Special-Occasion Speeches

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Special-occasion speeches use the principles of both informative and persuasive speaking for occasions such as introducing a speaker, accepting an honor or award, presenting a memorial, or celebrating an achievement. Almost certainly at some point in your life you will be called on to deliver a speech at a wedding, a toast at a retirement party, or a eulogy at a funeral. Special-occasion speeches are frequently delivered on the world stage as well. In 2005, for example, Bruce Springsteen inducted fellow rockers U2 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An excerpt of his speech is presented in Sample Speech 11.3. As you’ll see, the speech is intended to bring everyone listening to the same conclusion: this band is a true icon of rock and roll that changed the sound and scope of popular music.