Chapter 18: Speaking on Special Occasions

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Do you ever think about those moments that really stick with you?

Like those times where everything just feels bigger?

Oh yeah, for sure.

Like maybe it was a wedding toast that just hit perfectly and everyone's laughing and crying at the same time.

Or like an acceptance speech that was just so real and down to earth,

even though the

person's accepting a huge award or even a tribute to someone that really got to the heart of who they were.

Yeah, totally.

Those are the times you remember.

It's funny how often speeches play a big part in those moments, I think.

Yeah, they're not just off the cuff remarks.

Those speeches, they really kind of shape how you experience these big events.

That's so true.

They can take an occasion from just being a thing that happened to something that actually stays with you.

Right, absolutely.

It's like they add this whole other layer of meaning.

Exactly.

And that's exactly what we're going to dive into today.

We're going deep on the art of speaking at special occasions.

We've got this awesome material that breaks down all the different types of speeches like that and the strategies behind giving them effectively.

Sounds good.

So,

you know, whether you might actually have to give one of these speeches sometime or you just want to get more out of listening to them or even if you're just curious about this kind of communication, I think there's some really valuable stuff to learn here.

Oh, for sure.

I think there's a lot of interesting stuff in here, too.

Our goal here is to make this a clear and engaging way to understand these key elements without feeling like you're slogging through a textbook or anything.

Yeah, nobody wants that.

OK, so first up, let's look at speeches of introduction.

OK.

It seems pretty straightforward at first glance, right?

You introduce someone, but our source is suggesting there's a lot more nuance to it than that.

Yeah, that's true.

I mean, sometimes a super short introduction is all you need, like if you're announcing the president or something.

Right.

But most introductions have like three main goals.

First, you want to get the audience excited about the speaker.

Makes sense.

Then you want to get them interested in what the speaker is going to talk about.

OK.

And then third, and this is super important, you want to create this welcoming atmosphere that helps the speaker seem credible right off the bat.

Oh, I see.

So it's about setting the stage not just for the speech, but for how the audience perceives the speaker.

Exactly.

You want everyone not just listening, but wanting to listen, you know.

That's a great point.

So how do you actually do that?

What are some of the keys to giving a really good introduction?

Well, first and probably most important is being brief.

OK.

Think of it this way.

A short, punchy introduction shows respect for the audience's time.

Right.

It says, hey, the main event is the speaker and I trust them enough to not ramble on forever beforehand.

I like that.

And our source actually has this hilarious story about Lord Balfour, who had to sit through a 45 minute introduction.

I know, right?

And his whole speech afterward was basically just, well, I'm supposed to give my address in the little time that's left.

So here it is, 10 Carlton Gardens, London, England.

Oh, wow.

I think that sums up perfectly how a super long introduction totally misses the point.

It's like, why are you even there?

Yeah, you're taking away from the speaker's time.

Exactly.

The spotlight needs to be on them.

So aim for like two or three minutes max.

That's a good rule of thumb.

And even shorter if the speaker is already well known.

OK, 45 minutes, though.

That's brutal.

Like the opening act playing their entire album before the headliner even comes on.

Exactly.

So, yeah, keep it brief.

What else?

Accuracy is huge, too.

Yeah, of course.

You don't want to get anything wrong about them.

Right.

Can you imagine the awkwardness if you misrepresent their achievements or even worse, get their name wrong?

It's the worst.

Our source talks about this blunder where some announcer called Herbert Hoover, Hubert Heaver.

Oh, no.

I know.

Just double check every single detail with the speaker beforehand to save everyone the embarrassment.

Definitely worth the extra minute to make sure you're getting it right.

Totally.

OK, so accuracy and getting the name right, that's a must.

What about adapting the introduction to the actual event itself?

Does that matter?

Oh, yeah.

Absolutely.

The level of formality should really match the occasion.

Right.

Like a casual gathering versus a more serious ceremony.

Introducing someone at a formal awards banquet is going to be totally different from introducing a colleague at a team meeting.

That makes sense.

You've got to tailor your remarks to the specific context.

You know?

Yeah, like a little lighthearted joke might be great in a casual setting, but could totally bomb at a somber event.

Exactly.

It's all about reading the room.

OK, so we've got brevity, accuracy and tailoring it to the event itself.

What about the speaker themselves?

How do you adapt the intro with them in mind?

Oh, this is a really good point.

You really want to make the speaker feel comfortable and set them up to do their best.

So avoid going overboard with the praise, especially about their speaking skills.

Interesting.

Yeah, like saying, our speaker is so dynamic, you'll be on the edge of your seats, can actually backfire.

