Lesson on Toasts by Paul Strachan – presented November 26, 2003
"A word fitly spoken" is one person's definition of a toast. A more practical definition is "A toast is a short speech. Like any other speech, it requires both adequate preparation and presentation."
There are many differences of opinion on various aspects of toasts, for example the origin of the word "toast" as applied to raising glasses in salute to someone or something. Opinion appears to be divided between the 17th century English and the ancient Romans.
However, there are certain points of agreement according to authors I have read.
* Toasting began in ancient times; no one knows where or when.
* Toasting is common to many societies.
* Toasting is a much-neglected social grace.
* There are certain accepted suggestions on how to present a toast.
Here are three important ones:
1. Be brief, a maximum length of 1 minute to 4 minutes. Unless you are known as a skilled presenter, stay at the short end of this scale.
2. Be prepared. Compose and rehearse your toast as you would a speech if you agree in advance to present a toast. If called upon without notice, you might treat the request as a Table Topic or adapt a memorized toast to suit the occasion. One author suggested memorizing 3-4 toasts for different occasions taken from books of toasts. These might include a humorous toast, a rhyming toast and a serious toast.
3. Make it fit the occasion. The "occasion" includes various factors.
* The circumstances in which the toast is presented. Is it to be presented, for example, at a memorial service, a wedding reception, a graduation party or a retirement dinner?
* The formality or solemnity of the occasion. Present a serious or formal toast at a formal gathering.
*How well you know the person being toasted. Present a more formal toast unless you are certain something else is appropriate.
* The audience that will hear you. Are the audience members friends and family, coworkers, strangers to you, people you want to favourably impress? Prepare your toast accordingly.
A toast is a brief speech, an opportunity for you to impress your audience that this social grace is one you know how to handle. Be witty or eloquent or both, but above all, be brief, be ready, be appropriate.
Then be seated.