1. Public Speaking Chapter Eighteen
Speaking for Special Occasions and Purposes

2. Public Speaking in the Workplace
nearly every job requires some public-speaking skills
in many careers, public speaking is a daily part of the job
these can take the form of:
management meetings
reports to company executives
training seminars within the company
public-relations speeches to people outside the company

3. Group Presentations
after a group has reached a decision, solved a problem, or uncovered new information, group members often present their findings to others
make sure you have a clear purpose and central idea, divided into logical main ideas

4. Group Presentations
there are three primary formats for group presentations:
symposium – a public discussion in which a series of short speeches is presented to an audience
each speaker should know what the others will present to avoid presenting the same material twice
at the end, the audience may participate in a question-and-answer session

5. Group Presentations
forum – a question-and-answer session that usually follows a public discussion or symposium
often follows a more structured presentation
forums work best when all group members know the issues and are prepared to respond
panel discussion – a group discussion designed to inform an audience about issues or a problem or to make recommendations
individuals on the panel may use notes on key facts or statistics, but they do not present formal speeches
panel discussions are often followed by a question-and-answer period – or forum

6. Group Presentations Suggestions when planning a group presentation:
make sure group members understand the task or assignment and work together
if your assignment is to solve a problem or to inform the audience, try brainstorming to develop a topic or question
give group members individual assignments
develop a group outline and decide on an approach
rehearse
incorporate principles and skills of effective audience-centered public speaking when giving the group presentation

7. Group Presentations
keep these tips in mind when you are offering conclusions or recommendations:
clarify your purpose
use presentation aids effectively
choose someone to serve as moderator or coordinator
can provide needed structure and keep the group on time
be ready to answer questions

8. Public-Relations Speeches
public-relations speeches are designed to inform the public, to strengthen alliances with them, and in some cases, to recommend policy
first, discuss the need or problem that has prompted the speech
then, explain the how the company or organization is working to meet the need or solve the problem (or why it believes that there is no problem)

9. Public-Relations Speeches
it is important to anticipate criticism
emphasize the positive aspects of the policy or program
do not become defensive
leave the impression that the company or organization has carefully worked through potential pitfalls and drawbacks

10. Ceremonial Speaking
kairos is the circumstances surrounding the occasion for a speech
a ceremonial or epideictic speech is delivered on special occasions for celebration, thanksgiving, praise, or mourning

11. Introductions
a speech of introduction is a speech that provides information about another speaker
like an informative speech, the speaker is delivering the information to the audience about the main speaker
be brief – the audience is there to hear the speaker, not you
be accurate – know how to pronounce the speaker’s names and other terms you will need to know
keep the needs of your audience in mind – if the speaker needs no introduction, don’t give one – just offer a warm welcome

12. Toasts a toast is a brief salute to a momentous occasion
the modern toast is short – only a few sentences
sincerity is more important than wit

13. Award Presentations
a presentation speech is a speech that accompanies the presentation of an award
first, refer to the occasion of the presentation
second, talk about the history and significance of the award
lastly, give the award
if the person knows they are getting the award, you can refer to them in their speech
if it is a surprise, save the drama of the actual announcement until the last moment

14. Nominations
nomination speeches officially recommend someone as a candidate for an office or position
the person making the nomination should explain clearly why the nominee’s skills, talents, and past achievements serve as qualifications for the position

15. Acceptances
an acceptance speech gives thanks for an award, nomination, or other honor
usually have a bad reputation because of lengthy, boring, and rambling examples seen on television award shows
formula
first, thank the person making the presentation and the organization he or she represents
second, comment on the meaning or significance of the award to you
lastly, try to find some meaning the award may have for your audience

16. Keynote Addresses
a keynote address is a speech that sets the theme and tone for a meeting or conference
emphasizes the importance of the topic or the purpose of the meeting, motivates the audience, and sets the theme for other speakers or events

17. Commencement Addresses
a commencement address is delivered at a graduation or commencement ceremony
praise the graduating class
turn graduates toward the future
this is not the proper forum to discuss the problems in the world, instead focus on the bright and inspiring futures ahead of the graduates

18. Commemorative Addresses and Tributes
commemorative addresses are speeches delivered during ceremonies held in memory of some past event and / or the person or persons involved
present some facts about the event and / or the people being celebrated
build on those facts, urging the audience to let past accomplishments inspire them to achieve new goals

19. Eulogies
a eulogy is a speech of tribute delivered when someone has died
you should mention – and linger – on the unique achievements of the person to whom you are paying tribute
express a sense of loss
turn to the living, and encourage them to transcend their sorrow and feel instead gratitude that the dead person was once alive and among them

20. After-Dinner Speaking: Using Humor Effectively
an after-dinner speech is an entertaining speech, usually delivered in conjunction with a mealtime meeting or banquet
they can persuade or inform, but their primary purpose is to entertain
think about what audiences find funny
be careful of potentially sensitive or inappropriate topics
humorous stories should be simple
know your anecdotes very well (forgetting things always ruins the joke)

21. Humorous Verbal Strategies
a pun is the use of double meanings to create humor
a spoonerism is a phrase in which the initial sounds of words are switched (“sublic peaking” instead of “public speaking”)
used to avoid libel charges or copyright infringement
a malapropism is the mistaken use of a word that sounds very much like the intended word

22. Humorous Verbal Strategies
an hyperbole is an exaggeration
an understatement is downplaying a fact or event
verbal irony is saying the opposite of what one means
wit is relating an incident that takes an unexpected turn at the end

23. Humorous Nonverbal Strategies
posture
gesture
voice
well-timed pauses