CHAPTER 15
CEREMONIAL SPEAKING
CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter describes six common types of ceremonial speeches given on special
occasions: speeches of welcome, introduction, nomination, recognition, acceptance,
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction (p. 274): On ceremonial occasions, your audience has distinct expectations
for what they will hear. This chapter will help you learn the expectations and
considerations of six different special occasion speeches.
I. Speeches of welcome (p. 274).
A. Speech of welcome: an address that greets and expresses pleasure for
C. Organization.
1.
The beginning: you may want to express appreciation of your group for
the presence of the person or organization.
D. You may be asked to serve as master of ceremonies: an individual
designated to welcome guests, set the mood of the program, introduce
participants, and keep the program moving.
II. Speeches of introduction (p. 274).
A. Speech of introduction: establishes a supportive climate for the main
B. Organization
1.
The beginning: quickly establish the nature of the occasion.
III. Speeches of nomination (p. 275).
A. Speech of nomination: proposes a nominee for an elected office, honor,
B. Expectations: You must highlight the qualities that make the nominee the
most credible candidate.
C. Organization.
1.
First clarify the importance of the position, honor, or award.
IV. Speeches of recognition (p. 276).
A. Speech of recognition: acknowledges someone, usually accompanied by
the presentation of an award, a prize, or a gift.
C. Organization.
1.
Begin by describing what the recognition is for.
V. Speeches of acceptance (p. 277).
A. Speech of acceptance: acknowledges receipt of an honor or award.
C. Organization.
1.
Briefly thank the person or group bestowing the honor.
VI. Speeches of tribute (p. 278).
A. Speech of tribute: praises or celebrates a person, group, or event.
1.
A toast is a ceremonial speech offered at the start of a reception or
meal that pays tribute to the occasion or to a person. It should be
VII. Other ceremonial speeches (p. 281).
A. Commencement address: praises graduating students and attempts to
inspire them to reach for their goals.
D. Dedication: honors a worthy person or group by naming a structure,
monument, or park after them.
E. Farewell: honors someone who is leaving an organization.
LECTURE IDEAS
1.
Record one or more award shows, such as the Academy Awards, the Grammy
2.
Use in conjunction with the preceding lecture idea. View a sample special occasion
3.
Brainstorm some special occasion speech situations. Focus your lecture on the
1.
You may want students to give a special occasion speech as one of the first speech
2.
Is a speech at a political convention a persuasive, motivational, or special occasion
speech? Defend your answer based on what you have learned in the last few
3.
Make a list of the types of speakers who would be appropriate to invite to your
college’s next commencement ceremony. Defend your choices based on the type of
audience present and the occasion.
4.
Can a special occasion speech also be informative or persuasive? How? If this is so,
5.
Have a discussion with the class about good and bad special occasion speeches
6.
Collect video of special occasion speeches from films, TV, or awards shows. Show
CLASS ACTIVITIES
Activity 15.1: Special Occasion Speeches on the Internet
As a homework assignment, have students search for an assigned type of special
occasion speech using InfoTrac. You may want to assign the class one type, such as
Activity 15.2: Evaluation of Special Occasion Speeches
Provide students or groups of students with any of the speech evaluation checklists
presented in Challenge. The informative speech checklist usually works well. Have
Activity 15.3: Commencement Addresses
Using InfoTrac, have students locate the review of the book Graduation Day: The Best
Activity 15.4: Celebrity Awards Speech
Divide students into groups of 3–4. Have each group choose a celebrity to give an
award to and the award to be given. You may want to provide a list of celebrities for
them to choose from or allow them to choose one on their own. (A short list is provided
Activity 15.5: The Public Speaking Awards Show Extraordinaire
This activity showcases the characteristics of special occasion speeches (welcome,
introduction, presentation, acceptance, and tribute).
Divide the class into groups and give them one of the following special occasion
4th Group: Acceptance
Responds to the presentation
Thanks the group and others who share in the honor
5th Group: Tribute
The group can pick anyone related to the awards show for tribute (Chewy from
Star Wars and Michael Jackson were particularly entertaining).
Group praises the individuals’ accomplishments by creating an allusion of “no
one’s perfect,” focus on his/her accomplishments, and providing biographical
info.
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
commemorative address: celebrates national holidays or anniversaries of important
events
commencement address: praises graduating students and attempts to inspire them to
eulogy: speech of tribute given during a funeral or memorial service, which praises the
life and accomplishments of the deceased
farewell: honors someone who is leaving an organization
keynote address: both sets the tone and generates enthusiasm for the topic of a
conference or convention
speech of nomination: proposes a nominee for an elected office, honor, position, or
award
speech of recognition: acknowledges someone, usually accompanied by the
presentation of an award, prize, or gift
speech of tribute: praises or celebrates a person, group, or event
speech of welcome: an address that greets and expresses pleasure for the presence
of a person or an organization
TEST QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 15
Multiple Choice
1.
A speech that greets and expresses pleasure for the presence of a person or an
organization is called a:
a.
speech of welcome
b.
speech of introduction
c.
speech of recognition
d.
speech of acceptance
2.
