Ceremonial Speech Ideas
Special occasion speeches include (but are not limited to) speeches of introduction, speeches of acceptance, award presentations, roasts and toasts, eulogies and other speeches of tribute, after-dinner speeches, and speeches of inspiration.
Below are some suggestions of possible ceremonial speech topics. You are not required to use any of these topics and are encouraged to develop one of your own based on your own interests. Even though you can use a lot of humor in this speech, it should not be a stand-up routine. The speech situation and/or award can be fictional so feel free to have fun and be creative. I do expect that some of the speech be PLAUSIBLE, so base it in reality with a “fictional lean.”
You can do a speech accepting an award, but it was an award you were notified of before hand, not at the last moment [so it should not be a speech like the acceptance speech at the Academy Awards where you simply thank a bunch of people]. It does need to be a structured speech with main points. (Two will suffice)
Just because some people may choose humor do not feel that you have to be funny. Special occasion speeches can also be heartfelt and serious. For example you may have had someone you cared about who passed away and for whatever reason you were unable to do a eulogy at the time. Feel free to use this opportunity to say what you wish you had said then. Keep in mind that eulogies can be difficult, make sure that you can handle the emotional toll it may take on you in front of the class. Another alternative is to honor a person, celebrate someone still living that could attend the celebration at which you are giving the speech. Again the topic and type of speech is up to you!
Below are some suggestions of possible ceremonial speech topics. You are not required to use any of these topics and are encouraged to develop one of your own based on your own interests. Even though you can use a lot of humor in this speech, it should not be a stand-up routine. The speech situation and/or award can be fictional so feel free to have fun and be creative. I do expect that some of the speech be PLAUSIBLE, so base it in reality with a “fictional lean.”
You can do a speech accepting an award, but it was an award you were notified of before hand, not at the last moment [so it should not be a speech like the acceptance speech at the Academy Awards where you simply thank a bunch of people]. It does need to be a structured speech with main points. (Two will suffice)
Just because some people may choose humor do not feel that you have to be funny. Special occasion speeches can also be heartfelt and serious. For example you may have had someone you cared about who passed away and for whatever reason you were unable to do a eulogy at the time. Feel free to use this opportunity to say what you wish you had said then. Keep in mind that eulogies can be difficult, make sure that you can handle the emotional toll it may take on you in front of the class. Another alternative is to honor a person, celebrate someone still living that could attend the celebration at which you are giving the speech. Again the topic and type of speech is up to you!
Speech of Introduction possible topics:
1. The President of the United States (current or former)
2. A famous basketball player (football, baseball, soccer, tennis, etc)
3. A famous actor or actress
4. Your parent (or other relative, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc)
5. Your boss (or co-worker)
6. Your best friend
7. A writer (living or deceased)
8. A local dignitary (mayor, city councilman or woman, school board member, etc)
9. Business person (large corporation, or small local business)
10. Historical figure
Speech of Acceptance possible topics:
1. Scholarship
2. Baking award
3. Talent award (Singing, Dancing, Painting, etc)
4. Athletic award
5. Academic award
6. Mother or Father of the year (daughter or son)
7. Student of the month
8. Dog training
9. Sexiest Man or Woman
10. Make something up (hamster handler award, backpacker of the year, best bartender, greatest hairdresser, prettiest smile, etc)
Presentation of an award ideas:
(any of the ones listed above work here too but keep in mind you need to bring in the award so think of what the award will look like)
1. plaque
2. statue
3. trophy
4. memorial
5. jar with candy in it
6. handmade certificate
7. handmade trophy (spray paint an old barbie doll or glue together some items to make something unique)
Roasts and Toasts possible ideas:
1. Wedding toast
2. Anniversary toast
3. Job promotion for a friend
4. Boss landing a big client
5. Coach retiring
6. Athlete who won a prestigious award
7. Fake drunk wedding toast
8. Toasting the worst date you have ever been on
Eulogies and Other Tributes
[ If you choose to do a eulogy make sure you celebrate and commemorate the subjects life and at the same time you should be consoling the people they left behind. Keep in mind that you should try to control your emotions, always refer to the family, focus on their life not their death, and remember to only mention the positive qualities of the deceased.]
After-Dinner Speeches
[Remember to stay in character, this speech is usually held just before or directly after a dinner or luncheon.
The function can be business, professional, or social. (business: pick a corporation or even small business, professional: pick a profession like attorneys, dentists or morticians, social: think clubs people belong to like the Elks or Rotary or the Royal Order of Buffalo's)
Generally this type of speech is lighthearted and entertaining. Remember to recognize the occasion, and the group.
Speeches of Inspiration
1. sermon type of speech (no preaching of faiths please! - stick to concepts or ideals)
2. rallies (getting people all jazzed up for a football game, a political campaign, or a sales pep talk)
3. nomination speech (class president, president of the US, school board, PTA or even captain of the football team)
4. commencement addresses (graduations can be fun - beauty school, pre-school, or even college)
1. The President of the United States (current or former)
2. A famous basketball player (football, baseball, soccer, tennis, etc)
3. A famous actor or actress
4. Your parent (or other relative, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc)
5. Your boss (or co-worker)
6. Your best friend
7. A writer (living or deceased)
8. A local dignitary (mayor, city councilman or woman, school board member, etc)
9. Business person (large corporation, or small local business)
10. Historical figure
Speech of Acceptance possible topics:
1. Scholarship
2. Baking award
3. Talent award (Singing, Dancing, Painting, etc)
4. Athletic award
5. Academic award
6. Mother or Father of the year (daughter or son)
7. Student of the month
8. Dog training
9. Sexiest Man or Woman
10. Make something up (hamster handler award, backpacker of the year, best bartender, greatest hairdresser, prettiest smile, etc)
Presentation of an award ideas:
(any of the ones listed above work here too but keep in mind you need to bring in the award so think of what the award will look like)
1. plaque
2. statue
3. trophy
4. memorial
5. jar with candy in it
6. handmade certificate
7. handmade trophy (spray paint an old barbie doll or glue together some items to make something unique)
Roasts and Toasts possible ideas:
1. Wedding toast
2. Anniversary toast
3. Job promotion for a friend
4. Boss landing a big client
5. Coach retiring
6. Athlete who won a prestigious award
7. Fake drunk wedding toast
8. Toasting the worst date you have ever been on
Eulogies and Other Tributes
[ If you choose to do a eulogy make sure you celebrate and commemorate the subjects life and at the same time you should be consoling the people they left behind. Keep in mind that you should try to control your emotions, always refer to the family, focus on their life not their death, and remember to only mention the positive qualities of the deceased.]
After-Dinner Speeches
[Remember to stay in character, this speech is usually held just before or directly after a dinner or luncheon.
The function can be business, professional, or social. (business: pick a corporation or even small business, professional: pick a profession like attorneys, dentists or morticians, social: think clubs people belong to like the Elks or Rotary or the Royal Order of Buffalo's)
Generally this type of speech is lighthearted and entertaining. Remember to recognize the occasion, and the group.
Speeches of Inspiration
1. sermon type of speech (no preaching of faiths please! - stick to concepts or ideals)
2. rallies (getting people all jazzed up for a football game, a political campaign, or a sales pep talk)
3. nomination speech (class president, president of the US, school board, PTA or even captain of the football team)
4. commencement addresses (graduations can be fun - beauty school, pre-school, or even college)
