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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 99,591 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.”

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  • ↑ 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

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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

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  • Public Speaking Tips >>

What Should I Say To Present An Award?

This is one in a series of posts that uses my ready made speech templates to help you get a start on this type of speech or presentation.

In this one we will look at “Presenting An Award’ – whether this is an internal business award or part of a greater recognition in the business community.

As always, the first step in your preparation is to understand why your audience is there and why it is you making the presentation or speech.

You may not need to adjust what you plant to say but it is always important to understand the “why” before you begin to prepare your speech or presentation.

How to charge for a speech

To start with, we need to acknowledge that all of us are often more interested in ourselves than others so you will need to make the presentation match the needs of your audience (as well as the recipient) to maintain interest in your speech.

For me, I prefer to prepare it as two speeches – one is the actual announcement, the other is the “support” speech which is structured to enable it to be adjusted for any required length of time.

Here is a template I use to help me write this type of speech.

  • “Today marks the announcement of…..”
  • “ Firstly I would like to share with you a little of the history of this award and how the winner is determined. …….”
  • “It is now my privilege (or honour) to announce ……”
  • “ Please join with me in congratulating …..”

Taking this one section at a time, section 1 simply needs the name of the award to be inserted. The value of starting this way is that it gives the audience time to focus on you and the occasion.

Section 2 is where you can adjust your time to the time allocated for your part of the presentation. The content of this section should be structured as you would for any speech – tell them what you are going to tell them ( ” Firstly I would like to share with you a little of the history of this award and how the winner is determined”); tell them the information keeping it relevant to the audience; then conclude and lead in to section 3.

Section 3 then becomes a direct announcement of the award name and the recipient name. Make sure you pause before you say each of these.

Section 4 is your opportunity to complete your presentation and exit the stage.

stop

A word of warning about using “but”, “however” or “because”. My experience shows that an audience remembers what you say after these words not what is important ly said before them. e.g. I am pleased to be announcing this award BECAUSE it has taken such a long time to finalise it. You could still express this sentiment by saying I am pleased to be announcing this award AS it has taken such a long time to finalise it.

Always keep in mind that the most important part you are presenting is the award (or making the announcement), not the history of the award or how it is determined. By being prepared and having a structured presentation you run less risk of being side tracked during your presentation.

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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

presenting award speech example

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.

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Award Presentation Speech

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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.

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presenting award speech example

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.

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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.

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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

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Types of Speeches: Presenting an Award

At some point in your life, you’ll probably have the opportunity to formally reward someone for a job well done. When you do this in front of others it increases the perceived value of the honor.

Types of Speeches: Presenting an Award

If you decide to become a professional speaker or use speaking as an integral part of your marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the various types of speeches you might be asked to give. In this series of posts, I’ll give you the basics of a variety of types of presentations you can prepare. At the end of this post, I’ve listed previous articles in this series.

When presenting an honor or award, you need to accomplish two things:

1. Highlight the award Make sure that the recipient, as well as the audience, understands the importance of the award. What does it stand for? How does someone earn it? What are the traditions associated with this honor?

2. Highlight how the person earned the award Now that you’ve built up the award, you need to build up the person receiving it. What did this person do to deserve the award? How did they meet the criteria better than anyone else who was up for the award?

There are ways to make this sort of presentation more effective.

Tips for effectively presenting an award

Tell a story People are more engaged with stories. So highlight the award and the honoree in the form of a story.

Introductions first Call on the awardee last … nothing is more awkward than having to stand there and wait while you do your presentation. Tell your story first, then, when you are ready to hand over the award, call the awardee up to the lectern.

Mind your Ps and Qs Make sure that you know how to pronounce the name of the award and the person receiving it. Also, make sure your facts are correct. Nothing will spoil the honor more than mispronouncing someone’s name or announcing information that is totally wrong.

Be humble You may have been on the selecting committee, but this presentation is about the person being honored … not you. The presentation should be mostly about how wonderful the honoree is and why they are so deserving of this honor.

Demonstrate the award’s worth Hold the award as if it were a treasure. Make eye contact with the recipient, smile warmly and hand over the award with reverence.

