I’m Preparing my Maid of Honor Speech by Looking to the Gettysburg Address for inspiration

Written by Shannon Marshburn
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I like to think I know my strengths and weaknesses well, and I believe one of my not so strong qualities is public speaking. I used to be a strong public speaker all through high school, then one day it was like a switch flipped and the nerves had never left me since. Unfortunately, this is a life skill that you can’t avoid forever, and in a few months, I will need to give a speech at my friend’s wedding as a maid of honor in front of 200 guests. It has weighed on me for a year now, but one thing I think about to calm my nerves, strange as it is, is the Gettysburg Address.  

Did you know President Abraham Lincoln was the second speaker of the day? He was asked to deliver “a few appropriate remarks.”. One of the nation’s best orators of the time, Edward Everrett, was the main featured speaker and the first to talk to the crowd that day. Now, which speech do you remember learning about? Can you remember learning anything about Everrett’s speech, or can you recite anything from it? Though I’m sure we all know, “Four score and seven years ago...” Not to cast a shadow on Everrett, but why don’t we remember his speech as much?  
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I went searching for some answers and guidance for how I can craft a great speech of my own, as well as some other public speaking tips. 

Keep It Simple: 
Everrett spoke for two hours that day. President Lincoln spoke for two minutes with his piece that contained only 272 words. In fact, Everett later wrote Lincoln that, “I should be glad, if I could flatter myself, that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes.” 
Shorter speeches can be more engaging and memorable. They’re easier for audiences to follow and retain important information, especially if they’re delivered with clarity and impact.


Memorize Ideas Instead of Paragraphs of Words: 
Common public speaking pitfalls are when you sound too rehearsed. You lose the attention of your audience and even your own passion and tone of voice when you just read off the slides or note cards. When I’m in the audience of someone reading something word-for-word, I often feel a great disconnect with the speaker. Instead of this, try memorizing the idea of each slide or topic, rather than the order of words. 
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Engage with the Audience and Be Authentic:  
Interaction can keep the audience attentive and involved. Think about speaking in a way that feels natural to you and aligns with your style. I believe this will also help you in memorizing ideas instead of words because you can let your passion for the topic take over and let your personality come through. Ask your audience questions and have them raise a hand for their participation. Try to make your audience feel they are seen and considered in the writing of the speech.  


I am now going to take these tips and apply them in my own life this weekend and write a maid of honor speech that will bring the crowd to tears. I don’t want to be the one to keep the guests from hitting the dance floor so with some inspiration from a Founding Father, I’ll stick to something that it short, simple, to the point, and above all, authentic and from the heart.
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There are so many tips out there for public speaking it is a bit overwhelming, but I hope this helped you step back a little and look at speaking in a different light. Of course, with time and experience, you’ll find your own style and strategies that work best for you. Happy speaking!