27 Special Occasion Speeches
<A> OBJECTIVES
To identify the primary function of your special occasion speech.
To recognize the different types of special occasion speeches.
To focus your speech of introduction on motivating the audience to listen to the speaker.
To focus your speech of acceptance on expressing gratitude for the honor bestowed on you.
To focus your speech of presentation on explaining the award and the reason it is being
bestowed on the recipient.
To focus remarks made at roasts and toasts on the person being honored.
To pay tribute to the life of the deceased when delivering a eulogy.
To balance insight and entertainment when delivering an after-dinner speech.
To focus your speech of inspiration on uplifting the audience.
<A> CHAPTER CONTENT OUTLINE
I. Functions of special occasion speeches
A. A special occasion speech is one that is prepared for a specific occasion and for a
purpose dictated by that occasion.
1. In a special occasion speech, the rhetorical situation truly gives rise to the
speech content.
2. Special occasion speeches can be either informative or persuasive, or both, but
neither of these functions is the main goal.
3. The underlying function of a special occasion speech is to entertain, celebrate,
commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.
B. Certain special occasion speeches, such as those for banquets, award dinners, and
roasts, are given to entertain those in attendance. Listeners may also expect the
speaker to offer a certain degree of insight into the topic at hand.
C. Often the function of a special occasion speech is to celebrate a person, a place, or an
event, such as at weddings or anniversaries. Listeners often expect the speaker to cast
the subject in a positive light. They also expect a certain degree of ceremony in
accordance with the norms of the occasion.
D. A special occasion speech can commemorate a notable person, place, or event at
memorial ceremonies in remembrance or tribute.
E. Some special occasion speeches, such as inaugural addresses and keynote speeches at
conventions, are given to inspire the listeners.
F. Another function of special occasion speeches is social agenda setting, which is
articulation or reinforcing the goals and values held by the group sponsoring the
event. Examples include fundraisers, campaign banquets, conferences, and
conventions.
II. Types of special occasion speeches
A. A speech of introduction is a short speech with two goals: to prepare or “warm up”
the audience for the speaker, and to motivate audience members to listen to what the
main speaker has to say.
1. It should describe the speaker’s background to heighten audience interest and
build the speaker’s credibility.
2. It should briefly preview the speaker’s topic.
3. The speaker should ask the audience to welcome the speaker.
4. Speakers who have been introduced should acknowledge and thank the
introducer, and might consider using humor to communicate humility.
B. A speech of acceptance is made in response to receiving an award of some sort, with
the purpose of expressing gratitude for the honor.
1. It should be prepared ahead of time if possible, as the audience will often
expect a fairly sophisticated acceptance speech.
2. It should express genuineness, humility, and gratitude to the people giving the
award and to all those who made its receipt possible.
3. Accept the award gracefully, and be sure to express thanks to those giving the
award.
4. If the award represents a team effort, be sure to thank all members who have
helped you along the way or provided inspiration.
C. The presentation of an award calls for a speech of presentation.
1. Its purpose is to communicate the meaning of the award and to explain why
the recipient is receiving it.
2. If possible, personalize the speech to bring further honor to the award and its
recipient.
D. A roast is a humorous tribute to a person, one in which a series of speakers jokingly
pokes fun at him or her. A toast is a brief tribute to a person or an event being
celebrated. Both call for short speeches whose goal is to celebrate an individual and
his or her achievements.
1. Be sure to prepare ahead of time. It may help to practice in front of trusted
friends.
2. Highlight one or two traits that set the person apart.
3. Keep your remarks brief, and keep the tone positive, even when poking fun.
E. A eulogy is a tribute to a deceased person. These speeches should celebrate and
commemorate the life of the person while consoling those who have been left behind.
1. Although giving a eulogy may involve intense emotions, try to deliver the
speech with control. The speaker’s job is to help others feel better.
2. Refer to the family to show respect; mention family members by name.
3. Show respect to the family and commemorate the life, not the death, of the
deceased. Consider using humorous stories and anecdotes if they effectively
humanize the deceased.
4. Portray the deceased in a positive, yet honest and realistic, light.
F. An after-dinner speech is a lighthearted and entertaining speech delivered before,
during, or after a mealtime seminar or other type of business, professional or civic
meeting or family event or formal dinner.
1. The topic should be chosen carefully based on the occasion; speakers
should avoid using canned speeches, or speeches used over and over for
different occasions.
2. The topic should be serious enough to merit discussion but lighthearted
enough to make jokes and entertain.
a. Use the speaking style that comes naturally; don’t try to be overly
humorous, or turn the speech into a stand-up routine.