Resources for effectively presenting an award

  • Toastmasters International : Presenting an Award
  • Flat World Knowledge: Presenting or Accepting an Award
  • Buzzle: Presenting an Award Speech
  • eHow: How to Present an Award
  • Certificate Street: How to Present an Award Certificate with Style

Did you miss these?

Here are the previous posts in this “Type of Speeches” series:

  • The Keynote Address
  • The Training Session
  • The Motivational Speech
  • The Entertaining Speech
  • The Demonstration
  • The Information Dump
  • The Inspirational Speech
  • The Q & A
  • The Persuasive Speech
  • The Impromptu Speech
  • The Acceptance Speech
  • The Commencement Speech
  • The Interpretive Reading

The next post in this series is Accepting an Award .

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About the author

Carma Spence, is author of Public Speaking Super Powers. She is fiercely committed to guiding women to Owning their Superpowers and turning their knowledge and interests into a profitable business. She is masterful at helping her clients see what is possible for them and supporting them on the journey from where they are to where they want to be, releasing the Mind Goblins of self-doubt, self-sabotage and second-guessing that keep them stuck.

With 20+ years experience in marketing communications and public relations, natural intuitive skills and certification in using some of the most effective transformational coaching tools available, Carma’s mission and commitment is to unleash the inner power every woman entrepreneur possesses so they can boldly go out into the world, transforming the fabric of people’s lives in meaningful and positive ways.

You can find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+ and LinkedIn . Her website is CarmaSpence.com .

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How to write an award-winning speech

presenting award speech example

Some of us are naturals at public speaking, whereas others get stage fright or turn into a nervous wreck.

Regardless of how good or confident you are at giving a speech, if you are presenting to five people or 5,000, without a foolproof plan you are likely to come unstuck.

Even the most experienced public speakers such as politicians have a script from which to read.

So how do you write a compelling speech that everyone is the room is going to want to listen to from start to finish?

Just like a well-written article , a well-delivered speech should follow a simple structure that gets all of your key points across using short words and sentences, avoiding technical jargon.

Construct it in the same way you were told to write an easy at school: with an introduction middle and ending.

Write down some short prompts on memory cards, but not a full speech, to refer to if necessary, so that it flows and sounds natural.

Take into account the context of the event, why you are speaking, who the audience is and what kind of language will resonate with them.

Here are the five components you need to make an award-winning speech:

1) Start with a story

First of all, open with a line welcoming your audience.

Then you want to get them on your side straight away with an ice-breaker.

It shows your human side, and if you can raise a laugh or two, all the better.

Once you have loosened up and engaged them, begin the main narrative with an interesting story .

It could be a memorable personal experience or one that has been recounted to you, a current news story or a fictional story.

Tell your story as simply and clearly as possible, as if you were recalling it to your friends, explaining its relevance or why it matters to your listeners.

Think about the setting and characters involved, the challenge they faced and how they dealt with it, adding timing and tension for effect.

Use analogies or metaphors to illustrate your points further.

Frame it by using a brief visualisation, asking a question for the audience to consider, calling for a show of hands to get a consensus on a particular subject or issue, sharing a powerful quote or poem, or reading out a bold headline or statement.

2) Present your argument clearly

Usually when you give a speech it’s with the purpose of presenting your case.

So make your argument as compelling as possible, using logic and clarity, hooking your audience from the first word and taking them on a journey with you.

This could be by using an attention-grabbing or provocative statement, or a startling fact that you are going to set out to prove or disprove.

Pause to give your audience time to digest what you have just said and consider it properly.

3) Back it up

Once you have presented your argument, you need to back it up with evidence, factual or otherwise.

Select three to five supporting points that will give your argument validity.

Use one fact, figure, quote or piece of anecdotal evidence for each point that is easy to remember and convinces your audience that what you are saying is true and stands up to scrutiny.

Don’t use any more than five points because your listeners are likely to tune out.

Also, visual aids can be invaluable to illustrate your point, but be careful not to rely too heavily on them.

To be balanced, you also need to provide a counter argument for your audience to ponder.

4) Give a clear call to action

Now that you have presented the problem, you have to offer a solution .

That includes outlining the next step, apportioning responsibility and what needs to be done to overcome the particular challenge.

Remember that less is more, with the optimal attention span lasting 18 minutes, so keep your calls to action concise.

