a tribute speech definition

Tribute Speech Topics, Outline, And Examples

A tribute speech is a type of commemorative speech that is typically given to honor someone else. The focus of a tribute speech is to highlight the positive attributes and accomplishments of the person, institution, event, idea, or place being honored.

Tribute speeches often make use of personal anecdotes and stories of hope, trust, kindness, courage, wisdom, success, dignity, loyalty, camaraderie, and tradition in order to paint a more complete picture of the individual or subject being celebrated.

When to deliver a tribute speech?

There are many different occasions that may call for a tribute speech. Some examples include:

• Retirement : A retirement speech is a tribute to the retiree’s years of hard work and dedication. It is an opportunity to look back on all that has been accomplished and to wish the retiree all the best in their future endeavors.
• Wedding : Wedding toasts are another type of tribute speech, given in honor of the newlyweds. The focus of a wedding toast is usually on wishing the couple a long and happy life together.
• Funeral or memorial services : A eulogy is a tribute speech that is given in honor of someone who has passed away. The focus of a memorial tribute speech is usually on celebrating the life of the individual and remembering them fondly.
• Reunion : A reunion speech is a tribute to the past, present, and future of the group being honored. It is an opportunity to look back on all that has been accomplished and to look forward to all that will be accomplished in the future.
• Anniversaries : An anniversary tribute speech is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the individual or group being honored and to look forward to the future.
• Award ceremony : An award tribute speech is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the individual or group being honored and to thank them for their contributions.

Characteristics of a tribute speech

There are certain characteristics that make for an effective tribute speech. Some of these include-

• It is sincere and honest : The tribute should be coming from a place of honest admiration and respect. It shouldn’t be overly flowery or insincere. It should also use proper language. This means avoiding profanity and using terms that everyone in the audience will understand.
• It is well-prepared : A tribute speech that has been carefully prepared will usually be more effective than one that is off-the-cuff. This doesn’t mean that it has to be written out word for word, but it should be well-organized and thought out.
• It is personal : A tribute speech that is personal and anecdotes will usually be more effective than one that is purely factual. This is because it will help the audience to connect with the person being tributed and understand why they are being tributed.
• It is appropriate for the occasion : The tribute speech should be appropriate for the occasion. For example, if it is a tribute speech for a funeral, it should be more serious in tone than if it is for a retirement party.
• It is within the time limit : Tribute speeches should usually be between 5 and 10 minutes long. This is because if they are too long, the audience will start to lose interest.

How to write a tribute speech?

When writing a tribute speech, it is important to choose a topic that is significant and meaningful to you. The tribute should also be well-organized and coherent, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Here are some trips tips for writing an effective tribute speech:

• Start by brainstorming a list of people, things that you admire, and why you admire them. This will help you to narrow down your topic.
• Choose a topic that is significant and meaningful to you. This will make it easier to write from a place of sincerity and honesty.
• Write an outline of your tribute speech. This will help you to organize your thoughts and make sure that your tribute is coherent.
• Write in a clear and concise manner. Avoid using flowery or overly complicated language. Use terms that everyone in the audience will understand.
• Keep within the time limit. Tribute speeches should usually be between 5 and 10 minutes long.
• Practice delivering your tribute speech. This will help you to ensure that you are loud enough for the audience to hear, clear, and with proper enunciation.

Outline for writing an effective tribute speech

Here is a tribute speech outline that you can use as a guide when preparing your own tribute speech:

Introduction

• Introduce the person or thing that you are tributing to.
• Provide background information about the person or thing being tributed.
• Explain why you admire the person or thing being tributed.
• Describe the qualities that you admire about the person or thing being tributed.
• Give examples of how the person or thing has positively affected your life.
• Share a personal story about the person or thing being tributed.
• Summarize why the person or thing being tributed is significant and important to you.
• Thank the audience for listening.

Famous tribute speeches and examples from history

There are many famous tribute speeches in history. Here are a few you could get inspired from:

• “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. : This speech was given during the Civil Rights Movement where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about his dream for a future where all people would be treated equally, regardless of skin color.
• “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln : In this speech, Abraham Lincoln spoke about the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. He also spoke about the importance of preserving democracy.
• “Inaugural Address” by John F. Kennedy : In this tribute speech, John F. Kennedy spoke about the need for Americans to work together to achieve their goals.
• “9/11 Address to the Nation” by George W. Bush : In this famous tribute speech, George W. Bush spoke about the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the need for Americans to unite in the face of adversity.
• “We Shall Overcome” by Barack Obama : In this famous tribute speech, Barack Obama spoke about the importance of hope and resilience in the face of challenges.

Tribute speech topics & ideas

Here are 20+ tribute speech topics and ideas;

1. Your favorite teacher

2. Your parents

3. A friend or family member who has passed away

4. A soldier who has served in the military

5. A first responder who has risked his life to save others

6. A person who has made a significant contribution to your community

7. A person who has inspired you

8. A historical figure that you admire

9. A mentor who has helped you in your life

10. An athlete who has achieved greatness

11. A person who has overcome adversity

12. A person who has made a significant impact on the world

13. A person who has shown courage in the face of challenges

14. A person who has demonstrated compassion for others

15. A person who has fought for justice

16. A couple who stayed together through thick and thin

17. A person who has inspired others to be their best selves

18. A friend who has always been there for you

19. A person who has brought happiness into your life

20. Your favorite pet

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Tribute Speech

A Tribute Speech is a profound way to honor and celebrate an individual’s impact or a significant event. This comprehensive guide, filled with eloquent speech examples, offers step-by-step instructions on crafting a moving and memorable tribute. Whether honoring a colleague, a loved one, or a notable figure, these guidelines will help you convey your admiration and respect powerfully. Learn to express heartfelt emotions and share impactful stories that do justice to the person or occasion being commemorated.

What is Tribute Speech?

A tribute speech is a special type of speech that is given to honor someone’s achievements, qualities, or memory. It’s an expression of respect, admiration, appreciation, or love towards an individual or group. These speeches are commonly delivered on occasions like retirement parties, award ceremonies, funerals, memorials, or anniversaries.

Download Tribute Speech Bundle

A tribute speech is one of the most personal and emotional speech. Because it talks about the life of a particular person or a group of people. It is a speech that will inspire others and make the listeners come together as one in commemorating and honoring the life of the subject.A tribute speech is not only given to a deceased person, in fact, it is also given to a living person who still manages to give contribution or service, doing remarkable things, and still inspire and influence others. The best speeches are ones that are honest, sincere, full of admiration, and has a good speech outline .

Tribute Speech Format

Introduction Good evening, everyone. We are gathered here today not just to celebrate an extraordinary career but to honor a life that has made a profound difference. I’m here to speak about Dr. Jane Thompson, a person whose contributions have not only advanced the field of environmental science but have also inspired a generation to live more conscientiously.   Body   Early Life and Background Born in a small coastal town, Jane was always fascinated by the ocean. Her early years, spent volunteering at marine sanctuaries, laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to environmental conservation. Despite facing early challenges, including limited access to advanced education and resources, Jane’s determination led her to earn a scholarship to a prestigious university, where she began her journey to becoming the influential figure we admire today.   Achievements and Contributions Professionally, Dr. Thompson’s work has been groundbreaking. Her research on coral reef preservation has not only won her numerous international awards but has also played a critical role in developing sustainable marine practices worldwide. However, Jane’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She founded the Green Future Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young people about environmental stewardship, demonstrating her belief that real change begins with education.   Personal Stories I remember a time when Jane organized a community clean-up. It wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and fostering a sense of community responsibility towards our environment. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her genuine care for both people and the planet was evident in everything she did.   Conclusion As we reflect on Dr. Thompson’s contributions, it’s clear that her legacy is not just in her scientific achievements but in the hearts and minds she has touched. Jane once said, “Change is the collective sum of our actions.” Today, we not only celebrate her remarkable contributions but also commit to continuing her legacy through our actions.   In closing, I’d like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jane Thompson for her unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and compassionate heart. Thank you, Jane, for showing us the way forward  

How to write a Tribute Speech

Step 1: choose your focus.

• Select the Person: Clearly define who you are honoring. It could be a friend, family member, colleague, or a public figure.
• Determine the Purpose: Understand the occasion and what you aim to achieve with your speech—celebrate their life, highlight their accomplishments, or honor their memory.

Step 2: Gather Information

Research: Collect information about their life, achievements, and impact. This may involve speaking with friends and family, looking at their social media, or recalling personal memories. Select Key Points: Identify the most significant aspects of their life and work that you want to highlight. These should reflect their values, contributions, and the difference they made.

Step 3: Organize Your Speech

Follow the tribute speech format outlined previously, organizing your speech into an introduction, body, and conclusion. Within this structure, decide how you will present the information (chronologically, thematically, etc.).

Step 4: Write the Introduction

Hook: Begin with a powerful opening to grab attention. This could be a quote, an anecdote, or a profound statement. Purpose: State the purpose of your speech and briefly introduce the person you’re honoring.

Step 5: Develop the Body

Early Life and Background: Start with some background information that provides context to their life and achievements. Achievements and Contributions: Highlight their professional and personal accomplishments, focusing on how they’ve impacted others. Personal Stories: Share anecdotes and personal stories that showcase their character and the personal side that people admired.

Step 6: Craft the Conclusion

Summarize: Briefly recap the key points you’ve made throughout your speech. Reflect: Offer a reflection on their legacy and what they mean to you and others. End with a Tribute: Conclude with a heartfelt tribute, expressing gratitude, admiration, or a final farewell.

Step 7: Edit and Practice

Review and Refine: Read through your speech, making adjustments to ensure clarity, flow, and emotional impact. Aim for a tone that matches the occasion and your relationship with the honoree. Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times. This helps with memorization, timing, and delivery. Pay attention to your pacing, tone, and body language.

Additional Tips:

Be Authentic: Write from the heart. Your sincerity will resonate more than any elaborate words. Keep It Appropriate: Tailor your speech to the audience and the occasion, ensuring it’s respectful and considerate. Use Quotes or Poems: Sometimes, including a quote or a short poem can add depth and emotional impact to your speech.

Tips for Delivering a Tribute Speech

• Practice Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with your speech through repeated practice. This helps reduce nervousness and ensures a smoother delivery.
• Speak from the Heart: Authenticity resonates. Speak sincerely about your feelings and experiences related to the honoree. Authentic emotion is compelling and engaging.
• Maintain Eye Contact: Make eye contact with your audience to create a connection. This helps convey your sincerity and enhances the impact of your words.
• Use Notes Sparingly: If you use notes, glance at them briefly to jog your memory, but try to keep your attention on the audience. Over-reliance on notes can disconnect you from the emotional depth of your speech.
• Control Your Pace: Nervousness can lead to speaking too quickly, which might make it hard for your audience to follow. Practice pacing your speech so it’s easy to listen to and digest.
• Pause for Emphasis: Use pauses strategically to let important points sink in or to compose yourself if you become emotional. Pauses can be powerful in adding weight to your message.
• Use an Appropriate Tone: The tone of your speech should match the occasion and the personality of the honoree. Whether it’s solemn, celebratory, or humorous, ensure it’s appropriate.
• Manage Emotions: It’s okay to show emotion, as it underscores the sincerity of your tribute. However, if you’re worried about becoming too overwhelmed, find techniques to compose yourself, like focusing on a spot in the room or taking deep breaths.
• Personalize Your Delivery: Include personal anecdotes or traits of the honoree that you admire. This personal touch can make your speech more relatable and memorable.
• Conclude Strongly: End your speech with a powerful statement or a call to action inspired by the honoree’s life and achievements. This leaves your audience with a lasting impression.
• Rehearse with Feedback: Practice your speech in front of friends or family members who can provide constructive feedback. This can help you refine your delivery and content.
• Be Prepared for the Unexpected: Sometimes emotions can catch you by surprise, or the audience might react in ways you didn’t anticipate. Be prepared to adapt and continue gracefully.

10+ Tribute Speech Samples

• Tribute Speech for Teachers
• Tribute Speech for Parents
• Tribute Speech for Mother
• Tribute Speech for Father
• Tribute Speech for Grandmother
• Tribute Speech for a Friend
• Tribute Speech to Dad From Daughter
• Tribute Speech to a Famous Person
• Tribute Speech to a Dead Person
• Tribute Speech on Funeral

14+ Tribute Speech Examples

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Short Tribute Speech

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Tribute Speech Sample

Example Tribute Speech

If you still having trouble in giving speech, you can get more ideas in our self-introduction speech example  here.

Tribute Speech Outline

Birthday Speech

Free Tribute Speech

Graduation Tribute Speech

Tribute Speech Example

Tribute Speech By The Leader Of The House

The Impact of Tribute Speeches

• Emotional Healing: Tribute speeches can offer comfort and emotional healing to those grieving by celebrating the life and accomplishments of the deceased, helping to focus on positive memories and legacies.
• Increased Appreciation: They heighten the audience’s appreciation for the honoree’s contributions, achievements, and character, often revealing aspects of their life and work that were not widely known.
• Preservation of Legacy: Tribute speeches serve to preserve and honor the legacy of an individual, ensuring that their contributions and values are remembered and passed down through generations.
• Motivation and Inspiration: Hearing about the challenges overcome and achievements made by the honoree can motivate and inspire others to pursue their own goals with greater determination and passion.
• Strengthened Community Bonds: They can strengthen bonds within a community or organization by bringing people together to celebrate and reflect on the values and achievements of one of their own.
• Public Recognition: Tribute speeches provide a platform for public acknowledgment of an individual’s contributions, offering a sense of validation and recognition for their hard work and dedication.
• Encouragement of Similar Values: By highlighting the honoree’s virtues, tribute speeches can encourage others to emulate similar values in their own lives, such as kindness, perseverance, and excellence.
• Catharsis for the Speaker: The process of writing and delivering a tribute speech can offer a cathartic experience for the speaker, allowing them to process their feelings and articulate their admiration or love.
• Enhanced Historical Record: These speeches can enhance the historical record of an individual’s contributions, especially in cases where their work has had a significant impact on society or a specific field.
• Promotion of Unity: In moments of collective grief or celebration, tribute speeches can promote a sense of unity and shared purpose among those in attendance.
• Cultural and Social Reflection: They reflect the cultural and social values of the time, providing insight into what a community or society values in its members.
• Educational Impact: Tribute speeches can have an educational impact, teaching the audience about the honoree’s field of work, their approach to challenges, and the impact of their achievements.

