Examples

Appreciation Speech

Appreciation speech generator.

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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.

how to make an appreciation 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 .

how to make an appreciation 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 .

how to make an appreciation 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

10. Calm your nerves right before the speech.

Inhale and exhale. Breathe in and breathe out. It is OK if you get nervous just minutes away from delivering your speech. That’s OK. It happens to the best of us. The trick is trying to get the shakey and jittery feeling out of your system. Jump up and down. Do warm ups. Run around. Drink water. Say a mantra. It does not matter what you do. As long as you get it off your system, you’ll be fine. You may also see retirement speeches .

11. Make eye contact with audience members.

Don’t forget that your audience is in front of you and not down there in your notes. If you do not make eye contact with your audience, it will not only look like that you are not talking to them, but it is also considered rude and demeaning to you audience. Establish a connection between you and the audience. You may also see speech examples .

12. Remember your gratitude as you’re talking.

You might be so worried about forgetting part of your speech that you forget the reason why you’re up there giving it. Think about the meaning behind your words as you say them, and deliver your speech with the true emotions you feel about the honor you’re receiving. Think about the hard work you did to earn the award, and all the people who helped you along the way. If you do this, your speech will come off as sincere. Say thoughtful words that could make people emotional and feel like “Oh this person is so thoughtful and sweet.” Saying different kinds of words will matter. You may also see speech templates .

13. Leave the stage on cue.

Once you are done with the speech, smile and bow and say thank you to the host. If you think there is still extra time, do not take it simply because the program must go on and that it will look like you are hogging away the all the attention to yourself. Return to your seat graciously once finished. You may also see youth speeches .

how to make an appreciation speech

If you have a fear of public speaking, now is certainly the best time to overcome your demons and face your fears. Only when facing your fears allow you to become stronger and better at what you do. You may also see acceptance speeches

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Write an Appreciation Speech for a retiring colleague.

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