sports award acceptance speech example

Written Samples

10 short acceptance speech samples.

An acceptance speech is more than a mere formality following an award or honor. It’s a unique opportunity to express gratitude, share values, and inspire others, all while acknowledging the collective effort that led to the individual achievement.

The speeches compiled here represent a range of scenarios — from industry awards to community honors, and personal achievements.

Short Acceptance Speech Samples

Each is crafted to not only express thanks but to resonate with the audience, leaving a lasting impression of the occasion and the individual honored.

Speech 1: Accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award

“a journey of persistence and passion”.

As I stand before this distinguished gathering, my heart swells with gratitude. This Lifetime Achievement Award is not just a recognition of my individual efforts but a testament to the enduring spirit of perseverance and dedication. I remember starting out in this field, fueled by nothing but a dream and an unwavering resolve. Today, as I look back at the decades of challenges and triumphs, I am reminded of the countless individuals who supported me — my mentors who believed in me, my team who stood by me, and my family who sacrificed alongside me. This award is yours as much as it is mine.

Speech 2: Accepting an Industry Innovator Award

“innovation: a collective endeavor”.

Thank you for this honor. Being recognized as an Industry Innovator is a humbling experience. Innovation is not born in a vacuum; it is the outcome of relentless questioning and collaborative problem-solving. I stand here because of a culture that values bold ideas and the freedom to pursue them. This award reflects our shared commitment to pushing boundaries and creating something truly remarkable. To all aspiring innovators, let this be a reminder: your ideas have the power to shape the future.

Speech 3: Accepting a Community Service Award

“service: the fabric of our community”.

Today, I am deeply honored to accept this Community Service Award. Service, to me, is the very fabric that holds our community together. It’s about seeing a need and responding with compassion and action. This recognition is not for me alone but for all who have worked tirelessly to uplift and support our community. From organizing local drives to advocating for change, every effort counts and reflects our collective commitment to making a difference. This award is a celebration of our united spirit of service.

Speech 4: Accepting a Courageous Leadership Award

“leading with courage and conviction”.

Receiving the Courageous Leadership Award is a profoundly humbling experience. Leadership is not about titles or accolades; it’s about making decisions that are guided by courage and conviction, especially in the face of adversity. It’s about standing up for what is right, even when it is not easy. This award is a tribute to all the unsung heroes who lead by example every day, making our world a better place. I accept this with a promise to continue leading with integrity and courage.

Speech 5: Accepting an Artistic Excellence Award

“art as a mirror of society”.

Art is not just a form of expression; it’s a mirror of society, reflecting its beauty and complexities. As an artist, I am deeply honored to receive this Artistic Excellence Award. This journey has been one of constant exploration and expression, driven by an insatiable desire to evoke emotion and provoke thought. This recognition belongs to everyone who has ever dared to dream and create. May we continue to use our art to inspire, challenge, and bring about change.

Speech 6: Accepting a Best Educator Award

“educating for a better tomorrow”.

I am truly honored to accept the Best Educator Award. Education is the cornerstone of progress, and as educators, we have the privilege and responsibility to shape minds and nurture dreams. This award is not mine alone but belongs to all the educators who spend countless hours preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Together, we are building a brighter future, one student at a time.

Speech 7: Accepting a Sportsmanship Award

“the true spirit of competition”.

Today, I stand here honored to accept the Sportsmanship Award. In the realm of sports, competition is intense, but the true spirit lies in how we play the game. It’s about respect, integrity, and fairness, both on and off the field. This award is a reminder that while winning is celebrated, how we conduct ourselves is what truly defines us. To my fellow athletes, let’s continue to uplift each other and honor the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Speech 8: Accepting a Breakthrough Scientific Award

“science: a beacon of hope and innovation”.

Receiving the Breakthrough Scientific Award is a moment of great pride and responsibility. Science is our beacon of hope and innovation, guiding us towards a better understanding of the world and opening doors to new possibilities. This award is a recognition of our collective quest for knowledge and our commitment to improving lives through discovery and innovation. To the scientific community, let this fuel our continued pursuit of answers and solutions.

Speech 9: Accepting a Philanthropy Award

“philanthropy: a commitment to humanity”.

It is with a profound sense of gratitude that I accept this Philanthropy Award. Philanthropy is about more than just giving; it’s a commitment to humanity, to easing suffering and creating opportunities for those in need. This award is a testament to what we can achieve when we channel our resources and energy towards the greater good. Let us continue to work together, for together, we can build a world of hope and shared prosperity.

Speech 10: Accepting a First Responder Bravery Award

“bravery in the face of adversity”.

Accepting the First Responder Bravery Award is an honor that I share with all first responders who put their lives on the line every day. Bravery is not the absence of fear but the strength to confront it, to run towards danger when every instinct tells you to run away. This award is dedicated to the courageous men and women who face adversity with valor and determination, ensuring safety and providing hope in our most critical moments. Your bravery is an inspiration to us all.

These speeches serve as templates, each reflecting the essence of its respective award while offering a personal touch that resonates with audiences. The goal is to inspire, to celebrate, and to remind us of the values that bring us together in recognition and gratitude.

