006).  The book features a large chapter on commencement speeches.  Plus, the Appendix provides a detailed description of more than one hundred books and websites … all offering great/quotable lines.

Also:  Wisconsin Public Radio interviewed me for a one-hour show on commencement speeches:  www.wpr.org #070523M (”At Issue with Ben Merens”).

Could you generate media attention for your speeches by tapping into any of May’s themes?

Better Speech and Hearing Month

Older Americans Month

Mental Health Month

Radio Month

Physical Fitness Month

I just returned from teaching an “Advanced Speechwriting” workshop at NAGC’s annual Communications School (Orlando).  I also attended a wide variety of sessions … all outstanding.  I made a lot of notes, which I’ll be sharing on this blog in the coming days/weeks. 

NAGC is an excellent professional organization for government communicators at local, state and federal organizations.  It’s also a great network for consultants and freelancers who want to work with government agencies.   

By the way:  If anyone ever doubted the important work contributed by government communicators, two words speak volumes:  “swine flu.”  Kudos to the local, state and federal communicators who bring critical information to the American public. 

1758   Birthday of US President James Monroe (who articulated the basic principles of Latin American policy, “the Monroe Doctrine”, in 1823)

1792   Birthday of Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College (endowed 1861)

1803   US acquired the Louisiana territory from France 

1805   US Marines captured the fort at Derna … ”on the shores of Tripoli”   

1931    Empire State Building was dedicated (celebrating the world’s tallest structure, against the backdrop of the Great Depression)

1937    US Social Security System made its first payments

1948    Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea was established

1657    The right of Jews to full citizenship was established in New Amsterdam

1704    Publication of first regularly issued American newspaper (Boston News Letter)

1864    Marconi  (creator of radio) born in Bologna, Italy

1895    Projection of motion pictures demonstrated in New York City

1945    Conference to create a United Nations organization held in San Francisco

Someone who’s attended my speechwriting seminars wrote to say she got a great new job.  That’s good news in any economy.  It’s especially good news in this economy.

When I asked how she found out about the staff position, she shared this: 

“I heard about it through Ned’s Job of the Week newsletter or JOTW. Here’s the website: http://www.nedsjotw.com/blog/CommunicationJobs”

Note to all:  Keep your speechwriting portfolio ready to show at all times.  You never know when a great job opportunity will come along. 

“How can I get my kid into a good college?”  That’s the question many parents ask. 

But here’s the question all colleges have to ask:  “How can we create a presentation that will market our college to the best applicants in our target audience?”

Over recent weeks, I’ve attended a variety of college admission events: a formal presentation to 800 11th graders and their parents  … a college fair (with booths set up in a high school gym) … an informal campus walking tour for just 7 potential applicants.  

I’ve watched promotional videos.  I’ve listened to faculty presentations.  I’ve observed Q&A sessions.    Much of the messaging/speechwriting was very good, but some of the scripting missed the mark.  And some of the visuals flat-out failed. 

Good speeches make every word count.  Good PowerPoint presentations make every visual count.  Smart colleges and universities need to make sure they’re using the right words and the right visuals … if they’re going to attract the right applicants. 

Savvy speechwriters/consultants?  Here’s a field for you to explore. 

Stay tuned.  I’ll be sharing examples in the weeks ahead. 

Giving a speech this week?  Perhaps you can create a tie-in with one of these references:

1828     First publication of Noah Webster’s dictionary

1870     Metropolitan Museum of Art founded in New York City 

1890     Pan American Union established

1905     Andrew Carnegie created the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching 

1926     Book of the Month Club originated

1934     First laundromat opened in Fort Worth, Texas

The next time you give a presentation, ask a trusted colleague to count the number of times you use “fillers” … um, ah, uh, like, you know (to name some of the worst offenders).  Monitor this for two months.  Be sure to list the results in writing.  A written record will make you more accountable.  Your ultimate goal is to eliminate those fillers … completely.