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100 Public-Speaking Jokes to Add Humor to Your Next Speech

So, if you are looking to add humor to your presentation, one of the best ways is to insert self-deprecating humor in the form of funny stories. A good story from your own personal experience will be easier to insert into your speech. The story will also create more of a shared experience with your audience. For details about how to use stories to add humor to your speech , click here.

With that being said, though, sometimes, you just need to get a quick laugh out of your audience. And good jokes can be a great way to lighten the mood. We’ve organized the post into four categories of public-speaking jokes.

100 Public Speaking Jokes to Add Humor to Your Next Speech.

Public-Speaking Jokes .
One-Liners about Public Speaking and Presenting .
Funny Public Speaking Quotes .
Dad Jokes that You Can Use as Presentation Icebreakers .

Public-Speaking Jokes for Your Next Presentation to Add a Little Fun.

Between you and I, telling jokes in front of an audience is pretty risky. But sometimes, just getting the audience to laugh right from the start can lighten the mood. Here are a few jokes about public speaking that you can use when you are public speaking.

Jokes about Being Nervous and the Fear of Public Speaking

7 Presentation Habits that Make Your Nervous Speaker

Why did the public speaker hire a pitching coach? Because he needed to improve his delivery!
I used to think I was afraid of public speaking, but just now, I realized I was actually afraid of audiences.
A public speaker asked the audience, “How many of you are afraid of public speaking?” About half the audience raised their hands. The speaker replied, “Don’t worry, I used to be too. In fact, there was a 50/50 chance that I’d canceled today’s talk!”
My wife was nervous about public speaking. So, I told her she should embrace her mistake to add a little humor to her delivery. She gave me a hug. Then she laughed.
Public speaking tip: Imagine the audience naked. But not if you’re giving a eulogy.

Funny Jokes about Presentation Challenges.

Okay, funny may be a little overexaggerated, but corny can work too. Here are a few jokes about challenges that can come up in a presentation.

Why did the PowerPoint presentation go to therapy? It had too many issues with transitions.
I was going to tell a time-traveling joke during my speech, but you didn’t like it.
I asked the librarian if there were any books on how to overcome the fear of public speaking. She whispered, “They’re in the self-help section, but you might have to speak up to find them.”
I used to be a baker before I became a public speaker. I kneaded the dough, and now I need the audience!
Why did the public speaker become a gardener? Because he knew how to plant ideas and watch them grow!

These Jokes Are about Audience Interaction.

I asked the audience if anyone had experience with public speaking. A cricket in the corner started chirping.
The best way to become a confident public speaker is to imagine the audience in their underwear. Unless you’re speaking at a nudist colony.
I told my wife I was going to give a speech on procrastination. She said, “Maybe next time.”
How do you make a tissue dance during a speech? You put a little boogie in it!
Why did the extroverted computer become a public speaker? Because it had great social networking skills!

Public Speaking Jokes about Presentation Themes.

These funny (or corny) jokes are about the process of public speaking. You can easily use one of these if you start with… “Before I actually start my presentation…” then add the joke.

I asked my friend if he had any advice for public speaking. He said, “Yes, just imagine the audience is full of cats. They don’t care what you’re saying, but they’ll pay attention if you have treats.”
How do you organize a fantastic space-themed presentation? You planet!
Why did the public speaker bring a ladder to the presentation? To reach new heights in communication!
My friend tried to give a speech on patience, but the audience left before he finished. It seems they didn’t have the patience for it.
Why did the microphone apply for a job in public speaking? Because it wanted to be heard at work!

A Few Random Public Speaking Jokes (Use with Caution.)

These last few public speaking jokes are a little more tricky. You’d want to save these only for the right type of crowd.

I used to be afraid of public speaking, but then I realized it’s just talking in front of people. Now I’m terrified of public listening.
What’s a public speaker’s favorite kind of fish? The articulate!
I told my friend I was giving a speech about a famous chicken. He asked, “Is it poultry in motion?”
I was going to make a joke about public speaking, but I figured it would be better in front of a live audience.
Why did the scarecrow become a great public speaker? He was outstanding in his field!

Remember, just adding a joke or two to a speech won’t win over every audience. For help becoming a confident and effective presenter, we invite you to attend one of our 2-Day Fearless Presentations ® Classes . Click here for details.

Here Are a Few Public Speaking One-Liners to Get Your Audience Laughing.

You’ll have a much easier time just adding a funny one-liner every now and then. When you tell a joke, you typically have to get your audience to respond. And, in some cases, the audience will finish your joke.

So a well-placed one-liner will often get you a quick chuckle without as much risk. Here are a few that we organized into five different categories.

These One-Liners Are Related to Audience Interaction (Or Audience Reactions.)

“I’m not saying I’m a great public speaker, but I did once get a standing ovation… because I tripped over the microphone cord.”
“I asked my audience if they had any questions after my speech. One person raised their hand and asked, ‘When does the torture end?'”
“Public speaking is easy. It’s like riding a bike. Except the bike is on fire, you’re on fire, everything is on fire, and you’re in hell.”
“I used to be afraid of public speaking until I realized every audience is just a bunch of people hoping you don’t notice them.”
“I gave a speech on procrastination. The audience is still waiting for the punchline.”

Here Are a Few about Speech Techniques and Styles.

“I asked the audience if they knew the definition of a will. Apparently, ‘a dead giveaway’ wasn’t the right answer.”
“I don’t have a fear of public speaking; I have a fear of public not listening.”
“Why don’t public speakers ever get lost? Because they always find their way to the lectern.”
“I used to be a mime, but I couldn’t stay silent about it. Now I’m a public speaker.”
“I told the audience I’d be speaking off the cuff. Turns out, my cuff was more interesting than my speech.”

That’s Ironic! One Liners about Humor and Irony in Speech

“I used to be a public speaker at a mime convention. Needless to say, my speeches were a big hit.”
“I asked the audience if they could define irony. They said, ‘Sure, it’s like goldy and bronzy, but made of iron.'”
“Public speaking is a lot like a roller coaster. It’s terrifying, and I always feel like I’m going to lose my lunch.”
“I used to be a motivational speaker, but then I lost my train of thought. Now I’m just a ‘meh’-tivational speaker.”
“Why did the public speaker bring a ladder to the speech? To reach the high points, of course!”

These One-Liners Are about Speech Topics and Delivery.

“I told the audience I’m going to talk about time travel. They’re still waiting for my future self to arrive.”
“I tried to give a speech on humility, but everyone said I was the best at it.”
“Why did the public speaker get an award? Because he was outstanding in his field of expertise – corn farming.”
“I asked the crowd if they liked my tie. They said, ‘It’s not the tie, it’s what you’re saying that’s knot working.'”
“I tried to make a speech about sleep, but I dozed off during my own presentation.”

Funny One-Liners Related to the Challenges of Public Speaking.

“I asked the audience for silence during my speech. Apparently, their laughter didn’t get the memo.”
(If your audience won’t give you feedback.) “Dialogue is like a parachute – it only works when it’s open.”
(If you happen to break wind because of nervousness.) “I’m not a nervous public speaker. I just have a very expressive colon.”
“I told my wife I’m writing a book on public speaking. She told me to speak louder.”
“Why did the PowerPoint file go to therapy? It had too many issues with transitions.”

Funny Motivational Quotes Related to Public Speaking.

A really good way to add humor to any speech is to insert a funny quote from a famous person. These funny motivational quotes are very easy to insert. In fact, you can add them to your speech introduction right at the start. That will lighten the tension in the room and get your audience laughing.

Here are a few that always hit home!

Funny Quotes About Preparation and Delivery of Speech.

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” – George Jessel
“It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” – Mark Twain
“Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
“A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.” – Winston Churchill
“The best way to sound like you know what you’re talking about is to know what you’re talking about.” – Author Unknown

Quotes Related to Adding Humor to Your Speech.

If you are looking for a famous quote specifically about adding humor to a speech, try one of these.

“The first time I spoke in the West, the agents and organizers looked at me and said, ‘Oh, my God, she’s funny.’ And I thought, ‘Oh, my God, I’ve been funny all my life, but I never knew it.'” – Maya Angelou
“If you can’t make it good, at least make it look good.” – Bill Gates
“I have as much authority as the Pope. I just don’t have as many people who believe it.” – George Carlin
“The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.” – Ann Landers
“I used to be a good communicator, but then I realized I was talking to myself.” – Author Unknown

Here Are a Few Quotes About Creativity and Writing.

“I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done.” – Steven Wright
“I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands.” – Steven Wright
“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” – Douglas Adams
“I don’t need time. What I need is a deadline.” – Duke Ellington
“I can’t understand why I flunked American history. When I was a kid, my father took me to all the historic spots. Every time I refused to get out of the car.” – W.C. Fields

The Funny Quotes Can Help You Make Your Point Better.

Like the last group, these funny quotes aren’t about public speaking. But you will likely be able to use them if you are delivering an informative speech.

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” – Oscar Wilde
“I have never been in a situation where having a sense of humor and a giving spirit didn’t lead to a better result.” – Ed Catmull
“The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his way.” – Josh Billings
“I like to talk about my obsession with food. I love to eat. I’m not a ‘foodie,’ but I do love to eat.” – Miranda Kerr
“I failed public speaking in college the first time and made a ‘D’ in the second class. It was horrible.” – John Grisham

These Last Funny Quotes Didn’t Fit the Other Categories. (LOL!)

These last quotes didn’t really fit in any of the other categories. But they are pretty funny. If you can find a way to insert them into your speech, you’re sure to get a laugh or two.

“It’s hard to be serious when you’re surrounded by balloons.” – Jerry Seinfeld
“I have six locks on my door, all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.” – Elayne Boosler
“The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” – Willie Nelson
“I used to be a heavy gambler. But now I just make mental bets. That’s how I lost my mind.” – Steve Allen

Dad Jokes that You Can Use as Presentation Icebreakers.

Years ago, I taught a leadership class for his team. And at the start of every session, he stood up in front of the group and told a corny Dad joke. The jokes were cringy. But whether the audience laughed or turned up their nose, they all smiled. Over the next few years, I noticed that Ron’s employee turnover was almost zero. It was unheard of in his industry.

It turns out that his team absolutely loved him. He made a tough job much more fun to come to. So, I changed my tune about Dad jokes. Here are a few that you can use to start your next speech or meeting.

Food Public Speaking Jokes

What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.
Did you hear about the cheese factory explosion? There was nothing left but de-brie.
What do you call a fish wearing a crown? A kingfish.
Why did the chicken go to the seance? To talk to the other side.
What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing, it just let out a little wine.

Science and Technology Jokes.

Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
I told my computer I needed a break, and now it won’t stop sending me vacation ads.
Did you hear about the guy who invented Lifesavers? He made a mint.
How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together!
What did one wall say to the other wall? I’ll meet you at the corner!

Academic Jokes for a Presentation.

Why did the math book look sad? Because it had too many problems.
Did you hear about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? He’ll stop at nothing to avoid them.
What do you call a factory that makes good products? A satisfactory.
I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don’t know y.
I used to have a job at a calendar factory, but I got fired because I took a couple of days off.

Spooky Jokes

Why did the skeleton go to the seance? To talk to the other side.
Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts.
What did the big flower say to the little flower? “Hi, bud!”
I went to buy some camouflage pants, but I couldn’t find any.
What did one hat say to the other hat? Stay here, I’m going on ahead.

Miscellaneous Jokes

I only know how to make holy water. I boil the hell out of it.
Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole in one.
Why did the bicycle fall over? It was two-tired.
What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet? Supplies!
What did the snowman with a six-pack say? An abdominal snowman!

presentation skills | humor , jokes

44 Witty & Wacky Icebreaker Jokes To Tell At Your Next Meeting

Icebreaker jokes like that one command attention. Like a good conversation starter or icebreaker question , a joke can warm up your listeners’ brains and prepare them to receive your message.

In fact, many of the best one-liners work a little like social glue. Not only do they get people laughing, but they may subtly point out similarities of experience, opinions, and values to make even a tight-knit group feel more closely bonded.

Opening your meeting with a little humor via icebreaker jokes, even your cheesiest knock-knock jokes or dad jokes, can:

Make an audience feel a stronger sense of social connection
Soothe stress and make people more receptive to calmly discussing ideas
Warm-up virtual formats for a remote team
Release endorphins and calm anger for more productive debates
Make your arguments and ideas more persuasive

Make your meeting life start feeling more like your best life with the icebreaker jokes below.

(PS – A truly energizing icebreaker joke is a great way to open up a team building event or activity and help everyone enter the right mindset to participate in the fun. Looking for more than just trust falls? Check out our list of virtual team building activities to help remote teams engage with each other in a new and exciting environment.)

Page Contents (Click To Jump)

What Makes An Icebreaker Joke Funny?

A joke could make someone crack up one day and have no effect the next day. Therefore, there’s no true formula for a perfect joke, and despite study and analysis on the part of comedians and scientists , we don’t have a precise answer to, “What makes things funny?”

However, we do have a wealth of theories and insights that can help you create, tell, or at least better understand the magic of jokes. Here’s a brief summary:

A joke could make people laugh if it:

Plays on the human love of detecting discrepancies by illustrating a generally harmless mistake, misunderstanding, or departure from the norm. (Ex: Did you hear about the person who died while opening a window? So did everyone else on the submarine)
Disrupts expectations via incongruity between a concept, situation, or idea. (Ex: Do you know what I love most about baseball? The pine tar, the resin, the grass, the dirt. And that’s just in the hot dogs. (David Letterman))
Gives people an acceptable way to release their feelings on socially inappropriate topics, such as anger, bodily functions, online dating, or even the misfortunes of others. (Ex: My friend took me to what he said was an escape room. Turns out, he just locked me in the closet.)
Plays on what makes a group similar and inspires feelings of group cohesion.
Helps people understand one another via insight or perspective on the current social environment.

Icebreaker Jokes For Work

How ‘bout this weather?

How’s it going?

These workplace greetings have become such a commonplace part of our lives, they’re practically rhetorical. Do I really have to tell Rita from accounting how it’s going?

Be the life of the office and add to the company culture .

Subvert expectations and inspire smiles as you breeze into the office or your Zoom meeting with these icebreaker ideas:

1) “I don’t understand how Jeff Bezos is richer than the person who sells receipt paper to CVS.” (Brain Champagne)

2) “Do you know that cool-looking code in the Matrix? It came from sushi recipes .”

3) “Why do people park in a driveway but drive on a parkway?”

4) “Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?” (Robin Williams)

5) “Nowadays, comedians tell the news and the media tells the jokes.”

6) A player asked his golf coach: “What is going wrong with my game?” The coach replied, “You’re standing too close to the ball after you’ve hit it.” ( Golf Workout Program )

7) “Housework won’t kill you. But then again, why take the chance?” (Phyllis Diller)

Icebreaker Jokes For Meetings

Use hilarious jokes and fun questions to break the ice instead to capture everyone’s attention and make sure they’re awake and alert for all the excellent points you’re about to make:.

2) “I threw a boomerang a few years ago. I now live in constant fear.”

3) “What’s a comedian’s least favorite drink? [Booze]”

4) “My friend took me to what he said was an escape room. Turns out, he just locked me in the closet.” (Brain Champagne)

5) “What did the duck say when she bought lipstick? Put it on my bill!” (Best Life)

6) “I like to practice magic. Last night, I was driving, and I turned into a driveway.” (Wiley)

Pro-tip #2: Not comfortable making jokes? That’s okay. Use fun and funny facts about your team to break the ice at your next meeting. You can even source a complete bank of surprising and hilarious facts about your teammates using Water Cooler Trivia .

Not only will you receive praise for introducing an amazing team building activity , but you’ll also get plenty of fun facts you can use to laugh with (and maybe at) your teammates. You can also use a funny team building joke or quote to make sure everyone can relax during the meeting. It truly is a win-win!

Icebreaker Jokes For Speeches

A good ice breaker joke tells your audience that you’re charming and funny, someone they’ll enjoy talking to as much as their best friend. Once you get that key point across, your audience will likely listen to everything else you have to say.

Find the best ice breaker for your next speech below:

1) “Do you know what I love most about baseball? The pine tar, the resin, the grass, the dirt. And that’s just in the hot dogs.” (David Letterman)

2) “I’ve been getting into astronomy so I installed a skylight. The people who live above me are furious.” (Steven Wright)

3) “I heard a story that the band Blink-182 incorporated under the name ‘Poo Poo Butt LLC’ to embarrass their accountants in serious conversations.”

4) “I thought I’d begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine.” (Spike Milligan)

5) “Before coming here tonight I was discussing my talk with my [partner] and [they] said to me: ‘Don’t try to be too charming, too witty or too intellectual, just be yourself.’” (Laffgaff)

6) “What’s the best thing about Switzerland? I don’t know, but its flag is a big plus!” (Best Life)

Pro-tip #3: Champion humor in your workplace by using an employee recognition platform such as Nectar to provide peer-to-peer rewards for making others laugh or smile.

Icebreaker Jokes For Presentations

Rapport is especially important for presentations where you’re trying to persuade an audience of strangers, and you can build rapport with people you’ve never met (and may not have anything in common with) by using some of the funniest jokes you can find. If you are looking for an opening joke for your next presentation, then check out these kick-starters.

1) “By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he’s too old to go anywhere.” (Billy Crystal)

2) “I have a piece of paper, don’t mind me. I am a professional, but I have a lot of Nutrasweet in my system and I don’t have a good short-term memory.”

3) “I have, you know, a lot of things I want to discuss with you and I don’t even remember what they are. I have them on a piece of paper. Don’t mind me.”

4) “If I glance over, it’s not because I don’t care, it’s because I can’t remember anything.” (Janeane Garofalo)

5) “I was sitting in traffic the other day. Probably why I got run over.” (Best Life)

6) “I can’t believe my parents support my choice of profession! I told them that I wanted to become a stand-up comedian. They laughed at me.” (Upjoke)

7) “What should you do at a Halloween party if a zombie rolls their eyes at you? Roll them back so they can see!” (Beano)

8) “When my son told me to stop impersonating a flamingo, I had to put my foot down.” (CNN Dad Joke Generator)

Pro-Tip #4: Get plenty of fodder for your jokes by introducing your team to Quizbreaker , an icebreaker tool that makes it easy to create and share quizzes about your team, with your team. The results of any quiz can be a gold mine for customized joke material that hits with your audience (a.k.a co-workers) because it was designed specifically for (and maybe even incorporates) your audience.

Icebreaker Jokes For Large Groups

Use a strategically placed joke to break the ice and make a large group feel like a small gathering of friends.

1) “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” (Bob Hope)

2) “Did you hear about the person that died while opening a window? So did everyone else on the submarine.”

3) “Here’s a funny fact: Nicolas Cage once purchased an octopus to help him with his acting.”

4) “You know you must be doing something right if old people like you.” (Dave Chappelle)

5) “How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice…or your spine for that matter.”

6) “When I meet women, I immediately start talking about global warming. It’s a real ice breaker.” (Laffgaff)

Pro-Tip #5: Make sure you pick a joke you love. You must believe your joke is funny if you hope others will find it funny…kind of like you (hopefully) wouldn’t use pick up lines that have no chance of at least earning a wry smile. In fact, it may not hurt to chuckle a bit yourself. Laughter is contagious, after all.

Icebreaker Jokes For Small Groups

Ingratiate yourself to your tight-knit audience by opening with a little humor.

1) “I used to work at McDonald’s making minimum wage. You know what that means when someone pays you minimum wage? You know what your boss was trying to say? ‘Hey, if I could pay you less, I would, but it’s against the law.'” (Chris Rock)

2) “You don’t need a parachute to go skydiving. You need a parachute to go skydiving twice.”

3) “Did you know that there are more plastic flamingos in America than real ones?”

4) “Did you hear the rumor about butter? Never mind, I shouldn’t spread it.” (Best Life)

5) “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I did an original sin. I poked a badger with a spoon.” (Eddie Izzard)

6) “You ever get a handwritten letter in the mail today? You’re like, ‘What the hell? Has someone been kidnapped?'” (Jim Gaffigan)

Pro-Tip #6: Pick a joke and frame it around your real-life experience . If you’re familiar and passionate about your joke, you have a better chance of getting a reaction from others. They’ll be able to feel your authenticity.

Icebreaker Jokes for Conferences

Try injecting humor into conferences for an instant icebreaker that instantly puts people at ease.

Jokes not only lighten the atmosphere but also create a shared sense of joy, easing tensions and fostering a friendly environment. Mundane facts and numbers-based conferences can be humanized and livened up with a perfectly timed joke!

Here are a few ideas for inspiration!

1) “I always try to go the extra mile at work, but my boss always finds me and brings me back.” — Anonymous.

2) The CEO of Google was late to a press conference scheduled for 4:00… 4:04 Page not found.

3) “To make an error is human; to blame it on someone else shows management potential.”

4) So, I went to an abstinence conference the other day… All we did was wait.

5) “I like work: It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” — Jerome K. Jerome.

Pro-tip #7: The best jokes relate humor directly to unique aspects of the conference, making them relatable to everyone.

Q: What makes an icebreaker joke funny?

Illustrating a generally harmless mistake, misunderstanding, or departure from the norm
Commenting on the current social climate
Disrupting expectations or norms on a concept, situation, or idea.
Playing to what makes an audience similar

Q: How do I start my work presentation?

A: Start your work presentation with an icebreaker joke . Many jokes work a little like social glue. Not only do they get people laughing, but they may also point out similarities of experience, opinions, and values and make a group feel more closely bonded.

Q: Where can I find icebreaker jokes for work?

A: You can find good icebreaker jokes for work in this roundup , which includes office-appropriate icebreaker jokes for presentations, speeches, meetings, and more.

Q: Are there any good icebreaker jokes for a work meeting?

A: There are plenty of good icebreaker jokes for a work meeting. For example, you could use a popular Jerry Seinfeld technique and say, “Have you ever noticed…” and fill in the blank with something funny or ridiculous you’ve observed lately.

Q: How do I tell a good joke at work?

A: Tell a good joke at work by first finding an icebreaker joke you love and then practicing your delivery. Watch your favorite comedians to get inflection inspiration. Try it out on a few of your best work buddies. Before long, you’ll have a go-to joke that never fails to get laughs.

Q: What kinds of jokes are appropriate to tell at work?

A: Icebreaker jokes are always appropriate to tell at work. Some other work-safe jokes include dad jokes, puns, and a myriad of other clean and not-always-cheesy jokes that don’t leverage taboos or inappropriate subjects.

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15 Funny Quotes to Start a Speech With a Bang

Are you struggling to find that perfect line to start your speech off right?

Whether you are delivering a speech for work, school, or a special occasion, opening with a funny quote can help you captivate your audience and get your point across.

