Tribute & Legacy Speaking On Special Occasions

Unit Learning Targets ● By the end of this unit, you will be able to say… ● I understand different types of special occasion speeches ● I can identify ways to deliver an effective special occasion speeches ● I can acknowledge and express feelings about a significant influence in my life ● I can incorporate authenticity, style, and passion into a presentation

In SOS, we aim to inspire, celebrating what we have in common ● We reaffirm values ● We recommit ourselves to life according to those values

Special Occasion Speeches aim to inspire or to entertain through… ● Building community ● Identifying personal beliefs and feelings ● Showing the power of a given situation

The Responsibility of a Speaker ● Giving an Informative Speech, is to say something worth hearing ● Giving a Persuasive Speech, is to activate the audience to behave a certain way ● Giving a Special Occasion Speech, is to remind the audience of what’s truly important

Central Idea = Basic Values ● Values are what is most important ● The things we care about ● Our visions of what we want to achieve ● What makes us who we are (as individuals and as a community)

Journal: What are your values? What do you really care about? What makes you who you are?

Types of Special Occasion Speeches ● Acceptance ● Commemorative ● After-Dinner

Ingredients for a Strong SOS Speech ● A clear point ● Organized ● Uses compelling language

Have a Clear Point ● General Purpose ● To Inspire ● To Entertain ● Specific Purpose ● Central Idea

Commemorative ● Speeches of praise or celebration that pay tribute to a person/group/institution/idea ● Eulogies ● Event Speeches (i.e. Veteran’s Day, Graduation) ● Dedications (Memorials, Buildings) ● TED Talks ● Testimonial addresses (sharing experiences) ● Best Man/Maid of Honor Speeches

Speeches of Acceptance ● Goal: Giving the Award ● To explain why the recipient is receiving the award or gift ● Point out achievement and discuss them in ways that make them meaningful to the audience ● Goal: Receiving the Award ● Give thanks for a gift or award ● Acknowledge those who helped the recipient gain the award or gift

After-Dinner Speeches ● Purpose: to entertain ● Almost any topic can be appropriate ● Lighter in tone than other speeches ● Supporting material should be chosen for entertainment value rather than persuasive strength

After-Dinner Speeches ● Listeners are looking for good natured talks that are imaginative and whimsical ● Still need to be clearly organized around a central theme ● Humor can be important! ● Grows naturally ● Provides insight ● NOT stand up comedy where superficial jokes are strung together

The “Last Lecture” Example ● Specific Purpose: to entertain and inspire us with stories of how he achieved (and failed to achieve) his childhood dreams ● Central Idea: In dreaming, trying, and failing we learn the imagination, perseverance and sense of fun we need to succeed and to help others succeed, too

Tips for Delivery ● Be brief ● Be accurate ● Be able to adapt to the occasion ● Be able to adapt to the audience ● Try to create a sense of anticipation and excitement

Remember to leave your audience thinking… ● Whether you are aiming to entertain or to inspire, you should have a central idea ● Express the values you want to remind your audience about

What have you achieved? ● Ten years from now, you will be giving great speeches and presentations ● Now, you know from experience: ● That you can stand up and speak ● Techniques for how to do it ● Why it is important ● That public speaking can be fun