1. Speaking on Special Occasions
The Art of Public Speaking
Chapter 18

2. Speeches for Special Occasions
Given at weddings, funerals, award presentations, dedications, retirements, graduations, affairs of state
Speeches help make occasions special and memorable
Primary goal neither to inform or per-suade, but to meet needs of occasion

3. Kinds of Special Occasion Speeches
Speech of Introduction
Speech of Presentation
Speech of Acceptance
Commemorative Speech

4. Speech of Introduction: GOALS
Build enthusiasm for upcoming speaker
Generate interest in speaker’s topic
Establish welcoming climate that will boost speaker’s credibility.

5. Speech of Introduction: GUIDELINES
Brief
Completely accurate
Adapt to occasion
Adapt to main speaker
Adapt to audience
Create anticipation and drama

6. Requirements: Introduction of Persuasive Speaker Assignment
Mention topic/title WITHOUT expres-sing your opinion.
Explain why audience will be interested.
Give personal information about speaker and his/her credibility.
Announce speaker’s name.
Remain up front until speaker arrives.

7. Speech of Presentation
Given when someone receives award
Be brief
Explain why recipient is receiving award
Discuss achievements in a way to make them meaningful to audience.
Praise other competitors too, if any.

8. Acceptance Speech Gives thanks for gift or award
Should thank people bestowing it
Should acknowledge people who helped recipient win award

9. Commemorative Speech Address of praise or celebration
Pays tribute to person, group of people, institution, or idea
Eulogies, July 4th, testimonial addresses, dedications
Purpose: to inspire audience, heighten admiration for subject

10. Commemorative Speech, cont.
Presents information about subject, but different from informative speech:
Informative sp. aims to communicate information clearly & accurately, but…
Commemorative aims to express feelings and arouse sentiments

11. Commemorative Speech, cont
Effectiveness depends above all on creative & subtle use of language
Eloquent language makes them memorable
Two guidelines
Avoid clichés and trite sentiments
Utilize stylistic devices
Video Clip Reagan Commemorative Challenger
Video Clip Reagan Commemorative Normandy

12. Extemporaneous Style vs. Manuscript Style Delivery
Video Clip-Speaking Extemporaneously-Elizabeth Dole
Video Clip-Speaking from a Manuscript-Ann Richards