If you are awarded something or are given an award in general, you may be called upon to give a thank you speech. This is an opportunity to show your gratitude to those who helped and maybe share a funny story to make the audience laugh. If you want to learn how to make a thank-you speech and perform it in an earnest style, follow these steps.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Compose a Speech
Step 1. Begin by expressing gratitude
You can start by saying thank you for the award you received. This little explanation of why you are giving the speech is a natural start to the speech. This expression of gratitude will set the mood for the entire speech. When you're deciding what to say, take the following factors into consideration:
- The type of award you receive. To express gratitude for a professional award, say something like, “I am honored to be here tonight, and grateful to be given this award.”
- Event formalities. If the event is more casual, such as a birthday party prepared by friends and family, the expression of gratitude can be warmer. For example, “I am at a loss for words to express my gratitude for all of you for being here tonight.”
Step 2. Express your respect for the person who gave the award
This is an opportunity to have a deeper conversation and make the people in charge of this gift also feel good. Whether you have been given an award by a company, organization or group you know well, take a few minutes to show your sincere appreciation for them.
- If the award is given by the company you work for, try talking about the good work the organization does and how lucky you are to work there.
- If the award is from an outside party, such as an arts organization that awards a film you directed, talk about how honored you are to be recognized by such a good organization.
- If you are giving a speech to thank friends and family, express gratitude for having a special group of people in your life.
Step 3. Tell me something funny
In a thank you speech, share an anecdote or two about something that happened that led to your award. Since thank you speeches are usually delivered at dinner or special occasions, saying something that puts a light on the mood and invites a smile will be much appreciated.
- You can talk about funny things that happened while you were working on your project or challenges you faced in achieving your goals.
- Try to include other people in the story, rather than just talking about yourself. Stories about things that concern your co-workers, your boss, your children or the people there.
Step 4. Name the people who helped you
Give recognition to people who help you so that you can produce something that is rewarded. Make a short list of co-workers, friends and family members without whom you would not be able to receive this award.
- You can start by saying, “I'm so grateful for the support of some of these great people. Without their support, I would not be standing here now." Then list the people who helped you.
- Take the audience into consideration too. If you know your boss is sitting in the front seat, make sure you thank him or her.
- This can potentially become a boring part of your speech. Make sure you mention the important people on your list, but don't thank everyone you know either. Limit it to people who really help you.
Step 5. End the speech on a warm note
When you mention the names of these people, the speech is about to end. Conclude by saying your thanks and gratitude once again. If you want your speech to be more memorable, you can include flowery words, for example:
- Say something inspiring. If you receive an award for achievements in your non-profit field, you can say, “Our struggles are not over, but what we have accomplished together has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. Let's roll up our sleeves and continue this struggle with dedication. If we can make changes in just one year, imagine what we can do in three years.”
- Dedicate your appreciation. You can show special appreciation to the people closest to you or the teacher by dedicating this award to that person. Say something like, “I want to dedicate this award to my mother. When the teachers told her that my dyslexia would make it difficult for me to study, she told me that I would be a great writer one day. It is because of his belief that I am here receiving my first Pulitzer. Thank you mom."
Method 2 of 3: Practicing Your Speech
Step 1. Write down the script of your speech
Thank you speeches should be short and you will be able to remember them. However, jotting down an outline of ideas on a piece of paper can help you remember key points and the names you want to mention.
- Don't write word by word. If so, you'll be looking at the paper all the time instead of looking at the audience. You will appear nervous and stiff in front of the audience and not appear grateful or sincere.
- Try writing the first line of each paragraph you want to say. Next, when you glance at your cheat card, that first sentence will stir your memory.
Step 2. Calculate your time
If you are giving a speech at a formal event, there is often a limited amount of time for the acceptance speech. Ask the organization responsible for awarding awards if there are any guidelines you should be aware of. If you're not given a limited time, see how long other people who have received awards from the organization took time to speak.
