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There are several kinds of speaking for special occasion, and each speech should respond to audience expectations for the situation. Tribute speeches, which praise or celebrate someone, include toasts and roasts. A toast should be brief and appropriate, while a roast is more humorous, but should still be positive and brief, and finish on a heartfelt tone. A tribute to a departing colleague is a commemorative speech that should emphasize the persons contributions and notable qualities. A eulogy is a speech of praise given for someone who has died. While a eulogy does not have to be somber, it should capture attention and set a them, generally using a narrative pattern. It should strive for emotional control, and you should be balanced and realistic in your praise. Relate what you will remember and miss about the person, and prepare ahead of time to finish strong.
Another type of speaking for special occasions is a speech of introduction for featured speakers, where you want to introduce and create enthusiasm for the speaker, but also remember that you are not the main focus. If you are the featured speaker, make sure to respond to the introduction before moving into your own material. You may also find yourself in the position to give or receive an award. When giving a speech of presentation, make sure to communicate the meaning and importance of the award, and identify why the recipient was selected for the award. If you are in the position to give a speech of acceptance for an award, prepare a speech that is appreciative, genuine, and humble while briefly thanking important people who helped you. A commencement address should have a serious message to impart to graduates while incorporating humor and appealing to our better nature. A final type of special occasion speaking is the after-dinner speech, which is meant to entertain with a central theme and a serious point relevant to the theme that is accomplished through humor.