How to Write a Funny Speech Book Review

This book’s forward is written by Carol Burnett. Yes, THE comedy legend, Carol Burnett. Do I have your attention?

How to Write a Funny Speech by Carol Leifer and Rick Mitchell is the perfect guide for…well…learning how to write a funny speech, of course! I haven’t written (or delivered) a speech since reading this book. But I feel well prepared to nail my next opportunity.

My How to Write a Funny Speech book review:

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Thank you, Chronical Books for providing this book for review via NetGalley! All the stuff I say here is MY opinion. I mean, of course it is, but I feel like I should say it here anyway.

How to Write a Funny Speech Summary

The title kinda speaks for itself, doesn’t it? The full title is How to Write a Funny Speech… for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn’t Want to Go in the First Place. THAT speaks for itself. But I explain it a bit better…

Giving a speech is a nerve-wracking, seemingly impossible challenge. I know, groundbreaking information, right?

Giving a funny speech that people actually enjoy? Even impossible-er. Fortunately, comedy veterans Carol Leifer and Rick Mitchell have the magic formula in How to Write a Funny Speech.

This book is a practical (and hilarious) guide that walks you through crafting the perfect speech. A speech that will make you look like a genius and get some well-earned laughs along the way. And the best part, your painful speech-giving experience will be over in a short 5 minutes (IF you follow their suggestions.)

Packed with practical (and necessary) wisdom—like don’t cuss—this book breaks speechwriting into easy, bite-sized chapters filled with tips and real-life examples. It’s less of a “book” and more of a “workbook,” designed to guide even the most clueless speech-giver. Leifer and Mitchell even throw in fill-in-the-blank templates to make the whole process as painless as possible.

Bonus content include hypothetical speeches from some of television most notorious characters (like a “what if” speech by Homer Simpson to Bart at Bart’s high school graduation.)

Whether you’re the best man, a proud parent, or just the unlucky relative roped into speaking, this book will make sure your speech is funny, heartwarming, and doesn’t get you kicked out of the event.

Rating: 5/5 

Awesome. I read this electronically, but I am going to buy a physical copy to keep on my shelf. I’m sure I’ll have a speech to give in the future.

More about the authors…

Who is Rick Mitchell?

Rick is a Daytime Emmy Award winning writer, producer, and comedian. He has worked on TMZ and the Ellen DeGeneres show.

Let me re-state that, with the proper emphasis: Rick won 5 DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS working on the Ellen DeGeneres show!

Find Rick here: Rick Mitchell

Who is Carol Leifer?

Carol Leifer has serious comedy writing chops. Ever heard of Seinfeld, Saturday Night Live, or maybe a little thing called The Oscars? Yep, she’s written for them (and more). She’s also an author (duh) and a highly sought-after speaker.

Still not impressed? Here’s a clip of her first stand-up performance on Letterman:

Find Caroll here: Carol Leifer: Writer & Executive Producer

Things I liked:

• Easy to read format
• Funny and informative!
• Speech examples AND “teacher notes” in the margin!
• hypothetical speeches from well-known TV shows (Sopranos, Simpsons, Seinfeld.)

Things I didn’t like:

• Nothing to complain about here. This hit the mark in all areas for me.

I like to double-check to make sure my fly isn’t open before speaking. My diligence has saved me on a couple occasions.

Do you have any tips on giving a speech? Leave a comment below.

Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.