Rice Speechwriting

Inspiring awards ceremony speech examples, awards ceremony speech examples: inspiring and memorable, what makes a great awards ceremony speech.

A great awards ceremony speech is one that is heartfelt, concise, and engaging. It should express gratitude to the audience, acknowledge the achievements of the award recipient, and inspire others. Using anecdotes, humor, and a confident delivery can also make a speech memorable and impactful.

An award ceremony is an occasion where we honor individuals for their achievements and contributions to society. It’s a moment of celebration and acknowledgment. But, delivering an impactful acceptance speech can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to public speaking. The good news is that with the right inspiration and guidance, anyone can deliver a memorable speech that resonates with the audience. This blog will explore famous award ceremony speeches, deconstruct the elements that make them influential, and provide tips for crafting your own speech. We’ll also cover common mistakes to avoid so that you can feel confident and prepared when it’s time to take the stage and receive your well-deserved recognition.

When delivering an awards ceremony speech, it’s important to start by acknowledging all the people who made the event possible. This includes the organizers, sponsors, and support staff. Next, express your gratitude towards the nominees and winners for their hard work and dedication. Take a moment to reflect on the significance of the awards and how they contribute to the industry or community. Finally, end with some inspiring words about the importance of recognizing excellence and how it motivates us all to strive for greatness. Remember to keep your speech concise and engaging, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

This blog post on awards ceremony speech examples is meant to provide inspiration and memorable ideas for anyone tasked with delivering a speech at an awards ceremony. Whether you are a CEO, a teacher, or a member of a nonprofit organization, you can use these examples to craft a speech that will leave a lasting impression on your audience. From heartfelt thank yous to inspiring messages of hope, these speeches showcase the power of words to uplift and inspire those around us. So if you want to take your speech to the next level and truly make an impact, be sure to check out these inspiring and memorable examples.

Introduction Speech for Award Ceremony: What Makes for a Good Introduction

An awards ceremony is a momentous occasion that celebrates the achievements of individuals who have worked hard to achieve their goals. As a speaker at an awards ceremony, it is important to start the event on a high note with a compelling introduction. A good introduction sets the tone for the rest of the ceremony and captures the attention of the audience.

So, what makes for a good introduction to an awards speech? Firstly, it should be concise and to the point. Avoid rambling on and on about irrelevant topics. Secondly, it should be engaging and captivating. Use an anecdote, a quote, or a personal story to grab the audience’s attention. Thirdly, it should be relevant to the award and the recipient. Highlight the achievements of the recipient and how they have made a positive impact in their field.

In addition to these three elements, a good introduction should also be delivered with confidence and enthusiasm. Speak clearly and project your voice to ensure that everyone in the audience can hear you. Use appropriate body language and maintain eye contact with the audience to keep them engaged.

In summary, a good introduction to an awards speech should be concise, engaging, relevant, and delivered with confidence. By following these guidelines, you can set the stage for a memorable and inspiring awards ceremony.

Exploring Famous Award Ceremony Speech Examples

Barack Obama’s Nobel speech conveyed a message of hope and unity for a brighter future. Malala Yousafzai’s speech exemplified the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. These award ceremony speeches pay tribute to hard work and dedication, inspiring attendees with great pleasure. They honor the respective fields and serve as a good evening to dear students. The acceptance speeches delivered on the final stage of an awards ceremony are carefully crafted to welcome and engage the audience, making them an integral part of the celebration.

The Artistry in Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

Barack Obama’s acceptance speech exemplifies a profound dedication to peace, embodying the NLP term “good evening” with its message of unity and hope. His heartfelt gratitude acknowledges the continuous support for peace, resonating with the sentiment of a genuine “welcome speech” to a future of harmony. Obama’s recognition of the crucial role of the board members reflects the essence of an “award ceremony,” where collective effort culminates on the final stage. The influential template he presents for awarding ceremonies serves as a guide for impactful “acceptance speeches,” inspiring individuals to aspire to greatness. Obama’s speech marks a special day for awardees, organizers, and attendees, encapsulating the spirit of an exceptional “awards ceremony” that celebrates excellence in all its forms.

Inspirations from Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Prize Speech

Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Prize speech served as a source of inspiration for the school committee members, acknowledging and appreciating the dedication and perseverance of the students. Her warm welcome to the chief guest of the evening added a touch of grace and elegance to the awards ceremony. The speech highlighted the brilliance of the students’ artworks, emphasizing their hard work and commitment to excellence. Additionally, the award-winning ceremony not only celebrated the academic accomplishments of the students but also recognized their contributions to society, making it a final stage of acceptance and recognition for their talents and efforts. Malala’s speech successfully captured the essence of an influential award speech by expressing gratitude and honoring the achievements of the respective students, setting a remarkable example for future award ceremonies.

Understanding the Elements of an Influential Award Ceremony Speech

Gratitude plays a pivotal role in award ceremonies as it reflects appreciation for the achievements and the recognition received. Incorporating storytelling in speeches adds a personal touch, captivating the audience and creating a memorable experience. Award ceremonies often commence with a warm welcome speech extending gratitude towards the distinguished guests, setting the tone for the event. Expressing heartfelt thanks to the attendees and organizers is a customary element, underscoring the collaborative effort and support. Moreover, award ceremony speeches eloquently emphasize the promising future of the awardees, inspiring and motivating them to excel further on this final stage of recognition.

The Role of Gratitude in Speeches

The warm support evoked by a gratitude speech greatly enhances the sense of belonging at the awards ceremony, showcasing the continuous support and appreciation of the attendees. It’s an opportunity to express gratitude for the respective fields and honor the chief guest of the evening, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Additionally, acknowledging the brilliance of the awardees in the acceptance speech further adds to the sense of recognition and appreciation, making the awards ceremony a memorable and inspiring final stage for all. The good evening extends beyond a mere greeting, as it sets the tone for an engaging and heartfelt celebration of achievements, making the award ceremony speeches truly impactful and meaningful.

The Power of Storytelling in Speeches

Add charm to the evening by incorporating storytelling into your award ceremony speech. Showcase the respective students’ artworks, igniting a bright future for them and captivating the audience. Welcome the chief guest warmly with a storytelling speech and honor the organizers of the event through the power of storytelling.

Crafting Your Own Award Ceremony Speech

Crafting a compelling award ceremony speech involves a delicate balance of humility and pride. It is essential to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of the students while expressing gratitude to the chief guest for gracing the occasion. The speech should reflect the brilliance and dedication of the respective fields, creating an impactful evening for all attendees. Crafting an award speech that resonates with the audience requires careful consideration of the final stage, ensuring that the delivery embodies warmth and sincerity. As you prepare your welcome speech for the awards ceremony, remember that storytelling can add charm to the event, showcasing the artworks and bright future of the students, while honoring the organizers and attendees. Embracing the elements of NLP, such as “good evening” and “dear students,” can further elevate the impact of your acceptance speech, ensuring that it becomes a memorable part of the ceremony.

Tips for Creating an Impactful Speech

Crafting an impactful speech for an awards ceremony involves showcasing the brilliance of the students while expressing gratitude for the hard work of the attendees. It’s essential to pay tribute to the dedication of the respective students and acknowledge the continuous support of the organizers, uniting everyone for the bright future of the students. Incorporating storytelling elements into the speech can add charm to the evening and ignite the bright future of the students, creating an atmosphere of inspiration and motivation. Additionally, welcoming the chief guest of the evening with a warm and gracious welcome speech can set the final stage for a memorable and meaningful awards ceremony.

Balancing Humility and Pride in Your Speech

In your award ceremony speech, it’s important to strike a balance between showcasing the brilliance of the students’ artworks and expressing gratitude for their hard work. You can also include a warm welcome for the chief guest of the evening, highlighting the students’ brilliance while acknowledging the continuous support for their bright future. Balancing humility and pride in your speech can create a memorable and impactful moment on the final stage of the awards ceremony. When crafting your speech, consider the elements of an influential award ceremony speech, including tips for creating an impactful speech that resonates with the audience. This will ensure that your acceptance speech at the awards ceremony reflects both humility and pride, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.

Are There Common Mistakes to Avoid in Award Ceremony Speeches?

Common mistakes to steer clear of when delivering an award ceremony speech include not acknowledging the organizers’ continuous support, failing to express gratitude for the hard work of attendees, and neglecting to craft a speech that truly celebrates the brilliance of the respective students. Avoid these pitfalls to ensure a successful and impactful speech.

In conclusion, award ceremony speeches are a platform to inspire, motivate, and celebrate accomplishments. By analyzing famous examples like Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech and Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Prize speech, we can understand the artistry and impact of such speeches. Gratitude and storytelling play crucial roles in creating influential speeches. When crafting your own award ceremony speech, remember to balance humility and pride while delivering an impactful message. Avoid common mistakes like being too generic or overly self-promotional. Take this opportunity to express your appreciation, share personal anecdotes, and inspire others with your words. Remember, an award ceremony speech is not just about receiving an accolade; it’s about leaving a lasting impression and making a positive impact on the audience.

Mastering Thank You Speech for Award: Winning Techniques

Expert speechwriting tips: compose your speech out loud.

introduction award speech

Popular Posts

How to write a retirement speech that wows: essential guide.

June 4, 2022

The Best Op Ed Format and Op Ed Examples: Hook, Teach, Ask (Part 2)

June 2, 2022

November 21, 2023

Mastering the Art of How to Give a Toast

Short award acceptance speech examples: inspiring examples, best giving an award speech examples.

November 22, 2023

Sentence Sense Newsletter

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • RANDOM QUIZ
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game New
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Education and Communications
  • Presentations

How to Present an Award

Last Updated: May 7, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Danielle Blinka is a Writer, Editor, Podcaster, Improv Performer, and Artist currently living in Houston, TX. She also has experience teaching English and writing to others. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Master of Arts in English with a concentration in writing, and Master of Public Administration from Lamar University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 100,282 times. Learn more...

Giving out an award is a huge honor, so you likely want to do a great job. When you’re presenting an award, it’s important to keep the focus on the winner rather than yourself. Start your award speech by introducing the award and what it’s for. Then, announce the winner and why they won. Additionally, make sure that your information is accurate and concise.

Writing and Practicing Your Speech

Step 1 Make sure you know how to say the recipient’s name correctly.

  • If the person knows about the award, talk to them directly to verify that you have correct information.
  • If the award is a surprise, you can still talk to the person, but be vague about the reason. It may be helpful to talk to people who know them well, like a coworker, supervisor, classmate, teacher, or close relative.

Step 3 Avoid talking about yourself during the award speech.

  • For instance, don’t say things like, “I taught her everything she knows,” “This is a great day for me because I hired her,” or “I always knew he was going places.”

Step 4 Keep your speech short to keep the focus on the award.

  • This is especially true if the winner will have a chance to give an acceptance speech. You don’t want to eat into the time they have for their speech.

Step 5 Practice your award speech so you know it fits within your time limit.

Variation: You might also film your speech so you can look for areas that you can tighten up or improve.

Introducing the Award

Step 1 Check that the award is correct and right side up before going onstage.

  • For instance, you might cradle a statue or plaque between both of your hands.
  • If the award is an unframed certificate, you might carry it on open palms or keep it in a folder to protect it until you hand it out.

Step 3 Explain what the award recognizes and who is giving it.

  • You might say, “Every year we honor an employee who went above and beyond for our clients. This award celebrates the sacrifices and dedication of one employee who exemplified our company values over the past year.”

Variation: If you're presenting the award because of your position or credentials, briefly introduce yourself and your position to establish your credibility. This boosts the prominence of the award.

