Appreciation Speech

An appreciation speech is not your everyday kind of speech. This kind of speech is only being said when a special occasion or a very commemorative event requires you to give a speech. Let’s take in graduation speeches for examples. Other than the fact that they are about taking the next step forward into reality, graduation speeches also take the time for the valedictorian or the cum lade graduate to give thanks to the people who have helped him or her come this far in life. Be it the parents, friends or relatives.

• Examples of Persuasive Speeches
• Examples of Writing a Salutatory Speech

Anyone who you think deserves the glory and honor must be recognized and acknowledged in your speech. Here are some examples that you can begin to draft your appreciation speech as to make it worthwhile and noteworthy and not to pass it off as just another boring speech.

Composing Your Speech

1. The formality of the event

If it is simply as a casual and non-serious event, then you can lighten up the mood you are going to give thanks to. For example, you could say “I can’t express how grateful I am to have all of you here with us tonight.”

Start with an expression of gratitude.You can start by thanking the people who have helped you receive this award then and there. Normally, a form of acknowledgement of why you’re giving the speech is the best way to start. Your expression of gratitude will set the tone for the rest of your speech. Take the following factors into account when you deliver your speech:

1. If you’re being honored by your company, you can talk about how the organization has molded you to become a better person.

2. If you’re receiving an award from an outside party, like an arts organization awarding you for a film you directed, acknowledge the fact that receiving an award from them is truly a blessing and an opportunity to be thankful for. You may also see welcome speech.

3. If you’re giving a speech to thank friends and family for honoring you, honor them by saying giving your most sincere and heartfelt thanks.

2. Talk about your esteem for the people honoring you.

Do not forget that you did not just win this award because of your sheer hard work and responsibility. Even in a thesis paper, you would have to give thanks to your thesis adviser and panelist as well your teachers and parents for helping you formulate this thesis. Take the time to recognize their actions and put it in paper. You may also see introduction speech.

3. Tell a funny or poignant story.

We all have stories to tell. By adding a story in a speech, it acts as an icebreaker to give the people an opportunity to understand on what you have experienced along the journey into accepting your award. Whether it is comedic or simply poignant, you just have to deliver it to give the audience something that they can remember, even when they forget everything else. You may also see informative speech.

4. Mention the names of people who helped you.

It is assuring that there are several people who have helped you on your journey to where you are right now. So as you formulate your speech, draft a list of names on who you think deserves the credit and acknowledgment he or she deserves for helping you through thick and thin, through all the good times and bad.You may also see tribute speech.

5. End it on a high note.

Start strong and end strong. When you finish listing people you want to thank, the speech is just about over. End it by saying thanks once more, and repeating how sincerely grateful you are. If you want your speech to be especially memorable, you could consider adding some finesse into it like adding a quote from a movie or from some other famous speeches. You may also see farewell speech.

6. Write out your notes.

Appreciation speeches are surprisingly short. Try not to make it too lengthy, otherwise, you would just bore your audiences to death. Make it to a point that it is not only short, but it is also catchy at the same time to give your audience something that they can recall. Create an outline or simply jot the important details own as to avoid forgetting too much when you arrive on stage. People would normally rely on their notes as a refresher in case they forget what they are talking about. You may also see speech examples for students.

7. Time yourself.

There are some events that have a specific time limit for their speeches while there are some events that do not have any. When you’re faced with a time limit, you can always try to tie yourself in order to see as to whether you have exceeded the required time or not. If yes, then it is important to make some adjustments to your speech so that it will fit within the given time frame. If you think there is no time limit, then you can check out other speeches to see how long they would usually give their speeches. Once you know how long, then time yourself with their time. You may also see award speeches.

8. Practice in front of someone who makes you nervous.

It’s nice and all to practice in front of a mirror. But there are times, that it will not be enough. So, if you have family or friends, then you can bring them over in order to help practice your speech. But since you will be delivering your speech to an audience other than your parents, then try practicing with total strangers. In that way, it will help you get over your fear from public speaking.You may also see leadership speech.

9. Work on looking and sounding natural.

Review your speech and see if there is anything that you need to work on. If it is just going to be some wordings then and there, try working on that to make your speech sound more natural. It is important not to use too fancy words or terminologies that you are not comfortable of saying. Speeches are said best when the speaker is comfortable with his or her choice of words. You may also see special occasion speech