Purpose of Tribute Speech

• To Honor: The primary purpose is to pay homage to the person being recognized, acknowledging their contributions, achievements, and the positive impact they have made on others.
• To Celebrate: Tribute speeches are used to celebrate milestones, such as retirements, birthdays, or significant achievements, highlighting the reasons these milestones are noteworthy.
• To Inspire: By sharing stories of the honoree’s challenges, perseverance, and successes, a tribute speech can inspire others to strive for excellence and pursue their goals with determination.
• To Express Gratitude: It’s an opportunity to thank the individual for their contributions, whether to a community, an organization, or in a personal capacity, acknowledging their efforts and the difference they’ve made.
• To Educate: Through detailing the honoree’s life, work, and philosophy, the speech can educate the audience about values such as resilience, dedication, and compassion, and about the honoree’s field of work or influence.
• To Reflect: It allows the speaker and the audience to reflect on the qualities and actions that make the honoree’s life exemplary and how these can influence their own lives.
• To Preserve Memory: In cases of posthumous tributes, the speech serves to preserve the memory of the deceased, ensuring their legacy continues to be remembered and celebrated by future generations.
• To Connect: A tribute speech can foster a sense of connection among the audience, uniting them in their shared admiration or affection for the honoree, and in shared values or experiences.
• To Heal: Particularly in memorial services, tribute speeches can offer comfort and healing by celebrating the life of the deceased, providing solace through remembrance and shared grief.
• To Motivate: By highlighting the honoree’s contributions and achievements, the speech can motivate others to contribute positively to their communities or fields of work, encouraging them to make a difference.

Occasions That Call for a Tribute Speech

A tribute speech is common in funerals and memorial services. However, a tribute speech can be given at various occasions.

1. Reunions

A thank you speech can be given to honor the senior member of a family in a family reunion. In class reunion or other forms of reunion, a tribute speech is given to a person who has achieved a lot in his/her life.

2. Anniversaries

A tribute speech is given to the one celebrating an anniversary or this could be a celebration marking a historic event such as a day to remember the passing of a famous person. You may also like thank-you speech examples & samples .

This could be a tribute speech that is given by the award recipient to commemorates the person who influences him/her or a tribute speech that is given to the one who receives the award that will honor his/her achievements. You may also see presentation speech examples & samples .

4. Weddings

In wedding celebrations, although it could be a wedding speech , the speeches made by the parents of the couple can be all forms of a tribute of speech too.

5. Retirement

A tribute of speech is given to the retiree to honor and acknowledges his/her contribution and service.

How Do You Start a Tribute Message?

Begin a tribute message with a personal greeting or a poignant quote, followed by an introduction that sets the tone, such as expressing the significance of the person being honored and your relationship to them.

What Is the Central Idea of a Tribute Speech?

The central idea of a tribute speech revolves around celebrating, honoring, and remembering the life, achievements, and influence of an individual. It’s about acknowledging their contributions and expressing gratitude and respect.

How to Start a Speech?

Start a speech with a powerful opening that captures the audience’s attention, such as an intriguing question, a surprising fact, a relatable anecdote, or a compelling quote that ties into your speech’s main theme.

How Do You Write a Heart-Touching Tribute?

To write a heart-touching tribute, share personal stories and anecdotes that highlight the honoree’s virtues, impact, and the memories you shared. Use sincere and emotive language to express your admiration and gratitude deeply.

How Do You Write a Short Tribute Speech?

A short tribute speech should concisely highlight the individual’s key achievements, character traits, and impact on others. Begin with a brief introduction, include memorable anecdotes, and conclude with a heartfelt expression of gratitude or respect.

What Type of Speech Is a Tribute?

A tribute speech is a ceremonial speech that honors and commemorates the life and contributions of an individual. It is characterized by its focus on praising, remembering, and expressing admiration and gratitude towards the person being honored.

In conclusion , a tribute speech is a powerful way to honor and remember someone who has made a significant impact. It allows us to express our admiration, gratitude, and love, ensuring their legacy endures in the hearts of all who listen.

Tribute Speech Generator

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Tribute speech guide 

- how to prepare a sincere commemorative speech.

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 04-18-2021

A tribute speech belongs in a special category of speeches called commemorative. Its principal purpose is to inspire and celebrate; uniting listeners in sincere, heartfelt gratitude and admiration for its subject.

Have you been asked to prepare a tribute speech and need to know more?

What you'll find on this page

• what occasions are most likely to call for a tribute speech
• the characteristics of a tribute speech
• how to begin the process of writing a tribute speech 
• how to choose a topic
• information about eulogies or funeral speeches, (a special type of tribute speech), with links to examples.

What occasions call for a tribute speech?

A tribute speech may be delivered at any of the following celebrations:

Anniversaries

These may be family events for example; a  50th wedding anniversary  or a  milestone birthday , or they could be public ones, for example; celebrations marking historic events like  Remembrance Day  or, the passing of a famous person.

At a family reunion this form of speech may be given to honor its senior members.

Similarly it will be an important part of the reunions of people brought together by work, sport, interests or vocation.

Memorial services or funerals

The eulogy you hear at a memorial service or funeral is a special type of tribute speech celebrating the life of the person who has passed away.

A tribute speech at an award presentation will honor the achievements of the award recipients. For example film, music or sports awards.

Although thought of as  'wedding speeches', the best man, father-of-the-bride speeches and their variations, are all forms of tribute speeches.

Retirements

The tribute speech heard at a retirement celebration honors the retiree by acknowledging their service and contribution.

The characteristics of the speech

Whether the focus is a person,  or an event involving a  group of people, its characteristics are:

• admiration and respect
• a focus on positive qualities: perseverance, dedication, humility, compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty, sacrifice, service, kindness, humor ...
• highlighting accomplishments and the difficulties overcome to achieve them
• a reflection on the positive impact and contribution of the focal group or person on the lives of others
• grateful acknowledgment of what we can learn from their example to take into the future

How to begin writing a tribute speech

The first step in your process is finding out as much as you can about the occasion itself and then deciding on a topic, (if it hasn't already been decided for you).

You'll want to know:

• who the audience is
• whether you are the only speaker, or one in a series of speakers
• how long you expected to speak for
• whether the event is formal or informal
• if there are any special requirements the organizers may have that need to be included in your speech

How to choose a topic

Generally the occasion chooses it for you! If you're asked to speak at the celebration marking your Mother's 70th birthday or a similar event, then you know what the central topic is.

What you'll need to decide is how to handle it or what angle to take.

Get some help to find the right topic

If it's not clear what you should talk about, you'll find this page on how to select an inspiring tribute or  commemorative speech topic  helpful.

It walks you step by step through the process of finding a topic to suit your audience's needs and has a great selection of carefully picked links to help you research topic possibilities.

Get some help with planning and writing

There's a  tribute speech template  here that will be useful to help you plan the sections of your speech. Use it as a guide.

(On the same page is a speech I wrote to honor my Mother. It follows the template.)

Or if you'd like more than an outline to help you, you'll find the entire process of writing a speech mapped out step by step here:  how to write a speech .

Are you here because you need to prepare a eulogy?

These links below will guide you through the process:

• How to write a eulogy Step by step guidance for preparing, writing and delivering a eulogy with a free printable eulogy planner. 
• And if you'd like to include a special verse or quotation browse these pages of   funeral poems  and  inspirational quotations .

Would you like to read a sample eulogy before you begin?

Reading others can be really useful in helping you decide what you want to achieve with your own speech.

Well known tribute speeches 

Here are three famous speeches, each illustrating the characteristics of a fine commemorative speech.

• Ronald Reagan's tribute for the crew of the  Challenger Space Shuttle  that exploded during its launch.
• Sen. Edward Kennedy's eulogy for his slain brother:   Robert F. Kennedy .
• Oprah Winfrey's eulogy for  Rosa Parks .

Not-so well known tribute speeches

I am very fortunate to have a collection of  not-so famous tribute speeches   on write-out-loud.com.  

These are very special because they're by people probably similar to yourself who have been asked to write a speech about someone they've loved dearly. 

There are eulogies for mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, colleagues,  and friends.

All of them have been sent in to provide examples to help people who are trying to write.  Seeing how others have handled the task gives them the courage and confidence to begin.

These eulogy pages get thousands of visitors every week.

And lastly, here is that link to the  commemorative speech for my mother.

Do you need help with preparing to deliver your speech?

You'll find everything you need to help you give your speech confidently by visiting the site map .

There's tips on making and using cue cards , how to overcome fear or anxiety of public speaking , how use your voice well , and more.

If you're struggling for words you may like this offer ...

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4.9: Tribute Speech- Celebrate the Occasion, the Person, or the Monument

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• University of Arkansas

A tribute is a type of celebratory speech that honors a person, a monument, a holiday, or an event.

Tribute to a Person

A tribute to a person typically includes one of these items:

• Small descriptions so we can “see” the person in their element.
• Stories of their deeds.
• Stories of how the person affected others.
• Funny or emotional moments.
• The legacy that person is leaving.

Tribute to an Event or Occasion

Tributes to occasions can be any of the following:

• Milestone Birthday, Retirement, Anniversary
• Mother’s day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, D-Day
• Race for the Cure, We Day
• Family reunion, School reunion

Tributes to occasions typically include:

• Emphasis on shared values
• Appreciation for the people involved
• Origin and evolution of the event
• Stories of people related to the event
• The larger context surrounding the event

Gather all the information

• Who is the audience?
• Are there other speakers?
• What is the time limit?
• Is this formal or informal?
• Will there be a podium? microphone?

Brainstorming a Person

• What life lessons did they teach you?
• How are you different because of this person?
• What are some of their favorite things?
• What are their best qualities? Tell a story about that quality
• What three words best describe this person?
• What makes this person so great?
• What is the funniest thing that you remember?
• What is this person known for?
• What are some sayings—one-liners—they are known for?
• What is something simple that they do that demonstrates their character?
• What is unique about her lifestyle or behavior?
• What is a special gift that they gave you and why is it so special?
• What does this person do for fun?
• What does he do when he is stressed?
• What adventure have you shared with this person?
• What’s a story that everyone tells about this person?
• What helpful advice has this person given you?
• Every time you see a ______, you’ll think of ____ because ———
• Look through a photo album—what one or two pictures tell about them ?
• What smell do you associate with this person

Make Everyone Feel Included

Notice how this speaker invites all listeners to be part of the memorial.

I stand here today to pay tribute to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bombing Memorial in Oklahoma City. This memorial represents the honor and strength as well as all the pain of every person who remembers that historical day. It has helped an immense number of people to cope with this national tragedy It is a place of reflection, emotion, and healing.

In this excerpt, Drew speaks to all those who are present at the Doolittle Raider reunion (A reunion of men who in 1942 led the first attack after the bombing of Pearl Harbor)

Each of us in this room has our own memories of growing up with these men and the reasons why they are so special to us . For these men, it is an everyday occurrence that someone thanks them for their service to their country and what they did 65 years ago. So today is my pleasure to share with you the reason why these men are my heroes and why one of them impractically means the world to me. I hope each of you will always remember the little things these men have done for you. L.M. Heroux once said “heroism is not just pulling a child from a burning house or a driver from an icy river or a kitten from a tall tree. Heroism is also holding the door for a frail elderly and driving courteously and cooperatively and listening with an attentive heart to a friend’s words. Small daily acts of love are as heroic as big once-in-a-lifetime acts of rescue.”

In this tribute to his teacher, “the greatest swing pusher” Hosea Born reminds the group of a common thing, finding your name on the desk.

Walking into a new teacher’s classroom is terrifying. We have all been there. You remember. Finding your desk with your name on it. My name tag was an apple. Tribute to the best swing pusher.

Magnify the Small Things

Caitlyn Steiner wrote a tribute speech about the love her grandparent have for each other. Notice how she uses the little things to demonstrate love.

Love appreciates the smallest details the most. My grandpa still puts the toothpaste on both their toothbrushes every morning. My grandma still hangs a towel on the rack for my grandpa every day after he gets in the shower. And they still slow dance together every night in the living room before they go to bed.

In this example, Fawn Kurtzo gives a birthday tribute to her brother Buck. As you read this manuscript excerpt, I want to draw your attention to the fact that each line is a story for those who know him.

We are gathered here today to celebrate another year in the life of Buck. Congratulations Buck? Who am I kidding, CONGRATULATIONS US! We all survived another year of 10,000 questions why, mental duels, being outshot with bullets and arrows, countless times of side-splitting laughs as he carried the life of the party // begin terribly humiliated in a game of dominoes // and just flat being outlasted by this kid!

Celebrate Don’t Inform

People in the audience may not know the person you are celebrating. Resist the temptation to give an informative speech about your person, that is the equivalent of reading someone’s Wikipedia biography–boring. Instead, pick a few things about them to celebrate.

In this tribute to his hometown dirt roads, Nathan Brock’s speech is a good example. He tells us the facts without sounding like an informative speech, I kept this sample in a manuscript format so you could see the emphasis and the rhythm. When you see /// it means to pause.

So, here’s to you, dirt roads the defining feature of my hometown. Here’s to you, dirt roads, /// the place of my upbringing in middle-of-nowhere America. Pawnee , Oklahoma is a town with many dirt roads A town with a population of 2,136// It felt like less. When Googling “living in Pawnee, Oklahoma” one can find a list of pros and cons Pros include “cost-of-living” Cons include “unattractive setting That is where you came in, dirt roads.