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10 Inspiring Award Speech Examples for Your Next Acceptance Speech

Walking up to accept an award can feel like you’re about to battle a colossal beast, especially if the thought of public speaking sends shivers down your spine. I remember my own knees knocking together at the idea of facing a crowd until I hit my breaking point and embarked on a quest for courage.

This journey not only unveiled effective techniques but also brought me face-to-face with some of the most compelling acceptance speeches that perfectly blend gratitude, humility, and motivation .

In this blog, you’ll find reflections from my exploration in crafting speeches and takeaways from the most stirring speeches delivered across stages worldwide. Are you ready to dive into some inspiration?

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Crafting an inspiring acceptance speech means being grateful, mentioning competitions graciously, and sharing success with those who helped.
• Personal stories add depth to your speech, making it memorable and touching for the audience.
• Preparing and rehearsing your speech makes you more confident and ensures a smooth delivery.
• Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 2009 focused on peace while Malala Yousafzai used her Nobel Prize Speech to advocate for education in 2014.

Understanding the Purpose of an Award Acceptance Speech

Understanding the Purpose of an Award Acceptance Speech.

An award acceptance speech serves to express gratitude, address competition, and share the glory. It inspires others by showcasing humility and pride while imparting blessings and inspiration.

Goals and Importance of an Acceptance Speech

I always say an acceptance speech serves a powerful purpose . It’s my chance to inspire others by sharing my journey and expressing gratitude. I make it heartfelt and genuine, aiming to touch the hearts of everyone listening.

Through these speeches, I also get to highlight the hard work behind my achievements, giving credit where it’s due.

An inspiring acceptance speech can motivate people to chase their dreams and never give up. I use stories from my own life to show that with dedication, anything is possible. Showing humility and appreciation makes my words more impactful, connecting me deeply with my audience.

It reminds them that success is a shared journey with mentors, peers, and supporters playing crucial roles along the way.

How an Acceptance Speech Inspires Others

Acceptance speeches inspire through purpose, humility, and emotion . They show acknowledgment and appreciation for recognition received, sparking a sense of gratitude in the audience.

These impactful speeches not only share personal stories but also motivate others to strive for excellence . As a public speaking enthusiast, I believe award ceremonies are platforms where powerful words can ignite change and inspire individuals to pursue their goals passionately.

Acceptance speeches have the potential to move hearts and souls, instilling hope and determination in those who hear them.

Key Elements of an Impactful Acceptance Speech

An impactful acceptance speech includes expressing gratitude and addressing competition. It also involves sharing the glory without boasting.

Expression of gratitude

When delivering an acceptance speech, expressing gratitude is crucial. Thanking those who supported and believed in you is important. It shows humility and appreciation for the recognition.

Acknowledging the efforts of others is essential to crafting an inspiring speech. Expressing sincere thanks to mentors or colleagues adds depth to your message. This can inspire others to value collaboration and support within their own pursuits.

Addressing competition

When addressing competition in an acceptance speech, it’s important to acknowledge the achievements of other nominees graciously. Highlighting the strength and talent of fellow competitors demonstrates humility and respect for everyone involved.

Emphasizing that the competition has elevated personal performance and contributed to a collective standard of excellence can inspire others in pursuing their own goals.

In my experience, recognizing the competitive field while expressing gratitude for being selected sets a positive tone for the speech. By showcasing appreciation for the efforts of all contenders, we elevate not only our own accomplishment but also the spirit of healthy competition within our industry or community.

Sharing the glory

When delivering an acceptance speech, it’s important to acknowledge the team and individuals who have contributed to your success. Recognizing their hard work and dedication allows everyone to share in the glory of the achievement.

This gesture of gratitude not only honors those involved but also inspires others by highlighting the collaborative effort that led to success.

In my experience, I’ve found that acknowledging the support and contributions of others during an acceptance speech creates a sense of unity and shared accomplishment. It strengthens relationships within teams or communities and fosters a spirit of collaboration , which is essential for continued success in any endeavor.

Crafting an Inspiring Acceptance Speech

Craft a compelling acceptance speech by being specific and telling a story, balancing humility and pride, preparing, and rehearsing. Ensure your speech is impactful and resonates with the audience.

Being specific and telling a story

Crafting an inspiring acceptance speech involves being specific and telling a story that resonates with your audience. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight the journey leading up to receiving the award.

This adds depth and relatability to your speech, engaging the audience on an emotional level. By weaving in specific details and narratives , you create a memorable and impactful message that leaves a lasting impression.

For instance, recounting challenges faced or milestones achieved can inspire others facing similar endeavors, making your speech truly meaningful and inspirational.

Balancing humility and pride

When delivering an acceptance speech, it’s crucial to balance humility and pride. Expressing gratitude while acknowledging one’s achievements is essential to connect with the audience.

Recognizing others’ contributions also highlights humility, making the speech relatable and inspiring.

In my experience with public speaking, I’ve learned that incorporating personal stories and moments of struggle can convey humility without diminishing the significance of the award.

Preparing and rehearsing

Crafting a successful acceptance speech involves preparing and rehearsing . I believe it’s crucial to plan what you want to say , express your gratitude, and ensure that your message is clear and impactful.

This can be achieved by practicing in front of a mirror , recording yourself, or even enlisting the help of friends to give you feedback. Personally, I’ve found that rehearsing helps me feel more confident and ensures my delivery is smooth.