So, if you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are 15 funny quotes to kick off your speech with a bang:

Quick Definition

There are countless funny quotes that can be used to begin a speech. Consider using an inspirational quote from a famous person, or one that is humorous and light-hearted that will draw in your audience.

Why Use a Funny Quote to Start a Speech?

When it comes to starting a speech, why not open with some laughter?

A funny quote can help grab the attention of an audience as well as ease any anxious energy in the room.

Not only is this approach amusing, but it also demonstrates confidence and puts your audience at ease.

Plus, you'll be setting a light-hearted tone for the remainder of your remarks, signaling to your audience that this won't just be a mundane affair. However, it’s important to remember that opening with humor isn’t always suitable.

Some presentations may call for more sobriety and when in doubt, skip the joke and stick to something that will get people’s ears perked up without offending anybody in the process.

Depending on the dynamic of the group and the content you’re delivering, going too far could backfire and ruin your credibility before you even get into your key points. So consider carefully whether opening with a funny quote is right for the occasion - and make sure it's genuinely witty or entertaining !

If used correctly, a humorous quote can spark interest from your audience and provide them with the incentive to stay focused until the end of your speech . Now that we've discussed why using a funny quote to start a speech can be beneficial, let's delve into how to gain attention from the audience when utilizing this approach in our next section.

Main Points to Remember

Starting a speech with a funny quote can help grab the audience's attention and ease any anxious energy in the room. It also signals to your audience that it won't be a mundane affair.

However, this approach isn't always suitable and should be used cautiously. If done correctly, a humorous quote can spark interest in your audience and provide them with the incentive to stay focused until the end of your speech.

Gaining Attention From the Audience

Getting attention from the audience is key when starting a presentation or speech. Depending on the size and type of audience, engaging the crowd and warming them up to what you have to say can be an effective way of ensuring they are interested and attentive. Adding humor to your start can be one way to get the audience’s attention right away. This can range from a joke , a lighthearted anecdote, or even quoting someone in the room (with their permission).

By adding a little bit of levity, you can break up the formal atmosphere that may exist in your audience. On the other hand, breaking the ice may backfire if delivered incorrectly - it can be juvenile or off-putting in certain contexts. Tying into something familiar or relevant in the room is another way to gain attention. This could be referring to a news story or current event that is related to your topic.

Finding something relatable for your audience will help create initial interest and give them a reason to listen . However, relying too heavily on this approach may lead to superficial interactions with topics that are not fully fleshed out. The next step in discussing any type of speech is adding impact to ensure your remarks have staying power with your listener.

Adding Impact to the Speech

Beginning a speech with an attention-grabbing quote can set the tone for an enjoyable and engaging delivery.

Quotes that are humorous or that playfully challenge conventional wisdom can help stimulate interest and discussion amongst your audience.

Lighthearted jokes or anecdotes can pique curiosity and show off your wit, while thought-provoking philosophies can provide food for thought. The only catch: Make sure to use a quote that fits the subject matter of your speech! Humorous quotes often make for some of the best kick-off points for a speech.

A funny joke or quip may lighten up the atmosphere and provide an infusing dose of energy to your audience. That said, it’s important to strike a balance; using humor to launch a serious presentation risks minimizing its importance or distracting from its main points—plus, it may detract from what you’re actually trying to say!

In most cases, it may be best to avoid humor altogether in order to ensure your message is seen as credible and valuable by the audience. On the other hand, if you’re giving an upbeat talk on a positive topic such as creative problem-solving, making insightful observations through edgy commentary may go down well with listeners!

Humorous quotes carefully chosen to complement the topic of your speech can prove entertaining while also adding depth and visual impact. In any case, try not to throw too many jokes into one presentation—oversaturation is also not recommended when it comes working humour into a speech. Moving on from discussing the impact of adding quotes to your speech, let us now look at different types of quotes which can be used to start a speech with a bang!

Types of Funny Quotes to Start a Speech

When crafting a discussion or speech, introducing the topic with a humorous quote can lighten up the atmosphere and set a positive tone.

But not all quotes are created equal, so depending on the situation it may be beneficial to choose an appropriate quote. There is an argument that using a quote from a famous person may have more impact to start off the discussion; however, there are also points to be made for using commonly known sayings or tongue-in-cheek quips. Many people believe that a quote from a distinguished person—whether historical figures, politicians, scientists, and so forth—can immediately draw attention and establish credibility.

It adds weight to the speaker’s ideas if they can reference legends who have come before them. However, it can backfire if the audience cannot understand or relate to whom the speaker is quoting, as well as their context.

Moreover, some might find certain quotes from prominent people cringe-worthy or too outdated for contemporary use. On the other hand, witty one-liners and popular phrases may prove to be more effective in connecting with an audience .

Since many of these jokes have been widely circulated over time, they are usually understood by all listeners. Certain regional or specialized acts require an audience familiar with particular terms; in this case you can use local sayings or inside jokes as long as you make sure it’s widely understood by everybody in the room.

Also, this type of humor is often seen as being more organic rather than forced because it sticks close to common knowledge. Finally, catered humor can elevate your performance tenfold when you take into account your particular audience’s interests and preferences.

If you’re having trouble deciding whether to use a famous person's quote or commonplace joke, consider asking yourself which will make your specific crowd laugh the most? That could be the deciding factor before beginning your speech with a bang. Turning now to quotes from famous people: successful speakers incorporate examples from historically esteemed individuals into their speeches to strike a chord with their crowd while also demonstrating intelligence and depth of knowledge.

Quotes From Famous People

Quotes from famous people can be a great way to start a speech. Not only are these quotes entertaining, but they can help create a bond between the speaker and the audience by referring to someone everyone knows and admires.

As a bonus, even raising the possibility of being taken seriously through association makes for an attention grabbing opening. On the other hand, with this comes the danger of misquoting or taking a famous quote out of context. Even if meant innocently, this could easily cause offense and cast doubt on the credibility of what follows afterwards in the speech. The use of quotes from famous people should then be treated with care and given due consideration before being used in a speech. For inspiration, here are 15 funny quotes from famous people that can kickstart any speech with a bang:

Quotes From Historical Figures

Quotes from historical figures have a lot of potential when it comes to beginning a speech.

Such inspiring words can provide insight about particular topics and become sources of motivation for listeners. Historical quotes can be used to set a serious tone or include some humor in an otherwise dry topic. However, depending on the situation, it is important to consider both sides of the argument when selecting these kinds of quotes. On the one hand, a quote from a historic leader can provide inspiration for the audience and bring attention to the importance of certain ideas.

Being a source of uplifting words, memorable lines taken from famous speeches can be especially effective in emotionally charged situations such as times of struggle or moments of hope. By quoting influential figures and making use of movements that changed lives, speakers can make their conversations meaningful and powerful. On the other hand, while quotations from history offer many benefits, they might fail to promote laughter or lightness at the start of a presentation. This could lead to monotonous public speaking engagements that could put people off instead of captivating their attention.

Furthermore, in some cases, controversial statements made by certain figures could have negative implications in an audience. Therefore, choosing an appropriate quote should involve careful selection and consideration before broadcasting it to an audience. In any case, having an impressive and catchy introduction with powerful words from inspiring leaders gives you an opportunity to capture your listeners’ imagination and successfully draw their attention towards your message.

Now that we discussed the pros and cons of using quotes from historical figures, let us turn our attention to finding relevant funny quotes which could be used to produce different results such as getting audiences laughing and energizing your speech right away.

Finding Relevant Funny Quotes

Finding relevant funny quotes to kick off a speech can be a great way to warm up the crowd and energize your audience.

When choosing a quote for this purpose, it's important to make sure that the content of the quote is both relatable and relevant to the message or topic of your speech . However, you want to ensure that it’s not something your audience has heard before or too risky that it could come across as offensive. Another factor when selecting a quote is how well known the author of the quote is. For example, quoting Will Rogers or Mark Twain will generally be better received than someone who may not have widespread recognition.

Generally, if you select a lesser-known author you should include some background information about them so people understand the context of their humour. Finally, another factor in finding good quotes for a speech is the relevance of the message within the quote itself. Selecting something broad can work but if possible it’s best to find something more tailored to your desired outcome.

Some good ways to research funny quotes are online collections from authors, comedians, or other sources that have come from people that specialize in creating humourous content. Finding relevant funny quotes can be challenging but can also be an effective way to grab an audiences attention and set the tone for an entertaining speech.

Before deciding on one though, it’s important to consider all factors such as the author, relevancy and risk-level associated with the content of what’s being said. With these pointers in mind, you can begin your search to figure out which humorous quote will give your speech the excellent start it deserves! With that process complete, now it’s time to move onto analyzing the situation and making sure each element lines up accordingly.

Analyzing the Situation

When choosing a funny quote to open a speech, it is important to carefully assess the situation.

Considering your audience and the occasion are two key elements to take into account for any successful speech. Joking around in a professional setting may be off-putting to some whereas in more light-hearted environments, it may go over well.

For example, while delivering a wedding toast at a lavish event it may be more appropriate to opt for a slapstick joke than if you’re talking at an academic conference. To ensure that your chosen quote won’t offend anyone or derail the tone of the event, consider searching for a mild joke that may still make people laugh without being too out of place. Likewise, researching jokes relevant to the topics discussed will make sure that you earn more laughter and appreciation from your audience. Overall, picking an appropriate funny quote is not always easy but analyzing the situation is an essential step for having a successful presentation. With thorough research and consideration of your audience and occasion, you can select a quote that will start your speech off with a bang. Now that you’ve gained insight into how to analyze the situation when selecting funny quotes, let’s move on to some tips and tricks for using them effectively when delivering your speech.

Tips and Tricks While Using Funny Quotes

Using funny quotes to begin a speech can be an effective way to grab the audience's attention. However, there are certain tips and tricks speakers need to remember if they wish to make the best of their funny quote. One of these tips is to choose the right quote. It’s important to pick one that is actually humorous and will be able to make your audience laugh or smile. Choose a quote that is relevant and contemporary – one that your audience will immediately relate and understand. In addition, it's also important to know how far your funny quote should go. Don’t choose a quote that may be considered offensive to any particular group of people. Make sure you find one that is lighthearted instead of overly edgy or inappropriate. When delivering your funny quote, don’t forget about using body language and facial expressions. A funny joke or punch line would sound flat without enough expression on the speaker’s face or in their delivery.

Try and exaggerate for comedic effect by varying the rate you say each word or maybe even add exaggerated hand gestures with each phrase for extra emphasis. These tips and tricks for using funny quotes can help speakers start their speech with a bang and make sure their humor gets across effectively to their audience - but these are not all of the rules when it comes to using humor while speaking!

The next section of this article will discuss our conclusion and final thoughts on how best to use funny quotes in speeches .

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The conclusion of this article is that adding some humor to your speech can be a great way to engage and connect with your audience.

Using a few carefully chosen funny quotes can be the perfect way to open up a speech and get your audience's attention. Not only will it make them smile, it will also help break the ice, making it easier for you to warm up to speaking in front of an audience. There are pros and cons when deciding whether or not you should use humor in your speech.

On one hand, jokes and humorous quotes can be effective at engaging the audience , getting everyone laughing which can help create a relaxed atmosphere.

However, one must exercise caution as jokes that involve stereotypes or offensive topics might have unintended consequences. If a joke falls flat or people find the punchline inappropriate, then more than likely your presentation will not go as planned. So before using humor in your speech, make sure that it's appropriate and won't be taken the wrong way by your audience. Ultimately, if used correctly and tastefully, funny quotes can help increase engagement in any given speech.

Whether you're giving an inspirational talk or simply delivering facts to an audience, sprinkling in humor is always a nice touch that can be used to hit home a point or two while keeping the crowd entertained at the same time.

Here are 15 Funny Quote You Can Use to Start a Speech

Whoever said nothing is impossible is a liar. I’ve been doing nothing for years.
I really lack the words to compliment myself today.
Don’t underestimate me, that’s my mother’s job.
I am a nobody, nobody is perfect, therefore I am perfect.
At the very start, let me say that we both have something in common. You don’t know what I’m going to say… and neither do I.
You are not completely useless you can always serve as a bad example.
It’s good to learn from other’s mistakes, I wish people learn something from me.
The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.
I’ve only been wrong once, and that’s when I thought I was wrong.
Regular naps prevent old age, especially if you take them while driving.
Sorry, I’m late. I got here as soon as I felt like it.
You know God gave us brain to work out our problems. However we used it to create more!
Sometimes the best helping hand you can give is a good, firm push.
Whatever you do always give 100 %. Unless you are donating blood.
Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself. It’s the only way you can be sure somebody’s listening.

How do I determine which funny quotes to use in my speech?

When determining which funny quotes to use in your speech, it is important to consider the audience. Ask yourself if the quote is appropriate for the particular environment and crowd.

Additionally, you should consider the topics of your speech and choose quotes that are relevant to them. Furthermore, when selecting quotes make sure that they are short, concise and witty. You want the audience to get the joke so having simple delivery with a punchline helps with this.

Lastly, remember to have fun with it! Your sense of humor will help you pick out the best funny quote for your speech.

What are the best ways to structure a speech using funny quotes?

The best way to structure a speech using funny quotes is by mixing a few humorous statements in throughout the entirety of your presentation.

Begin with a funny opener quote to get everyone laughing, but don’t rely solely on jokes to carry your speech. Instead, use humor to set the tone and provide an entertaining break between informative points throughout your presentation.

It’s important not to overuse humor as too many jokes within a speech can take away from the main point of your presentation and also start to feel stale after a while.

Additionally, it’s good to check quotes you plan on using for accuracy and make sure that they fit the context of your message. If done well, humorous quotes can be great tools for engaging an audience in a stimulating way.

How can I use funny quotes to grab the attention of the audience?

Using funny quotes to grab the audience’s attention is a great way to start off your speech. Not only will it break the ice and get everyone laughing, it can also serve to introduce an important topic that you plan to discuss in your speech.

If the quote is clever and relevant to your subject matter, it can open up a meaningful dialogue about the main points of your speech and show your audience that you understand their perspective. To be effective, it’s important to pick out one or two funny quotes from your chosen source and use them strategically throughout the course of your speech. Avoid quoting too many jokes as this can lose its impact quickly.

Also make sure that any humorous words or phrases you use accurately reflect the tone and mood of the event so you don’t come across as overly jokey or inappropriate.

Finally, it’s good practice to acknowledge the original author or source of any funny quotes you use; this adds gravitas and ensures that proper credits are given where due.

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Speech one liners & jokes

When writing a speech for public speaking, it's important to have a good speech opener, a conclusion that is inspirational, funny or profound, and some jokes and humor. Here are some tips and ideas that will make your speeches memorable. Check out these one liners that can add comedy and humor to make your speech entertaining. No matter whether the speech is for a graduation, roast, wedding, retirement, or other special event, funny jokes are a must! These funny one liners can be adapted to use at the introduction, conclusion or body of your remarks.

The only good after dinner speech is when someone turns to you and says, "You leave the dishes. I'll do them."
A good speech should be like a comet: Dazzling, eye-opening and over before you know it.
I don't know how well I can do on the first two, so I'll try to achieve the third.
I always try to keep my remarks short. I remember the story of a man who shot a long-winded speaker. Afterwards, he went to the sheriff's office and confessed. "I just killed a keynote speaker," he said. The sheriff replied, "You're in the wrong place. You pick up the reward at the Bounty hunter's office."
I'll try not to talk too long. They say its best to leave your audience before your audience leaves you.
I hope my speech will keep you on the edge of your seats. Hopefully that will be because you're interested, not because you're trying to get up the nerve to leave.
I hope you enjoyed my speech and if you did not, I hope you had a good nap.
(For a roast) My friends: I know you too well to call you ladies and gentlemen.
(When addressing a small crowd or low attendance) This must be a wealthy crowd. Each of you bought two or three seats!
(When addressing a small crowd or low attendance) Well, the we may have a few empty seats, but its better for a full speaker to address a vacant hall than a vacant speaker talking to a full hall.
I always try to avoid giving advice during my remarks. As the little schoolgirl wrote, "Socrates was a wise, Greek philosopher who walked around giving advice to people. They poisoned him."
Being a good keynote speaker is the art of saying nothing briefly.
I'll try to keep my remarks brief. After all, it's said that most speakers need no introduction. What they need is a conclusion.
Each of us here has a job to do. My job is to talk and yours is to listen. The challenge is for me to finish my job before you have finished yours.
(If someone is taking photos in front) Wow, even here I can't escape the paparazzi.
Do you know the definition of an after dinner speaker? Someone who has been asked to say a few words and says too many.
A key note speaker is someone who is supposed to offer a few words and doesn't know when to stop.
Raymond Duncan once said, "If the speaker won't boil it down, the audience must sweat it out."
My speech will be like the latest fashion: long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting.
(If speaking while people are eating) Please go ahead and keep eating while I'm speaking. I'd rather be eating cake right now too rather than listening to some boring speech.
I know that I'm a great speaker. I can say that because when I make a speech, as soon as I sit down, people say it was the best thing I've ever done.
Sometimes orators confuse the seating capacit of an auditorium with the sitting capacity of the audience.
(After a lengthy or flattering introduction) After that introduction, I just can't wait to hear what I'm going to say.
(After a lengthy or flattering introduction) After such a warm, generous introduction, I can only say thank you and I think you must have gotten the wrong guy.
(After an introduction) Thank you for that kind introduction. The person who introduces a speaker has a tough job. It's his job to let you know that the entertaining part of the evening is now over.
People say I'm a great speaker - in fact, they say I'm blessed with a golden tongue. Unfortunately, I left it in my other pants.
As S.S. Biddle once said, "A political speech pleases all. Those who agree with it think it over, and those who don't are glad it is over."
I won't speak for long on account of my throat. (clears throat) At my last engagement I talked too long, and someone threatened to cut it.
I do my best to prepare for speeches, and it's a challenge to compress all my points into something long enough to be interesting, but short enough so the audience won't fall asleep. Woodrow Wilson was once asked, "How long does it take you to prepare a ten minute speech?" "Two weeks," he answered. "How about a one hour speech?" "One week," he said. "What about a two hour speech?" "I'm ready now!" he replied.
Whenever I am invited to speak, I'm reminded of a famous anecdote. The master of ceremonies, upon introducing the speaker said, "Mr. so-and-so is our only speaker. The rest of the program is entertainment."
Some say that too many after dinner speakers makes people dull. I'd argue that too many dull people make after dinner speeches.
The problem with a lot of speakers is you can't hear what they're saying. The problem with others is that you can.
Every speaker has his moment. The problem is, most of them stretch it into an hour.
Speeches are like the horns on a steer. There's a point here and a point there, but in between it's mostly bull.
Graduation speakers like to begin their speeches by terrifying their audience by saying that they are just beginning their lives.
The best speech is one that has a great beginning, a memorable end, and not much in between.
A lecture is when you numb one end to benefit the other.

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Public Speaking Helpline

Humor and Jokes on Public Speaking

Jokes on public speaking can lighten the mood during presentations and help speakers connect with their audience. Many people find public speaking daunting, so using humor can help alleviate tension and create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Effective humor can also enhance the speaker’s credibility and make the audience more receptive to their message. However, it is important to use jokes that are relevant, appropriate, and inclusive, avoiding any potentially offensive or divisive content. With the right balance, jokes can be a powerful tool for engaging the audience and making public speaking a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Table of Contents

Importance Of Humor In Public Speaking

Humor plays a crucial role in public speaking, especially when it comes to jokes on the topic. It not only captivates the audience’s attention but also helps in delivering the message effectively. By incorporating humor, speakers can establish a connection with their listeners and make the overall experience enjoyable.

Humor As An Icebreaker:

Public speaking can be a daunting task, both for seasoned speakers and beginners alike. However, incorporating humor into your speeches can act as a powerful icebreaker, instantly capturing the attention and interest of your audience.
Humor has the ability to create a positive and relaxed atmosphere, helping to break down any barriers between the speaker and the audience. It allows the speaker to establish a connection and build rapport with the listeners.
Here are some reasons why humor is an effective icebreaker in public speaking:
It grabs attention: A well-timed joke or witty remark can immediately capture the audience’s attention, making them more receptive to the speaker’s message.
It lightens the mood: Humor has a way of diffusing tension and creating a relaxed environment. When people are relaxed, they are more open to listening and engaging with the speaker.
It builds rapport: Making the audience laugh helps to establish a connection between the speaker and listeners. Sharing a humorous moment creates a sense of camaraderie and trust.
It boosts confidence: A speaker who can successfully inject humor into their presentation appears confident and in control. This confidence can inspire confidence in the audience as well.

Relaxing The Audience:

The inclusion of humor in public speaking acts as a powerful tool to relax the audience, making them feel at ease and more receptive to the message being delivered.
Humor helps create a relaxed atmosphere by:
Easing tension: Laughter has a way of diffusing tension and creating a positive vibe in the room. When people are relaxed, they are more likely to pay attention and engage with the speaker.
Generating positive emotions: Humor triggers the release of endorphins, which are often referred to as the “feel-good” hormones. When the audience experiences positive emotions, they are more inclined to remember and connect with the speaker’s message.
Breaking down barriers: Shared laughter helps break down any barriers between the speaker and the audience. It creates a sense of unity and promotes a feeling of inclusiveness.
Making the topic relatable: Humor can make even the most complex or mundane topics relatable and accessible. It allows the audience to connect with the content on a personal level, enhancing their understanding and retention.

Enhancing Engagement And Retention:

Humor is a powerful tool for enhancing audience engagement and boosting message retention in public speaking. Incorporating humor can help make your presentation more memorable and impactful.
Here’s how humor enhances engagement and retention:
Maintaining interest: Humor breaks the monotony of a speech, preventing the audience from becoming bored or disengaged. It helps to sustain their attention throughout the entire presentation.
Aiding information retention: When humor is used strategically, it can help reinforce key messages and make them more memorable. Humorous anecdotes or punchlines can serve as mental hooks, aiding information retention.
Creating a positive association: The positive feelings generated by laughter can create a positive association with the speaker and their content. This can lead to a stronger connection between the audience and the message being delivered.
Improving message comprehension: Humor has been shown to improve cognitive processing and comprehension. When the audience is engaged and enjoying themselves, they are more likely to absorb and understand the information being presented.

Incorporating humor into public speaking not only serves as an icebreaker, but it also relaxes the audience, enhances engagement, and improves message retention. By using humor strategically, speakers can captivate their listeners and deliver their message with impact. So, don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed joke or funny anecdote in your next public speaking engagement.

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Incorporating Jokes Into A Public Speaking Presentation

Discover the power of incorporating jokes into your public speaking presentation to captivate and entertain your audience. With carefully crafted humor, you can enhance your message and make a memorable impact, while maintaining a professional and engaging speaking style.

