A commencement or convocation speech should deliver a powerful message, one that students can draw on for inspiration in their lives beyond the academic walls.

Commencement speeches, typically about 10 minutes long, have the power to change lives. Not usually in big ways, of course. More in the sense of giving an uplifting message that students can take with them from graduation out into the world when they need inspiration.

Sevy Petras is co-owner of Priority Life Care, a chain of retirement homes. She was invited to speak to the graduating class at Tiffin University in Ohio. [Read more…]

How do you inspire a divided nation to unite around a common cause? With poetry, of course.

The world was held spellbound on January 20, 2021, as a 22-year-old read poetry composed almost up to the last minute for Joe Biden’s inauguration.

There have been only seven inaugural poets in US history. Amanda Gorman is the youngest. And two weeks prior to her recital, she was still struggling to put it all together. [Read more…]

Speechwriting is a special skill. And political speeches require an extra layer of understanding.Most of all, they require authenticity.

What is the most important feature of a political speech?

1. Ideas?
2. Vision?
3. Alliteration?
4. Emotion?
5. Leadership?
6. Credibility?

No. No. No. No. No. No. Authenticity. That’s the key on which all of the above rest. [Read more…]