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 last longest in the memory.

Get in touch

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Feb 13 PRESENTING AND ACCEPTING AWARDS

            Presenting an award requires the same discipline as introducing a speaker: you have to remember that you are not the main feature on the program; you have to keep your remarks to a minimum (no jokes; no editorializing); you must stick to your script or notes-- and you should always use a script or notes.

            Following is a foolproof set of rules for presenting an award.

  • If you haven’t already been introduced, tell the audience who you are and why you are there
  • Give a brief history of the award
  • Outline the criteria that have to be met in order to receive the award
  • Briefly outline how the recipient met the criteria, being careful to avoid exaggeration
  • Even if the audience already knows who the winner is, don’t mention the recipient’s name until the very end, and pause for a beat or two before announcing it with lots of excitement in your voice
  • Enthusiastically start the applause
  • If the recipient doesn’t know what to do after his or her name is announced, issue a clear invitation to join you at the lectern.

            All of the above should be carried off in a sincere, businesslike manner with no smart aleck remarks.

            Here is an example of a perfectly appropriate award presentation speech.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Wendy Russell and it’s my honour, as Chair of the Selection Committee, to present this year’s Harry Carmichael Memorial Award. The Harry Carmichael Memorial Award was inaugurated in 1985 in memory of the late Harry Carmichael, who was an outstanding athlete and citizen of our city. The recipient of the Harry Carmichael Award must have demonstrated, over a significant period of time, dedication to the promotion of athletics in our city, combined with a strong sense of civic and family duty. It’s been said of this year’s winner that he has for some time, and continues to, put his whole heart and soul into his community, his sports and his family. He’s a past president of the Kiwanis Club. He’s a member of City Council. In his younger days he played baseball and football at the High School, College, and State levels. He’s coached kids’ football and baseball for the past twenty years. He and his wife have raised four outstanding children. Ladies and gentlemen please acknowledge this year’s Harry Carmichael Memorial Award winner…………Mr. Hank Dalton!”

            If Hank remains frozen in his chair, you should say something like, “O.K. Hank, come on up here and receive this honor that you so richly deserve!”

            When Hank arrives at the lectern, congratulate him, give him his award, and ask him if he’d like to say a few words.

            When you’re finished, go and sit down.

            If you’ve ever watched an award show you are aware that acceptance speeches represent another wonderful opportunity to make a bad impression on an audience. This needn’t be the case at all. A little thought beforehand, some preparation, and some rehearsal will ensure success.

            The thought beforehand should consist of two things: deciding who you will include in your list of people to thank, and what you intend to do with the award. Be absolutely ruthless when deciding who to thank, including only those who played a truly important role in your achievement. If you include people who were only marginally involved you diminish the importance of the role played by those with whom you could not have done without.

             Just as with any other speech, you need to write out and rehearse your acceptance speech in order to get it into the appropriate form and length. With the exception of a list of the names of the people you’re going to thank, you probably don’t need to have any notes at the lectern; but if you’ll be more comfortable having a script or notes, by all means do so. You should write out the names of those you’re going to thank, even if there are only two.

            Rehearse your acceptance speech out loud at least two or three times, and continue to go over it in your mind whenever you get a chance, such as in the shower, waiting for an elevator, or stuck in traffic.

            Any time you’re attending an event where there is even the remotest chance that you might receive an honor, have something prepared, at least in your mind.

            Here is a can’t-fail formula for an effective acceptance speech.

  • Thank the sponsoring organization for whatever it is you’re receiving (certificate, gift, trophy, plaque or whatever) and acknowledge how you feel about it
  • Briefly thank anyone who played an important role in your reaching the particular achievement
  • Tell the audience what you intend to do with the award or gift, such as, “This will occupy a place of honour on the fireplace in my den”
  • Close with another simple, general “thank you”

            Here is an example of an appropriate speech of acceptance:

“I sincerely thank the Financial Times for nominating me, and The Press Club for honoring me with this National Business Writing Award. Believe me, ladies and gentlemen, it is a very proud recipient who is standing here before you. I especially want to thank my writing mentor, Dave Scott, whose gentle wisdom and great wit have been instrumental in encouraging me and improving my writing. I also thank my partners who, without complaint, have allowed me the time to indulge in what, for an international accounting firm, is truly a sideline. This certificate will always have a place of honor on my wall. Thank you again.”

