Speaker's Toolkit

The Community Relations Division writes speeches that serve as a framework for use by Army leaders and personnel at national patriotic and commemorative events. We maintain an archive of these speeches on the Speaker's Toolkit as a resource help tell the Army story. These speeches may be used as-is, and speakers may tailor speeches to fit their individual needs.

Access the Speaker's Toolkit on AKO (requires AKO or CAC login)

10 Tips for Effective Presentations

  1. People will not usually remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
  2. A speech should never exceed 20 minutes. People's minds and bodies aren't programmed to sit still for that long.
  3. Structure is more important than content. People will pay more attention to your speech if they know where it's going. Tell them what you're going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them.
  4. Find some unique connection to your audience and use it at the beginning of your presentation. People like people like them.
  5. Strive to make three (or fewer) points that stick rather than 10 points that leave no lasting impression.
  6. Stories are more memorable than facts.
  7. Good stories should be practiced until they can be delivered in two minutes or less.
  8. The best stories come from your own personal experiences.
  9. Try to "bookend" your presentation. Start the speech with a story or fable and refer back to it throughout the speech, especially at the end.
  10. Repetition works. Repetition works. Repetition works.

Mission Statement

Connecting you with your Army

The Community Relations Division, headquartered at the Pentagon, communicates Soldiers' stories by directly engaging a wide spectrum of businesses, organizations, and local community and education leaders to bring the American people closer to the Soldiers who serve them.

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