G. A speech of inspiration seeks to uplift the audience and to help listeners see things in
a positive light. The sermon is a popular and frequently occurring type of
inspirational speech, along with commencement address, pep talks, and nomination
speeches.
1. Real-life stories and examples of achievement can be very moving.
2. A dynamic or energetic speaking style combined with a powerful message can
be a very successful strategy.
3. Be sure to keep the goal clear.
4. One of the best means of inspiring an audience is to use a dramatic ending.
<A> KEY TERMS
special occasion speech a speech whose general purpose is to entertain, celebrate,
commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.
speech of introduction a short speech defined by two goals: to prepare or “warm up”
audience members for the main speaker and to motivate them to listen to what that
speaker has to say.
speech of acceptance a speech made in response to receiving an award. Its purpose is to
express gratitude for the honor bestowed on the speaker.
speech of presentation a speech whose purpose is twofold: to communicate the meaning
of the award and to explain why the recipient is receiving it.
roast a humorous tribute to a person, one in which a series of speakers jokingly poke fun
at the individual being honored.
toast a brief tribute to a person or an event being celebrated.
eulogy a speech whose purpose is to celebrate and commemorate the life of a deceased
person while consoling those who are left behind; typically delivered by close friends and
family members.
after-dinner speech a speech that is likely to occur before, after, or during a formal
dinner; a breakfast or lunch seminar; or other type of business, professional, or civic
meeting.
canned speech a speech used repeatedly and without sufficient adaptation to the
rhetorical speech situation.
social agenda setting speech in a special occasion speech, a type of speech purpose whose goal
is to focus on a social/political issue and reinforce a message that relates to it.
speech of inspiration a speech whose purpose is to inspire or motivate the audience to
positively consider, reflect on, and sometimes even act on the speaker’s words.
CHAPTER STUDY GUIDE
I. SUMMARY QUESTIONS
What is a special occasion speech? What are its five broad functions?
A special occasion speech is one that is prepared for a specific occasion and for a purpose
What are the different types of special occasion speeches?
Special occasion speeches include speeches of introduction, speeches of acceptance, award
presentations, roasts and toasts, eulogies and other speeches of tribute, after-dinner speeches, and
II. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What is the most memorable special occasion speech you have witnessed, either in person
or on television? What made this speech particularly memorable and effective?
Students are likely to recall award acceptance speeches given by celebrities or athletes, or a
What are some of the most noteworthy aspects of special occasion speeches that you have
heard? Do poorly constructed and delivered special occasion speeches do more harm than
good?
Some important aspects of special occasion speeches that students should be able to point out are
consideration of audience expectations, effective use of emotional appeals, and sufficient
If you were asked to develop and deliver one of the special occasion speeches discussed in
this chapter, which one would you choose? Which one would you find less appealing than
the others? Why?
What may be at issue here is the appropriate choice of speech, given the occasion or the purpose
of the speech—not the speaker’s personal preference.
Have you ever witnessed a roast? If so, did the speaker manage to balance humor and
appreciation for the person being honored? How? Did the recipient respond with
appreciation?
Most students will have seen a roast of some sort on television. Many comedians are famous for
Why do you think people are so apprehensive about giving special occasion speeches? What
tips or guidelines would you give to someone who is about to deliver a special occasion
speech?
It is likely that at some point in their lives, students will be called upon to deliver a special
III. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
QUESTIONS
The following questions may help you illustrate important points in the chapter and facilitate
students’ learning of this material. These questions can be used as:
homework questions
quizzes
in-class work (individually or in groups)
topics to generate discussion
question-and-answer sessions between instructor and students
What is a special occasion speech? What is its main goal?
Give an example of each of the five goals of special occasion speeches: to entertain,
celebrate, commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.
What is a speech of introduction?
What key elements make up a good speech of introduction?
Describe the speaker’s background
Have you ever given or seen a speech of acceptance? If so, when? What is a speech of
acceptance?
What should a speaker include in a speech of acceptance? In the speech you gave or
observed, were these elements included?
Prepare. If you know about it beforehand, always prepare.
What is a speech of presentation? What are its guidelines? Can you think of one or more
examples of a speech of presentation?
Speech of presentation: A speech in which the speaker communicates the importance of the
What is a roast? A toast? Have you ever given either? For what occasion?
What guidelines should you follow when preparing a roast or a toast?
Prepare to set the appropriate tone and express the purpose of the gathering
What is a eulogy? What guidelines should you follow when delivering one?