 (This column is based on my book The Elements of Great Public Speaking. )

Feb 27 IMPROMPTU SPEAKING

Feb 6 more than talent required.

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Short award acceptance speech examples: inspiring examples, short award acceptance speech examples that inspire.

Winning an award is a momentous event in anyone’s life, be it for their personal or professional achievements. Whether you are receiving an award for your contributions to society or for excelling in your field of work, giving a great acceptance speech can do wonders in inspiring others. But how can you craft an acceptance speech that truly resonates with the audience and inspires them? In this blog post, we will delve into the purpose of an acceptance speech, how it can inspire others, and some tips on crafting and delivering one. We’ll also cover common pitfalls to avoid so that your speech has the desired impact on the audience. So let’s get started on creating a memorable and inspiring acceptance speech!

Understanding the Purpose of an Award Acceptance Speech

Acknowledging hard work and team contributions is essential in an award speech, highlighting the collaborative efforts behind the achievement. Expressing gratitude for personal accomplishments demonstrates humility and appreciation. Moreover, integrating company values and sustainability initiatives into the speech emphasizes their significance in organizational success. Featuring business executives within the speech process aligns with the company’s leadership values and showcases their involvement in milestone achievements. The writing process for a good speech involves careful consideration of these elements to ensure a meaningful and impactful delivery, especially when the CEO is present. Overall, a well-crafted award speech not only communicates gratitude but also promotes the company’s values and sustainability efforts, making it a pivotal part of significant events and corporate recognition.

Goals and Importance of an Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award speech is a crucial part of the writing process, especially for business executives, team members, and award winners. A good acceptance speech not only reflects the individual’s own success but also acknowledges sustainability and good practices. When delivering an award speech, it’s essential to inspire others with the power of storytelling and the impact of specific, well-crafted words. CEO and business leaders should use this as an opportunity to set an example with their own speech. By showcasing gratitude and emphasizing company values, an acceptance speech can have a lasting influence and make the event memorable in September.

How an Acceptance Speech Inspires Others

An impactful award speech not only acknowledges the efforts of team members but also serves as a catalyst for inspiring hard work and sustainability within the company. By reflecting on great speech examples, business executives can be inspired to express gratitude and recognize the importance of company sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, a well-crafted acceptance speech has the power to inspire and encourage executives to take proactive measures towards sustaining the company’s values. When acknowledging sustainability in their speeches, award winners can effectively inspire business executives to prioritize and implement sustainable practices for the betterment of the organization and its stakeholders.

Crafting Your Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award speech requires a thoughtful writing process. Whether it’s for business executives or company sustainability, crafting your own speech is crucial. A good acceptance speech acknowledges the efforts of team members and reflects gratitude. Writing an award acceptance speech that inspires others is essential, especially for CEOs and business executives. It’s an opportunity to inspire hard work and sustainability while acknowledging the achievements of the company. The writing process should ensure that the speech examples reflect the importance of the award and the impact it has on the company’s initiatives. Acknowledging company sustainability and reflecting on good acceptance speech examples can inspire great ways forward.

Being Specific in Your Speech

Crafting an award acceptance speech for business executives requires reflecting on specific examples to make the speech more impactful. For instance, acknowledging the team members’ hard work in a sustainability initiative demonstrates appreciation and inspires others. Being specific about the company’s sustainability efforts and the role of each individual can create a good speech that inspires gratitude and motivates further contributions. Incorporating specific examples, such as successful initiatives or the impact of sustainability efforts on the company’s bottom line, can enhance the CEO’s own speech at the award ceremony in September. By focusing on specific achievements and outcomes, the speechwriting process becomes more effective in delivering a memorable and inspiring award speech.

The Power of Storytelling in Your Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award acceptance speech for business executives involves incorporating storytelling to inspire sustainability. By including storytelling in an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability, you can effectively showcase the impact of sustainability initiatives. A well-crafted acceptance speech for business executives can resonate with the audience, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and inspiring hard work. Utilizing storytelling in an award acceptance speech for company dollars can make the speech more impactful and memorable, reflecting the CEO’s commitment to sustainability. September’s award speech writing process should include personal anecdotes that highlight the journey towards sustainability. Crafting your own speech in a good way can enhance its impact, setting a positive example for others.