Describe the situation or person in vivid detail so we can see the person in their element. Jeremy Stuthard gave a tribute to his Grandma and said they were “Two peas in a pod.” Notice how in one sentence you get a sense of grandma’s humor and personality. from only one line, “I remember when you dumped a whole bucket of water on me, to wake me up, just to have me help you with your TV.” In another example, Patience Beard describes cooking with her grandma, “Nana ALWAYS let me lick the spoon. We would make icing all from scratch she would turn that mixer on and it would never fail– icing would fly everywhere and her laugh …….would echo through the whole room.” In each example, you can “see” the interaction in your mind. The speaker didn’t tell you that his grandma was a trickster, he showed you that. Patience didn’t tell you her grandma cooked for her, she “showed” you that she did.

Teach Little Lesson in the Small Things

In tribute speeches, the little things are often the big things. What I mean by that is you can tell a story that appears to be a simple story but it is really about something deeper. In this speech, Brittany Brunson is telling the story about riding in her dad’s lap, but really it is a metaphor for their relationship. I kept this in manuscript form so you couldn’t get a feel for how she intended it to be heard.

I don’t remember much from the age of 7// But I do remember getting to sit on my dad’s lap and driving down the alley. I couldn’t reach the pedals // so my dad was in charge of those// Although I thought I was in charge of the wheel// My dad had ultimate control because if I ever got to close to the wall of the alleyway // my dad would steer me right back to the center. Ironically, I never got in big trouble growing up // except for maybe prank calling the police one time…………. but anyways// I never got in big trouble growing up because if I ever got close to that barrier of bad choices /// my dad //steered me right back to the center. Although I thought I had control of the wheel of my life ultimately my dad guided me on to the right path // that led me to hold myself to a higher standard // and stand firm in my beliefs.

Tell Stories

Watch How Kevin Durant turns his most valuable player award acceptance speech into a tribute to his mother calling her the real MVP. Telling stories that highlight personal stories with the person you are giving tributing can be very powerful.

In this tribute speech to her father, she tells a story of how a Jewish man and a Muslim man can transcend boundaries and become friends.

Yamani, N. (2015). A Tribute to My Father. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdRCNuBcAWQ

Tribute Speech at We Day

We Day was an annual series of stadium-sized youth empowerment events organized by We Charity, a Canadian charity founded by brothers Marc and Craig Kielburger. WE Day events host tens of thousands of students and celebrate the effect they have made on local and global issues.

Sadhguru (2020). A Tribute to All Healthcare Workers

Notice how Tom Hanks makes specific references to parts from the Star Wars movie in his tribute to George Lucas. His references are things that everyone has in common.

American Film Institute. (2009). Tom Hanks Salutes George Lucas at the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Trump, D. (2018). President Donald Trump Full Speech: Honors 9/11 Victims at Shanksville Memorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02YA6Nz70MA

Tribute to Famous Person

When giving a tribute to a famous person that you do not know personally, it is important to resist giving a biographical speech. Instead, you should talk about how that person influenced you in some way. The story of them becomes the story of you and them.

In his tribute to Stan Lee, David Lester wrote,

One of my earliest experiences with his work, is through his comics. When my mom would take forever shopping in Walmart, I would fly to the magazine section find those comic books and my time——– just——— evaporated .

Later he mentions the relationship again

The first Marvel movie I remember seeing saw was IRON MAN. I remember seeing Robert Downey Jr. beat up terrorists and change the way we see superheroes, not as just statues but as complex people like us.

In his conclusion, he brings it around to impact on all of us

BUT Do you wanna know who Stan thought the real superheroes were? It’s not the ones we talk about all the time. It’s not the ones that are played by Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, and Chris Hemsworth. NO! It’s us, the fans. We were the heroes all along. Looking out for each other. Supporting people around us who needed it the most. Protecting others from harm. Standing as examples for our community for what we can become. Doing more than the average man would do. That one person can make a difference. That you don’t need a cape just to be a hero. He brought us together. He did all of this.

Tribute to a Reunion by Drew

Today it is my honor to have been asked to speak at the Doolittle Raider of Reunion. As many we all know on April 18th 1942, 80 brave men flew on the first ever joint mission of the Navy and Air Force Reserves to give the United States its first attack on Japanese main land after Pearl Harbor. 600 miles off the shore of Japanese mainland the USS Hornet was spotted by a fishing boat. General Doolittle ordered the men to launch early causing the men not to have enough fuel to make it to unoccupied China as planned. All, but one of the 16 planes either crashed landed or the crew bailed out. Eight men were taken prisoners of war, but only four came home. These four men endured 40 months of being malnourished and tortured.

Of those four men, I have the greatest honor of calling my great-grandfather. For those who do not know these men on a personal level they are heroes for the actions taken on that day 65 years ago, but for those of us who have the honor on knowing these men personally they are heroes for so many other reason.

These men are our fathers, grandfathers and even great-grandfathers.

These men have been and will be apart of our lives in ways that go far beyond the Tokyo Raid.

These men are the crews that have made sure our families lives were on the right path.

Most of you know him as Lt. Col. Robert L Hite, but to me he is Bobby Hite. My great-grandfather is like the parachute he used to bail out of his plane that day. He has guided our family through the years making sure we reached the ground safely. He has done everything from slipping me a few dollars for a college student to taking us to lunch ever Saturday. As a child I can remember waiting on Saturdays for that special honk he had to inform us he was there.

I remember when my Uncle got married, I was so upset because I was going to ruin my perfect attendance record if I came to Fort Smith with my parents. Bobby Hite hating to see me so upset told my parents that he and nanny would wait for me to get out of school on Friday and drive me up because that’s what would make me happy.

The times he gave his “driving lessons”, told stories of when he managed the Camden Hotel and of course waiting every Christmas morning for nanny and him to arrive before we could see what Santa had brought are all memories that mean the world to me and my two brothers.

Each of us in this room has our own memories of growing up with these men and reasons why they are so special to us. For these men, it is an everyday occurrence that someone thanks them for their service to their country and what they did 65 years ago. So today is my pleasure to share with you the reason why these men are my heroes and why one of them impractically means the world to me.

I hope each of you will always remember the little things these men have done for you. L.M. Heroux once said “heroism is not just pulling a child from a burning house or a driver from an icy river or a kitten from a tall tree. Heroism is also holding the door for a frail elderly and driving courteously and cooperatively and listening with an attentive heart to a friend’s words. Small daily acts of love are as heroic as big once-in-a-lifetime acts of rescue.”

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

• Spend a lot of time brainstorming, reflecting, researching, and talking to others before you begin to write.
• Write in a manuscript format.
• Structure your speech so your audience feels like they are part of something.
• Celebrate the person’s accomplishments and don’t make it an informative speech about them.
• Tells stories when possible.
• Try incorporating colorful language: Simile, metaphor, antithesis, alliteration, parallel construction.
• Consider using a theme that fits the person or the situation.

Durant, K. (2014). 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable player acceptance speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GTiCUPZ9kw&t= 32 9s

Lester, D. Tribute to Stan Lee. University of Arkansas Advanced Public Speaking.

Waln, F. (2017). Inspirational Native American Grank Walkn tells his story at WE Day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2SE-19WqS8 Standard YouTube License.

Media Attributions

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• Professional Eulogy Writing Service
• Eulogy For a Husband Example
• Eulogy For a Wife Example
• Eulogy For a Mum Example
• Eulogy For a Dad Example
• Eulogy For a Grandfather Example
• Eulogy For a Friend Example
• Eulogy For a Brother Example
• Eulogy For a Sister Example
• Eulogy For a Son Example
• Eulogy For a Daughter Example
• Eulogy For a Work Colleague Example
• Eulogy For a Aunt Example
• Eulogy For a Uncle Example
• Eulogy For a Boyfriend Example
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Professional Eulogy Writing

Eulogy writing guide, funeral speeches for a work colleague, tribute speech to dad from daughter, funeral speech writing advice, basic outline of a tribute speech.

• February 24, 2024

Table of Contents

1. Biographical Information

2. accomplishments and impact, 3. personal memories and qualities, 4. expressions of gratitude and love, basic outline of a tribute speech example.

Losing a loved one is a painful and challenging experience. Amidst the grief and sorrow, we are often tasked with paying tribute to their life by delivering a heartfelt eulogy. A tribute speech is an opportunity to celebrate the deceased's accomplishments, impact, and memories that will be cherished forever

Writing a eulogy can feel overwhelming, but with the proper outline and guidance, you can create an impactful, and heartfelt tribute speech for your loved one. In this article, we will explore the basic outline of a tribute speech and provide you with the essential tools needed to craft a eulogy that successfully honours your loved one's life.

Begin your tribute speech with an engaging and captivating introduction that grabs the attention of your audience. Share a brief personal anecdote, a quote that represents your loved one's philosophy, or a short summary of their life to set the stage for your eulogy. This portion of your speech should also establish the tone of the tribute, whether it be sombre, celebratory, or nostalgic.

The content of your tribute speech should include the following essential elements:

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Share basic details about the deceased's life, such as where they were born, their education, their family, and their occupation or career highlights. Although not everyone in the audience may be familiar with the intricacies of their life, focus on sharing the significant milestones that define your loved one's journey.

Discuss the deceased's notable achievements, awards, or recognitions, and the positive impact they had on the lives of others. Consider the passions they pursued, the charitable causes they supported, or the ways they inspired their friends and family members.

Describe the qualities that made your loved one special and unique, through personal stories and shared experiences. This can include their sense of humour, kindness, creativity, or resilience. Painting a vivid picture of the deceased's personality will invite the audience to connect with their memory.

Pay homage to your loved one by expressing your gratitude for the time you shared, the lessons they taught, and the love they provided. This is a chance to say farewell and convey the love you feel for the deceased.

Let's consider an example for the introduction and detailed content of a tribute speech:

Introduction: "When I think of my grandfather, Albert Wilson, I can't help but remember his infectious smile, unwavering positivity, and the endless encouragement he provided. Today, I'd like to share the story of his remarkable life, explore the impact he had on those who knew him, and express just how much he meant to me and our family."

Biographical Information: "Albert was born in a small town in Ohio, grew up with two siblings, and completed his degree in engineering. He eventually moved to New York City, where he met the love of his life, Eleanor. They built a beautiful family together, raising three children who have their own families now."

Accomplishments and Impact: "In his career, Albert consistently achieved recognition for his innovative ideas and tireless work ethic. Outside work, he was an active member of his church community and a dedicated supporter of the local animal shelter."

Personal Memories and Qualities: "Most importantly, Albert was a loving and supportive grandfather. He was always available with a kind word, an impromptu history lesson, or a hilarious anecdote to lift our spirits."

Expressions of Gratitude and Love: "I am eternally grateful for the guidance and love that Albert provided. Today, we say our final goodbyes, but we will forever cherish his memory, and his impact on our lives."

Conclude your tribute speech with a call to action or a poignant quote from your loved one. Summarize the key points of the eulogy and encourage the audience to keep the deceased's life and legacy alive in their hearts.

Writing a heartfelt eulogy may seem daunting, but with the right tools and guidance, you can create a beautiful tribute to your loved one. Eulogy Assistant is here to help simplify the process and provide you with personalized support, allowing you to honour your loved one's memory with a meaningful and engaging tribute speech.

Looking For Examples? Here Are Some of The Best Eulogies

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How to Do a Tribute Speech

How to Write a Speech About Someone I Admire

Being asked to do a tribute at an event is an honor and a privilege. Tributes are a type of commemorative speech delivered at a ceremonial gathering such as an awards banquet, wedding reception, reunion or a milestone birthday party. Tributes can also be given in recognition of a group’s efforts, remembrance of a historic day or dedication of a memorial, for instance. Focusing on your audience and the purpose of your remarks can help you conquer any public speaking jitters.

What Is a Tribute to Someone?

A tribute is generally a short speech of five minutes or less. The purpose of a tribute is to express gratitude, appreciation, respect and admiration for a person who deserves public recognition. You might be called upon to deliver a tribute honoring classmates, teachers, coaches, teammates or family members. For instance, you may be asked to say a few words of appreciation at a retirement luncheon for your favorite teacher, or you may volunteer to do a tribute at a family function such as a reunion, wedding reception or your parents’ anniversary party. Your words should reflect how the audience feels about the special person or event being celebrated.

How to Write a Tribute Speech

When doing a tribute, choose words that feel sincere, genuine and complimentary. State reasons why the honoree is an awesome person, but don’t go overboard with flowery adjectives. Be as specific as possible in recalling praiseworthy accomplishments or acts of kindness. Vividly describe the honoree and offer compelling examples of noteworthy talents, virtues, courage or sacrifice. Mention how this person has made a difference in the world. Talk about what you have learned from observing or listening to this person.

The tone of your remarks should be appropriate for the audience and the setting. Tailor remarks to the occasion. Just be yourself if you are doing a tribute to great grandma at her 80th birthday party, but be more formal when delivering a tribute speech at a school function. Avoid curse words or jokes some might find offensive or off-putting. Incorporating humor is dicey. A funny story can liven things up, but humor can be hurtful if misconstrued. Consider asking others for their opinion as to the appropriateness of using humor for the occasion.

Sample Tributes for Special Occasions

When agreeing to do a tribute, clarify how long you are being asked to speak and write your remarks accordingly. Start with an introduction and mention your name if you don’t know everyone present. These tribute examples can help you get started.

• Thank you for coming to the annual student awards banquet. I think I know everybody here. Welcome! Tonight we will recognize students and teachers who have devoted countless hours to making this the best school year ever!

When acknowledging the guest of honor or award recipients, highlight special characteristics, personality traits and virtues that set them apart.

