1. Special Occasion Speeches
Speeches to Entertain
LEARNING TARGET: I can create a speech for a special occasion and create an outline or word for word.

2. Speeches to Entertain Designed to be entertaining and ceremonial
Entertaining doesn’t mean it’s humorous
Make the audience feel an emotion or have an emotional connection
LIFE: club meetings, dinners, parties, graduations, awards ceremonies, holiday, ribbon cuttings, etc.
Most common: Introductory Speech, Master of Ceremonies, Toasts
Key element in public and personal life

3. Audience, Occasion, Purpose
Characteristics
Usually much shorter than informative or persuasive speeches
More personal
Creative use of language (figurative language)
Must play to the audience
Audience, Occasion, Purpose

4. Develop a Clear Theme Main purpose is to entertain Optimistic
Uncomplicated
Anecdotes
Have one serious idea
Too much fluff
Anchors the theme

5. Organization
Your speech is made up of a central idea supported by a series of examples, anecdotes, or amusing stories
Makes it easy for your audience to remember
Open with an anecdote
Explain the point of the anecdote
Illustrate your point with additional anecdotes
Close by restating your central point and a last story

6. Gathering Material Supporting material adds glitter to a solid frame!
Anecdotes, details, examples, jokes, current events, pop culture, etc.
Brainstorming
What do you share with the audience or guest of honor?
Common events or experiences
Your own experiences (wedding, awards, etc.)

7. You-Attitude
“You Attitude” means look at events from the audience’s perspective
What would you like to hear?
What would you not want to hear?
Don’t make the speech about you!
Focus on the theme

8. Emotional Appeal (Pathos!)
Audiences identify with emotion
Common emotion creates unity
Make it short and sweet

9. Special Occasion Speeches
Specific Entertaining Speeches

10. Introducing a Speaker 2-3 minutes DO:
Title of the speech that the speaker will give
Why the speaker is qualified to speak on the topic
The speaker’s name (multiple times)
DON’T:
Summarize the speaker’s presentation
Improve – be prepared!
Apologize for the room, audience, speaker, etc.
Embarrass the speaker

11. Commencement -- Graduation Speech
10-15 minutes
DO:
Keep the good mood!
Be memorable
Thank the superintendent, principal, parents, etc.
DON’T:
Go too long – Graduation is long enough!
Get too specific with issues
Inside jokes

12. Presenting an Award 2-3 minutes DO:
Keep it factual and straightforward
Explain the award
Congratulate the honoree
Shake hands to present award
DON’T:
Pretend you know the honoree
Get distracted while holding the award

13. Keynote Speech – entire convention is based around speech
15-20 minutes (or longer)
DO:
Consider the mood of the convention
Remember that people usually paid to listen
Be original
DON’T:
Be egotistical

14. Toast – drink in honor of someone
1-2 minutes
DO:
Make general statement about the theme of gathering
Invite the guests to join in a toast
DON’T:
Go too long – multiple toasts
Inside jokes

15. Wedding Toasts Thank the couple Praise the couple
Have a theme or main idea (loyalty, friendship, etc.)
Illustrate the theme
Wish the couple well in their new life together
DON’T:
Be offensive
Poke fun at the new spouse
Make it about you

16. Your Turn! Try writing your own Special Occasion Speech to entertain!
1-3 minutes
Identify:
1. Occasion (Brother’s wedding)
2. Audience (200 people, mix of intimate friends and family)
3. Environment (large banquet hall)
Point and Proof Method or try a specific SOS format
If needed, pretend – Make up an event
Write Word for Word (needs to be at least 1-2 pages)
Follow our format (3 main points, intro and conclusion)
Needs to have a creative start and end (attention getter and clincher)
DUE TYPED TOMORROW *will read in front of class for a grade!

17. Reading of Special Occasion Speech
Before Reading, please tell us the following:
1. Occasion (Brother’s wedding)
2. Audience (200 people, mix of intimate friends and family)
3. Environment (large banquet hall)
Please plan on reading 3 paragraphs of your speech
Your introduction
Your BEST main point (body paragraph)
Your Conclusion