Preparing to Deliver Your Speech

Rehearsing an award acceptance speech for business executives is essential for making it impactful. The practice of delivering an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability and company dollars is crucial for leaving a lasting impression. It’s important to make your own speech memorable through rehearsal , ensuring it resonates with the audience. Additionally, rehearsing an award acceptance speech for business executives for sustainability in business is key to its success. By going through the writing process and practicing delivery, CEOs can effectively convey their message and inspire others. Taking the time to rehearse ensures that the speech is well-crafted and impactful, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the audience.

Making Your Speech Memorable

Crafting an impactful award speech for business executives involves utilizing good speech examples and incorporating storytelling that resonates with their values. By owning your speech and infusing it with authenticity, you can inspire others and leave a lasting impression on the audience. Whether delivering the speech for company dollars or sustainability initiatives, the writing process should focus on making it memorable and relevant to the CEO and business executives. Rehearsing and refining the speech is crucial for September’s upcoming award ceremony, ensuring that the delivery is powerful and leaves a lasting impact. Incorporating NLP terms seamlessly enhances the process, making the speech memorable for all the right reasons.

Tips for Rehearsing Your Speech

When rehearsing for an award acceptance speech, particularly for business executives in the sustainability sector, it’s essential to practice delivering a speech that highlights the impact and sustainability initiatives of the company. Ensure that the speech incorporates good examples and focuses on the positive aspects of business sustainability. Rehearsing an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability can significantly contribute to its impact and memorability. Moreover, practicing an acceptance speech for business executives should emphasize the good things achieved in business sustainability, making it both impactful and inspiring. Utilize the writing process to craft your own speech, incorporating specific details that resonate with the audience, especially the CEO and other industry leaders. By doing so, you can effectively inspire others and leave a lasting impression.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in an Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award acceptance speech for business executives involves avoiding common pitfalls for sustainability. It’s crucial to ensure that the speech does not go overboard with emotions, as this can affect its impact. Avoiding common pitfalls in an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability is essential for making a lasting impression. Business executives should craft their own speech while following good acceptance speech examples to guarantee its effectiveness. Addressing the writing process and the CEO’s role in delivering the speech can contribute to its success. Ensuring that the speech is specific and incorporates the power of storytelling will aid in avoiding common pitfalls and creating a memorable impact for sustainability. The writing process should include elements that inspire others and contribute to the overall goals of the acceptance speech.

Can Going Overboard with Emotions Affect the Impact of Your Speech?

Balancing emotions in a speech is crucial for connecting with the audience. Overwhelming emotions may divert attention from the message. A well-balanced emotional tone enhances the resonance and credibility of a speech, influencing audience engagement.

Examples of Short Award Speeches

Frequently asked questions, what are some key elements to include in a short award acceptance speech.

When crafting a short award acceptance speech, it’s important to express gratitude to the organization or individuals giving the award. Additionally, acknowledge the support and hard work of those who helped you achieve success. Use personal anecdotes or inspiring quotes to add authenticity and depth to your speech.

How can I make my acceptance speech memorable and inspiring?

To make your acceptance speech memorable and inspiring, start by expressing gratitude and acknowledging the awarding organization. Share a personal story or experience that led to receiving the award. Recognize and thank those who supported you throughout your journey. Finally, end with an inspiring message or call to action related to the award’s significance.

Are there any common mistakes to avoid when giving an acceptance speech?

To make your acceptance speech impactful, avoid rambling or going off-topic. Remember to express gratitude towards those who helped you achieve the award. Avoid being overly self-deprecating or dismissive of your accomplishments. Keep it concise and engaging, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Can I personalize my acceptance speech for different types of awards or audiences?

Certainly! You have the freedom to personalize your acceptance speech for various awards and audiences. Tailor your speech to match the tone and style of the event or organization presenting the award. Acknowledge specific achievements or contributions that led to receiving the award, and express gratitude towards mentors, colleagues, and loved ones who supported you throughout your journey.