• Mr. Brown may be retiring soon, but he has more energy than most of us. This year alone he directed two musicals, supervised the school yearbook and chaperoned our class trip to the Big Apple. Always smiling and willing to help, he is truly an inspiration.

Tell a little story that reminds the audience of good times you have all shared, or reveal an interesting tidbit of information about the honoree’s behind the scenes contributions.

• You may not know this, but Mr. Brown saved the day when the bus broke down on the way to a state choir competition. Mr. Brown popped open the hood and quickly got the bus started. People driving by acted like they had never seen a mechanic in a tux.

Wrap up the tribute by expressing appreciation. Tributes sometimes end with a famous quote, clever saying or words to live by.

• Mr. Brown taught us that the secret of life is to wake up, show up, speak up, listen up and pay up.

Is a Eulogy a Commemorative Speech?

A eulogy is a commemorative speech usually done as a tribute to someone who died. Memorial services are also called a celebration of life because the service eulogizes the memory of the deceased. In other words, a eulogy is a speech praising that person’s contributions during his brief or lengthy stay on Earth. Approach a eulogy as you would a tribute by showing love and respect.

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How to give an annual day speech in school.

Graduation Quotes

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How To Write A Salutatorian Speech

How to Write a Retreat Letter

• Penn State: Commemorative Speech
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center: Speeches
• write-out-loud.com: Tribute Speech Guide
• Write Out Loud: A Sample Tribute Speech

Dr. Mary Dowd is a dean of students whose job includes student conduct, leading the behavioral consultation team, crisis response, retention and the working with the veterans resource center. She enjoys helping parents and students solve problems through advising, teaching and writing online articles that appear on many sites. Dr. Dowd also contributes to scholarly books and journal articles.

Category: Tribute

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22 Toast Speech

Here’s to those that love us! And for those that do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if he cannot turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles; so that we may know them, by their limping. Irish Blessing/Curse

Cheers ,  slainte ,  skal ,  prost , and  salud ! A toast speech is a type of tribute speech meant to honor someone. Your goal as a speaker should be to make that person feel special and to allow others in the room to be included in the celebration.

Ceremonial Speaking Wheel

All ceremonial speeches should include the trio –narration, magnification, and identification.

Identification

When thinking about your toast, don’t just think about the person you are toasting but about everyone in the room and think about how to bring them into your speech.  Saying “we” are here to honor the recipient and reminding the audience of shared values helps the audience to be a part of the process.  Say things that invite the audience in several times throughout the speech.

Wedding Toast Instead of saying:  Amy and I played Barbie as children and always made sure that Barbie found her perfect soulmate. Say : As many of you know, Amy and I played Barbie for hours as children.  What you may not know is we always made sure that Barbie found her perfect soulmate.

———-

Graduation Toast Instead of saying: I wish you the best in your journey ahead as you graduate and start your new career. Say: We here, your family and friends, all wish you the best in your journey ahead as you graduate and start your new career

Retirement Toast Instead of saying: Dad, I was so happy you let me come and play in your office even if I ran your stapler out of staples by shooting them at the invisible villains that were hiding under your desk. Say: As many of you here now, dad would sometimes let me come to work with him.  And while most of you thought that I was the perfect little bosses’ kids, you may not have known that I was really a super hero executing the invisible villain that I found in dads desk. I killed it with all the staples from dad’s stapler.

The use of story helps the audience to be drawn in and want to listen. In short toasts, you can tell a series of one-sentence stories. In larger toasts, you can tell one long story or numerous little stories. Tell your story in a way that the audience relives the moment with you.

Magnification

Take a trait of the individual and magnify it. I’m not talking about superfluous embellishment; I’m talking about honest elaboration. For example, you might talk about

• Triumph over obstacles
• Unusual accomplishment
• Superior performance
• Unselfish motive
• Benefit to society
• The greatness of a simple thing

Now you know of the key elements that should be in your speech, let’s talk about the process of building a toast, writing a toast, and delivering a toast.

Gather the Details

What type of toast is it.

Always adapt your toast to the occasion: Wedding, graduation, retirement, business celebration, award celebration, birthday.

Who will attend?

You will give a different speech to your old college roommate on his birthday if it is just you and the gang versus if his conservative parents are in the room. It will be an even different speech if his new employer is present.  Remember, a toast is not just about the person being celebrated but it is about others in the room.  As you write your toast, keep imagining the key people present at the event.

Are there expectations about how long the toast will be?  It is always good to ask. It can be awkward if there are several people toasting and each gives a five-minute toast and you have prepared only a two-minute toast. Typically wedding-type toasts, retirement toasts, and graduation toasts are longer speeches and people speak from notes.  On the other hand, shorter toasts are usually memorized

Sit down and just start jotting ideas.  Think of your brain as a water faucet. You are not going to get any water until you turn the thing on. Many people complain they can’t think of ideas, but they never actually turn on the idea faucet. Think of brainstorming as turning those ideas on and getting your creative juices flowing.   Start brainstorming ideas and memories one day and then give it a day or two to think about more memories.

When I turn off my faucet at home, there are usually a few drips that happen as the rest of the water gets out of the line. Think of your brain that way. Give it time to drip out the last ideas and be there to catch them. They just might be the best ideas of all. Some people find if they brainstorm before bed that they wake up with the best ideas. Always assume that you will forget your ideas, so write them down as soon as you think of them.

For more on brainstorming

  Sit Down and Write

At this point, just get your ideas down. Put down more ideas than you will use.  Allow yourself to write down some cheesy things—by cheesy, I mean those ideas that are silly, extreme, or not right for the occasion. Just go with it. Write those cheesy ideas down, maybe you will use this somehow but probably not. Most importantly, the creative ideas are hiding in your brain behind the cheesy ones and if you don’t get the cheesy ideas out of the way, you will never get to the next level.

Now. Let’s think about that faucet again. Imagine there is something clogging it. You have to put some pressure on it so you can get it working. I like to think of cheesy ideas as that clog in the line. I have to get the cheesy clog out of the way by giving my mind permission to go there and once that line is clear. I need to be ready for all the great ideas that will come out in force after the clog comes out.

Taking It to The Professional Level

If you want to give your toast the professional edge, try using a theme and then adding in some parallel construction. In this next section, I will show you how that works.

Use a Theme

Pick a theme for your toast and carry it throughout the whole toast. I like to think of the theme as the container that holds the speech together.

For example, Drew gave a best man speech and used the theme of a road trip. He told stories of him and his best friend and their adventures (at least the adventures you the ones that you can tell when mom is in the room). He talked about fighting over which music is played, he told stories about bathroom breaks, and he confessed that his friend was always getting lost. These were fun stories and by hearing them we could all imagine the friendship they shared. In his speech, he told us that whoever was in the passenger seat was called the “roundtrip captain.” He gave the new bride advice on how to navigate the relationship since he knew so much about his friend from all these road trips. The speech wrapped up with Drew telling the bride that she was the map reader now and he passed to her the title of “road trip captain.”

Erin gave a graduation toast to her family members who supported her through college. She used the theme of climbing hills. It was the perfect theme since the University of Arkansas campus that she graduated from seems to be arranged so everything is uphill–both ways.  She talked about walking the hills both physically and symbolically. In her speech, she talked about how beautiful the view is from the top. She wrapped up her speech by saying now that she is graduated how she has new hills to climb.

Keep in mind the theme is just the container.  If you have only a container, it will seem cliché and sound like a cheap greeting card. The theme is not the speech, it is the container that holds your many stories.  Make sure to develop those stories.

Use Parallel Construction

Parallel construction is where you take one sentence and you repeat it. It lets you tell a lot of little stories in a short period.  Always have at least 3 sentences, keep them together, and try to give them rhythm.

Consider this format and how it might be used for the different toast types.

At a Wedding Toast

I remember when ___ I remember when ___ I remember when ___ I knew you were the “one” because… I knew you were the “one” because… I knew you were the “one” because…

At a Retirement Toast

Many of you know dad for selling insurance, but I know dad for selling me on the idea to go to college Many of you know dad for working long hours at the office, but I know dad for working long hours on school projects that I only mentioned to him the night before they were due. Many of you know dad as a business profession, but I know dad as my super hero. Many of you know dad for …., but I know dad for …. Many of you know dad for …., but I know dad for …. Many of you know dad for …., but I know dad for ….

TOAST PATTERNS

When picking a speech pattern for the toast, consider the audience and occasion. Many toasts are just one to two minutes while others can be five to seven minutes.

Short Toasts Pattern

• Let us raise our glass to… Today, I would like to recognize…
• Make a list of attributes/accomplishments of the person. With each statement there is a building sensation –each statement you make is better than the next.
•  Build to a climax. Create a building sensation using parallel construction.
• Raise your glass near the end.
• End with a poem, quote, or wish them well. (I really think a well-chosen quote makes these speeches special…it is worth the time to look for one to make it really special)

Note: Typically short toasts are memorized and longer toasts are written as a manuscript.

  Wedding Toasts Possible Patterns

Give Their New Spouse the Manual of How to Get Along with Them

• Tell a story or two about your friendship with your friend
• Tell a story about when your friend met the person they are marrying. What did they say about this person? What were your first impressions? Tell anything about the two of them together? What are they like as a couple? How do you know they are right for each other? Tell something you observe about them when they are together?
• Give the person advice on how to navigate life with your friend since you know them so well. Think of this as passing on the manual.

Three Stories

• Tell three stories about the couple.
• Maybe, how they met, the engagement, and a story they tell on themselves.
• Maybe, three ways you know they are in love.
• Maybe, three things you noticed about how they care for each other.

I Knew It Was Love…

• Tell five ways that you knew it was love. Tell a story attached to each of the ways
• Tell what your friend was like before and how they are better now than they are with the one they love.

Note: Never mention old girlfriend/boyfriends, never give away secrets to clueless family members (they are living together, that you and your friend snuck out in high school), and always keep it positive. You likely have inside information about the person you are toasting–their wedding is not the time to reveal it. 

Retirement Toast Possible Patterns

If you are a work colleague of the person retiring:

• These are the three things that set this person apart.
• These are the three things that I learned from this person.

If you are the child or the spouse of the person retiring:

• Talk about what their career looked like from your position. How were they dedicated?
• How did it help you benefit from their job and friends? What did you learn from watching them work?

Note: It can be fun to use their job as the theme. For example, if the person is a coach make the whole speech in the theme of a game. If the person is in sales, use marketing terms to hold it together. If they collected something interesting that was displayed in the office, it lends itself to the theme.

Graduation Toast Possible Patterns

Looking back, looking ahead

• Tell a few stories about them before graduation and tell what you expect to see in the future.

We’ve come through a lot together, Here’s some advice for your next step.

• Tell stories of your relationship, how that relationship talks about character attributes that led them to graduate.
• Give advice on how to navigate the next step.

Top Ten List

• Ten things you need to know about (surviving college, having your first real job, etc.).
• This can be especially fun coming from the sibling that is in college to the one headed to college.
• Top ten things you learned in school that you can use in life.
• Top ten things about you that will make you successful.

Let Us Not Forget

• A series of memories that you and most of the group present share. Great for a group of friends
• Find some great meaning to it all. What did it all mean? what did you learn?

Note: It can be fun to use their major, their future job, or their hobbies as the theme. 

Anniversary Toast Patterns

• Maybe how they met, the engagement, and a story they tell on themselves.
• Tell five ways that you knew it was love and tell a story attached to each of the ways. Interview five of their friends and tell the five stories from their friends about love.

How They Taught You What Love Is

• What have you learned by watching them love each other well?

A Biography of Love

• Tell a story about their love when they met when they overcame when they did things together.
• Tell a timeline of love events and stories about every major milestone.

Ending a Toast Speech

Typically, a toast speech ends with a thoughtful saying, witty quote, or poem.  There are many toast websites with great one-liners or short poems you can use to end a toast. If it is a longer toast, consider using a theme and connecting the ending with the theme.

“May misfortunes chase you all of your life and never catch up.” “As you slide down the banister of life may the splinters never point the wrong way.”

Short, Short Toasts

There may be times you are called to give a quick, one to three-sentence toast. It is a good idea to have a few memorized quotes ready that can be woven into a short, short toast.

Here is to those who’ve seen us at our best and seen us at our worst and can’t tell the difference. May you live for as long as you want, and never want for as long as you live! May we get what we want, but never what we deserve. May you always lie, cheat, and steal. Lie beside the one you love, cheat the devil, and steal away from bad company. Here’s to friends and family who know us well but love us just the same. Let us drink to bread, for without bread, there would be no toast. “Here’s to that long straight piece in Tetris.”

Toast Etiquette

How Do You Hold the Glass?

Both wine and champagne glasses should be held by the stem, not by the bowl. “You should always hold the glass by the stem, no matter what the shape or size of the glass or the type of wine,” says Michael Greenlee, the sommelier and wine director of Gotham Bar and Grill, in New York City. “The most common mistake I see in restaurants and at dinner parties is people holding a wineglass by the bowl.”

Three reasons to hold the glass by the stem: 

• The glass is pretty;  you don’t want your fingerprints to mess it up.
• Putting your hand on the glass would block seeing the color of the wine or block your ability to watch the bubbles dance in the champagne.
• White wine and champagne are chilled, and red wine is served a room temperature. The temperature influences the taste and your hands on the glass will warm up the beverage and change it from its optimal temperature.

What Do You Do When Listening to a Toast?

Those who are listening to someone being toasted should hold their glass when the toast is being made.  At the end of the toast, listeners should raise their glasses, tilt the glass towards the person being toasted, and then take a sip.

What Do You Do If You Are the One Being Toasted?

When you are being toasted, you should sit and listen.  Smile and nod to let the person toasting know you are listening. You should not hold or lift your glass.  Once the toast is over and everyone has had a sip, then you may nod and/or say, “Thank You.”  One of the more common questions I get is, “Do I drink to myself?” and the answer is “no, you do not drink to yourself.”

