An informative speech marks a special occasion, such as a wedding, funeral, or dinner event.

Presentation on theme: "Special-Occasion Speaking"— Presentation transcript:

1 Special-Occasion Speaking
Chapter 18 Special-Occasion Speaking

2 Special-Occasion Speaking: Introduction
Ever since Aristotle’s time people have used speeches to celebrate special occasions. These epideictic speeches praise, celebrate, memorialize, or otherwise commemorate special joyous or sad events. At some time in their lives, most people will be asked to deliver special-occasion remarks about a happy or sorrowful event.

3 Special-Occasion Speaking: An Overview
This chapter discusses: Types of special-occasion speeches General guidelines for special occasions Strategies for each type of special-occasion speech Sample special-occasion speeches

4 Types of Special-Occasion Speeches: Speech of Introduction
The brief “speech before the speech” Prepares the audience for the “main event” by giving context for the upcoming speaker, performer, or event

5 Types of Special-Occasion Speeches: Speech of Presentation
Explains background and significance of an award or honor before it is given

6 Types of Special-Occasion Speeches: Speech of Acceptance
A speech of thanks and gratitude for an award by a recipient who acknowledges the award’s significance and the support of others

7 Types of Special-Occasion Speeches: Speech to Memorialize or Eulogize
Honors the sacrifices and heroism of a group of people, often on a specific day (memorial) Celebrates the life of a deceased person and reflects on events in that person’s life (eulogy)

8 Types of Special-Occasion Speeches: Speech to Celebrate
Toast or observance that marks an important event or a ritual such as a: Wedding Graduation Child’s birth Retirement Birthday

9 Types of Special-Occasion Speeches: After-Dinner Speech
An entertaining, often humorous, speech that lightens the mood before an event that follows a formal dinner

10 Tips for Types of Special-Occasion Speeches
Tip: You may hear or deliver more than one type of special-occasion speech at one event. For example, at the Academy Awards there are speeches of introduction, presentation speeches, and acceptance speeches. Tip: Be sure that your speech is appropriate to the audience and the occasion.

11 General Guidelines for Special Occasions: Appealing to Your Audience’s Emotions
Your audience may be primed with a specific emotional reaction to the special event. Your job as a speaker is to signal when that specific emotion should surface.

12 General Guidelines for Special Occasions: Matching Your Delivery to the Mood of the Occasion
Match your demeanor and words to the mood of the special occasion. Ensure that what you say and how you say it is appropriate to the occasion.

13 General Guidelines for Special Occasions: Adapting to Your Audience’s Expectations
Listeners’ backgrounds, cultural values, ages, and beliefs affect how they perceive a special occasion and what they expect from a special-occasion speech. Ensure that you are familiar with your audience’s characteristics and expectations.

14 General Guidelines for Special Occasions: Evoking Shared Values
Your speech should appeal to values you and the audience hold in common. Remind listeners that you and they are connected.

15 General Guidelines for Special Occasions: Respecting Time Constraints
Find out when you are supposed to speak and the amount of time you have. Adhere to these logistics when delivering your speech, as most special occasions are carefully planned events.

16 General Guidelines for Special Occasions

17 Strategies for Each Type of Special-Occasion Speech: Speeches of Introduction
Shift listeners' focus from interacting with each other to the upcoming event. Build anticipation for upcoming speaker, performance, or event. Introduce the upcoming speaker, performance, or event.

18 Strategies for Speeches of Introduction
Be patient. Audience members need time to shift focus away from their conversations or meals. Use attention-getters (see Chapter 10). Modulate your volume by beginning loudly, but lowering your voice as the room becomes quieter. Be focused and brief, ensuring that your comments highlight the next event.

19 Strategies for Speeches of Introduction

20 Strategies for Speeches of Presentation
Adopt the persona of a presenter by speaking respectfully and knowledgeably about the subject. Explain the significance and background of the award or honor. Connect the recipient’s background to the award’s criteria. Use appropriate presentation aids.

21 Strategies for Speeches of Presentation

22 Strategies for Speeches of Acceptance
Use appropriate volume and articulation. Intense emotions can cause voice to drop or break. Take a moment or two to gather yourself before speaking. Show genuine humility. Don't act surprised if you knew you would be receiving the award. Express genuine gratitude for the honor and for the people who helped you achieve it. Remember that less is more.

23 Strategies for Speeches to Memorialize or Eulogize
Review and celebrate the deceased person’s life while consoling listeners and facilitating their public grieving. Your goal is to help the living by showing your emotions and extolling the virtues of the departed.

24 Tips for Delivering Speeches to Memorialize or Eulogize
Tip: Focus on celebrating the person’s life. Highlight accomplishments, relationships, and unique qualities. Tell stories familiar to the listeners to establish common ground. Tip: Use humor judiciously to relieve the sorrow. Tip: Show your own emotions if they surface while you are speaking.

25 Strategies for Speeches to Memorialize or Eulogize

26 Strategies for Speeches to Celebrate
Explain the significance of the occasion, acknowledging the joy that everyone is feeling. Inspire the audience to participate in the celebration.

27 Tips for Delivering Speeches to Celebrate
Tip: Aim for brevity. Tip: Use humor appropriately, based on your audience analysis.

28 Strategies for After-Dinner Speeches
It is better to tell humorous anecdotes or witty stories that connect to a larger theme than jokes or one-liners. Captivating an audience after they have eaten and had a few drinks is difficult, so practice your storytelling and narrative delivery. Adapt your delivery to your listeners and the occasion so that what you say appears fresh and interesting.

29 Strategies for After-Dinner Speeches

30 Tips for Delivering Special-Occasion Speeches
Tip: Be aware of the type of speech your audience will expect and follow the strategies suggested to tailor your speech effectively. Tip: Be sure to practice your speech so you are comfortable with it and can deliver it extemporaneously.

31 Sample Speech: Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, “2002 Mount Holyoke College Commencement Address”
Read the sample speech on pages 620–27. Notice how Queen Noor uses a problem-solution pattern to advocate that the college’s empowered female graduates should take an active role in tackling world challenges.

32 Sample Speech: Governor Jennifer Granholm, “Remarks at the Funeral of Civil Rights Leader Rosa Parks” Read the sample speech on pages 628–30. Notice how Granholm celebrates Parks’ achievements using figurative and vivid language.

33 Sample Speech: William Faulkner, “Speech to Accept the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature”
Read the sample speech on pages 630–31. Notice how Faulkner uses the speech as an opportunity to speak to a younger generation of artists that follow in his footsteps.

What is the purpose of a speech introduction?

When selecting a speech topic A speaker should first consider which of the following as a guide?

What is an informative speech quizlet?

Which of the following is a goal of an informative speech?