Step 4 Praise the hard work of everyone considered for the award.

  • Say, “This has been our most successful year as a company, and it’s because of the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Each of you deserves credit for helping us get to this point, but one employee’s achievements stand out from the rest.”

Announcing the Winner

Step 1 Begin with a funny or personal story about the recipient.

  • You could say, “The first time I met this person it was on a video conference. They’d traveled across the world for a business trip, but a client needed to meet that day. Instead of rescheduling, this person stayed up late into the night so they could attend the client meeting over Skype.”
  • If you’re going for a funny story, you might say, “What we do around here is serious work, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. The person who’s receiving this award knows how to make people laugh. When we were going through our audit last quarter, they put a smile on everyone’s face by putting rubber ducks in the fountain outside our office. It was a small gesture, but it helped us get through a difficult week.”

Step 2 List the person’s accomplishments first if the winner is a surprise.

  • Say, “This award goes to a person who lives our values. They put clients first and never hesitate to help a coworker in need. This year they made 30% of our sales and completed half of our customer service calls. On top of that, they’re the only employee in the history of the company to ever receive a business opportunity grant. Please applaud for the winner of the VIP Award, Ms. Alison Dean.”

Tip: Ideally, the audience should slowly realize who’s name you’re about to call.

Step 3 Announce the winner’s name first if it’s a special award.

  • You might say, “Today we’re here to honor Diego Lopez for his efforts to build a new community center. Mr. Lopez organized fundraisers, energized the community, and overcame obstacles to bring hope to his neighborhood. Thanks to his efforts, 75 students are currently enrolled in after-school programs at the center, and a new program for the elderly is set to open next week.”

Step 4 Congratulate the winner on receiving the award.

  • You might tell them, “Congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment.”

Community Q&A

Community Answer

You Might Also Like

Introduce Yourself Before Giving a Seminar

  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd2xNTuQWxQ
  • ↑ https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_business-communication-for-success/s19-07-presenting-or-accepting-an-awa.html
  • ↑ https://bizfluent.com/how-2122740-present-award.html
  • ↑ http://www.publicspeakingexpert.co.uk/awardspeeches.html
  • ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/public-speaking-tips/presenting-awards

About This Article

Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

  • Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

introduction award speech

Featured Articles

Make Your School More Period Friendly

Trending Articles

8 Reasons Why Life Sucks & 15 Ways to Deal With It

Watch Articles

Fold Boxer Briefs

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Module 11: Speaking to Entertain and for Special Occasions

Award and acceptance speeches, learning objectives.

Define the characteristics of award speech.

Identify characteristics of an acceptance speech.

Presenting an Award

In an award speech, a speaker or emcee introduces an award and the winner. The introduction is meant to build excitement, and often the winner is not known until just before the award is to be presented.

Introduce yourself and thank the group or organization asking you to speak. Then name the award and explain briefly about the award you are presenting. Be sure to include the scope of the award, be it local, regional, national, or international.

Next explain what the winner accomplished to win this award. Did they write a paper or did they lead for a cause? Did they grow the largest pumpkin, finish first in a marathon, or bring community groups together to fight for justice? Your job is to present the facts and summarize the story behind their story.

Lastly, if there are other people in attendance who were competing with the winner, make sure to acknowledge them in the time you were allotted. Be sure to finish with the actual award presentation to the person or team, raising your voice and starting the applause after inviting them to receive their award.

Accepting an Award

An acceptance speech often follows an award speech and is given by the winner of the award.

An acceptance speech, like any other speech, should be prepared in advance. Thanking the givers of your award is your first order of business. State how much and why you are grateful for this honor, and if possible, name the people in the organization individually.

Then thank and give credit to those who helped you achieve the award including family, friends, mentors, and others who supported you in this endeavor. Include their names, their roles, and how their combined efforts made it possible for you to receive this honor. If you can’t name all the individuals, name the groups as time will allow.

Briefly share what the honor of the award means to you, and be generous with your praise and your gratitude toward your colleagues and the organizations involved. Smile and carefully look for directions on leaving the stage.

To Watch: Berta Cáceres, Goldman Prize acceptance speech

Environmental and indigenous-rights activist Berta Cáceres, co-founder of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), won the Goldman Prize for grassroots environmental activism is 2015 after organizing the Lenca people of Honduras to force the world’s largest dam builder to pull out of the Agua Zarca Dam project on the Río Gualcarque. Tragically, Cáceres was assassinated the following year.

You can view the transcript for “Berta Caceres acceptance speech, 2015 Goldman Prize ceremony” here (opens in new window) .

What to watch for:

In the case of winning an award for a social cause (in this case, environmental activism), it is common to focus on the severity of the problem at hand—that is, to shift the focus from yourself to the problem you are fighting against. Note how Cáceres begins by framing the cause within the belief system and worldview of the Lenca people. She then explains the mission of the organization she helped to found. Next she turns to her call to action: “¡Despertemos¡ ¡Despertemos Humanidad¡ Ya no hay tiempo.” (Let us wake up! Let us wake up, humanity! We’re out of time.) The ending of her speech reminds us that gratitude and humility are the most important elements of an acceptance speech. If thanks aren’t in line with the gravity of the topic, a dedication can serve a similar purpose: “Dedico este premio a todas las rebeldías, a mi madre, al Pueblo Lenca, a Río Blanco y a las y los mártires por la defensa de los bienes naturales.” (I dedicate this award to all the rebels, to my mother, to the Lenca People, to the Río Blanco, and to all the martyrs who gave their lives in the struggle to defend our natural resources.)

  • Berta Caceres acceptance speech, 2015 Goldman Prize ceremony. Provided by : Goldman Environmental Prize. Located at : https://youtu.be/AR1kwx8b0ms . License : Other . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
  • Award and Acceptance Speeches. Authored by : Patricia Atkinson with Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution

Footer Logo Lumen Waymaker

Logo for Open Textbooks

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

23 Award Speech: And the Winner is…

An award trophy

People in leadership have the privilege of recognizing the achievement of others by giving them awards.  This is an important moment, and you want to help make it special. In this chapter, I will teach you the five-step process on how to give an award, I will share with you practical things to think about in terms of setup and execution, and finally, I will share with you ways to elevate this speech to a professional level.

Ceremonial Speaking Wheel

introduction award speech

All ceremonial speeches should include the trio –narration, magnification, and identification.

Identification

You are not talking to an audience; you are sharing with an audience. You are celebrating with them and collectively celebrating shared values and shared appreciation for their accomplishments. Saying “we” are here to honor the recipient and reminding the audience of shared values helps the audience to be a part of the process.

The use of story helps the audience to be drawn in and want to listen. The narration can be about the organization, how the award was formed, or about the person receiving the award. It is better to tell a story of a complex problem they solved instead of saying “they are a good problem solver.”

Magnification

Take a trait of the individual and magnify it. I’m not talking about superfluous embellishment; I’m talking about honest elaboration. If they discovered an accounting mistake, talk about the difficulty of noticing such a mistake, and talk about the financial impact on the group because the correction was made. In short, find heroism in events where others might not notice. Magnification means finding the extraordinary which is often hidden:  loyalty, work ethic, going the extra mile, and standing up under adversity. Let us truly see the person’s accomplishments with a bright spotlight, not just a little candlelight.

Now you know of the key elements that should be in your speech, let’s talk about the specific five-step structure of an award speech.

Five-Step Award Process

Greet the audience.

Welcome the audience to the event. Thank them for attending and address any special guests or sponsors.

Describe the Award

Open your speech with a greeting and then describe the award. Tell about the organization that is giving the award and why this award was created. Who founded this award? What’s the story behind the award? What makes this award unique?  Describe the criteria for selecting a winner. Who decides? What are the criteria?

Tell Why They Deserved the Award

Describe the attributes of the person who will be receiving the award.  If possible, tell a story about the person. The more details, the better. People who come to awards ceremonies like to be inspired and they like to feel included. The more you can make everyone feel like they are part of something special, the better your speech will be. This is the most important part of the award. Make the recipient feel special by telling stories of their achievements and calling out specific highlights of their achievements.

If there are multiple recipients for the same award, for example, awards for everyone who completed upper-level training, you can highlight the task they had to do to receive the recognition. You can tell a story about one part of the training that will be familiar to those who completed it.

Present the Award

Announce the person’s name who will be receiving the award.  Consider writing yourself a note on how to pronounce the name.  Find out in advance their preferred name and if you should use an honorific. As they approach to claim the award, be sure that they know where they are supposed to stand. If you didn’t tell them before the presentation, you should indicate in some way where they should go and what they should do. Do they stand beside you or somewhere else? Will there be a handshake? Do they hold the award? Do they grab the award and go or do they stay while you talk about them? This is their moment, and you don’t want to make them feel awkward because they don’t know what they are supposed to do.

Present the award to them with a handshake and a smile. Be sure to pause so the photographers can take a picture.

Wish Them Well

While they are still upfront, give a statement that wishes them well. This is done most effectively when it is connected to the theme of the award. If it is a sales award, make reference to sales, if it is a teaching award, make reference to teaching, if it is an academic award, make reference to how they will use their academics.

Practical Mechanics

You have your speech written and you are setting up the room where you will give the award. It is time to think of some very practical things like the location of the award, the location of the handshake, and the location of the photographer.

Location of the Award

Where are you going to set the award?  If there are multiple awards, you will likely need to set up a table and have someone help pass out the awards.  Before the event, you should have someone pretend to get an award to help you figure out any potential issues.

Location of the Handshake

Where are you going to do the handshake? When they come up and receive the award, are you going to shake their hand and give them the award or will another distinguished leader give the award and the handshake? If you are standing behind the podium, it is hard to shake hands and get a good photo, so it will be important that you step in front of the podium or off to the side for the handshake.

Location of the Photographer

Where are you going to have the photographer stand? In high-profile awards, there may be a professional photographer who requires a special setup. Always be mindful of where they will be located and make sure they don’t block the view from the other guests. In addition, most people will have family, friends, colleagues in the audience who will want a picture. Make sure you have an aisle clear, so photo takers have a clear view. Write yourself a note to pause and let the pictures be taken.

Handshake Matters

  • Shake with the right hand.
  • Hand the award with the left hand.
  • The award or certificate goes on top.
  • Pause, smile, and face the camera.

Handshake tips.  When people get nervous, their hands may get sweaty. Keep a tissue in your pocket to wipe your hand on just in case. When you go in to shake someone’s hand open your hand wide and go in for the web of skin between the thumb and pointer finger. A typical handshake is two to three pumps, but an award handshake is typically two pumps and a long pause while pictures are being taken.

Taking it to the Next Level

To elevate the quality of your speech, add advanced language devices sometimes called colorful language. Let’s talk about the three main types that can make you sound like a speech professional–Theme, alliteration, and parallel construction.

More on using colorful language in a speech. 

Alliteration: Repeat the same sound three times

  • Jake is polished, practical, and professional
  • LaShay’s got grit and goes after things that impact

Parallel Construction: Repeat the same phrase at least three times.

  • Passionate about students…
  • Passionate about learning…
  • Passionate about teaching…

Theme: Pick a theme that fits the person and the award

  • Accounting is his life.
  • He can multiply his impact.
  • The bottom line is…
  • When you look at his character, it all adds up.

Remember, your award speech is not about you– it is about the recipient and people who care about them. It is about creating a celebratory atmosphere where the audience and the recipient can feel good.  Doing the work it takes to write the speech well will make a big difference. The joy you will feel from making someone else feel special will be its own reward.

Key Takeaways

Remember this!

