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Tammera Stokes Rice, College of the Canyons
Adapted by William Kelvin, Professor of Communication Studies, Florida SouthWestern State College
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES |
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After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
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Figure 13.1: “The 86th Annual Academy Awards”1
Introduction
“And, the Oscar goes to…!” You have probably caught those famous last words anytime someone wins at the Academy Awards. You’ve probably also heard speeches given at special occasions like graduations, wedding receptions, birthday parties, funerals, corporate meetings, etc. All of these speeches are very common, so you will probably hear them several times throughout your life. You may even need to present one yourself, so it is important to learn how to prepare them.
Special Occasion Speaking
Unlike informative speeches that inform an audience and persuasive speeches that persuade the audience, a special occasion speech is given by a speaker at a unique or special event that dictates the specific purpose. These speeches are also unique because each one of them is generally shorter in length than informative and persuasive speeches and is presented to a specific audience for a specific purpose. These special occasion speeches will be given in either a topical or chronological (temporal) order.
Nine Types of Special Occasion Speeches
In this chapter, we will cover nine different types of special occasion speeches and provide the guidelines to follow for each of them. Although there are other types, these are the most common speeches and might be part of your course assignments. The nine speeches are a speech of introduction, presentation speech, acceptance speech, toast, eulogy, speech to secure goodwill, dedication speech, commencement speech, and farewell speech.
Speech of Introduction
This is a speech introducing the featured speaker to the audience. Its main purpose is to gain attention and create interest for the upcoming speaker. It is like an informative speech because you are informing the audience about the main speaker, so you will follow the general pattern of informative speeches (topical or chronological/temporal). The guidelines to follow for this type of speech are:
- Be brief.
- Make sure your remarks about the main speaker are accurate!
- Adapt your remarks for the occasion. If it is a formal occasion, then it requires a formal speech.
- Adapt your remarks to the main speaker. Make sure the style and manner of your introduction are consistent with the main speech that will follow.
- Adapt your remarks to the audience, so they want to hear the main speaker’s speech that follows your introduction.
- Try to create a sense of anticipation. You can build excitement by holding off and giving the name of the speaker at the climax of the introduction.
Example: Introducing Ms. Oprah Winfrey at a Lifetime Achievement Television Awards banquet.
Find a sample online: Stanford University President’s introduction of Oprah in 2008. You can find the full text of the sp