Acceptance Speeches -
Without Tears

Unlike some of the most publicized acceptance speeches, these do not have to be a long list of 'thank-you-thank-you...' punctuated by sobs or silence because you're scrabbling for a clean tissue. Neither do they need to be so flippant or brief they minimize the people honoring you.

Good acceptance speeches find a balance - walking the line to achieve gracious humility and acknowledgment.

These guidelines were written as a result of my own experience.

Yes, dear reader, I gulped and gawped at an expectant audience, managing a few tearful thank yous before being gently steered off stage with a huge bunch of creamy-yellow roses.

Not an acceptance speech I'd encourage anyone to copy!

Tips for Making your Acceptance Speeches More Than Acceptable

• Prepare ahead of time if possible

  In my example above there was little time to prepare but had I been thinking I would have realized a speech could be called for. I wasn't and the result was temporarily embarrassing.

  But if you DO know you're going to be honored, preparation will save you, particularly if it's likely you'll be overcome emotionally by the occasion.

She travelled 10,000 miles to say thank you! Read Birdland School Principal Olive Mumba's inspirational award acceptance speech. This speech was delivered at a dinner given in her honor in Seattle where she received the 2009 Seattle Academy Arts and Sciences 'Future Building' Award for her outstanding commitment and work to give the children of her community in Lusaka, Zambia an opportunity to learn.

• How to Prepare

  Find out:-

  • how long you are expected to speak for
  • what type of occasion and when it will be. Is it formal or informal, day or night time?
  • who will be in your audience
  • who will be introducing you and what they're likely to say
  • Also find out if you're expected to cover any specific subject matter.

• Use the standard 3-part speech format

  You'll need an opening or introduction, followed by the body of the speech and then a conclusion.
  For more see Sample Speech Outline. You'll find a handy down-loadable printable fill-in-the-blanks outline to keep you on track.

• Expected Content for Acceptance Speeches

  • gracious thanks to the person and/or organization honoring you
  • an acknowledgment of the audience witnessing the event
  • an appreciative awareness of those who helped you without digressing into thanks for the cat, dog, next-door neighbor, the person who didn't run you off the road when you were ten years old and larking on your bike...
  • what the honor means to you
  • the values the donor organization/institution espouses and how they inspire you.

  Remember people love stories. Tell them but keep them tight and to the point. Give them snapshots into where your life was and where it's going now...
  Click this link to find out more about story telling in speeches

• How to Use Humor Safely

  Be really careful! Even self-deprecating humor can backfire badly. These people are honoring you because they thought you deserved it. Mocking yourself takes away from them as well. Click the link to find out how to use humor in speeches

• Speech Writing

  If you need tips for helping you through the writing process - to get the ideas flowing smoothly this page on how to write a speech will assist.

• Speech Delivery

  Acceptance speeches are better delivered without reading your text word-for-word. Use *cue cards to help you remember the main points and rehearse until you are fluent.
  * Cue cards - Click the link for detailed information on how to prepare and use cue cards successfully. They do make a positive difference. Your speech will seem more spontaneous and direct through using them.

• Rehearse your speech

  For smooth assured delivery you need to practice. This how to rehearse page will help you make the most of your rehearsal time. It is full of effective easy-to-use tips and techniques.

• And lastly, be yourself and enjoy it!

Click the link to find more on how to deliver a speech of any kind. You'll find tips on slowing your speech rate if you're a motor mouth, or speaking clearly if you are inclined to trip over words or mumble, using vocal variety and more. In fact the page is chock-full of techniques to improve delivery!

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