 The speeches focus on the events and the people of note at
SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECHES
Special Occasion Speeches are:
 Prepared for a special occasion and a specific purpose
 These can be informative or persuasive or a mix of both
THE MAIN GOAL:
 “The function of a special occasion speech is to entertain,
celebrate, commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.”
A. FOR ENTERTAINMENT:
 Banquets, award dinners, and roasts
 Usually a light hearted speech with humor
 They may also expect the speaker to offer some insight into
the topic
B. FOR CELEBRATION:
 Celebrates a person, place, or an event
Examples: Weddings, anniversaries, retirement parties,
awards banquets
(these all call for speeches that recognize the person or
event being celebrated)
 The speaker praises a subject and the audience expects a
certain degree of ceremony
C. FOR COMMEMORATION:
 Focus on remembrance and tribute
 Mark important anniversaries, such as 9/11, anniversary of
shootings at Virginia Tech
memorials dedicated to them or gatherings held in their
honor.
D. FOR INSPIRATION:
 Inaugural addresses, keynote speakers, and commencement
speeches all have an inspiration message
 Usually contain messages and examples of achievement and
heroism, many commemorative speeches also inspire
audiences as well as pay homage to a person or event being
commemorated.
E. FOR SOCIAL AGENDA-SETTING:
 Establishing or reinforcing the goals and values of the group
sponsoring the event
Examples: fundraisers, campaign banquets, conferences,
conventions
 Speakers are asked to deliver keynote addresses which
establish a theme of the meeting and which offer a plan of
action related to the theme.
TYPES OF SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECHES:
A. SPEECH OF INTRODUCTION
 A good introduction speech balances four elements: the
speaker’s background, the subject of the speaker’s message,
the occasion, and the audience.
Background
Heighten the audience interest. (why are they qualified to
speak) Build the speaker credibility
 You may need to ask for some background info from event
organizer or speaker himself.
Preview Speaker’s Topic
Why is the speaker’s subject of interest to the audience
Is the subject timely, significant, relevant to audience.
(Be brief in this portion-don’t steal their thunder!)
Ask Audience to Welcome the Speaker
Cue the audience to welcome.
“Please join me in welcoming…
B. SPEECH OF ACEPTANCE
 Prepare- if you know you might be getting an award,
prepare something to say esp. if it’s not a surprise–the
audience will expect a formal speech
 React genuinely and with humility
 Explain why the award is important to you and describe the
value you place on it.
 Tell the audience how it could affect your future and how it
gives meaning to what you did to get it.
 Thank those giving the award and those who helped you in
obtaining it.
C. SPEECH OF PRESENTATION
The goal is twofold:
Eulogy- To praise someone who has passed
 to communicate the meaning of the award
 to explain why the recipient is receiving it
* Balance Delivery and Emotion
 Explain the meaning of the award, what it
celebrates, who the award represents, the
significance of the name, when it was founded
 Don’t forget the sponsors or the organization
behind the award
 Talk about the recipient
 Why the person is getting the award, their
achievements, the kind of work they do, the special
attributes that qualify him for the award, how the
recipient was selected.. etc.
ROAST AND TOAST
Roast- humorous tribute to someone, various
people jokingly poke fun at the person.
Toast- a brief tribute to a person or an event being
celebrated
 (both are done to celebrate an individual
and his or her achievements)
 Prepare- you will set the tone and express the purpose for
gathering
 Keep it brief, focus on two of the most unique or
recognizable attributes of a person.
 Keep the tone good natured and brief (don’t embarrass the
person being honored)
EULOGIES AND OTHER TRIBUTES
 The speakers job is to help others feel better
 Audience looks to the speaker for guidance
 If you feel you are going to lose it, take a deep breath, pause–
and focus on your next thought.
* Mention each family member by name and make it clear the
deceased was an important part of the family.
* Focus on the life of the person, not death
 their contributions and achievements-how their memory will
live on
 talk about their character
 tell a story (can be humorous)
AFTER DINNER SPEECH
TOPICS FOR SPEECH WRITING
INFORMATIVE SPEECH
 Speech intended to inform and to share new ideas and build
perceptions
 Give the importance of your topic to the audience
 Goal of this speech is to give the audience a new
understanding or new appreciation of some topic with which
you might be familiar

 Usually surrounding a business, professional or civic meeting, PERSUASIVE SPEECH

following a dinner or lunch.  speech written to convince the listeners of the validity of the
 Should be lighthearted and entertaining speaker’s argument
 Make sure your speech is relevant to the topic  this might involve convincing some to change their opinion
 Don’t overdo comedy– Only a few jokes:) or at the very least take into account some ideas that have
 Go with what comes natural to you not really been considered before
 Can be Social Agenda-Setting
Ex. United Way jump starting its campaign ARGUMENTATIVE SPEECH
 Speech that tries to change the reader’s mind by convincing
SPEECHES OF INSPIRATION
him or her to agree with your point of view
 Seeks to uplift the members of an audience and help them  This attempts to be highly persuasive and logical
see things in a positive light
 This speech should be written objectively, logically, and
 Effective ones touch on deep feelings
respectfully
 Touch on audience’s emotions
- use vivid descriptions and emotionally charged words
- repetition, alliteration, and parallelism.
 Use real life stories
 Be Dynamic
 Make your Goal Clear
 Consider an Organizing Device Coach– WIN: Work, Intensity,
No Excuses
 Dramatic Ending