It’s also important to keep the rehearsal focused on staying humble and gracious while delivering your speech effectively. Using these techniques has helped me improve my public speaking skills significantly.

Inspirational Award Speech Examples

Discover the power of impactful award acceptance speeches that inspire and motivate–read on for an eye-opening journey.

Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

When Barack Obama accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, he delivered an inspiring speech emphasizing the complexity of peace and recognizing its importance. He humbly addressed criticisms for receiving the award early in his presidency.

Obama emphasized the necessity of just wars to confront evil and promote peace, acknowledging that military action is sometimes necessary in pursuit of lasting tranquility. His remarks encouraged global cooperation to tackle societal challenges , using history as a guide and fostering unity among diverse nations.

The speech demonstrated clarity and persuasion through storytelling, offering hopeful outlooks amid strife. By embracing humility while asserting consequential ideas, Obama effectively engaged audiences by balancing gratitude with purposeful calls for collective efforts towards peace .

Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Prize Speech

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, delivered an impactful speech when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. At just 17 years old, she eloquently expressed her gratitude and used her platform to advocate for education and peace .

Malala’s courageous stance against the suppression of education for girls in her home country of Pakistan resonates with many worldwide. Her speech serves as a powerful example of using one’s voice to inspire change and stand up for what is right, regardless of age or adversity.

After learning from Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Prize Speech, let’s move on to examples from various fields (e.g. economics, art, education) to understand how acceptance speeches can impact different areas of expertise.

Examples from various fields (e.g. economics, art, education)

In economics, award speeches often emphasize the importance of innovation and collaboration in solving global challenges. For instance, leaders in this field use their acceptance speeches to advocate for sustainable economic practices and inclusive growth models, inspiring others to drive meaningful change.

These examples serve as a testament to the impact that economic thought leaders can have on shaping a better future for all.

In the art world, acceptance speeches become platforms for celebrating creativity and diversity . From renowned painters to emerging talents, these speeches echo the power of artistic expression in challenging societal norms and fostering empathy .

They remind us that art has an unparalleled ability to ignite dialogue and provoke introspection, leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.

In education, award acceptance speeches highlight the transformative role of educators in shaping young minds and nurturing future leaders. Resonating with humility and passion, these examples showcase how education serves as a catalyst for societal progress by instilling knowledge, critical thinking skills, and compassion in individuals.

Crafting an inspiring acceptance speech can seem overwhelming. Yet, with guidance from examples like Barack Obama’s and Malala Yousafzai’s speeches, it becomes manageable. These speeches teach us the power of gratitude, humility, and sharing our successes.

I spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Moreno, a professor of communication at Stanford University. With over 20 years teaching public speaking and studying great speeches around the world, Dr.

Moreno is an expert in crafting messages that resonate.

Dr. Moreno analyzed the elements that make acceptance speeches impactful . She highlighted how expressing genuine thanks and acknowledging others’ contributions makes an audience connect emotionally with the speaker.

She also emphasized ethical considerations in speaking publicly . Being transparent about struggles and failures adds depth to a speech’s authenticity.

Dr. Moreno suggested incorporating personal stories into everyday conversations as practice for bigger stages like award ceremonies.

Comparing various types of speeches revealed that while all have merit, those filled with gratitude tend to leave lasting impressions on their audiences .

Finally, Dr. Moreno affirmed that using these inspiring examples as guides can significantly improve anyone’s acceptance speech quality. They offer not just a formula but a way to deeply move listeners – making your moment on stage memorable.

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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How to Write an Acceptance Speech

Last Updated: March 21, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. 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 1,101,527 times.

When you win an award or honor, it's traditional to share a few words. Writing an acceptance speech can be challenging, so it helps to brainstorm and prepare in advance. You should open your speech with a brief introduction of gratitude, move on to thanking your benefactors, and conclude your speech with some inspiration and optimism. This is your time to shine, but showing humility will leave your audience feeling truly pleased for you and your success.

Brainstorming Ideas

• After you make an initial list of people you want to thank, walk away and come back to the list later. There might be people you forgot to include that you'll remember at a later time.
• If you're worried about leaving someone important out of your speech, ask a close friend or coworker to help with your list. They might think of someone you forgot to include.

• For example, if you're receiving an award for your volunteer work, try searching “volunteer award acceptance speeches” in a search engine. If you're referencing speeches in a physical book, try to find a book that has the speeches organized by award type.

Writing Your Speech

• For example, you could write “I am so honored to be standing here today to receive this community leadership award. Serving my community has been a joy and a privilege that I am grateful for every single day. I wouldn't be able to do it if it weren't for all the amazing people in this city."

• You don't have to say someone's name to show you're thankful for them. For example, instead of thanking all of your coworkers individually, you could say “I can't express enough how grateful I am for all of my amazing colleagues.”
• You can thank the members of the organization giving you the award without listing off their names by saying something like “Thank you so much to the team at the New York Nonprofit Conference for recognizing me with this incredible award.”

• For example, if you're winning an award in recognition of your volunteer work with kids, you could mention how you think more work needs to be done to combat childhood illiteracy.
• Don't use your acceptance speech as a time to rant about your political viewpoints or talk heatedly about a controversial topic (unless it's directly connected to the award you're receiving). You'll likely alienate members of the audience and upset the organization that gave you the award.