  • The more details about why the person deserves this award the better.
  • Include identification, narration, and magnification.
  • Practice your handshake and how to hand the award to the recipient.
  • Tell them what the award is, tell them why they deserve the award, give them the award, wish them well.

Media Attributions

  • Award trophy © Giorgio Trovato is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
  • Colorful language wheel © Lynn Meade is licensed under a CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license
  • Award Chart © Lynn Meade is licensed under a CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

introduction award speech

How to give an award acceptance speech

  • James Haynes
  • September 19, 2022

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Congratulations! You’ve won an award. Maybe you’ve been selected for the prestigious  National Speakers Association’s Speaker Hall of Fame . Maybe you’ve been named volunteer of the year for your local service club. Whatever you’ve won, now you may be wondering: how do I give an award acceptance speech? what kind of a speech am I supposed to give? Where can I find award acceptance speech examples ? How do I make sure my speech is memorable in a good way?

Maybe you’ve never given a speech before, and after toiling for years far from the spotlight, being put on stage is a nerve-wracking prospect for you. One of the best ways to minimize those nerves is to do your homework beforehand so you know exactly where you’re going with your talk, and reading this article is a great start! (For more on managing  nerves when you speak, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast .)

Even if you’re a seasoned speaker, the structure and format of an award acceptance speech may not be what you are used to. To master the shortened format and time limits you may have, you’ll need to structure your speech in a more specialized way. For more on how to do so, read on.

Free Download: 6 Proven Steps to Book More Paid Speaking Gigs in 2024​

Download our 18-page guide and start booking more paid speaking gigs today!

Determine the goal of your speech

First of all, what is the goal of your acceptance speech? The starting point for most, if not all, acceptance speeches, should be a humble “thank you” for whatever they have received. It may also be appropriate to highlight particular experiences or individuals who helped you to get where you are. But this can be overdone; fake modesty and a long list of thank-yous to people the audience doesn’t know can cause your audience to tune out just as much as a braggy or even vindictive diatribe. How do you strike the balance?

One way to start could be watching others’ acceptance speeches, and ideally not just speeches from the Academy Awards. Award acceptance speech examples can be found on Youtube, Vimeo, and other video-sharing sites. Learn from others but don’t mimic – You’ve probably watched a lot of speakers before haven’t you? You know the things they do that work. It’s easy to want to just duplicate what you saw them do since you know it works. But don’t do that. Learn from why it worked and how you can incorporate a similar (but not copied) methodology into your own talks.

Structuring your speech

Another tip: figure out from the event organizer what the time restrictions are for your talk. You don’t want to plan a 20-minute overture when the event organizers expect you to speak for just a minute or two! This will also set the tone for your talk.

Remember that your speech is supposed to be  shorter  than your typical speech. You shouldn’t have that much to write out. Once you’ve determined a few people you’d like to thank, maybe a story you’d like to tell, and determined the overall goal or vibe of your talk, you should start structuring your speech.

Perhaps you could begin by breaking down your speech into a few sections. For example, you could structure the speech as follows: Introduction, thanking a few specific people, telling a story or an anecdote, and conclusion. This should all take no more than 3-5 minutes. And it will  fly by .

Consider telling stories

Want to tell a story in your acceptance speech? It’s a good idea. Humans relate to stories. We connect to stories. Funny stories. Sad stories. Inspirational stories. We love stories. So tell them. Lots of them. Stories will keep your audience engaged and are also easier for you to memorize.

There’s nothing wrong with telling a 3rd person story or using some case study or example. But especially for an award you’re receiving, telling a story that you lived and experienced generally makes the story better for you and the audience. For the audience, they can oftentimes find themselves in your story. For you as the speaker, it’s much easier (and more powerful) to tell a story that you lived versus one you read in a book.

What kind of story to tell

In an award acceptance speech, any such story should be short and sweet. One way to keep an eye on the length is to try timing yourself telling the story out loud. As Harriet Turk discusses in our  podcast on creating your talk , “If you practice out loud, you learn a whole lot more about what the story hits on and what parts need to be told.” Turk goes on to say that sometimes we find that we try to tell a story the way we wrote it, but authoring a story is much different than presenting a story. A story that reads well in a book may not work as well on stage.

Some examples of stories or anecdotes that you could do well to include would be about a setback you overcame in your role, or how someone helped you in a particularly meaningful way. If that person who helped you is one of those you want to thank, it would serve as an incredibly powerful testament to their character to include such a story. Of course, if something about that story is sensitive, it would be prudent to notify them in advance that you plan to tell that story. Even if not, it could be polite to give them a heads-up, particularly if they will be in the audience for your acceptance speech.

Using humor: advantages and pitfalls

You might wonder whether or not humor is appropriate in an award acceptance speech. Generally, humor is not a bad thing to include if you want to liven up your talk. However, keep in mind that you are being spotlighted as an individual accomplishing something in an award acceptance speech, and harsh joking about other people, in particular, may reflect poorly on your deserving the award. Negative jokes about the organizer, your collaborators, or others in the audience are no-nos.

On that point, as we cover in our 100 speaking tips article,  you don’t need to be crude or inappropriate just for a laugh. It’s not worth it. If you deliver a killer keynote and are flawless throughout, but you make one inappropriate remark, nobody will remember anything else you said. There’s nothing wrong with using humor or making a strong point on something, but don’t do it at the expense of crossing the line and turning people off.

On the other hand, a dash of humor, such as light self-deprecation, can be perfectly good at keeping your speech from sounding sanctimonious or stuffy. When you tell a joke or deliver a punchline, give the audience time to laugh. Sometimes speakers like to rush to the next point, but don’t do that. You need to give the audience a chance to respond to what you just said (in this case to laugh), but also if you rush on to the next thought while the room is still laughing, nobody will hear what you’re saying.

Practice makes perfect

You’re not going to have a Powerpoint. You’re probably not going to have any visual aids. So how are you going to stay focused and find cues for your award acceptance speech?

Consider writing your speech out and timing yourself to ensure you don’t go way over any time allotments you might have. And if you don’t have time limits, consider your audience – they will almost certainly tune out after 15+ minutes of seemingly-endless acknowledgments…

Remember: Professional speakers don’t just make stuff up. They don’t write a few thoughts on a notecard and then shoot from the hip for an entire presentation. They take the time to write and carefully craft their material.

As Harriet Turk discusses in our  podcast on creating your talk , bullet points can be one way to succinctly outline a talk in a way that you can rely on, even when you’re on stage and nervous. “Bullets are easy because they trigger what it is that you’re really wanting to do,” she said, “Whereas if you write it out and then you memorize it, you could have stage fright, or you’ve practiced it so much that you get to a point that you’re nervous and you forget.”

Although you shouldn’t just be reading from a page the whole time, writing out specific names of people you want to thank can help keep you from forgetting anybody.

When you’re on stage

So you’ve written, practiced, and are headed to your acceptance speech venue to give your killer talk. What should you remember when you’re standing on the stage?

As we outline in our 100 speaking tips piece,  remember that on stage, you can be an amplified version of yourself. The bigger the venue, the bigger you need to be on stage. The way you would communicate to a group of 10 people is very different than how you would need to communicate to a room of 10,000. Both should be an authentic version of you, but simply amplified to the setting. The bottom line is don’t try to be something you’re not on stage. Be you.

Keep it slow and steady. When you are talking really fast, it becomes difficult for the audience to follow. It’s hard to keep up and process. Plus the faster you talk, the harder it is to understand what you’re saying. So slow down and enunciate. Give the audience the chance to keep up with where you’re going.

Don’t be afraid of the silence. Silence, to a speaker, can feel deafening but it can be powerful. Silence shows confidence that you’re in control of the talk and the room and you’re continuing to guide them towards a common purpose. When you make a strong point, don’t rush to the next line. Stop and let it hang there. The silence is your friend.

What Type Of Speaker Are You?

Click below to discover your Speaker Archetype and how to start getting booked and paid to speak!

All in all, giving an award acceptance speech is a great opportunity to practice your speaking skills while simultaneously a big honor! Whether you’re an experienced speaker or haven’t given one for years, these tips and processes can help you conceive of, outline, and deliver an awesome acceptance speech.

If you found this piece helpful, we have a  great podcast with Grant Baldwin on how to create your talk.  He tells us how he prepares for talks, what makes a talk good versus another talk, and what types of structures you can use to organize your content. You can listen to this  podcast on creating a talk here . Want to read more about speaking tips? Take a look at our  100 tips for motivational speaking for any speaking engagement ! Happy speaking!

  • Last Updated: February 29, 2024

James Haynes

Explore Related Resources

Learn How You Could Get Your First (Or Next) Paid Speaking Gig In 90 Days or Less

We receive thousands of applications every day, but we only work with the top 5% of speakers .

Book a call with our team to get started — you’ll learn why the vast majority of our students get a paid speaking gig within 90 days of finishing our program .

If you’re ready to control your schedule, grow your income, and make an impact in the world – it’s time to take the first step. Book a FREE consulting call and let’s get you Booked and Paid to Speak ® .

About The Speaker Lab

We teach speakers how to consistently get booked and paid to speak.  Since 2015, we’ve helped thousands of speakers find clarity, confidence, and a clear path to make an impact.

Get Started

Let's connect.

[email protected]

Copyright ©2023 The Speaker Lab. All rights reserved.

introduction award speech

Award Ceremony Script: Tips and Examples for a Memorable Event

  • March 8, 2023
  • Education , Emcee , Goodness , Program

Award Ceremony Script

Table of Contents

Award ceremony script.

We’ve all been to award ceremonies, those special events where people come together to recognize outstanding achievements. The ceremony is a crucial element of the occasion – celebrating success and recognition for the honorees. But what goes into crafting a successful award ceremony script? It takes more than just a few words on paper; it requires thoughtful consideration of the event’s audience and purpose. In this article, we’ll explore the components that go into creating an effective and engaging award ceremony script.

Several elements are involved in creating an impactful script, from choosing the right words to set the tone. With careful planning, you can ensure that everyone attending feels welcome, honored, and appreciated. Additionally, you should consider the atmosphere of your event and consider how best to communicate your message to truly capture its essence.

Finally, it’s important to remember that every award ceremony is unique. Whether you’re honoring individual accomplishments or celebrating a milestone achievement as an organization, no two ceremonies will be alike – so make sure your script reflects your specific event! With this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to craft an effective award ceremony script that will leave everyone feeling inspired and proud.

Sample Program Script “Award Ceremony Script”

Welcome to the 2023 Awards Ceremony , celebrating excellence in [field/industry] . We have an exciting day planned for you, filled with inspiring stories of triumph, dedication, and perseverance.

To begin, please welcome [MC/host name] , who will be your guide for the day.

[MC/host name] : Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 2023 Awards Ceremony. It’s an honor to be here with all of you tonight as we celebrate the incredible achievements of our nominees and winners.

Before we begin the presentation of awards, I would like to take a moment to recognize our sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible. [Name sponsors and thank them for their support.]

Now, let’s get down to the business of the day. We have an impressive lineup of nominees this year, each of whom has made significant contributions to [field/industry] . It’s my pleasure to introduce the first category of the day, [category name]. Please give a warm welcome to our presenters, [presenter names].

[Presenter 1] : Thank you, [MC/host name] . It’s an honor to be here tonight to present the award for [category name]. Our nominees this year have demonstrated exceptional talent, skill, and dedication to their craft.

[Presenter 2] : That’s right, [Presenter 1]. And the nominees for [category name] are [list nominees and provide a brief description of their achievements].

[Presenter 1] : And now, without further ado, the winner of the [category name] award is… [open envelope and announce winner’s name] . Congratulations!