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking for many individuals, but incorporating jokes into your presentation can help break the ice and engage your audience. Jokes have the power to captivate attention, lighten the mood, and create a memorable experience. However, it’s important to understand the audience, deliver relevant and appropriate jokes, and master timing and delivery techniques.

Let’s explore these aspects further.

Understanding The Audience:

Research the demographics and interests of your audience.
Consider their cultural background and values.
Tailor your jokes to resonate with their experiences and sense of humor.
Beware of sensitive subjects or offensive content that may alienate certain groups.
Take into account the venue and event type to gauge the overall tone.

Delivering Relevant And Appropriate Jokes:

Align your jokes with the overall theme or message of your presentation.
Use anecdotes or personal experiences that relate to your topic.
Relate the humor to the subject matter to ensure relevance.
Balance the level of humor to suit the audience’s preferences.
Avoid inside jokes that only a select few would understand.

Timing And Delivery Techniques:

Break the ice with a well-timed joke at the beginning of your presentation.
Incorporate humor throughout the speech to maintain engagement.
Pay attention to the flow and rhythm of your presentation to enhance comedic timing.
Use pauses and facial expressions to accentuate punchlines.
Practice your delivery to ensure naturalness and confidence.

Incorporating jokes into a public speaking presentation can add a touch of humor and make your message more memorable. However, it is crucial to understand the audience, deliver relevant jokes, and master timing and delivery techniques. By doing so, you can captivate your audience, create a positive atmosphere, and leave a lasting impression.

So go ahead, embrace the power of humor and confidently deliver your message.

Categories Of Public Speaking Jokes

Discover the various categories of jokes centered around public speaking, providing humor and entertainment for all those familiar with the art of addressing an audience. Delve into the world of witty punchlines and comedic anecdotes that poke fun at the challenges and idiosyncrasies of public speaking.

Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience for many individuals. To lighten the mood and engage the audience, incorporating jokes into a speech can be highly effective. There are several categories of public speaking jokes that can be utilized, including self-deprecating jokes, observational humor, and puns/wordplay.

Each category offers its own unique style and comedic value, allowing speakers to connect with their audience on a more lighthearted level.

Self-Deprecating Jokes:

Self-deprecating jokes involve poking fun at oneself and highlighting personal weaknesses or quirky traits. These jokes can create a relatable and endearing atmosphere, making the speaker more approachable to the audience.
Example: “I used to be terrified of public speaking, but then I realized that the worst thing that could happen is I make a few people snore.”

Observational Humor:

Observational humor revolves around everyday life situations or commonly shared experiences. By adding a humorous twist to these situations, speakers can ignite laughter and improve audience engagement.
Example: “Have you ever noticed how public speaking and parallel parking have a lot in common? Both can leave you feeling anxious, sweaty, and praying you don’t hit any cones.”

Puns And Wordplay:

Puns and wordplay involve playing with language, often incorporating double meanings or clever twists. These jokes can be highly entertaining and showcase the speaker’s wit and creativity.
Example: “Speaking in public can be like trying to herd cats. You’re never quite sure if they’ll listen, but if you bring treats, they might just stick around.”

Incorporating jokes from these categories can significantly enhance a public speaking experience, making it more enjoyable for both the speaker and the audience. However, it is essential to ensure that the jokes are appropriate for the context and audience, as humor can be highly subjective.

With careful consideration and preparation, public speaking jokes can contribute to a memorable and engaging presentation. So, let’s dive into the world of public speaking jokes, explore each category, and learn how they can elevate your next speech!

Jokes For Presentations

Discover a collection of humorous jokes on public speaking that will keep your audience engaged and entertained during presentations. These jokes are sure to break the ice and lighten the mood, making your presentations memorable and enjoyable. So, get ready to add a touch of laughter to your next public speaking engagement!

Opening Jokes To Grab Attention:

Have you ever seen a presenter so nervous that they tripped over their own words? Well, they probably shouldn’t have used “public speaking” as their worst nightmare in a presentation!
Imagine this: You’re about to start your presentation, and you see the audience looking bored and sleepy. Well, worry not! I’ve got some opening jokes that will wake them right up and make them eager to hear what you have to say.
Let’s face it, starting a presentation can be daunting. But with the right joke, you can break the ice and instantly grab your audience’s attention. Here are a few opening jokes that will inject a dose of humor into your presentation and set the tone for an engaging talk:
“Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! Speaking of outstanding, let’s talk about our topic today…”
“I recently heard a funny story about an octopus who could juggle 8 balls at once. It got me thinking about the importance of multitasking, which brings me to our discussion on…”
“Did you know that public speaking is often ranked higher than death as people’s top fear? Well, the good news is, I’m here to make it a little less terrifying and a lot more enjoyable. Let’s dive in, shall we?”

Transition Jokes Between Main Points:

Now that you’ve captured your audience’s attention with an opening joke, it’s time to smoothly transition between your main points. Including transition jokes not only adds a touch of humor but also helps maintain the flow of your presentation. Here are a few transition jokes to keep your audience engaged:
“Moving on to our next point, let me share a little story that perfectly illustrates the concept we just covered. Picture this: A penguin, a giraffe, and a monkey walk into a bar…”
“As we shift gears and delve into our next topic, let’s lighten the mood with a quick joke. What did one wall say to the other? I’ll meet you at the corner!”
“Before we jump into the nitty-gritty details of our next idea, can I just share something funny I stumbled upon? Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!”

Closing Jokes To Leave A Memorable Impression:

As you near the end of your presentation, don’t forget the golden rule: Leave a lasting impression. A well-crafted closing joke is the perfect way to leave your audience with a smile and ensure they remember your message. Here are a few closing jokes that will help you wrap up your presentation on a high note:
“Before we wrap things up, let me share a small yet amusing anecdote. Did you hear about the mathematician who was afraid of negative numbers? He’ll stop at nothing to avoid them! Thank you for joining me on this math-filled journey, and remember, positivity is always a plus!”
“As we come to the end of this presentation, I can’t resist sharing a funny observation I recently made. Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they always use honeycombs! Just like bees collect honey, I hope you leave here today with a sweet taste of knowledge.”
“Now, before we part ways, here’s a little joke to make sure you remember the main takeaway from our time together. How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together! Thank you for being such a wonderful audience, and remember, when we work together, we can achieve great things!”

Remember, incorporating these opening, transition, and closing jokes into your presentation will not only add humor but also help you connect with your audience, create a memorable experience, and ensure your message resonates long after you’ve finished speaking. So go ahead, make them laugh, and enjoy the journey of public speaking!

Jokes For Business Presentations

Discover the perfect blend of humor and public speaking with jokes for business presentations. Engage your audience and make your presentation memorable with clever jokes about public speaking.

Using Jokes To Lighten The Mood During Serious Discussions

Oh, the dreaded business presentations! The mere thought of standing in front of a room full of serious faces can send shivers down anyone’s spine. But fear not! Incorporating a well-timed joke or two can work wonders in lightening the mood and engaging your audience.

After all, laughter is the best medicine, even in the corporate world. So, let’s sprinkle some humor into those serious discussions!

Incorporating Industry-Specific Humor

When it comes to business presentations, incorporating industry-specific humor can do wonders in establishing rapport with your audience. By using jokes that resonate with your industry, you not only demonstrate your knowledge but also create a sense of belonging. Here are some ways to incorporate industry-specific humor:

Research current trends: Stay updated on the latest news and trends in your industry. Find humorous anecdotes or situations that tie in with your topic. This shows your audience that you are not only well-prepared but also in touch with the industry’s lighter side.
Adapt well-known jokes: Put a twist on popular jokes or one-liners by giving them an industry-specific spin. This shows your audience that you can find humor even in the most mundane aspects of your business. Just remember to keep it light and avoid sensitive subjects!
Use funny visuals: Incorporate funny images or memes related to your industry into your presentation slides. Visual humor can instantly grab attention and create a more relaxed atmosphere. However, make sure the visuals are tasteful and relevant to your message.
Personal anecdotes: Share funny and relatable stories from your own experiences in the industry. This humanizes your presentation and makes it easier for your audience to connect with you.

Remember, the key is to find a balance between humor and professionalism. Humor should enhance your message, not overpower it. By incorporating industry-specific humor into your business presentations, you can create a memorable and enjoyable experience for your audience.

Now go ahead, break the ice with a well-crafted joke and watch your business presentations soar to new heights!

Jokes For Academic Presentations

Discover a collection of witty jokes tailored specifically for academic presentations. These hilarious quips on public speaking will delight and entertain your audience while adding a touch of humor to your presentation.

Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience for many individuals. However, injecting some humor into academic presentations can help ease tension and engage the audience. Adding jokes to complex or technical topics requires a delicate balance between humor and educational content.

In this section, we will explore some effective strategies for incorporating jokes into academic presentations.

Adding Humor To Complex Or Technical Topics:

Use analogies: Comparing complex ideas to everyday situations or objects can help simplify the content and make it relatable. For example, when discussing the concept of entropy in thermodynamics, you could say, “Entropy is like a messy room after a wild party – everything is disordered and chaotic!”
Incorporate visual aids: Utilize humorous images, illustrations, or even memes to lighten the mood and make the content more engaging. Visual humor can help convey complex information in a memorable and entertaining way.
Tell anecdotes: Sharing personal stories or anecdotes related to the topic can add a touch of humor while providing real-life context. For instance, if discussing a research methodology, you could humorously recount a situation where the methodology went hilariously wrong.
Utilize wordplay and puns: Clever wordplay can bring a smile to the audience’s faces while still conveying important information. For example, when discussing biology, you could say, “Why did the skeleton want to go to the party alone? Because he had no body to go with him!”
Engage the audience: Encouraging audience participation through interactive elements, such as quizzes or polls, can create a lighthearted atmosphere. You can inject humor by incorporating funny or unexpected options in the multiple-choice questions.

Remember, the key is to strike a balance between humor and educational content. While jokes can add entertainment value to academic presentations, they should never overshadow the main purpose of conveying knowledge and information. By using these strategies, you can make your academic presentations both informative and enjoyable for your audience.

Benefits Of Using Jokes

Discover the benefits of incorporating jokes into public speaking engagements. By using humor, speakers can connect with their audience, ease tension, and leave a lasting impression that enhances engagement and retention.

Building connection and likeability:

Jokes can help speakers form a connection with their audience by creating a shared sense of humor and breaking the ice.
A well-placed joke can make the speaker more relatable and likable, enhancing the overall impression they leave on the audience.

Breaking the monotony and engaging the audience:

Incorporating jokes into a presentation can help alleviate boredom and monotony, keeping the audience engaged and attentive.
Jokes serve as a refreshing break from the seriousness of public speaking, adding elements of entertainment and humor to create a more lively atmosphere.

Making the presentation memorable:

Funny and memorable moments tend to stick in our minds. By including jokes, speakers can make their presentations more memorable for the audience.
Jokes can act as anchors, helping listeners recall key points or messages long after the presentation ends.
Personal anecdotes and humorous stories told through jokes can leave a lasting impression on participants.

Remember, humor should be used tactfully and in moderation. It is essential to consider the context and the audience’s preferences before incorporating jokes into public speaking.

Challenges Of Using Jokes

Using jokes in public speaking can present several challenges. It is important to strike the right balance between humor and appropriateness, as jokes that fall flat can create awkwardness or offend the audience. Additionally, jokes require proper timing and delivery to be effective, adding to the complexity of incorporating humor into presentations.

Cultural And Language Considerations:

When using jokes in a public speaking engagement, it is important to consider the cultural and language backgrounds of your audience. Not all jokes will translate well across different cultures and languages.
Different cultures have different senses of humor, and what may be funny in one culture can be seen as offensive or confusing in another.
Language barriers can also pose a challenge when using jokes. Wordplay and puns, for example, may not have the same impact or be understood by everyone in the audience.

Risks Of Offending Or Alienating The Audience:

One of the main challenges of using jokes in public speaking is the risk of offending or alienating the audience.
Jokes that make fun of certain groups or individuals based on their race, gender, religion, or any sensitive topic can be highly offensive and can create a negative atmosphere.
It is essential to steer clear of jokes that may be controversial or divisive, as they can alienate parts of the audience and undermine the overall message of your speech.

Balancing Humor With Professionalism:

Finding the right balance between humor and professionalism is crucial when incorporating jokes into a public speaking engagement.
Humor can be an effective tool to engage the audience, lighten the mood, and make the content memorable. However, it is important to ensure that the jokes align with the tone and objective of the speech.
Professionalism should be maintained at all times, even when using humor. Jokes should never overshadow the main topic and should be in good taste, appropriate, and respectful.
Keep in mind that the primary purpose of public speaking is to inform, persuade, or entertain, so humor should enhance these goals rather than detract from them.

Identifying Potential Joke Opportunities In The Content

Uncover hidden comic gems within content centered around public speaking. Identify potential joke opportunities to inject humor and engage the audience effectively, creating an engaging and memorable experience.

Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people, but injecting a little humor into your presentation can lighten the mood and captivate your audience. By identifying potential joke opportunities in your content, you can effectively engage your listeners and make your speech more memorable.

In this section, we will explore how to find humorous angles and punchlines and utilize storytelling techniques to enhance your public speaking skills.

Finding Humorous Angles And Punchlines

Understanding your audience: Tailoring your jokes to the interests and demographics of your audience can increase the chances of success. Consider their age, profession, and cultural background when crafting jokes.
Identifying funny anecdotes: Look for humorous personal stories or experiences related to your topic that you can share during your speech. These relatable anecdotes can instantly connect with your audience and generate laughter.
Exploring wordplay: Playful use of words, such as puns or double entendres, can be an excellent source of humor. Keep an eye out for witty phrases or word combinations that align with your content.
Contrasting expectations: Surprise your audience by breaking their expectations or introducing unexpected elements in your speech. This creates tension and sets the stage for a well-timed punchline.
Exaggeration and satire: Amplifying certain aspects of your content through exaggeration or employing satirical elements can add comedic value to your presentation. Be mindful of the balance between humor and content relevance.

Now that we’ve covered various ways to find humorous angles and punchlines, let’s dive into storytelling techniques that can further enhance the comedic impact of your public speaking.

Testing And Refining The Jokes

Refine your jokes on public speaking by testing them in different settings. This helps you gauge their effectiveness and adjust them for maximum impact.

Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people. The fear of being in front of an audience and delivering a speech can make even the most confident individuals break into a cold sweat. But what if we told you that adding some humor to your speeches could be the secret to conquering your fear?

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of testing and refining jokes in public speaking and how it can help you become a more confident and engaging speaker. So let’s dive in!

Practicing Delivery And Timing:

Practice makes perfect: Spend time rehearsing your jokes to ensure that your timing is on point.
Know your audience: Tailor your jokes to fit the demographic and interests of your audience.
Experiment with different deliveries: Test out different ways of delivering your jokes to find the one that gets the best laugh.
Record yourself: Use a recording device to capture your practice sessions and analyze your performance. This will help you identify areas for improvement.
Seek feedback: Ask trusted friends, family members, or colleagues to listen to your jokes and provide constructive criticism.
Adjust and refine: Take the feedback you receive and make any necessary adjustments to your jokes. Continuously refine your delivery and timing based on the reactions you receive.

By following the above tips, you can ensure that your jokes hit the mark and leave your audience in stitches. With consistent practice and feedback, you will become more confident in your ability to deliver jokes effectively during your public speaking engagements.

So go ahead and add some laughter to your speeches, and watch your fear of public speaking melt away!

Guidelines For Using Jokes Effectively

Here are six essential guidelines to effectively incorporate jokes into your public speaking: 1. Avoid using overused phrases or words at the beginning of your sentence. 2. Keep your sentences concise, limiting them to a maximum of 20 words. 3. Craft SEO-friendly, unique, and plagiarism-free content that is easy to understand and uses an active voice.

4. Vary the phrases used at the beginning of your paragraphs, avoiding repetition and sustaining the reader’s interest. 5. Omit a conclusion paragraph. 6. Strive to write in a manner that is indistinguishable from human writing while also passing AI detection.

Keeping the jokes relevant to the topic: Incorporating jokes that relate to the subject matter can help engage the audience and make your presentation more memorable. If you’re speaking about public speaking, for example, include jokes that highlight common fears or challenges faced by speakers.
Avoiding excessively controversial or offensive content: While humor can be subjective, it’s essential to steer clear of controversial or offensive jokes that may alienate or upset your audience. Aim for jokes that are light-hearted, inclusive, and suitable for a diverse audience.
Balancing the quantity of jokes throughout the presentation: It’s crucial to strike a balance when it comes to the number of jokes you include in your presentation. Too few jokes may make it seem dry and lacking in entertainment value, while too many jokes can overshadow your main message. Space out your jokes strategically and use them to enhance your key points rather than overpowering them.

Remember, incorporating humor can create a positive and engaging environment during public speaking. By keeping the jokes relevant, avoiding controversial content, and finding the right balance, you can effectively use humor to connect with your audience and deliver a memorable presentation.

The Power Of Laughter In Public Speaking

Discover the undeniable power of laughter in public speaking with humorous jokes that captivate your audience’s attention and make your presentations unforgettable. Gain confidence and engage with your listeners through humor, creating a memorable experience for all.

Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience for many, but did you know that incorporating well-placed jokes can actually enhance your presentation? The power of laughter is undeniable, and when used effectively in public speaking, it can leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Striking a balance between humor and professionalism is key, ensuring that your jokes resonate with your listeners without overshadowing the main message of your speech. In this section, we will explore the importance of leaving a lasting impression with well-placed jokes and discuss how to strike that delicate balance between humor and professionalism.

Leaving A Lasting Impression With Well-Placed Jokes:

Engage your audience: A well-timed joke can instantly capture the attention of your listeners, making them more receptive to the rest of your presentation.
Create a relaxed atmosphere: Laughter can help to break the ice and lighten the mood, making your audience more relaxed and open to receiving your message.
Foster a connection: Sharing a light-hearted moment with your audience through jokes creates a sense of camaraderie and can help you establish a stronger rapport with them.
Improve information retention: People are more likely to remember information that is presented in an engaging and entertaining way. Incorporating jokes into your speech can help enhance the memorability of your key points.
Relieve tension: Public speaking can generate anxiety for both the speaker and the audience. Well-placed jokes can help diffuse nervous energy and reduce tension, creating a more enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone.

Remember, it is crucial to strike a balance between humor and professionalism. Avoid jokes that may offend or alienate your audience and ensure that the humor aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your speech. By leaving a lasting impression through well-placed jokes, you can create a positive and memorable experience for your audience.

So go ahead and add a touch of humor to your next public speaking engagement!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i overcome public speaking anxiety.

To overcome public speaking anxiety, practice regularly, breathe deeply before speaking, visualize success, and focus on connecting with your audience rather than on your own nervousness. Additionally, joining a public speaking group or seeking professional guidance can provide you with valuable techniques and support.

What Are Some Tips For Delivering A Funny Speech?

To deliver a funny speech, start with a humorous opening, use appropriate timing and pacing, incorporate relatable anecdotes and jokes, and maintain a confident and playful delivery. Remember to gauge the audience’s reaction and adjust accordingly, and don’t be afraid to use self-deprecating humor if it suits your style.

How Can Humor Enhance A Public Speaking Engagement?

Humor can enhance a public speaking engagement by capturing the audience’s attention, creating a positive and engaging atmosphere, and helping to build a connection between the speaker and the audience. It can also make the content more memorable and relatable, and reduce tension or anxiety in both the speaker and listeners.

Public speaking can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be a source of anxiety. By learning to approach the situation with a sense of humor, we can alleviate some of the stress and even turn it into an enjoyable experience.

Jokes and humor can help break the ice, engage the audience, and make the speaker feel more at ease. Whether it’s poking fun at our own nervousness or sharing a lighthearted anecdote, incorporating humor into public speaking can create a positive atmosphere and leave a lasting impression.

So next time you find yourself in front of a crowd, remember to lighten the mood with a well-timed joke or funny story. Embrace the power of laughter and watch your public speaking skills soar. Don’t be afraid to embrace the humor and remember, the more fun you have, the more fun your audience will have too.

Public speaking doesn’t have to be scary, it can be a whole lot of fun!

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10 Public Speaking Ice Breakers That Actually Work

An icebreaker is an activity in public speaking that is designed to engage the audience and break the ice to get them ready to hear what you’re about to say. However, many of the icebreakers out there that the internet sites recommend are pretty average at best and in most cases downright awkward to use.

So I wanted to compile the list of 10 icebreakers that actually work.

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So what are these 10 icebreakers that actually work?

Now I’m going to break these into two distinct categories:

1) icebreakers for larger groups of people

2) icebreakers for smaller groups of people.

Now I’m going to assume that you’re in a more formal public speaking setting.

When you’re in a more informal, maybe a really small training group, where it is very hands on then these icebreakers might not work as well and you might need something that is more interactive.

But I’m assuming we’re at corporate meeting or a conference,or a church event or something like that Where it’s more formal public speaking engagement. So what are some of the icebreakers that we can use?

Public speaking ice breakers for large groups

1. make a joke at your own expense.

Now, I want to say – avoid making really lame,very generalised jokes that don’t have to do with you. Definitely avoid jokes that might offend someone as well!

You don’t want to make a joke at the expense of anyone in the audience, a joke at the expense of the company, or a joke at the expense who’s introduced you, but the joke at the expense of yourself tends to work really well because you’re pointing at yourself so people can just laugh along with that.

Jokes like…

“Before coming here tonight I was discussing my talk with my wife and she said to me: ‘Don’t try to be too charming, too witty or too intellectual, just be yourself.’”

Don’t expect full blown laughter with any of these jokes, but it’s just kind of a teaser, just kind of warms it up.

If you’re at a formal dinner setting, and everyone’s getting the same meal or they have two alternating meals, you can say:

“Don’t you think it’s amazing that 200 of us all came together tonight and we all chose the same meal?”

They’re corny but sometimes they can work.

You could say: “Look, I have a bad feeling about this, I was talking to [whoever introduced you], they said they were going to tell a joke before I spoke but instead they just introduced me.”

So you’re implying you’re the joke.

These are some ideas for a couple of jokes that you can do, obviously one that you come up yourself is probably better.

Tie in the context of the company you work for or the situation you’re in. The more personal and more appropriate to the situation, the better are the jokes going to work.

2. OPEN WITH ‘RAISE-YOUR-HAND’ QUESTIONS

You want to do a couple of things before when you’re doing raise your hand questions.

Firstly, you want to be positive with your raise your hand questions . Like: “Raise your hands if you want to be happy in life!” “Raise your hand if you want to make a million dollars!”

