| Speeches for special occasions require
different approaches from other types of public presentations we have discussed. They
share the need for effective and thorough preparation, knowledge of the audience, and
speaker understanding of the person or the occasion. All are audience centered and your
success in these settings is largely determined by the carefulness of your preparation.
Speeches of introduction, keynote speeches, and speeches of tribute, including
commencements and eulogies, require you to develop a set of standards of behavior or
accomplishment. Your speech consists, then, of using those standards as you identify the
ways the person meets or exceeds those criteria. |
| The speech of introduction is
characterized by brevity and the presentation of basic biographical information about the
speaker, such as qualifications and credentials. A successful introduction creates a
picture of the total person. It is important to gather facts and background information.
More than anything else, you should remember that your purpose is only to introduce the
main speaker. The audience is there primarily to listen to the other person and not
you. |
| A speech of tribute is given to
recognize and praise another person's accomplishments. The speech should relate
biographical information, the reason for recognition, the standards for success, and how
standards for success were met. |
| A eulogy requires unusual speaker
sensitivity because it is presented at a time of great stress for most of those in the
audience, so great care must be taken to maintain the proper atmosphere. As a speaker, be
careful in your selection of language and in the specific kinds of illustrations you use
to show the character of the person. |
| Ritual situations like commencements
require the speaker to fulfill the situational expectations. Remember that the audience
wants to be acknowledged for their accomplishments and sacrifices. They also want to hear
a promise of good fortune for graduates but only if it follows standard virtues of hard
work and clean living. |
| One of the common special occasion
speeches occurs when a gift or award is presented. The presentation speech is much like a
speech to praise. The speaker names and describes the reason for giving the gift and the
criteria used in deciding who should receive it. The speaker may then describe the
recipient's personal qualifications t receive the award. Then the recipient is called
forward. Typically the speaker reads any inscription on the award, then hands the award to
the recipient. |
| At that point, the recipient may elect
to give a brief acceptance speech. The speaker thanks the people who gave the gift or
award and the people who helped him or her achieve the goals that resulted in the
presentation. |
| A keynote speech is a special occasion
speech that sets the tone or mood for the meeting and the people attending. It is the
major focus of the meeting. This type of speech is designed to create enthusiasm in the
audience. To accomplish this emotional arousal the speaker must determine the theme of the
speech, show how the theme is important to the speech and to the listeners, gear the
speech to the common concerns of the listeners, and show a genuine interest in the topic
and the audience. |
| After-dinner speaking takes the light
approach. Speakers are expected to find the fun in some common interest of the audience.
Successful after-dinner speakers often use the techniques of exaggeration, irony, parody,
and reversal of values. |
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