When you receive an award or an honor, it is traditional to say a few words. Writing a thank you speech is difficult, so you might want to come up with ideas and prepare in advance. You should start with a short introduction in which you express your gratitude, continue thanking those who have allowed you to get to where you are, and end the speech with optimism and phrases that inspire the audience. This is your chance to have the spotlight on you, but showing humility will make the whole audience happy for you and your successes.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding Ideas
Step 1. Make a list of reasons why you feel grateful for receiving the award or distinction
Write a few points where you explain in detail what it means to you to receive this recognition. The body that awards you the award and the people in the audience want to know that you appreciate the honor you have been given. It will be easier for you to express your gratitude if you think about it beforehand.
Step 2. Create a list of the people you want to thank in your speech
Think about the organization that is giving you the award, the colleagues you collaborated with on the project that led you to win, the friends and relatives who supported you along the way.
- Once you have your first list of people to thank, let some time pass and reread it later. You may think of people you forgot.
- If you're worried about forgetting an important person in your speech, ask a close friend or colleague to help you make the list. It may suggest someone you haven't included yet.
Step 3. Find inspiration by reading other thank-you talks
You can search for them on the internet or in the library. Try to find speeches from people who have received similar rewards to what you are about to get.
For example, if you are about to receive an award for your volunteer work, try searching a search engine for "volunteer award speeches". If you prefer to consult a book, look for one in which the talks are divided by category
Part 2 of 3: Writing the Speech
Step 1. Write a short introduction
The first few sentences set the tone for the rest of the speech, so try to express gratitude and connect with the audience right away. You can start with a cheerful joke, but avoid making sarcasm or joking about the importance of the prize. You should decide the length of the introduction based on the time you have available to speak; in general, however, it is a good idea to be short.
For example, you can write, "I am very honored to be here today to receive this Corporate Commitment Award for the Common Good. Serving all of you is a joy and a privilege that I am grateful for every single day. do all this without the help of my wonderful fellow citizens"
Step 2. Write the body of the speech, focusing on the people you want to thank
You should devote the main part of your talk to giving thanks for the people who helped you get the award. Refer to the list of people you made earlier and try to include them all.
Step 3. Avoid thanking too many people in your speech
Mention who deserves it, but try to make a selection. You probably don't need to thank all 20 members of your extended family or name all the people who are part of the organization that is giving you the award. If you read a long list of names, the public would get impatient. Only thank those who are directly involved with the award and the people who have most closely supported you (your wife, your children, your parents, etc.).
- You don't need to say a person's name to show your gratitude. For example, instead of thanking all of your colleagues individually, you can say, "There are no words to describe how grateful I am to have such wonderful colleagues."
- You can thank the members of the organization that gave you the award without listing them all by name, saying something like: "Thank you very much the team of the non-profit conference in Milan for giving me this wonderful award".
Step 4. Be careful not to use your speech as a platform for your personal interests
There is nothing wrong with briefly mentioning a cause or issue that you care about during your thank you speech, but make sure it is a relevant topic and not something that may offend the audience or organizers of the event. event.
- For example, if you are about to receive an award in recognition of your volunteer work for children, you can say that you feel more resources are needed to combat childhood illiteracy.
- Don't use your thank-you speech to expose your political views or to talk about controversial topics (not directly related to the award you are receiving). Doing so would alienate the public and irritate the entity that gave you the award.
Step 5. End your talk on a positive note
Write a short, upbeat ending. Audiences should feel inspired by your successes. If you have received an award for your work in an organization, talk about some of the accomplishments you have achieved and explain that you intend to help them again achieve their mission. If the honor is for your job, finish your speech by saying you can't wait to get back to work and continue to help the company grow. Dedicate the final line of the speech a final thank you for all present.
Part 3 of 3: Rehearsing the Speech
Step 1. Read the speech aloud
This step is important, because it allows you to get an idea of the effect your words will have on the audience. As you read aloud, take notes on sections that seem confusing or you don't like. Eliminate any words and phrases you can't pronounce well or tend to get stuck on.
Stand in front of the mirror as you read the speech aloud to work on eye contact and your facial expressions
Step 2. Ask a friend to help you during the rehearsal
Have him sit in front of you as you deliver the speech. Ask him for constructive criticism and edit the text accordingly. Keep reviewing the draft until you're both convinced it's perfect and ready for the event.
If one of the people you mention in the talk is unable to attend the event, invite them to help you with rehearsal. That way he can still hear your speech and give you tips to improve it
Step 3. Record yourself as you read the speech
You can do this with a video camera, computer or phone. Stand up and put the camera far enough away to capture your whole body. If you will be speaking from a podium, find something similar to use for the video, such as a table or desk. Watch the recording once you're done and take detailed notes on how you looked. Use those notes to enhance the presentation.
- Pay attention to your body language in the recording. Do you keep your back straight? Are you gesturing too nervously? Use video to improve your posture and look more confident as you deliver the speech.
- Study the sound of your voice. Make sure you speak at a sufficient volume and that what you say is clear and understandable.
Step 4. Time your speech
Read it several times, timing each test. If on average you take more time than you will be allowed, you need to change your speech and make it shorter.
Advice
- Bring a copy of the speech with you to the stage. While you won't need to use it, it will help you not forget someone's name.
- Look some people in the audience in the eye to get them more involved.
- Don't read the copy of the speech, but use your notes and make sure you look at the audience more than the text.