The characteristics of ceremonial speaking include .
a.
inviting listeners to agree with you about the value of a person, object, event, or
place
b.
ceremonial speeches are brief
c.
ceremonial speeches are five minutes long or less
d.
all of these
3.
If the audience’s expectations are set too high in a speech of introduction, what
might occur?
a.
the audience will become resentful
b.
a good speaker might have trouble living up to them
c.
the thinking of the audience might be changed
d.
the audience will get bored
4.
What are the goals of a speech of nomination?
a.
to highlight the qualities that make the nominee the most credible candidate
b.
to list the candidate’s personal and professional qualifications that meet those
criteria
c.
formally place the candidate’s name in nomination, creating a dramatic climax to
clinch your speech
d.
all of these
5.
What special considerations should one keep in mind during a speech of
recognition?
a.
refrain from overpraising; do not explain everything in superlatives as this can
make the presentation seem to lack sincerity and honesty
b.
shake hands with the recipients and look them in the eye
c.
look the recipients in the eye and convey your appreciation
d.
convey your appreciation but don’t overpraise their disposition
6.
A speech that praises or celebrates a person, a group, or an event is called a(n)
.
a.
nomination speech
b.
commencement address
c.
celebration speech
d.
speech of tribute
7.
For an acceptance speech to be effective, the speech must be .
a.
brief, humble, and short
b.
brief, short, and gracious
c.
gracious, humble, and short
d.
brief, humble, and gracious
8.
A speech that praises graduating students and attempts to inspire them to reach for
their goals is called a(n):
a.
keynote address
b.
commencement address
c.
commemorative address
d.
inspirational address
9.
A speech that sets the tone and generates enthusiasm for the topic of a conference
or convention is called a(n):
a.
keynote address
b.
commencement address
c.
commemorative address
d.
tribute speech
10.
A speech of tribute that honors a worthy person or group by naming a structure,
monument, or park after them is called a .
a.
keynote address
b.
commencement address
c.
dedication speech
d.
speech to entertain
11.
The unique type of tribute speeches, where guests might offer good–nature insults
or anecdotes, personal stories, or uplifting accolades are called:
a.
toasts
b.
roasts
c.
eulogies
d.
ceremonials
12.
A speech is given to honor someone who is leaving an organization.
a.
farewell
b.
recognition
c.
dedication
d.
commencement
13. A(n) introduces and enlists interest in a concept, product, or practice in
three minutes or less.
a.
dedication
b.
recognition
c.
farewell
d.
elevator pitch
ANS: d SEE PAGE 281
14.A
A speech of tribute given during a funeral or memorial service, which praises the
life and accomplishments of the deceased.is called a(n):
a.
roast
b.
toast
c.
eulogy
d.
dedication
15.
A person announcing the winner of an Academy Award is giving a(n)
speech.
a.
acceptance
b.
recognition
c.
acceptance
d.
welcome
16.
A roast is expected to .
a.
offer uplifting accolades
b.
offer heartwarming or outlandish personal stories
c.
offer good-natured insults or anecdotes
d.
all of these
ANS: d SEE PAGE 279
17.
When presenting someone with an award or gift, as in a speech of recognition, the
speaker should .
a.
refrain from overpraising to avoid seeming insincere
b.
give the recipient a hug
c.
give the recipient the award after the ceremony
d.
give the award to someone else to give to the recipient, because that is too
much responsibility for the speaker
18.
The body of a speech of introduction should .
a.
focus on a single characteristic of a person
b.
be the longest speech of the night
c.
describe the group you are introduced to
d.
focus on three or four things the audience ought to know about the person being
introduced
19.
A speech to is a humorous speech that makes a serious point.
a.
recognize
b.
entertain
c.
welcome
d.
nominate
20.
A speech of recognition should .
a.
recount the nature and history of the award
b.
how the recipient met the recognition criteria
c.
tell the audience why the recipient is being recognized
d.
all of these
21.
T F The goal of ceremonial speaking is to persuade.
22.
T F An example of a commemorative address would be a speech given on the
anniversary of D-Day.
23.
T F Toasts are expected to last around 6 to 8 minutes.
24.
T F During the speech of introduction, you should also try to contact the speaker
directly and ask what points the speaker would like you to emphasize.
ANS: F SEE PAGE 274
25.
T F It is appropriate in a commencement address to make a political statement
to influence the graduating class.
26.
T F During a speech of nomination, you should highlight the qualities that make
the nominee the most credible candidate.
27.
T F As master of ceremonies, you might be asked to give a speech that both
welcomes and introduces a speaker.
28.
T F It is inappropriate to use an acceptance speech to advocate for an unrelated
cause.
29.
T F An acceptance speech is a response to a speech of recognition.
ANS: T SEE PAGE 278
30.
T F Speeches of tribute focus on the most notable characteristics or
achievements of the person, group, or event, using vivid stories, examples,
and language that arouses sentiments
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Canter, M. B. (2000). Reflections on receiving an award. American
Psychologist, 55(11), 1304–1312.
Kuryllowicz, K. (2002, June 1). How to introduce a speaker. Profit, p. 11.
The Nobel Prize. (2016). Retrieved October 2016, from http://nobelprize.org.