Special Occasion Speeches

Special Occasion Speeches Speeches to Entertain Part ONE

Speeches to Entertain • Designed to be entertaining and ceremonial • Entertaining doesn’t mean it’s humorous • Make the audience feel an emotion or have an emotional connection • LIFE: club meetings, dinners, parties, graduations, awards ceremonies, holiday, ribbon cuttings, etc. • Most common: Introductory Speech, Master of Ceremonies, Toasts • Key element in public and personal life

Characteristics • Usually much shorter than informative or persuasive speeches • More personal • Creative use of language (figurative language) • Must play to the audience Audience, Occasion, Purpose

Develop a Clear Theme • Main purpose is to entertain • Optimistic • Uncomplicated • Anecdotes • Have one serious idea • Too much fluff • Anchors the theme

Point and Proof Method • Your speech is made up of a central idea supported by a series of examples, anecdotes, or amusing stories • Makes it easy for your audience to remember • Open with an anecdote • Explain the point of the anecdote • Illustrate your point with additional anecdotes • Close by restating your central point and a last story

Gathering Material Supporting material adds glitter to a solid frame! • Anecdotes, details, examples, jokes, current events, pop culture, etc. Brainstorming • What do you share with the audience or guest of honor? • Common events or experiences • Your own experiences (wedding, awards, etc.)

You-Attitude • “You Attitude” means look at events from the audience’s perspective • What would you like to hear? • What would you not want to hear? • Don’t make the speech about you! • Focus on the theme

Emotional Appeal (Pathos!) • Audiences identify with emotion • Common emotion creates unity • Make it short and sweet

Special Occasion Speeches Specific Entertaining Speeches Part TWO

Introducing a Speaker • 2-3 minutes DO: • Title of the speech that the speaker will give • Why the speaker is qualified to speak on the topic • The speaker’s name (multiple times) DON’T: • Summarize the speaker’s presentation • Improve – be prepared! • Apologize for the room, audience, speaker, etc. • Embarrass the speaker

Commencement -- Graduation Speech • 10-15 minutes DO: • Keep the good mood! • Be memorable • Thank the superintendent, principal, parents, etc. DON’T: • Go too long – Graduation is long enough! • Get too specific with issues • Inside jokes

Presenting an Award • 2-3 minutes DO: • Keep it factual and straightforward • Explain the award • Congratulate the honoree • Shake hands to present award DON’T: • Pretend you know the honoree • Get distracted while holding the award

Keynote Speech – entire convention is based around speech • 15-20 minutes (or longer) DO: • Consider the mood of the convention • Remember that people usually paid to listen • Be original DON’T: • Be egotistical

Toast – drink in honor of someone • 1-2 minutes DO: • Make general statement about the theme of gathering • Invite the guests to join in a toast DON’T: • Go too long – multiple toasts • Inside jokes

Wedding Toasts • Thank the couple • Praise the couple • Have a theme or main idea (loyalty, friendship, etc.) • Illustrate the theme • Wish the couple well in their new life together DON’T: • Be offensive • Poke fun at the new spouse • Make it about you

Your Turn! • Try writing your own Special Occasion Speech to entertain! • 1-3 minutes • Identify: 1. Occasion (Brother’s wedding) 2. Audience (200 people, mix of intimate friends and family) 3. Environment (large banquet hall) • Point and Proof Method or try a specific SOS format • If needed, pretend – Make up an event

Special Occasion Speeches