Special Occasion Speech
This 3-5 minute speech gives you the freedom to do a number of different speeches. Special
occasion speeches include graduation speeches, eulogies, tributes, retirement or farewell speeches,
and are very different from all the other speeches we’ve given.
You have been reflecting on important lessons you have learned or have been seeking out others who
may have learned a valuable lesson through personal experience. These may make excellent
examples to support the central ideas you would like to convey to your audience.
One key aspect of the speech will be to first establish the context for your speech. What is the event?
Who is there? Who/what is being celebrated, commemorated, or honored? Be creative. There are a
number of social situations in which you might find yourself asked to make a speech.
Once you’ve established the time, place, occasion, and purpose, the most important thing you
must decide is – the point! What’s the point? What is that Central Idea? What is the most
important message you want your audience to take away from your speech?
Graduation Speech: The goal of a graduation speech is to acknowledge the importance of the
ceremony and honor the graduates. The speaker often helps the audience tie the past, present,
and future together. The challenge for the speaker is to keep the attention of the restless students
who are already looking to the future. Choose examples and illustrations that celebrate the
collective experiences of the audience members. Humor is always welcome and will help to ease
the tension. Keep the entire speech positive and uplifting.
Tribute Speech: Situations for a Tribute Speech might be a eulogy at a funeral, or a speech
given at a retirement party, or any other occasion where a person is being honored. Basically,
sincerity is the key to a good Tribute Speech. You should focus on the positive aspects of the
person, tell humorous or otherwise interesting stories about the person, and speak of the person’s
accomplishments and admirable qualities.
Here's a simple and effective way to outline your speech topic ideas for your speech writing purposes:
THE INTRODUCTION
Wake up interest
State your specific purpose.
Relate it to your audience.
List the main points of the body - your Central Idea.
THE BODY
List the main special occasional speech topics and construct the successes, pros and cons, values,
examples, funny remarks, narratives, anecdotes or insight stories.
THE CONCLUSION
An amusing general remark, or joke or a toast are in general good public speaking topics and especially
last special occasion speech topics.
Special Occasion Speech
Name __________________________________________________________
Occasion _______________________________________________________
Introduction (15)
Grabs Audience’s Attention
1
2
3
4
5
Establishes occasion, purpose
1
2
3
4
5
States Central Idea to be discussed
1
2
3
4
5
Body (35)
Content was appropriate for the occasion
2
4
6
8
10
Points are well-organized and easy to follow
2
4
6
8
10
Created tone appropriate for occasion
2
4
6
8
10
Makes transitions between major points smoothly
1
2
3
4
5
Conclusion (10)
Draws speech to a close properly
1
2
3
4
5
Restates main ideas / summarizes
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
Volume/Rate of Speech
1
2
3
4
5
Confidence
1
2
3
4
5
Speaks Knowledgeably
1
2
3
4
5
Proper Posture / Stance
1
2
3
4
5
2
4
6
8
10
1
2
3
4
5
Delivery (20)
Eye Contact
Time (10)
3-5 minutes
Outline (5)
Typed Outline and intro.
GRAND TOTAL
(100)
_______________