Rehearsing Your Speech

• If there's someone mentioned in your speech that can't attend the event, invite them to practice with you. That way they get to hear your speech and you have someone to give you pointers.

• Notice how your voice sounds. Make sure you're speaking loud enough and that what you're saying is clear and understandable.

Writing Help

Community Q&A

• Make eye contact with members of the audience to appear more engaged. [11] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Bring a copy of your speech with you onstage. You might not need to use it, but it's helpful if you forget someone's name. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Avoid reading the copy of speech, but use notes and make sure to look up at the audience more tha you read what you write. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Avoid negative or apologetic statements during your speech. They can make you seem ungrateful. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-prepare-an-accepta_b_9290348
• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.gvsu.edu/ours/oral-presentation-tips-30.htm
• ↑ https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-improving-your-public-speaking-skills/
• ↑ https://www.washington.edu/doit/presentation-tips-0

About This Article

To write an acceptance speech, start with a brief introduction that expresses your gratitude and makes a connection with your audience. Then, in the body of your speech, focus on the people that you want to thank. Try to avoid thanking too many people so your audience doesn't grow impatient by sticking with the people directly involved with the award and your immediate support system. Finally, conclude your acceptance speech on a brief, positive note and thank the audience one last time. To learn how to rehearse an acceptance speech, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech

April 6, 2023

We’ve all done it—imagined giving an acceptance speech for winning gold in Olympic figure skating, Album of the Year, or a Nobel Prize. We’ve watched countless examples of award acceptance speeches that begin with I’d like to thank… Maybe you’ve even practiced this speech, teary-eyed in front of your mirror, thanking all the people who helped you get to where you are today.

While you might think that giving an acceptance speech at one of these prestigious award ceremonies is a pipe dream, it can’t hurt to be prepared. There are all kinds of organizations that put on award ceremonies to honor local businesses, changemakers, excellent students—there are even awards for safe driving. You name it, there’s a prize for it.

This article will discuss several key components of giving an award speech. These include:

• Famous examples of award acceptance speeches
• How to write an award acceptance speech
• Delivering your acceptance speech

By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to give a fantastic award acceptance speech in front of an audience (or just in the mirror).

Examples of Great Award Acceptance Speeches

Before you start putting together your own acceptance speech, find some that exemplify the genre of awards show speeches. These can serve as inspiration for your own acceptance speech. Here are a few from this year’s major awards shows that will go down in history as outstanding, unforgettable speeches, along with top keyword analysis courtesy of Yoodli .

Ke Huy Quan’s Acceptance Speech at the 2023 Academy Awards

Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars this year for his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, a film that swept the awards show with seven wins in the directing, acting, and best picture categories. Quan’s most frequently used keywords, according to Yoodli’s speech analytics, include thank, brother, day, love, mom, and much .

Kim Petras’s Acceptance Speech at the 2023 Grammy Awards

On February 5th, 2023, Kim Petras made history by becoming the first transgender woman to win a Grammy. Yoodli’s AI speech coach identifies her top keywords from this speech as award, believed, transgender, hit, go, and home .

Beyoncé’s Acceptance Speech at the 2023 Grammy Awards

The 2023 Grammy Awards was a historic event across the board: on February 5th, 2023, Beyoncé made history as the most awarded artist in the history of the Grammy Awards. The Yoodli speech app identifies five top keywords from Beyoncé’s acceptance speech:  thank ,  like ,  beautiful ,  much , and  trying .

In all of these speeches, notice how top keywords reflect something about the speaker, their work, or the award they are receiving. Examining other successful speeches’ top keywords can help you when coming up with your own acceptance speech. Think about what keywords you want to feature when you accept your award.

Last but not least, there is, of course, Will Smith’s infamous award acceptance at the 2022 Oscars. This speech is not particularly noteworthy in itself—rather, it’s notorious because of what happened before Smith’s acceptance speech. We just couldn’t discuss well known award acceptances without mentioning The Slap.

How to Write an Award Acceptance Speech

How you structure your acceptance speech can differ depending on the event you’re speaking at. Some award shows have strict time limits for award acceptances. Luckily, you can avoid the embarrassment of orchestral music playing you off stage with some simple preparation. For that type of event, you need to prioritize people you want to acknowledge . Next, determine what keywords you want to feature during your speech. When writing your speech, you need to incorporate these people and keywords in as little text as possible.

Not all award ceremonies have such limited time slots, though. If you aren’t concerned about keeping your speech down to 45 seconds, you’ll have a bit more freedom in structuring your speech. Again, you should use keywords and significant people as the guideposts for structuring your script. One strategy you can use to fill the time and captivate your audience is incorporating anecdotes . One way to do this is thinking of a personal story that illustrates how someone helped you on your path to success. That person should be one of the people who contributed to your winning this award. An anecdote like this can serve both to acknowledge someone important to you and to share a more personal side of you with your audience.