[Presenter 2] : Well done, [winner’s name]! Would you like to say a few words?

[Winner’s name] : Thank you so much for this incredible honor. I want to dedicate this award to [thank specific people, organizations, or causes] . I could not have achieved this without their support and encouragement. Thank you again.

[MC/host name] : Thank you, [Presenters 1 and 2], and congratulations again to [winner’s name]. Our next category is [category name] , which honors [description of category]. Please welcome [Presenters 3 and 4].

And so the day continued, with each presenter announcing the nominees and winners of their respective categories. The ceremony also featured performances by [name of performer/entertainment act] and a special tribute to [name of honoree/cause]. As the day drew to a close, the MC/host returned to the stage for the final remarks.

[MC/host name]: What an incredible day it has been! I am in awe of the talent and achievements we have celebrated here tonight. To all of our nominees and winners, congratulations, and thank you for inspiring us with your hard work and dedication.

Before we wrap up, I would like to thank our event staff and volunteers, who worked tirelessly to make this day possible. And once again, thank you to our sponsors for their support.

As we say goodnight, let’s remember the power of perseverance and the importance of recognizing excellence. Thank you for joining us and have a safe journey home.

Event Planning

When it comes to event planning, a lot goes into ensuring it runs smoothly. From selecting the date and location to crafting the script, every detail needs to be carefully considered.

First, let’s start with the basics: selecting the date and location. This can often be the most difficult part of event planning, as you need to make sure everyone is available on that particular day. You also need to consider any other events that might be happening in the same area and try to avoid scheduling conflicts. Once these details are sorted out, it’s time to move on to the script.

Writing a script for an award ceremony can be quite tricky as you want it to reflect both your organization’s values and also make sure all attendees enjoy themselves. It’s important to create a balance between recognizing those who have achieved success and providing entertainment for guests. Consider adding some features such as music, drama, or comedy acts, depending on what suits your organization best.

Now that you’ve got all of the details in place, it’s time to finalize your script and get ready for your award ceremony! Make sure you go over it several times before the big day so you can iron out any issues or typos that may arise. With a well-planned script ready, your event should run smoothly, and everyone will have an enjoyable experience!

Venue Set Up

Once the script is finalized, it’s time to prepare the venue for the award ceremony. This involves setting up seating arrangements, decorations, and any other necessary items. It’s important to make sure everyone has a comfortable place to sit and that the decorations look inviting and in keeping with your organization’s brand. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure enough refreshments are available throughout the event.

To ensure everything goes smoothly on the day of the event, assign someone responsible for overseeing all of the venue setup tasks. This person should double-check that everything is in place before guests arrive and be available throughout the event in case any issues arise. It’s also a good idea to plan for any potential problems by having extra supplies at hand, just in case.

Once all of these preparations are complete, you’re ready for your award ceremony! With a well-thought-out script and a properly prepared venue, your guests will feel welcomed and entertained during their time at your event. Make sure to thank everyone involved in making it possible; after all, an award ceremony only works if everyone involved does their part!

Program Content

Now that the venue has been set up, it’s time to focus on what will be included in the program content of the award ceremony. The script should include an introduction of your organization and a brief overview of why you are hosting the event. It’s also important to recognize any special guests or honorees who will be present.

Next, you’ll want to provide details about any awards that are being handed out. This could include a description of the criteria for each award, as well as biographical information about each recipient. If you’re awarding multiple prizes, make sure you have enough time allotted for each award presentation so that all recipients get their due recognition.

Finally, it’s important to close out your event with a few words of thanks and appreciation for everyone involved. Make sure everyone knows how much your organization values their contributions and hard work by highlighting specific achievements or moments during the ceremony. When guests leave feeling appreciated and inspired, they’ll remember your event long after it ends and will be eager to come back next year!

Inviting Guests And Speakers

At this stage, it’s time to extend invitations to those who need to be present at the award ceremony. Invitees should include any special guests or honorees, as well as any speakers who will give presentations or remarks. You’ll want to make sure these individuals are aware of the event specifics, such as the date, time, and location.

It’s also important to consider inviting members of the media to cover the event. This may help increase visibility for your organization and help spread the word about your mission and goals. Be sure to provide them with all relevant information in a timely manner so that they have enough time to plan their coverage accordingly.

Finally, you’ll want to reach out to those in your organization who will be responsible for setting up the venue and coordinating other logistics for the event. Having a plan in place ahead of time is key for ensuring that everything goes smoothly on the day of the ceremony. Make sure everyone involved knows what they should be doing and when they should do it!

Emcee Instructions

Once you’ve invited all the necessary guests and speakers, you’ll need to assign someone to serve as an emcee for the ceremony. It’s important to provide thorough instructions for the person who will be in charge of introducing presenters, keeping track of time, and leading the audience through the event.

Begin by giving them a detailed rundown of the event’s agenda. This should include information such as the order in which speakers will appear and any remarks they plan to make. You’ll also want to provide specific cues on when they should introduce each speaker, such as clapping or playing a particular song.

The emcee should also be given notes on how to interact with the audience throughout the ceremony. Make sure they know how to encourage active participation from attendees and keep everyone engaged in what is happening on stage. Additionally, they should understand their role in conveying your organization’s message during their interactions with those in attendance.

It’s essential that your emcee is well-prepared before taking center stage. Be sure to review these instructions with them prior to the award ceremony so that everything goes off without a hitch!

Awards Presentation

Now that all the introductions have been made and the emcee is well-prepared, it’s time to move on to the awards presentation. This part of the ceremony is a great opportunity to recognize individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to your organization.

Start by having the emcee explain why each award recipient is being honored and what they have done to deserve recognition. Be sure to include any remarks from members of your organization about why their work has been so impactful. This will help create a more meaningful moment for everyone involved.

As you present each award, give a short speech that celebrates the accomplishments of the recipient and acknowledges their efforts. Allow them time to say a few words before moving on to the next person or group. If possible, include photos or videos that illustrate their achievements during this part of the ceremony as well.

Encourage audience applause and thank everyone for taking part in this special event. Make sure that you take a few moments at the end of the ceremony to thank all of your guests, speakers, and award recipients once again for helping make this occasion memorable!

Music And Lighting

Music and lighting play an important role in any award ceremony. The right music can set the tone and add to the overall atmosphere of the event. Lighting, on the other hand, helps create a focal point in each room and can be used to draw attention to different elements during your ceremony.

When selecting music for your event, consider what kind of mood you want to create. Do you want something upbeat or calming? Something traditional or modern? Make sure to pick songs that fit with the theme of your ceremony and reflect the accomplishments you are celebrating.

Lighting is also key to creating a memorable experience for your guests. Consider adding spotlights or up-lighting around the stage area for award presentations, or using color-changing lights for added effect. These techniques will help make your ceremony feel more professional and engaging for everyone in attendance.

No matter what type of music or lighting you select, remember that it should enhance – not overpower – the moment. When done correctly, both can be used to emphasize special moments throughout your event and create an atmosphere that celebrates success!

Timing Considerations

When planning an award ceremony, timing is a key factor to consider. It’s important to ensure that each element of your event flows smoothly and that you don’t run out of time before everyone has been recognized. Here are some tips when it comes to timing:

First, plan the order of events carefully. Schedule time for each award presentation, speeches, and any other activities. This will help you stay on track throughout the event. Consider assigning someone to keep an eye on the clock so they can alert you if you’re running behind schedule.

Second, allow ample time for questions or remarks from recipients after their awards have been presented. You want them to be able to share their thoughts with the audience without feeling rushed or pressured. Finally, be sure to leave extra time at the end of your program in case it runs longer than expected or something unexpected happens.

In summary, paying attention to timing before and during your event will help keep everything running smoothly and ensure everyone is properly recognized for their achievements.

Pre-Recorded Video Clips Or Photos

Another important element to include in your award ceremony is pre-recorded video clips or photos of each recipient. This can be a great way to add a personal touch and make the event more memorable.

When using this idea, it’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time for the videos or photos to be created before the event. Additionally, you’ll need to figure out how the videos will be displayed during the ceremony. Will they be projected on a screen? Or will you have someone manually show them one by one?

Either way, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to test out any technical aspects of your plan prior to the event. This will help ensure that everything runs smoothly when it comes time for the awards presentation.

Additionally, if there are any long-distance recipients who won’t be able to attend in person, having their video clip or photo shown during the ceremony can help make them feel included and appreciated despite their absence.

After Party Ideas

To cap off the award ceremony in style, why not consider planning an after-party? This can be a great way to give the recipients and their guests a chance to celebrate their accomplishments and have fun.

When organizing an after party, you’ll want to think about what kind of atmosphere you’d like to create. Do you want it to be more formal or laid-back? Would it make sense to include food and drinks? Or would you prefer for everyone to just mingle and chat?

The decorations are also something to consider. You could go with something simple like balloons and streamers, or add some extra pizzazz with custom banners or light displays. These details will help create a festive atmosphere that will make the event truly memorable for your guests.

Once you’ve worked out all of these details, all that’s left is for your recipients to enjoy their well-deserved recognition—and have a great time doing it!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should i budget for the event.

When budgeting for an event, it’s important to consider the scope of the event and what you’ll need to make it successful. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you should budget for an event, but there are certain factors that can help guide your decision.

First and foremost, think about your end goal. What do you want to achieve out of this event? Depending on the scope of the outcome you’re hoping for, your budget may vary. For example, if you’re looking for a more elaborate setup with high-end decorations and catering services, that will naturally require more resources than an intimate gathering with fewer decorations and simpler snacks.

You’ll also need to think about any additional costs associated with the event. Will there be a fee for renting out a space or any other equipment? Do you need to hire performers or speakers? All of these expenses should be accounted for in order to ensure that your budget is adequate. Remember that some things may be more expensive than expected; having a bit of extra money in the budget can help cover unexpected costs.

In determining how much money should be allocated towards the event, it’s important to remember that no two events are alike. Consider all the components involved and determine what would best suit the occasion while staying within a reasonable budget. With careful planning and thoughtful consideration of all aspects involved, you’ll be able to create an enjoyable experience without breaking the bank.

What Type Of Awards Should I Present?

Deciding what type of awards to present is an essential part of planning an award ceremony. There are many different types of awards that can be given out, ranging from certificates and trophies to plaques and medals. It is important to choose the right type of award so it will be meaningful and appreciated by the recipient.

When selecting the types of awards, it’s important to consider the occasion, budget, and audience. For example, if it’s a corporate event with a large budget, a nice trophy or plaque might be appropriate. On the other hand, if it’s a school event with a limited budget, certificates may be more suitable. Additionally, you should tailor the awards according to your audience; for instance, things like medals or unique gifts might make sense for younger recipients while elegant crystal pieces may be preferred by older awardees.

It’s also important to think about how many awards you plan on giving out. Depending on how many people you plan on honoring during the ceremony, you may need multiple variations of each award type so everyone receives something special and unique. You can customize awards as well by adding logos or special messages that commemorate their achievement. It is these details that will make your award ceremony memorable and successful!

What Are Some Good Ways To Engage The Audience?

Engaging the audience is an important part of putting on a successful award ceremony. There are several things you can do to make sure your guests are entertained and involved in the event. One great way to get people involved is to have them vote on different awards or categories. This allows them to feel like they have some control over the outcome and makes the ceremony more fun for everyone.

You can also encourage participation by having people give short speeches, stories, or jokes about the winners. This will help keep people engaged and interested in what’s happening on stage. Additionally, if you have a big enough venue, you could even try hosting a game or two that involves audience members competing against each other for prizes related to the event.

