Acceptance Speeches Without Tears

Unlike some of the most publicised 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 acknowledgement.

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 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 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:-
  
  An opening or introduction, followed by the body of the speech and then a conclusion



• Expected Content for Acceptance Speeches:-
  
  
  • gracious thanks to the person and/or organization honoring you
  • an acknowledgement 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/insitution 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...



• How to Use Humor Safely:-
  
  Be 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
  
  
• Write your speech out fully and rehearse.
  
  This how to rehearse page will help if you don't know how. It is full of easy-to-use tips and techniques.



• 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.
  
  
• 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.



• And lastly, be yourself and enjoy it!

The free monthly ezine for everybody who has, or might be, 'called on to say a few words' and wants to get them right. Your Primary Email Your First Name NOW Don't worry, your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you speaking-out-loud.

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.write-out-loud.com