Chapter 19

Special-Occasion
Speaking
 Special-Occasion Speaking:
Introduction
Epideictic rhetoric: Speaking that praises
or blames
One of the three genres of oratory identified
by Aristotle
Used to celebrate timeless virtues during
occasions such as funerals or holidays
Special-occasion speeches mark some of
the most important events in our lives.
 Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches
Speech of introduction
Also called the speech before the speech
Prepares the audience for the main event by
giving context for the upcoming speaker,
performer, or event
Speech of presentation
Explains the background and significance of
an award and why the recipient is deserving
of it
Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches (cont.)
 Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches (cont.)
Speech of acceptance
Expresses gratitude for the award
Extols the awards significance to them and
others
Acknowledges others support and
contributions
 Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches (cont.)
Speech to memorialize or eulogize
A eulogy:
Comments on the passing of an individual
Celebrates his or her life
Often shares personal reflections and stories about
the deceased
A speech to memorialize uses the same
approach, but is expanded to honor the
sacrifice and heroism of a group of people.
Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches (cont.)
 Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches (cont.)
Speech to celebrate
Given at events representing rites of passage
May take the form of a toast or special
observance that focuses on the milestone
achieved and recognizes the joy and pride the
participants feel
 Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches (cont.)
After-dinner speech
Can follow or precede a meal
Light in tone
Helps a speaker entertain listeners or set the
stage for an event that follows the meal
 Types of Special-Occasion
Speeches (cont.)
Some events, such as the Oscars, include
multiple types of special-occasion
speeches.
Each type of special-occasion speech
serves a unique purpose and evokes a
different mood.
To deliver any of them effectively, you must
apply certain common skills.
 General Guidelines for Special
Occasions
Appealing to Your
Audiences Emotions
Audience will likely be
predisposed to experiencing
a particular feeling during
the occasion.
Your job in giving the speech
is to signal when its time for
that emotion to come to the
surface.
 General Guidelines for Special
Occasions (cont.)
Matching Your
Delivery to the Mood
of the Occasion
Your demeanor and
words should match
the overall mood of the
special occasion for
which youre giving a
speech.
 General Guidelines for Special
Occasions (cont.)
Adapting to Your Audiences Expectations
Listeners cultural background, age, values,
and other characteristics all affect how they
perceive a special occasion and what they
expect from a speech delivered during that
occasion.
Before giving any special-occasion speech,
be sure youre familiar with your audiences
expectations.
 General Guidelines for Special
Occasions (cont.)
Evoking Shared Values
Many effective special-
occasion speeches appeal
to values shared by
members of the audience
and the speaker.
Remind listeners that you
and they are connected.
 General Guidelines for Special
Occasions (cont.)
Respecting Time Constraints
Most special occasions are carefully planned
affairs.
Make sure you know beforehand when youre
scheduled to speak and what your time
allotment is.
Stick to these logistics when delivering your
presentation.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech
Strategies for Speeches of Introduction
Three goals:
Shift your listeners focus from interacting with one
another to paying attention to the upcoming event.
Build anticipation and excitement in the audience
for the upcoming topic and speaker or
presentation.
Introduce the person, performance, or event thats
coming next.
Remember, you are not the entertainment.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
Be patient.
Audience members need time to shift focus away
from their conversations or meals.
Use attention-getters.
Make sure you remain appropriate for the setting.
Modulate your volume.
Begin loudly, but lower your voice as the room
becomes quieter.
Be focused and brief.
Keep your comments focused on that next event.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
Strategies for Speeches of Presentation
Adopt the persona of a presenter.
Speak respectfully and knowledgeably.
Explain the significance and background of
the award or honor.
Connect the recipients background to the
awards criteria.
Use appropriate presentation aids.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
Strategies for Speeches of Acceptance
Use appropriate volume and articulation.
Anticipate the impact of strong feelings.
Feel free to gather yourself for a moment or two
before you start talking.
Show genuine humility.
Dont act surprised if you knew you would be
receiving the award.
Remember that less is more.
Aim for brevity.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
Strategies for Speeches to Memorialize or
Eulogize
Focus on celebrating the persons life.
Highlight the deceaseds accomplishments,
important relationships, and unique qualities.
Use humor judiciously.
A humorous (but appropriate) anecdote about the
deceased can relieve the tension in the room.
Dont be afraid to show your own emotions.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
Strategies for Speeches to Celebrate
Aim for brevity.
Take enough time to remind the audience why the
gathering is so important and joyful, but not so
much time as to tire, bore, or distract the audience.
Use humor appropriately.
Use audience analysis to determine whether
humor is okay.
Use humor to highlight endearing qualities of the
people being celebratednever use humor to hurt.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
Strategies for After-Dinner Speeches
Focus on humorous anecdotes and narrative
delivery, not jokes.
Practice your storytelling and narrative
delivery.
Link your speech to the occasions theme.
Adapt your delivery to your audience and the
occasion.
 Strategies for Each Type of
Special-Occasion Speech (cont.)
 Sample Special-Occasion Speech
Read the sample special-occasion
speech, 2012 Providence College
Commencement Address by Viola Davis
in your textbook.
Notice Daviss effective use of narrative,
metaphor, and humor to encourage
students to go out and live their lives.