Really?

How so?

Well, it puts a lot of pressure on them.

It's like now they have to live up to this hype you've created.

Oh, I get it.

It's like setting the bar so high they might feel like they can't possibly reach it.

Exactly.

And also super important,

steer clear of any personal stuff that might be embarrassing or just not appropriate.

Right.

Like if they've told you something in confidence, you don't want to blurt it out to the whole room.

Exactly.

Our source has this example about mentioning someone's childhood nickname, Blimpo, which is just like, no, no, no.

Yeah, that's just not cool.

What might seem funny or harmless to you could be super sensitive for them.

Exactly.

So yeah, keep it positive, professional and focused on why they're there to speak.

OK, that seems like good common sense.

But there's another piece to this puzzle, right?

The audience.

You got it.

Just like any other kind of public speaking, you have to be audience centered.

Right, because ultimately you're trying to get them engaged with the speaker.

Exactly.

Your main goal is to make the audience eager to hear what the speaker has to say.

So if they don't already know the speaker well, you'll need to establish their credibility quickly.

OK, how would you do that?

Well, you highlight their relevant experience,

their expertise, you know, their accomplishments, the stuff that makes them worth listening to.

Got it.

But on the flip side, if the speaker is already a big name to the audience,

you don't want to act like they're a total stranger.

Right.

That would be weird.

Yeah, it'd be totally out of touch.

Can you give an example of how you'd adapt an introduction for different audiences?

Sure.

Our source uses Serena Williams as an example.

OK, cool.

So imagine you're introducing her to a bunch of elementary school kids.

OK.

You'd probably focus on her starting young, the hard work it took to become a champion, you know, stuff about following your dreams.

Yeah.

That makes sense for that age group.

Right.

But if you were introducing her to the U .S.

Tennis Association, you'd highlight all her wins, her records, the tough times she's overcome, her impact on the sport.

So the basic subject is the same Serena Williams, but the angle you take totally changes depending on the audience.

Exactly.

You're emphasizing the details that will resonate most with each specific group.

That's really helpful.

So we've covered brevity accuracy, adapting to the occasion, the speaker, and the audience.

Anything else that goes into a truly great introduction.

Yeah.

One more thing, creating anticipation.

Ooh.

OK, like a little bit of drama.

Exactly.

You might have noticed in those Serena Williams examples that I saved her name for last.

I did, actually, yeah.

That's a classic technique.

Why does it work so well?

Well, it builds suspense.

It makes the speaker's name the climax of your intro.

Oh, that's clever.

Even if everyone already knows who's coming, holding back the name to the very end just adds a little something special.

Like the big reveal.

Right.

And another tip, try to dig up some interesting, maybe lesser known facts about the speaker, especially if they connect to their topic or the event.

That's a good idea.

It makes it more personal and engaging.

Yeah.

And finally, and I can't stress this enough,

practice your introduction.

Yeah, of course.

Practice is always key.

Seriously.

It lets you deliver it with sincerity and real enthusiasm so you don't sound like you're just reading off a cue card.

OK.

So we've got brevity, accuracy, adapting to the occasion, the speaker, and the audience, and building anticipation.

That's a fantastic roadmap for giving a killer speech of introduction.

I think so, too.

Now let's shift gears to our next category,

speeches of presentation.

What are these all about?

So speeches of presentation are all about giving someone a gift, an award, some kind of public recognition.

OK.

And the main point of the speech is to explain why they're getting this honor.

So it's like more than just, and the award goes to.

Right.

You're telling everyone what they've done to earn this recognition, what makes them so special.

It's about highlighting their accomplishments and the value of the award itself.

Exactly.

You want people to understand why this particular person is getting this particular honor.

Are there any important things to remember when you're putting together a presentation speech?

Yeah, definitely.

First, if the audience might not be familiar with the award itself, it's good to explain it a little bit, like talk about its history or the criteria for winning it.

That makes sense.

It gives the award more weight and context.

And then another thing, if it was a competition where there were other strong contenders, you should acknowledge them, too.

Oh, that's a good point.

You don't want to make it seem like this person was the only one who deserved it.

Exactly.

It's classy to give a shout out to the other finalists or nominees.

It shows you're recognizing everyone's hard work.

Right.

Do you have a real world example of a presentation speech that did a good job of incorporating all this?

Actually, yeah.

Our source talks about Barack Obama presenting the National Teacher of the Year award to Shanna Peoples.

Okay, I remember that.

Yeah, and he starts off by acknowledging all 55 of the top teachers who were there.

Wow, that's a lot.