Should We Clink our Glasses?

Check five different etiquette specialists and you will get five different answers. Some groups clink and some groups don’t clink. It is best to take your lead from those with the highest power of those in the center of the event. For example, if you have dinner with your co-workers and your boss is present, see what the boss does. If you are at a wedding, see what the head table does and copy.

The larger the group, the less likely there will be glass touching because it is difficult to touch everyone’s glasses. If you are in a clinking group, when you touch the bowl of the glasses together, you should always look them in the eye and smile.

“As with many of our food traditions, the clinking of glasses traces its root to the health and safety of the drinker. In this case, it goes back to the tendency of nobles to kill each other off by poisoning their food! Wine was very commonly drunk during medieval days because it was one of the only safe liquids available. Water was often polluted, and milk was both useful for other things and thought to be for children only. As the wine was often full of sediment, a poison was easily introduced into it. To prove that his wine was safe, the host would pour a bit of his guest’s wine into his own glass and drink it first, to prove it was safe. If the guest trusted his host, however, he would merely clink his flagon against that of his host’s when his host offered his cup for the sample. The ‘clink’ (or perhaps ‘clunk’ back then, since wood or metal was more common for drinking vessels) was a sign of trust and honesty.” Text from Wineintro.  Clinking of Wine Glasses and Toasts. Retrieved March 28, 2008, from  http://www.wineintro.com/champagne/clinkglass.html

Toasting Rules

Hold up your glass while giving a toast.

Never toast with an empty glass, it is considered bad luck.

Always hold the glass by the stem.

Avoid getting the beautiful glasses smudged. That means, not touching the bowl. It also means sipping from the same place on the glass.

Always drink to the person being toasted. If you don’t take a sip then it means that you disagree with the nice things that were said about the person. If you are full of liquid or prefer not to sip the alcohol, just put your lips to the glass and fake it.

If you oversee the filling of the glasses, hold the wine bottle near the bottom and only fill glasses halfway up to give the wine room to breathe. Always offer wine to others before pouring your own wine.

In some regions, people will gently use a knife to tap the glass to bring the group to attention.

At some weddings, the quests may tap their glasses to mean the bride and groom should kiss.

Brainstorm About Your Person

Read through these questions and try to answer them about your person. Not all the questions will relate, and that is OK. That question may trigger an unrelated memory that you can use.

Story What is the story of the two of you as children? What is the first memory you have of this person? How did you meet? What is the story of the two of you as teens? What is the story of the two of you as adults? What is an adventure you had together? When did you do something involving this person that didn’t work out as planned? What is a story that is often told about this person? What is a struggle this person has overcome or a story of where you overcame together? What story will history remember about this person? What story will you tell your kids one day? Why is this person special to you in a way that no one else knows? When did you and this person make a difficult situation fun? How have you seen this person grow?

Stuff What do they collect? What are their hobbies? What types of things are important to them? (Pets, cars, shoes) What are they known for having? (Name brand clothes, a great boat) What does their house/car/backpack say about them? What do you have of theirs that means a lot to you? How is their favorite movie, favorite superhero, favorite song a reflection of them?

The Person What are the physical characteristics that become part of their persona (Tall, big feet, curly hair)? What are they known for emotionally (being kind, being passionate, being stubborn)? What are the phrases they say often? What are they famous for? (Cooking, getting lost)

Relationship How did you meet? What has kept your relationship with this person going? What has been the highlight of the relationship? What do their friends say about them?

Wedding Toast

When and how did they meet? What were your first impressions of them as a couple? What did your friend say about the first time they met? If you were given three wishes for them as a couple, what would they be?

Toast Speech Samples from College Students Toasting Other College Students

Today, I would like to raise my glass (raise your glass) to by the far the most gifted athlete in our class. She showed us what it takes to be a student athlete at the University of Arkansas. She opened up her heart and shared the stories about her mother with us. I know we were all touched. She taught us how to improve our puts and She taught us that golf can be fun. We even learned that even the best athletes get nervous sometimes. In the words of Roy, tin cup, McEvoy, “I hit it again because that shot was a defining moment, and when a defining moment comes along, you define the moment… or the moment defines you.” To Ana, may you always define the moment and not let it define you! I ask students to toast their classmates and to give reference to things that student has said or done in class, consider the following speech ending that references three of the student’s former speeches. Sean here this is to you for all you have given us. May your bike never fail you (reference to speech on changing a tire), May your sense of nature keep you wandering (reference to speech on camping) and may your lessons live on, in this lifetime and the next (reference to speech on missionary work).

To someone who Has opened her heart and mind to this class With hopes that they too will join in her efforts to serve God and humanity

To someone who Has made us all feel as if her papaw was our own Pitching and swinging the bat

To someone who Has made each person in this class believe As if we can make a difference in the world One Krispy Kreme doughnut at a time

Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment Before starting to improve the world. “

To Haley, we toast to you (raise glass) For you have already begun improving the world.

Best Man Toasts the Couple by Joe Burlingame

Thank you all for gathering here tonight on the beautiful occasion to celebrate the love of Korey and Paola. My name is Joe Burlingame and I know many of you have traveled from long distances to be here and we are so grateful that y’all came. Since the lovely maid of honor spoke so highly of Paola I am going to try and make Korey seem like he is worthy.

When Korey told me that things were getting serious and that he was going to propose,

My initial reaction was “Woah, Korey I am flattered but I am perfectly content with being fraternity brothers,” but everybody knew he was talking about Paola. Korey and I’s relationship started about 5 years ago And to this day I remember my first impression–it was like any first impression when we first meet an accounting major/// Aw—wk–kward.

Our friendship though took off like a rocket ship, and before we knew it we were roommates up to the time he betrayed me and found a permanent roommate. I won’t say any names but she is in this room.

In the 4 years, I lived with Korey, I have found 3 things that make him the perfect roommate.

First, Korey loves spontaneous trips. Korey and I went to 6-7 concerts one semester. We only bought tickets in advance for one and that was because it was the one band I wanted to go see. The others were concerts that Korey had caught wind of last-minute and persuaded me to go. One concert, in particular, was the night of Korey and Paola’s first date. They had gone and got coffee and macaroons I think it was maybe an hour-long date. When he got back Korey talked about it as if they had spent a year with each other. Paola I knew then that you had to be special if you had him talking about you for that long.

Second, Korey is a humble servant. Korey if there is a characteristic that describes you it is being a humble servant. I would complain about how hot it was mowing our yard, but you would not only mow ours but our elderly neighbor’s yard as well. You thought you were invisible– I saw it all. Whether it be cleaning dishes, cooking, or constantly going to our neighbors to see if they needed anything done, you were a servant and  I was thankful for you.

Paola I am jealous, I am now going to have to clean and cook for myself now. Nik Birchfield said it best “Korey doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the walk”

Lastly, Korey is someone who is thoughtful. I remember when we first moved in Korey brought in this huge water jug of change and a little wooden chest, I asked what the heck is that for. He responded with “Man I plan on getting married and in order to get married you need a ring.” I was blown away– I never would have thought of that.

Paola I regret that we never really got to hang out. When I saw Korey take that jug of bills and come back with a ring and he started describing why he picked this specific ring out because it matched your characteristics I knew we would be friends.

Korey and I were roommates the night before he was going to pop the question. He practiced a lot with what he was going to say. I know because he practiced on me. I don’t know how many times we practiced the scenario but I could tell you that the words he was going to say to you were heartfelt and genuine

Paola I was able to have the perfect roommate for a few years, but now you will have the perfect roommate for life.

To Paola and Korey!

Hilarious Father of the Bride Toast

This toast is a good example of how to tell a funny story in a speech. This father’s story is brilliant, and his long pauses are perfect for this speech. He goes from having you crying from laughter to tearing up with sentiment.

Atlasobscura. Raise a glass to our readers’ favorite drinking toasts. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/best-drinking-toasts-and-cheers

Burlingame, J.  Best man toast. Advanced Public Speaking. University of Arkansas.

Chidi-Ogbonna, K. (2018). Nine wine etiquette habits to know. https://thefinestitallianwine.com

Real Simple (n.d.). From how to hold a wine glass  http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,712709,00.html

Revelations Video. The most hilarious father of the bride toast.[Video] YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOKduRf7o4k Standard YouTube License.

Wineintro. (2008). Clinking of wine glasses and toasts.  http://www.wineintro.com/champagne/clinkglass.html

Media Attributions

• Toasting © Zan is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• matthieu-joannon-6ciLddToTgM-unsplash © Mattheiu Joannon is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• holding wine glass is licensed under a CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license
• marcel-gross-marcelgross-ch-sHTwDYKti6Q-unsplash © Marcel Gross is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Write a Memorable Tribute Speech; Sample, Analysis

A Tribute Speech is one of the most special forms of speech. In this speech, the speaker lets the audience

Reported by Anshika Saxena

Published on 26 October 2023

A Tribute Speech is one of the most special forms of speech. In this speech, the speaker lets the audience know about their admiration and love for a certain person. However, articulating your feelings for someone you consider a great personality can be tricky.

You must find the right words and structure them to make the Tribute special for that person and the audience. Your Tribute Speech needs to be uplifting, inspiring, and energetic. We are sharing this article to help you prepare a speech with all these qualities.

This article will share some insightful things to help you master your speech. We will also give you samples of nicely structured and worded Tribute speeches.

So, if you are struggling to find the correct words to Tribute a personality you deeply admire, check out this article to the end.

Constructing the Perfect Tribute Speech

To construct the perfect Tribute Speech, there are a few key points that you must keep in mind. The collection of all these key points is as follows.

• Write down all the good qualities of the Person you are Paying Tribute to:- This will help you prepare the material for the speech more easily.
• Think about why that person matters to you:- If you include raw emotions you feel about that persona in the speech, it will appear more genuine and authentic.
• Prepare a Rough Outline:- A pre-planned structure for your speech will help you develop a fitting material.
• Decide a Recurring Theme:- A theme will make your speech more powerful and memorable.

Below, we are sharing the conventional structure for a Tribute Speech. You can check it out and use it for your speech.

A Brief Introduction about Yourself and the Person You Are Paying Tribute To

To begin the speech, you have to briefly introduce yourself and the person you are paying tribute to through the speech. For this, you can tell your name to the audience and how you know the person being paid tribute to.

Secondly, you can tell the audience what that person means to you. You can keep this part of your speech as brief as possible.

Also, if you are clueless about introducing yourself, you can use a quote suitable for the occasion.

Paint a Picture of the Person You Are Paying Tribute to with Words

After briefly introducing yourself and the person you are paying tribute to, you can talk about what makes that person a great personality.

You can discuss different aspects of their life, such as accomplishments, successes, good deeds, hobbies , etc.

Try to cover as many good qualities of that person as possible. Also, you can talk about how that person toiled so hard to achieve what they become today. You must highlight only positive things about that person.

To let the audience get more insights into his personality, you can also share a short story about that person, emphasising their good deeds.

Share how that Person Impacted Your Personally

Once you talk about all that person’s accomplishments and good deeds, you can let everyone know how you are personally impacted by him/her. This will explain to the audience why you are the right person to deliver this speech.

You can tell everyone your pure emotions about that personality. You must let the audience know the person you are paying tribute to greatly influences how and how they changed your life for good.

Conclude Your Speech by Honoring that Person Again

To conclude your speech, you must honour the person you are paying tribute to with a few takeaway thoughts. Since you are preparing your speech, you must keep the introduction short and crisp.

Tell everyone how privileged you felt tributing that person with words in this speech. You can also end your speech with a sweet and positive thought that perfectly encapsulates your speech’s theme and purpose.

Below, we share a Sample of a Tribute constructed using the above structure. You can refer to it to plan your speech.

Sample of a Tribute Speech 1: Tribute to a Co-Worker

Good Morning/ Afternoon/ Evening to everyone present here. Today, we have gathered here to pay tribute to our beloved co-worker [co-woker’s name]. It feels like yesterday when I first got to know [co-woker’s name]. Ever since he/she joined our corporation, we saw some substantial changes that only an exemplary employee like him/her could bring.

Also, [co-woker’s name] has selflessly helped his/her co-workers whenever they faced issues. In his/her entire work life, [co-woker’s name] inspired me with their professional skills and good behaviour.

Now that [co-woker’s name] is retiring , I am grateful for his service to our organization. I wish him/her a splendid life from here on. May you keep inspiring people and changing their lives for good like this.

Sample of a Tribute Speech 2: Tribute to a Close Person after their Passing

A warm welcome to everyone. My name is [your name] and [name of the close person] was my [ your relationship with the person]. I thank each one of you for taking the time to celebrate the life of one of my closest people .

I cannot even begin to describe how [name of the close person ] was special to many other people and me. While he/she was alive, he /she created a lasting impact on everyone he/she knew. He may not be with us anymore, but he/she has given us many sweet memories to cherish.

I knew we had a special connection from the moment I got to know [person name]. He/she was always unbelievably kind and helpful to me. As I stand here to pay tribute to him/her, I wish he/she forever lives in our memories and continues to inspire us to be good individuals every day.

Tribute Speech Sample 3: Tribute to a Sibling on their Wedding Day

Hello to all. My name is [your name], and [your sibling’s name] is my brother/ sister. As we have gathered here to celebrate one of the most special days of [your sibling’s name]’s life, I want to take a moment to show how grateful I am for him/her.

Since I remember being alive, [your sibling’s name] has had my back. I have lost count of the times they helped me through tough times when no one else was there. [your sibling’s name] has always been unbelievably generous and kind to me and everyone around her/him. I can never genuinely reciprocate the love and warmth they showed me growing up.

On [your sibling’s name]’s special day, I wish they would continue to be the best version of themselves by including another special person . Once again, thank you for everything, and big congratulations.