You don’t want to create negative raise your hand questions , because then you’re going to create a negative environment. So you’re saying: “Raise your hand if you don’t have much to show for the last year!” It’s not going to make people feel very good about themselves.

And when you’re doing raise your hand questions try to ask questions that most people are going to raise their hand to.

The whole idea of the raise your hand questions is to get audience’s engagement, and to get group involvement, so the people on the outskirts who aren’t really getting into your talk feel like they should get into your talk.

So if you open with a raise your hand question to which only person in the room can raise hand to, it’s going to be pretty awkward for that person. But if you ask a question where 9 out of 10 people raise their hand, that one person that doesn’t raise their hand kind of feels awkward because they’re not doing it.

It’s like using positive peer pressure.

3. START A STORY BUT DON’T FINISH IT

So when you get there, just say: “I just want to tell you a story that I think it is very important for my speech today.” Or you go on and tell your story, but you leave the conclusion out and you say: “I’ll get back to that towards the end.”

And so what you’re doing – you’re drawing people in with stories, but you’re not finishing your story so it keeps them engaged.

4. GET AN INTRODUCTION

A lot of people wouldn’t classify this as an icebreaker, but it really is. Get someone to introduce you and talk you up a little bit and get people warmed up for you as you come on to the stage.

Then the audience is anticipating your coming and you don’t need to break the ice as much because it’s already been a little bit broken for you.

5. BREAK SOME NEWS (BIG OR SMALL)

I was recently reading Robert Kiyosaki’s book, Retire Young, Retire Rich. And he talks about an investment talk that he did, and he couldn’t think how to open his presentation.

As he was reading the morning paper, he came across a story about a couple who had retired about 10 years early. But he then used that news to tie into his story.

So when you get up on stage and you say: “I’ve read this really interesting article in the paper today,” or “Something really interesting or strange happened to me today.”

We are inclined as a culture to want to be ‘in the know’ so when something is happening in the news and people are talking about it we want to hear what it is.

So that’s a good way to get people engaged – to break some sort of news, whether it’s news that’s happened in your country or on the globe or whether it’s just something new that has happened in your life that’s a bit odd and a bit interesting.

6. ASK EVERYONE TO COMPLETE A SIMPLE TASK

Get the audience to say to the person next to them: “I’m so glad you’re here today.”

So everyone in the audience has to say that. Or tell them to give the person next to you a high five or give the person a handshake or turn around and say hello to the person behind you or in front of you.

So you get people to complete this small menial task that engages them with people around them and just kind of opens them up and gets them a little more engaged in your presentation.

7. OPEN WITH A QUOTE

Probably not the best icebreaker in the world but it can work especially if it’s a great quote and if it’s very specific to what you’re going to be talking about. Keep it specific to the context or make it a little bit funny.

So surf the internet and look for some quotes and potentially open with a quote.

PUBLIC SPEAKING ICE BREAKERS FOR SMALLER GROUPS

So public speaking icebreakers for smaller groups.

8. GET EVERYONE TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AS A SUPERMARKET ITEM (OR SOMETHING ELSE)

Get everyone to introduce themselves in a strange way.

You could say: “I want everyone to go around the room and I want you to introduce yourself, introduce your name, and then tell us what item in the super market you would be?” or “what item in a hardware store you would be?” or “what kind of fruit you would be?” or “what kind of dish you would be?”

Or you could even do something like: “What is your porn star name?” (which is the name of your first pet, and then your last name as your porn star name is the name of the first street you lived in). So use these sorts of funny things, funny ways for people to introduce themselves.

9. GET EACH PERSON TO INTRODUCE THE PERSON NEXT TO THEM, GIVING THEM A FICTITIOUS LIFE

This can work if the group doesn’t know each other at all, but it can also work if the group does each other and so you just say: “Look, this is Bob, and he’s actually a super hero at night, he moonlights as a super hero, and his super power is that he can spit fire,” or you make up whatever it is and people are inspired to use their creativity.

10. DO A QUIZ

This can be something like you just asking questions to the audience and they have to raise their hands if it’s yes or leave it down if it’s no.

You can have it in such a way that people stand up and if they’re wrong, then they have to sit down.

If you’re at a conference, you can do it based on previous content that they should have heard and remembered. Or you can do it based on anything.

Ice Breakers That Actually Work

So there’s some icebreakers for you – 10 icebreakers that aren’t too awkward.

They aren’t mindblowingly amazing but they do work. They are very effective and I hope that gives you a starting place to look out where you’re going to open up your speech.

12 thoughts on “10 Public Speaking Ice Breakers That Actually Work”

very exciting kind of ice breakers. I like them

I enjoyed that.

We would like to know more about ice breakers

super way to address meetings

It’s really interesting and hope to learn more in future.

this is so gonna help me with my presentation next tuesday thank you so much

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I love this! I have a graduation speech next month and will be speaking and am going with number 6! I’ve tweaked it a little bit I know its going to loosen the mood and make us connect more!

this helped me so much during my speech!!!! i recommend that you read this!!!!

I really, really liked these icebreakers. I’m gonna use them for sure in the future.

thanks so much. this is really helpful for my public speaking speech i have to prepare and give over. i feel a little more confident now.

31 Funny Icebreaker Jokes for Work Meetings in 2024

You found our list of funny icebreaker jokes for work meetings.

Icebreaker jokes are humorous lines that break down barriers between strangers and pave the way for communication in the workplace. Professionals often use jokes to break the ice as openers to speeches, networking events, sales pitches, or conversations with coworkers.

For speech writing, you may also be interested in employee appreciation quotes or inspirational quotes for work , and jokes for work .

This list of ideas includes:

humorous icebreakers
funny introduction jokes
good opening jokes
best ice breaker lines
jokes to break the ice
funny jokes for work meetings
sales jokes to break the ice
jokes about meetings

So, here is the list!

List of icebreaker jokes

From puns to plays on words to silly statements, here is a list of jokes you can use as conversation starters.

Funny ice breakers for speeches

We both have something in common. You don’t know what I’m going to say, and neither do I.
An employee is getting to know her new co-workers when the topic of her last job comes up. One co-worker asks why she left that job.” It was something my boss said,” the woman replied. “Why? What did he say?” the co-worker asked. “You’re fired.”
A man tells his doctor, “Doc, help me. I’m addicted to Twitter!” The doctor replies, “Sorry, I don’t follow you …”
I just wrote a book on reverse psychology. Do not read it.
My memory has gotten so bad it has actually caused me to lose my job. I’m still employed. I just can’t remember where.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
A bear walks into a bar and says, “Give me a gin and … tonic.” “Why the big pause?” asks the bartender. The bear shrugged. “I’m not sure; I was born with them.”
I recently started speed reading. So far, I can read “War and Peace” in ten seconds. It’s only three words, but it’s a start.
I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Not only is it terrible, it’s terrible.

Sales jokes to break the ice

My email password has been hacked. That’s the third time I’ve had to rename my cat.
I invented a new word! ….Plagiarism!
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station…
My boss just texted me: “Send me one of your funny jokes!” I texted him back: “I’m busy working. I’ll send one later.” “That’s hilarious,” he said. “Send another one!”
What is worse than raining cats and dogs? Hailing taxis!
You know what a clean desk is a sign of? A cluttered desk drawer.
My teachers told me I’d never amount to much because I procrastinate so much. I told them, “Just you wait!”
Two cows are in a field. The first one says, “Mooooo!” The second one replies, “that’s what I was going to say!”
A man enters a lawyer’s office and asks the lawyer: “Excuse me, how much do you charge?” The lawyer responds: “I charge $1,000 to answer three questions.” The man replies, “That’s a bit expensive isn’t it?” “Yes,” says the lawyer. “Now, what’s your third question?”

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icebreaker games
bingo cards

Funny icebreaker jokes for work

Want to hear an icebreaker? Fat penguin
Two muffins are in an oven. One muffin turns to the other and says, “Sure is hot in here, huh?” The other muffin screams “Aaaah! A talking muffin!”
I’ve only been fired from a job once. It was a calendar factory. All I did was take a day off.
You know what can really ruin a Friday? Remembering it’s only Thursday.
Why did the frog take the bus to work today? His car got toad away.
What’s the best thing about Switzerland? I don’t know, but the flag is a huge plus.
A guy goes to a pet store to buy a goldfish. The salesman asks him, “Do you want an aquarium?” The guy responds, “I don’t care what star sign it is!”
When does a joke become a “dad” joke? When the punchline is a parent.
I can’t take my dog to the park because the ducks keep trying to bite him. I guess that’s what I get for buying a pure bread dog.
Two goldfish are in a tank. One looks at the other and says, “You know how to drive this thing?!”
What has one horn and gives milk? A milk truck.
What washes up on very small beaches? Microwaves.
What did the green grape say to the purple grape? BREATHE!! BREATHEEEEE!!!!!

Comedian Victor Borge once said, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” Starting conversations with strangers can be tough, but jokes can help eliminate jitters and establish instant camaraderie. Once the group overcomes the initial awkwardness, the real conversation begins.

Next, check out our list of fun icebreaker questions and a list of the best jokes for conference speeches .

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FAQ: Icebreaker jokes

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about icebreaker jokes.

What are icebreaker jokes?

Icebreaker jokes are jokes individuals use to start conversations with unfamiliar audiences on a positive and relaxed note. These lines are often used in the workplace and at meetings to break the ice.

What are some good icebreaker jokes?

Some good icebreaker jokes include:

These jokes are sure to elicit a chuckle or smile from the audience.

What are appropriate jokes for work?

The best jokes for work are clever and disarming but also professional. While some colleagues and clients might have a high tolerance for risque humor, it is always advisable to err on the side of caution and keep it clean. Though some clean jokes border on cheesy, the humor is sure to lighten the mood without making anyone angry or uncomfortable.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Team building content expert. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Funny opening lines for speeches

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Opening lines are crucial when it comes to delivering a speech that captures the audience’s attention. A funny opening line can set the tone for an engaging and memorable speech. If you want to learn how to add humor to your speeches and make a lasting impression, then keep reading. In this article, we will share a variety of funny opening lines that will help you break the ice and connect with your audience. Whether you are giving a presentation, a toast, or a motivational speech, these opening lines will help you capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged throughout the entire speech.

Funny Opening Lines for Speeches: The Perfect Way to Break the Ice

If you’ve ever been to a public speaking event, you know just how important it is to make a good first impression. And what better way to do that than with a funny opening line? A good joke can set the mood for your entire speech, relax your audience, and make them more receptive to your message. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best funny opening lines for speeches that are sure to get your audience laughing (and listening) from the get-go.

Why Do You Need a Funny Opening Line for Your Speech?

First, let’s talk about why it’s so important to start your speech with a funny opening line. For starters, humor is a great way to capture your audience’s attention and get them engaged with what you’re saying. When you make people laugh, they’re more likely to remember what you said and respond positively to your message.

In addition to that, humor can help break the ice and put your audience at ease. If you’re speaking to a group of people who are nervous or uncomfortable, starting with a joke can help them relax and feel more comfortable. It can also help set the tone for the rest of your speech, making it easier for you to connect with your audience and keep them engaged.

Examples of Funny Opening Lines for Speeches

Now that we’ve established why a funny opening line is so important, let’s take a look at some examples of great ones you can use in your next speech:

1. “Good evening, everyone. I’m no expert on public speaking, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.”

This opening line is a classic because it’s funny and relatable. Everyone has felt nervous about speaking in public at some point, and this line acknowledges that while also making light of it.

2. “I’m here today to talk to you about the benefits of procrastination, but I’ll get to that later.”

This is a great opening line because it’s unexpected and catches people off guard. It’s also a bit self-deprecating, which can help put your audience at ease.

3. “I was going to start this speech with a joke about pizza, but it was a little cheesy.”

This opening line is perfect if you want to get your audience laughing right away. It’s a clever play on words that’s sure to get a chuckle.

4. “I’m not saying I’m Batman, but have you ever seen me and Batman in the same room together?”

This opening line is great if you want to inject a bit of humor into a more serious speech. It’s also a good way to establish your credibility and make yourself more relatable to your audience.

5. “I’m so excited to be here today that I almost wore pants.”

This opening line is perfect if you want to break the ice and make your audience feel more comfortable. It’s also a good way to show that you don’t take yourself too seriously.

How to Choose the Right Funny Opening Line for Your Speech

When it comes to choosing the right funny opening line for your speech, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you want to make sure the joke is appropriate for your audience. You don’t want to offend anyone or make anyone uncomfortable.

Second, you want to make sure the joke is relevant to your topic. If you’re giving a speech about a serious topic, you don’t want to start with a joke that’s completely unrelated.

Finally, you want to make sure the joke is something that you’re comfortable with. If you’re not confident in your delivery or you don’t find the joke funny, it’s not going to land with your audience.

In Conclusion

A funny opening line is a great way to break the ice and get your audience engaged with your speech. Whether you’re speaking to a small group or a large audience, a good joke can set the tone for the rest of your talk and help you connect with your listeners. So the next time you’re preparing a speech, don’t be afraid to inject a bit of humor into your opening line. Your audience will thank you for it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some funny opening lines for speeches.

– “I’m not a stand-up comedian, but I’ll do my best to make you laugh… or at least smile politely.” – “Good evening, everyone. I was told to start with a joke, so here it is: my public speaking skills.” – “Before we begin, I just want to say that I’m not nervous. I’m just practicing my interpretive dance moves in my head.” – “I was going to start with a funny story, but then I remembered that I’m not very good at telling them. So instead, I’ll just wing it and hope for the best.” – “The last time I gave a speech, I was so nervous that I forgot my own name. So if I accidentally introduce myself as Beyoncé, just go with it.”

How can I overcome my fear of public speaking?

– Practice, practice, practice. The more you speak in public, the more comfortable you will become. – Prepare thoroughly. Make sure you know your material inside and out, so you feel confident and prepared. – Focus on your breathing. Deep breathing exercises can help calm your nerves and ease anxiety. – Visualize success. Imagine yourself giving a great speech and receiving positive feedback from your audience. – Remember that mistakes happen. Even the most experienced speakers make mistakes, so don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go perfectly. Just keep going and do your best.

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How to Start a Speech: Tips and Examples for a Captivating Opening

By Status.net Editorial Team on December 12, 2023 — 11 minutes to read

When preparing a speech, knowing your audience is key. To tailor your message, consider their interests, demographics, and needs.

Choosing the Right Opening Line

Finding the perfect opening line for your speech is crucial in grabbing your audience’s attention. A strong opening line sets the stage for the points you want to make and helps you establish a connection with your listeners. Here are a few tips and examples to help you choose the right opening line.

1. Start with a question

Engage your audience from the very beginning by asking them a thought-provoking question related to your topic. This approach encourages them to think, and it can create a sense of anticipation about what’s coming next.

“Have you ever wondered how much time we spend on our phones every day?”

2. Share a personal story

A relatable personal story can create an emotional connection with your audience. Make sure your story is short, relevant to your speech, and ends with a clear point.

“When I was a child, my grandmother used to tell me that every kind deed we do plants a seed of goodness in the world. It was this philosophy that inspired me to start volunteering.”

3. Use a quote or a statistic

Incorporate a powerful quote or an intriguing statistic at the outset of your speech to engage your audience and provide context for your topic.

“As the great Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'”

4. Make them laugh

Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn’t offend your audience.

“They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!”

5. Paint a mental picture

Draw your audience in by describing a vivid scene or painting an illustration in their minds. This creates an immersive experience that makes it easier for your audience to follow your speech.

“Picture this: you’re walking down the beach, and you look out on the horizon. The sun is setting, and the sky is a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and pinks.”

Using a Personal Story

Sharing a personal story can be a highly effective way to engage your audience from the very beginning of your speech. When you open your talk with a powerful, relatable story, it helps create an emotional connection with your listeners, making them more invested in what you have to say.

Think about an experience from your life that is relevant to the topic of your speech. Your story doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic, but it should be clear and vivid. Include enough detail to paint a picture in your audience’s minds, but keep it concise and on point.

The key to successfully using a personal story is to make it relatable. Choose a situation that your audience can empathize with or easily understand. For instance, if you’re giving a speech about overcoming adversity, you could talk about a time where you faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge and overcame it.

Make sure to connect your story to the main point or theme of your speech. After sharing your experience, explain how it relates to the topic at hand, and let your audience see the relevance to their own lives. This will make your speech more impactful and show your listeners why your personal story holds meaning.

Making a Shocking Statement

Starting your speech with a shocking statement can instantly grab your audience’s attention. This technique works especially well when your speech topic relates to a hot-button issue or a controversial subject. Just make sure that the statement is relevant and true, as false claims may damage your credibility.

For example, “Believe it or not, 90% of startups fail during their first five years in the market.” This statement might surprise your listeners and make them more receptive to your ideas on how to avoid pitfalls and foster a successful business.

So next time you’re crafting a speech, consider opening with a powerful shocking statement. It could be just the thing to get your audience sitting up and paying full attention. (Try to keep your shocking statement relevant to your speech topic and factual to enhance your credibility.)

Using Humor

Humor can be an excellent way to break the ice and grab your audience’s attention. Opening your speech with a funny story or a joke can make a memorable first impression. Just be sure to keep it relevant to your topic and audience.

A good joke can set a light-hearted tone, lead into the importance of effective time management, and get your audience engaged from the start.

When using humor in your speech, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Be relatable: Choose a story or joke that your audience can easily relate to. It will be more engaging and connect your listeners to your message.
Keep it appropriate: Make sure the humor fits the occasion and audience. Stay away from controversial topics and avoid offending any particular group.
Practice your delivery: Timing and delivery are essential when telling a joke. Practice saying it out loud and adjust your pacing and tone of voice to ensure your audience gets the joke.
Go with the flow: If your joke flops or doesn’t get the reaction you were hoping for, don’t panic or apologize. Simply move on to the next part of your speech smoothly, and don’t let it shake your confidence.
Don’t overdo it: While humor can be useful in capturing your audience’s attention, remember that you’re not a stand-up comedian. Use it sparingly and focus on getting your message across clearly and effectively.

Incorporating a Quote

When you want to start your speech with a powerful quote, ensure that the quote is relevant to your topic. Choose a quote from a credible source, such as a famous historical figure, a well-known author, or a respected expert in your field. This will not only grab your audience’s attention but also establish your speech’s credibility.

For example, if you’re giving a speech about resilience, you might use this quote by Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Once you’ve found the perfect quote, integrate it smoothly into your speech’s introduction. You can briefly introduce the source of the quote, providing context for why their words are significant. For example:

Nelson Mandela, an inspirational leader known for his perseverance, once said: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

When you’re incorporating a quote in your speech, practice your delivery to ensure it has the intended impact. Focus on your tone, pace, and pronunciation. By doing so, you can convey the quote’s meaning effectively and connect with your audience emotionally.

Lastly, connect the quote to your main points by briefly explaining how it relates to the subject matter of your speech. By creating a natural transition from the quote to your topic, you can maintain your audience’s interest and set the stage for a compelling speech.

In our resilience example, this could look like:

“This quote by Mandela beautifully illustrates the power of resilience. Today, I want to share with you some stories of remarkable individuals who, like Mandela, overcame obstacles and rose every time they fell. Through their experiences, we might learn how to cultivate our own resilience and make the most of life’s challenges.”

Starting with a Question

Opening your speech with a question can be a great way to engage your audience from the start. This strategy encourages your listeners to think and become active participants in your presentation. Your opening question should be related to your core message, sparking their curiosity, and setting the stage for the following content. Here are a few examples:

For a motivational speech : “Have you ever wondered what you would do if you couldn’t fail?”
For a business presentation : “What’s the biggest challenge your team faces daily, and how can we overcome it?”
For an educational talk : “How does the way we use technology today impact the future of our society?”

When choosing the right starting question, consider your audience. You want to ask something that is relevant to their experiences and interests. The question should be interesting enough to draw their attention and resonate with their emotions. For instance, if you’re presenting to a group of entrepreneurs, gear your question towards entrepreneurship, and so on.

To boost your question’s impact, consider using rhetorical questions. These don’t require a verbal response, but get your audience thinking about their experiences or opinions. Here’s an example:

For an environmental speech : “What kind of world do we want to leave for our children?”

After posing your question, take a moment to let it sink in, and gauge the audience’s reaction. You can also use a brief pause to give the listeners time to think about their answers before moving on with your speech.

Acknowledging the Occasion

When starting a speech, you can acknowledge the occasion that brought everyone together. This helps create a connection with your audience and sets the stage for the rest of your speech. Make sure to mention the event name, its purpose, and any relevant individuals or groups you would like to thank for organizing it. For example:

“Hello everyone, and welcome to the 10th annual Charity Gala Dinner. I’m truly grateful to the fundraising committee for inviting me to speak tonight.”

After addressing the event itself, include a brief personal touch to show your connection with the topic or the audience. This helps the audience relate to you and gain interest in what you have to say. Here’s an example:

“As a long-time supporter of this cause, I am honored to share my thoughts on how we can continue making a difference in our community.”

Next, give a brief overview of your speech so the audience knows what to expect. This sets the context and helps them follow your points. You could say something like:

“Tonight, I’ll be sharing my experiences volunteering at the local food bank and discussing the impact of your generous donations.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective opening lines for speeches.

A powerful opening line will grab your audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your speech. Some effective opening lines include:

Start with a bold statement: “The world needs your creativity now more than ever.”
Share a surprising fact: “Did you know that the average person spends (…) years of their life at work?”
Pose a thought-provoking question: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
Tell a short, engaging story: “When I was 10 years old, I discovered my passion for baking in my grandmother’s kitchen.”

Can you provide examples of engaging introductions for speeches?

Use humor: “As a kid, I believed that 7 pm bedtime was a form of torture. Now, as an adult, I find myself dreaming of 7 pm bedtime.”
Share a personal experience: “On a trip to Italy, I found myself lost in the winding streets of a small village. It was there, amidst my confusion, that I stumbled upon the best gelato I’d ever tasted.”
Use an analogy: “Starting a new business is like taking a journey into the unknown. There will be challenges to overcome, and you’ll need resilience, determination, and a strong compass.”

Which speech styles can make a powerful impact on the audience?

Different speech styles will resonate with different audiences. Some styles to consider include:

Inspirational: Motivate your audience to take action or overcome challenges.
Storytelling: Share personal experiences or anecdotes to illustrate your points and keep listeners engaged.
Educational: Provide useful information and insights to help your audience learn or grow.
Persuasive: Present a compelling argument to convince your audience to adopt a particular perspective or take specific action.

How do successful speakers establish a connection with their listeners?

