Ch 16: Speaking for Special Occasions and Purposes, COM 181: Basic Public Speaking

Toasts

A toast is a brief salute to a momentous occasion. The modern toast is usually quite short- a few sentences at most. If you are asked to make an impromptu toast, let your audience and the occasion dictate what you say. Sincerity is more important than wit.

Commencement Addresses

A audience centered commencement address must fulfill two important functions: Praise the graduates by pointing out the significance of their accomplishments, and Focus on the future, suggesting bright new goals to inspire the graduates to reach for them.

Commemorative Addresses

A commemorative address, a speech delivered during ceremonies held to celebrate some past event, is likely to include a tribute to the person or persons involved. A commemorative speaker is, in part, an informative speaker. He or she needs to present some facts about the event or the people being celebrated. Then the speaker builds on those facts, urging the audience to let past accomplishments inspire them to achieve new goals.

Eulogies

A eulogy- a speech of tribute delivered when someone has died- can be one of the most significant and memorable and also one of the most challenging forms of commemorative address. When you deliver a eulogy you should mention- indeed, linger on- the unique achievements of the person to whom you are paring tribute and, of course express a sense of loss. But it is proper in a eulogy to include personal and even humorous recollections of the person who has died. Finally, turn to the living, and encourage them to transcend their sorrow and sense of loss and feel instead gratitude that the dead person was once alive among them.

Humorous Verbal Strategies

A funny story or one-liner may rely on the following verbal strategies for humorous effect: Pun- Most of us are familiar with the pun, which relies on double meanings to create humor. Spoonerism- Another play on words is the spoonerism, which occurs when someone switches the initial sounds of words in a single phrase (public speaking=sublic peaking). Malapropism- The mistaken use of a word which sounds much like the intended word (destruction instead of instruction). Hyperbole- Exaggeration. Understatement- The opposite of hyperbole, understatement involves downplaying a fact or event. Verbal Irony: A speaker who employs verbal irony says just the opposite of what he or she really means. Wit- One of the most frequently used verbal strategies for achieving humor is the use of wit: relating an incident that takes an unexpected turn at the end. Research suggests that witty humor may enhance a speakers credibility.

Keynote Addresses

A keynote address is usually presented near the beginning of a meeting or conference. The keynote emphasizes the importance of the topic or the purpose of the meeting, motivates the audience to learn more or work harder, and sets the theme and tone for other speakers and events. The hardest task of the keynote speaker is arousing audience interest. One way a keynote speaker can interest and inspire is to incorporate examples and illustrations to which your audience can relate.

Nominations

A nomination speech is similar to an award presentation. It too involves noting the occasion and describing the purpose and significance of , in this case, the office to be filled, The person making the nomination speech should explain clearly why the nominee's skills, talents, and past achievements serve as qualifications for the position. And the actual nomination should come at the end of the speech.

Humorous Nonverbal Strategies

After dinner speakers often create humor through such nonverbal cues as posture, gesture, and voice. Well timed pauses are especially crucial delivery cues for after dinner speakers to master. It is true that some people seem to be naturally funny. If you are not one of them you still may be able to use these strategies to prepare and deliver an after dinner speech that is lighthearted and clever, if not uproariously funny.

Introductions

An introductory speech is much like an informative speech. The speaker delivers the introduction to provide information to the audience about the main speaker. The ultimate purpose of the introduction is to arouse interest in the speaker and his or her topic. You need to capture the audience's attention, build the speaker's credibility, and introduce the speakers general subject. You also need to make the speaker feel welcome, while revealing some of the speakers personal qualities so the audience can feel they know him or her more intimately. Two cardinal rules for giving introductory speeches are; Be brief- the audience has not come to hear you speak, and Be Accurate- Learn how to properly pronounce the speakers name and other terms you will need to use, and ensure all biographical data is accurate.

Acceptances

Anyone who receives an award or nomination usually responds with a brief acceptance speech. Brief acceptance speeches can be quite insightful, even inspiring, and they can leave the audience feeling no doubt that the right person won the award. A fairly simple formula should help you compose a good acceptance speech on the spur of the moment. 1. Say thank you: thank the person making the presentation, the organization they represent, and people who have contributed greatly to your success. 2. Comment on what the award means to you, and the greater significance of the award to the people and the ideals it honors. 3. Discuss how the award is relevant to your audience. Try to find some meaning the award may have for the audience- people who respect your accomplishments and who may themselves aspire to similar achievements.