Final Words

We hope our article was a compelling and helpful read for you. You can ask further queries in the comment section given below. Also, to get a daily dosage of more worthwhile content like this, stay connected with us through the NVSHQ Homepage .

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How to write a tribute speech to someone (with examples)

Today we are going to have a look at how one can write a great tribute speech. We all have beloved people who are the dearest to us. Whether they are alive or not, we want to express our admiration, love and respect. A tribute speech is a great opportunity to make it. Well, let’s consider how to write a tribute message. We also recommend you look through the samples below.

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What is the meaning of a tribute? A tribute speech is a special category of speech aimed to express any positive feelings for someone.

How to write a tribute

There are numerous aspects that constitute a great tribute. These include its contents, wording, emotional element, and delivery.

A tribute is given at various events, with the most common being funerals. However, this does not usually mean that tributes are only given to the deceased.

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Tributes are actually quite normal and acceptable for people who are alive. They can be given as thankyou tributes to people who have done something good for you in the past.

Before you start to write a tribute speech, take into account some important things. Here is a quick look.

• Who is the audience?
• Are you the only speaker?
• How long are you going to speak? It’s recommended to speak for no longer than 15 minutes.
• Is the event formal or informal?
• Are there any requirements for your speech?

What are the rules for writing a good tribute speech?

When you’ve figured out all these things, proceed to write. Remember that your speech should have the following characteristics:

• Admiration and respect.
• Highlights of positive features (humility, kindness, determination, trustworthiness, devotion, sacrifice, loyalty and so on).
• Paying attention to a person’s achievements, successes and all difficulties he/she overcame to achieve them.
• Highlighting the person's positive impact on other lives.

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Sample tributes

Here is a quick look at samples of how to write a tribute to a dead person .

How to write a tribute to my late mother

Here is a short sample of a tribute to a deceased mother from her son or daughter.

My mom was a superhero, basically. Some examples: When my brother's daughter was born, my mom literally made a huge bouquet out of baby socks — she rolled the socks into little rose shapes and stuck them onto wires, and it was amazing. For the family dogs, she slow-cooked their dog bones herself. They would sit there on the stove stewing for hours. It was like some artisanal butcher shop in Brooklyn. She would buy my cat treats and toys even though she did not even like cats. She even insisted on getting him an organic hemp scratching post. Despite the fact that we were all in our 20s and 30s when she passed, my mom would still send me, and my three siblings themed packages for every holiday — literally every holiday: Easter, Halloween, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, you name it. Usually, the packages have themed socks in them. She was so next level, it was insane.

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Plus, she gave the most comforting hugs ever.

This eulogy for a mother has amazing elements of nature, care, and love. Such kind words would also be nice for any other relative, friend, or colleague. You can write something more touching.

How to write a tribute to my late father

Here is a sample tribute to a beloved father from his son or daughter.

My father is a defender of our family. He is an example of the perfect husband and father. When I studied at school, our family was poor. My father was a simple factory worker. And my mom couldn’t work for health reasons. However, our defender wanted to give us a better future. That’s why he worked nights. I found out later that he also was a guard in the local flower shop. My father agreed with the shop owner that he will work only at night. As you understand, he slept very little and got a lot of health problems. However, now he has a son who is the best doctor in our locality. I provide him free high-quality treatment and carefree old age. My father gave me everything and I want to give him twice as much. He deserves the best in this world.

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Of course, these are very simple and short sample tributes. You can write your history in more detail. It depends on your desire to open up to an audience. For example, while figuring out how to write a tribute to a late grandmother, you may want to include old stories about you and her while growing up.

Funeral tributes

If you are going to write a funeral speech, be sincere and concentrate on positive moments and features. Make your tribute speech precise, preferrable between 5 and 10 minutes.

If you worry about uncontrolled emotions, get somebody to help you (to finish or compliment your speech). If you are not a professional public speaker or writer, use simple words to express your real feelings.

Here are some of the things you should consider before writing a funeral tribute.

• How close you and this person were.
• What do the people think about the relationships between you and him/her?
• What do you miss about him/her?
• Were there any humorous or emotional moments with him/her that showed your love?

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Tips for funeral tribute speech

Are you wondering how to write a tribute to my late father or someone else? Here are some quick tips to help you come up with the perfect tribute.

Show your relation and personal attachment with the deceased

You can begin by describing how close you were to this person. If he/she was your friend or spouse, include details about how you met. Describe the place, time of the meeting, your emotions and first impression.

Describe the personality of a deceased

Write about his/her character. What impressed you most of all? What did you like about this person? Do you think his/her personality had an impact on your life? Mention also that you became the person you are today due to him/her.

Tell about their achievements

Speak on the deceased's achievements. Describe all good deeds , progresses, and talents. Talk about how all these things had benefitted other people.

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Share your own experience and memories

Tell any story related to the deceased. It will help you show how close you were. According to your desire, it may be humorous or touching. Take the audience into account. Nothing should offend other people.

Explain why these moments will always be important to you. Maybe you studied in one college, sat next to each other, cut classes together, and spent romantic afternoons. Every detail is important if you were happy together.

Sample tribute speech for deceased

Here is a sample tribute written to pay respect to a deceased friend.

Carol Smith was a very dear friend of mine. When we met years ago, we both had just moved to New York City. I had dreams of becoming a model, and she was looking for a fresh start. We both loved the big city. We lived next door to each other, and both came from small towns, so it worked out perfectly. We were friends from the moment that we met each other. Carol was one of the most supportive people that I have met. She was always there to lend an ear when I needed someone to listen. A hug was always just a few steps away. She was constantly there to offer support for anything and everything I wanted to do, no matter how big or small. When I got rejected by modelling agencies, she insisted they were crazy, and missing out on the best model. That was Carol. She was always there to encourage everyone around her. She always tried to lift up your spirits when you were feeling down. I only knew Carol for a few short years, but that was enough time to realize how amazing she was. I'm glad that I got to spend that time with her and that I had the pleasure of knowing someone as sweet as Carol. Thank you all.

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A tribute speech is a good opportunity to show some love and respect to a person. Figuring out how to write a tribute speech usually comes in handy whenever one is asked to say something about someone they know or knew before.

READ ALSO: Old-school activities for church services the congregation will enjoy

Legit.ng recently published an article about some of the most interesting old-school activities that a church congregation can enjoy. Are you looking to spice up your church services but don't know where to start? You can try some old-school activities for the church members.

There are numerous tried-and-true fun activities to do at church that your congregation will enjoy. Whether you use these at every service or only occasionally, they're sure to bring smiles and laughter to the people in your church.

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What is a tribute speech? How did it develop and what is its purpose?

The purpose of a tribute speech is to celebrate a specific person’s accomplishments while also taking into consideration their contribution to society or organization.

Explanation:

The word tribute comes from the Latin tributum, which means “contribution.” The initial meaning of this word implied that there was one party that showed respect to another based on the specific contributions of the latter. The history of occasional speeches dates back to ancient states where one party displayed allegiance toward a more powerful party in order to obtain certain benefits.

As a type of speech that is aimed at the presentation of feelings and emotions, a tribute speech is rather close to a eulogy. With time, tribute speeches had gone beyond the mere profit-seeking attempts, and people started organizing tribute speeches for funerals and commemoration events. The most up to date tribute speeches are often focusing on the accomplishments of the person in question so as to highlight their importance. For instance, soldiers became one of the first population cohorts that received a ceremonial speech to celebrate their contribution to the peaceful lives of ordinary citizens.

The overall purpose of a tribute speech is to show the achievements of a person, irrespective of whether that person is alive or deceased. A proper tribute speech allows the speaker to connect with the audience on an emotional level and inspire others to remember something great the object of a given tribute speech. The value of such a carefully structured public speaking event as a tribute speech also revolves around the idea of honoring a person’s legacy and making sure that others will remember their remarkable achievements.

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18.2 Special-Occasion Speeches

Learning objectives.

• Identify the different types of ceremonial speaking.
• Describe the different types of inspirational speaking.

M+MD – Birthday Speech – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Many entertaining speeches fall under the category of special-occasion speeches. All the speeches in this category are given to mark the significance of particular events. Common events include weddings, bar mitzvahs, awards ceremonies, funerals, and political events. In each of these different occasions, speakers are asked to deliver speeches relating to the event. For purposes of simplicity, we’ve broken special-occasion speeches into two groups: ceremonial speaking and inspirational speaking.

Ceremonial Speaking

Ceremonial speeches are speeches given during a ceremony or a ritual marked by observance of formality or etiquette. These ceremonies tend to be very special for people, so it shouldn’t be surprising that they are opportunities for speech making. Let’s examine each of the eight types of ceremonial speaking: introductions, presentations, acceptances, dedications, toasts, roasts, eulogies, and farewells.

Speeches of Introduction

The first type of speech is called the speech of introduction , which is a minispeech given by the host of a ceremony that introduces another speaker and his or her speech. Few things are worse than when the introducer or a speaker stands up and says, “This is Joe Smith, he’s going to talk about stress.” While we did learn the speaker’s name and the topic, the introduction falls flat. Audiences won’t be the least bit excited about listening to Joe’s speech.

Just like any other speech, a speech of introduction should be a complete speech and have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion—and you should do it all in under two minutes. This brings up another “few things are worse” scenario: an introductory speaker who rambles on for too long or who talks about himself or herself instead of focusing on the person being introduced.

For an introduction, think of a hook that will make your audience interested in the upcoming speaker. Did you read a news article related to the speaker’s topic? Have you been impressed by a presentation you’ve heard the speaker give in the past? You need to find something that can grab the audience’s attention and make them excited about hearing the main speaker.

The body of your introductory speech should be devoted to telling the audience about the speaker’s topic, why the speaker is qualified, and why the audience should listen (notice we now have our three body points). First, tell your audience in general terms about the overarching topic of the speech. Most of the time as an introducer, you’ll only have a speech title and maybe a paragraph of information to help guide this part of your speech. That’s all right. You don’t need to know all the ins and outs of the main speaker’s speech; you just need to know enough to whet the audience’s appetite. Next, you need to tell the audience why the speaker is a credible speaker on the topic. Has the speaker written books or articles on the subject? Has the speaker had special life events that make him or her qualified? Lastly, you need to briefly explain to the audience why they should care about the upcoming speech.

The final part of a good introduction is the conclusion, which is generally designed to welcome the speaker to the lectern. Many introducers will conclude by saying something like, “I am looking forward to hearing how Joe Smith’s advice and wisdom can help all of us today, so please join me in welcoming Mr. Joe Smith.” We’ve known some presenters who will even add a notation to their notes to “start clapping” and “shake speakers hand” or “give speaker a hug” depending on the circumstances of the speech.

Now that we’ve walked through the basic parts of an introductory speech, let’s see one outlined:

Specific Purpose: To entertain the audience while preparing them for Janice Wright’s speech on rituals.

Introduction: Mention some common rituals people in the United States engage in (Christmas, sporting events, legal proceedings).

Main Points:

• Explain that the topic was selected because understanding how cultures use ritual is an important part of understanding what it means to be human.
• Janice Wright is a cultural anthropologist who studies the impact that everyday rituals have on communities.
• All of us engage in rituals, and we often don’t take the time to determine how these rituals were started and how they impact our daily routines.

Conclusion: I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Wright at the regional conference in Springfield last month, and I am excited that I get to share her with all of you tonight. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Wright (start clapping, shake speaker’s hand, exit stage).

Speeches of Presentation

The second type of common ceremonial speech is the speech of presentation . A speech of presentation is a brief speech given to accompany a prize or honor. Speeches of presentation can be as simple as saying, “This year’s recipient of the Schuman Public Speaking prize is Wilhelmina Jeffers,” or could last up to five minutes as the speaker explains why the honoree was chosen for the award.

When preparing a speech of presentation, it’s always important to ask how long the speech should be. Once you know the time limit, then you can set out to create the speech itself. First, you should explain what the award or honor is and why the presentation is important. Second, you can explain what the recipient has accomplished in order for the award to be bestowed. Did the person win a race? Did the person write an important piece of literature? Did the person mediate conflict? Whatever the recipient has done, you need to clearly highlight his or her work. Lastly, if the race or competition was conducted in a public forum and numerous people didn’t win, you may want to recognize those people for their efforts as well. While you don’t want to steal the show away from winner (as Kanye West did to Taylor Swift during the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, for example http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/435995/taylor-swift-wins-best-female-video.jhtml#id=1620605 ), you may want to highlight the work of the other competitors or nominees.

Speeches of Acceptance

The complement to a speech of presentation is the speech of acceptance . The speech of acceptance is a speech given by the recipient of a prize or honor. For example, in the above video clip from the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, Taylor Swift starts by expressing her appreciation, gets interrupted by Kanye West, and ends by saying, “I would like to thank the fans and MTV, thank you.” While obviously not a traditional acceptance speech because of the interruption, she did manage to get in the important parts.

There are three typical components of a speech of acceptance: thank the givers of the award or honor, thank those who helped you achieve your goal, and put the award or honor into perspective. First, you want to thank the people who have given you the award or honor and possibly those who voted for you. We see this done every year during the Oscars, “First, I’d like to thank the academy and all the academy voters.” Second, you want to give credit to those who helped you achieve the award or honor. No person accomplishes things in life on his or her own. We all have families and friends and colleagues who support us and help us achieve what we do in life, and a speech of acceptance is a great time to graciously recognize those individuals. Lastly, put the award in perspective. Tell the people listening to your speech why the award is meaningful to you.

Speeches of Dedication

The fourth ceremonial speech is the speech of dedication . A speech of dedication is delivered when a new store opens, a building is named after someone, a plaque is placed on a wall, a new library is completed, and so on. These speeches are designed to highlight the importance of the project and possibly those to whom the project has been dedicated. Maybe your great-uncle has died and left your college tons of money, so the college has decided to rename one of the dorms after your great-uncle. In this case, you may be asked to speak at the dedication.