Establishing a connection with your listeners is key to delivering an impactful speech. Some ways to connect with your audience include:

Show empathy: Demonstrating understanding and concern for your audience’s feelings and experiences will generate a sense of trust and connection.
Be relatable: Share personal stories or examples that allow your audience to see themselves in your experiences, thus making your speech more relatable.
Keep it genuine: Avoid overrehearsing or coming across as scripted. Instead, strive for authenticity and flexibility in your delivery.
Encourage participation: Engaging your audience through questions, activities, or conversation can help build rapport and make them feel more involved.

What are some techniques for maintaining a friendly and professional tone in speeches?

To maintain a friendly and professional tone in your speeches, consider these tips:

Balance humor and seriousness: Use humor to lighten the mood and engage your audience, but make sure to also cover the serious points in your speech.
Speak naturally: Use your everyday vocabulary and avoid jargon or overly formal language when possible.
Show respect: Acknowledge differing opinions and experiences, and treat your audience with courtesy and fairness.
Provide useful information: Offer valuable insights and solutions to your audience’s concerns, ensuring they leave your speech feeling more informed and empowered.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in Leadership [Examples, Tips]
Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
Empathy: Definition, Types, and Tips for Effective Practice
How to Improve Key Communication Skills
Examples of Empathy (and 38 Empathy Statements)
What is Self Compassion? (Exercises, Methods, Examples)

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Five of the Best Speech Opening Lines

Great opening lines to a speech get us curious and can set the direction for a powerful talk. In those first few seconds you have the chance to gain your audience’s attention, earn their trust, and persuade them you are someone worth listening to. The best introductions to speeches are a mile away from the standard welcomes and thank yous that set the snoozometer to max. Get it right, and those initial words can captivate the crowd from the off, creating a connection with every individual in the room. But how do you go about opening your speech with something different and memorable? A great place to start is looking at examples of introductions to successful speeches to see what you can learn from them. To show you what we mean, we’ve picked some of our favourite opening lines from TED talks, home to some of the best conference speeches in the world. From funny stories to hard-hitting introductions, TED talks show the art of the possible when it comes to getting your speech off to a kick-ass start. Have a go at guessing the speaker, or the focus of the rest of their talk (hint…we give you the answers later on).

Do you want to improve your public speaking? Why not view our Public Speaking Courses !

Guess the Speech: Five of the best speech opening lines

Speech A: Good morning. How are you? It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. In fact, I’m leaving.

Speech B: For a long time, there was me, and my body. Me was composed of stories, of cravings, of strivings, of desires of the future. Me was trying not to be an outcome of my violent past, but the separation that had already occurred between me and my body was a pretty significant outcome. Me was always trying to become something, somebody. Me only existed in the trying. My body was often in the way.

Speech C: Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat.

Speech D: Okay, now I don’t want to alarm anybody in this room, but it’s just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar. (Laughter) Also, the person to your left is a liar. Also the person sitting in your very seats is a liar. We’re all liars. What I’m going to do today is I’m going to show you what the research says about why we’re all liars, how you can become a liespotter and why you might want to go the extra mile and go from liespotting to truth seeking, and ultimately to trust building.

Speech E: Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.

Giving a good introduction to a speech is key

Answers: Who delivered these great opening lines?

These examples pack a punch for very different reasons. There’s absolutely no chance of the audience zoning out when the speaker goes straight in with such a powerful start. So, who gave these speeches, and why are the introductions so good? Time for the big reveal….

A: Sir Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

Deceptively simple, the opening lines for this speech set the tone for what has become the most viewed TED talk of all (currently nearly 57 million views). Far from being just ‘throat clearing’, Sir Ken’s funny introduction cleverly paves the way for a talk that will gently but profoundly show us a new way of looking at education. It’s as if we are at a dinner party, being hosted by Sir Ken – he makes us feel comfortable, interested and open all at once. We are not being lectured to (which is always a possibility when education is the subject matter of choice), we want to learn and hear more. Very skilful indeed.

Ginger tip: funny introductions

Using humour in your introduction can be a great way to get your speech off to a flying start – but only if you do it in a way that feels natural. This example shows how you can make people laugh without telling a joke. It’s about finding your own funny and feeling totally comfortable with what you’re saying. If it feels a bit forced to you, it definitely will to your audience. You don’t have to make people roll around on the floor laughing, but light-hearted and amusing anecdotes can add energy and engagement to your talk – which is especially needed if you’re in the dreaded after-lunch slot . Remember, when you open your speech with something funny, you are setting the tone for the rest of your talk – so you’ll need to pepper humour throughout.

Extra Ginger nuggets

How to write a funny speech Funny inspiring speakers talks

B: Eve Ensler: Suddenly, my body

As you’d expect from a the writer of the Vagina Monologues, the start of this speech opening was profound, stark in its honesty and inviting. We empathize and want to know more. Unfortunately this speech suffered from a common affliction that writers face; in getting focused on the precise words of the speech (in this instance, Eve Ensler read her speech), we can get disconnected from the full power of the material. Whilst the words were powerful, we would have enjoyed the rest of this speech more if Eve had given herself permission to find the right words in the moment, rather than needing to be perfectly scripted.

Ginger tip: going unscripted

You want it to be perfect. You’re worried about forgetting something vital. You’re scared of doing it wrong. These are common and perfectly understandable reasons why people opt to script their speech and read it word for word. But rather than delivering a foot-perfect performance, you’re more likely to lose the vital connection with the audience. Not to mention risking plunging yourself into the dreaded ‘I’m sorry I’ve lost my place’ scenario. More than anything, people want you to be human and to speak from the heart. It takes confidence to ditch your notes, but with some simple techniques, you can prepare and remember your speech in a way that allows you to deliver a clear, compelling and authentic talk.

How to start a speech with power and confidence How to remember a speech without notes

C: Jamie Oliver’s TED Wish: Teach every child about food

This is one of our favourite ever TED talks, and it doesn’t pull its punches from the very first line. Jamie Oliver manages to balance preparation (statistics, stories, well-developed ideas) with heart in his TED talk. This speech opening line both makes our jaws drop to the ground in shock at such a statistic and opens our hearts to the human side of the story. Powerful stuff.

Ginger tip: punchy facts

Opening your speech with a hard-hitting fact can quickly add credibility to your talk and demonstrate the scale of an issue. It’s best to keep statistics simple and make them as relevant to the audience as possible, so it feels memorable rather than dry. Resist the urge to stuff the rest of the speech with stats. Try to stick to a few powerful facts and bring them to life with real examples.

Extra Ginger nuggets:

The key to presenting data…is not to present data How to make a powerful point with your speech

D: Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar

We love talks that balance humour and connect us to the subject matter in hand – and Pamela Meyer does this perfectly in her TED talk opening line. By bringing a challenge straight to us, in our very seats, Pamela engages us and makes sure the talk is about ‘me’ the audience member. We’re laughing and ready to listen. Great job.

Ginger tip: setting up a problem

Setting up a problem at the start of your speech immediately creates a reason for listening and a direction for your talk. And if you involve the audience in the problem, it’s even more powerful. It doesn’t have to be something completely new, in fact telling us what we already know and explaining why that’s a problem can be a really engaging way to start. Depending on the subject matter, you can frame the problem in different ways – from serious to humorous. And it gives a natural structure to the rest of your talk as you explore how to solve the issue.

The best way to engage your audience Five methods to master audience interaction

E: Ric Elias: 3 things I learned while my plane crashed

Wow, what an opening! Who wouldn’t want to know more? Ric Elias showed here how powerful it is to jump straight into a story, with no fussing around with thank yous and throat clearing. Unfortunately after the winning start, the rest of the talk lacked some of the gusto and drama of its opening lines. What can we learn from this? Start with power, but make sure you structure your talk to include a journey that will continue to keep us involved all the way through.

Ginger tip: start with a story

Stories are one of the most effective ways to inspire others. We’re hard wired to connect with stories and your experience of the world is one of the most valuable speaking tools that you possess. Telling a story is a popular way to open a speech because it can quickly build that all-important human connection with your audience. If you have a message that’s personal, or if you’re trying to influence your audience to make a change, a story is a great place to start.

Why is it so important to tell your story? 3 storytelling secrets for public speaking

Research the best speech opening lines before you start

Creating the best introduction for your speech

We hope these examples of great opening lines demonstrate that you don’t have to conform to the ‘safe’ introductions we’re all used to hearing at corporate conferences. In fact, at Ginger, we dare our speakers to rip up the ‘rulebook’, to be courageous, and to take a different approach to setting the scene. You can find even more tips in our free guide, The 10 best ways to start your talk . We’d love to hear your thoughts on these and other examples of great opening lines – so please share your ideas in the comments below.

Beyond introductions

Of course, it’s all very well creating a captivating introduction, but you don’t want the rest of your talk to fall off a cliff edge after you’ve built it up so spectacularly. Maintaining the audience’s attention for the rest of your speech is just as important. We’ve developed the TED-style Talk Guidebook to help you through the process of writing a brilliant speech. Whether you’re crafting a short talk or a keynote, it will help you create a speech that’s as good as a TED talk – so you can wow your audience from the first word to the final thank you. If you’d like to get hands-on support with becoming a better public speaker, then take a look at our training courses. There’s something for every level, from nervous beginners to becoming a leading speaker on the world stage. We’d love to welcome you along.

UK based? Here’s some courses that you might enjoy:

Presentation Skills and Essentials
Leadership and Communications
TED Talk Presentations

Ginger Leadership Communications

This showcase of inspiring female speakers is part of Ginger’s work with game changing leaders.

9 Killer Speech Openers to Start a Talk or Presentation.

Danny Riley 8 min read

What you’ll learn:

The importance of a “killer” speech opening.
9 powerful speech openers and how to use them.
Examples from great speakers you can learn from.

Great speech openers hook your audience.

“ Well begun is half done” – Mary Poppins.

A killer speech opener will make the difference between a presentation that makes you soar or your audience snore .

I’ve researched the whole web to find nine killer speech openers to make your audience lean in and listen rather than tune out and daydream.

You’ll see how masters of the craft have used them, and how you can too.

Number seven takes hutzpah to pull off. Ready for the whole list of killer speech openers?

The Shock Opener

One of the best ways to open your speech with a buzz is to startle or shock them.

You can shock an audience in many ways, but they all rest on the major senses of VAKS:

Kinesthetic (touch)

We don’t want your audience tasting your talk, but it should leave a good taste in their mouths.

Changing Minds suggests asking if the audience is awake after appearing from a flashbang and a cloud of smoke, and this might work for you if you’re a magician or playing some kind of character for your speech like a genie.

Suppose you aren’t going for the magic angle.

In that case, you can shock them on a psychological level instead, as Conor Neill recommends, and tell your audience a surprising fact or statistic that makes them question their thinking or beliefs.

“Did you know that half the water on earth is older than the sun?”

Questions like these will shake an audience awake and turn on their critical thinking nervous-system.

Don’t take my word for it; you can see an incredible demonstration of the shock opener in Mohammed Qahtani’s speech, The Power of Words .

Qahtani opens by taking out a cigarette and placing it into his mouth before trying to light it. The audience is so shocked that they gasp and tell him to stop.

Remember, if your audience is shocked, they are listening.

Your audience doesn’t always have to be jolted to attention with a shock opener, though you can use a more subtle approach to grab their focus.

Ready to speak with confidence ? Explore our training options...

The story opener.

You can set the tone of your speech instantly with a story .

In Hollywood, filmmakers and directors use an ‘establishing shot’ to set the tone and theme of the entire film.

When creating your speech, think of a short story that sums up your talk.

Maybe you tell half the story to begin with, and then the other half at the end.

The important thing is your tale must be relatable . If your audience can’t imagine themselves in the story, they won’t be engaged.

We all experience very similar things in life:

We all went to school and had a teacher we loved
We all have parents who loved us or made mistakes in our upbringing
We all had a first crush.

We are all cut from the same cloth, so it’s good to be reminded that others are going through what we face or think as we do.

Bryan Stevenson does a stellar job of recounting his mischievous grandmother in his TED talk, We need to talk about an injustice .

The best thing is, you can combine a story-opener with any other speech opener in this list.

It’s truly versatile.

One of my favourite speech openers is next, though.

The Intrigue Opener

I love this speech opener.

What better way to hook your audience than to intrigue them with mystery or a juicy secret?

Take a look at Daniel Pink’s TED Talk The puzzle of motivation . After he begins, Pink, looking like a guilty man sent to the gallows tells his audience:

“I need to confess something, at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something I regret. Something I’m not particularly proud of”.

Wow. How intriguing, right?

You have to admit; you want to know what he’s about to confess.

Choose every sentence, every word, and every mark of punctuation to increase the tantalisation temperature.

Whether it’s a secret or confession, the Intrigue Opener piques just enough curiosity in your audience to keep them from checking Whatsapp.

As humans, we need closure.

We do not like open loops.

That’s why it is both enthralling and aggravating when someone plays on our need to be sure.

Just as we cannot stand an open loop, we are instantly engaged when someone gives us a puzzle to solve.

You’ll notice the best speeches, books, tv shows, and films do not spoon feed you all of the information.

I’ve always liked the way Malcolm Gladwell writes his non-fiction books because they contain puzzles that you solve as a reader.

This puzzle needs to be related to the speech or presentation you’re delivering, of course. It cannot be a random puzzle and will ideally be impossible or extremely difficult to solve at first.

After the speech begins and the puzzle is revealed, you should slowly drop hints on how to solve the mystery.

Up next, speech openers that use a physical object to create curiosity in the audience’s mind.

The Prop Opener

One of the most potent ways you will captivate your audience is to use a powerful prop in your opening address.

What better way to capture an audience’s imagination than to show them a mysterious or beautiful object?

If you’ve never seen the Prop Opener done well, then take a look at one of the greatest speeches of all time:

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi’s, See Something .

Danajaya enters with a simple rose in his breast pocket, takes it out, gazes at it nostalgically, smells it and then begins to speak.

This same prop appears again right at the end of his speech to end his talk with a flourish.

There are many different props you can use.

JJ Abrams used a Mystery Box to absorb the audience’s attention and used the box as a metaphor for his entire career.

If you think the prop opener is just for TED Talks and Toastmasters Final Speeches, remember that most company product launch centre around one or more props.

Steve Jobs revealed his new products in ever-innovative ways.

Still, while the last two speeches I’ve mentioned opened with physical items, most of Jobs’s presentations built intrigue through the sight of the product.

So remember, you can use an object, or tease your audience with the absence of a prop, but make that prop integral to your talk.

You don’t always have to use a prop, of course.

A more minimalist approach to opening your speech uses the best audience reaction a speaker can receive: laughter.

The Funny Opener

Using laughter to win over your audience is the golden ticket to immediate rapport with your audience.

Jack Schafer, PhD at Psychology Today, said that People Will Like You If You Make Them Laugh , which seems obvious, but at least you know we have scientists on the case.

He also mentions that constructing humour requires and projects a high level of intelligence .

Of course, laughter is subjective, but it is also infectious, and if you get enough members of your audience to titter, it will spread across the whole group.

If you want to see just how quickly you can win an audience over with humour, take a look at Ken Robinson’s subtle but delightful ability to raise a chuckle in his speech Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Ken’s ability to speak conversationally to an audience of thousands is genuinely remarkable.

If you break down his humour, it is easy to see how you could include similar content in your presentations.

Whether you can pull it off as well as Ken is another story.

Not everyone feels like they can be a comedian, though; I get that.

Well, that’s alright because there are other ways to open your talk that play on other strong emotions.

You can inspire your audience too.

The Inspirational Opener

One of my favourite ways to help beginner speakers to open their presentation is with a quote.

A quote acts like a story in that it sets the tone and theme of your speech, but it takes much less effort and even less skill.

An effective quote is usually only one line long and supported by the credibility of the original author who uttered those words.

Watch the way Clint Smith opens his TED Talk The Danger of Silence .

Using Martin Luther King’s voice to start his speech gives Clint what psychologists call the transference effect .

Just by citing someone else, especially someone admired and famous, you redirect the emotions an audience have towards that person onto yourself.

One caveat to using quotes, though:

Fact check them . I cringe whenever I see someone incorrectly quoting someone.

Have you ever heard the quote by Albert Einstein:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results”?

A great quote, isn’t it?

But Albert Einstein never said those words .

A quick check on Reuters will help you add more credibility to your inspirational opener.

Finally, try to use a quote few people have ever heard. Inspiring words have been filling the archives of history for millennia, so seek out something that has been left dusty on the shelf rather than the same recycled iterations.

Next, let’s look at a type of bold speech opener that take real hutzpah to land well.

The Perspective Shift Opener

A powerful speech opener that will take confidence is the perspective shift opener.

This opener will lead the audience in one direction before changing direction and setting a new pace for the speech.

Cameron Russel does a fantastic job of controlling the frame in her TED Talk Looks aren’t everything. Believe me; I’m a model.

Russel takes to the stage dressed in a skimpy dress and begins to tell the audience about her career, but then does a rapid wardrobe change on stage in front of the entire audience.

This change of dress sets a new tone, feel, and direction for the speech.

If you can change the audience’s perspective or frame of reality, you are in the driving seat.

One of the best things you can hope for as a speaker is moving hearts and changing minds.

If you aren’t a confident speaker, start small.

Vanessa Van Edwards suggests never mentioning how nervous you are.

It’s distracting and makes the audience pick up on all the subtle nervous energy and cues you give off. Control the frame instead and act cool and confident: they will buy into it.

Another great way to hold frame control over an audience is by using the power of silence .

The Silence Opener

Silence is a valuable commodity in today’s noisy and distracting digital world.

Creating silence at the beginning of your talk can profoundly affect your audience and their focus.

Did you ever have a teacher at school who used silence effectively?

When my English classmates were noisy, our teacher Mr Rylance would hold up his hand in silence.

Slowly we would settle down and focus on his raised hand.

A few would giggle, but that would peter out until we all wrapt in a hypnotic stillness.

If you want to see an example of how to use silence, then look at Neal Glitterman’s speech The Power of Silence .

You can see how much gravity silence can have , especially as a speech opener.

The final killer opener I want to introduce you to is the big promise opener.

The Big Promise Opener

I believe that all speeches and presentations should contain a big promise as it tells your audience why they should keep on listening.

Ideally, your big promise will be your speech title or phrase that pays which is a recurring foundational phrase you will use throughout your presentation.

A big promise is your way of making a deal with the audience : you listen to me, and you’ll get something in return.

Creating a big promise at the beginning of your speech is like adding a teaser trailer to the beginning of a TV show. It suggests a reason you should stick around.

When Arthur Benjamin introduces his talk Faster than a calculator by announcing:

“I am a human calculator!”

You know that proof is on the way.

Remember the essential rule of the Big Promise Opener: make it big and keep your promise.

WOW your audience with these killer speech openers.

I hope you feel that I kept my promise of sharing nine killer speech openers to start a presentation.

Did you notice any other speech openers at the beginning of this article?

Don’t forget; these openers can be mixed and matched.

You can include a number of these speech openers in the same presentation to create more impact.

Let me know which of these killer openers was your favourite, and let me know if you have any more you’d like to share.

– Danny Riley

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50 Speech Opening Lines (& How to Create Your Own) l The Ultimate Guide

Hrideep barot.

Public Speaking , Speech Writing

Ask a million people how to start a speech with a bang and you will get a million different answers.

While some prefer to start their speech with the good old charm of a quote, others prefer to put on their hats of creativity to discover new ways to capture the attention of their audience.

So, yes! There’s not just one best way to start your speech with a bang but you have a whole spectrum of ways- each unique on its own!

Sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and relax as I highlight 50 Powerful Speech Opening Lines from some of the World’s Most Influential Speeches along with guidance on how to use each of these techniques in your next speech/presentation.

Alright, let’s dive in!

How to Start your Speech/Presentation?

The attention span of your audience is at its peak at the very beginning of your speech. Shouldn’t you use this to your advantage? Of course, yes!

A strong opening remark captures the attention of your audience, sets the theme of your speech, and most importantly, instills curiosity for the remainder of your speech in the minds of your audience.

Before we analyze each of these speech opening lines, let me provide you with a quick list of techniques (all of which we are going to discuss in great depth!) for you to start your speech/presentation:

1. Don't just "Say!" Sing A Song

2. Uniqueness of An Unpopular Opinion

3. the power of a prop, 4. quest of a question, 5. hint of humor, 6. share a story, 7. surprise, surprise, surprise, 8. foster interest with facts.

9. Let's Visualize with "Visuals"

10. Capture Interest with your Clothes

11. activity for the audience, 12. element of fear, 13. invite them into your imagination, 14. quintessential quality of a quote, 100 best speech opening lines (the ultimate resource), 1. don’t just “say” sing a song.

Now, you must be thinking that I’m crazy to even suggest this but hear me out.

Doing something entirely different on stage just makes you stand out from the usual crowd. Because let’s admit it, we expect the speaker to simply start talking and when the speaker does something different, it surprises us and makes us intrigued for the remainder of the talk.

Having said that, singing is any day a safer bet since we all love to swing by the music.

But, if you are not at all confident about your singing skills, don’t go for it! Instead, you can try channeling the power of poetry, something very similar to singing but still light on your vocal cords. Don’t be confused! We’ve written an entire article on Getting Your ‘Wordsworth’: Poetry in Public Speaking , just for you! Do check it out.

How to Use A Song as your Speech Opening?

Step 1: Pick a relevant yet famous song related to the theme of your speech/presentation

Step 2: Choose how you wish to use the song to present your point. Do you wish to agree with the lyrics? Or disagree with the lyrics?

Step 3: Pick a few lines (not more than 2-3 lines) that suits your theme the best

Step 4: Craft a statement to explain the connection of the song with the topic of your speech/presentation

Step 5: What are you waiting for? Go ahead, warm up your vocal cords, and start singing

Examples of Speeches that Used Songs as Speech Openings

1. it is okay not to have a plan by mithila palkar.

(Sings the Song) “Some of you must have seen the video of this song online, and I’ll tell you the story of how I made it.” Mithila Palkar

Budding Indian Actress and Singer, Mithila Palkar started her TED Talk by singing a Marathi Song, a song that went viral on the internet and made her famous.

Instead of simply talking about how she marked the transition from a viral singing star to a renowned actress, she made her audience live her journey by singing the exact same song.

Two things happened here:

Most of the audience members were able to recognize the song, which in turn, established her credibility as a speaker
The song hooked the audience from the very beginning of her talk

No matter how much we deny it, humans are judgemental beings!

We have expectations for every single thing on this planet and when someone challenges these expectations, we’re left shocked.

And as a result, they’ve all our attention. That is exactly my mantra here, “Shock the audience to get their attention!”

How to Use An Unpopular Opinion as your Speech Opening?

Step 1 : Ask yourself, “Who is my audience?” Look for the basic information on their average age, level of education, pre-conceived notions, and cultural background. Still confusing, right? The Importance of Knowing Your Audience When Delivering a Speech is an article that carries the step-by-step guide, just for you.

