The Lost Art of the Great Speech: How to Write It * How to Deliver It

Control the topic

Another important consideration in deciding whether to accept an invitation is the subject you are asked to discuss. You should not agree to speak on a subject you are uncomfortable with or that you feel you don't know enough about. I have been a professional writer most of my life, but I have had very little experience in writing advertising copy. I would welcome the chance to speak to a group of marketing executives on, say, why advertising and public relations should use coordinated messages, but I would not speak to the same group on the essentials of good advertising copy. It's simply not my field. I have some opinions on the subject, but I have no credentials that make my opinions worthy of consideration.

Before you accept ...