Using Quotations 

A lot of speakers are uncomfortable trying to be funny during their speech. This is especiaslly true of those who have little public speaking experience. But humor is a great way to make a point during your presentation, and to leave a positive lasting impression on your audience.

So how do you get your audience laughing once in a while if you're not a natural born comedian?

You let someone else be funny for you by using humorous quotations.

I often borrow from Hall of Fame baseball player Yogi Berra, Mark Twain and humorist Will Rogers, who were famous for sayings like

"When Democrats line up for a firing squad, they form a circle..." (Rogers)

"We'll hold the distinction of being the only Nation in the history of the world that ever went to the poor house in an automobile." (Rogers)

"They may call me a rube and a hick, but I'd a lot rather be the man who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the man who sold it." (Rogers)

A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore. (Yogi)

"Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours. (Yogi)

"Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical." (Yogi)

"Nothing spoils a good story like the arrival of an eyewitness." (Twain)

"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." (Twain)

"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." (Twain)

These are just a few of the quotes I found by surfing the Internet for a couple minutes. Among the resources I used,

Amazing Public Speaking

Brainy Quote

The Quotations Page

Also see a related article on how to make a funny speech without telling jokes.

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