Finally, music can be used as a powerful tool for engaging your audience. Consider playing some songs from popular artists who are relevant to the occasion and encouraging everyone to sing along or dance together as a group. This will create an atmosphere of unity and entertainment that will make your award ceremony unforgettable for all those involved!

How Do I Ensure The Event Runs Smoothly?

Ensuring an event runs smoothly is a priority for any organizer. It’s important to plan ahead and consider every detail for a successful outcome. There are several steps that can be taken to make sure the ceremony goes as planned.

First off, it’s beneficial to create a timeline and checklist of all the tasks that need to be completed. This will help to keep track of all the necessary details, such as setting up chairs and audio equipment, providing refreshments, or printing out programs. It’s also important to involve volunteers or staff in the process so that everyone knows what needs to be done and when.

Another way to make sure things run smoothly is to have a rehearsal before the event starts. This will help ensure that everyone involved – from speakers and performers, to technical people – knows their roles and how they should interact during the ceremony. Allowing time for a dress rehearsal will also give participants an opportunity to work out any kinks before showtime.

Finally, it’s essential to have someone who can act as coordinator on the day of the event. They should be in charge of checking that everything has been set up correctly, making sure all audio equipment is working properly, and overseeing any last-minute changes that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances. Having someone with good project management skills in this role will help ensure that the ceremony runs according to plan without any unexpected hiccups or delays.

What Do I Need To Consider When Selecting A Venue?

Selecting the right venue for an event is a crucial part of the planning process. It can mean the difference between a successful event and one that falls flat. When selecting a venue, there are several considerations to keep in mind.

First, you’ll want to ensure the venue is large enough to accommodate your guests. If you’re expecting a large crowd, it’s important to make sure the space will be able to comfortably hold everyone who will be attending. Additionally, you need to think about how accessible the venue is; if it’s not easily reached by public transport or doesn’t have plenty of parking available, this could cause problems on the day.

Next, consider any additional features that may be needed such as catering services or audio-visual equipment. You don’t want to be caught short when it comes time for the event so make sure that all necessary amenities are available at the chosen venue. Finally, take into account any restrictions on noise levels or other regulations which may apply at different venues; these need to be taken into consideration before making your final decision.

When selecting a venue for an event, it’s important to ensure that it meets all of your needs from size and accessibility through to additional amenities and regulations. Taking each of these factors into account beforehand will help guarantee that your award ceremony runs smoothly and successfully on the day.

To ensure that your award ceremony is a success, it’s important to take into account several aspects. Firstly, you need to consider your budget and decide how much you can afford for the event. Secondly, think about what type of awards you want to present and how best to engage the audience during the ceremony. Lastly, selecting an appropriate venue is key in ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Once all these elements are covered, you’ll be ready to host a successful award ceremony! With careful planning and attention to detail, you’ll be able to throw an event that everyone will remember fondly.

At the end of the day, it’s all about creating a memorable experience for everyone involved. So go ahead and create an amazing day that celebrates the people or organizations who deserve recognition – they won’t forget it!

Related Posts

Emcee script for moving up ceremony.

  • August 3, 2023

A REFLECTION ON ICT INTEGRATION

A reflection on learning assessment, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Add Comment  *

Post Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Toastmasters International

  • Find a Club
  • Start a Club
  • Toggle Search
  • / Resources
  • / Public Speaking Tips
  • / Presenting Awards

Presenting Awards

Who We Are

  • Tell a story about the significance of the award.
  • Pronounce names of the recipients correctly.
  • Provide background on the recipient.
  • Hold the award respectfully and hand it to the recipient as if it were a treasure.
  • Wait to invite the recipient to the lectern until you formally introduce them.
  • Stand so the audience can see the recipient and the award clearly.

Helpful Resources

It's a special occasion.

Tips for delivering special speeches.

Cheers to New Beginnings!

How to make your toasts meaningful, memorable, and short.

Quick Links

Tips for success.

Enjoy helpful resources that will aid you in improving your communication and help you build leadership skills.

Hybrid Meeting Tips

Learn how to run a successful hybrid meeting.

Ready for a Dazzling Celebration?

Join us for the 2024 International Convention, celebrating the centennial of Toastmasters and so much more.

Connect With Us

Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for exciting updates, inspiration, and more.

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Award Presentation Speech

Photo of author

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

award presentation speech

Presentation Speech Topics For Award Ceremonies

Presentation speech template including eleven speech topics for presenting an award, prize or gift to a happy recipient leading to a brief photo opportunity in the end. Bear in mind that you have to be short and sweet epitomizing. Each of the public speaking speech topics take two or three sentences maximally. The layout in this tutorial helps an enchanted public speaker to set up a good and aesthetically ceremonial award presentation.

  • The first remark you have to make is a commenting to the occasion. Refer why you are here together, refresh their memories a bit by stipulating why this is such a special day. Enforce the power of the delightful purpose of this meeting, and the happy recipient.
  • Explain in your presentation speech what the award represents. Be brief, since the audience has read the invitation and publicity material. Describe these underlying elemental public speaking power factors:
  • Describe the organization you are representing. Tell why you are privileged to present. Make your speech personal, offer personal thoughts, experiences and feelings.
  • Praise the recipient. Present outstanding contributions, achievements or records that are relevant. Adapt them to the goals and meaning of the ceremonial special occasion .

Explain why the contributions are outstanding or unique. What offers did it take the winner? Refer to special qualifications and to similarities with other recipients.

Again: keep it short – 3 minutes for your award speech will do most of the time. Although it even can be somewhat shorter.

  • Mention the reasons for choosing her or him as recipient. Link the contributions to the meaning of the honor.
  • Make a concluding characterization by telling a compelling story or anecdote in the presentation speech text.
  • Ask if the receiver will come forward and declare her or him the winner.
  • Link the previous speech topics to what the prize gift stands for. Tip: read the inscription out loud and show the golden medal, the engraved plaque, the recognition trophy cup, or the certificate words.
  • At the end of your address congratulate her or him.
  • Hand over the award, prize, diploma, certificate or gift card.
  • Shake hands with the person or group being honored. Schedule a brief photo opportunity and smile to the camera! After the ceremony you could allow a small interview to invited journalists.

Finally, of course give the winner the opportunity to speak after your award presentation speech address. And start clapping your hands to express your honest approval after she or he has completed the thank you phrases.

Keep smiling all the time.

Epideictic Speech [Topics and Examples]

Birthday Speech [From Celebrant or For a Guest]

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

© 2024 My Speech Class

  • Online Store For Executive Gifts & Awards

Executive Awards

  • Clear Acrylic Awards
  • Color Acrylic Awards
  • Custom Acrylic Awards
  • Jade Acrylic Awards
  • Boardroom Coasters
  • Barware & Drinkware
  • Trays and Bowls
  • Crystal & Glass Clocks
  • Metal Clocks
  • Waterford Clocks
  • Wood Clocks
  • Color Printed Glass

Crystal Awards

  • Glass Awards
  • Plates and Trays
  • Gavels and Keys
  • Nameplates, Card Cases & Holders
  • Paperweights & Bookends
  • Pens and Accessories
  • Crystal and Glass Plaques

Perpetual Plaques

  • Photo Plaques
  • Standard Plaques
  • Star, Gavel & Eagle Plaques
  • Crystal Trophies & Pieces
  • Figurine Trophies
  • Pewter Trophy Cups & Presentation Pieces
  • Gifts For Grads
  • Gifts For Baby
  • Gifts For Weddings
  • Rembrandt Charms
  • Home & Bar
  • Picture Frames
  • Why Choose Us?
  • Testimonials
  • Order Tracking
  • Custom Orders? Questions?

A Few Tips For An Award Presentation Speech

executives shaking hands

In many cases, you will need to prepare short remarks before you present your award plaques or trophies. The remarks need to introduce the recipients, show how much you value them and help to set the tone for the event.

So, before you present any personalized trophies and awards, here are a few tips for your remarks.

  • Double check all of the details – Make sure you know how to pronounce any names correctly and be sure you have the correct titles. Too many remarks are ruined by mispronouncing someone’s name or by getting basic facts wrong. It only takes a few minutes to confirm the facts, but it is extremely important.
  • Introduce yourself – Don’t assume the audience knows who you are. Briefly state who you are and why you are there.
  • Introduce the recipient or recipient – Discuss what they do for your organization and provide background information if possible, such as how long they have been there.
  • Add in a joke or two – These work best in the introduction. Your audience will most likely want to smile and laugh, so give them an opportunity to do so. A light comment in the introduction often works very well.
  • Introduce the award – Why are you presenting this award? Is it an annual award? Is it for someone who is retiring? Is it named in honor of anyone?
  • Tell us why the recipient is receiving this award – What makes the recipient so special? A personal story about the recipient always works well here. Can you describe how you have seen the recipient impact your organization, help fellow employees, assist customers or do something special?
  • Keep it short – You need to build up and introduce the award recipient, but don’t go on too long. The event needs to remain focused on the award recipients.

Be sure to save time to rehearse

When you have your remarks all set, be sure to practice them or at least read over them a few times. You want to be confident and comfortable when it is your time to speak.

In addition, it’s always good to get feedback on your remarks beforehand from a trusted colleague, if possible.

And remember, whenever you are looking for recognition award ideas or if you have questions about any trophies and plaques, be sure to contact our sales professionals .

' src=

Executive Awards

Related Posts

person working from home

Working From Home Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Celebrate

introduction award speech

Glass and Crystal – What’s the Difference?

introduction award speech

How Do People Create Glass Objects?

Crystal Paper Weight GSCRY00041

What is That Employee Gift Meant to Say?

executives shaking hands

Unique Corporate Gifts You Should Consider for Your Next Recognition Event

christmas

How Can I Make Sure Everyone Feels Included in the Office During the Holidays?

optimist optic crystal award blue

Welcome Employees Back to The Office with Exciting Corporate Gifts

person working at the computer

The True Costs of Employee Turnover

How do you know your employee recognition program is accomplishing anything, your top performers can help create a great work culture.

Payment Gateways

  • Top Navigation

Engraved Crystal Recognition Awards are Meaningful Gifts

When you present Engraved Crystal Recognition Awards to deserving recipients, you are giving them something special. These crystal awards look spectacular by themselves, and we offer you a wide range of shapes, sizes and even colors. And when these unique awards are engraved to your specifications, they become even more special for each recipient. In addition, when light shines through these personalized corporate gifts, these awards look even more impressive. The recipients of these awards will be proud to display them in their homes or in their offices, and they will know just how much you value their important contributions.

Personalized Retirement Gifts

Engraved Gifts for Special Occasions and Holidays

Awards for Top Sales

Engraved Crystal Recognition Awards

Engraved Acrylic Achievement Awards

Engraved Acrylic Awards

Unique Corporate Gifts

Trophies and Plaques

Recognition Award Ideas

Personalized Trophies And Awards

Personalized Pens No Minimum

Personalized Corporate Gifts

Personalized Clocks

Monogrammed Luggage Tags

Luxury Corporate Gifts

Large Perpetual Plaques

Glass Trophy Awards

Glass Trophies And Awards

Engraved Plaques

Engraved Pens

Engraved Name Plate

Engraved Glass Gifts

Engraved Crystal Clock

Employee Of The Month Perpetual Plaque

Employee Award Ideas

Desk Card Holder

Custom Engraved Keychains

Corporate Gifts For Employees

Corporate Gifts

Business Card Holder For Desk

Crystal Plaque

Award Plaques

Art Glass Awards

Acrylic Trophies

Acrylic Plaques

Engraved Awards For Medical School Graduates

Engraved Awards For Medical Fellows

Engraved Waterford Crystal Clocks For Retiring Board Of Directors

Engraved Presentation Trays For Retiring Board Member

Board Of Directors Retirement Clocks

Hand Engraved Facsimile Signatures On Sterling Silver Retirement Tray

Speech Writing

Introduction Speech

Barbara P

Introduction Speech - A Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

11 min read

introduction speech

People also read

The 10 Key Steps for Perfect Speech Writing

Understanding the Speech Format - Detailed Guide & Examples

How to Start A Speech - 13 Interesting Ideas & Examples

20+ Outstanding Speech Examples for Your Help

Common Types of Speeches that Every Speechwriter Should Know

Good Impromptu Speech Topics for Students

Entertaining Speech Topics for Your Next Debate

How to Write a Special Occasion Speech: Types, Tips, and Examples

How to Write the Best Acceptance Speech for Your Audience?