When preparing the speech of dedication, start by explaining how you are involved in the dedication. If the person to whom the dedication is being made is a relative, tell the audience that the building is being named after your great-uncle who bestowed a gift to his alma mater. Second, you want to explain what is being dedicated. If the dedication is a new building or a preexisting building, you want to explain what is being dedicated and the importance of the structure. You should then explain who was involved in the project. If the project is a new structure, talk about the people who built the structure or designed it. If the project is a preexisting structure, talk about the people who put together and decided on the dedication. Lastly, explain why the structure is important for the community where it’s located. If the dedication is for a new store, talk about how the store will bring in new jobs and new shopping opportunities. If the dedication is for a new wing of a hospital, talk about how patients will be served and the advances in medicine the new wing will provide the community.

At one time or another, almost everyone is going to be asked to deliver a toast . A toast is a speech designed to congratulate, appreciate, or remember. First, toasts can be delivered for the purpose of congratulating someone for an honor, a new job, or getting married. You can also toast someone to show your appreciation for something they’ve done. Lastly, we toast people to remember them and what they have accomplished.

When preparing a toast, the first goal is always to keep your remarks brief. Toasts are generally given during the middle of some kind of festivities (e.g., wedding, retirement party, farewell party), and you don’t want your toast to take away from those festivities for too long. Second, the goal of a toast is to focus attention on the person or persons being toasted—not on the speaker. As such, while you are speaking you need to focus your attention to the people being toasted, both by physically looking at them and by keeping your message about them. You should also avoid any inside jokes between you and the people being toasted because toasts are public and should be accessible for everyone who hears them. To conclude a toast, simply say something like, “Please join me in recognizing Joan for her achievement” and lift your glass. When you lift your glass, this will signal to others to do the same and then you can all take a drink, which is the end of your speech.

The roast speech is a very interesting and peculiar speech because it is designed to both praise and good-naturedly insult a person being honored. Generally, roasts are given at the conclusion of a banquet in honor of someone’s life achievements. The television station Comedy Central has been conducting roasts of various celebrities for a few years.

In this clip, watch as Stephen Colbert, television host of The Colbert Report , roasts President George W. Bush.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSE_saVX_2A

Let’s pick this short clip apart. You’ll notice that the humor doesn’t pull any punches. The goal of the roast is to both praise and insult in a good-natured manner. You’ll also see that the roaster, in this case Stephen Colbert, is standing behind a lectern while the roastee, President George W. Bush, is clearly on display for the audience to see, and periodically you’ll see the camera pan to President Bush to take in his reactions. Half the fun of a good roast is watching the roastee’s reactions during the roast, so it’s important to have the roastee clearly visible by the audience.

How does one prepare for a roast? First, you want to really think about the person who is being roasted. Do they have any strange habits or amusing stories in their past that you can discuss? When you think through these things you want to make sure that you cross anything off your list that is truly private information or will really hurt the person. The goal of a roast is to poke at them, not massacre them. Second, when selecting which aspects to poke fun at, you need to make sure that the items you choose are widely known by your audience. Roasts work when the majority of people in the audience can relate to the jokes being made. If you have an inside joke with the roastee, bringing it up during roast may be great fun for the two of you, but it will leave your audience unimpressed. Lastly, end on a positive note. While the jokes are definitely the fun part of a roast, you should leave the roastee knowing that you truly do care about and appreciate the person.

A eulogy is a speech given in honor of someone who has died. (Don’t confuse “eulogy” with “elegy,” a poem or song of mourning.) Unless you are a minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or other form of religious leader, you’ll probably not deliver too many eulogies in your lifetime. However, when the time comes to deliver a eulogy, it’s good to know what you’re doing and to adequately prepare your remarks. Watch the following clip of then-Senator Barack Obama delivering a eulogy at the funeral of civil rights activist Rosa Parks in November of 2005.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRsH92sJCr4

In this eulogy, Senator Obama delivers the eulogy by recalling Rosa Parks importance and her legacy in American history.

When preparing a eulogy, first you need to know as much information about the deceased as possible. The more information you have about the person, the more personal you can make the eulogy. While you can rely on your own information if you were close to the deceased, it is always a good idea to ask friends and relatives of the deceased for their memories, as these may add important facets that may not have occurred to you. Of course, if you were not very close to the deceased, you will need to ask friends and family for information. Second, although eulogies are delivered on the serious and sad occasion of a funeral or memorial service for the deceased, it is very helpful to look for at least one point to be lighter or humorous. In some cultures, in fact, the friends and family attending the funeral will expect the eulogy to be highly entertaining and amusing. While eulogies are not roasts, one goal of the humor or lighter aspects of a eulogy is to relieve the tension that is created by the serious nature of the occasion. Lastly, remember to tell the deceased’s story. Tell the audience about who this person was and what the person stood for in life. The more personal you can make a eulogy, the more touching it will be for the deceased’s friends and families. The eulogy should remind the audience to celebrate the person’s life as well as mourn their death.

Speeches of Farewell

A speech of farewell allows someone to say good-bye to one part of his or her life as he or she is moving on to the next part of life. Maybe you’ve accepted a new job and are leaving your current job, or you’re graduating from college and entering the work force. Whatever the case may be, periods of transition are often marked by speeches of farewell. Watch the following clip of Derek Jeter’s 2008 speech saying farewell to Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, before the New York Yankees moved to the new stadium that opened in 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJrlTpQm0to

In this speech, Derek Jeter is not only saying good-bye to Yankee Stadium but also thanking the fans for their continued support.

When preparing a speech of farewell, the goal should be to thank the people in your current position and let them know how much you appreciate them as you make the move to your next position in life. In Derek Jeter’s speech, he starts by talking about the history of the 1923 Yankee Stadium and then thanks the fans for their support. Second, you want to express to your audience how much the experience has meant to you. A farewell speech is a time to commemorate and think about the good times you’ve had. As such, you should avoid negativity during this speech. Lastly, you want to make sure that you end on a high note. Derek Jeter concludes his speech by saying, “On behalf of this entire organization, we just want to take this moment to salute you, the greatest fans in the world!” at which point Jeter and the other players take off their ball caps and hold them up toward the audience.

Inspirational Speaking

The goal of an inspirational speech is to elicit or arouse an emotional state within an audience. In Section 18.2.1 “Ceremonial Speaking” , we looked at ceremonial speeches. Although some inspirational speeches are sometimes tied to ceremonial occasions, there are also other speaking contexts that call for inspirational speeches. For our purposes, we are going to look at two types of inspirational speeches: goodwill and speeches of commencement.

Speeches to Ensure Goodwill

Goodwill is an intangible asset that is made up of the favor or reputation of an individual or organization. Speeches of goodwill are often given in an attempt to get audience members to view the person or organization more favorably. Although speeches of goodwill are clearly persuasive, they try not to be obvious about the persuasive intent and are often delivered as information-giving speeches that focus on an individual or organization’s positives attributes. There are three basic types of speeches of goodwill: public relations, justification, and apology.

Speeches for Public Relations

In a public relations speech, the speaker is speaking to enhance one’s own image or the image of his or her organization. You can almost think of these speeches as cheerleading speeches because the ultimate goal is to get people to like the speaker and what he or she represents. In the following brief speech, the CEO of British Petroleum is speaking to reporters about what his organization is doing during the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCfa6AxmUHw

Notice that he keeps emphasizing what his company is doing to fix the problem. Every part of this speech is orchestrated to make BP look caring and attempts to get some amount of goodwill from the viewing public.

Speeches of Justification

The second common speech of goodwill is the speech of justification, which is given when someone attempts to defend why certain actions were taken or will be taken. In these speeches, speakers have already enacted (or decided to enact) some kind of behavior, and are now attempting to justify why the behavior is or was appropriate. In the following clip, President Bill Clinton discusses his decision to bomb key Iraqi targets after uncovering a plot to assassinate former President George H. W. Bush.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mpWa7wNr5M

In this speech, President Clinton outlines his reasons for bombing Iraq to the American people and the globe. Again, the goal of this speech is to secure goodwill for President Clinton’s decisions both in the United States and on the world stage.

Speeches of Apology

The final speech of goodwill is the speech of apology. Frankly, these speeches have become more and more commonplace. Every time we turn around, a politician, professional athlete, musician, or actor/actress is doing something reprehensible and getting caught. In fact, the speech of apology has quickly become a fodder for humor as well. Let’s take a look at a real apology speech delivered by professional golfer Tiger Woods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8nseNP4s0

When you need to make an apology speech, there are three elements that you need to include: be honest and take responsibility, say you’re sorry, and offer restitution. First, a speaker needs to be honest and admit to doing something wrong. The worst apology speeches are those in which the individual tries to sidestep the wrongdoing. Even if you didn’t do anything wrong, it is often best to take responsibility from a public perception perspective. Second, say that you are sorry. People need to know that you are remorseful for what you’ve done. One of the problems many experts saw with Tiger Woods’s speech is that he doesn’t look remorseful at all. While the words coming out of his mouth are appropriate, he looks like a robot forced to read from a manuscript written by his press agent. Lastly, you need to offer restitution. Restitution can come in the form of fixing something broken or a promise not to engage in such behavior in the future. People in society are very willing to forgive and forget when they are asked.

Speeches for Commencements

The second type of inspirational speech is the speech of commencement , which is designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of a graduating class or other group of people. The most typical form of commencement speech happens when someone graduates from school. Nearly all of us have sat through commencement speeches at some point in our lives. And if you’re like us, you’ve heard good ones and bad ones. Numerous celebrities and politicians have been asked to deliver commencement speeches at colleges and universities. One famous and well-thought-out commencement speech was given by famed Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling at Harvard University in 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkREt4ZB-ck

J. K. Rowling’s speech has the perfect balance of humor and inspiration, which are two of the main ingredients of a great commencement speech.

If you’re ever asked to deliver a commencement speech, there are some key points to think through when deciding on your speech’s content.

• If there is a specific theme for the graduation, make sure that your commencement speech addresses that theme. If there is no specific theme, come up with one for your speech. Some common commencement speech themes are commitment, competitiveness, competence, confidence, decision making, discipline, ethics, failure (and overcoming failure), faith, generosity, integrity, involvement, leadership, learning, persistence, personal improvement, professionalism, reality, responsibility, and self-respect.
• Talk about your life and how graduates can learn from your experiences to avoid pitfalls or take advantages of life. How can your life inspire the graduates in their future endeavors?
• Make the speech humorous. Commencement speeches should be entertaining and make an audience laugh.
• Be brief! Nothing is more painful than a commencement speaker who drones on and on. Remember, the graduates are there to get their diplomas; their families are there to watch the graduates walk across the stage.
• Remember, while you may be the speaker, you’ve been asked to impart wisdom and advice for the people graduating and moving on with their lives, so keep it focused on them.
• Place the commencement speech into the broader context of the graduates’ lives. Show the graduates how the advice and wisdom you are offering can be utilized to make their own lives better.

Overall, it’s important to make sure that you have fun when delivering a commencement speech. Remember, it’s a huge honor and responsibility to be asked to deliver a commencement speech, so take the time to really think through and prepare your speech.

Key Takeaways

• There are eight common forms of ceremonial speaking: introduction, presentation, acceptance, dedication, toast, roast, eulogy, and farewell. Speeches of introduction are designed to introduce a speaker. Speeches of presentation are given when an individual is presenting an award of some kind. Speeches of acceptance are delivered by the person receiving an award or honor. Speeches of dedication are given when a new building or other place is being opened for the first time. Toasts are given to acknowledge and honor someone on a special occasion (e.g., wedding, birthday, retirement). Roasts are speeches designed to both praise and good-naturedly insult a person being honored. Eulogies are given during funerals and memorial services. Lastly, speeches of farewell are delivered by an individual who is leaving a job, community, or organization, and wants to acknowledge how much the group has meant.
• Inspirational speeches fall into two categories: goodwill (e.g., public relations, justification, and apology) and speeches of commencement. Speeches of goodwill attempt to get audience members to view the person or organization more favorably. On the other hand, speeches of commencement are delivered to recognize the achievements of a group of people.
• Imagine you’ve been asked to speak before a local civic organization such as the Kiwanis or Rotary Club. Develop a sample speech of introduction that you would like someone to give to introduce you.
• You’ve been asked to roast your favorite celebrity. Develop a two-minute roast.
• Develop a speech of commencement for your public speaking class.

Stand up, Speak out Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Definition of tribute

Did you know.

Tribute originally took the form of things given from a weaker group to the dominant power of a region—a bit like the "protection money" the Mafia gets from small businesses after making them offers they can't refuse, though the older form of tribute actually did buy the weaker group some protection from enemy forces. Tribute could come in the form of valuables, cattle, or even produce, and might include the loan of warriors to strengthen the ruler's army. But when we "pay tribute" today, it's generally in the form of praise. And when we say, for instance, that a successful school "is a tribute to" the vision of its founder, we mean that its success is itself a form of praise for the person who founded it. And a "tribute band" is a rock group intended to honor a great band of the past.

• commendation

encomium , eulogy , panegyric , tribute , citation mean a formal expression of praise.

encomium implies enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing.

eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person.

panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

tribute implies deeply felt praise conveyed either through words or through a significant act.

citation applies to the formal praise of a person offered in a military dispatch or in awarding an honorary degree.

Examples of tribute in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tribute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English tribut , from Latin tributum , from neuter of tributus , past participle of tribuere to allot, bestow, grant, pay, from tribus tribe

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing tribute

• floral tribute
• pay tribute / homage to

tribute album

Articles Related to tribute

Words of the Week - April 29

Dictionary lookups from Twitter, the Supreme Court, and Ukraine

Dictionary Entries Near tribute

Cite this entry.

“Tribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribute. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of tribute, more from merriam-webster on tribute.