The Bottom Line

Regardless of how much time you are allotted, the ability to express yourself concisely is essential when delivering a powerful speech. Tools like Yoodli ‘s AI speech coach are great resources for developing the skill of speaking as concisely as possible. Yoodli gives you automatic feedback on your use of fillers and redundant words. We often use unnecessary fillers without being conscious of them. This is why getting quantitative feedback— you used seven ums in your introduction —is a gamechanger. Minimizing repetition and filler words can not only help you deliver an excellent speech under a time crunch, but also make you a stronger speaker overall.

For most award ceremonies, you won’t need to completely memorize your speech; it’s perfectly acceptable to read from a notecard. However, memorizing a speech can help you deliver it to your fullest potential and reduce nerves. Check out our blog for advice on how to memorize a speech .

The difficulty in delivering one of these speeches is in finding the balance between confidence and humility. You need to be prepared, but not too prepared. If your speech isn’t well-structured and rehearsed, the audience might assume you don’t deserve the award. On the other hand, if your speech is too polished, you run the risk of coming off as arrogant, as if you knew you would win over the other nominees. There is a level of performance and theatricality required for this—maybe this is why great actors give such great acceptance speeches. You don’t have to be an award-winning thespian to find the balance between appearing confident and humble; all you need to do is prepare well and practice. Again, watching examples of famous award acceptance speeches is a great strategy for deciding how to deliver your speech.

A straightforward way to ensure you come across as humble is acknowledging your fellow nominees . For example, say a few words about how honored you feel to be in the same category as such inspiring people as (insert names here). However, there are many awards that only have one nominee. In this case, research the past recipients of the award. You can then express how honored you are to carry on their legacy.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once you’ve written your speech and contemplated how you want to deliver it, all that’s left to do is practice. Practicing a speech is all about becoming comfortable presenting it. The more at ease you are with your material, the more effectively you’ll be able to deliver it. The end goal is for you to feel 100% relaxed while giving your speech. While any amount of practicing will help you improve your delivery, there are three strategies you should implement to make your practice time worthwhile.

First, time your speech . You should always have a stopwatch or timer at hand during your practice sessions. This is to make sure that your speech fits into the time constraints of your award ceremony. Additionally, it helps you ensure your delivery is consistent—if your speech comes in at four and a half minutes one time you deliver it, and seven minutes the next time, something is wrong and you may have missed a section of your script. Every time you rehearse your speech, it should become more routine and feel more comfortable.

Second, you should record yourself practicing your speech. Practicing in front of a mirror is convenient, but it’s difficult to catch presentation pitfalls in the moment. This can more easily be accomplished by taking a video of yourself giving your acceptance speech and watching it back.

Third, it’s essential that you get feedback when you’re practicing. There’s only so much you can notice about your own speech patterns without getting an outside opinion. Recording your rehearsal sessions can make this process easier. If you have a video, you can send it to people in your circle and ask for their constructive criticism.

Finally, you can integrate these three strategies—timing your speech, recording yourself, and getting feedback—seamlessly into your practice time on Yoodli . Yoodli’s AI speech coach can not only time and record your speech for you, it also automatically provides a transcription. Getting feedback on a speech has never been easier: the AI-powered coach provides suggestions on your presentation, including your rate of eye contact, how concise your language is, and potential follow-up questions to your talk in a matter of seconds. Our platform also makes it easy to share recordings you make in the app with colleagues and friends to get their feedback.

In this article, we’ve discussed the ins and outs of giving an award acceptance speech. We covered famous examples of award acceptance speeches, writing a speech, and delivering it. We hope you feel prepared to graciously accept any award. Whether it’s a Pulitzer Prize or employee of the month, the next award you receive is an opportunity to dazzle the world with your elegance and humbleness. Now go out and get your EGOT.

Start practicing with Yoodli.

Getting better at speaking is getting easier. Record or upload a speech and let our AI Speech Coach analyze your speaking and give you feedback.

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How to Give a Sports Award Speech

Giving and receiving awards can be exciting for those involved, and in many athletic organizations sports awards ceremonies are held annually. It's typical that someone presenting an award to someone else will make a speech recognizing the recipient's achievements and noting why that person is receiving the award. Giving a good speech takes preparation but can definitely add to the occasion and also make the recipient appreciative of the time you took to write it.

Know the recipient. If you know the person beforehand, you might already know what subjects to avoid and what topics are safe. You might also know if he would prefer a comical speech or something more heartfelt. However, if you don't know the person you are presenting the award to, find out in advance enough about the person to write a speech that would be appropriate. Find out facts about the person that will make the speech entertaining without embarrassing him.

Greet the audience. Start by introducing yourself and briefly explain the award, the significance of it and why it is being awarded at that time. List the recipient's athletic achievements, including positive facts and any contributions he has made to his team or organization. Include a brief story about the person that would be relevant to the ceremony. Make it personal to engage the audience.

Keep it brief. People can get impatient when waiting to find out who the recipient is, and if they already know who it is, they can get bored with a long speech. The focus has to stay on the award, the recipient and his accomplishments. Preparing will allow you to time yourself and keep the speech at a reasonable length of time. Be energetic. Your excitement in presenting the award will be contagious and make the recipient feel good.

Cee Donohue started as a comedy writer in 2004. She has written for "One to One Magazine" and the "South Hollywood News." Before moving to Los Angeles, Donohue attended the University of the Arts.

