SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECH EXAMPLES

Commencement
Will Ferrell - 2003 Harvard Commencement Day Speech (video has 3 parts I have a link to the first part)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPl3X6whm3A

Donovan Livingston (spoken word delivery style) – Harvard 2016 Masters Ceremony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGb8ZfZl_IE

Twilight Graduation Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMrgITIzg2o

Wedding Vows
Tyler from Teen Mom wedding vows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn1PY4OVFPA

Janelle Watson –spoken word wedding vows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBncGFCqEOA

Introduction Speech
Jack Black and Will Ferrell – 2008 Oscars Introduction for Best Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoXLu9Rz70g

Ellen DeGeneres
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUmX6CiMoFk

Award Acceptance
Lupita Nyong’o – 2014 Best Supporting Actress Award
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73fz_uK-vhs

Suaad Hansbhai – 2015 Honor Student of the Year – The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad1p-XSubKk

Robin Roberts – 2013 ESPY Award Winner – Arthur Ash Courage Award
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dlN3OHNxAE

Jim Valvano – 1993 ESPY Award Winner – Arthur Ash Courage Award
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNuCS5ZtPJg

Eulogy
Reverend Dr. Kevin Cosby eulogy for Muhammed Ali 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouwNvqt3f6s
Duke of Earl eulogy for Princess Diana 1997 (speech starts at 1:30 mark)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VUy-wBwBvw

Bill Crystal eulogy for Muhammed Ali 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VUy-wBwBvw

Retirement Speech
Michael Jordan – Enshrinement into NBA Hall of Fame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLzBMGXfK4c

Andre Agassi – 2006 U.S. Open Retirement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqLfan0R0b8 (great raw emotion)

Lou Gehrig – 1939 New York Yankees Retirement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnzv3TjXPh0 (great use of repetition)

Keynote Speakers
Barbara C. Joran – 1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg7gLIx__-k

Mary Fisher – 1992 Republican National Convention – “A Whisper of Aids” Keynote Address
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0qMBVoXlKU (part 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEPamnaEIjs (part 2)

Barack Obama – 2004 Democratic Convention Keynote Speaker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0

Elie Weisel – 1999 Address to President Clinton – “The Perils of Indifference”

http://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ewieselperilsofindifference.html

Difficult Moment Speeches

Ronald Reagan – 1986 Shuttle Challenger Explosion
http://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganchallenger.htm (includes text of speech)

George W. Bush – 2016 Dallas Police Memorial Service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnzv3TjXPh0