Have you ever had to give a wedding toast and had no idea where to start? As tempting as it may be to "just wing it", even non-academic speeches like wedding toasts, award acceptances, and eulogies can be made simple by planning them ahead of time. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when sitting down to develop a special occasion speech:

• Know your audience: Before you can write an effective special occasion speech, you must establish who you will be speaking to. For example, if you are introducing a speaker at a special event, keep in mind ahead of time whether the speaker will be well-known to the audience or will need a more thorough introduction.
• Know the occasion: You wouldn't start a eulogy with a knock-knock joke, would you? Keep in mind the overall tone of the event as you're planning your content.
• It's a toast, not a roast: It's tempting for some to load up a best man or maid of honor speech with jabs and jokes, but try to maintain an appropriate balance. Remember, not everyone at a wedding is aware of your inside jokes!