Speeches of Acceptance

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A speech of acceptance is made in response to receiving an award. Its purpose is to express gratitude for the honor bestowed on the speaker. The speech should reflect that gratitude.

Upon winning an Academy Award in 2011 for his role in the film The King’s Speech, actor Colin Firth expressed elation at receiving the award with humility and humor:

I’m afraid I have to warn you that I’m experiencing stirrings somewhere in the upper abdominals which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves. Joyous as they may be for me, it would be extremely problematic if they make it to my legs before I get offstage.2