how to write a 21st speech

How to Write a 21st Birthday Speech

Write your speech for a loved one's 21st birthday ahead of time so you're prepared and don't embarrass the birthday celebrant or yourself. Your speech should reflect your personality and your relationship with the birthday celebrant. Your speech can be sentimental, funny or both depending on how comfortable you are speaking in front of everyone and what message you want to convey to the birthday celebrant. Use your speech to touch on the celebrant's passage into adulthood on his 21st birthday.

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Make a list of the key sentiments, memories, wishes or ideas you want to include in the speech. If you've known the celebrant her entire life consider sharing something from different stages to touch on her growth into the adult she is becoming on her milestone birthday. Any stories or memories you include should not be embarrassing to the celebrant.

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Create an outline for your speech. It should include an introduction, which tells guests who you are to the birthday celebrant. Share any key events in his life that you were there for, such as a humorous story about how you met or a favorite moment you shared with him. Close with a toast, such as wishing him luck on his future endeavors, how you look forward to being a part of the rest of his life or a toast to his first legal drink.

Write your speech on paper or a computer, whichever you prefer. Leave a break in the speech so you can comment on the party, such as thanking guests for coming if you're organizing the party or thanking the host for inviting you to give a speech. Comment on something relevant at the party if you're comfortable coming up with something on the spot.

Read your speech to yourself out loud a few times to make sure it sounds smooth and feels comfortable. The speech should be short and to the point to highlight the birthday celebrant without dragging it out so long that guests get bored. Make any tweaks necessary to shorten the length of the speech or make it sound more natural.

Copy your speech on small index cards to take to the party with you in case you get stage fright and need the help. Try to memorize your speech so it sounds more natural.

If you are the birthday celebrant, thank your guests for coming, thank the host or hostess of the party, thank anyone significant who helped you make it to your 21st birthday and let everyone know what you plan on doing in the future, or simply make a statement, such as "I hope to see you all again next year."

• Speech Topics Help: Birthday Speech
• Find the Words: Free 21st Birthday Speeches - Celebrate in Style
• My Birthday Venue: Giving a Birthday Speech
• Write Out Loud: How to Write a Speech

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