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• Free Agency

Video: Tom Brady's Acceptance Speech After Winning Sportsperson of the Year

• Author: Nick Selbe

Twenty-two years into his unparalleled NFL career, Tom Brady is surely used to having few peers. A seven-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Super Bowl MVP and favorite to win his fourth regular season MVP award this season, the 44-year-old continues to reach new heights in 2021. In a year that began with a championship and winds down with his Buccaneers charging for a title defense, Brady has yet again entered rarified air.

Brady is the 2021 Sportsperson of the Year, becoming just the third person to win the award more than once. He won in 2005 when coming off his third Super Bowl title, and now joins Tiger Woods (1996 and 2000) and LeBron James (2012, 2016 and 2020) as the only multiple-time winners.

"Back in 2005 when I first won this award, I was a fresh-faced punk with something to prove. And now, I actually think I feel the same way," Brady said in his acceptance speech . "I certainly never imagined my future looking like this. Sports Illustrated has been presenting this award since 1954—and no Gronk, that wasn’t my rookie year with the Patriots. Individual awards in a team sport always make me feel a bit uneasy, because nothing can be accomplished without the team. It's always about the team. Needless to say I am beyond grateful, and even though I’m pretty sure I only won because they weren’t able to fly Giannis here from Milwaukee tonight."

Daily Cover: Tom Brady Wins the 2021 Sportsperson of the Year

Brady won his seventh Super Bowl title on Feb. 7, guiding the Buccaneers to a 33–9 upset win over the defending champion Chiefs. Brady went 21-for-29 for 201 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He's been even better during the 2021 season, leading the league in passing yards (3,771) and touchdowns (34) through 13 weeks.

Brady thanked his Buccaneers teammates, coaches and family, and joked that he might have to keep playing "another 16 years" so he could join James as a three-time winner. He concluded by shifting focus to the rest of the NFL season, looking for ways to motivate himself after receiving this award with five games still to play.

"Accepting an award like this in the middle of the season is very new for me, we still have a long way to go to achieve our goal," Brady said. "And as you guys know, I keep that chip on my shoulder, so I’m going to go home, I'm going to turn on a loop of all the interceptions that I've thrown this year to put me right back and even myself out for the night."

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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

Rice Speechwriting

Best giving an award speech examples, winning words: giving an award speech examples that impress.

Giving an award speech can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also a great opportunity to express gratitude and inspire others. Whether you are receiving an award or giving one, it is important to understand the importance of an award speech and how it can impact the audience. In this blog post, we will discuss the guidelines to compose an impactful award speech that leaves a lasting impression on the audience. We will cover everything from brainstorming ideas for your speech, crafting the perfect words to express your gratitude and address the competition, to delivering an effective speech that inspires everyone in attendance. So if you want to learn how to give a great award speech, keep reading!

Understanding the Importance of an Award Speech

Recognition of hard work, dedication, and commitment is a fundamental aspect of a good award acceptance speech . The opportunity to deliver such a speech can inspire and encourage both the speaker and the audience. It serves as a platform for expressing gratitude and honor, while also accepting recognition for one’s work. Moreover, award speeches mark significant milestones and achievements, highlighting the success of an individual or team. This public acknowledgment further emphasizes the importance of celebrating excellence and fostering a positive organizational culture. Such acknowledgment by a CEO in an award acceptance speech can have a profound impact on the recipient and the entire team, making it a crucial aspect of any event or ceremony.

Expressing Gratitude in an Award Speech

Expressing gratitude in an award speech is essential to convey appreciation for the recognition and the efforts of the award ceremony organizers. Team members deserve recognition for their contributions and dedication to the shared success. Acknowledging the encouragement received from others is crucial in making such awards possible. It’s important to express gratitude for more such awards that recognize work well done, as they motivate continuous improvement. Lastly, thanking the people who have supported, guided, and mentored throughout the journey is a genuine display of gratitude. A heartfelt award acceptance speech can inspire others and reflect positively on the CEO and the organization.

Addressing the Competition and Sharing the Glory

Sharing the spotlight with fellow nominees is a mark of respect and admiration for their achievements. Recognizing the efforts of competitors not only elevates the significance of the award but also underscores the spirit of healthy competition. It’s crucial to extend the honor of winning to the entire team, acknowledging their hard work and commitment. The award acceptance speech becomes more meaningful when shared with those who contributed to its success. Emphasizing the collective effort underscores the significance of collaboration in achieving such prestigious accolades.

Guidelines to Compose an Impactful Award Speech

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. Ultimately, the speech should focus on making a genuine impact, honoring others, and encouraging the audience.

Brainstorming Ideas for your Speech

When crafting your award acceptance speech, it’s crucial to reflect on the impact of the award, carving out ample time for expressing gratitude, recognition, and delivering an acceptance speech that resonates. Personalizing the speech is key; emphasize your journey, express genuine gratitude, and honor those who contributed to your success. Consider various speech examples, focusing on appreciation, gratitude, and exemplary deliveries. Explore additional awards and public speaking opportunities to gather inspiration. You may even draw insights from wedding speech examples to infuse your speech with warmth and heartfelt appreciation.

