Chapter 17: Special Occasion Speaking

Presenting an award warrants a presentational speech while receiving an award warrants an acceptance speech.

Compare and contrast presenting an award with receiving an award.

The organizational functions or contexts offers opportunities for special occasion speaking because these organizational functions help establishments mark important occurrences, celebrate successes, remember key figures, and commemorate those that are no longer with the organization. Special events help an organization define itself and establish and maintain a corporate identity for organizational members, clients, and key stakeholders.

Discuss the influence of epideictic speaking on what we know about special occasion speaking today.

Speech Information: Introduces the main speaker at an event and inspires the audience to listen to that speaker. Toast: A brief tribute to a person or event. A toast allows the speaker to acknowledge accomplishments and express best wishes for the future. Roast: A particular kind of toast that is humorous and pokes the fun at the honored person in a friendly way. It might be given for someone who is moving away or has achieved noteworthy success in her or his lifetime. Presentational Speech: A speaker that presents a person with an award or prize. A presentational speech is supposed to give recognition to the recipient and his or her accomplishments pertaining to that specific award. Keynote Address: A speech that represents the essential or common theme of a convention, conference, or other large gatherings. It summarizes the central message revolving around the general theme. Commencement Speech: A type of keynote speech is given to mark the occasion of a school's graduation ceremony during which diplomas are awarded to graduating students. Commemorative Speech/Tribute: Speeches that pay special accolades to an occasion, extraordinary person event, idea, or monument. After-Dinner Speech: A unique kind of special occasion speech. An after-dinner speech is supposed to entertain, yet inform the audience about one or more particular issue.

Generate a definition and purpose for each type of special occasion speech.

Magnification

Giving benefit to the audience, amplifying emotion, and exceeding expectations. This technique involves promoting positivity and goodwill among the people gathered for the occasion as well as helping to build the audience's feelings toward the person honored or the reason for the occasion.

Identification

Involves creating familiarity and closeness.

Epideictic Oratory

Used to praise or blame, condemn or commend, and celebrate and give thanks. It is also used to mourn a loss of a loved one at a funeral, congratulate a recipient of an award, or toast to an occasion such as a wedding or anniversary.

True

Using language to point out ironies and contradictory situations in life can remind listeners of what makes us human as well as make a serious point in a subtle way.

Puns, hyperboles, anecdotes, and others that can tell a story or use language to convey humor image.

What are the forms of verbal strategies?

Verbal and nonverbal cues supplement each other to convey the most appropriate humor, and using humor as a verbal strategy can convey what visual humor usually cannot.

What are the functions of verbal and nonverbal cues?

1. Make sure that the recipient's name comes at the appropriate time. If the recipient is known to everyone, then the name should be mentioned right away. If the announcement is a surprise, then it is better to hold off mentioning the recipient's name until the end. 2. Let the audience know how the recipient met and even surpassed the criteria for the award. You should also make sure that the focus of attention is on the recipient, not on the one presenting the award. 3. Facilitate a smooth transfer of the award to the recipient, the presenter might want to hold the award in his or her left hand while using the right to shake the recipients hand.

What are the guidelines for a presentational speech?

1. The person presenting the award should not only highlight the merits of the award recipient, but also point out the purpose and significance of the award being given. 2. Personalize the speech to make the award and event more meaningful for the recipient and the audience.

What are the key elements of a presentational speech?

a. Provide a brief backdrop or background of the main speaker. b. Introduce the speaker's topic. c. An invitation from the audience to warmly welcome the speaker.

What are the three components of an introductory speech?

The most important rule to remember when delivering an after-dinner speech is to make sure that the topic or theme of the speech relates to the occasion of the event and include references to the event's purpose or cause and some key people involved.

What do you think are the most important guidelines for an effective after-dinner speech?

"Finesse the obvious" means to acknowledge what makes a person noteworthy.

What does it mean to "finesse the obvious" in a special occasion speech?

1. The recipient expresses his or her sincere appreciation. If the award was unexpected, then he or she might also express a sincere level of surprise. 2. He or she acknowledges those who contributed to or made the award possible. He or she also thanks other people who have had an impact on his success. 3. He or she indicates how the award will make a difference in the future. 4. The recipient closes his or her speech by giving thanks again.

What is the organizational structure for the acceptance speech?

The purpose of a special occasion speech is to help build communities, and a speaker's language and delivery style can serve to enhance feelings of togetherness. A special occasion or ceremonial speech should have a purpose that is clear to the speaker and audience members.

What is the purpose of a special occasion speech?

The main purpose of humor should be to supplement your message, and drive your point home. 1. You can deliver a punchline without looking like you expect a response. 2. Deliver funny lines without having to adjust your overall delivery. 3. Don't show a difference in tone between the funny and less funny segments of your speech. 4. Do not give the impression that you expect laughter or smiling in response to any particular remark.

What should be the main purpose of humor in a special occasion speech? What steps can you take to use humor effectively?

It is a good idea to keep a special occasion speech short because your goal is to focus on the occasion that you are commemorating, not to overshadow the event that others have gathered to celebrate.

Why is it a good idea to keep a special occasion speech short?