Author Description

Have you ever been asked to speak at an event (of any kind) and needed an attention-grabbing opening illustration? Or, perhaps, an in-the-middle zinger to wake up those in the audience with short attention spans? Or, a memorable illustration to bring closure to your main point? Or perhaps you needed an idea for a general theme which could be developed appropriately for the speaking occasion. Here is the book for you! Whether you are asked to offer a toast at a wedding, or speak to a local community organization, or to offer special words at a family gathering, or a funeral, or speak at a commencement, or at a religious service, these illustrations are quick, adaptable, and meaningful for many different contexts. They are rooted in the experience of three contributors (Jed, Frank and Walter Griswold, our father) who have collected a century's worth of preparing speeches (formal and informal) for all of these occasions, and more. This book begins with brief illustrations which purposely avoid too many details, to allow for brevity and for general use in multiple occasions. Once you know your audience and goal, you can always add more detail, most found with a simple search within reliable internet sources, which is how the illustrations in this book developed. Suggested themes are offered for avenues of developing a longer or more focused use for each illustration, including topics which are also easily searchable. The entries can be used as "On this day?" illustrations, or with the date reference removed, as "stand-alone" presentation on a related theme. The book also includes three examples of fully developed illustrations, offered to demonstrate the adaptability of our initial "illustration starters" to full speeches. Finally, three Tips for Public Speaking are offered, based on both research and the personal experience of the authors. And, we have an additional goal: to inspire you to begin writing your own examples learned from our approach to An Almanac of Topic