special occasion speeches types and guidelines

General Guidelines for all Special Occasion Speeches:

1. Learn the types of S.O. speeches and the guidelines and expectations for each. 2. Familiarizeourselveswithtoolswecanusetoenhanceourperformance. 3. Identify the needs of those for whom and to whom we speak. 4. Adopt and attitude of preparedness.

Always aim to...

Be appropriate Be truthful Be sincere Be brief Be dynamic

Roasts

a humorous tribute to a person, one in which a series of speakers poke fun at the guest of honor

Toast

a short speech of tribute, often impromptu, given at events such as weddings, graduation dinners, holiday meals, awards banquets, etc. 1. If planned in advance, make sure all have a beverage. 2. Refine your basic idea into a short message of good will (be positive), and memorize if possible. 3. Do not make listeners raise their glasses until the end (unless it's a very short toast).

Tribute

a speech given to honor someone.

Eulogy

a speech honoring someone who has passed. 1. Balance delivery and emotions—acknowledge shared feelings of sadness, loss, and anger, but do not dwell on these. 2. Celebrate and highlight the value of the one being eulogized—commemorate life not death. 3. Provide optimistic perspective—be positive but realistic. 4. Do not play on the grief of the audience to promote religious, social, or political issues. 5. If invited to eulogize, don't accept unless you feel able to maintain composure.

Farewell

a speech of tribute honoring someone who is leaving—retiring, resigning, moving, being promoted, etc.

Commencement -

a speech of tribute praising graduating students and congratulating them on their academic achievements.

Dedication

a speech of tribute that honors a worthy person or group by naming a structure (building, monument, park, etc.) after the honoree. The goal is to invite listeners to agree the honor is deserved.

Inspirational -

commemorative speech that seeks to inspire as well as pay homage.

Speeches of Acceptance:

expresses appreciation, gratitude, and pleasure for an award or gift received. 1. Thank those who gave the award. 2. Accept the honor with pride and acknowledge the competition if appropriate. 3. Recognize others by giving credit and thanks to those who've contributed to your achievement. 4. Respect time limitations (if asked, be brief, if asked to give a longer speech, provide the extra detail requested).

Speeches of Welcome

formal, public greeting to a visiting group or person to make them feel welcome, comfortable, and appreciated. 1. Catchattentionrespectfully. 2. Graciouslysetafriendlytone. 3. Provide information about the occasion and attendees.

Speeches of Presentation/Award:

given to present an award to an individual or group and to recognize the recipient's accomplishments. 1. Announce the recipient's name early in the speech (unless a surprise) and repeat again in the last sentence. 2. In addition to listing relevant achievements, try to capture unique qualities in a meaningful way. 3. Conveythemeaningoftheaward,especiallyifunfamiliar(purposeandsymbolism). 4. Explain how the person was selected for the honor and by whom. 5. Acknowledgetheworthofothercandidates. 6. Be brief.

Speeches of Introduction

introducing one's self, another, or an event. 1. Establishawelcomingclimate/friendlyenvironment. 2. Establish/highlight the speaker's credibility. 3. Generate enthusiasm about the speaker and topic. 4. Be brief, be accurate, be appropriate.

Speeches to Entertain/After Dinner Speeches:

lighthearted speech that makes a serious point. 1. Make a serious point. 2. Be creative and unique. 3. Use humor carefully and appropriately. 4. Demonstrate honesty and respect for all present. 5. Be organized. 6. Pay careful attention to delivery—be dynamic.

Speeches of Commemoration:

peeches that praise, honor, recognize, or celebrate a person, a group of people, an event, an idea, or an institution. The fundamental purpose here is to inspire—to arouse and heighten the audience's appreciation of or admiration for an individual, institution, or idea. 1. Share what is unique and special, focusing on a few notable aspects—tell the audience why the subject is praiseworthy. 2. Acknowledgethesentimentsoftheaudience. 3. Expresssincerefeelingsthatcapturethemoodandmoment. 4. Arouse sentiments with vivid stories and examples and with emotional language and delivery. 5. Tell the truth.

Speeches of Nomination:

proposes a nominee for an honor, award, or elected office. 1. Clarifytheimportanceofthehonor,award,orposition. 2. Listthecandidate'squalificationsforthehonor,award,orposition. 3. Formally place the candidate's name in the nomination.