| High Impact Humor -- Speech Writing Example: Introduction of Award Recipient |
us add the humor to it. We will write unique jokes connected to the appropriate points in your speech. While maintaining your message and the dignity of your presentation, our "punch-ups" will help you deliver your message more effectively, while helping your audience truly enjoy the event. In the example below, the text in normal font is the previously written speech. The text in bold font was added by HIGH IMPACT HUMOR. (Some details have been changed to protect the privacy of the honoree.) To see how effective the humor is, first read the speech without the bold text, then read the entire piece. You'll see how the humor can energize the speaker, make the spotlight shine brighter on the honoree and ensure that the audience has a great experience. |
There’s a lot to tell, so make yourselves comfortable. In fact, you better call home and tell your families you’ll be late. Dr. Jones currently heads up advanced materials engineering at “Company X.” You know, I was personally very excited about this. I felt Dr. Jones’s work in materials would give us some common ground, because I spent many years in the leather business, supplying material for automotive interiors. On the other hand, the leather industry’s idea of “advanced materials” is a cow that hasn’t been born yet. Dr. Jones has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit, a masters degree from Michigan State, and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan. And I suspect from her long list of activities—which I’ll tell you about shortly—that she also has a PhD in time management. Dr. Jones has held many positions in the automotive industry. (Read list of employers and positions held.) In all of these positions she has focused on material development. So, forget about Madonna; Dr. Jones is the original “Material Girl.” And, she continues to be active in the academic world. (Read list of universities at which Dr. Jones has been a visiting professor.) Since she is a professor, I was going to ask Dr. Jones to teach me a few things about organic chemistry. But then I realized she’d probably give me a test. Dr. Jones is a very prolific writer. She has published more than 75 articles and edited or co-authored three books. Unfortunately, she had to turn down an invitation to join Bill Clinton on a book-signing tour this summer. Dr. Jones is extremely creative and inventive. She has been awarded 28 patents. Right now she’s working on invention number 29; it’s a device to keep speakers like me from talking too long. But it’s not ready yet, so I’ll continue. (Read list of professional societies that Dr. Jones has belonged to, including many in which she held the position of “chair person.”) I think she’s held more chairs than a stock boy at Art Van Furniture. (Read list of awards that Dr. Jones has received) I think the only awards she hasn’t gotten are the Daytime Emmy for Best Talk Show and MVP in the NBA playoffs. (Read list of the many committees that Dr. Jones has served on.) Dr. Jones, I’m so relieved you found something to do with all your spare time. Dr. Jones is an automotive person through and through. In addition to working for world-class automotive companies, she has also been active in restoring old cars as a hobby. (Look at Dr. Jones) What I’d like to know, Dr. Jones, is this: When you’re restoring one of those fifty year old cars, aren’t you tempted to replace some of those old materials with one of your new concoctions? And my other question is this: Isn’t that cheating? Some of Dr. Jones’s accomplishments extend beyond the automotive world. For example, every spring, in her community, she organizes senior citizen plantings. Senior citizen plantings. That’s very nice, but we prefer to call them “funerals.” (Softer version: Senior citizen plantings. I didn’t realize there were that many senior citizens who wanted to be planted.) Not only that, but she is also an accomplished gardener. I wish I had her gardening skills. But you have to admit she has an unfair advantage. I mean, I try talk to my flowers, and I say, “Hi. How do you do? My name is Michelle.” But they just ignore me. But, Dr. Jones says, “Hi. My name is Iris.” And all the flowers yell, “Hey, she’s one of us!” Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you—Dr. Iris Jones. |