Crafting the Speech

Crafting an award acceptance speech involves conveying gratitude, dedication, and honor. The speech should reflect the recipient’s recognition, acceptance of the award, and genuine gratitude. Personalizing the speech with examples of recognition, acceptance, and gratitude demonstrates sincerity and appreciation. By highlighting the hard work, dedication, and time invested in achieving the award, the speech becomes more impactful. It is essential to craft a speech template that not only reflects the individual’s gratitude but also acknowledges team members’ contributions and recognizes other outstanding achievements.

Delivering an Effective Award Speech

Exuding gratitude, recognition, and the acceptance of honor is essential when delivering an award acceptance speech. Incorporating good speech examples, acknowledging team members, and expressing gratitude are key elements for an impactful award acceptance. This speech should reflect dedication, gratitude, and recognition, aiming to resonate with the audience. Crafting a personalized speech that includes examples of public speaking, acknowledgment of the effort, and a warm greeting sets the tone for a memorable delivery. By dedicating much time to preparation and considering various scenarios, you can ensure the delivery of a compelling and effective award acceptance speech.

How does one ensure their speech leaves a lasting impression?

To ensure your speech leaves a lasting impression, focus on expressing gratitude, recognizing team members’ hard work, and incorporating examples of successful public speaking. Make time for appreciation, recognition, and delivering a well-crafted speech that captivates the audience. Remember, a good evening starts with a memorable speech.

What are some award speech examples?

In conclusion, delivering an impactful award speech requires a combination of gratitude, humility, and the ability to connect with your audience. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported and believed in you is essential. Acknowledging the competition and sharing the glory with them shows sportsmanship and respect. When composing your speech, brainstorm ideas that reflect your genuine emotions and experiences. Craft a speech that is concise, well-structured, and captures the essence of the award. To leave a lasting impression, focus on delivering your speech with confidence, enthusiasm, and authenticity. Engage your audience through storytelling, humor, or personal anecdotes. Remember, a great award speech not only honors your achievements but also inspires and uplifts others.

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Humbled and Honored: My Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech

“Good afternoon. First, I want to thank you all for coming to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. I know you have a choice of museums when you visit Cooperstown, so thank you for choosing this one. Frankly, I don’t know how you could pass up the 18th-century Dutch-style plow at the nearby Farmers’ Museum , but pass it up you did! As an aside, I will tell you that I once got ‘18th-century plowed’ by drinking a liter of elixir d’absynthe to treat a serious case of dropsy. I mean I got drunk, 1700s-style. I did not get – what’s the word? – ‘copulated.’

“In any case, I also want to say that I am truly humbled by this honor. I want to say it because everybody says it. Then again, I don’t know why people say it. I mean, humbled? If anything, I should be de -humbled. I’d be humbled if my two-week-old kitten were to beat me in Greco-Roman wrestling. I’d be humbled if you pointed at my crotch and laughed, as if to say, ‘What cruel twist of fate is this that should visit upon a red-blooded American male such a tragic deficiency?’

“But humbled by getting inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame? Screw that noise. Seriously, you should see my new vanity plate: “CPRSTWN.” I guess the plate’s only downside is that it can be misconstrued. For example, after pulling up behind me at a stoplight, Ronde Barber came to my window and asked if I could revive his brother’s career.

“I also want to say that this honor is truly an honor. Here I am, alongside the Ruths, the Cobbs, the Fingerses. Is that right? ‘Fingerses?’ Here I am! – in the same breath with the Mayses and the Kalines, though not in the same breath as the Mazeroskis and the Yastrzemskis, as that would require, like, two breaths. Please note, however, that I did not take two breaths just now. The reason is that I have been practicing this speech since I was nine years old, mostly underwater.

“Of course, what’s most amazing about this honor – and here I think you’ll agree – is that I never played major league baseball. So, why am I standing before you today? All I can say is that the Veterans Committee has done its homework. There was this one time: My brother is on the mound, and by ‘mound’ I mean the part of the yard between the sticker patch and the clothesline. Yeah, clothesline. We didn’t have a dryer, OK? But we did have three hot meals a day, though I must say that fire-roasted iceberg lettuce with steamy ranch dressing was not my favorite.

“Anyway, my brother is pitching, and he throws this wicked curveball-screwball thing. I mean, that Wiffle ball looks like Stevie Wonder’s remote-controlled airplane! But I stand my ground and whack it all the way over the alley. And as you can plainly see, my brother is not being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. So that’s cool. I am totally de-humbled by it.

“Then there was that time in high school. Maybe you heard about it. I’m at shortstop, and I make this diving stab and double up the runner at third. Coach says, ‘That’s a big league play!’ So, yeah, the Committee has done its homework. What sucks is that the Committee never did my homework. I’m still trying to get my GED, which isn’t easy because I am busy writing for a serious baseball blog. We have to do our own spelling.

“In conclusion, I’d like to say I have always dreamed this would happen. Always in my wildest imagination did I think that this would come true.”

John Paschal is a regular contributor to The Hardball Times and The Hardball Times Baseball Annual.

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Innervisions, Mr. Wonder. Innervisions.

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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.

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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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.

Acceptance Speech

Acceptance speech generator.

Being recognized or awarded is one of the best feelings in the world. It gives us the feeling of being overwhelmed with so much gratitude and that we would also want to share our achievement with people who helped in the sidelines. One way of giving back and showing sincere gratitude is through acceptance speeches. The heart of every acceptance speech is gratitude. Acceptance speeches are also a way of acknowledging people who helped the recipient of the award or the recognition in acquiring all his or her achievements.