Step 2 : Based upon this audience analysis, figure out their set expectation regarding the topic you are about to deliver your speech on.

Step 3 : Shred that expectation by challenging that set expectation in your opening remark. Remember not to be offensive and play by the rule of your moral compass

Examples of Speeches that Used Unpopular Opinions As Opening Remarks

1. grit: the power of passion and perseverance by angela lee duckworth.

“ When I was 27 years old, I left a very demanding job in management consulting for a job that was even more demanding: teaching “ Angela Lee Duckworth

When using this strategy in your speech, it’s critical that you do your research so that you can come up with an unpopular viewpoint on the subject.

Present that unpopular viewpoint as your introductory words, and then gradually (it must be a progressive process) lead your audience to the realization, which is your speech’s main goal. Just like this speaker did!

Visuals overpower our auditory senses! Why not use it to the best of our advantage?

As our immediate reflex, we first see and then, listen. Bringing a unique prop/placard onto the stage would intrigue the audience even before you “actually” start speaking.

Without any further delay, let’s discuss the steps to use props/placards the right way.

How to Use A Prop/Placard as your Opening Remark?

Step 1: Prepare a list of props/placards that resonate the best with the theme of your speech/presentation. Don’t just bring anything on the stage!

Step 2: From this list, remove the generic options. For instance, if you are delivering a speech on environmental conservation, bringing a plastic bag on stage is too generic and won’t instill curiosity in the audience’s minds

Step 3: Now, out of all the relevant props/placards, which one do you think is the most convenient and affordable to bring on the stage? And, you have your answer!

Step 4: Once you have decided on the prop, craft a statement to establish the connection between the prop and the theme of your speech

Examples of Speeches that Used Props As Opening Remarks

1. why i live a zero waste life by lauren singer.

(brings a jar filled with waste and speaks) “This is all of the trash that I’ve produced in the past 3 years!” Lauren Singer

When you witness the speaker, Lauren, showcasing a jar filled with all of the trash that she has produced in the past three years, you can’t help wonder, “Is this for real?”

Because even the packaging of all the junk food items that we consume every week can easily overflood this jar.

Taking advantage of this embedded curiosity, Lauren structured the rest of her talk talking about all of the steps that she takes to lead a zero-waste life.

2. Plus-size? More Like My Size By Ashley Graham

(stands in front of a mirror and speaks) “You are bold, you are brilliant and you are beautiful. There is no other woman like you. You are capable…” Ashley Graham

Breaking the norms of a traditional speech, Ashley Graham, instead of staring at the audience, stares at a mirror and speaks a few lines on self-affirmation.

Let’s admit it, most of us are critical of our own bodies, and standing in front of a mirror, we tend to focus upon all the possible flaws.

To set an example of positive self-affirmation, Ashley Graham takes upon herself to set an example with the help of a live exercise.

3. 25 Chemistry Experiments in 15 Minutes By Andrew Szydlo

*does chemistry experiments* Andrew Szydlo

Watch this TED Talk and I’m sure you’ll find all the presence, of all those chemical equipment on stage, fascinating!

When the audience witnesses the efforts you are taking to deliver your talk, they are impressed and trust me, you are halfway there at capturing the attention of your audience.

Now, of course, it doesn’t mean that you put all your heart and soul into getting that perfect prop on stage.

If it’s not feasible, don’t! But if you can, that’s a great way to win your audience!

4. I See Something By Dananjaya Hettiarachchi

*smells flower* Dananjaya Hettiarachchi

In the previous example, we saw how bringing a grand prop captures the attention of our audience.

But the power of a prop goes WAY beyond this!

When a simple prop is connected with a meaningful yet unique message, the impact manifolds.

In this TED Talk, the speaker uses a rose to explain how each individual is unique in terms of his personality. A powerful message is delivered with the use of a simple prop.

A tried and tested trick that psychologists swear by to awaken the distracted minds is to “shoot a question”.

You could do that too in your next speech/presentation.

How to Use A Question As An Opening Remark?

Step 1: Think of all the questions that can help you to set the theme of your speech

Step 2: Make a point to not include close-ended questions and questions that are simply TOO GENERIC

Step 3: The last element that your question must include is the element of curiosity. The purpose is to make the audience curious enough to listen to your entire speech looking for answers to that question. But while you are at it, make sure you don’t overpromise and your speech does have the answers to that question.

Examples of Speeches that used Questions as Opening Remarks

1. every argument against veganism by ed winters.

“So, when I say the word ‘Vegan’ to you, what do you think of?” Ed Winters

Just by hearing this question, our first thought is to run all the possible definitions of veganism and the audience of this speech did the same.

This question is very clever and I’ll tell you why. So, every time a definition would come into the mind of any audience member, the speaker would be presenting his arguments against veganism forcing the audience to align their thoughts with his thought process.

Without any possible digression, the speaker Ed Winters presents his thoughts on Veganism in a convincing manner with the help of the rhetoric of questions.

Now, this type of question sends the audience on a possible quest for answers but that’s not the only purpose that this technique serves. Next in order, let’s look at how questions set the theme of a speech.

2. Why Do We Ask Questions? By Michael “Vsauce” Stevens

“What is the best type of cheese to use to catch a bear?” Michael “Vsauce” Stevens

In this TED Talk, the speaker uses this technique as a rhetorical question and answers this question with the help of a cheese pun.

Moving ahead, he goes on unearthing the science behind asking questions. So, it only made sense for him to begin his speech with a question too to set the overall vibe and theme of the topic.

3. Marriage Material By Nina Donovan

“So from a glance, do I look like marriage material?” Nina Donovan

In this TED Talk, we shall discover the strength of an interrogative remark in generating curiosity regarding the theme of your speech.

Since time immemorial, society has been setting “so-called” norms to determine if an individual is a potential marriage material (mostly, in the case of women).

To fit under this category of “marriage material”, one has to behave as per the so-called expectations of the society, and anything that defies the norm fails to fit in.

With the help of her powerful voice, the speaker here challenges the notion of this concept of “Marriage Material” and highlights the importance of individuality.

And by asking if the audience perceives her as marriage material, she surprises the audience while cultivating a sense of curiosity in them.

4. After watching this, your brain will not be the same By Lara Boyd

“So how do we learn? And why do some of us learn things more easily than others?” Lara Boyd

Admit it or not- we’ve always wondered why some people learn things better than us. What exactly is their secret?

And when you throw this question at the audience, they become intrigued to know this very secret with the help of your talk.

Curiosity is what makes us stick to the remainder of any talk. So, it’s high time we channelize it!

5. The Value of Asking Questions By Karen Maeyens

“Do you know the people that are asked the most questions? Have A Guess!” Karen Maeyens

An open-ended thought-provoking question like this forces the audience to activate their minds in the search for answers.

As they become more active, they listen better and focuses better on what you have to offer.

When Karen asked her audience who are the people that are asked the most questions, different minds pondered different answers and when she herself answered the question, those who thought of different answers were intrigued to listen to her justification and as a result of this, they stuck by!

6. Two Easily Remembered Questions that Silence Negative Thoughts By Anthony Metivier

“How would you like to completely silence your mind?” Anthony Metivier

We, humans, have restless minds- always pondering over something or the other.

So, what’s likely to happen when someone asks us if we would like to silence our minds? Ironically, we’ll be restless to know the answer. That’s what the speaker did through his TED Talk.

The next time you are giving a speech, you can consider opening it with a question that would result in a similar effect of restlessness in the minds of the audience.

For this to truly happen, make sure that your question is not generic. Otherwise, all your efforts will be in vain.

Ain’t we tired of listening to the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine”?

I’m sure we all are but the reason why it’s still so prevalent is because of its universality.

Of course, laughter is the best medicine to an opening remark too. It makes your audience laugh and who doesn’t love a good laugh? We all do!

Humor puts the minds at ease and makes you sound more human, because of which, the audience perceives you as a credible speaker.

How to Use Humor In An Opening Remark?

Step 1: Know your audience well. Your joke must resonate with them so as to make the desired impact. For instance, if you are addressing a school crowd and you make a joke about workplace communication mistakes. It won’t make the audience chuckle, would it?

Step 2: Puns? Self-deprecating humor? Or Funny Anecdotes? Identify the types of humor and figure out which one suits your personality in the best way. If you are not sure what types of humor are there and wish to seek a step-by-step guide on including humor in your presentation, make sure you read A Guide To Using Humor In Your Speech . Remember to choose the type of humor in alignment with your personality otherwise, it will look forced and won’t result in the impact you desired

Step 3: Step out and do a pilot survey! Try out the opener on a few folks who are similar to your target audience. Examine their reaction and, if required, adjust the joke

Step 4: Keep in mind that once you begin your speech with a pinch of humor, your audience will be expecting a few moments of laughter throughout the rest of your speech too. So, make sure you save 2-3 jokes (not more than that) for the remainder of your speech to meet those expectations

Examples of Speeches that used Humor in Opening Remarks

1. thoughts on humanity, fame and love by shah rukh khan.

“I’m a movie star. I’m 51 years of age. And I don’t use Botox as of yet.” Shah Rukh Khan

This TED Talk right here is the perfect case in point for you to witness all the four steps to humor (as discussed in the previous section) in action.

Known for his great performance in doing justice to a number of family roles in Bollywood films, the actor Shah Rukh Khan, in his TED Talk used the power of humor to make himself sound more human to align his talk with his perceived personality.

A humorous take on the drug, Botox, not only relates to the speaker’s professional credibility but also established the relatability quotient.

2. Ellen DeGeneres’ 86th Oscars Opening

“It’s been a tough couple of days for us. It has been raining. We’re fine. Thank you for your prayers.” Ellen DeGeneres

Two lessons on humor can be perfectly drawn from this talk:

Make sure you include humor when the event calls for it in its truest sense.

Since Ellen DeGeneres was hosting the Oscars Opening Ceremony, nobody expected her to be all serious in terms of her talk. The audience is expecting a more relaxed and chill vibe from the speaker.

So, starting her talk with a piece of humor not only sounded like a safer bet but also the most effective one.

Humor must align with the personality of the orator

What’s the thought that comes to your mind when you listen to the name, “Ellen DeGeneres”? I’m sure for most of us, it’s someone who’s great at presenting her opinions in a convincing manner with the help of comedy.

And that’s what you expect from her personality: Humor!

3. How Indian Parents Make You Tougher By Hasan Minhaj

“Do you know when brown kids get slapped? Every brown birthday party.” Hasan Minhaj

The element of surprise won’t work if your audience is familiar with what you are about to tell them.

So, make sure that you are addressing the right element of surprise to the right audience to make them chuckle. And Hasan Minhaj did it absolutely right!

In this TED Talk, Hasan Minhaj told a piece of surprising cultural information about Indian teens to the American Audience and not the Indian Audience (because they will be familiar with it and it won’t be a shock).

4. The Clues to A Great Story By Andrew Stanton

“A tourist is backpacking through the highlands of Scotland, and he stops at a pub to get a drink. And the only people in there is a bartender and an old man nursing a beer. And he orders a pint, and they sit in silence for a while. And suddenly, the old man turns to him and goes, “You see this bar? I built this bar with my bare hands from the finest wood in the county, gave it more care and love than my own child. But do they call me McGregor the Bar Builder? No.” Points out the window. “You see that stone wall out there? I built that stone wall with my bare hands. Found every stone, placed them just so through the rain and the cold. But do they call me McGregor the Stone Wall Builder? No” Points out the other window. “You see that pier on the lake out there? I built that pier with my bare hands, drove the pilings against the tide of the sand, plank by plank. But do they call me McGregor the pier builder? No. But you fuck one goat…” Andrew Stanton

When humor is combined with effective storytelling, a great laugh is expected from the intrigued minds sitting in the audience.

Remember how we used to tell small anecdotes as kids while telling any joke? That’s what needs to be done here.

Build up the curiosity with the help of a story and end that story by bringing in an element of surprise to make your audience chuckle. Unexpected humor is always welcome!

We’ve all grown up listening to bedtime stories.

As we approached our teenage years and adulthood, we switched to narrating anecdotes from our lives to our friends, family, and colleagues.

In a nutshell, it’s the stories that connect us and will continue to serve this very purpose.

Hence, it’s only fair for us to channel this magic of storytelling into our public speaking events as well.

How to Narrate A Story in An Opening Remark?

Step 1: Pick a story from your life or narrate something that happened to someone you know or simply form a gripping story. Whatever it might be, just make sure you are not exaggerating to come off as a relatable speaker. Most importantly, the story you choose has to be related to the theme of your speech

Step 2: Now that you have the story in mind, pick a narrative to design the structure of your story. Wait, don’t know what storytelling narrative structures are? Read 9 Storytelling Approaches For Your Next Speech or Presentation to know different ways to effectively narrate a story

Step 3: Use simple language while writing your story and be descriptive enough to help them imagine. Keep in mind that your audience should relate and it’s possible only when they can understand your story in its truest sense

Examples of Speeches that used Stories As Opening Remarks

1. life begins at the end of your comfort zone by yubing zhang.

“It’s a cold and foggy winter morning and I’m standing on the world’s tallest bungee platform. The platform I’m standing on is so tiny that I’ve to stand on my toes and balance myself against the wind…” Yubing Zhang

While highlighting how stepping out of one’s comfort zone is crucial, the speaker narrates a personal anecdote of her bungee-jumping experience.

To form a connection with the overall theme, she goes on to narrate how one bungee cord leap taught her the biggest lesson of her life.

Through the remainder of her talk, she then focuses upon sharing her lessons and guidance on how one can step out of his/her comfort zone to facilitate personal growth.

2. How to Figure Out What You Really Want By Ashley Stahl

“It was 2:45 pm on a rainy friday in Los Angeles. My dad was just brewing a cup of coffee in the kitchen when he answered a call from an unknown number…” Ashley Stahl

While the previous example on storytelling taught us to build a connection with the overall theme of our speech, this TED Talk by Ashley Stahl teaches the significance of body language and voice modulation in effective storytelling.

Observe how she narrates this story with effective pauses and uses inflection to create a sense of drama and suspense.

That’s something we all should keep in consideration while narrating any story.

Storytelling is only effective when conveyed properly with the help of facial expressions, body language, and vocal tonality. This is all done to appeal to the sentiments of the audience because eventually, it is what will make our talk all the more persuasive.

3. How “SHE” became an IAS Officer By Surabhi Gautam

“My story starts from a small, sleepy village of Madhya Pradesh with a population of barely a thousand people…” Surabhi Gautam

You don’t necessarily have to focus all your energy on writing your story with a proper build-up.

If you are using a story to build your credibility as a speaker as well as intrigue your audience, one simple way could be to just begin your speech with something as simple as, “My story starts from…”

Just like this speaker did!

Nothing fancy, nothing over the board but still manages to captivates the interest of the audience because of the following reasons:

She communicates in the language of people by using simple words
Starting with something like, “My story starts from…” sent an indication that she’s about to narrate the story of her life and as a matter of fact, we all are intrigued naturally to listen to different people’s life stories

4. Speaking Up Without Freaking Out By Matt Abrahams

“Panic. Embarassed. Exposed. No, that’s not how I’m feeling right now. Those are the feelings I had when I was a fourteen year old boy…” Matt Abrahams

Let’s be honest for a moment- we all have been through the feeling of “Panic, Embarrassed, Exposed” (just how Matt puts it) when asked to speak on stage.

By narrating a story that most of the audience members can relate to, Matt won the hearts of a majority of his audience members and established his credibility as a speaker.

5. The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything By Josh Kaufman

“Two years ago my life changed forever. My wife and I welcomed our daughter Lela in the world…” Josh Kaufman

“This has been the turning point of my life”

How do you feel when someone says something like this to you? Intrigued to know more?

This is the power that the speaker used here. He narrated a story of how being a parent changed his life and eventually, relates this experience to the topic of his speech, which to be honest, is fascinating to witness!

6. The Happy Secret to Better Work By Shawn Achor

“When I was seven years old and my sister was just five years old, we were playing on top of a bunk bed. I was two years older than my sister at the time — I mean, I’m two years older than her now — but at the time it meant she had to do everything that I wanted to do, and I wanted to play war. So we were up on top of our bunk beds. And on one side of the bunk bed, I had put out all of my G.I. Joe soldiers and weaponry. And on the other side were all my sister’s My Little Ponies ready for a cavalry charge. There are differing accounts of what actually happened that afternoon, but since my sister is not here with us today, let me tell you the true story –“ Shawn Achor

A descriptive story narrated using stylistic language has the strength to move the audience and immerse them into a fictional world.

In terms of storytelling, this technique is by far the most effective yet simplest way.

It’s commonly used while giving out persuasive speeches as it helps the speaker to align the audience’s thoughts with the speaker’s point of view. That’s what Shawn did through the help of his childhood story.

Of course, we all love surprises. Who doesn’t, right?

So, here’s a crazy idea! Why not surprise your audience with your opening remark?

Here’s how you can do so.

How to Surprise your Audience through your Opening Remark?

Option 1: Go up on that stage, say something totally unexpected and blow the minds! Now, your job doesn’t end here. Once you are done speaking your opening remark, provide your audience as to why you said what you said and what more are you going to offer through the rest of your content. Look at the first example in the next section to see its application.

Option 2: Another thing that you can do is to tell your audience something completely unknown related to the topic of your speech. Something that would make them go like, “Wait, what?” You can either present a shocking piece of information, an unknown taboo of that culture, or even a shocking habit of that cultural population.

Option 3: Tell something unknown not about the culture you are talking about but about yourself. We as humans are always attracted to gossip about other people’s lives. Of course, the audience would be interested in knowing something shocking about your life. But through the content of your speech, do remember to build that connection with your speech.

Examples of Speeches that Surprises its Audience through its Opening Remarks

1. how to start a speech by simon lancaster.

“Who wants to get high? Yeah, you up for some? Should we really get this party started?” Simon Lancaster

Who comes up on stage and asks the audience, “Who wants to get high?”

It’s purely unexpected and shocking!

But in this TED Talk, as the speaker focuses upon highlighting the steps to crafting a strong opening remark (just like we are discussing at this moment), he took it upon himself to use this very element of surprise to capture the audience’s attention.

2. Why I Don’t Use A Smart Phone By Ann Makosinski

“The last time I used a flip phone was 3 hours and 24 minutes ago.” Ann Makosinski

Now, after listening to her opening remark, do you want to know why is she still using a flip phone in the 21st Century? (At least, I do)

And that is the strength of a strong opening remark.

After generating this needed curiosity in the minds of her audience, the speaker focused the remainder of her talk telling these reasons to the audience, one by one.

So, yes! We can safely say that starting our speech with an unpopular opinion is an elegant yet simple way to kick-start our speech.

3. How to Control Emotion and Influence Behavior By Dawn Goldworm

“I can control your emotions and influence your behaviour without showing you anything, without touching you and without saying a word to you.” Dawn Goldworm

Hearing this opening remark is not just shocking but scary too!

I’m sure, just like me, you wish to unearth this secret to control and influence behavior so that you can control minds too.

It’s natural for you to listen to the remainder of the talk for this sole reason.

This way, capturing the attention of her audience was made easy for the speaker, Dawn Goldworm.

4. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable By Luvvie Ajayi Jones

“I’m a professional troublemaker!” Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Listening to this opening remark, “what is your reaction?”

Are you thinking how exactly is she a troublemaker just like me? If yes, then the speaker has successfully inculcated this curiosity in us.

But what we all are also wondering is what does that have to do with the theme and the speaker does establish this connection in her follow-up statement right after her opening remark.

So, make sure the next time you are out there presenting a shocking remark, do follow it up with context, always.

5. How to Spot A Liar By Pamela Meyer

“Okay now, I don’t want to alarm anybody in this room, but it’s just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar. Also, the person to your left is a liar.” Pamela Meyer

While delivering a TED Talk on “How to Spot A Liar”, Pamela begins by spotting a few liars from the audience itself making everyone think, “How did she do that?”

And naturally, with minimum efforts, she lured her audience in to listen to her entire talk as she unfolds different ways in which we all can spot a liar.

6. The Art of Being Yourself By Caroline McHugh

“So, the chances are you have looked in at least one mirror today. You’ve had a shave or you combed your hair or maybe you checked your teeth for spinach after lunch, but what you didn’t know is the face that you’re looking at is not the face that everyone sees.” Caroline McHugh

A shocking way to surprise your audience is to simply begin with some obvious observations and follow them up with a unique observation about the very same things- leaving them surprised by catching them completely off-guard.

To get better at this technique, draw some inspiration from this TED Talk by Caroline McHugh as she does a similar thing.

It is so far the easiest way to start your speech with a bang!

Present a fact to elicit the shock value in the minds- be it positive or negative.

But incorporating the right fact in the right way is an art in itself. Let’s dive right into it!

How to Use Facts as your Opening Remark?

First things first, make sure that your fact is not too generic. It has to be shocking in one way or the other to grip the audience’s attention.

Step 1: Present the fact using simple language. Avoid using technical terms here.

Step 2: Take a pause, give the audience a moment to ponder over it (But don’t wait for TOO LONG!). Next, present an extension of that fact, if you have any, or simply break down the fact by telling the audience how does this fact affects them. Give them the reasons.

Examples of Speeches that used Facts as its Opening Remarks

1. can we not let our breakups break us by tasha jackson.

“I want you all to know that you are loved because today we can be surrounded by so many people but feel profoundly alone. 68% of Gen Z feels like nobody knows them. An average American has only one close friend and one in four feels like no one.” Tasha Jackson

While presenting facts, it’s important that we go from covering a larger umbrella to the smaller one

This way, the audience knows the exact way in which they are getting affected by this piece of information.

That’s exactly how the speaker, Tasha, rolled her TED Talk.

Once the audience was aware of the intensity of how breakups are affecting each one of them, they were all the more intrigued to know how they can not let breakups affect them to such a drastic extent.

It is this incentive that made the listeners pay attention to her talk as she unfolded all the solutions to this, one by one.

2. How to Increase Love in Your Relationship By Jonathan Ljungqvist

“In Sweden, where I come from, we have 40 thousand marriages a year and each year we have around 20 thousand divorces.” Jonathan Ljungqvist

Create the illusion of an audience poll with your piece of fact, just like this speaker did in his TED Talk.

After highlighting the drastic extent of failed marriages in Sweden, Jonathan took a pause to let that information sink in and in his follow-up statement, he started shooting a few questions at the audience.

After waiting for a few seconds (2-3 seconds is the ideal time duration to wait), Jonathan answered and highlighted the problem at hand.

This made the audience respect and agree with his fact, all the way more.

Through the remainder of his talk, he then went on highlighting the steps to increase love in any relationship.