Eulogy: A tribute to the deceased that celebrates and commemorates the life of someone while
Think of giving an after-dinner speech. Consider a time and a place where you may need to
give this speech. Then outline the speech, balancing the two goals of this type of speech: to
be lighthearted and entertaining and to provide some insight into the topic at hand. To help
accomplish these goals, the speaker must:
What is a speech of inspiration? What should a speaker include in this type of speech? Can
you think of a famous speech of inspiration?
ACTIVITIES
Impromptu Special Occasion Speech
Purpose: To allow students the opportunity to practice public speaking, practice using creativity
and humor, and to become familiar with the different types of special occasion speeches.
Instructions: Each student will receive a piece of paper with one type of special occasion
speech. The paper can merely specify the type of speech, or it can be more specific (e.g., a
speech of introduction, or a speech to introduce Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards; a toast, or a
toast at the wedding of your good friend). Each student will develop a one-minute impromptu
speech. Creativity and humor may be used to create a memorable and interesting speech. Have
students present their speeches to the class.
Evaluating an Awards Show
Purpose: To help students evaluate special occasion speeches in light of course material; to
expose students to various types of special occasion speeches.
Instructions: Instruct students to watch an awards show, such as the Grammys, the Oscars, the
Emmy Awards, the ESPYs, or the MTV Video Music Awards. While observing the awards show,
students should analyze and take notes of the different functions of special occasion speaking
taking place. For example, an awards show will likely include elements of entertainment,
commemoration, and social-agenda setting. Ask students to be specific in their descriptions and
be prepared to discuss their analysis with the class. Students can also critique speeches of
presentation, award acceptance speeches, and speeches of inspiration.
Preparing Wedding Toasts
Purpose: To help students apply the guidelines for a successful toast.
Instructions: Have students imagine that they are best man/maid of honor in the wedding party
for someone that they know well, either a family member or a close friend. Instruct them to
prepare a brief and memorable toast, making sure to highlight remarkable traits of the couple.
The toast can be completely fictional, or the students can use a couple they know as the basis for
the exercise. Once students have completed preparation, ask them to deliver their toasts to the
class. Ask other students how effective the toast was, and encourage them to offer suggestions
for improvement.
Let’s Toast!
Purpose: To give students a chance to toast classmates.
Instructions: This activity is best if completed at the end of a semester, when students have
gotten to know each other well. Ask students to get in pairs and write a brief toast for their
partner. Students should take a minute to preview the contents of the toast with one another, to
make sure that everyone feels comfortable with the speech content. Have students present these
toasts to the class. You might even consider bringing a nonalcoholic beverage to class for this
activity.
Your Eulogy
Purpose: To give students a chance to apply the concepts of special occasion speaking.
Instructions: When someone dies, eulogies celebrating the ideals and values of the deceased are
usually presented. If you were to die tomorrow, what would you want said about you? Write your
own eulogy, describing the essence of who you are, how you want to be remembered after you
die, and even the person who you would like to deliver your eulogy. This can be done as an in–
class exercise or as a homework assignment.
Who You Are Makes a Difference
Purpose: To give students an example of an interesting special occasion speech.
Instructions: In Jack Canfield’s book Chicken Soup for the Soul, there is a story about a teacher
from New York who honored high-school seniors by telling them the difference each of them had
made. Using a process developed by Helic Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called the
students to the front of the classroom, one at a time. First, she told the class how each student had
made a difference to her and to the class. Then she presented each student with a blue ribbon
imprinted with gold letters that read “Who I Am Makes a Difference.”
Each student should think of someone in his or her life who has made a difference, and
then write a brief one- to two-minute speech. This speech should end with the student presenting
a blue ribbon to let the person know that he or she has made a difference. If students actually
present this speech, they should write up a brief reaction paper describing the recipient’s reaction
to the speech.
Additional instructions: Instructors can put all students’ names into a hat or bag and have each
student draw a name. Students will have to write a brief speech telling how that classmate has
made a difference in the class. This can be done in one class period, or students can present their
speeches during the class period after they picked the names. If you choose the latter option, it is
fun to have students bring in an item (a dollar or less in cost) to present to their subjects at the
end of the speech. The item should somehow tie in with the speech.
Examining Eulogies
Purposes: To help students see how eulogies are constructed.
Instructions: Research three eulogies delivered by well-known individuals. (See, for instance,
Paul Theroux’s The Book of Eulogies or locate examples on the Internet.) Do you see any
commonality in their structures? What gives the eulogies power? Language usage? Personal
stories?