In conclusion, an award acceptance speech holds tremendous power to inspire and motivate others. By being specific in your speech and incorporating storytelling, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level and leave a lasting impact. However, it is important to strike a balance and avoid going overboard with emotions, as it can potentially dilute the impact of your message. Prepare and rehearse your speech to ensure it is memorable and effectively conveys your gratitude and appreciation. Remember, your acceptance speech is an opportunity to not only express your gratitude but also inspire others to pursue their own passions and dreams.

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Mastering award acceptance speeches: winning tips.

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Award Acceptance Speech Samples

Winning an award is quite shocking in itself, and to give an acceptance speech thereafter can fluster you thoroughly. Here, we provide some sample award acceptance speeches that will help you overcome your shock and surprise, and deliver a good speech. Take a look.

Award Acceptance Speech Samples

So you have been nominated for an award, and you think your chances of winning are high. Of course, every nominee has that thought and as much as they say that there’s no chance that they are going to win, everyone secretly practices their award speeches and their graceful acceptance of the award. While in your head your thoughts are clear and you know exactly what you are going to say, when you actually win the award, things are different. As much as you wanted to win it, you find yourself flustered, scared, shocked, and sort of numb. All those speeches you had practiced are forgotten. As much as you don’t want that to happen, and want to be that person who can crack jokes and elicit a little laugh from the audience upon giving your acceptance speech, just consider the occurrence of the aforementioned scenario likely. In any case, there are always some sample award speeches you can go through, along with some tips on keeping your cool so that you can give the acceptance speech exactly as you had imagined it.

How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech A little charm is all you want, to bedazzle your audience, when you go up to accept the award and follow it up with a speech. How do you go about doing that? Let’s take a look.

  • Start by looking good on the day. When you win an award, you will definitely be in the limelight. Whether the award is for scoring well on a subject at the year end in school, or for employee of the year, dress well.
  • When your name is called out, go and accept your award graciously. Then, head to the podium to make your award speech.
  • Your job is to make a good connection with the audience. Start by thanking the ‘jury’ for the award, followed by a thanks for everyone who has helped you win this award. This does not mean you include your pet’s name in the speech too. You can mention how shocking it is for you to receive the award, but don’t do that unless it comes from within. In some cases, it just looks forced.
  • Your speech has to be short. You cannot stretch it for anything longer than two minutes, else it will get boring. Think of how you would feel as a part of the audience, if an award winner would just not stop talking about what his award means to him.

While these were some basic tips on writing a good award speech, here are two samples that will give you an idea about giving an excellent speech.

All in all, an award acceptance speech has to be given straight from the heart. No matter how much you read up and how much you practice, it is the flood of emotions at that particular moment that directs your speech. If you can be funny, feel free to add a dash of humor to your speech. Just don’t crack jokes that will dampen the audience’s mood. If you think you can’t be funny, keep it simple, and you will do just fine. All the best!

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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

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2. Sports Award Presentation Speech

sports award presentation speech

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3. Printable Sports Award Speech

printable sports award speech

4. Sports Award Speech Example

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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.

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Who gets mentioned most in Oscars acceptance speeches? We counted

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Academy Award winners thank their mothers.

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Clint Eastwood had just won an Oscar for directing “Unforgiven” and, with golden statuette in hand, was struggling through a long list of people he needed to thank. Studio executives. His crew. His agent.

“You get a little flustered,” he said on that night in 1993.

Acceptance speeches are a big part of the Academy Awards, every bit as iconic as the red carpet and the In Memoriam montage. They can also be nerve-racking for winners. Even a famous tough guy such as Eastwood fretted: “I’m leaving out a whole mess of people I’m gonna regret when I sit down again.”

As the motion picture academy reconvenes for its 96th annual Oscars ceremony on Sunday, who will the winners remember — and forget — to mention?

Mom? Spouse ? God?

The Times sifted through an academy database of more than 1,500 speeches, using various keyword searches, in a wholly unscientific quest to determine who gets the most shout-outs.

The academy itself — as in “I’d like to thank the academy” — topped the list with 864 mentions. After that, things got a little more interesting.

Michelle Yeoh accepting the Academy Award for actress in a leading role.