Nglish: Translation of tribute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of tribute for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tribute

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[ trib -yoot ]

Synonyms: eulogy , commendation , recognition

• a stated sum or other valuable consideration paid by one sovereign or state to another in acknowledgment of subjugation or as the price of peace, security, protection, or the like.
• a rent, tax, or the like, as that paid by a subject to a sovereign.

Synonyms: duty , impost , toll , levy

• obligation or liability to make such payment.

/ ˈtrɪbjuːt /

• a gift or statement made in acknowledgment, gratitude, or admiration
• a payment by one ruler or state to another, usually as an acknowledgment of submission
• any tax levied for such a payment
• (in feudal society) homage or a payment rendered by a vassal to his lord
• the obligation to pay tribute

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Word history and origins.

Origin of tribute 1

Example Sentences

Rocker Patti Smith’s contribution will be a tribute to photographer Robert Mapplethorpe at the Brooklyn Museum.

In a tribute posted to Facebook on Thursday, the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department said that Bregman joined the fire service in 1998 and served in Landover Hills and West Lanham Hills before moving to the Greenbelt station.

He also paid tribute to members of his team targeted in arrest sweeps by authorities on opposition activists.

Children and fans sent him more than 150,000 birthday cards and a tribute flashed on the big screen in Piccadilly Circus.

Many Americans, across the racial spectrum, are excited about this tribute to Tubman.

Once I began reading, I realized A Gronking to Remember was a masturbatory tribute to the New England Patriots.

The following page details a tribute gag the Simpsons team inserted into the background of a scene.

They instead announced a tribute to the two fallen officers.

To them, this is the most personal of relationships, so the small tribute is just to cover basic expenses for them to be trained.

He went on to thank his family, his gallerist, distributor, and paid tribute to artist Ian White.

We laid him down gently, folded his arms on his breast, and for a moment held our peace in tribute to his passing.

In former years, Korea had paid an annual tribute or tax to China, but for some time it had been held back by this king.

Through lack of them a considerable number of those already pacified and who pay tribute remain to be converted.

The mines secured are freehold property, and with one exception are unencumbered by tribute or native partners.

This tribute to their feelings so tickled the women that they set down their tea-cups and laughed prodigiously.

Related Words

• appreciation
• recognition

• Legacy Projects

7 Short Memorial Tribute Samples for Funerals

Updated 04/19/2024

Published 04/29/2020

Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education

Contributing writer

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

You’ve been asked to speak at a funeral. You have a basic idea of how to write a tribute speech , but you need some inspiration. Perhaps you are struggling to put into words how exceptional your mom was.

Maybe every time you try to write about the characteristics of your sister, the words sound generic and hollow. It could be that you haven’t written anything but emails since high school or college, and you are uncomfortable putting your thoughts into words.

Let us help. Here are some short tribute samples. We’ll try to give you examples of how to begin, portions from the middle of a speech, and how to conclude your tribute. We hope that reading these short excerpts will inspire you to be able to write a speech for someone close to you.

Post-planning tip:   If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, handling a loved one's unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist  that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.

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For a parent, for a sibling, for a partner or spouse, for a friend, for another close family member, for a mentor , for a colleague, how to choose the right words.

"Good afternoon. I am Peter, Mary’s oldest son. My sister Patricia and I would like to welcome you to the memorial service of our mom. I’m going to be honest. I’m a high school teacher, so I am used to public speaking. But presenting this tribute will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Please give me grace as I struggle through my thoughts and ideas and try to articulate what an amazing woman my mom was.

Instead of giving you a list of adjectives to describe my mom, I would like to tell you a few of our favorite stories about her and let you draw your own conclusions. 

First, you probably didn’t know this, but my mom has been quietly working with the homeless population for years. She didn’t talk about it. In fact, she never said anything to my sister or me about her work. Instead, she would quietly prepare bags of snacks and toiletries every Sunday evening, and then several times throughout that week, she would distribute the packages to the homeless communities downtown. I see the looks of surprise on some of your faces, and you probably are asking yourself how you didn’t know this about my mom. That’s just the type of person she was—selfless and humble."

Tip: You can set up a memorial fundraiser to help with funeral expenses or donate to your loved one's favorite charity using our online memorials .

"Shawna had such an exuberant spirit. I see many of you nodding your heads because you know this may be the understatement of the century. 

Even though I was two years ahead of Shawna in school, people in my class would ask if I was Shawna’s brother. It used to infuriate me, but I understand why it happened. Shawna made a point to learn everyone’s name. Not only that, but she would also learn everyone’s siblings’ names, how long they had lived in the area, and whether they liked chocolate or strawberry ice cream. 

Shawna was a natural-born public relations director. She loved people, and people loved her. It’s no surprise there’s not an empty seat in the church today. This packed house means a lot to my parents and me. We can’t tell you how much we have appreciated all the messages we have received in the last week. Your support has been overwhelming."

"Finally, besides being grateful for my amazing children and close friends, I am thankful for the treasure trove of memories that I have of my life with Michael. Even though I feel as if my right arm has been removed, I know that someday I may again laugh when I remember some of his god-awful jokes.

Eventually, I will be able to use his Graceland coffee cup without breaking down into tears. There will come a point when I will be able to look back at our lifetime of memories together and smile. Until then, I would love for you to share your memories of Michael with me. It comforts me to know that there are others out there thinking of and mourning for this great man."

Tip:  For a special reminder of your partner and your memories together, consider a custom urn  or  cremation diamond .

"The first thing I noticed about Carol was her big mane of red, curly hair. It didn’t take long to discover that her hair matched her personality. And it’s that personality that I would like to celebrate with you today.

Let’s start by remembering her laugh. I always knew where Carol was when I entered a restaurant for a lunch date with her and our high school friends. I only had to pause at the entrance of the dining room and listen for her loud, contagious laugh. I never had to wait long to hear it because Carol was always the life of the party."

"My mom has shared a lot of stories about Uncle Ralph through the years. My favorite stories were about his adventures when he was a young adult—before he married Aunt Rita. 

Apparently, Ralph had an adventurous spirit back in the late 1960s. He spent his summers hitchhiking across the country, with his old Boy Scout pack slung across his back. Ralph was able to get rides from other hippies, truck drivers, ranchers, and once a cult leader.

He slept under the stars in the Sierra Nevada mountains and woke up once to see a bear rummaging through his pack. I wasn’t around back then, but I’ve seen photos of Ralph from this time. He was almost unrecognizable. The Uncle Ralph that I knew was a clean-cut Presbyterian minister. "

"Today I would like to pay tribute to a great woman and mentor, Julia Price. Julia was born to a Missouri farm couple in 1958. Her parents, Sam and Glenda Smith, had struggled to conceive, and when Julia finally arrived to complete their family, they were delighted. They treated their daughter as a princess, and she loved them with her whole heart.

Although she didn’t want to leave home, her parents convinced her to enroll in the University of Missouri after she graduated from high school as valedictorian. There, she studied journalism and became the first female editor of the college newspaper. She loved her new-found career, and when she graduated, she received an offer from major newspapers in St. Louis and Chicago. 

She began her career covering city hall in Chicago. You know she met a lot of interesting characters from this experience—many of whom are currently serving time in prison. Regardless, she remained unintimidated by these high-profile public servants and worked hard to make sure the local population knew what was going on behind closed doors."

"It is my honor to speak today about Bill. Although I wish I were talking at his retirement party instead of his funeral , we all know that life isn’t fair sometimes. It’s not fair that Bill was taken from his wife Carol after only 27 years together. It’s not fair that Bill wasn’t able to live long enough to see his first granddaughter born next spring. And it’s not fair that our office will be without Bill’s booming voice and contagious laugh. Things won’t ever be the same.

No one worked harder than Bill. He knew every aspect of the business, which is not a surprise since he started in the warehouse when he was 23 years old. He worked his way up to warehouse supervisor, and then distribution manager, and finally, one of the vice presidents of the company." 

We hope these short eulogy samples will help you get over your writer’s block. But don’t beat yourself up if you really struggle to write a fitting tribute to your loved one or colleague. You are undertaking a difficult and important task. 

• Give yourself plenty of time to write your speech. Begin jotting down ideas as soon as you are asked. You may want to speak to others who knew the deceased to learn stories and gather ideas. 
• Write out a draft of your tribute, using as many specific examples and stories as possible. Avoid making general statements about the person’s personality without having a particular memory to share. 
• Also, remember that a funeral is not the appropriate place to share someone’s secrets. It’s not the time to make a bombshell announcement or reveal a life-long secret.  
• Finally, once you have your draft, share it with several other people. Ask for suggestions and be open-minded with their edits. 

Writing a tribute is a lot of work, but it is a great honor to be asked to speak at a loved one’s memorial service.

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Kate Garraway pays emotional tribute to friends 'who helped me survive'

The good morning britain star gave a special mention to ben shephard.

Kate Garraway has paid tribute to her colleagues and friends who "helped me survive" during the tough times she faced in the aftermath of her late husband Derek Draper 's battle with long Covid. 

The Good Morning Britain presenter was recognised for her contribution to broadcasting in television and radio at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards on Sunday night, and during her speech expressed her gratitude to Ben Shephard for being by her side for the past two decades. 

Recalling the moment Derek first fell ill in 2020, Kate said: " My life took a turn that meant suddenly I was a story that people wanted to talk about and particularly I wanted to tell Derek's story of what he went through and that touched a chord with lots of people. That's amazing and now I feel a huge responsibility to them."

The 56-year-old continued: "It's GMB's 10-year anniversary tonight and actually it's my ten years of being at Global, so it's a very special night for me. When you go through something tough, which I'm sure everyone in this room has a story… you then find out where the goodness is."

Sharing her appreciation for her colleagues, Kate went on: "Every time I walk through the door on Global, I'm always aware that I'm doing something that is on most people's bucket list. The energy and the fun that's there is just fantastic but also when things take a dark turn, suddenly you see this amazing side of people that not just help you go on air every day and look half decent doing your show but come round and literally keep you going and help you survive ."

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Giving a shout-out to her former GMB co-star Ben Shephard, Kate said: " A special mention, obviously, goes to Ben Shephard for that and for being the most extraordinary person to be by your side for 24 years."

Signing off her speech, she said: "Thank you very much for this, it means everything to me."

Derek was first diagnosed with coronavirus back in 2020 and spent 13 months in hospital before going home, where he received round-the-clock care at home from specialist nurses and his wife. 

Derek passed away at the age of 56 in January this year and is survived by Kate and their two children, Darcey and Billy.

Kate documented Derek's health journey in a series of documentaries for ITV. The final part of the trilogy, Kate Garraway: Derek's Story, shared an insight into Derek's struggle with long Covid during the final year of his life.

Reporting by  Francesca Shillcock . 

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Pose with Teenage Daughters Sunday and Faith at Her AFI Tribute

The 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala on Saturday, April 27, marked the first public red carpet event for Kidman and Urban's teenage daughters

Michael Kovac/Getty

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban glammed up for their night out in honor of the actress — and were joined by their teenage daughters on the red carpet for the first time!

It was the Bombshell star's time to shine as she was honored at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Saturday, April 27.

Posing together on the red carpet, Kidman, 56, wore a custom version of a Balenciaga Fall 24 fitted gown that was embroidered in gold sequins, while her husband sported a black suit with black silk lapels, a white shirt, black tie and black boots.

Sunday Rose , 15, and Faith Margaret , 13, were among family members in attendance with Sunday wearing a floral strapless gown and Faith in a striking coral dress. The actress's niece, Sybella Hawley — who is Kidman's sister Antonia's daughter — also posed with the family of four, wearing a red gown featuring a corset top and draped silk skirt.

During her acceptance speech, the actress praised Urban, 56, her two daughters and her family as a whole, noting that there was an "enormous amount of luck in my life," but adding that, "there's also the most important thing, love."

"Big, big love. And then right there is the love of my life, and the loves of my life. My daughters have never been anywhere publicly with me on a red carpet, tonight was their first night, so they're here, Sunday and Faith."

Kidman noted that her mom wasn't at the event, adding "but they said there's a live stream available for her and she's watching it, so I hope, and that's what I love about technology. And my papa who isn't here, but I feel him every day."

"And then there's all my nieces and nephews and my sissy and my beautiful aunt and her husband, who's our family now. And I am really, this is all because of you, and I love you so much. So there's no place like home, as they say. You're my home. And thank you for flying halfway across the world," she continued.

Stewart Cook/Shutterstock 

Kidman also spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the gala about what it was like to have Sunday and Faith witness such special moments in her career. 

"You'll have to ask them," she jokingly told PEOPLE. 

"I think they're just like ... they want to get started on their own careers," the actress continued of her daughters, adding,"They are here to support me, and they're very, very supportive and incredibly loving."

Kidman also explained that, while Sunday and Faith had attended the gala to support her, they were especially looking forward to one part of the night.

"We're going to do a post wrap-up at the house late, late tonight," the actress revealed, adding, "There's a party afterwards, and they're like, 'Oh, there's a party?' "

"That's what they're excited about," she teased.

For the event itself, Kidman was surrounded by friends and coworkers who paid tribute to her as she received the honor. Guests included her costars in Big Little Lies, Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep , her close friend Naomi Watts and Morgan Freeman , who worked with Kidman on the Paramount series Lioness.

Don Arnold/WireImage

The AFI Life Achievement Award has been presented by the American Film Institute since 1973 to an "individual whose career in motion pictures has greatly contributed to the enrichment of American Culture," the organization's website said.

Kidman recently reflected on her career by sharing a video to Instagram of herself at 14 in her first role — Helen in  Bush Christmas  in 1983. She reflected on receiving the AFI's honor in the caption.

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"This 14 year old girl could have never predicted all the talented people she would get to work with and the many different characters she would get to play 😱," she wrote in the caption.

"So excited to celebrate with so many friends and peers on Saturday with the @AmericanFilmInstitute xx."

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