To enhance the effectiveness of a commemorative speech, what should be prioritized?

Prioritizing the emotional impact of the message is crucial in a commemorative speech because such speeches are designed to honor and celebrate people, events, or milestones. The primary objective is to evoke feelings of nostalgia, gratitude, pride, or even sorrow, connecting the audience with the subject of the speech on a personal level. By emphasizing emotional resonance, the speaker can engage the audience more deeply, making the message memorable and meaningful.

In contrast, focusing solely on the speech's length may detract from its impact, as a shorter, heartfelt address can often be more powerful than a longer, less engaging one. Relying on technical jargon might alienate the audience, as the primary goal is to resonate emotionally, not to impress with complex language. While personal anecdotes can enhance a speech, overemphasis on them without balancing emotional content may lead the message away from collective feelings and shared experiences that the audience can relate to during commemorative occasions.