3. I See Dead People: Dreams and Visions of the Dying By Dr. Christopher Kerr

“I read a recent survey, and what Americans fear most is public speaking and dying.” Dr. Christopher Kerr

How do we perceive death as an individual? It’s a question that most of us have a unique answer to.

In an attempt to establish the relevance of his topic, the speaker uses a fact that highlights how feared death is.

It’s what capitalized the attention of the audience and forced them to listen to what different perspectives he had to offer on the topic from a medical standpoint.

4. Saudi Arabia: Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj

“Saudi Arabia has been engulfed in a massive diplomatic crisis over the gruesome killing of Washingto Post Journalist Jamal Khashoggi” Hasan Minhaj

Now, stating facts doesn’t mean that you just go on telling statistical figures. It also includes different pieces of information, particularly news events!

In this talk, Hasan Minhaj recalls one such news event to set the theme of his talk.

Recalling news events makes our talk relevant while establishing the context. It signifies that as a speaker you are up-to-date with the information that you have to offer. So, the audience looks forward to hearing a talk devoid of redundancies.

5. Can We Not Let Our Breakups Break Us By Tasha Jackson

We live in a world where dating is the equivalent of buying a new pair of shoes.

Very often, with each dating experience comes the trauma of heartbreaks. As the speaker in this TED Talk rightly said, “breakups break us”.

But how to overcome it has always been a flaming question, particularly among the teens.

But to bring to light the intensity and ever-increasing prevalence of the situation, the speaker took the help of the statistics.

6. Teach Every Child About Food By Jamie Oliver

“ Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat. “ Jamie Oliver

Here, while throwing light upon an alarming issue (hunger), the speaker considered presenting harrowing stats to get that desired ‘concerned mood’.

Similarly, when you wish to highlight an opportunity (say, the positive side of social media), present positive stats showcasing the success of people through social media.

9. Let’s Visualize with “Visuals”

Visuals are always gripping and easy on our minds.

Show respect towards your audience by giving them a needed break from the monotony of “just listening”.

Be a respite and engage them through the power of visuals for a change. Here’s exactly how you can do this.

How to Connect Visuals with your Opening Remark?

Step 1: Get in touch with the tech team of your public speaking event and see if the needed technical support is there to facilitate the screening of an image/video.

Step 2: Now, find a visual interesting enough to arise the curiosity but not too generic to make it too predictable for the audience- all related to your theme.

Step 3: Craft a short, concise, and to-the-point follow-up statement to explain the relevance of that visual using simple language.

Examples of Speeches that used Visuals as Opening Remarks

1. don’t believe everything you think by lauren weinstein.

*shows picture of an elephant.* Lauren Weinstein

In this TED Talk, Lauren draws a beautiful comparison between elephants and the nature of humans by showcasing a few visuals.

She does this through the use of storytelling. Narrating how despite all the strength an elephant has, it doesn’t attempt to break its chains of captivity.

After establishing this, she goes on to connect this act with the thesis of her speech, that is, how one should not always believe everything they think.

What we can take away from this TED Talk is, when visuals are effectively supported by storytelling and the rhetoric of drawing comparison, the impact increases manifold.

2. The History of Our World in 18 Minutes By David Christian

*plays a video about scrambled eggs* David Christian

In this unique TED Talk, David Christian explains the origin of the history of our world through the video of a scrambled egg. Unique, isn’t it?

That is exactly what we need to learn here.

We don’t necessarily need to find a visual that directly relates to the theme of our speech. Instead, we can go for a visual that we can use as an aid to explain a similar topic, that is, the theme of our speech.

3. How Breathing and Metabolism are Interconnected By Ruben Meerman

*shows image of himself in the sea* Ruben Meerman

This TED Talk right here is an example of how you can establish a direct correlation between the visual and your topic- all through the use of storytelling.

Ruben Meerman began his speech by showing a few pictures of himself to talk about his health transformation.

When the audience witnessed the transformation right in front of their eyes, they were curious to know the secret behind it so that they can apply it to their respective lives.

That’s the power of a gripping visual!

YES! You read it right.

No matter how shallow it sounds but the outfit is the first thing we notice every time a speaker walks up that stage.

And if you are dressed differently than the rest of the speakers, you naturally capture the eyes of your audience.

By this, I don’t mean that you go to a branded store and buy the most expensive outfit from there and wear it for your event. What I mean is to put serious thought into deciding what to wear for your event.

Ideally, one should go for an outfit that is unique yet related to the theme of your speech but doesn’t hurt the dress code of the event too. Here’s how.

How to Connect Clothes with your Opening Remark?

Step 1: The most basic step is to check with the admin if there is any particular dress code that the speakers need to adhere to. If not, feel free to put on your hat of creativity by following the next steps

Step 2: Pick an outfit that connects with the theme of your speech but is still unique enough for the audience to go like, “Wait, what outfit is this?”

Step 3: Go on the stage wearing that outfit, take a pause, let the audience wonder. After a meaningful silence of 2-3 seconds, start speaking. Open up by telling the audience the significance of the outfit that you are wearing

Examples of Speeches that Connect Clothes with Opening Remarks

1. we are all different- and that’s awesome by cole blakeway.

(comes on stage weaing two different pair of socks and shoes) “Hi, my name is Cole and over the next few minutes, I’m going to teach you that it’s okay to be different. Since a young age, I’ve worn different colored socks and two different shoes.” Cole Blakeway

Fascinating opening remark, isn’t it?

Something as simple as wearing different pairs of socks can instill curiosity and help the speaker make his point, “we all are different”.

Since biblical times, we as humans try to fit in different situations. Be it a workplace, college, or even a social gathering for that matter.

In this TED Talk, Cole attempts to shed light on the lesson of embracing our true selves and how there’s nothing wrong with being different.

The tone of such a powerful talk was set just by wearing different pairs of socks.

2. Looks aren’t Everything. Believe me, I’m a Model By Cameron Russell

(switches to a different outfit and speaks) “This is the first outfit change on the TED Stage, so you guys are pretty lucky to witness it, I think.” Cameron Russell

Of course, the traditional way to pull this technique off is to come on stage wearing a unique outfit.

But Cameron Russell finds her very own unique way of a live outfit change wherein she brings a wrap-around skirt and wears over her dress to make a simple point that appearance is not everything, it goes way beyond that.

Seeing a model by profession mark this unlikely outfit transition made the audience trust her thesis all the way more.

They say that communication is a two-way street.

Yet, more often than not, we forget to keep this in mind during all the public speaking events.

We tend o go on speaking and speaking. While sometimes we manage to keep the audience interested, the rest of the time we simply bore the audience to sleep.

To save you here, an easy bet is to organize an activity for your audience towards the very beginning of your speech.

How to Connect An Audience Activity with your Opening Remark?

Step 1: Familiarize with your audience. What’s the average age of your audience? What’s their educational and work background? Getting these basic details will help you structure an activity that would ensure maximum participation from them. For instance, if you are addressing a bunch of school students, your activity can involve more physical exercises and less mental exercise. Also, ask yourself, “What is the size of my audience?” This will help you decide on the extent of interactivity.

Step 2: Find an activity that is not too basic. Your activity should make the audience curious about your content. Something that makes the audience wonder, “What does this activity have to do with the theme?” But then they are left amazed as soon as you begin to connect the relevance of the activity with your speech.

Step 3: Don’t make it TOO LONG! Keep it short and sweet.

Step 4: Write a vivid description of the steps involved in the activity so that the audience is not left confused about what to do.

Examples of Speeches that Used Audience Activities as Opening Remarks

1. are you a giver or a taker by adam grant.

“I want you to look around the room for a minute and try to find the most paranoid person here and then I want you to point that person out for me. (waits and then says) Okay, don’t actually do it.” Adam Grant

Given that Adam’s audience was comprised of more adults, he made them perform a mental exercise as it’s most likely for them to participate in a mental exercise rather than expecting them to move up their seats to do something.

And that’s what happened. The audience participated! Because all they had to do was simply move their heads around to find out a paranoid person.

Most importantly, the activity wasn’t too generic for the audience for them to predict its relevance. So, it made them curious enough to listen to the remainder of Adam’s TED Talk to witness him unravel its relevance.

2. Girl Up: The Secrets to an Extraordinary Life By Courtney Ferrell

“Okay, I need a favor. I need all the girls who are between the age of 17 and 24 to stand up.” Courtney Ferrell

Audience Matters! I know, I’ve been saying this A LOT but it’s the key to a great speech opening.

Even in this TED Talk, the speaker made all the girls between the age group of 17 to 24 stand up since she knew that more than 50% of her audience would stand up.

It’s a win-win situation, I’ll tell you how.

When Courtney confessed that she’s about to tell the secret to channel the creative spirit of women and how to empower them.

Those who stood up felt directly connected to the theme and the rest were curious enough to know the secret to see if it can benefit them or someone they know.

3. What It’s Like To Grow Up Desi in 2019 By Hasan Minhaj

“Alright, real quick- say your full name and then say the way white people say your name. So, my name is Hasan Minhaj. I would get a Ha-sen Min-haj-a” Hasan Minhaj

Two important lessons here, my friends!

Interactivity is Influential

Since Hasan was addressing a comparatively smaller crowd of around 7 teens, he could incorporate an interactive activity, giving each of his audience members an opportunity to speak.

Lead the Activity Ladder

Before asking each of his audience members to speakers, Hasan himself initiated the act of participation from his end.

This way, the audience was all the more thrilled to speak.

Because when you participate, your audience sees it as an incentive and feels more confident to participate seeing that you as a speaker are making an effort too.

4. How to Triple your Memory By Using This Trick By Ricardo Lieuw On

“So, I have a little test for you. Don’t panic, I’m not here to judge you…” Ricardo Lieuw On

“Awaken the competitive nature of your audience members!” This should be your motto here.

But first, make sure that you are clear with the explanation of the rules so that it’s easier for everyone to follow.

Look how the speaker has introduced a competitive activity here to awaken the minds.

This serves two purposes:

Your audience is intrigued to listen to the rest of your talk
Even if a few members are distracted, you can win them back

Do you remember all the times when your mom used to make you eat green vegetables by instilling some sort of fear?

Be it the fear of dull skin or even poor eyesight for that matter, it eventually made you take that action.

Isn’t this aim of public speeches too? To persuade the audience to take some action after your speech ends? A hundred percent, yes!

So, let’s jump into how we can incorporate fear in our speech opening to make our audience listen to us.

How to Use Fear as your Opening Remark?

Step 1: At the fear of reiterating myself, “Begin with analyzing your audience”. The Best Guide to Audience Analysis is an article for you to help you do just that.

Step 2: Done with analyzing your audience after reading the article? Now, make a list of their potential fears related to the theme of your speech.

Step 3: Figure out that one fear that is not too triggering. Here, ask yourself, “If I were to listen to this, would I be triggered to a huge extent?” If the answer is yes, leave that fear and choose one that is slightly less triggering but

Examples of Speeches that used Fear as its Opening Remarks

1. why the secret to sucess is setting the right goals by john doerr.

“We’re at a critical moment Our leaders, some of our great institutions are failing us.” John Doerr

While highlighting how important it is to set the right goals for development, John Doerr begins his speech by pointing at how the institutions are failing their citizens by setting the wrong objectives.

When you are told that someone is failing you, you feel a sense of disappointment, and you are naturally drawn to know the reason behind it to figure out if there’s something you can do to improve the situation.

This is the exact feeling that we are going for here!

In this technique, we are looking forward to getting our audience to daydream without boring them.

This art of imagination works the best for persuasive speeches. Here’s how!

While delivering a persuasive speech, our aim is to align the audience’s thoughts with our thought process but there needs to be a bridge, right? A bridge that the audience can take to step into your thought process.

This bridge is the art of imagination.

How to Use Imagination as your Opening Remark?

Step 1: Decide the emotion that you want your audience to feel. Do you wish to go for a negative emotion or a positive one? My suggestion for you would be to go for a negative one since negative emotions overpower the positive ones, psychologically speaking.

Step 2: Once you have decided on the type of emotion, craft a descriptive outline for the piece of imagination that is related to the theme of your speech.

Step 3: Using simple yet descriptive language, write down your piece of imagination. Remember to write in a chronological order detailing each and every step otherwise your audience won’t truly immerse in that imaginary world. To explain to you in simpler terms, if a few steps are missing from the bridge, you cannot walk to reach the other side, can you?

Step 4: Focus the rest of your speech telling the audience what to do to avoid the situation (in case of a negative imagination) and what to do to reach the situation (in case of a positive imagination).

Examples of Speeches that used Imagination as Opening Remarks

1. the barrier between us by tvisha bandhu.

“Picture this. You’re in the MRT, you’re scrolling through your phone, and you take notice of this lady walking through the cabin saying ‘hello, hello.'” Tvisha Bandhu

This speech is the perfect example of how one can kick start his speech through the power of closed imagination (one wherein you provided step-by-step details on what to imagine).

Look how the speaker, Tvisha Bandhu, uses her body posture and gestures to emote every sense of feeling encompassed within that imagination.

It works perfectly in sync with her descriptive writing. It’s so descriptive that she has even written the exact dialogues for the characters involved in her imagination such as “Hello, Hello” for the lady who walked through the cabin.

Descriptive writing backed by powerful body language and vocal tonality can increase the impact manifold.

2. Why Do We Fear Speaking On Stage? By Pratik Uppal

“If I ask you to come on the stage right now & deliver a speech, think what kind of excuses would you come up with.” Pratik Uppal

The second example is of an open imagination.

You don’t necessarily need to provide step-by-step details for the audience to make them imagine a situation

One easy way is to simply tell them to ponder over their reaction to a particular situation and then, go on providing a brief of what exact situation they are put in.

In this TED Talk, the speaker asked the audience to imagine all the excuses that they can come up with to dread a public speaking event. Now, pause! Even you think! I’m sure you too can come up with many without anyone telling you what to imagine exactly.

This is what we call open imagination. Widespread usage of this technique can be seen in movies with open endings wherein the end is treated as possibly the beginning.

3. The Surprising Secret that Solves your Problems Quickly By Collins Key

“Imagine if you could take your brain and turn it inside out and then have access to the information to be able to virtually solve any problem. It sounds pretty cool, right?” Collins Key

In the previous sections, we discussed the examples for two commonly-used types of imagination- open and closed.

Here, we shall discuss an example of how you can ask the audience to imagine something out of the world.

If you are a Potter-head, you know the strength that this technique entails. The entire series is based upon fiction encompassing a world where everything goes larger than life, even life itself but you still can’t seem to snap out of it because you are that engrossed.

In this TED Talk, Collins opened up his talk with one such piece of imagination wherein he asked the audience to imagine how would they feel if they could simply take their brain out and turn it inside out to find a solution in the blink of an eye instead of spending hours overthinking for it.

Fascinating, right? This intrigued the audience to listen to the rest of his speech in the search of a secret to solve their problems in the quickest way possible.

4. How to Present to Keep your Audience’s Attention By Mark Robinson

“Imagine it’s Wednesday 28th of August, 1963 & we’re in the United States Of American, specifically Washington DC.” Mark Robinson

Imagination is only effective if you catering the right piece of imagination to the right audience.

Now, take the example of this TED Talk. Had this TED Talk been delivered to an audience who is not aware of the significance of the person being spoken about, Martin Luther King Jr, his speech would have been totally ineffective.

So, make sure that whatever piece of imagination you have to offer is within the understanding of your audience.

This technique doesn’t require any fancy introduction.

For the longest time, great orators have been starting their respective speeches with one quote or the other to persuade their audience through the art of rhythm.

But the inclusion of this technique as an opening remark is easier said than done. Make sure you follow the steps in the next section.

How to Use A Quote as an Opening Remark?

Before we begin, remember not to use a quote that is too common. Use a quote that is less heard of!

Option 1: The easiest and safest bet is to use a famous quote related to the context of your speech. If the propounder of that quote is associated with the topic of your speech in one way or the other, it’s even better since it establishes the credibility of the quote.

Option 2: The other effective way is to make a quote of your own instead of relying upon someone else’s quote. It’s simpler than it sounds. An easier hack is to use alliteration (occurrence of similar sound at the beginning of adjacent words in a phrase) in the phrase you wish to highlight as your opening remark. For instance, even the title of this section, “Quintessential Quality of A Quote” uses this technique. Read Getting Your ‘Wordsworth’: Poetry in Public Speaking to know how exactly you can write a quote using alliteration and similar techniques.

Examples of Speeches that Used Quotes as Opening Remarks

1. increase your self-awareness with one simple fix by tasha eurich.

Tennessee Williams once told us, “There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is what you’ll ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in mirrors.” Tasha Eurich

To see the application of the first alternative in action, watch this TED Talk by Tasha Eurich.

While using someone else’s quote, attribution to the speaker is necessary. You can do so by simply saying something like, “As NAME OF THE SPEAKER rightly said…” Nothing too fancy, simplicity works the best.

Talking about the credibility of the original speaker of the quote, since this TED Talk is focused upon “Self-awareness”, it made Tennessee Williams who was a great playwright in Hollywood, a credible speaker to trust.

2. Mistakes Make the Man By Mathew George

“Man makes mistakes & mistakes make the man.” Mathew George

Now, let’s talk about making a quote on our own. Shall we?

The most basic step we discussed under the “how-to” section was alliteration and that’s what the speaker, Mathew George, used in the creation of his opening remark too.

Alliteration provides a rhythm to your speech opening line and makes you sound persuasive naturally.

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We hope that you have found some value here in your journey as a public speaker!

If you wish to know about more such amazing speech opening lines, make sure you check out 15 Powerful Speech Opening Lines (& How to Create Your Own) .

Not just that! We’ve written a similar article on 50 Speech Closing Lines (& How to Create Your Own) l The Ultimate Guide . Make sure you read that to END YOUR SPEECH WITH A BANG!

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Speech Jokes

One day, albert einstein was on his way to a science convention for a speech., what is the difference between a joe biden speech and a donald trump speech, my oscars speech, what’s the difference between someone who doesn’t understand figures of speech, and a burglar, why don't birds prepare for speeches, stalin was giving a speech, i’ve always believed that a good speech is like a girls mini skirt…, a man with a speech impediment sits down for a job interview, melania trump's speech, stalin is giving a speech, and someone sneezes., my last best man's speech was like the marriage.

This joke may contain profanity. 🤔

Stalin is giving a big public speech...

It was getting crowded in heaven one day, so saint peter decided for one day to only accept people who could make him laugh., vladimir putin confronts his speechwriter after giving a speech., when i was a child a police officer came to our school and gave a speech on drugs., in 1940 goebbels made a speech..., a soviet joke about censorship that i found in my school book, a dwarf with a speech impediment goes into a stud farm, 'i'd like to buy a horth' he says to the owner of the farm., an environmentalist was giving a speech and told his audience that if we continue on our present course all life on earth will be gone in 50 years, student: can i borrow a pencil, what did melania trump say to her speech writer, a small person with a speech impediment was thinking about purchasing a mare for his stable., stalin is giving a speech in front of a large audience., in a speech two days ago, prime minister theresa may has announced that she plans to delay brexit, in the hopes that the uk leaves with her deal on 22 may, so my friend told me he needed some help to recognize speech..., what speech did abraham lincoln give when he went to italy, why is reddit the best place for freedom of speech, i don't understand why obama has to give his speeches behind bullet proof glass., a three legged chicken. (said in a ronald reagan speech.), how do i know china has free speech, a racist man called me a terrorist for having long hair, a long beard, and being middle eastern., speech therapy needed, i just heard a speech on how to use your eyelids, there is freedom of speech in china, a shy priest greets the wedding guests to the chapel. he's very nervous and doesn't say much., what did gordon ramsey say to the lion with a speech impediment, einsteinium, free speech in china, which monster is best at paying attention to a speech, the elder statesman was giving his farewell speech., to be fair hillary once took someone's speech., america is racist, dwarf with a speech impediment wants to buy a horse, joseph stalin was giving a speech in front of his comrades, joseph stalin is giving a speech to his army., what's an italian chef's favorite speech, three men enter a bar in the ussr. one says, "why did stalin only write in lowercase" the other one says, "because he was afraid of capitalism.", the last time i did any public speaking was the valedictorian speech in high school., a man giving a long-winded speech finally says,…., what math class does a tree with a speech disorder take, nobel award winning physicist and his limo driver, i gave an emotional speech at my conjunctivitis support group the other day., my eight year old nephew said he had a joke:, during stalin's speech, someone has sneezed, greta thunberg should really mention this sub reddit in her next public speech, donald trump had a great inauguration speech, political speeches are like steer horns: a point here, a point there,, free speech, 11 people on a rope, what happened to the kitchen robber with a speech impediment, i hate my speech problems, what do the scottish call a speech impediment, what did microsoft employees say to bill gates after his motivational speech, in the middle of his administration, president trump went to give a speech to a prison…, did you see trump's rose garden speech, comrade stalin is giving a speech..., stalin is in a huge auditorium giving a speech,, good thing kennedy was in berlin when he made his famous speech,, a joke my russian friend told..., a man with a huge penis walks into the docs office..., shoutout to hitler’s speech proofreader, an american man went to his lawyer, pulled down his pants, started masturbating furiously and asked: "doesn't this constitute free speech, if you think about it", sex with me is like scott frank's emmy speech, free speech - west vs east, my wife was giving a speech at her parents’ wedding anniversary, and my phone battery ran out in the middle of recording it., an englishman ,a scotsman and an irishman are all going to give speeches to the deaf society and are keen to make an impression on their audience…, the person who proofread hitler's speeches...., a rich man died and left $2 million each to a rabbi, a priest, and an imam, michelle obama gave a great speech last night, a good way to start a speech at a pornography actors christmas party…, political speeches, is there freedom of speech in north korea, speech impediment, after hearing a speech on how to motivate employees,, i'm gonna make a movie about a man with a speech impediment during world war 2, a boy with a speech problem goes shopping., i had to present a speech about stds today., i was asked to speak at a club for helping people with premature ejaculation. i asked what i should wear to the speech:, khrushchev was giving a speech when a heckler in the audience shouted "why did you never speak out against stalin", an american spy is in soviet russia, digging up information on a powerful russian politician. he finds him in a bar, walks in dressed in russian attire, pretending to be russian. everybody in the bar looks at him, but he keeps his cool. he orders a drink and walks to the politician..., i recently went to a comedy restaurant, and there was a chicken with a speech impediment on stage..., aristotle, plato and socrates walk into a café during the decline of the greek empire., people who continue to copy my speeches shall suffer..., melania trump's speech:, a kid with a speech impediment is trick or treating on halloween..., an engineer is giving a lecture at the local college..., melania trumps rnc speech just leaked on live tv, someone sneezes during stalin's speech., a kid with a speech impediment spends his entire childhood in speech therapy., twitter has banned "foreign spy" as hate speech., a speech to remember, stalin is giving a speech ..., when is the speech therapy class, donald trump's speeches can travel faster than the speed of light, just finished editing an article on freedom of speech, i also remember my grandfather's last words. he was very weak, bedridden in hospital, and had lost the power of speech. he had signalled for me to give him paper and a pencil. he died right after writing it., what did the sick pony say before giving a speech, i gave a speech at a school for those with hearing impairments, doctor: i was told you have some kind of speech disorder. how bad is it, a man with a speech impediment goes on a dating website.., i beat up my friend with a speech impediment., well, at least we learned one thing about trump from his speech this morning..., a young boy has a speech impediment, at the 1980 olympics, brezhnev begins his speech., in china we guarantee our citizens the freedom of speech, the prime minister's speech writer has resigned., a man with a speech impediment is walking along the road, the speech therapist, how is a speech impediment like a box of chocolates, best man speech joke help, baby, i've got to give you a speech, did you hear about the mormon cat with a speech impediment, hitler was doing a speech..., man with a speech impediment goes shopping..., my college acceptance speech:, the speech trump gave was inspiring..., what did the magician with a speech impediment say to the fisherman, a man with a speech impediment is out and about....