- In general, acceptance speeches are very short. The Academy Awards acceptance speech, for example, is limited to 45 seconds. Speeches lasting two to three minutes can bore people, so it doesn't have to be that long.
- As you practice your speech, use a timer to see how long it takes. You can also record yourself and listen to the speech to see which parts can be cut. The most important part of the speech is the expression of gratitude, the rest can be cut off if necessary.
Step 3. Practice with someone who makes you nervous
If you're not very good at public speaking, try giving a speech in front of a person or group of people that makes you nervous. Practice about four or five times, or as many times as possible until your heart is no longer beating fast. This way, when the time comes to speak in front of a crowd, you can relax more.
- Ask your listeners to enter. Ask which sections are boring or too long, or if there's something that still needs to be included.
- Make sure you give your speech to one person you trust will provide honest input.
Step 4. Change the murmur to pause
Most people generally mumble when awkward, for example with “emm”, “eeergh” or “e”. Train yourself to remove these words from your speech. It is better to take a break. Your speech will sound sharper and better trained.
To eliminate mumbling, try listening to a recording of you speaking. Try to capture those moments where you try to enter "emm" or "e". Practice saying these sentences without muttering until you are able to deliver the entire speech that way
Step 5. Practice so you look and sound natural
The main purpose of giving a thank you speech is for your listeners to feel the depth and sincerity of your gratitude. This is difficult if you are rigid, or appear arrogant and ungrateful. Practice the things you would normally do in normal conversation: move your hands a little, smile, pause and laugh. Make sure that your choice of words reflects the emotions you feel.
Method 3 of 3: Delivering a Speech
Step 1. Calm your anxiety before the speech
If you're nervous before a public speaking, try to take some time to calm yourself down. For some people, this nervousness won't go away even if they speak in public a lot. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to prepare you to speak clearly and calmly:
- Try to imagine yourself delivering a speech without stuttering. Deliver the entire speech in your head smoothly. This technique can help you calm down when you have to deliver.
- Some people find laughing before giving a speech helps. This can relax you.
- If you have the opportunity to train hard before the event, this is a good way to release nervous energy.
Step 2. Look at your audience
Remember not to look at your cheat card too often, just take a quick glance to help you remember. Choose two or three people sitting in different places, and alternately make eye contact with them as you speak.
- Staring at the audience can help you deliver your speech with emotion. You can pretend you're talking to a friend, rather than a faceless crowd.
- Take turns staring at more than one important person. When you see more than one person in a group, the entire audience will feel included in the conversation.
Step 3. Remember to express your gratitude as you speak
You may be so worried about forgetting the content of your speech that you forget why you should deliver it. Remember the meaning behind all the words you say, and deliver the speech with real emotion about the award. Remember the hard work you put in and all the people who helped you achieve it. Thus, the speech will appear sincere.
- If you can, try to look at people while saying their name, while saying thank you. For example, if you thank a coworker sitting in the front row, your appreciation will be more pronounced if you can focus on him or her while speaking.
- Don't be shy if you get teary eyed. This often happens in thank you speeches.
Step 4. Say something meaningful that will make people touch and feel like "Oh, this person is so understanding and kind."
Saying different sentences will mean a lot.
Step 5. Leave the stage in time
When the speech is over, smile at the audience and leave the stage in time. Holding the stage for too long is sometimes done but this can bore the audience and reduce the time for the next person to receive the award. When your time is up, leave the stage gracefully and return to your seat.
Tips
- Practice your own speech until it's smooth and then ask a trusted friend to sit down and listen. Ask for advice: on content, intonation, transitions from one point to another, delivery – voice, body language, sincerity, and timing.
- If you can, use cheat cards instead of a word-for-word script. Cheat cards can make you appear more spontaneous in front of an audience.
- Use a three-part speech structure. Introduction to introduce yourself and the topic, a body paragraph that contains the purpose of the speech and a conclusion at the end.
- Write down what this award means to you – including a reference to the values/goals/aspirations of the organization that gave it and how they inspired you.
- Give recognition to the audience who have come and witnessed this event.