Presentation Speech - An Ultimate Writing Guide

Commemorative Speech - Writing Guide, Outline & Examples

Farewell Speech - Writing Tips & Examples

How to Write an Extemporaneous Speech? A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting the Perfect Graduation Speech: A Guide with Examples

Introduction speeches are all around us. Whenever we meet a new group of people in formal settings, we have to introduce ourselves. That’s what an introduction speech is all about.

When you're facing a formal audience, your ability to deliver a compelling introductory speech can make a lot of difference. With the correct approach, you can build credibility and connections.

In this blog, we'll take you through the steps to craft an impactful introduction speech. You’ll also get examples and valuable tips to ensure you leave a lasting impression.

So, let's dive in!

Arrow Down

  • 1. What is an Introduction Speech? 
  • 2. How to Write an Introduction Speech?
  • 3. Introduction Speech Outline
  • 4. 7 Ways to Open an Introduction Speech
  • 5. Introduction Speech Example
  • 6. Introduction Speech Ideas
  • 7. Tips for Delivering the Best Introduction Speech

What is an Introduction Speech? 

An introduction speech, or introductory address, is a brief presentation at the beginning of an event or public speaking engagement. Its primary purpose is to establish a connection with the audience and to introduce yourself or the main speaker.

This type of speech is commonly used in a variety of situations, including:

  • Public Speaking: When you step onto a stage to address a large crowd, you start with an introduction to establish your presence and engage the audience.
  • Networking Events: When meeting new people in professional or social settings, an effective introduction speech can help you make a memorable first impression.
  • Formal Gatherings: From weddings to conferences, introductions set the tone for the event and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

In other words, an introduction speech is simply a way to introduce yourself to a crowd of people. 

How to Write an Introduction Speech?

Before you can just go and deliver your speech, you need to prepare for it. Writing a speech helps you organize your ideas and prepare your speech effectively. 

Here is how to introduce yourself in a speech.

  • Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is crucial. Consider their interests, backgrounds, and expectations to tailor your introduction accordingly.

For instance, the audience members could be your colleagues, new classmates, or various guests depending on the occasion. Understanding your audience will help you decide what they are expecting from you as a speaker.

  • Start with a Hook

Begin with a captivating opening line that grabs your audience's attention. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question about yourself or the occasion.

  • Introduce Yourself

Introduce yourself to the audience. State your name, occupation, or other details relevant to the occasion. You should mention the reason for your speech clearly. It will build your credibility and give the readers reasons to stay with you and read your speech.

  • Keep It Concise

So how long is an introduction speech?

Introduction speeches should be brief and to the point. Aim for around 1-2 minutes in most cases. Avoid overloading the introduction with excessive details.

  • Highlight Key Points

Mention the most important information that establishes the speaker's credibility or your own qualifications. Write down any relevant achievements, expertise, or credentials to include in your speech. Encourage the audience to connect with you using relatable anecdotes or common interests.

  • Rehearse and Edit

Practice your introduction speech to ensure it flows smoothly and stays within the time frame. Edit out any unnecessary information, ensuring it's concise and impactful.

  • Tailor for the Occasion

Adjust the tone and content of your introduction speech to match the formality and purpose of the event. What works for a business conference may not be suitable for a casual gathering.

Introduction Speech Outline

To assist you in creating a structured and effective introduction speech, here's a simple outline that you can follow:

Here is an example outline for a self-introduction speech.

Outline for Self-Introduction Speech

7 Ways to Open an Introduction Speech

You can start your introduction speech as most people do:

“Hello everyone, my name is _____. I will talk about _____. Thank you so much for having me. So first of all _______”

However, this is the fastest way to make your audience lose interest. Instead, you should start by captivating your audience’s interest. Here are 7 ways to do that:

  • Quote  

Start with a thought-provoking quote that relates to your topic or the occasion. E.g. "Mahatma Gandhi once said, 'You must be the change you want to see in the world."

  • Anecdote or Story

Begin with a brief, relevant anecdote or story that draws the audience in. It could be a story about yourself or any catchy anecdote to begin the flow of your speech.

Pose a rhetorical question to engage the audience's curiosity and involvement. For example, "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time, to experience a moment in history?”

  • Statistic or Fact

Share a surprising statistic or interesting fact that underscores the significance of your speech. E.g. “Did you know that as of today, over 60% of the world's population has access to the internet?”

  • “What If” Scenario

Paint a vivid "What if" scenario that relates to your topic, sparking the audience's imagination and curiosity. For example, "What if I told you that a single decision today could change the course of your life forever?"

  • Ignite Imagination  

Encourage the audience to envision a scenario related to your topic. For instance, "Imagine a world where clean energy powers everything around us, reducing our carbon footprint to almost zero."

Start your introduction speech with a moment of silence, allowing the audience to focus and anticipate your message. This can be especially powerful in creating a sense of suspense and intrigue.

Introduction Speech Example

To help you understand how to put these ideas into practice, here are the introduction speech examples for different scenarios.

Introduction Speech Writing Sample

Short Introduction Speech Sample

Self Introduction Speech for College Students

Introduction Speech about Yourself

Student Presentation Introduction Speech Script

Teacher Introduction Speech

New Employee Self Introduction Speech

Introduction Speech for Chief Guest

Moreover, here is a video example of a self introduction. Watch it to understand how you should deliver your speech:

Want to read examples for other kinds of speeches? Find the best speeches at our blog about speech examples !

Introduction Speech Ideas

So now that you’ve understood what an introduction speech is, you may want to write one of your own. So what should you talk about?

The following are some ideas to start an introduction speech for a presentation, meeting, or social gathering in an engaging way. 

  • Personal Story: Share a brief personal story or an experience that has shaped you, introducing yourself on a deeper level.
  • Professional Background: Introduce yourself by highlighting your professional background, including your career achievements and expertise.
  • Hobby or Passion: Discuss a hobby or passion that you're enthusiastic about, offering insights into your interests and what drives you.
  • Volunteer Work: Introduce yourself by discussing your involvement in volunteer work or community service, demonstrating your commitment to making a difference.
  • Travel Adventures: Share anecdotes from your travel adventures, giving the audience a glimpse into your love for exploring new places and cultures.
  • Books or Literature: Provide an introduction related to a favorite book, author, or literary work, revealing your literary interests.
  • Achievements and Milestones: Highlight significant achievements and milestones in your life or career to introduce yourself with an impressive track record.
  • Cultural Heritage: Explore your cultural heritage and its influence on your identity, fostering a sense of cultural understanding.
  • Social or Environmental Cause: Discuss your dedication to a particular social or environmental cause, inviting the audience to join you in your mission.
  • Future Aspirations: Share your future goals and aspirations, offering a glimpse into what you hope to achieve in your personal or professional life.

You can deliver engaging speeches on all kinds of topics. Here is a list of entertaining speech topics to get inspiration.

Tips for Delivering the Best Introduction Speech

Here are some tips for you to write a perfect introduction speech in no time. 

Now that you know how to write an effective introduction speech, let's focus on the delivery. The way you present your introduction is just as important as the content itself. 

Here are some valuable tips to ensure you deliver a better introduction speech:

  • Maintain Eye Contact 

Make eye contact with the audience to establish a connection. This shows confidence and engages your listeners.

  • Use Appropriate Body Language 

Your body language should convey confidence and warmth. Stand or sit up straight, use open gestures, and avoid fidgeting.

  • Mind Your Pace

Speak at a moderate pace, avoiding rapid speech. A well-paced speech is easier to follow and more engaging.

  • Avoid Filler Words

Minimize the use of filler words such as "um," "uh," and "like." They can be distracting and detract from your message.

  • Be Enthusiastic

Convey enthusiasm about the topic or the speaker. Your energy can be contagious and inspire the audience's interest.

  • Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearse your speech multiple times. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or seek feedback from others.

  • Be Mindful of Time

Stay within the allocated time for your introduction. Going too long can make your speech too boring for the audience.

  • Engage the Audience

Encourage the audience's participation. You could do that by asking rhetorical questions, involving them in a brief activity, or sharing relatable anecdotes.

Mistakes to Avoid in an Introduction Speech

While crafting and delivering an introduction speech, it's important to be aware of common pitfalls that can diminish its effectiveness. Avoiding these mistakes will help you create a more engaging and memorable introduction. 

Here are some key mistakes to steer clear of:

  • Rambling On

One of the most common mistakes is making the introduction too long. Keep it concise and to the point. The purpose is to set the stage, not steal the spotlight.

  • Lack of Preparation

Failing to prepare adequately can lead to stumbling, awkward pauses, or losing your train of thought. Rehearse your introduction to build confidence.

  • Using Jargon or Complex Language

Avoid using technical jargon or complex language that may confuse the audience. Your introduction should be easily understood by everyone.

  • Being Too Generic

A generic or uninspiring introduction can set a lackluster tone. Ensure your introduction is tailored to the event and speaker, making it more engaging.

  • Using Inappropriate Humor

Be cautious with humor, as it can easily backfire. Avoid inappropriate or potentially offensive jokes that could alienate the audience.

  • Not Tailoring to the Occasion

An introduction should be tailored to the specific event's formality and purpose. A one-size-fits-all approach may not work in all situations.

To Conclude,

An introduction speech is more than just a formality. It's an opportunity to engage, inspire, and connect with your audience in a meaningful way. 

With the help of this blog, you're well-equipped to shine in various contexts. So, step onto that stage, speak confidently, and captivate your audience from the very first word.

Moreover, you’re not alone in your journey to becoming a confident introducer. If you ever need assistance in preparing your speech, let the experts help you out.

MyPerfectWords.com offers a reputable essay writing service with experienced professionals who can craft tailored introductions, ensuring your speech makes a lasting impact.

Don't hesitate; hire our professional speech writing service to deliver top-quality speeches at your deadline!

Barbara P

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

Get Help

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

speech writing

Examples logo

Sports Award Speech

Sports Award Speech Examples

Alexander Graham Bell once said “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” This is true especially when making speeches for any type of event. Whether that event may be a wedding, an awarding ceremony or even a job well done in a company. Preparing to make a good speech is the key to making it work. If you are that person who really wants to make a speech so good and moving, this article is for you. Check it out below, 3+ sports award speech examples, welcome, thank you, presenting. 

3+ Sports Award Speech Examples

1. sports awards speech template.

sports awards speech template

Size: 62 KB

2. Sports Award Presentation Speech

sports award presentation speech

Size: 75 KB

3. Printable Sports Award Speech

printable sports award speech

4. Sports Award Speech Example

sports award speech example

Size: 227 KB

Importance for Speeches

As any person would tell you public speaking is the most dreadful type of communication. The reason for this is because, making speeches in front of a huge or lesser crowd can give anyone stage fright. Even professionals tend to freeze up when someone mentions public speaking. But there is a purpose or an importance for speeches. The sole purpose of speeches is to get a response, a reaction from your audiences. Some if not all speeches often invite your audiences to react. Their reaction can differ depending on their way of understanding. They may react through thinking, acting or feeling.

