Topics - Literature Quotes:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” (Orwell, Animal Farm ).
“I am always saying "Glad to've met you" to somebody I'm not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though” (Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye).
“Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other” (Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men).
“A book is a loaded gun in the house next door...Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man?” (Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451).
“Maybe," he said hesitantly, "maybe there is a beast." [...] "What I mean is, maybe it's only us” (Golding, The Lord of the Flies).
“People aren’t supposed to look back. I’m certainly not going to do it anymore” (Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse - Five).
“Just because you’re taught that something’s right and everyone believes it’s right, it don’t make it right” (Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn).
“Is it better for a man to have chosen evil than to have good imposed upon him?” (Burgess, A Clockwork Orange).
“She was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world” (Chopin, The Awakening).
“He was going to live forever, or die in the attempt” (Heller, Catch - 22).
After-Dinner Speech Guidelines
The following are some guidelines to follow for after-dinner speeches.
1. An after-dinner speech is generally given after the dinner portion of a conference or event and is both entertaining and informative. While humor is both expected and encouraged, it is important to either inform the audience or persuade the audience to think a particular way about a specific topic. This is not a stand-up routine but rather an entertaining speech.
2. Establish the audience immediately and tailor the speech to the needs,
expectations and humors of that audience. In this speech, you will be able to
select an audience of your own choosing and the population can be realistic (ex.
Athletes at a conference on violence in sports) or creative (ex. Aliens invading
Montreal). Consider what topic would be of interest to your chosen population
and what arguments or humor would impact them. Avoid any joke or evidence
that would make the audience uncomfortable.
3. Use research, anecdotes, word play and wit to support the point you are trying to make but do not forget that structure (introduction, body, conclusion) and flow
(transitions and the like) help the audience follow a great speech.
4. While eye contact and body language can be used to enhance a speech, no props are allowed.
5. Cue cards or papers with notes are allowed but should be used sparingly.
6. The speech should be 4 minutes long with 30 seconds of leeway given on either side. Penalties will be incurred for a speech being too short or too long.
7. One of the given quotes must serve as a basis for, or be included in, your speech.
8. Practice makes perfect!