Humorous Topics

Because humor is listener-centered, the central question for the after dinner speaker seeking a topic must be this: What do audiences find funny? Audiences most always enjoy hearing a speaker poke fun at him or herself. Self-depreciating humor is a way to establish rapport with an audience. Even serious subjects can lend themselves to humorous presentations, but topics that might make a great deal of emotional noise- such as grief or anger- for particular groups would not be good topics for humorous speeches to those audiences.

Mediated Workplace Presentations

Frequently, speakers use video chap applications such as Skype or FaceTime for workplace presentations. To give a presentation using one of these programss it is recommended that a speaker do the following: 1. Raise your computer so you can look directly into the camera. You will appear to have eye contact with your audience. 2. Place your speaking notes and the audience's image at the top of your screen so you do not have to look down to see them during your speech. 3. Use variation in your volume, speech rate, and supporting material, as well as content and delivery factors over which you have control. This helps you maintain audience attention, even though they're less focused than they would be on an in-person speaker. 4. Actively engage your audience. Encourage audience members to respond to your questions by a show of hands or with a verbal response.

Humorous Stories

Humorous stories should be simple. Complicated stories and jokes are rarely perceived as funny. Successful after dinner speakers also need a broad repertoire of jokes, humorous anecdotes, one-liners. It is important to know your anecdotes very well. Nothing deflates a humorous story more than getting halfway through and then saying "Oh, and I forgot to tell you..." Rehearse your jokes. Only if you know the material can you hope to deliver it with the intonation and timing that will make it funny.

After Dinner Speaking: Using Humor Effectively

Interestingly, not only is the after dinner speech not always after dinner- it could be after lunch or breakfast- but it isn't always after anything. The after dinner speech may be delivered before the meal, or even between courses. Regardless of the variation, the after dinner speech is something of an institution, one with which a public speaker should be prepared to cope. After dinner speeches may present information, or persuade, but their primary purpose is to entertain- arguably the most inherently audience-centered of the three general purposes for speaking.

Award Presentations

Presenting an award is somewhat like presenting a speaker or a guest. Making an award presentation is an important responsibility. An award ceremony has several distinct components. First when presenting an award, you should refer to the occasion of the presentation. Next, you should talk about the history and significance of the award. this section can be long if the audience knows little about the award, or shorter if the audience is familiar with the award. A discussion of the significance of the award will add to its meaning for the person who receives it. Finally, you will name the the person to whom the award has been given. The longest part of this segment of the speech is a glowing description of the achievements that elicited the award. If the name of the recipient is publicly known, you may refer to them by name throughout the speech. If the name of the recipient hasn't been publicly announced, wait until the end of your speech to reveal their name, to build drama.

Public Speaking in the Workplace

Public speaking in the workplace can consist of such things as group presentations, public relations speeches, or Mediated workplace presentations.

Public Relations Speeches

Speeches designed to inform the public, to strengthen alliances with them, and in some cases to recommend policy. A public relations speaker begins by discussing the need or problem that has prompted the speech. They then go on to explain how the company or organization is working to meet the need or solve the problem- or why it believes there is no problem. It is important to anticipate criticism when doing public relations presentations. The speaker may acknowledge and counter potential problems or objections, especially when past presenters have encountered to the policy or program. The speaker should emphasize the positive aspects of the policy or program and take care not to become defensive. He or she wants to leave the impression that the company or organization has carefully worked through the potential pitfalls and drawbacks.

Group Presentations

The process of planning a group presentation can be accomplished by following these steps: Understand the task. Brainstorm problem solutions. Selecting a presentation format: Your group will need to decide how to deliver the presentation. Three common formats are symposium:a public discussion in which a series of short speeches is presented to an audience; forum: a question and answer session that usually follows a public discussion or symposium, and panel discussion: group discourse designed to inform an audience about issues or a problem, or to make recommendations. Outline and rehearse the presentation. Give the presentation and be prepared to answer questions. Each member of the group contributes to the success of the presentation by completing their assignments, contributing to meetings and rehearsals, and participating in the presentations.

Ceremonial Speaking

There are nine types of ceremonial speeches. 1. Introductions. 2. Toasts. 3. Award Presentations. 4. Nominations. 5. Acceptances. 6. Keynote Addresses. 7. Commencement Addresses. 8. Commemorative Addresses. 9. Eulogies.