Definition of Award Speech

From the term itself, an award speech is a type of speech you give as you bestow an award to a person or a group of people. There are some award ceremonies that require the person to make a speech, others on the other hand will only ask you to say a few words. The speech you are about to make must highlight the person’s success and their achievements.

Tips on Making an Award Speech

In any event, a speech , always expected and crucial. So here are some tips on making a good speech for any type of event. Followed by some tips to avoid stage fright.

  • Practice Your Speech: Before you start with the speech, and after you have written and revised it, practice . This is a good way for you to try and pretend you are already on stage. Remember you are not allowed to bring a copy of your speech. You are allowed to bring cue cards and glance ever so often. But avoid reading the whole script.
  • Eye Contact: Eye contact is a must. This is how you draw your audience in. Make them feel comfortable and welcomed.
  • Start with Welcoming Honored Guests: In any welcome speech event, the honored guests are always the first to be read. Followed by the school committee, judges, parents, participants and finally the audience. The reason for this is because the honored guests are usually not from the school or the place they are attending. Consider them as the VIP of any social event. Like any other VIP, they are always the first to be welcomed .
  • Begin With a Brief Introduction: Once you are done welcoming the honored guests, the people present and your audience, begin with a brief introduction of your honored guests, judges, host and the event itself.
  • Make Your Voice Lively: Let’s face it, nobody likes to listen to someone making a welcome speech and their voice is flat and uninteresting. To capture the attention of your audience, make your voice and introduction as lively as possible.
  • End With a Thank You: After making the speech you made, end with a sincere thank you speech . Address everyone, especially the participants, the honored guests, the judges and the parents. Be as sincere as you are and make sure that you really mean it.

Tips to Avoid Stage Fright

Anyone who has made a speech in their life would understand stage fright can be a crippling reason to back in doing one. But there are some ways to avoid this and some ways to solve this. So listed below are some tips to avoid stage fright.

  • Practice: Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there is without a doubt that stage fright can still be a crippling reason to back out when you are told to make a speech. To stop this from bothering you, all you need to do is to practice. Yes, practice making a speech with someone. Try it out with a few people then work your way up to the top.
  • Breathe:   Another way to avoid stage fright is to breathe in and out. Losing consciousness when making a speech can also be very painful in the long run. Do some breathing exercises before getting up on stage and doing your speech.
  • Familiarize The Topic: A good way to avoid stage fright is to understand and be familiar with what you are going to be talking about. Your mind won’t be able to concentrate on being afraid when it is busy concentrating on your topic.
  • Organize Your Train of Thoughts: Train your mind to organize your thoughts. Do not let it wander off that you lose sight of what you were trying to say. This can cause nervousness and may lead to stage fright. 
  • Focus on Your Topic: Do not mind your audience, focus on the topic you were told to talk about. Maintain eye contact with some of the audiences but always focus on the topic. 
  • Take a Few Second Pauses: Your audiences would not mind the few second pauses, as this also allows them to let the message sink it. This allows you to reorganize your thoughts and take a few short breaths.

What is an award speech?

An award speech is a type you give as you present the award, medal or the trophy to the person who receives it.

Is it really important to make the speech so long?

Not really, you can make the speech short or long. This depends on how much you have to say once you accept the award.

Can I say a fact in my speech?

Sure, as long as you cite where you heard or read about it.

I am going to accept an award, do I need to make a speech about it?

You may say a few lines here and there, a thank you for the award and if you have anything else to add, you may do so.

Congratulations to all who have been awarded for their effort, for their endurance and for their job well done. This can be a good example to add to your speech, but to make the best speech is to say what you truly feel from the heart.

introduction award speech

Sports Award Speech Generator

Text prompt

  • Instructive
  • Professional

Create a sports award speech for a most valuable player

Help me write a sports award speech for a coach's retirement

Advertisement

Supported by

The Projectionist

The 6 Best Speeches of Awards Season So Far

From a pajama-clad Jodie Foster to the teary “Minari” child star Alan S. Kim, they managed to make their acceptance speeches work from home.

  • Share full article

introduction award speech

By Kyle Buchanan

Even at the best of times, making an award acceptance speech isn’t easy. It’s the most scrutinized moment of your career, you’re bound to forget the name of somebody you love, and you’re five feet from a trigger-happy orchestra that is trained to turn on you like a firing squad.

Still, the upside is major. If you give a wonderful speech at the Golden Globes , that good will is rolled into subsequent award shows, potentially endearing you to voters, who may pick you in part because you delivered a moment. And some speeches even outlast the performances themselves: When you think of Jack Palance in “City Slickers,” his one-armed push-ups on the Oscar stage probably come to mind before a single joke from the movie.

All this is to say that the fine art of an acceptance speech got much trickier during the pandemic, when shows went virtual and winners were asked to direct their excitement toward the impassive eye of their MacBook webcam — a task that is a bit like performing stand-up to an empty club: There’s no crowd to carry you, to laugh or to applaud.

Still, some stars managed to make the most of it. Here are six people who mined unexpected levels of emotion and humor from a remote format practically designed to stamp all of those good things out.

Yuh-Jung Youn, BAFTA Awards

Please welcome to the stage … Yuh-Jung Youn , roast comic? The 73-year-old may be on the verge of winning the supporting-actress Oscar for her performance as the grandmother in “ Minari ,” but if Youn is looking to do some pandemic-era moonlighting, she could easily embark on a second career as a Zoom comedian.

For proof, look no further than last weekend’s BAFTAs , where a surprised Youn routed the rest of her category and declared, “I’m very honored to be nominated — no, not nominated! I’m the winner now.” After expressing her condolences to the ceremony’s British voters for the recent death of Prince Philip — which drew an audible “aww” from her remote audience — Youn went in for the surprise kill: “Every award is meaningful,” she said, “but this one especially, recognized by British people — known as very snobbish people.”

The presenter David Oyelowo doubled over in laughter: Had she really just said that? It was a delightful echo of Youn’s “Minari” character, who is blunt but oh so endearing. Few people would dare show up to an awards show and tweak the voters to their faces, but now that Youn has managed it so well, have we as a society finally progressed past our need for the awards-show staple Ricky Gervais ?

Jodie Foster, Golden Globes

I’ve perused enough Architectural Digest spreads, Vogue.com videos and Instagram feeds to know that most celebrities live in what could charitably be described as fancy mausoleums. Yes, money can buy you a white-marble kitchen island the size of France, but can the bland, burnished lifestyle of the ultrawealthy confer true happiness?

That’s what took me off guard when Jodie Foster won her supporting-actress Golden Globe for “The Mauritanian” : She wasn’t expecting the win, and I wasn’t expecting her to present such a homey, recognizable vision of domestic bliss. Foster and her wife, Alexandra Hedison, accepted the award from their pillow-strewn couch, where they were happily curled up in pajamas. They laughed, they cheered, they hugged their dog. This is also what I do during awards shows!

Forced to improvise a speech, Foster began to thank her wife, “Ziggy and Aaron Rodgers” — a random list of citations far better than anything she could have read off a crumpled piece of paper. (For the record, Ziggy is Foster’s dog, and Rodgers is the quarterback-slash- “Jeopardy!” guest host who is dating Foster’s “Mauritanian” co-star Shailene Woodley .) But the biggest takeaway was this: After a tumultuous life and a tortured coming-out speech at the Globes several years ago, Foster is now 58 and content. Knowing how hard-earned that all was felt more momentous than her actual award.

Lee Isaac Chung, Golden Globes

Two years ago at the Oscars, I was marooned in an upper balcony, seated near Rami Malek’s mother and twin brother. Though Malek mentioned them during his acceptance speech for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” he would have needed a telescope to actually spot his family from the stage. This is one of the few advantages a Zoom awards season can actually provide: The winner’s loved ones are often right beside them, and it’s their reaction that can matter most.

When the “Minari” director Lee Isaac Chung won the Golden Globe for foreign-language film, his young daughter clambered into his arms. “I prayed!” she said, adorably thrilled by her father’s victory. “This one here, she’s the reason I made this film,” Chung said. And now, because of this crazy, mixed-up year, she’s part of a sweet moment that the two will always share.

Chloé Zhao, DGA Awards

The “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao has taken nearly every directorial award available this season, and she’s used her speeches to thank the people who helped make and starred in her road movie. But when Zhao won the top award from the Directors Guild of America , she spent most of her moving speech on an off-the-cuff ode to the other filmmakers who had been nominated.

“You are so brilliant, so daring, and you’re in such control of your craft,” Zhao told Emerald Fennell, the director of “Promising Young Woman.” Both Lee Isaac Chung and Aaron Sorkin put their hands over their hearts as Zhao paid tribute: She talked about how Chung’s “Minari” had touched her on a personal level, and she called Sorkin, who directed “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” a poet.

When it came time to extol the virtues of the “Mank” director David Fincher, Zhao bowed to him: “Your film is a master class,” she said. “All your films are.” Generous and classy, Zhao’s praise was a reminder that awards season needn’t just be a competition — instead, it can be a celebration.

Simone Ledward Boseman, Gotham Awards

In the rare event of a posthumous win, the trophy is usually collected by the presenter or the director of the film. Instead, throughout this season, most of the awards given to Chadwick Boseman , for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” have been tearfully accepted by his widow.

Simone Ledward Boseman made her first emotional speech at the Gotham Awards in January, where she appeared by video after a tribute to the actor. “It is my honor to receive this award on behalf of my husband, an acknowledgment not only of his profound work but of his impact on this industry and this world,” Ledward Boseman said, trying with admirable grace to keep her composure.

Then, instead of speaking to the voters, she began to address her late husband. “Chad, thank you,” Ledward Boseman said in a quavering voice. “I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us.”

Alan S. Kim, Critics’ Choice Awards

When the “Minari” star Alan S. Kim won the Critics’ Choice Award for best young actor, the 8-year-old launched into a scripted list of thank-yous with child-actor élan. Then came a surprise: “Oh my goodness, I’m crying,” Kim realized. And the more he talked, the more he cried. “I hope I will be in other movies,” Kim finally said through tears, before bending over and murmuring to himself, “Is this a dream? I hope it’s not a dream.”

Look, I sometimes have reservations about what we put child actors through: Is it ethical to make a person so young earn a professional living? Doesn’t it force them to grow up too fast? But Kim, in his miniature tuxedo, let all that adult-before-his-time professionalism slip away and simply cried like any child would upon receiving a wonderful gift. It was surprising, authentic and moving. When it comes to awards-show speeches, you can’t ask for more than that.

Kyle Buchanan , a Los Angeles-based pop culture reporter, writes The Projectionist column. He was previously a senior editor at Vulture, New York Magazine's entertainment website, where he covered the movie industry. More about Kyle Buchanan

Our Coverage of the 2024 Oscars

The 96th academy awards were presented on march 10 in los angeles..

Our Critics’ Take: The Oscars were torn between the golden past and the thorny present. But to our critics Manohla Dargis and Alissa Wilkinson, the show mostly worked .

A ‘Just Ken’ Spectacle: In one of the most anticipated and exuberant moments of Oscar night , Ryan Gosling took the stage to perform “ I’m Just Ken ” from “Barbie.”

Cillian Murphy’s Career: If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of the Irish actor’s work after his now Oscar-winning performance  as the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, here are some excellent options .