Back when the Oscars were broadcast on radio and in news reels, speeches tended to be brief. A quick thanks and not much else.

Greer Garson (1943 best actress for “Mrs. Miniver”) offered a hint of things to come when she reportedly rambled for nearly six minutes, acknowledging a multitude of people, including the governor of California, and quoting from “Alice in Wonderland.”

Verbosity became more of a problem with the advent of television coverage in the 1950s. As millions of viewers watched from around the world, actors and directors — also cinematographers, sound editors and costume designers — often lingered in the spotlight.

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The academy eventually instituted a 45-second time limit and directed the orchestra to play garrulous winners off stage.

Long speeches tended to be more personal, with mentions of family and friends. At the 1956 ceremony, Ernest Borgnine (best actor for “Marty”) felt obliged to apologize.

“At the sake of sounding repetitious,” he said, “I just want to thank my mother.”

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Academy Award winners thank God

When the 2003 Oscar for best picture went to “Chicago,” producer Martin Richards made sure to thank his cast, director and studio bosses. Then he put a hand to his head.

“And, God, I’m forgetting someone,” Richards said.

Someone from the audience yelled: “Your wife!”

To no surprise, wives have been thanked a whopping 338 times over the past 80-some years. Geoffrey Rush (1997 best actor for “Shine”) voiced a common sentiment when he said: “I wouldn’t be standing here without you.” Eddie Redmayne ( 2015 best actor for “The Theory of Everything”) gave his wife a heads-up.

“We have a new fella comin’ to share our apartment,” he said, holding up the statuette.

Husbands have been acknowledged only 70 times, probably because men are historically nominated far more often than women. Still, Meryl Streep (2012 best actress for “The Iron Lady”) didn’t forget.

“First I’m going to thank Don,” she said, “because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech they play him out with the music.”

Sally Field accepts her Academy Award.

The infamous Greer Garson speech included a nod to her “wonderful little mother.” In the decades since, mothers — along with moms, mamas and mums — have been mentioned 295 times.

Steven Spielberg (1994 best director for “Schindler’s List) called his mother “my lucky charm” and Charlize Theron (2004 best actress for “Monster”) said, “there are no words to describe how much I love you.”

Entities mentioned the most in Academy Award acceptance speeches

The academy: 864 mentions Wife: 338 mentions Mother: 295 mentions Father: 219 mentions God: 162 mentions * Husband: 70 mentions Agent: 48 mentions * only 32 evocations of God refer to the divine figure

Dads, much like husbands, appear in fewer speeches at 219. Matthew McConaughey (2014 best actor for “Dallas Buyers Club”) honored his late father “who I know is up there right now with a big pot of gumbo. He’s got a lemon meringue pie over there. He’s probably in his underwear and he’s got a cold can of Miller Lite. And he’s dancin’ right now.”

Robert De Niro (1981 best actor for “Raging Bull”) covered all the bases.

“I want to thank my mother and father for having me,” he said. “And my grandmother and grandfather for having them.”

God shows up in the academy’s database as early as 1940 when Hattie McDaniel (supporting actress for “Gone With the Wind”) concluded her speech with an exclamation: “God bless you.”

A trend was established. Since then, only 32 of 162 “God” mentions have been overtly religious, as in Cuba Gooding Jr. (1997 supporting actor for “Jerry Maguire”) raising his arms and saying “God, I love you. Hallelujah.”

The rest have been exclamatory or idiomatic. Think “Oh, My God,” “God bless” and “Thank God.”

Though not quite as omnipotent, Hollywood agents have also made their way into speeches with a total of 48 mentions.

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Tilda Swinton (2008 best supporting actress for “Michael Clayton”) noted that her agent resembled the Oscar statuette in “the same shape head and, it has to be said, the buttocks.” Julia Roberts (2001 best actress for “Erin Brockovich”) thanked the agent who had been by her side “since God was a boy.”

But when it comes to more recent Oscar ceremonies, an even higher power has sneaked into acceptance speeches. Winners have uttered his name, with appropriate reverence, almost every year.

Steven Spielberg has been mentioned 46 times.

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  6. FREE 10+ Acceptance Speech Example Templates in PDF

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COMMENTS

  1. 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.

