Conclusion
Special occasion speaking encompasses a number of different speeches that require particular attention to an occasion, event, or person. This chapter covers two major areas of special occasion speaking: (a) reports and public relations speeches specific to the workplace, and (b) various types of ceremonial speeches. With regard to workplace and public relations, increased experience in these types of speeches helps one develop leadership, organizational, and presentational skills.
There are various types of reports—technical, staff, progress, and investigative—and each serves a unique purpose in conveying information. Reports are an important component to public relations, which is the occupational area that is concerned with the messages an organization conveys to its publics and stakeholders. Public relations experts must acquire particular skills in public speaking that include informing and influencing the public, combating misinformation,
and handling organizational crises.
Ceremonial speaking is intended to inspire audiences, celebrate an event, commemorate a person, and/or entertain. Ceremonial speeches—regardless of the type—should reflect the mood of the audience and the occasion that brings people together. Ceremonial speeches include speeches of introduction, toasts and roasts, presentational speeches, keynote addresses, commencement speeches, commemorative speeches and tributes, and after-dinner speeches. After-dinner speeches in particular are arguably the most challenging because they require planning, organization, and timing on the part of the speaker. But with effective uses of nonverbal and verbal forms of humor, the after-dinner speech will have a lasting impact on the audience and the occasion.
Key Terms
reports, public relations, technical report, staff report, progress report, investigative report, crisis, organizational image, ceremonial speech, speech of introduction, toast, roast, presentational speech, acceptance speech, keynote address, commencement speech, commemorative or tribute speech, after-dinner speech, humor
