CHAPTER 14

Speaking on Special Occasions or Ceremonial Speaking

The purpose of a ceremonial speech is to express the importance of the moment and the people involved. It is given to publicly celebrate or commemorate a special occasion. A special occasion is a time set apart from both everyday life and its events to reflect on and publicly state what we value most. Since the time of the Greeks, ceremonial speeches have had a ritualistic quality, which means they elevate and transcend our everyday lives but in a way that is familiar. In other words, social and cultural expectations often determine how you should perform ceremonial speeches.

Key Terms