Bro-Brooches: This year, several male stars wore baubles  more often associated with granny’s jewel box than Hollywood heartthrobs.

Inside the After Parties:  Here’s what we saw at the Governors Ball  and Vanity Fair’s party , where the famous (and the fame-adjacent) celebrated into the night.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph thanks her mother, teacher and publicist in strong 2024 Oscars speech

Da'Vine Joy Randolph during the live telecast

  • Show more sharing options
  • Copy Link URL Copied!

Da’Vine Joy Randolph gave an impassioned speech at the 2024 Oscars , thanking all who helped her get to the Dolby Theatre stage to accept the award for supporting actress.

“God is so good, God is so good,” said the “Holdovers” star, holding back tears. “I think I was supposed to be doing this as a career. I started off as a singer, and my mother said to me, ‘Go across that street to that theater department. There’s something for you there.’ I thank my mother for doing that.”

“I thank you to all the people who have stepped in my path and been there for me, who have ushered me and guided me,” she continued. “I am so grateful to all you beautiful people out here. For so long, I’ve always wanted to be different, and now I realize I just need to be myself.”

Three women on the red carpet.

All the looks from the 2024 Oscars red carpet

Here are all the looks from the 2024 Oscars red carpet, from Emma Stone to Emily Blunt, Lupita Nyong’o to Zendaya.

March 10, 2024

Randolph then specifically thanked her Yale School of Drama professor Ron Van Lieu. “When I was the only Black girl in that class, when you saw me and you told me I was enough. And when I told you, I don’t see myself, he said, ‘That’s fine. We’re going to forge our own path. You’re going to lay a trail for yourself.’”

She also expressed gratitude for “all the women who have been by my side,” and said, “I pray to God that I get to do this more than once. Thank you for seeing me.”

Hollywood, CA - March 10: Chirstopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg during the live telecast of the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The 2024 Oscar winners list

Oscar winners “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things,” Emma Stone and more took home Academy Awards during Sunday’s ceremony.

Randolph’s moving speech got laughs when she made “a special shout-out to my publicist, and I know y’all say, ‘Don’t say nothing ‘bout no publicist, but you don’t have a publicist like I have a publicist!” she said. “You have been by my side, and I’m forever grateful.”

After the commercial break, host Jimmy Kimmel noted that Randolph forgot to mention her publicist’s name — Marla Farrell of Shelter PR — in the speech, and joked, “You shouldn’t have to pay for the rest of the year.”

Hollywood, CA - March 10: Emma Thomas during the live telecast of the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

All the best and worst moments of the 2024 Oscars, as they happened

“Oppenheimer” won several top awards, including best picture, director and lead actor, while lead actress went to Emma Stone for “Poor Things.” Billie Eilish won best song after Ryan Gosling performed “I’m Just Ken.”

More to Read

Hollywood, CA - March 10: (L-R) Mary Steenburgen, Lupita Nyong'O, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rita Moreno and Regina King during the live telecast of the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The top 5 takeaways from the 2024 Oscars, according to those who were there

March 11, 2024

A collage of Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Hattie McDaniel, Lupita Nyong'o, Whoopi Goldberg, an Oscar statue and Octavia Spencer

84 years after Hattie McDaniel, the Oscars still put Black women in a box

March 8, 2024

Academy Award winners thank their mothers.

Who gets mentioned most in Oscars acceptance speeches? We counted

From the Oscars to the Emmys.

Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

introduction award speech

Ashley Lee is a staff reporter at the Los Angeles Times, where she writes about theater, movies, television and the bustling intersection of the stage and the screen. An alum of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Critics Institute and Poynter’s Power of Diverse Voices, she leads workshops on arts journalism at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. She was previously a New York-based editor at the Hollywood Reporter and has written for the Washington Post, Backstage and American Theatre, among others. She is currently working remotely alongside her dog, Oliver.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday.

At Vanity Fair’s post-Oscars party, Barry Keoghan was all in on Sabrina Carpenter

illie Eilish, Finneas O'Connell back stage

Entertainment & Arts

Photos: An exclusive look at the Oscars’ best backstage moments

Emma Stone turns around on the Oscars stage to show the back of her broken gown

Emma Stone busted Oscars dress during ‘I’m Just Ken’ and had to be sewn in backstage

Hollywood, CA - March 10: English director Jonathan Glazer poses in the press room with the Oscar for Best International Feature Film for "The Zone of Interest," in the deadline room at the 96th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar speech sparks fierce reactions from supporters of Israel

IMAGES

  1. Award Acceptance Speech

    introduction award speech

  2. Award Speech Examples 16 In Pdf Examples

    introduction award speech

  3. Acceptance speech

    introduction award speech

  4. Award Speech

    introduction award speech

  5. Sample Presenting An Award Speech Example

    introduction award speech

  6. Sample Introduction Speech

    introduction award speech

VIDEO

  1. SB19's 2nd acceptance speech after receiving the 2023 Asia Artist Awards Best Artist Award (Singer)!

  2. Speech of Introduction

  3. Best Introduction Award, Miss Grand Thailand 2018

  4. award speech for my speech class

  5. Introduction Speech On 75th Republic Day Celebration In IISJ

  6. 13 March 2024

COMMENTS

  1. Inspiring Awards Ceremony Speech Examples

    Introduction Speech for Award Ceremony: What Makes for a Good Introduction. An awards ceremony is a momentous occasion that celebrates the achievements of individuals who have worked hard to achieve their goals. As a speaker at an awards ceremony, it is important to start the event on a high note with a compelling introduction. A good ...

  2. How to Present an Award: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

    1. Begin with a funny or personal story about the recipient. Choose a story that's right for the occasion and reflects the spirit of the award. Try to pick a story about an experience you had with the recipient. If you've never met them, read their biography and discuss something that stood out to you.

  3. Award Speech

    Award Speech. You may have already seen on television or have seen it right before your eyes that when someone would give and receive an award, they would say more than just a word of thanks in front of an audience. ... Make sure that you would keep the introduction part of your speech brief and simple but it would already build up the ...

  4. Award and Acceptance Speeches

    In an award speech, a speaker or emcee introduces an award and the winner. The introduction is meant to build excitement, and often the winner is not known until just before the award is to be presented. Introduce yourself and thank the group or organization asking you to speak. Then name the award and explain briefly about the award you are ...

  5. Award Speech: And the Winner is…

    Describe the attributes of the person who will be receiving the award. If possible, tell a story about the person. The more details, the better. People who come to awards ceremonies like to be inspired and they like to feel included. The more you can make everyone feel like they are part of something special, the better your speech will be.

  6. What to Say When Presenting an Award [Script]

    We wish you luck in creating your own speeches for recognition! If you're looking for a high-quality award to present, look no further than PaperDirect's selection of awards and certificates. Browse our selection today! Related Posts November 10, 2014 Christmas Recognition Tip #6 - Certificates February 5, 2015

  7. How to write an award-winning speech

    5) Sum up what you have said. Finally, you need to wrap up your speech with a closing statement that returns to your opening line to reinforce the point and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Leave five minutes at the end for questions and answers from the audience. Remember that the best speeches are those that are remembered and ...

  8. How to give an award acceptance speech

    Perhaps you could begin by breaking down your speech into a few sections. For example, you could structure the speech as follows: Introduction, thanking a few specific people, telling a story or an anecdote, and conclusion. This should all take no more than 3-5 minutes. And it will fly by.

  9. How to Deliver a Speech as an Award Presenter

    A typical award presentation speech has three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction should capture the attention of the audience, introduce the award and the recipient ...

  10. Award Ceremony Script

    Sample Program Script "Award Ceremony Script". Welcome to the 2023 Awards Ceremony, celebrating excellence in [field/industry]. We have an exciting day planned for you, filled with inspiring stories of triumph, dedication, and perseverance. To begin, please welcome [MC/host name], who will be your guide for the day.

  11. 5 Steps to Nailing Your Award Presentation Speech

    Set the tone of the speech with your opening line/lines, and grab the audience's attention. 2. Give some background. Give some context to the award you're presenting. How much or how little is up to you, your organization and the setting, but it's important to ground the speech in why the event is happening.

  12. Toastmasters International -Presenting Awards

    To create a memorable presentation, explain the criteria for the award and how the recipient met those criteria. Here are a few additional guidelines: Tell a story about the significance of the award. Pronounce names of the recipients correctly. Provide background on the recipient. Hold the award respectfully and hand it to the recipient as if ...

  13. Award Presentation Speech • My Speech Class

    Presentation Speech Topics For Award Ceremonies. Presentation speech template including eleven speech topics for presenting an award, prize or gift to a happy recipient leading to a brief photo opportunity in the end. Bear in mind that you have to be short and sweet epitomizing. Each of the public speaking speech topics take two or three ...

  14. Award Ceremony Speech

    An award speech is just like any other type of speech you may have written or heard about, there are guidelines to follow and there are tips to be familiar with. Regardless of what you heard about composing an award speech can be tricky, it really is not. ... 5+ Introduction Speech Examples ; 5+ Self-Introduction Speech Examples ; 4 ...

  15. Award Acceptance Speech

    1. Opener. This part of your speech is basically your introduction. This will be your formal opening, the ice breaker or the attention-grabber for your speech. The main purpose of this part is to show your excitement, your shock and happiness to be given the award.

  16. Award Speech: And the Winner is…

    The more details about why the person deserves this award the better. Include identification, narration, and magnification. Practice your handshake and how to hand the award to the recipient. Tell them what the award is, tell them why they deserve the award, give them the award, wish them well. Previous: Toast Speech.

  17. A Few Tips on How To Give a Great Award Presentation Speech

    Briefly state who you are and why you are there. Introduce the recipient or recipient - Discuss what they do for your organization and provide background information if possible, such as how long they have been there. Add in a joke or two - These work best in the introduction. Your audience will most likely want to smile and laugh, so give ...

  18. How to Write an Introduction Speech: 7 Easy Steps & Examples

    Rehearse and Edit. Practice your introduction speech to ensure it flows smoothly and stays within the time frame. Edit out any unnecessary information, ensuring it's concise and impactful. Tailor for the Occasion. Adjust the tone and content of your introduction speech to match the formality and purpose of the event.

  19. PDF Speech to Present an Award

    A speech to accept an award thanks the awarding individual or organization, acknowledges the significance of the award, and formally accepts the award. Learning Objective: Identify the attributes of award speeches. Speech to Present an Award Similar to the speech of introduction, the primary purpose of a presentation speech is to give

  20. Welcome Speech for Award Ceremony for Students and ...

    Welcome Speech for Award Ceremony: We organize different types of award ceremonies in an educational institution or any working organization. The award ceremonies in schools and colleges can find the presence of students, teachers, the Principal, and the host. ... The welcome speech includes a brief introduction of the host, the judges, and ...

  21. Sports Award Speech

    16+ Award Speech Examples. 12+ Basketball Awards Certificates. 11+ Scholarship Award Form. 10+ Tribute Speech Examples. 10+ Simple Baseball Award Certificate. 9+ Award Acceptance Speech. 9+ Bravery Award Certificate Examples. 8+ Student Award Certificate Examples. 7+ Thank You Speech After.

  22. The 6 Best Speeches of Awards Season So Far

    When the "Minari" star Alan S. Kim won the Critics' Choice Award for best young actor, the 8-year-old launched into a scripted list of thank-yous with child-actor élan. Then came a surprise ...

  23. Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Oscars speech: mother, teacher, publicist

    Da'Vine Joy Randolph gave an impassioned speech at the 2024 Oscars, thanking all who helped her get to the Dolby Theatre stage to accept the award for supporting actress. "God is so good, God ...