CHAPTER 25
Speaking on Special Occasions
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. Special occasion speeches can be either informative or persuasive (or a mix of both),
B. The underlying function of a special occasion speech is to entertain, celebrate,
commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.
2. Often the function of a special occasion speech is to celebrate a person, a place, or an
event, such as at weddings or anniversaries.
4. Some special occasion speeches, such as inaugural addresses and keynote speeches at
conventions, are given to inspire the listeners.
5. Another function of special occasion speeches is social agenda setting, the promoting
of goals and values held by the group sponsoring the event.
Chapter 25, p. 529
II. Types of special occasion speeches
A. Speeches of introduction
1. A speech of introduction is a short speech given to introduce a speaker and to
motivate the audience to listen to the speaker. A good speech of introduction balances
four elements:
a. Describe the speaker’s background and qualifications
B. Speeches of acceptance
1. A speech of acceptance is given to express gratitude for an awarded honor.
a. Prepare in advance.
C. Speeches of presentation
1. The presentation of an award calls for a speech of presentation.
a. Convey the meaning of the award. Describe what the award is for and what it
D. Roasts and toasts
2. A toast is a brief tribute to a person or an event being celebrated.
Chapter 25, p. 530
a. Be sure to prepare ahead of time.
E. Eulogies and other tributes
1. A eulogy is a tribute to a deceased person.
a. Balance delivery and emotions. Although giving a eulogy may involve intense
emotions, try to deliver the speech without breaking down.
F. After-dinner speeches
1. An after-dinner speech is a lighthearted and entertaining speech delivered before,
during, or after a business, professional, or civic meeting or meal.
a. Recognize the occasion. Make sure the speech connects with the occasion; if it
G. Speeches of inspiration
1. A speech of inspiration seeks to uplift an audience and to help listeners see things in a
positive light.
Chapter 25, p. 531
a. Appeal to audience members’ emotions. Touch on shared values, use vivid
description, and try storytelling.
KEY TERMS
special occasion speech speech whose general purpose is to entertain, celebrate, commemorate,
inspire, or set a social agenda
speech of introduction short speech whose purpose is defined by two goals: to prepare or “warm
up” audience members for the speaker and to motivate them to listen to what the speaker has to
say
toast brief tribute to a person or an event being celebrated
eulogy speech whose purpose is to celebrate and commemorate the life of someone while
consoling those who are left behind; typically delivered by close friends and family members
after-dinner speech 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
Chapter 25, p. 532
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
dictated by that occasion. Depending on the nature of the occasion, the function of a special
occasion speech is to entertain, celebrate, commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.
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
Chapter 25, p. 533
II. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. 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 preparation. Ask students to talk about special occasion speeches they have heard
Chapter 25, p. 534
2. 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. Remind students that a speaker
needs to take the audience, the occasion, and the honoree into consideration when making
CONTENT PRESENTATION IDEAS
I. STUDENT ACTIVITIES
1. Research three eulogies delivered by well-known individuals. (See, for instance, Paul
Theroux’s The Book of Eulogies.) 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.
Chapter 25, p. 535
2. 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 speech of introduction, such as building the
II. GROUP ACTIVITIES
1. Choose members of your class to hold an in-class awards banquet. 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
2. 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?
Although some students may welcome the opportunity to roast the instructor, others may
III. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
QUESTIONS
The following questions may be used by instructors to help illustrate important points in the
chapter and to 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
1. What is a special occasion speech? What is its main goal?
Chapter 25, p. 537
2. Give an example of each of the five goals of special occasion speeches.
3. What is a speech of introduction?
4. What key elements make up a good speech of introduction?
5. Have you ever given or heard a speech of acceptance? If so, when? What is a speech of
acceptance?
6. What should a speaker include in a speech of acceptance? In the speech you gave or observed,
were these elements included?
Prepare in advance: If you know about it beforehand, always prepare. Express what the
award means to you. React genuinely and with humility.
7. 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 award and explains why the recipient is receiving it
8. What is a roast? A toast? Have you ever given either? For what occasion?
Roast: a humorous tribute to a person, one in which a series of speakers jokingly pokes fun at
9. What is a eulogy? What guidelines should you follow when delivering one?
Eulogy: a tribute to the deceased
Guidelines:
10. Think of giving an after-dinner speech. Consider a time and a place at which you may need to
give this speech. Then outline the speech, balancing the two goals of this type of speech:
Chapter 25, p. 539
11. 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?
Speech of inspiration: a speech that seeks to uplift listeners and help them see things in a
positive light
Guidelines:
• Appeal to the audience’s emotions.
• Use real-life stories.
ACTIVITIES
Impromptu Special Occasion Speech
Purpose: To give students an opportunity to practice public speaking, practice using creativity and
humor, and 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.
Chapter 25, p. 540
Purpose: To help students identify possible ceremonial speech topics.
Instructions: This activity should take place at the end of the chapter, once students have been
introduced to the material. It can be done in small groups or as a class. Have students identify the
different types of special occasion speeches: after-dinner speech, eulogy, roast, speech of
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,
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
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 a bag and have each
student draw a name. Students will have to write a brief speech telling how that classmate has
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES
An angry charmer. (1995, October 30). Newsweek, 32–37.
Copeland, C. (2003). Farewell, Godspeed: The greatest eulogies of our time. New York, NY:
Harmony Books.
Cox, F. (1998). Introductions: Tips on how to introduce people in public. PSA Journal, 64, 40–41.
Detz, J. (2006). Can you say a few words?: How to prepare and deliver a speech for any special
Chapter 25, p. 542
McDonald, K. (2004). Cheers!: 1,024 toasts and sentiments for every occasion. New York, NY:
Black Dog and Levanthal.
Miller, L. (2002). Roasts and toasts made easy: A practical guide for the creation of roasts/toasts
Speaking for the association: Here’s how to put your foot forward as a spokesperson. (1977,
January). Association Management, 49, 87–90.
Speaking of race. (1995, December). Commentary, 100, 21–26.
Straub, D. G. (1996). Voices of multicultural America: Notable speeches delivered by African,
For examples of special occasion speeches: See Executive Speaker and Toastmaster.
SUGGESTED WEBSITES
Dr. Humor <www.drhumor.com>