Most people have been to some sort of special event where a speech was given, such as an awards show with prizes or a cheerful wedding bringing two people together, or even at a somber funeral where a speech was given to remember the person that is now no one longer with us. Just like most other speeches, the reason for the speech should be clear to everyone listening, you do not want to come off to your audience at a wedding reception that you think the bride and groom won't work well together, you would want to rejoice at the fact they that found someone that makes them happy.
If you are celebrating a person or a specific event, that would be considered a toast. Most people present at the gathering are there when a toast is given and most times a glass is risen when the toast is dedicated to its recipient. Another example of this is a roast, where the recipient of the speech, which is usually a person, is roasted by making jokes or backhanded compliments. You should always be aware of your audience and the recipient when giving a roast to make sure that you remain respectful to everyone and can still be seen as ethical. Just like every other speech we have discussed, you should do your best to remain respectful to your audience and recipient, especially when giving a eulogy. You can intertwine memories into almost type of special occasion speech, so you are able to use that to your advantage.
When giving a special occasion speech, depending on who it is you're talking about and their significance to you in your life, it's always a pleasure to draw back on recent memories and create a short, clear story of your time spent together. Drawing back on memories not only impacts you and who you're talking about, but your audeience too as it allows themselves to draw an image in their mind and put themselves in your shoes. Using past events is a great way to dive into a speech!
ReplyDeleteWhen my uncle passed away, we had a minister lined up to give a eulogy, but he got caught in traffic and never arrived at the funeral! My father gave an impromptu eulogy for my uncle (his brother-in-law), and did a great job, with no preparation on his part. This may happen to anyone, so good speaking skills are always an important talent to have!
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