Speaking on Special Occasions

The Art of Public Speaking, 6th Ed

Chapter 17

Speeches for Special Occasions

• Given at weddings, funerals, award presentations, dedications, retirements, graduations, affairs of state

• Speeches help make occasions special and memorable

• Primary goal neither to inform or per-suade, but to meet needs of occasion

Kinds of SpecialOccasion Speeches

• Speech of Introduction

• Speech of Presentation

• Acceptance Speech

• Commemorative Speech

• After-dinner Speech

Speech of Introduction:GOALS

• Build enthusiasm for upcoming speaker

• Generate interest in speaker’s topic

• Establish welcoming climate that will boost speaker’s credibility.

Speech of Introduction:GUIDELINES

• Brief

• Completely accurate

• Adapt to occasion

• Adapt to main speaker

• Adapt to audience

• Create anticipation and drama

Requirements: Introduction of Persuasive Speaker Assignment

• Mention topic/title WITHOUT expres-sing your opinion.

• Explain why audience will be interested.• Give personal information about

speaker and his/her credibility.• Announce speaker’s name.• Remain up front until speaker arrives.

Speech of Presentation

• Given when someone receives award

• Be brief

• Explain why recipient is receiving award

• Discuss achievements in a way to make them meaningful to audience.

• Praise other competitors too, if any.

Acceptance Speech

• Gives thanks for gift or award

• Should thank people bestowing it

• Should acknowledge people who helped recipient win award

Commemorative Speech

• Address of praise or celebration• Pays tribute to person, group of

people, institution, or idea• Eulogies, July 4th, testimonial

addresses, dedications• Purpose: to inspire audience,

heighten admiration for subject

Commemorative Speech, cont.

• Presents information about subject, but different from informative speech:– Informative sp. aims to communicate

information clearly & accurately, but…

– Commemorative aims to express feelings and arouse sentiments

Commemorative Speech, cont• Effectiveness depends above all on

creative & subtle use of language– Eloquent language makes them

memorable

– Two guidelines• Avoid clichés and trite sentiments• Utilize stylistic devices (see ch. 11)

Video Clip Reagan Commemorative Challenger

Video Clip Reagan Commemorative Normandy

After-Dinner Speech• General Purpose: to entertain• Should

– Be light in tone– NOT be too technical or argumentative– Choose supporting materials for

entertainment value– Be fun & imaginative

Video Clip-Barbara Bush Humor Wellesley College, June 1, 1990

After-Dinner Speech, cont.

• Require careful preparation– Organize around a central theme

– Practice for maximum audience impact

• Usually utilize humor, but NOT just a stand-up comic routine

• Some contain no humor, but deal with topic & language creatively

Extemporaneous Style vs. Manuscript Style Delivery

• Video Clip-Speaking Extemporaneously-Elizabeth Dole

• Video Clip-Speaking from a Manuscript-Ann Richards

THE END