Right.

So right away, he's setting the stage showing that this is a big deal and these are all amazing educators.

But then he zeros in on Shanna and he talks about the tough challenges her students face at her high school in Texas.

Like what kind of challenges?

Well, a lot of them come from disadvantaged backgrounds, refugee communities, things like that.

Oh, wow.

And he emphasizes how Shanna creates this really safe and welcoming environment for them.

It's not just about teaching the subject matter.

It sounds like she goes above and beyond for those kids.

She really does.

And Obama highlights the real impact of her work, too.

Like how?

Well, he mentions how the number of students taking and passing AP English exams has like doubled and even tripled under her leadership.

That's incredible.

Right.

And he even shares this really powerful image of her using the story of Hansel and Gretel to help her students learn to navigate their own struggles.

That's so creative.

Yeah.

And he talks about how much her students have accomplished.

So the whole speech is really about how amazing Shanna is at empowering her students and making a real difference in their lives.

So it's not just about the award.

It's about the person and their impact on the world.

Exactly.

So what comes after someone gets an award?

The acceptance speech.

Right.

Of course.

What's the main purpose of an acceptance speech?

Well, basically to express genuine gratitude for the gift or award you've received.

You're thanking the people who gave it to you and also anyone who helped you achieve the things that led to the award.

It's a moment to show appreciation for the recognition and for the people who supported you along the way.

Exactly.

What are the hallmarks of a really good acceptance speech, though?

Well, our source emphasizes three biggies, brevity, humility, and graciousness.

Okay, let's break those down.

Brevity meaning keep it short and sweet.

Right.

You want to acknowledge the honor without rambling on or making it all about you.

Right.

No one wants to hear someone go on and on about how great they are.

Exactly.

Humility is huge, too, recognizing that you didn't do it all alone.

Right.

There are always people who contribute to your success.

And then graciousness is key.

Just being truly thankful and showing your appreciation.

Okay.

So can we look at Shanna People's acceptance speech as an example of all this?

Oh, yeah.

Totally.

It's a fantastic example.

How so?

Well, she starts by thanking President Obama and saying how honored she is to receive the award.

That's a good start.

But then she immediately shares this really moving story about one of her students, a refugee named Lar Bullway.

Oh, wow.

And Lar has this incredibly strong belief in public school as like a symbol of America's commitment to opportunity,

you know.

That's really powerful.

Right.

And then Shanna extends her gratitude beyond just herself.

How does she do that?

Well, she talks about all public school teachers, the tough work they do, the importance of public schools for all kinds of students.

So she's connecting her personal win to a much bigger picture.

Exactly.

It's not just about her.

It's about the importance of education and the people who make it happen.

That's really cool.

And her closing line is amazing.

It's just let's begin dreaming.

Thank you.

Oh, that is short and sweet.

Right.

But so powerful.

It perfectly captures humility and graciousness because it immediately shifts the focus outward toward the future and the collective effort.

That's a really great example of how an acceptance speech can be both personal and universal at the same time.

OK.

We have one more category to cover commemorative speeches.

Right.

These sound like they have a lot of weight to them.

Yeah, they do.

They're all about praise and celebration.

So things like eulogies, Fourth of July speeches, dedications, you know, anything where you're honoring a person, a group, an institution or an idea.

So there's a lot of emotion tied into these speeches.

Definitely.

And I'm guessing they're not just about giving information, right?

Right.

You might include some facts, but the main goal is to inspire the audience to deepen their appreciation for whoever or whatever you're commemorating.

So it's about going beyond the surface level, getting to the heart of what makes this person or thing so special.

Exactly.

You want to evoke a sense of respect,

admiration, even reverence in your listeners.

It sounds like the emotional aspect is really central to these kinds of speeches.

Oh, it's absolutely crucial.

You're trying to express feelings that fit the occasion.

Right.

Like joy and hope for a dedication or sorrow and comfort at a funeral.

Exactly.

Our source actually compares a commemorative speech to an impressionist painting.

That's interesting.

It's like you're trying to capture a mood of feeling a significant moment through language instead of brushstrokes.

I like that analogy.

And just like an artist uses their tools, the speaker has to rely heavily on the power of language.

Yeah.

Words are their paintbrush.

Exactly.

And, you know, out of all the types of speeches we've talked about, commemorative speeches might depend on language the most.

Oh, that's an interesting point.

Think about some of the most famous speeches in history, Lincoln's Gettysburg address, for example.

Right.

Those are considered masterpieces because of how eloquently they use language, how much power their words have.

Yeah, they're not just conveying information, they're creating an experience.