Use this activity as a short writing assignment or as a group assignment. Groups or
individuals should first choose three speeches that interest them or have considerable impact.
Some common features of the three speeches may be level of emotional appeal, length of speech,
the types of people to whom they pay tribute, and the attributes of the person who gave the
eulogy. The power of the eulogy may depend on language use, visualization, vivid language, and
other components. If students are to simply discuss and compare eulogies in class, have them
work in groups to generate a list of features comparing and contrasting the eulogies. This activity
also works well for online discussion board prompts.
Special Occasion Speaking in Your Intended Field
Purpose: To encourage students to find out how common special occasion speaking is in their
intended field and what types of special occasion speeches are typical.
Instructions: Complete an interview with a professional in your future career or in a career that
interests you, asking him or her about the prevalence of special occasion speaking in the
industry. Ask him or her to give you an idea of specific situations that might call for the speeches
discussed in the chapter. Present your findings to the class.
This activity is helpful because it gives students an opportunity to research careers that
might be interesting to them. It also allows them an opportunity to network with various
professionals. Ask students to present their interviews to the class.
Observing Introductions
Purposes: To have students observe how introductions are made; to have students assess
strengths and weaknesses in introductions.
Instructions: Visit a guest speaker on your campus. How does the introducer capture your
attention and add to the credibility of the speaker? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the
introducer’s presentation?
This activity may serve as a short report to be turned in during class. In the report,
students will want to look for aspects of an effective introduction speech, such as building the
credibility of the keynote speaker or the award recipient, the brevity of the speech, avoidance of
embarrassing or excessively personal remarks, how well or poorly the introducer motivated the
audience to listen to the main speaker, and how well or poorly the introducer prepared the
audience for the speaker. Use these criteria to encourage students to assess the strengths and
weaknesses of the introducer.
Inspirational Mini-Speeches
Purpose: To give students experience attempting to inspire their classmates.
Instructions: Pretend that you are giving a speech of inspiration about something you really care
about. Prepare a brief, one- to two-minute mini-speech that seeks to uplift and touches on deep
feelings in your audience. The topic is up to you, but make sure it is relevant to your audience.
This activity will help students with their organizational and delivery skills. Once all
students have prepared their speeches, have them present them to the class. These mini-speeches
will likely open a worthwhile discussion about various issues important to your students.
IV. GROUP ACTIVITIES
Class Awards Ceremony
Purpose: To challenge students to create an awards ceremony that includes all the speakers that
would be involved.
Instructions: Choose members of your class to hold an in-class awards ceremony. Select a
master of ceremonies, an introducer of the main speaker, a main speaker, an awards presenter,
and an awards recipient. Give each person a strict time frame. Each speaker should prepare a
speech and coordinate its delivery with the other speakers.
Including all the roles listed may take the entire class period, but the exercise will be
worth the effort. This activity is a potentially enjoyable one that may be reserved for the end of
the term or semester as a reward for students. Otherwise, to conserve class time, roles may be
limited to introducer and speaker, and students may be put into pairs, with one person being the
introducer and the other being the speaker. Have the pairs take turns in acting out these roles.
Roast Your Instructor
Purpose: To give students an opportunity to prepare a roast.
Instructions: Prepare a roast of your instructor. Allow everyone three minutes to pay tribute to
the instructor’s fine teaching. Practice your roast, coordinate with other speakers, and consider
the other audience members. Is roasting a friend different from roasting an instructor? If so,
how?
While some students may welcome the opportunity to roast the instructor, others may feel
uncomfortable about the idea. If this is the case, an alternative is to allow students to discuss how
they would organize and execute a roast of the instructor, discussing the topics to be focused on,
the use of emotional appeals and humor, and other aspects of the event. Do not require students
that feel uncomfortable to deliver an actual roast.
Evaluating Acceptance Speeches
Purpose: To evaluate acceptance speeches using the guidelines discussed in Chapter 27.
Instructions: In a small group, locate a speech of acceptance, either in written form, on TV or in
a film, or online. Evaluate the speaker’s organization and delivery in terms of the guidelines
discussed in the chapter.
This activity can be a lot of fun for students, while allowing them the opportunity to
apply course concepts. You might consider recording an awards ceremony, such as the Oscars,
and allowing each group to choose one speech to evaluate. Ask students if the speaker
communicated humility or some other emotion and whether the emotions the speaker
demonstrated were appropriate to the situation. If time permits, have students present their work
to the class.