Simple Acceptance Speech

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What Is an Acceptance Speech?

An acceptance speech is a speech with an aim to simply express gratitude after receiving a recognition or an award.

10 Tips for Writing an Award-Winning Acceptance Speech

We all know that acceptance speeches are often delivered after receiving an award but it does not mean that your acceptance speech shouldn’t be award-winning either. Here are ten steps on how to make and deliver an acceptance speech that can even make you earn another award if there is a contest for acceptance speeches:

1. Know Your Time Limit.

If you already know what award you will be receiving, you have to make sure that you asked about the duration of the entire awarding ceremony before starting your speech . In that way, you would know your time limit for your speech. You have to make sure that your speech would fit the given time frame in order to make sure that it does not exceed and make unnecessary changes in the program just because your speech was too long.

3. Acknowledge All that Has to be Acknowledged

It’s only right that you should recognize the people who have helped you in the sidelines. Most people would acknowledge their family, friends, and colleagues but this is too common; acknowledge the people who, even with their small contribution has made a great impact in helping you achieve your smart goals and successes.

4. K.I.S.S. and Brevity.

Most of the awarding ceremonies would often take 2-3 hours and oftentimes, there are a lot of people to be given an award and you may also add the myriad of performances and presentations in between. If you would have a speech with a length of more than five minutes for a single award or recognition, you will be taking too much of the awarding ceremony’s time and you have to keep in mind that you are not the only person to be awarded or given with a recognition. That is why you have to maintain the brevity, or keep your acceptance speech short and simple or else it will bore your audience and you would be taking too much time from the allotted time duration of the awarding ceremony.

If you are a natural entertainer, then make good use of this in your acceptance speeches. Awarding ceremonies can be boring and it is only in ad-libs from hosts or emcees and speeches by awardees that a ceremony can be on the light side. But caution: do not focus solely on making your speech humorous or else your focus would stray away from what your acceptance speech is actually about and that is your expression of gratitude.

6. Tell a Story.

If you have found a difficulty in making your audience laugh, you can always tell a story. Good storytellers, without humor, can always entertain its audience. You can always share your struggles and mini-successes as you make your way to your main goal. In this way, you can actually inspire people who may actually share the same path and struggles as yours. People would always want to have a company in their miseries.

7. Do Not Bring Notes.

Aside from the fact that reading our acceptance speech on pieces of small notes would not make a good impression, memorizing and familiarizing our own speech can somehow improve or establish our credibility. Memorizing our own speech would also help us gain confidence in delivering the speech.

8. Always End with a Bang

If you want to make a great impact on your audience, always end your acceptance speech with a bang. You can summarize and condense the groups of people who helped you but this is not anymore necessary. What’s necessary is that you would make a statement that would give you a solid impression. One sign that you would be making a good impression is that you whatever you said in your speech, even if it is in the introduction, will be remembered by the audience. Although it is not necessary to end with a bang, it would actually make you feel good other than receiving the award or the recognition.

9. Speak From the Heart

Even if it is good to memorize our speech, sometimes it is only best that we would familiarize our acceptance speech so we that we will have a chance to speak from the heart. Memorizing would sometimes make us sound robotic as if we’re reading something, but if we familiarize and just speak form the heart, we actually become genuine in all the words and in the expression of our gratitude and honest appreciation to all the people we are acknowledging.

10. Make The Fact Clear that this Is Not Just About You

You should always make it clear that if ever there were people who helped you along the way, you should always and also acknowledge them and let them share your achievements. Always be humble but do not be overly modest to the point that you would sound fake and just act for the sake of trying to look down to earth. But that does not mean you could not be proud of the people who helped you along the way; again, remember to acknowledge their contributions, no matter how big or small that contribution is.

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3 Simple Ways in Writing an Award-Winning Acceptance Speech

If you already know that you would be recognized and awarded, you should always prepare your acceptance speech beforehand. Unless you’re eloquent and confident enought that you would be able to ace an imprompty acceptance speech, then you may go ahead and skip the following list. But if you feel like you would still need to work on your writing your speech, then read this:

1. Make an Outline

Always start any writing composition with an outline. The outline will serve as your guide through out your writing process. This will give you direction. Make sure that in your oultine, you will have the parts of your speech as headers and right below the headers or the major parts of your speech are the ideas that you would want that part to contain with.

2. List Down the People You Would Want to Thank and Acknowledge

List down all the possible names of people and groups or organization that you would want to share your recognition or award so that you would not have a difficulty in remembering them when you would actually be already delivering your speech. You wouldn’t want to get any chances of being a person who shows no gratitude if ever you would forget to thank even one person or group of people, right?

3. Be Sincere and Genuine

Remember that the heart of every acceptance speech is gratitude and we all know that gratitude should always be sincere and genuine. It is not real gratitude if you would be all fake in your expression of thanks. It does not take a million to be genuine in thanking people that you should really be thanking. Always make sure that you have recognized every effort made by the people who helped you along the way and make sure that in thanking them, you sincerely and truly do.

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Write an Acceptance Speech for a community leader award.

Create an Acceptance Speech for a business innovation competition.