In the final installment of A Man Should Know for The Free Press, Elliot Ackerman reflects on public speaking, storytelling, and the importance of speaking honestly when it matters most.
The essay begins with a eulogy Ackerman was asked to deliver for a fallen friend from the Marines. Unsure what to say, he found clarity when his wife reminded him who the eulogy was really for: his friend’s children.
Knowing Your Audience
Ackerman argues that good speaking begins with understanding who you are addressing. Whether giving a eulogy, wedding toast, workplace remarks, or public speech, the audience shapes the purpose and emotional center of what is said.
Practice, Slow Down, and Tell a Story
The essay offers practical guidance for speaking well: rehearse, slow down, make eye contact, and begin with a story when possible. Ackerman emphasizes that most speeches do not need to be immortal. They need to be clear, prepared, and sincere.
Speak from the Heart
At the center of the essay is a simple lesson: when someone speaks from the heart, people know it. Honest words require vulnerability, but they are also what make a speech memorable and meaningful.
As the final column in the A Man Should Know series, the essay closes with gratitude for readers and a reminder that communication, at its best, is an act of attention and trust.