Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Always be brief
If speaking at a formal meeting, there will always be a time allotted for the speech. Ask the
organization responsible for the featured speech if there are any guidelines you need to consider.
You can get an idea of how much time the award recipients spend making their speeches. Rarely
does an introductory speech last more than a few minutes. For example, if you are going to
introduce a classmate who is delivering a seven-minute speech, ur introduction should gtake no
more than one to two minutes. So the first part should be short to give the audience the
impression that the presentation is brief and increase the level of focus.
Avoid Platitudes
"Here is someone who needs no introduction”. If so, then you never should have begun your
speech. The audience will probably think, "Needs no introduction? Then sit down and keep
quiet."
2. We are truly honored to have with us today.. have value. You would do better to explain
briefly ny the speaker's pres ence is an honor. "This comment is too vague to
3. "Without further ado.... You have just trivialized your own remarks, treat ing them as "furry,
confusion, upset, excitement, hubbub, noise, turmoil The preface without further labels your
speech inconsequential.
4. "It is indeed a high privilege. This is another empty phrase that should be replaced with
specifics.
5. "On this most memorable occasion rable this event will be in the future. I have heard this
phrase used to describe many decidedly forgettable events. I would list them, but I can't recall
what they were "You cannot judge now how memo
6. We have none other than This comment is at best redundant, it soods as if you weren't sure
whether the speaker was an impostor, and you wanted to make sure the audience recognized
him or her
Because speeches of introduction are so common and their use is so specific, speakers can fall
into the trap of using platitudes. Any speech genre that is well established invites the use of stock
phrases that can instantly make a presentation seem trite. At best, such remarks will tell the
audience that your presentation lacks originality. A speech of intro duction filled with platitudes
also sends a clear message that you did not gather specific information about the speaker.
Prônuce
This is an unacceptable error, saying the wrong delegate name, guest name... will make a very
bad impression. If the name is long and difficult to remember, you should write down the event
name on a hand-held piece of paper and read it, but when you memorize it, you must memorize it
carefully and accurately every word and never be subjective.
Award
An award presentation speech is one you give as you present an award to a worthy recipient.
Some award ceremonies may require you to speak a few words, while others will set out time for
a full speech. Your speech has to highlight the recipient’s success and what they accomplished to
receive the award.
When giving an award presentation speech, you have to find a way to engage your audience
without distracting them from the business of the day. For an award presentation speech, the
speech outline will be slightly different.