Lightning talk template (5 minutes)
Cue cards for a five-minute lightning talk at a meetup, conference or team event: one problem, one idea, one example and one takeaway, with timings for every card so you finish before the buzzer.
Template library
Start with cards that already work.
166 templates for speeches, presentations, toasts, interviews and flash card decks. Free to use, print and study. No account needed.
Occasion or subject
Speaking time
82 templates found
Mother of the bride speech
Mother of the bride speech cue cards: welcome guests, share memories of your daughter, welcome her partner and their family, and close with a blessing or toast.
Poem recital introduction
Cue cards to introduce a poem before you recite it, plus delivery notes: title and poet, context, what to listen for, breathing marks, and a short closing reflection.
Prefect or house captain speech
A short speech for prefect, house captain or sports captain elections: your connection to the house, how you will lift participation and spirit, and a warm close.
Rebuttal speech template for the second speaker
Cue cards for a second speaker's speech: group and answer the other team's arguments, rebuild your own case, then add new arguments that extend your team line.
Show and tell speech for kids
Simple show and tell cards for young children: say your name, show the object, say what it is, where it came from, why it is special and invite questions.
Speech memory cue cards
Practice cards for learning a speech by heart: the opening and closing written out word for word, one cue-word card per section, linking phrases and a final recall check.
Strengths and weaknesses interview answers
Cue cards for answering 'What are your strengths?' and 'What is your greatest weakness?' honestly, with evidence for each strength and a real weakness you are working on.
Thank-you speech at a party
A short thank-you speech for the guest of honour or host at a birthday, farewell, launch or family party: thank guests, helpers and the people who matter most.
Wedding MC script
Wedding MC (master of ceremonies) cue cards for the reception: welcome, housekeeping, grand entrance, introducing speeches, cake, first dance and closing.
Baby shower or naming day toast
A warm toast for a baby shower, sip and see, naming day or welcome party: celebrate the parents, share hopes for the baby and thank everyone for coming.
Celebration of life speech
Cue cards for leading or speaking at a celebration of life: an uplifting welcome, the things they loved, stories and laughter, a toast and an invitation to share.
Ceremony MC run sheet
MC cue cards and run sheet for running any ceremony: welcome, housekeeping, acknowledgements, introducing speakers, presentations, thanks and close.
Church announcements and notices
Cue cards for giving clear, friendly church notices in three minutes: a welcome for visitors, this week's events, ways to serve, giving and pastoral care.
Class representative speech
A short speech to be elected class representative, course rep or form rep at school, college or university: why you are standing, how you will collect feedback and report back.
Coaching team talk (sports)
Short coach cue cards for a pre-match, half-time and post-match team talk for junior or adult teams in any sport: focus, roles, effort and fair play.
Community meeting opening and chair notes
Opening remarks for chairing a residents' association, club, parents' group or town hall meeting: welcome, purpose, ground rules, the agenda and how decisions will be made.
IELTS cue card: describe a book or film you enjoyed
An IELTS Speaking Part 2 plan for talking about a book or film: what it is about, when you read or watched it, what stood out and why you would recommend it.
IELTS cue card: describe a piece of technology you use
IELTS Speaking Part 2 plan for describing a device or app you use: what it is, when you got it, how you use it and how life would change without it, plus tech vocabulary.
IELTS cue card: describe a skill you learned
Answer plan for the IELTS Part 2 topic about learning a skill: what it was, how and when you learned it, what was difficult, and how it helps you now.
IELTS cue card: describe a time you helped someone
A Part 2 answer plan for describing a time you helped someone: who they were, what the problem was, what you did and how you felt afterwards, with storytelling phrases.
Joint couple’s wedding speech
A joint wedding speech for two partners who want to speak together: shared thanks, your story told in two voices, words to each other and one toast.
Personal testimony
A simple before, turning point and after structure for sharing your faith story at church, baptism, a youth event or small group, in about five minutes.
Policy debate case outline: first affirmative constructive
An outline for a policy debate affirmative case: inherency, harms, plan text, solvency and advantages, plus quick notes on topicality and common negative arguments.
How the template library works
Pick a structure
Every template is a real card set with an opening, the main points and a close, or a deck of questions and answers. Words in [square brackets] are where your own names, stories and facts go.
Make it yours
Open it in the editor, replace the brackets and cut what you do not need. Each template page also has tips on timing and delivery, and ideas for adapting it to your audience.
Print, rehearse or study
Print note cards on A4, US Letter or index card sizes, rehearse one card at a time on your phone, or study flash card decks with spaced repetition. All free.