Exactly.

So our source uses Ronald Reagan's eulogy for the Challenger astronauts as a powerful example of a commemorative speech.

What made that speech so effective?

Well, the source compares what Reagan actually said to like a hypothetical stripped down version.

Like, imagine just the bare facts, no emotion, no imagery, it would be so flat.

Right.

It wouldn't have the same impact at all.

Exactly.

But what Reagan did was he connected the astronauts to Sir Francis Drake, this famous explorer.

OK.

And then he used this incredible line, slip to the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God.

Oh, wow.

It's from a poem called High Flight.

And it just elevates the whole tragedy.

It makes it about heroic exploration and something bigger than ourselves.

Looks so powerful.

It totally transforms the eulogy from a simple recounting of facts into something truly moving and memorable.

That's a perfect example of how the right words can make all the difference.

So what are some specific language techniques that work well in commemorative speeches?

Our source points out a bunch of them.

Like what?

Well, there's metaphor where you describe something by comparing it to something else.

OK.

And which is similar but uses like or as.

Right.

And then there's parallelism using similar grammatical structures over and over.

Repetition, which is just saying the same words or phrases for emphasis.

Got it.

Antithesis, where you put contrasting ideas side by side.

OK.

And alliteration, where you repeat consonant sounds.

Right.

Like Peter Piper picked a peck.

Exactly.

And think about Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech or JFK's inaugural address.

They're both full of those techniques.

Exactly.

And that's a big part of why they're so memorable and inspiring.

Yeah.

It's like they get under your skin and stay with you.

Right.

So does our source give any examples of good commemorative speeches by maybe less famous people?

Yeah, it does.

There's one called Make -A -Wish, which is a tribute to the Make -A -Wish Foundation.

Oh, cool.

And it does explain a little bit about the organization.

But the main focus is on their generosity, their selflessness, the way they bring hope to kids facing serious illnesses.

Awesome.

And the speaker uses parallelism and repetition really effectively to make it sound formal, but also really heartfelt.

I like that.

The source actually contrasts it with a more basic version of the same message just to show how much of a difference those language choices make.

Sometimes you don't realize how much the wording can change the whole feel of something.

Totally.

OK.

So last but not least, we have the Ida B.

Wells commemorative speech.

What's that one about?

So this one's a student speech honoring Ida B.

Wells.

Who is she again?

She was a super important civil rights activist.

Oh, right.

And the speech starts off by putting her right up there with people like Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, MLK.

Wow.

So establishing her importance right from the start.

Exactly.

And then the speech has this really clear three -part structure.

OK, what are the three parts?

So first, it talks about her courage to stand up against injustice.

Like what specifically?

Well, it mentions when she got kicked off a train in 1883 for refusing to give up her seat.

Wow.

That was even before Rosa Parks.

Yeah.

So then the second part highlights her powerful voice in speaking out against injustice.

Like her writing and speeches.

Exactly.

It talks about her work with a newspaper called the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight and her activism against lynching.

OK.

And then the third part is about her unwavering commitment to staying in the fight for justice.

She sounds like a remarkable woman.

She really was.

And this part talks about her founding the first suffrage organization for African -American women.

Wow.

And her role in starting the NAACP.

So each of these three sections starts and ends with this parallel structure.

OK.

So using similar wording to emphasize those key themes.

It creates this really strong rhythm and reinforces Wells's legacy.

That's really clever.

And the speech ends with this call to action to remember her name and all she accomplished.

That's a great way to leave the audience with something to think about.

Yeah.

It's really effective.

And the whole speech is a great example of how to be both informative and appreciative without getting bogged down in too many details.

So we've covered a lot of ground here.

Speeches of introduction, presentation, acceptance, and commemoration.

It's amazing how each of these types plays such a key role in making those special occasions even more special.

Totally.

They can really elevate those moments and give them lasting meaning.

And by understanding the purpose and the key elements of each type, we can not only appreciate them more, but also maybe become better communicators ourselves.

Right.

Whether we're the ones giving the speech or just listening.

This has been such an interesting deep dive.

It really has.

And as we wrap up, I want to leave you with a thought.

Think about the next special occasion you attend.

How might what we talked about today change how you experience that event and the speeches that are given?

Or maybe if you were asked to give a speech yourself, how would you approach it now?

I think paying attention to these kinds of speeches in our own lives can be really eye -opening.

You might be surprised at the skill and intentionality that goes into them.

Yeah, I think that's great advice.

Thanks for joining me today.

It was my pleasure.

And to all of you listening, thanks for tuning in to the DUP Dive.