Special Occasion Speech Topics

Deciding on special occasion speech topics is something everyone faces at some point in their lives. Special occasion speeches only happen on a sometimes basis, and coming up with the perfect topics for these times is often very difficult.

There are many different types of special occasion speeches you might face during your lifetime.

One of the most common you may have to deal with is a high school graduation speech, a college/university graduation speech or valedictorian speech. No matter what organization you are graduating from, the chances are quite good a long ceremony will be involved.

If you are graduating from a traditional organization, like a school, college, or post-secondary training program, you may be asked to come up with special occasion speech topics because you were at the top of your class.

You are expected to make an intelligent speech that demonstrates your aptitude as a student. If this is the case, think about the important concepts you have learned as well as the special memories you will always consider when you look back on your experiences as a student.

Check out this great example of a high school valedictorian speech to give you some great ideas for your own.

You might also want to choose from one of these quotes for graduation speeches to help inspire you.

Another common realm of special occasion speeches is weddings. If you have been asked to speak at the wedding of a friend or family member, your list of special occasion speech topics for this day is endless.

Whether you are the father of the groom, the best man or the maid of honor, the key to a good wedding speech is to make it relevant to the couple.

Consider talking about special memories of the bride and groom. Think about including compliments on the ceremony, the décor, and the attire of both parties. You might also want to include stories about the happy couple. Your wishes and hopes for the couple should close out this list of special occasion speech topics. Use the links above for some examples of weddings speeches.

If your speaking engagement doesn't fit into either of these categories, start brainstorming your speech topics by thinking about the purpose of the engagement. What is it that people attending the event might want to hear? You should first figure out what the overall goal of your speech is, then consider the specific factors involved in the special occasion speech topics of your choice.

If someone close has passed on you may be chosen to deliver the eulogy speech, a poem or quote on death may be appropriate to use in your eulogy or as a separate reading during the memorial service.

Or maybe you are retiring and need to say goodbye to a group of people who are like family to you. This retirement speech and these quotes on retirement may help you with this task.

Perhaps a welcome speech or birthday speech best reflects your goal. If you have been chosen as an after-dinner speaker, humor might be your overall goal. If someone is being honored, a tribute speech is probably the most appropriate goal for your topics.

Whatever your goal, there are several things to keep in mind as you choose from your list of special occasion speech topics.

Think first about the members of your audience. Audience awareness is easily one of the most important facets of public speaking. Ignoring the preferences of your audience by committing an error like telling a joke in poor taste will not set the tone of your speech well.

You should also keep both the time and place of your speech in mind when you choose from your long list of special occasion speech topics.

Check back or subscribe to the speech topics blog to be kept informed as I will be adding examples of the different types of special occasion speeches.

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