The introduction of the speech should be interesting and engage the audience. Some strategies you can use are: beginning with a rhetorical question, a quote, or a short anecdote. Any strategy is fine as long as it relates to being thankful and graduating. Try to keep this to 2-5 sentences (or 2 paragraphs for a speech longer than 5 minutes). A few examples are: "What are you thankful for?" This is beginning with a rhetorical question, since the audience will not answer. As Willie Nelson once said, "When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." This is beginning with a quote. "It was the first day of high school, and I stood outside the door of my first class, scared to go in. On the last day of high school, I left that same door feeling thankful." This is beginning with an anecdote. This is where you get to thank your friends, family, teachers, and so on in depth. Look at your brainstorming notes, and write 1-2 paragraphs where you say who you want to thank and why in complete sentences. (2-3 for a speech longer than 5 minutes). Don't spend more than 2-3 sentences talking about a single person unless you really want to emphasize being thankful towards them. For example, you can say, "I would like to thank my friends and family for always inspiring me when I felt hopeless." Another example is, "I want to thank Professor Z for helping me choose a major." The body of the speech comes immediately after the introduction. Avoid insulting or offending those you are speaking to. Do not vent about problems or criticize others during this speech. Write 1-2 sentences (1 paragraph for a speech that is longer than 5 minutes) that summarize everything you just said. Make sure to refer back to your theme and tie everything together in these 1-2 sentences. The conclusion comes after the body of the speech, and it can be very simple. For example, you can just say "Thank you again." Another simple example is, "Once again, I am so lucky to have such great friends and family. Thank you." You can end on thanking someone by saying, "The last person I want to thank is my grandma. She was always there for me. Good night." Remove grammar errors, parts of the speech that seem too long, or anything you are unsure about including. If you have time, ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read over the speech and give you feedback. When you are satisfied with what you have written, you can being to practice delivering the speech.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Write the introduction of the speech. Write the body of the speech. Write the conclusion of the speech. Edit the speech before practicing aloud.

Include the names and ages of everybody traveling, and anything else. You may attend the 8 p.m. dress rehearsal or to 11:29 live taping. You cannot choose the dates of your taping unless you get stand-by tickets! And wait some more. Wait until you get that confirmation email. You'll be notified 4-6 weeks in advance before your taping. Remember-- this could be at any time! You can go from family extravaganza to a quick weekend getaway. If you're not to crazy about taking missing work or school, fly Friday night and fly back Sunday morning. You should have enough time to squeeze in something fun on Saturday. You need to be at 30 Rockefeller Plaza by 8 am to pick up your tickets, so show up or you're giving up your seat to some stranger.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Next August (and August only), email snltickets(at)nbcuni.com. Wait. Get a flight, get a hotel. Get there. Enjoy!

You're dealing with metal and if it is placed under stress and a part of it flings eye-ward, you risk losing an eye. It is recommended that you wear eye protection (goggles or safety glasses) and also gloves when manipulating and drilling the cutlery. The tools needed are basic: Bending the cutlery: In some cases, you'll be able to bend the cutlery with your own strength. In other cases, you'll need the help of another item to apply pressure. Items that might help you complete the projects include: a vise and rubber mallet or hammer; piers, channel locks, or a vice grips; an anvil; fishing wire; and screws. The drill: The drill and bit should be suitable for drilling through metalsome drill bits are designed specifically to do this or are combination bits for both wood and metal. Ask to borrow one from a friend if you don't have one already. Wire cutters: In some cases, these may come in handy. Vice grips: This might be handy to help hold the cutlery piece in place for bending. Screws: For attaching to the wall, wood or other object used. Liquid nails (industrial strength glue): If you don't want to deal with drilling holes, try liquid nails. This might be strong enough to attach the cutlery hooks to a variety of surfacesbe sure to check the product instructions first.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Wear appropriate protective gear when bending and drilling the cutlery. Choose good tools to work with.

You'll use the float glass as the "main" work surface on which you'll grind your glass edges. The foam rubber will serve to keep the float glass in place so it doesn't slide off during the grinding process. If you don't have a dedicated piece of float glass, you can also use a piece of scrap plate glass, such as a piece of window, mirror, or picture glass. Pour a small amount of water into the center of your float glass to create a small puddle. Then, pour in just enough silicon carbide to cover the surface of the puddle. Finally, use your fingers to gently stir the silicon carbide and water together. To make it easier to add the silicon carbide powder, place it in a small disposable cup first before you begin adding it to the glass. Grasp the piece of glass with your dominant hand (or with both hands, if needed). Be sure to place the glass edge directly over the spot where you mixed the silicon carbide with the water. For maximum safety, wear safety gloves to avoid cutting your hands on the glass. Move the glass over and through the silicon carbide in a figure eight motion, applying gentle downward pressure as you do so. Make sure to stay within the glass surface and avoid going beyond the silicon carbide puddle. Look at the edge of the glass after about a minute of this circling. If the glass is no longer glossy and it is smooth to the touch all around, you are done. Use a wet paper towel or a dedicated cloth towel to remove the silicon carbide water from the glass piece. Then, use wet sandpaper as necessary to smooth out the inner corner of the edge of the glass if needed. For example, if you're smoothing the bottom of a cut glass bottle, you won't be able to smooth the inner corners of the glass edge with the silicon carbide puddle. You can also use sandpaper to sand down any rough spots you find that the silicon carbide didn't get.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Place a piece of float glass over foam rubber on your work surface. Add water and a coarse grit of silicon carbide powder to the glass. Place the sharp edge of the glass against the plate glass. Circle your hand and the bottle around the glass for 30-60 seconds. Wipe off the glass with a towel and use sandpaper to smooth the inside.