  2. Award Speech

    2. Just keep on practicing especially if you already knew that you would be receiving an award. It reduces stress, anxiety, and any nervous feelings. 3. Keep in mind the purpose of an award acceptance speech an that is to give appreciation for having received the award. 4.

  3. 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 October 13, 2014 Christmas Recognition Tip #2 - Plan the Party March 13, 2015

  4. Award and Acceptance Speeches

    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 ...

  5. What Should I Say To Present An Award?

    You could still express this sentiment by saying I am pleased to be announcing this award AS it has taken such a long time to finalise it. Always keep in mind that the most important part you are presenting is the award (or making the announcement), not the history of the award or how it is determined. By being prepared and having a structured ...

  6. Mastering Presenter Speech for Award Ceremonies

    Examples of Award Presentation Speeches. Crafting an introduction that honors the award recipient's achievements is key to engaging the audience. Express gratitude and enthusiasm in delivering the award presentation speech, structuring the acceptance speech to honor the significance of the award. Engage the audience by sharing a personalized ...

  7. Award Speech: And the Winner is…

    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.

  8. Award Presentation Speech • My Speech Class

    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.

  9. How to Deliver a Speech as an Award Presenter

    6 Deliver your speech. The final step is to deliver your speech with poise, enthusiasm, and sincerity. You should arrive early, dress appropriately, and check the equipment and the venue. You ...

  10. Special Occasion Speeches: How to Present or Accept an Award

    Accepting an Award: Let your listeners know what this award means to you. Ex. "To me, the Citizens Who Care Award has always stood for …. I am proud and humbled to be included in such a selfless group of individuals.". When accepting an award it is essential that you express your gratitude. Remember to thank the organization presenting ...

  11. 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.

  12. Best Giving an Award Speech Examples

    Crafting an impactful award speech involves honoring, expressing gratitude, and inspiring. The speech should reflect genuine gratitude and recognition for the award. It must acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and good examples that contributed to the win. A genuine acceptance speech reflects gratitude, dedication, and honor.

  13. Award Ceremony Speech

    Tips for Presenting an Award Speech for Students and Teachers. Now that you have finished your work, it's time for some tips for presenting your speech. It is common for people presenting to get overcome by stage fright. But that can be avoided, so listed below are some tips to help you present your award speech. Practice before you present

  14. 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.

  15. Inspiring Awards 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.

  16. Types of Speeches: Presenting an Award

    Tell a story. People are more engaged with stories. So highlight the award and the honoree in the form of a story. Introductions first. Call on the awardee last … nothing is more awkward than having to stand there and wait while you do your presentation. Tell your story first, then, when you are ready to hand over the award, call the awardee ...

  17. 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 ...

  18. PRESENTING AND ACCEPTING AWARDS

    Here is an example of a perfectly appropriate award presentation speech. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Wendy Russell and it's my honour, as Chair of the Selection Committee, to present this year's Harry Carmichael Memorial Award. ... Here is an example of an appropriate speech of acceptance: "I sincerely thank the ...

  19. 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.

  20. The Best Awards Acceptance Speech Examples From 2020

    Brad Pitt at the SAG Awards. One of the best treats of last year's film awards season was Pitt's emergence as a bona fide stand-up comedian. Praising his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" co ...

  21. Short Award Acceptance Speech Examples: Inspiring Examples

    Short Award Acceptance Speech Examples That Inspire. Winning an award is a momentous event in anyone's life, be it for their personal or professional achievements. ... especially when the CEO is present. Overall, a well-crafted award speech not only communicates gratitude but also promotes the company's values and sustainability efforts ...

  22. Award Acceptance Speech Samples

    While these were some basic tips on writing a good award speech, here are two samples that will give you an idea about giving an excellent speech. Sample 1. Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen! I am extremely honored to be receiving such an important award (mention the name of the award). I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have ...

  23. Sports Award Speech

    3+ Sports Award Speech Examples [ Welcome, Thank You, Presenting ] 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.

  24. Who gets mentioned most in Oscars acceptance speeches? We counted

    Entities mentioned the most in Academy Award acceptance speeches. The academy: 864 mentions. Wife: 338 mentions. Mother: 295 mentions. Father: 219 mentions. God: 162 mentions *. Husband: 70 ...