How to Ask ChatGPT to Write a Speech That Sounds Like You
Short answer: give ChatGPT the occasion, the audience, your speaking time, and two or three real stories in your own words. Then ask for a speech written to be heard: short sentences, marked pauses, and a strong last line. Without your stories, every speech it writes sounds like a greeting card.
Why AI speeches sound hollow
A speech works because of details only you know. When ChatGPT has none, it fills the gap with "journey," "cherish," and "words can't express." The audience can tell within ten seconds.
The raw material only you have
- Occasion + audience: a wedding with grandparents is different from an offsite with your team.
- Time: speaking minutes. People speak at roughly 130 words a minute, so ask for that length.
- Real material: 2–3 stories or details, rough is fine.
- Your voice: "dry humor," "warm, not sappy," or paste something you've written.
- No-go zones: exes, inside jokes nobody gets, anything you'd regret on video.
Before and after
Before:
write a best man speech for my brother
After:
Write a [3-minute] best man toast for my brother [Sam] marrying [Priya]. Audience: [120 guests, lots of family, mixed ages]. My material: [He once drove 6 hours to return a borrowed drill], [how he talked about Priya after their first date], [our dad's advice he finally took]. Voice: [dry humor, then sincere]. Off-limits: [exes, the Vegas trip]. Format: Opening line / one story / turn to the couple / toast. Short sentences for speaking. Mark [PAUSE] where laughs land. Constraints: No clichés ("journey," "soulmate," "words can't express"). End on a line people can raise a glass to.
Why it works: real stories make it unmistakably about Sam, the time limit keeps it short, and banned phrases take out the greeting-card filler.
Coming soon: the free SoloShot Prompt Translator, which turns a vague ask into a prompt like this.
Variations
- Eulogy: "Warm and honest, a little light where it fits. Include [their phrase] in their words."
- Work talk: "[10 minutes], one big idea, three examples, a slide title for each section."
- Retirement or farewell: "Thank them for [specific things], tell one story, and send them off with a laugh."
- Graduation: "One lesson, one story, under [5] minutes, and nothing about 'the future is yours.'"
Make it yours
- Read it out loud once and cross out anything you wouldn't say.
- Ask: "Give me 3 alternative opening lines and 3 closing lines."
- Time it. If it runs long, ask ChatGPT to "cut 20% without losing the stories."
FAQ
Is it okay to use AI for a wedding speech? Yes, if the stories are yours. ChatGPT is the editor, and you're the source. How long should a toast be? About 2–4 minutes for most weddings. Ask for that length.