Ceremonial speech

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

Hook (Video Clip):

(Play a short clip from a famous ceremonial speech, such as Steve Jobs' Stanford commencement
address or Oprah’s Golden Globes speech.)

Instructor:

“Let’s take a moment to reflect on what we just watched. Ceremonial speeches like this one are
often memorable. Why do you think that is? What emotions or themes stood out to you?”

Discussion Questions:
(Allow students to share their thoughts. If needed, guide the discussion with prompts like:)

• “Did the speaker tell a personal story? How did that impact you?”

• “Were there any moments that made you feel inspired or emotional?”

• “What about their tone or delivery? Did that add to the speech’s power?”

Instructor: “Great observations! Ceremonial speeches have the unique power to connect with us
emotionally while celebrating significant moments or people. Whether it’s honoring someone’s
achievements, giving life advice, or simply expressing gratitude, these speeches leave a lasting
impact.”

Key Points: (Write or display on the board)

1. Purpose of Ceremonial Speeches

“Ceremonial speeches have a powerful role in our lives. They aren’t just about words –
they’re about celebrating, honoring, and marking important moments. Whether it's a
graduation, an award ceremony, or a tribute to someone’s legacy, these speeches help us
pause and reflect on what really matters.”

“They give us a chance to recognize accomplishments, express gratitude, and inspire

others to act. They are often emotionally charged, designed to connect the audience with
the significance of the event.”
 Transition:
“Now that we understand the purpose of ceremonial speeches, let's dive into the different
types of ceremonial speeches you’ll encounter. These speeches vary depending on the
occasion, but they all share the common goal of marking important moments in life.”

Types of Ceremonial Speeches

1. Commencement Addresses celebrate or honor the past.
• OCCASION Commencement addresses look to the future, guiding students
as they step into the next phase of their lives.
• FOCUS Commencement speeches focus on motivating and offering advice to
graduates.
2. Commemorative Speeches
• OCCASION Commemorative speeches celebrate or honor the past.
• FOCUS Commemorative speeches focus on honoring achievements or
remembering events or individuals.

Tribute: This type of speech is about recognizing someone’s contributions or life. Think of
when we honor a teacher, a leader, or a public figure. What does a tribute speech usually
highlight, and why is it important for the audience?
Eulogy: A eulogy is delivered at funerals to honor someone who has passed away. It
reflects on their life, their achievements, and the impact they had on others. How does the tone of
a eulogy differ from a celebratory speech?
Toast: At special occasions like weddings or anniversaries, a toast is offered. It’s a brief,
heartfelt speech wishing happiness and success for the couple or the event. How can a toast be
both personal and public at the same time?
Award Acceptance: When receiving an award, a person delivers an award acceptance
speech. They often thank the people who helped them along the way and express gratitude. Why
do you think this moment is so emotionally charged?
Dedication: A dedication speech marks the opening of something new—a building, statue,
or a project. What message does this type of speech aim to convey about the significance of the
new space or project?
Commencement: Finally, a commencement speech is delivered at graduations, offering
inspiration and advice as students enter the next chapter of their lives. What themes do you
think are most important in a commencement address?
Instructor:
“Each of these types of speeches serves a unique role in highlighting an important milestone or
honoring a person or event. Think about your own experiences: Which of these speeches do you
remember hearing, and why did they stand out to you?”

Transition:
“Now that we’ve covered the types of ceremonial speeches—whether it’s a commemorative
speech that honors someone’s legacy, or a commencement address that inspires graduates—it’s
time to focus on how to structure these speeches to make them impactful for your audience.”

Instructor:
“Crafting an effective ceremonial speech isn’t just about what you say; it’s about how you say it.
The structure of the speech should be clear, engaging, and resonant. A well-structured speech
will ensure that your message reaches the audience with the right tone, pacing, and emotional
impact.”

Some guidelines for a tribute include the following:

1. In the introduction, mention why the subject is significant and worthy of praise.

2. Highlight praiseworthy characteristics, ideas, and behaviour that benefit the society.

3. Consider using a statement of reason patter.

4. Develop each point with illustrative incidents from the person’s life.

5. Though not an informative speech, include information about the subject.

CONTEST SPEECH
Instructor:
“Contest speeches are designed to stand out in competitive settings. Unlike casual speeches, they
aim to engage, persuade, and impress the judges. In many cases, these speeches have a specific
theme or prompt that participants need to address. Today, we will learn how to effectively structure
and deliver a contest speech to captivate an audience and stand out in competitions.”

1. Introduction to Contest Speeches

Instructor: “First, let’s get to know the types of speeches we’ll be focusing on today. Each of these
speeches serves a different purpose and requires different skills, but all of them have one thing in
common: they aim to make a strong impression on the audience and judges.”

Instructor (continued):

• "In Original Oratory, the speaker crafts a speech on a topic of their choice, typically
designed to persuade or inform the audience."

• "In Extemporaneous Speaking, the speaker is given a topic on the spot and has only a
short time to prepare a speech that provides insight into the topic."

• "And in Dramatic and Humorous Interpretation, the speaker performs a dramatic or

humorous monologue, focusing on portraying a character with emotion and energy."

2. Key Components of Contest Speeches

Original Oratory (15 minutes)

Instructor: “Let’s start with Original Oratory. This type of speech is where you write and deliver a
persuasive or informative speech on a topic of your choice. Your goal is to engage and persuade
the audience with a message that is clear, original, and impactful.”

Instructor (continued): “Here’s the basic structure of an original oratory speech:

• Introduction: Your hook is essential. It should grab the audience’s attention right away. This
could be a provocative question, a personal anecdote, or a surprising statistic.

• Body: The body is where you develop your argument or main points. It’s where you provide
evidence, examples, and supporting information.

• Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your key points and leave the audience
with a strong final thought or call to action."

Example:

• "If I were to give an original oratory about mental health awareness, my introduction
might start with a personal story or a shocking statistic, such as: 'Did you know that 1 in 5
adults in the U.S. suffer from a mental illness?'"

Extemporaneous Speaking (15 minutes)

Instructor: “Next, we have Extemporaneous Speaking. In this category, you are given a topic or
current event and only 30 minutes to prepare. Your goal is to think quickly, organize your ideas, and
present a well-structured argument on the spot.”
Instructor (continued): “The structure for Extemporaneous Speaking is very similar to Original
Oratory, but you don’t have the luxury of a long preparation time. You’ll need to be quick on your
feet, organizing your thoughts into an effective introduction, body, and conclusion in a short period
of time."

Example:

• "Let’s say the topic is ‘The Impact of Social Media on Society.’ You’ll need to introduce the
topic, quickly present two or three main points, and conclude with a powerful summary or
call to action.”

Dramatic/Humorous Interpretation (15 minutes)

Instructor: “Finally, we have Dramatic and Humorous Interpretation. In this category, you’ll
perform a scene or monologue from a play or story. The focus here is on acting, emotion, and
characterization.”

Instructor (continued): “You’ll need to become the character you’re portraying. Your goal is to
engage the audience emotionally—whether through drama or humor. The structure here is simple:
set the scene, perform the monologue, and leave the audience with a strong emotional
impression.”

Example:

• "If you’re performing a dramatic interpretation, you might choose a scene from a play like
Macbeth or Hamlet and focus on the emotion of the moment. For humorous
interpretation, you might pick a comedic scene from a play like The Importance of Being
Earnest and emphasize the humor through exaggerated facial expressions or body
language."