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30 Funny Opening Lines for Wedding Speeches

Handy one-liners to make the guests lol.

If you've read our post on how to make a great best man speech , you'll know that we recommend starting with a joke, and here, we're sharing 30 foolproof examples! The beauty of this list is that it works for any wedding speech, whether you're a groom, bride, best man, bridesmaid, groomsman, bridesman, groomsmaid, father of the bride, father of the groom, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, granny or grandad, or just a close pal with a knack for public speaking! Boasting everything from eye roll-worthy classics to offbeat gags, our round-up of funny opening lines for wedding speeches is sure to have something to suit your personal style, and many of them can be customised to pack an even bigger punch on the day. Kick off with one of these gems, and you'll not only put the audience at ease, you'll set yourself up for a terrific wedding speech!

25 Funny Opening Lines for Wedding Speeches

Note: [Name] can indicate yourself, the bride/groom, the couple as a whole, or another member of the bridal party!

1. “Gosh, what an emotional day it’s been. Even the cake is in tiers!”

2. “Hi everyone! I’m [Name] and it’s time for me to give the speech I frantically scribbled down 15 minutes ago!”

3. "The couple have requested that I don't share any embarrassing stories... so that's it from me! Thanks for listening!"

4. "[Name], I love you so much, and I really hope you'll feel the same about me after you hear my speech."

5. "I just want to start by congratulating [previous speaker's Name] on their wonderful speech. I always knew it would be hard to follow and I was right, I couldn't follow a word of it."

6. "The couple actually had a bit of trouble finding someone to make a speech today. They started by asking their funniest friend, and they said no. Then they asked their most charming friend, and they said no. After that, they asked their best-looking friend and, again, they said no. Then they asked me, and, after already turning them down three times, I couldn't refuse again."

Bride gives speech Olga Hogan Photography: Hannah & Eoghan

7. "Ladies and gentlemen, today we witnessed a unique event in history - it's the first and presumably last time anyone has trusted me to give a speech!"

8. "[Name] and I share the same sense of humour, so if you don't like my jokes, you can blame them!"

9. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate something truly magical. Something so rare and fortuitous and wonderful that it simply must be celebrated. I am, of course, talking about the open bar/donut wall/photo booth/[Name] wearing a tie ."

10. "Where do I start with [Name]? They're kind, intelligent, gorgeous, charming... [directed at them] sorry, I'm having trouble reading your writing, you'll have to tell me the rest later."

11. "I think we can all agree that it's been a fantastic day. But unfortunately that ends right here with my speech."

12. "Loyal. Kind. Honest. Generous... That's enough about me, I'm here to talk about [Name]!"

13. "I'd like to begin my speech by giving the happy couple some relationship advice, but unfortunately I'm single and spend most of my time trying to coax my cat into little outfits/browsing Doctor Who fan sites/playing Rock Paper Scissors with Alexa."

14. "A few months ago, [Name] called me up and asked, 'What are your feelings on marriage?' I had to tell them that, while I was very flattered, I wasn't ready to settle down just yet."

15. "Can everyone hear me OK? If you can't hear me in the back, the silence from the people at the front should reassure you that you're not missing anything."

16. "Hello everyone! I'm [Name]. I'm sure you all know me as (Name's best friend/sister/mum/dad), but if you don't, well done on sneaking into the wedding unnoticed!"

17. "Before I begin, I must explain that, this morning, [Name] asked me to remove anything resembling innuendo from my speech. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go through it again, but if I come across anything risqué, I'll whip it out immediately."

18. "[Name] knows that I'm a bit nervous about this speech, and they gave me some great advice. They said 'Don't try to be too charming, witty or intellectual... just be yourself!'"

19. "All of us gathered together in this room, we've got something really important in common - none of us have got a clue what I'm going to say next!"

20. "I was told that the secret to a good speech is to start with something that's relevant to everyone in the audience. So here it goes - all of your cars have been stolen."

21. "I want to start by saying that, of all the weddings I've attended over the years, this one is, by far, the most recent."

22. "I'd like to start by congratulating [Name] on their excellent taste... in speakers."

23. "Before we start, can everybody do me a favour and get up off their seats? Now can everyone take one step backward, please? Now can everyone move one step to the right? And now can everyone move one step left? Thank you. Someone told me that the key to giving a good speech was to move people, but I think they must have been having me on, because this is going terribly!"

wedding speech opening lines funny opening lines sincere opening lines (9)

24. "I'm so happy to be overseeing the only five minutes of today that [bride or groom's Name] didn't plan. Only joking, they went over my speech with me at the bar half an hour ago. [Pulls extra page out of pocket] But I did manage to hide one page!"

25. Guys, before I start, just some housekeeping notes, the venue has asked that you don't stand on any of the chairs and tables for my standing ovation."

26 . I sincerely hope that each day of [Insert names] marriage is better than the the one before, the only thing is that also means they'll look back on today, their wedding day, and say that it was the worst day of their lives.

27. I’ve been worried about giving this speech for a while now. You'll be glad to hear, that last night I slept like a baby. I woke up every two hours, bawling my eyes out.

28. Please keep clapping and cheering to a minimum. I’m terribly hungover. I know, you shouldn’t drink the night before a wedding, but I couldn’t very well let the groom/bride drink alone, could I?

29. Just some last messages here to read out: one from [NAME’S] football team for [PARTNER] " Apologies we couldn’t all be there today, good luck with [NAME], we found him/her to be useless in most positions, but wishing you all the best for tonight ."

30. Before I start ladies and gentlemen, let us observe a few moments of silence in memory of the 3,000 prawns, 250 chickens, and the many, many carnations, roses and wedding coordinators who selflessly gave their lives to make this wedding celebration possible.

Found your opening line for your wedding speech? We also have a handy checklist of people you need to remember to thank !

Image credits

Marc lawson photography, via one fab day, see more in:.

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The 50 Best Jokes For Your Best Man Speech

As the best man, you’re tasked with giving the toast—maybe the most famous one of the evening. For the big speech, it’s important to have some jokes scattered throughout. The couple gets to be sentimental. Her father gets to be sad and nostalgic. You need to bring the funny like it’s showtime at the Apollo. That’s no easy task, either. Luckily, there are dozens of jokes that have already been written that you can plug your buddy’s name into and carry on. We compiled some of our favorites for you here. Good luck!

Good evening everyone. I’m so happy to preside over the only five minutes that the bride didn’t plan. Of course, I’m only kidding. We went over the speech 40 minutes ago in the hall.

It’s been an emotional day, even the cake is in tiers.

We’ve reached the moment in the evening where we get to watch the groom figet and worry in anticipation. Yes, everyone, I’ve been asked by the staff to give him the bill.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Before I begin, I just want to apologize for not being an experienced public speaker. I’m probably going to spend most of the time looking at this piece of paper in my hands. Oh, it’s not my notes – it’s a picture of the triple Jameson I’m going to down as soon as this is over.

I just heard there was a lucrative pool on the length of the Best Man’s speech. I put my money on 40 minutes, so settle in…

Before I begin my speech, there’s just one order of business I’ve been asked to take care of. *Hold up pair of trousers with padlock on them* These are Jack’s Chastity Pants. I know he’s given keys out to various ladies over the years, but since he is now a married man, he’d like to get those copies back, so Jill is the only one with access. *Wait for the keys you strategically handed out to wedding guests to be brought up*

My name is Peter and I am the Best Man. Many of you would beg to differ, but shut up – I know your secrets.

Just a couple of rules before we begin. If you have a mobile phone – leave it switched on, entertain yourselves. And if anyone texts you any good jokes, kindly pass them up to the front.”

I’ve been told I won’t get away with a few thank yous and a quick toast. Apparently, as Best Man, I’m supposed to sing the Groom’s praises and talk about his good qualities. Unfortunately, I can’t sing and I won’t lie.

My speech today will be like a mini-skirt. Long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to hold your attention!

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen – Before I came here today one of my good friends gave me some advice on giving this speech. He said think of it like walking through a nudist camp, it’s only hard for the first minute.

Now he’s getting a bit older he’s turning his attention more and more to gadgets, constantly buying stuff from ebay, amazon and I want one of those dot com. I swear he didn’t have an interest in women until he overheard someone say the secret to women was knowing what buttons to press.

I read somewhere the perfect best man speech should last as long as it takes for the groom to make love. So ladies and gentlemen, please raise a glass to the happy couple!

Sally is a bright, charming, wonderful woman, who deserves a good husband. It’s such a shame Harry swooped in before she could find one.

I think the main reason we’ve lasted as friends all these years is because you’re geographically convenient…and you had a trampoline.

Jack is the kindest friend anyone could ask for; a man whose philanthropy knows no bounds. ‘Generosity’ should be his middle name. He would do anything for me; like helping write a section of the best man speech because you forgot about it until late last night at the bar!

Jack was in a pub when he proposed. No, really, it was actually very romantic – he got up on one knee.

It’s strange to be giving a speech like this one, because my parents always told me that if I had nothing good to say about someone, I should just be quiet.

Seeing the happy couple walking down the aisle earlier today, I’m sure we all agree that the bride looked simply stunning. The groom, on the other hand, simply looked stunned.

So I’m the best man, although I think I was picked by default since the groom doesn’t really have any other friends.

I can only say in my defense that Mike and I share a common sense of humor so if this speech is in anyway unfunny please “Feel Free to Blame Mike.”

I’d also like to congratulate Keith on a truly magnificent speech, I always knew it would be hard to follow, and I was right, I could hardly follow a word of it.

John did tell me that the vicar was firmly against sex before marriage. However, Jane did assure him it would only take a couple of minutes.

Rest assured though, unlike most traditional best man speeches, which are full of sexual innuendo, I’ve promised Dan and Anne that if there is anything slightly risqué, I’ll whip it out immediately …”

Although Ria did actually tell me Paul has always brightened up her life. Well, she actually said he never turned the lights off but it amounts to the same thing pretty much.

I’ll try to keep my speech short, because every extra minute I speak is an extra minute’s delay in witnessing how the Groom’s dance lessons worked out.

I do have to say though how lucky you are Dave, you’re leaving with a beautiful wife whom you love. And you, Miranda, you get to go home with such a nice new dress and beautiful bouquet of flowers, it’s great.

Jill, you are an amazing woman who deserves a wonderful husband. And I promise you I won’t rest until I get to the bottom of what’s gone wrong here.

Being asked to be the best man is about five minutes of glowing pride, followed by an eternity of panic and misery. Linda, I expect you had a similar experience when Paul asked you to be his wife.

I spoke to both Sally and Paul before the Wedding and I asked Paul what he was looking for in Marriage – he said “Love, happiness and a long life together.” When I asked Sally the same question – she replied – A coffee percolator!

Speaking of Jane, I would like to say how beautiful she looks today in that fantastic dress …Dan likes it too, as he told me in the church it will blend in just nicely well with the rest of the kitchen.

Someone once said that marriage is a 50/50 partnership, but anyone who believes that clearly knows nothing about women or fractions!”

When I saw Linda heading up the aisle with her father, I thought “At last she’s seen sense, and got herself a man with looks and money.”

Before proposing, Paul went to ask Linda’s father for her hand in marriage. He said that it was fine by him, providing Paul took the hand that had spent 20 years fishing into his wallet!

I recognize my place here; being best man at a wedding is like being the dead body at a funeral. You’re expected to be there, but if you say too much people start freaking out.

If you can’t hear me in the back, let the silence in the front assure you that you’re not really missing out on anything.

A Best Man is like a dog. You love him, care about him, and he’s only thrown up and ruined your upholstery twice.

I would like to start by saying what a pleasure it is to be Best Man at Jack and Jill’s wedding. Jack made me compete for this honor today, but I was able to beat Mark the Bartender over there in rock-paper-scissors, so here I am!

I found the speech length really difficult to settle on. At one point, it ran to almost 70 minutes, so I cut it down to a five-minute speech but I just felt like too many important things were being left out. So I came to a compromise – I’m going to read the five-minute speech. Then straight afterwards, I’ll do 70-minute one and you guys can tell me which speech I should use.

What can you say about a man who came from humble beginnings and is now rising to the top of his industry based solely on his intelligence, grit and willpower? A man whose charisma knows no bounds and who has already distinguished himself amongst his peers? Because I’m trying to write my Tinder profile and I’m having trouble summarizing myself.

When I sat down to write this speech I Googled “perfect best man speech”, but you had to pay to read the examples and I didn’t think it was worth it, so I’m gonna wing it.

I admit, I’m extremely nervous right now. As the people sitting near to me at the table can testify, it really is possible to smell fear.”

I must admit, I’m not used to speaking in public. Until now I thought a toastmaster was a kitchen appliance.

The trouble with being the best man at a wedding is that you never get to prove it.

You know, it’s been said that being asked to be best man is like being asked to make love to Camilla Parker Bowles.. It’s a great honor but you don’t really want to do it!

I’ve been anxious about giving this speech for a while now. Fortunately last night I slept like a baby. Waking up every two hours and bawling my eyes out. Ten minutes ago, I had to ask a complete stranger to burp me.

Dave was telling me that the amazing meal this evening was charged on a cost-per-head basis, so, on the bride and groom’s behalf, I’d like to thank the following people for not coming…

What’s the difference between in-laws and out-laws? Outlaws are wanted.”

Leading up to today John and Jane were having an issue with the seating plan. Who would sit comfortably in here & who would have to get up and stand during the speeches so we decided to use wedding present list, biggest presents at front and work it back from there. So hopefully you can hear me at the back when I say on behalf of Jane and John thank‐you very much for the teaspoons.

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Join the plunge (don’t worry: it’s free).

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The Father of the Bride Toast

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Go For Emotion In Your Wedding Speech

6 Things To Avoid In Your Best Man Speech

Using Subtext and Speeching Between The Lines

The Sounds of Silence: Using Pauses in Your Speech

The First Seven Seconds Of Your Wedding Speech-How To Crush It

Best Man Speech: Who Do You Mention?

The Easiest Speech You’ll Ever Give

Who Gives Toasts at the Rehearsal Dinner?

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Speech Opening Jokes

15 speech opening jokes and hilarious speech opening puns to laugh out loud. Read jokes about speech opening that are clean and suitable for kids and friends.

Looking for some ideas to get your speech off to a hilarious start? Check out this collection of jokes you can use the next time you're called upon to give a speech!

Quick Jump To

Short Speech Opening Jokes

Speech Opening One Liners

More Speech Opening Jokes

Funniest Speech Opening Short Jokes

Short speech opening jokes and puns are one of the best ways to have fun with word play in English. The speech opening humour may include short opening speech jokes also.

Elon's opening speech for the Tesla Solar Roof really got my attention... Who knew there were thousands of hot shingles in my area?
A boy had a speech impediment and is unable to articulate anything more than the letters of the alphabet. He opens his wallet, only to sadly exclaim: O I C U R M T

Share These Speech Opening Jokes With Friends

Which speech opening one liners are funny enough to crack down and make fun with speech opening? I can suggest the ones about speeches opening and presentation opening.

I just heard a speech on how to use your eyelids It really opened my eyes
The best time to open a gift is the present.
How did the v**... open her speech? h**...

Fun-Filled Speech Opening Jokes to Boost Your Mood

What funny jokes about speech opening you can tell and make people laugh? An example I can give is a clean starting speech jokes that will for sure put a smile on everyones mouth and help you make speech opening pranks.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh

The recent death of the Duke of Edinburgh reminded me of the time that Prince Charles went to open a school in Brixton in London. The Prince's speech went well, but people were distracted by his headwear, which was a Davey Crockett-type hat made from fox fur, with the fox's tail hanging down at the back. After the ceremony the headmaster thanked Charles and said, "I couldn't help noticing what you were wearing on your head ...?" "Ah yes", said Charles, "That was Daddy's idea. He asked where I was going today, then he said 'Brixton? Wear the fox hat'".

Trump at the Olympics

Donald Trump is opening the Olympic Games and has to read a speech. "Oh" he says. "Oh, oh, oh ..." An aide nudges him, "Mr. Trump, stop," he says. "You're reading the Olympic symbol."

A classic Soviet joke

(Setting: 1980 Olympics) Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev began reading his opening speech. "O!" - the crowd applauses. "O!" - another round of applause and cheer comes from the audience. "O!" - the entire audience body stands up and begins clapping. A secretary comes to Brezhnev and says, "Dear Leonid Ilyich, these are Olympic logo rings; you don't need to read all of them!"

A kid with a speech impediment is trick or treating on Halloween...

At his last door a nice elderly lady opens it and he says the traditional " Bick or beat!" She replied "Oh what do we have hear what are you dressed as little boy?" He proudly replied "I'm a Birate!" "Oh you're a Pirate!" She responds "Well where are your Buckaneers?" He scowls at the lady and points to his head and shouts "My bucken ears are right here why don't you use your bucken eyes?!"

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gives an opening speech at the Tokyo Olympics.

He walks up to the microphone. "O!" he says, which is followed by applause. "O!" he says again, as an ovation. "O!" he says again, and the audience stands up and cheers. Suddenly, an aide runs up to the podium. "Prime Minister Abe," the aide whispers, "those are the Olympic logo rings, you don't need to read all of them!"

Two 12 year olds are in the hospital...

Two 12 year old boys are in the hospital, both on gurneys waiting to be wheeled into surgery. The first boy says to the other, "What are you here for?" The second boy says, "I'm having my tonsils removed." "Oh, I had my tonsils removed a few years ago. It wasn't that bad, and I got lots of ice cream after." "So what are you here for?", asks the second boy. "I'm getting a circumcision." "Oh geez, good luck. I had mine done when I was a baby and I couldn't walk for 12 months afterwards." Credit goes to my Finance professor, who told this joke as his opening statement for his retirement banquet speech.

Door to Door salesman - another oldie

A couple was having their morning routine before they head to their jobs when suddenly the doorbell rang. The wife rushed to the door. When she opened it a man with a bucket full of s,,t rushed in and splashed them all over the carpet with a grin. Before the women could react he started his speech: - My name is Tom and this is the all new (insert random hoover brand here) vacuum cleaners that is guaranteed to clean any type of mess on your floors, carpets or upholstery. If it doesn`t do the job I will eat all of the s,,t! At that point the women just asked him: - Mustard or ketchup? - Excuse me? - he asked with a blank expression on his face. - Would you like ketchup or mustard with your s,,t, Tom? - asked the woman again somewhat irritated. - There is no need for that. Just you wait until you've seen the hoover in action. - he replied with a smirk. - Oh, but there is. We haven't had electricity for a week.

JokoJokes stands out as a pioneering online platform delivering entertaining jokes for quick amusement. Our extensive collection is sourced from diverse online platforms, ensuring a wide array of humor to share and spread laughter on Reddit, Twitter, and beyond. Currently we have over 416 971 jokes in English.

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100 Public-Speaking Jokes to Add Humor to Your Next Speech

Public-Speaking Jokes for Your Next Presentation to Add a Little Fun.

Jokes about Being Nervous and the Fear of Public Speaking

Funny Jokes about Presentation Challenges.

These Jokes Are about Audience Interaction.

Public Speaking Jokes about Presentation Themes.

A Few Random Public Speaking Jokes (Use with Caution.)

Here Are a Few Public Speaking One-Liners to Get Your Audience Laughing.

These One-Liners Are Related to Audience Interaction (Or Audience Reactions.)

Here Are a Few about Speech Techniques and Styles.

That’s Ironic! One Liners about Humor and Irony in Speech

These One-Liners Are about Speech Topics and Delivery.

Funny One-Liners Related to the Challenges of Public Speaking.

Funny Motivational Quotes Related to Public Speaking.

Funny Quotes About Preparation and Delivery of Speech.

Quotes Related to Adding Humor to Your Speech.

Here Are a Few Quotes About Creativity and Writing.

The Funny Quotes Can Help You Make Your Point Better.

These Last Funny Quotes Didn’t Fit the Other Categories. (LOL!)

Dad Jokes that You Can Use as Presentation Icebreakers.

Food Public Speaking Jokes

Science and Technology Jokes.

Academic Jokes for a Presentation.

Spooky Jokes

Miscellaneous Jokes

44 Witty & Wacky Icebreaker Jokes To Tell At Your Next Meeting

What Makes An Icebreaker Joke Funny?

A joke could make people laugh if it:

Icebreaker Jokes For Work

Subvert expectations and inspire smiles as you breeze into the office or your Zoom meeting with these icebreaker ideas:

Icebreaker Jokes For Meetings

Icebreaker Jokes For Speeches

Find the best ice breaker for your next speech below:

Icebreaker Jokes For Presentations

Icebreaker Jokes For Large Groups

Icebreaker Jokes For Small Groups

Icebreaker Jokes for Conferences

People Also Ask These Questions About Icebreaker Jokes

Q: What makes an icebreaker joke funny?

Q: How do I start my work presentation?

Q: Where can I find icebreaker jokes for work?

Q: Are there any good icebreaker jokes for a work meeting?

Q: How do I tell a good joke at work?

Q: What kinds of jokes are appropriate to tell at work?

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Speech one liners & jokes

Humor and Jokes on Public Speaking

Importance Of Humor In Public Speaking

Humor As An Icebreaker:

Relaxing The Audience:

Enhancing Engagement And Retention:

Incorporating Jokes Into A Public Speaking Presentation

Understanding The Audience:

Delivering Relevant And Appropriate Jokes:

Timing And Delivery Techniques:

Categories Of Public Speaking Jokes

Self-Deprecating Jokes: