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Short award acceptance speech examples: inspiring examples, short award acceptance speech examples that inspire.

Winning an award is a momentous event in anyone’s life, be it for their personal or professional achievements. Whether you are receiving an award for your contributions to society or for excelling in your field of work, giving a great acceptance speech can do wonders in inspiring others. But how can you craft an acceptance speech that truly resonates with the audience and inspires them? In this blog post, we will delve into the purpose of an acceptance speech, how it can inspire others, and some tips on crafting and delivering one. We’ll also cover common pitfalls to avoid so that your speech has the desired impact on the audience. So let’s get started on creating a memorable and inspiring acceptance speech!

Understanding the Purpose of an Award Acceptance Speech

Acknowledging hard work and team contributions is essential in an award speech, highlighting the collaborative efforts behind the achievement. Expressing gratitude for personal accomplishments demonstrates humility and appreciation. Moreover, integrating company values and sustainability initiatives into the speech emphasizes their significance in organizational success. Featuring business executives within the speech process aligns with the company’s leadership values and showcases their involvement in milestone achievements. The writing process for a good speech involves careful consideration of these elements to ensure a meaningful and impactful delivery, especially when the CEO is present. Overall, a well-crafted award speech not only communicates gratitude but also promotes the company’s values and sustainability efforts, making it a pivotal part of significant events and corporate recognition.

Goals and Importance of an Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award speech is a crucial part of the writing process, especially for business executives, team members, and award winners. A good acceptance speech not only reflects the individual’s own success but also acknowledges sustainability and good practices. When delivering an award speech, it’s essential to inspire others with the power of storytelling and the impact of specific, well-crafted words. CEO and business leaders should use this as an opportunity to set an example with their own speech. By showcasing gratitude and emphasizing company values, an acceptance speech can have a lasting influence and make the event memorable in September.

How an Acceptance Speech Inspires Others

An impactful award speech not only acknowledges the efforts of team members but also serves as a catalyst for inspiring hard work and sustainability within the company. By reflecting on great speech examples, business executives can be inspired to express gratitude and recognize the importance of company sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, a well-crafted acceptance speech has the power to inspire and encourage executives to take proactive measures towards sustaining the company’s values. When acknowledging sustainability in their speeches, award winners can effectively inspire business executives to prioritize and implement sustainable practices for the betterment of the organization and its stakeholders.

Crafting Your Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award speech requires a thoughtful writing process. Whether it’s for business executives or company sustainability, crafting your own speech is crucial. A good acceptance speech acknowledges the efforts of team members and reflects gratitude. Writing an award acceptance speech that inspires others is essential, especially for CEOs and business executives. It’s an opportunity to inspire hard work and sustainability while acknowledging the achievements of the company. The writing process should ensure that the speech examples reflect the importance of the award and the impact it has on the company’s initiatives. Acknowledging company sustainability and reflecting on good acceptance speech examples can inspire great ways forward.

Being Specific in Your Speech

Crafting an award acceptance speech for business executives requires reflecting on specific examples to make the speech more impactful. For instance, acknowledging the team members’ hard work in a sustainability initiative demonstrates appreciation and inspires others. Being specific about the company’s sustainability efforts and the role of each individual can create a good speech that inspires gratitude and motivates further contributions. Incorporating specific examples, such as successful initiatives or the impact of sustainability efforts on the company’s bottom line, can enhance the CEO’s own speech at the award ceremony in September. By focusing on specific achievements and outcomes, the speechwriting process becomes more effective in delivering a memorable and inspiring award speech.

The Power of Storytelling in Your Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award acceptance speech for business executives involves incorporating storytelling to inspire sustainability. By including storytelling in an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability, you can effectively showcase the impact of sustainability initiatives. A well-crafted acceptance speech for business executives can resonate with the audience, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and inspiring hard work. Utilizing storytelling in an award acceptance speech for company dollars can make the speech more impactful and memorable, reflecting the CEO’s commitment to sustainability. September’s award speech writing process should include personal anecdotes that highlight the journey towards sustainability. Crafting your own speech in a good way can enhance its impact, setting a positive example for others.

Preparing to Deliver Your Speech

Rehearsing an award acceptance speech for business executives is essential for making it impactful. The practice of delivering an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability and company dollars is crucial for leaving a lasting impression. It’s important to make your own speech memorable through rehearsal , ensuring it resonates with the audience. Additionally, rehearsing an award acceptance speech for business executives for sustainability in business is key to its success. By going through the writing process and practicing delivery, CEOs can effectively convey their message and inspire others. Taking the time to rehearse ensures that the speech is well-crafted and impactful, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the audience.

Making Your Speech Memorable

Crafting an impactful award speech for business executives involves utilizing good speech examples and incorporating storytelling that resonates with their values. By owning your speech and infusing it with authenticity, you can inspire others and leave a lasting impression on the audience. Whether delivering the speech for company dollars or sustainability initiatives, the writing process should focus on making it memorable and relevant to the CEO and business executives. Rehearsing and refining the speech is crucial for September’s upcoming award ceremony, ensuring that the delivery is powerful and leaves a lasting impact. Incorporating NLP terms seamlessly enhances the process, making the speech memorable for all the right reasons.

Tips for Rehearsing Your Speech

When rehearsing for an award acceptance speech, particularly for business executives in the sustainability sector, it’s essential to practice delivering a speech that highlights the impact and sustainability initiatives of the company. Ensure that the speech incorporates good examples and focuses on the positive aspects of business sustainability. Rehearsing an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability can significantly contribute to its impact and memorability. Moreover, practicing an acceptance speech for business executives should emphasize the good things achieved in business sustainability, making it both impactful and inspiring. Utilize the writing process to craft your own speech, incorporating specific details that resonate with the audience, especially the CEO and other industry leaders. By doing so, you can effectively inspire others and leave a lasting impression.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in an Acceptance Speech

Crafting an award acceptance speech for business executives involves avoiding common pitfalls for sustainability. It’s crucial to ensure that the speech does not go overboard with emotions, as this can affect its impact. Avoiding common pitfalls in an award ceremony acceptance speech for company sustainability is essential for making a lasting impression. Business executives should craft their own speech while following good acceptance speech examples to guarantee its effectiveness. Addressing the writing process and the CEO’s role in delivering the speech can contribute to its success. Ensuring that the speech is specific and incorporates the power of storytelling will aid in avoiding common pitfalls and creating a memorable impact for sustainability. The writing process should include elements that inspire others and contribute to the overall goals of the acceptance speech.

Can Going Overboard with Emotions Affect the Impact of Your Speech?

Balancing emotions in a speech is crucial for connecting with the audience. Overwhelming emotions may divert attention from the message. A well-balanced emotional tone enhances the resonance and credibility of a speech, influencing audience engagement.

Examples of Short Award Speeches

Frequently asked questions, what are some key elements to include in a short award acceptance speech.

When crafting a short award acceptance speech, it’s important to express gratitude to the organization or individuals giving the award. Additionally, acknowledge the support and hard work of those who helped you achieve success. Use personal anecdotes or inspiring quotes to add authenticity and depth to your speech.

How can I make my acceptance speech memorable and inspiring?

To make your acceptance speech memorable and inspiring, start by expressing gratitude and acknowledging the awarding organization. Share a personal story or experience that led to receiving the award. Recognize and thank those who supported you throughout your journey. Finally, end with an inspiring message or call to action related to the award’s significance.

Are there any common mistakes to avoid when giving an acceptance speech?

To make your acceptance speech impactful, avoid rambling or going off-topic. Remember to express gratitude towards those who helped you achieve the award. Avoid being overly self-deprecating or dismissive of your accomplishments. Keep it concise and engaging, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Can I personalize my acceptance speech for different types of awards or audiences?

Certainly! You have the freedom to personalize your acceptance speech for various awards and audiences. Tailor your speech to match the tone and style of the event or organization presenting the award. Acknowledge specific achievements or contributions that led to receiving the award, and express gratitude towards mentors, colleagues, and loved ones who supported you throughout your journey.

In conclusion, an award acceptance speech holds tremendous power to inspire and motivate others. By being specific in your speech and incorporating storytelling, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level and leave a lasting impact. However, it is important to strike a balance and avoid going overboard with emotions, as it can potentially dilute the impact of your message. Prepare and rehearse your speech to ensure it is memorable and effectively conveys your gratitude and appreciation. Remember, your acceptance speech is an opportunity to not only express your gratitude but also inspire others to pursue their own passions and dreams.

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Speechwriting

How to Write an Acceptance Speech

Last Updated: March 21, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,099,064 times.

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

Brainstorming Ideas

Step 1 Make a list of reasons you're thankful for receiving the award or honor.

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

Step 3 Read other acceptance speeches for inspiration.

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

Writing Your Speech

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

Step 2 Write the body of your speech, focusing on the people you want to thank.

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

Step 4 Be careful using your speech as a platform.

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

Step 5 Conclude your speech on a positive note.

Rehearsing Your Speech

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

Step 3 Record yourself reading your speech.

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

Step 4 Use a timer to monitor the length of your speech.

Writing Help

Community Q&A

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

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

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

About This Article

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

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Speech Writing

Acceptance Speech

How to Write the Best Acceptance Speech for Your Audience?

What is an Acceptance Speech?

The main goal of writing the speech is to say thanks to those who've recognized your achievements.

An acceptance speech is a special occasion speech that gives a chance for the recipient to express gratitude and acknowledge the people for the honor.

It's a way to share your vision with humility, showing appreciation for those who've honored you.

How to Write an Acceptance Speech?

Your words for an acceptance speech for an award should leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a memorable acceptance speech:

Immediately Start With a Thank You

Begin your speech by expressing heartfelt thanks to those who have not only supported you but also recognized your achievements. This sets a positive and appreciative tone from the very beginning, showing your gratitude for the honor.

Discuss the Organization

Take a moment to reflect on the significance of the organization that is presenting the award. Explain how this organization contributes to the community or field, and why their recognition is valuable.

Recognize Supportive People

Acknowledge the people who have played essential roles in your journey to success. This includes family members, friends, mentors, and anyone else who has provided guidance, support, or inspiration along the way.

Include Humor in Your Speech

Injecting humor into your speech can be a great way to engage your audience and make your speech more enjoyable. You can pick an entertaining speech topic to include in your speech.

End With Impact

The conclusion of your speech is a crucial part where you can leave a lasting impression on your audience. Conclude with a statement, quote, or message that makes your speech memorable and thought-provoking.

Express Gratitude

Finally, reiterate your appreciation for the organization that presented the award and for the audience that has listened to your speech. Convey your thanks with sincerity and humility.

By considering the above-mentioned elements in your acceptance speech, you can create a memorable address that resonates with your audience and expresses your gratitude.

Acceptance Speech Examples

Here are some excellent speech examples for students and working professionals:

Acceptance Speech Sample

Award Acceptance Speech

Scholarship Acceptance Speech

Jennifer Coolidge Acceptance Speech

Brendan Fraser Acceptance Speech

Austin Butler Acceptance Speech

Ke Huy Quan's Acceptance Speech

Sheryl Lee Ralph's Acceptance Speech

Jamie Lee Curtis Acceptance Speech

Michelle Yeoh Acceptance Speech

Harry Styles's Acceptance Speech

Lizzo Acceptance Speech

Acceptance Speech as President of An Organization

Acceptance Speech for a Leadership Position

It is recommended to look at additional speech examples to have a better understanding of writing a speech.

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing An Acceptance Speech

Here are some things you should avoid when writing your acceptance speech:

Overwhelming Thank-Yous: While expressing gratitude is crucial, don't overdo it by individually thanking every person you've ever met. Keep it concise and focus on key supporters.
Lack of Structure: Avoid a disorganized or lengthy speech. Structure your speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end to maintain your audience's attention.
Being Negative: Stay positive and avoid any negative remarks or criticisms, whether related to the award or other aspects. Maintain a gracious and optimistic tone.
Overusing Jargon: Use language that your audience can easily understand. Avoid excessive use of technical terms or industry-specific jargon.
Inappropriate Humor: Humor is excellent if used appropriately, but steer clear of offensive or overly sarcastic jokes that might alienate your audience.
Not Rehearsing: Practice your speech before the event. Avoid reading it for the first time on stage, which can lead to stumbling or a lack of engagement.

Phrases You Can Use in Acceptance Speech Writing

Here are some useful phrases you can use in your speech:

I am deeply honored to accept this award for...
I share this recognition with...
I stand here today with a profound sense of gratitude for...
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to...
This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of...
I couldn't have achieved this without the unwavering support of...
This honor means the world to me, and it is a reflection of the incredible team I've had the privilege to work with.
I accept this award on behalf of all those who believed in our vision.
This recognition serves as a reminder that dreams can come true with perseverance and the support of loved ones.
As I stand here, I am humbled by the collective effort of our team.
I am excited to see where this award will take us in the future.
This honor encourages us to continue our mission and make an even greater impact.
I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of my colleagues, who have been instrumental in our success.
It is not just my award; it's a celebration of our shared dedication and hard work.
Whether speaking to a few or many, your words can inspire and connect with those who respect your accomplishments.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunities this award brings, and I pledge to use them to make a positive difference.

You can use these phrases in your acceptance speech.

Tips for Acceptance Speech Writing

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind while crafting your acceptance speech.

Start Early: Begin your speech preparations well in advance to allow time for thoughtful reflection and revisions.
Maintain a Respectful Tone: Use polite and respectful language throughout your speech to show gratitude and appreciation.
Keep It Brief: Acceptance speeches are typically short, so aim to be concise and to the point.
Adapt to the Occasion: Tailor your speech to the formality and theme of the event.
Create an Outline: Develop an outline to help you organize your speech effectively and ensure all key points are included.
Understand Special Requirements: Inquire about any specific requirements or guidelines set by the hosting organization.
Seek Inspiration: Study and learn from exceptional acceptance speeches online to gather ideas and insights.
Edit and Proofread: Carefully review and edit your speech, and consider seeking input from others to refine your content.

So there you have it!

Your acceptance speech is your opportunity to shine and express your gratitude. With these guidelines and tips, you can craft an acceptance speech that resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impact.

Whether you're addressing a small gathering or a large audience, your words can inspire and connect with those who have chosen to honor your achievements.

Nonetheless, being a good speaker doesn't always translate to being a good writer. That's why many opt for expert assistance from professional writers.

MyPerfectWords.com stands as a reputed essay writing company , offering genuine support for your academic assignments and professional speeches.

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Speech Writing

Acceptance Speech

Learn How to Write an Acceptance Speech like Experts

Published on: Mar 27, 2022

Last updated on: Mar 25, 2024

Acceptance Speech Definition

An acceptance speech is a type of speech given by someone receiving an award or prize. However, not all awards have speeches.

Some are other forms such as trophies and certificates that can be used to give thanks for achievements in fields like academics, engineering, science, and medicine.

When you're accepting a prestigious award, it's important to give a speech that is both concise and engaging.

However, you need to create a basic outline and a list of people you want to thank for a great speech.

Also, it is better that you take time and write a perfect speech that impresses the audience.

How to Start an Acceptance Speech?

Starting a speech can be hard when there are many different thoughts in your mind. You may not know where to start or what points should go into the introduction of your speech. Don't panic!

Follow these simple steps, and you'll get on stage with confidence:

Think hard about what you are thankful for. Then, write down a few reasons why you are grateful. The people who gave you the award want to know that you appreciate it. They want to hear your thoughts on this honor, so tell them.

Make a list of people you want to thank in your speech. Put their names on the list. You can thank organizations, people who worked on the project with you, and family and friends that supported you.

Read other people's speeches for inspiration. You can find those on the Internet or in your local library. It is important to read speeches from people who received awards similar to those you will be getting.

An outline is a plan for the speech. It will have all the ideas and headings you need. Also, follow the proper format for the outline. Therefore, you can easily write a great speech.

You can also check out this video guide on how to give an acceptance speech!

How to Write an Acceptance Speech?

A public speaking opportunity is a golden moment for any award winner. But you need to plan and work on your writing skills before the big day comes.

Here are some steps that you should follow and write a perfect speech.

1. Write an Introduction

The introduction sets the tone of your entire speech. It is also important to connect with the people in the audience at first.

You could start by telling a light-hearted joke, but do not talk about how great you are or why you deserve this award.

Also, start by thanking people who helped you in achieving your goals. The length of your introduction depends on how much time you have to speak, but try not to keep it too long.

2. Write the Main Body

The body of the speech focuses on those who deserve recognition. The bulk of your speech should be devoted to thanking those people that helped you get this award.

Reference the list you made of people who deserve recognition and thank them by name in a heartfelt way.

However, you don't need to thank everyone in your life, just the people who deserve it. Therefore, make sure you only give thanks to those involved with your award and family/friends close to you.

Also, you can add humor to your speech and make it interesting. However, do not make your speech humorous; it will lose its real expression.

3. Write the Conclusion

Conclude your speech with a positive message that makes a great impact on the audience. Also, keep the speech conclusion short and brief.

Summarize the group of people who have helped you in accomplishing the goal. You can also suggest a call to action to inspire the audience.

Highlight the few organizationâs achievements if you received an award for your work from an organization. Also, thank the audience in your last sentence for their time and efforts.

4. Rehearsing and Proofread

After writing the speech, proofread it and remove all the mistakes. The most important thing to remember when giving a speech is to practice.

Reading your speech is important because it tells you to see what the listener will hear. You should read aloud while noting any sections that sound awkward or confusing.

To make it easier to pronounce, remove words and phrases which are hard.

Ask someone you trust, such as your friend or partner, to help you rehearse and give constructive feedback. Then, keep practicing until both of you feel that it is perfect with no flaws at all.

Acceptance Speech Examples

Examples are always helpful, and they can help give you some ideas for writing an acceptance speech. Therefore, for your help, we gathered some professionally written examples that make your writing phase easy.

Acceptance Speech Sample

Acceptance Speech for Student Council President

Acceptance Speech As President Of An Organization

Acceptance Speech After Election

These are some Nobel Prize acceptance speech examples:

Acceptance Speech For The Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech Summary

Martin Luther King Jr. Acceptance Speech

You can check out our descriptive list of acceptance speeches for award examples here:

Jennifer Coolidge Acceptance Speech

Brendan Fraser Acceptance Speech

Will Smith Acceptance Speech Oscars 2022

Austin Butler Acceptance Speech

Ke Huy Quan Acceptance Speech

Troy Kotsur Acceptance Speech

Jamie Lee Curtis Acceptance Speech

Sheryl Lee Ralph Acceptance Speech

Michelle Yeoh Acceptance Speech

Acceptance Speech Writing Tips

The following are the tips that you should follow to create a well-written speech that impresses the audience.

Know your audience: Research the audience and occasion to get a sense of the tone and expectations. Understanding your audience can help you tailor your speech to their interests and needs.
Keep it concise and focused: Avoid going off-topic or rambling. Keep your speech concise and focused on the message you want to convey.
Practice, practice, practice: Practice your speech multiple times to get comfortable with the content and delivery. This will also help you identify areas where you may need to revise or clarify your message.
Be authentic and sincere: Speak from the heart and convey genuine emotion. Authenticity and sincerity can help you connect with your audience and make your message more impactful.
Acknowledge and thank others: Don't forget to acknowledge and thank those who have supported you along the way. This can help you demonstrate humility and gratitude and show that you recognize the contributions of others to your success.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in an Acceptance Speech

When delivering an acceptance speech, it's important to remember that the audience is not only interested in your achievements. But also in your ability to convey gratitude, humility, and inspiration.

To ensure that your acceptance speech hits the right notes, it's important to avoid these common mistakes:

1. Focusing solely on oneself and neglecting to thank others:

An acceptance speech is not just about you; it's also about the people who have supported you along the way.

Failing to acknowledge their contributions and express gratitude can make you appear self-centered and ungrateful.

2. Rambling or going off-topic:

While it's important to convey your gratitude and address the occasion, it's equally important to keep your speech concise and focused.

Going off-topic or rambling can make your speech difficult to follow and leave your audience disengaged.

3. Using inappropriate language or humor:

An acceptance speech should be professional and respectful, regardless of the occasion.

Using inappropriate language or humor can offend or alienate your audience. It detracts from the message you are trying to convey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long should acceptance speeches be.

Acceptance speeches can vary in length. But typically they're pretty short because everyone wants to turn their attention back to what's really important.

How do you end a speech?

When ending a speech, it's important to summarize the main points of your message. Don't just repeat what was said earlier; paraphrase the key themes and arguments you have just presented.

What do you say in an acceptance speech?

Here are some key points that will help you and give you a better idea of what you need to say in your speech.

Be genuine.
Keep your remarks short.
Don't apologize.
Conclude with an inspirational note.

Caleb S. (Literature, Marketing)

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

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Speech Crafting →

How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech to Thank, Inspire and Impress

Let’s say you got nominated for an award and now you have to give an acceptance speech. It’s pretty important to give a good speech, no matter what you’re being awarded for. Looking good doesn’t hurt either!

So, how do you give a good acceptance speech for your award? First off, you should ask yourself what message you would like to convey to your audience.

Generally, an acceptance speech provides the speaker with an opportunity to not only thank the individuals who helped you win the award but also highlight ideas and issues that you care about and even inspire people to do something even bigger.

Which is why it’s important that you don’t mess up.

Writing a good speech, any kind of speech, requires a lot of time and preparation, in order to ensure that you are well prepared and have included any important details that you would prefer to not leave out.

Here are a few practical tips on how you can draw up your award acceptance speech.

What is an Award Acceptance Speech?

This is a type of speech given by an individual who’s receiving a prize, honor or an award. It is an unwritten tradition to share gratitude to individuals who you’d like or acknowledge or thank by giving a few words.

Your audience may be made up of your family and friends but also individuals in your industry who you respect and admire, so when giving an acceptance speech, ensure you make the best of it.

As compared to other speeches, an acceptance speech does not include a beginning , body or conclusion and doesn’t need a PowerPoint display. In addition to this, acceptance speeches aren’t allotted a lot of time as you would with a keynote speech, so you will have to make it short.

Acceptance speeches also provide you, the speaker who’s accepting the award, an opportunity to either make a great impression , no impression or a terrible one. So, you have to be careful with how you write up and give your speech.

What are the m ain Goals of an Acceptance Speech?

Your goals with regard to this speech should be to;

Thank the individuals who helped you in whatever you did or in your career
Center on one idea that you want to leave your audience with, whether it’s motivating them to work hard or inspiring them to follow their dreams
Make a great impression

Since you’ll only have a few minutes to give your speech, focusing on one point or one of the most important lessons you’ve learnt in life is a good way to go.

Additionally, your speech should give your audience a favorable impression about you while also letting them know that you’ve thought about what you’ve said and that you’re respectful.

How to Write a Great Acceptance Speech

Most individuals who win an award start by thanking the individuals who helped them when they accept it.

There are many different ways of thanking people, so which one is applied in this context? Being as specific as possible when thanking individuals is the best way to go.

Therefore, you should start by:

Be Specific

Thank people by telling them exactly what they did that assisted you

You should do this in a way that is meaningful. Saying “Thank you for your support” doesn’t really mean anything.

So instead, you should look at the individuals you mention and while addressing them by their names, thank them while telling them what exactly you are thanking them for.

For instance, you can say, “Lisa, you encouraged me after being rejected by 7 different publishing houses, you were there for me.”

This will make your speech much more interesting to your audience while also appearing sincere.

Pro-Tip: Make eye contact when thanking every individual while mentioning their name, as it will not only convey respect but also sincerity.

Tell a story

Great award acceptance speeches usually tell stories. While the time allotted to give your speech may be short, 30 seconds is enough time to give a short story.

You can either;

Recount an actual conversation you had with someone; be it a family member colleague or friend, about a challenge you had, how you conquered it and its relevance to the award you’re accepting.
Talk about an encounter that happened

Keep in mind though that if you’ll be telling a story , ensure that its relevant to the award, it’s brief and that you tell it in a way that captivates your audience.

Now that we’ve discussed how to prepare for and write your acceptance speech, we can now look into how you will deliver that speech.

How to Prepare for an Award Acceptance Speech?

Nothing is worse than having no speech prepared when you win a major award; fumbling on stage in front of an audience is not a good thing for anyone.

It also shows the individuals who nominated you that you do not respect them, so take some time and prepare.

First and foremost,

Make your speech memorable

Many of the speeches given at award shows are short, so if it isn’t memorable, it can easily be forgotten.

Good thing is you have a lot of resources at your disposal, the biggest being the internet. Thank heavens for technology! Everyone, including yourself, wants to give a great speech . Looking up great acceptance speeches on YouTube will provide you with amazing examples of great speeches.

Most of these examples are short, as acceptance speeches should be. Besides this, they also seen genuine, contain an emotional moment and are funny.

You may not have a funny bone in your body, which is okay as being funny will entirely be dependent on what you’ll be talking about in your speech. So, no pressure.

Rehearse your speech

It may sound ridiculous to practice your acceptance speech, especially considering that it’s brief. However, this is a great way to modify your speech to your liking.

You can do this by recording yourself giving your speech using your camera or phone.

Looking through the recording will help you pick out what you don’t like and what you like about it. This allows you to repeat your speech as many times as you want while implementing the changes you’d like until you feel happy and comfortable with its final form.

Once you are satisfied with your final take, know you already have it in the bag; you’re going to give a great speech!

Pro-Tip: Practicing helps get rid of the jitters and helps you feel more confident in both yourself and your speech.

How To Deliver Your Acceptance Speech

When delivering your acceptance speech, ensure that it’s at least entertaining . It doesn’t have to make the audience laugh so much that their ribs hurt. However, it also shouldn’t be so boring that people doze off or make conversation while you address them.

So, first off,

Don’t Be Boring

If your speech doesn’t have a few jokes in it or isn’t funny, at least try to include some emotion or a dramatic moment. Boring speeches make people want to gorge their eyes out and seal their ears, so they don’t have to look at you and hear you drone on. Don’t subject your audience to unnecessary torture.

Be entertaining. At the very least, say something entertaining, interesting or amusing, even if you’ll be making fun of yourself.

If you are going to show emotion, don’t go overboard

Blubbering through your speech isn’t interesting, so try to keep it together. This is where practicing your speech comes in, it helps you show just the right amount of emotion while still conveying your message to the audience.

Pro-Tip: A little emotion goes a long way, so don’t overdo it.

Using what we have so far discussed, you should be able to not only write a great speech but also present your speech to your audience in a memorable way.

Now, let’s look at a few things to avoid when giving your acceptance speech.

What to avoid in an Award Acceptance Speech

Do not tell your audience you don’t have a lot of time

This only uses up more time. Instead, use the time you’ve been given to the maximum advantage.

Do not tell your audience that you’re nervous

Even though you might be nervous , other people may not recognize that you are. So, there’s no need to waste valuable time.

By the way, deliberately pausing or speaking slowly helps you overcome any jitters you may have. Thank me later once you try this trick of the trade.

Do not thank too many people

Given that you’ll only have a few minutes to give your speech (at most), try to thank no more than five individuals.

You can send the people you didn’t thank on stage personal notes; that’s why such notes exist.

Do not read your speech from a piece of paper

Not only is this devoid of sincerity, emotion and personality but it also looks scripted . Again, practicing helps you capture your main points in mind.

In conclusion, it all comes down to being genuine when thanking individuals, entertaining and leaving your audience with a good life lesson or something that inspires them. Show your audience that you, indeed, were worthy of getting that award!

5 Tips to Give the Perfect Award Acceptance Speech

James Haynes
September 19, 2022

Introduction.

Congratulations! You’ve won an award. Maybe you’ve been selected for the prestigious National Speakers Association’s Speaker Hall of Fame . Maybe you’ve been named volunteer of the year for your local service club. Whatever you’ve won, now you may be wondering: how do I give an award acceptance speech? what kind of a speech am I supposed to give? Where can I find award acceptance speech examples ? How do I make sure my speech is memorable in a good way?

Maybe you’ve never given a speech before, and after toiling for years far from the spotlight, being put on stage is a nerve-wracking prospect for you. One of the best ways to minimize those nerves is to do your homework beforehand so you know exactly where you’re going with your talk, and reading this article is a great start! (For more on managing nerves when you speak, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast .)

Even if you’re a seasoned speaker, the structure and format of an award acceptance speech may not be what you are used to. To master the shortened format and time limits you may have, you’ll need to structure your speech in a more specialized way. For more on how to do so, read on.

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Determine the goal of your speech

First of all, what is the goal of your acceptance speech? The starting point for most, if not all, acceptance speeches, should be a humble “thank you” for whatever they have received. It may also be appropriate to highlight particular experiences or individuals who helped you to get where you are. But this can be overdone; fake modesty and a long list of thank-yous to people the audience doesn’t know can cause your audience to tune out just as much as a braggy or even vindictive diatribe. How do you strike the balance?

One way to start could be watching others’ acceptance speeches, and ideally not just speeches from the Academy Awards. Award acceptance speech examples can be found on Youtube, Vimeo, and other video-sharing sites. Learn from others but don’t mimic – You’ve probably watched a lot of speakers before haven’t you? You know the things they do that work. It’s easy to want to just duplicate what you saw them do since you know it works. But don’t do that. Learn from why it worked and how you can incorporate a similar (but not copied) methodology into your own talks.

Structuring your speech

Another tip: figure out from the event organizer what the time restrictions are for your talk. You don’t want to plan a 20-minute overture when the event organizers expect you to speak for just a minute or two! This will also set the tone for your talk.

Remember that your speech is supposed to be shorter than your typical speech. You shouldn’t have that much to write out. Once you’ve determined a few people you’d like to thank, maybe a story you’d like to tell, and determined the overall goal or vibe of your talk, you should start structuring your speech.

Perhaps you could begin by breaking down your speech into a few sections. For example, you could structure the speech as follows: Introduction, thanking a few specific people, telling a story or an anecdote, and conclusion. This should all take no more than 3-5 minutes. And it will fly by .

Consider telling stories

Want to tell a story in your acceptance speech? It’s a good idea. Humans relate to stories. We connect to stories. Funny stories. Sad stories. Inspirational stories. We love stories. So tell them. Lots of them. Stories will keep your audience engaged and are also easier for you to memorize.

There’s nothing wrong with telling a 3rd person story or using some case study or example. But especially for an award you’re receiving, telling a story that you lived and experienced generally makes the story better for you and the audience. For the audience, they can oftentimes find themselves in your story. For you as the speaker, it’s much easier (and more powerful) to tell a story that you lived versus one you read in a book.

What kind of story to tell

In an award acceptance speech, any such story should be short and sweet. One way to keep an eye on the length is to try timing yourself telling the story out loud. As Harriet Turk discusses in our podcast on creating your talk , “If you practice out loud, you learn a whole lot more about what the story hits on and what parts need to be told.” Turk goes on to say that sometimes we find that we try to tell a story the way we wrote it, but authoring a story is much different than presenting a story. A story that reads well in a book may not work as well on stage.

Some examples of stories or anecdotes that you could do well to include would be about a setback you overcame in your role, or how someone helped you in a particularly meaningful way. If that person who helped you is one of those you want to thank, it would serve as an incredibly powerful testament to their character to include such a story. Of course, if something about that story is sensitive, it would be prudent to notify them in advance that you plan to tell that story. Even if not, it could be polite to give them a heads-up, particularly if they will be in the audience for your acceptance speech.

Using humor: advantages and pitfalls

You might wonder whether or not humor is appropriate in an award acceptance speech. Generally, humor is not a bad thing to include if you want to liven up your talk. However, keep in mind that you are being spotlighted as an individual accomplishing something in an award acceptance speech, and harsh joking about other people, in particular, may reflect poorly on your deserving the award. Negative jokes about the organizer, your collaborators, or others in the audience are no-nos.

On that point, as we cover in our 100 speaking tips article, you don’t need to be crude or inappropriate just for a laugh. It’s not worth it. If you deliver a killer keynote and are flawless throughout, but you make one inappropriate remark, nobody will remember anything else you said. There’s nothing wrong with using humor or making a strong point on something, but don’t do it at the expense of crossing the line and turning people off.

On the other hand, a dash of humor, such as light self-deprecation, can be perfectly good at keeping your speech from sounding sanctimonious or stuffy. When you tell a joke or deliver a punchline, give the audience time to laugh. Sometimes speakers like to rush to the next point, but don’t do that. You need to give the audience a chance to respond to what you just said (in this case to laugh), but also if you rush on to the next thought while the room is still laughing, nobody will hear what you’re saying.

Practice makes perfect

You’re not going to have a Powerpoint. You’re probably not going to have any visual aids. So how are you going to stay focused and find cues for your award acceptance speech?

Consider writing your speech out and timing yourself to ensure you don’t go way over any time allotments you might have. And if you don’t have time limits, consider your audience – they will almost certainly tune out after 15+ minutes of seemingly-endless acknowledgments…

Remember: Professional speakers don’t just make stuff up. They don’t write a few thoughts on a notecard and then shoot from the hip for an entire presentation. They take the time to write and carefully craft their material.

As Harriet Turk discusses in our podcast on creating your talk , bullet points can be one way to succinctly outline a talk in a way that you can rely on, even when you’re on stage and nervous. “Bullets are easy because they trigger what it is that you’re really wanting to do,” she said, “Whereas if you write it out and then you memorize it, you could have stage fright, or you’ve practiced it so much that you get to a point that you’re nervous and you forget.”

Although you shouldn’t just be reading from a page the whole time, writing out specific names of people you want to thank can help keep you from forgetting anybody.

When you’re on stage

So you’ve written, practiced, and are headed to your acceptance speech venue to give your killer talk. What should you remember when you’re standing on the stage?

As we outline in our 100 speaking tips piece, remember that on stage, you can be an amplified version of yourself. The bigger the venue, the bigger you need to be on stage. The way you would communicate to a group of 10 people is very different than how you would need to communicate to a room of 10,000. Both should be an authentic version of you, but simply amplified to the setting. The bottom line is don’t try to be something you’re not on stage. Be you.

Keep it slow and steady. When you are talking really fast, it becomes difficult for the audience to follow. It’s hard to keep up and process. Plus the faster you talk, the harder it is to understand what you’re saying. So slow down and enunciate. Give the audience the chance to keep up with where you’re going.

Don’t be afraid of the silence. Silence, to a speaker, can feel deafening but it can be powerful. Silence shows confidence that you’re in control of the talk and the room and you’re continuing to guide them towards a common purpose. When you make a strong point, don’t rush to the next line. Stop and let it hang there. The silence is your friend.

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All in all, giving an award acceptance speech is a great opportunity to practice your speaking skills while simultaneously a big honor! Whether you’re an experienced speaker or haven’t given one for years, these tips and processes can help you conceive of, outline, and deliver an awesome acceptance speech.

If you found this piece helpful, we have a great podcast with Grant Baldwin on how to create your talk. He tells us how he prepares for talks, what makes a talk good versus another talk, and what types of structures you can use to organize your content. You can listen to this podcast on creating a talk here . Want to read more about speaking tips? Take a look at our 100 tips for motivational speaking for any speaking engagement ! Happy speaking!

Last Updated: May 7, 2024

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Acceptance Speech Thanks Those Who Made Excellence Possible

Anne Hathaway Oscar Acceptance Speech for Les Miserables

When achievements are acknowledged with an award or accolade, the recipients should respond with a gracious acceptance speech. A well-delivered acceptance speech conveys thanks, identifies people instrumental in the speaker’s success, and inspires others to strive toward their goals.

Whether it’s Meryl Streep and one of her many Academy Awards or John F. Kennedy and his nomination for president, knowing how to deliver the right acceptance speech is an essential skill.

Table of Contents

What Is An Acceptance Speech

An acceptance speech is an address given by an individual recognized for their achievements or contributions in a particular field. It serves as a way for the recipient to express gratitude and appreciation for their recognition.

Examples of these speeches can be seen at Hollywood awards shows , such as the Academy Awards (otherwise known as the Oscars) or Golden Globes. In these ceremonies, achievements like Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, or Motion Picture of the Year are examples of awards given.

But acceptance speeches are given in many fields for many types of achievement s. Academic achievements, sports, career advancements, and even political events like the Republican or Democratic conventions, when presidential nominees are named, require people to give acceptance speeches.

Anytime a formal recognition of success is announced, an acceptance speech should be given. The purpose of an acceptance speech is to acknowledge those who have helped you achieve your success, whether it be family members, colleagues, mentors, or fans. It also allows you to share any insights or advice you gleaned with others.

An effective acceptance speech should be concise and heartfelt, conveying humility, confidence, and gratitude . The speaker should avoid being overly boastful or self-centered and instead focus on expressing gratitude and acknowledging the contributions of others.

Nominees at these events come prepared with an award acceptance speech that allows them to thank those involved with their success and the organization honoring them.

Awards are given as early as kindergarten, though responding with acceptance speeches might not start till high school.

Teen giving acceptance speech after award

How Do You Write A Speech About Accepting An Award?

When it comes to writing a speech about accepting an award, there are a few key elements that you should keep in mind. You will have limited time, so being prepared and precise is essential.

Create an outline. A well-organized speech will have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Introduction. The introduction should express your gratitude for the honor you’ve received. You do so by thanking the organization or individual presenting the award and any colleagues or supporters who have helped you along the way.
Body. In the body, you’ll want to reflect on what the award means to you personally and professionally. Consider how it aligns with your values and goals and how it will impact your future endeavors.
Conclusion. During the conclusion, you’ll share some words of inspiration with your audience. Whether encouraging others to pursue their passions or reminding them of the importance of hard work and dedication, your speech should leave a lasting impression on those who hear it.

What Is The First Step In An Acceptance Speech?

The first step in an acceptance speech is to express gratitude . Whether it is an award, a promotion, or any other form of recognition, expressing gratitude is essential.

It’s crucial to thank the organization or individual who bestowed the honor on you and acknowledge the efforts of those who helped you achieve it.

Thanking family, friends, and colleagues for the support and encouragement they provided is also crucial. No one achieves success alone, and recognizing everyone (or as many as possible in the given time) who has played a role in your achievement demonstrates your understanding.

Additionally, if time permits, this is an excellent time to share your perseverance and hard work story . Your circumstances can inspire and encourage others to pursue their dreams and never give up on themselves.

Business award recipient ready to give acceptance speech

What Should An Acceptance Speech Include?

A well-written acceptance speech should have a clear introduction that captures the audience’s attention, a body that conveys the message effectively , and a conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

An acceptance speech can be tricky, so preparing ahead of the event ensures you can deliver the right message quickly, even if you don’t expect an award. For someone feeling humbled and brimming with emotion, the inclination can be to talk extensively about the journey and stumble over the right people to thank.

A good acceptance speech must be both thorough and concise. This can be a tricky balance to strike.

When preparing your acceptance speech, be sure to include the following:

A sincere expression of gratitude towards the organization or individuals who have bestowed the award.
Recognition of family, friends, colleagues, mentors, and anyone else who has played a significant role in their success.
An inspiring message that motivates others to pursue their dreams and work hard to make them a reality.
Personal experiences highlight the importance of perseverance, dedication, and never giving up.

It’s also vital to end positively by expressing hope for the future and thanking everyone again for this recognition. A well-crafted acceptance speech can leave a lasting impression on its audience and inspire others to strive towards excellence.

What Is The Most Important Part Of An Acceptance Speech?

The most important part of an acceptance speech is undoubtedly its message of gratitude.

The proper expression of appreciation and thanks to those who supported and participated in your success creates a personal connection with the audience. Appearing entitled or ignoring the contributions of others will be off-putting to the audience and those who are bestowing the award.

Family, friends, and colleagues involved in another’s success may feel slighted if they are not mentioned in an acceptance speech. Nominees should come with cue cards to refer to if they win and need to give the speech!

How Do You Write A 5-Minute Acceptance Speech?

Writing a 5-minute acceptance speech can be daunting, especially if you are not used to public speaking or if it’s your first time.

Five minutes is incredibly long, yet not nearly enough time when you find yourself needing to prepare an acceptance speech.

However, with careful planning and preparation, you can create an impactful speech that will leave a lasting impression and be appreciated by your audience.

The steps below can be used as a guide when crafting your acceptance speech:

Brainstorm . Write down everyone you think you need to thank. This may be a long list, including family members, friends, colleagues, or mentors. Acknowledging the organization or institution giving you the award is also important.
Create a priority order of thanks. You have limited time, so arrange your list in priority order with those essential to thank those that you can thank personally later if time doesn’t permit.
Determine the key message that you want to convey in your speech. You might include an inspiring story about overcoming challenges or achieving success in your field. Alternatively, it could be a call to action for others to follow in your footsteps and positively impact their own lives.
Create a strong closing statement. The best closing statement leaves a lasting impression on your audience. You could use a quote or personal anecdote that summarizes your message and inspires others to take action.
Edit. With all of these elements created, put them together and edit.
Practice. You have 5 minutes, so you’ll need to practice. Knowing what you’d like to say and speaking eloquently will give you the most opportunity to include all the elements you’d like to in your speech.

Writing a 5-minute acceptance speech requires careful planning and preparation . By thanking those who have helped you along the way, conveying an inspiring message, and ending with a strong closing statement, you can create an impactful speech that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Kailash Satyarthi (R) and Malala Yousafzai accept Noble laureate awards

What Is An Example Of A Short Speech About Accepting An Award?

Accepting an award is a moment of great pride and honor for any individual. It is an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation toward those who have supported and encouraged us throughout our journey. A short speech about accepting an award should be concise, heartfelt, and gracious.

An excellent example of a short acceptance speech is the one given by Denzel Washington in 1990 when he won the first Oscar of his career for best male actor in a supporting role. His Oscar speech went as follows:

I want to thank the Academy. I’m gonna thank Ed Zwick, and Freddie Fields, who did a fantastic job, who made what I consider to be at least one of the best five films of the Year. I’d like to thank my friend and manager, Flo Allen. Fabulous Ed Limato. And Todd Smith and George Freeman. And God bless you, my mother. I love you. My beautiful wife Pauletta, the kids. My son said he was gonna make one of these out of clay for me; now I got the model for him. I want to thank my first agent, the late Ruth Aronson, who believed in me. I’d also like to pay homage to the 54th, the black soldiers who helped to make this country free. I thank God. I thank you.

Lorin Harrott

After years as a professional speaker and corporate trainer,Lorin Harrott has turned her attention to sharing her knowledge through writing. She's currently a writer, photographer, and mom in Sacramento, CA, with occasional speaking engagements related to education and STEM topics in the public school system.

How to Write Great Acceptance Speeches

by Jezra on August 2, 2023

For the past few years, I’ve had the honor of writing speeches with some of America’s greatest (American) football players.

And I’ve also had the honor of being featured in a New York Times article about that work.

How can that be? (you might ask), when I know almost nothing about football or, in fact, any sport besides lying on the couch reading romance novels?

It can be because we are writing acceptance speeches

Are All Acceptance Speeches Created Equal?

A speech that you would give to accept an Academy Award or enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is not the same as a speech you would give to accept an honorary degree or thanks from a local charity.

But they’re not that different, either, because they’re all about the gratitude you feel toward the community that’s honoring you .

So—at the risk of making myself obsolete by sharing these professional secrets—I’ve sketched out an approach to expressing that gratitude in an organized way, in a limited amount of time.

The Elements of Good Acceptance Speeches

You don’t need to hit all of these beats, and you don’t need to deliver them in this order. But if (like my clients who are being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, you have dozens and dozens of people to thank), this outline will help you pull that off.

1. “Housekeeping”

(So called because it’s not part of the body of your speech)

Greet the audience. Let them know how much you appreciate their presence.
Thank the organization that’s honoring or recognizing you.
If this is relevant, comment on how proud you are to be part of the long tradition of exceptional people who’ve received this honor before you.
And if you’re inclined to thank God, this is a good place to do that, too.

2. Share a Little Background

If it’s appropriate and you have time, share a little bit about what started you on the path to this award.
This could be as short as 30 seconds or as long as several minutes.
If you have a charming or funny story about your early involvement with the topic, now is the time to tell it.

3. Acknowledge Your Debt to Others

Let the audience know that you know that you couldn’t have made it this far without help from many, many other people—some of whom are present today. (Don’t list them all right now, that will come soon. 🙂
Lots of people thank and/or talk about their parents at this point in their acceptance speeches. Whether your folks drove you to football practice or gave you a moral foundation that helped you excel, they helped put you on the road to success.

4. Now Talk About the People Who Helped You Develop and Grow

Begin with the people who helped mold you into the person you are today. They deserve the most recognition, and if you have time, a brief comment about what makes them so special to you.
Then, as you go down the list, you can start putting slightly less important people into groups (“all of the great line coaches I worked with, including…”). Here, you’re mostly listing people, since you don’t have time to share a personal detail about each one.
Finally, thank people in categories (“the great back office team,” “all of our fine training staff,” etc.)
And don’t forget your audience members, fans, or volunteers who helped you achieve your success . (You wouldn’t anyway! :-)) Without them, you would literally be nowhere.

5. Finally, Thank Your Family

Your spouse, your children (if any), maybe your siblings, your parents (if you haven’t already spoken about them), and again, God, if God is central to your life, all deserve public gratitude.
Say a few words about what your family members have sacrificed, how they’ve stood by you during the hard times, and how they are the best spouse/kids/siblings anyone could ever have! (Assuming that all of this is true. If it’s not, don’t say anything! :-))

6. If You Want, Get Big Picture

If you want to share advice, or a philosophy of success, now’s a good time to do that.
And if you told a personal story at the beginning, does it tie back to your advice? (“Watching my Dad work in the fields helped me understand how to be a success in life…”)
Make your advice (or the values you’re recommending) simple and to the point.

7. Close with More Thanks

“So I just want to say again how much I appreciate being part of this great community. Thank you for being here with me today; I’ll never forget it.”
“All of you are the reason I’m getting this award, and I wish I could share it with each and every one of you. So thank you again, and let’s keep winning together.”

Ready to Write Your Acceptance Speech?

Even though acceptance speeches generally hit these traditional beats, they should still be highly individual. Your speech should convey your feelings , and your thoughts, in a way that nobody else but you could express.

Writing acceptance speeches isn’t rocket science— but it is a skill that, as the New York Times pointed out, speechwriters like me have worked hard to perfect.

So if you find out that you’re going to be honored, congratulations!

And if you want a hand with your acceptance speech, just give a yell.

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How to Give an Acceptance Speech

Last Updated: May 18, 2021 Approved

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 291,593 times.

Giving an acceptance speech can be a daunting task when you're naturally humble, especially if you've been working so hard earning the accolades that you haven't brushed up on your public speaking skills! Luckily, with the right planning and execution, an acceptance speech can be an opportunity to shine, rather than something that must be suffered through. By following a few basic rules of thumb during the writing and polishing stages of your preparation process and knowing basic standards of speech-giving etiquette ahead of time, you can make your acceptance speech as painless as possible — fun, even!

Sample Speeches

Writing a Great Speech

As a general rule, the smaller your audience and the more intimately you know its members, the more casual your speech may be.

Step 3 Start your speech by introducing yourself.

"Hello. Thank you for honoring me this evening. As you've just heard, my name is Jane Smith. I joined this company in 2009, and since then, I've worked with the marketing, content, and analytics departments in varying capacities. Earlier this year, I had the honor of collaborating with my boss, John Q. Public, on a new data processing system, which is why we're here today."

Step 4 State a clear, defined goal early in your speech.

"I'm here today to offer my sincerest gratitude to the dozens of people without whom this experience wouldn't have been possible. I'd also like to briefly discuss the role that the idea of "going the extra mile" has played in setting this company apart from the others in the tech field."

Step 5 Explain how the honor you’re receiving has personal meaning.

“As much as I appreciate this award and as grateful as I am for it, the greatest reward I’ve ever been given is the simple opportunity to help generations of kids learn how to think critically about the world around them.”

Step 6 Wrap up with a concise, powerful ending.

"As we leave here today, I'd like to ask the members of the audience to take a moment to think about the importance of educating the children of this generation. Tomorrow's problems demand bright, hard-working individuals to solve them, and the only way we can create these individuals is by acting as a community to support our schools, our teachers, and the countless people that they depend on for their continued strength."

Step 7 Be sure to thank anyone who helped you succeed.

When you're thanking people, it's a wise idea to end with something along the lines of, "and finally, I'd like to thank everyone else who supported me during my work — there are too many people to list, but I want to thank you all personally." This covers your bases in case you forget anyone who played a minor role in your success.

Step 8 Look for inspiration from the greats.

As a positive example, consider Jimmy Valvano's phenomenal acceptance speech at the 1993 ESPY awards. Just eight weeks before his premature death from cancer, the famed college basketball coach delivered an immensely moving speech to an ecstatic standing ovation from the crowd. [2] X Research source
As an example of what not to do, consider Hilary Swank's Oscar acceptance speech for "Boys Don't Cry" in 2000. Swank accepted her award gratefully, doling out thanks to all of her supporters, with the major exception of her husband , whom the cameras famously caught crying tears of joy during Swank's speech. [3] X Research source
As an oddball example, consider Joe Pesci’s Oscar acceptance speech. After taking the podium at the 1991 Oscars for his work in "Goodfellas," Pesci said simply, "It's my privilege. Thank you." Pesci was both praised and lampooned for his five word speech.

Polishing Your Speech to Perfection

Knowing the outline of your speech ahead of time is useful for multiple reasons. For instance, not only will this prevent certain technical snafus (for instance, a breeze carrying your speech away) from derailing your speech, but it can also help you deliver your speech more confidently. After all, if you know basically what you need to say ahead of time, what need is there to worry?

Also, don’t forget that there may be people in the audience who were in the running for the honor you ended up receiving. Because of this, you won’t want to demean the organization that’s honoring you or jokingly imply that you were a bad choice. Maintain respect for yourself, the organization honoring you, and the audience as you accept your award.

As you practice, time yourself. You may be surprised how much longer (or shorter) your speech is than you thought it would be. If you have a hard time limit for your speech, use the results of your timed practice to edit your speech as necessary.

Delivering your Speech with Dignity

Step 1 Manage your anxiety with stress-fighting techniques.

Rapid heartbeat: Breathe deeply and slowly. Concentrate on someone in the room you're comfortable around, like a friend or family member. Start delivering the words of your speech — you'll naturally relax once you start talking.
Racing, panicked thoughts: Take deep breaths. Look out into the audience and see the humor in their blank, expressionless faces. Alternatively, imagine that the members of the audience are somehow unimportant or laughable (e.g., that they're all in their underwear, etc.)
Dry mouth: Bring a bottle of water with you onstage to drink as you need it. Consider also chewing gum before (but not during) your speech. Mimicking the process of eating can have a calming effect on the emotions. In addition, it can stimulate saliva production, preventing a dry mouth.
Trembling: Breathe deeply and slowly. If necessary, try slowly tensing and releasing the muscles in the trembling body part to work out the excess energy from your adrenaline high.
Above all, relax . You've prepared, so you have no reason to worry about how the speech will turn out. Worrying will only make it harder to deliver the great speech that you're perfectly capable of giving.

Hurrying or rushing through your speech.
Fidgeting or messing with something in your hands
Swaying from side to side.
Coughing/sniffling excessively

If you can remember to do so, try to gradually move your gaze from side to side as you look at your audience. Sweeping your eyes back and forth gives the members of the audience the impression that you're addressing them all individually. If this "sweeping" motion is tricky for you, try randomly picking individuals in the audience to look at for a few seconds at a time as you talk.

Step 5 Remember that everyone in the room is a human being.

Expert Q&A

Keep any jokes clean and flattering. Don't debase yourself or anyone else. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
When writing your speech, stay mindful of the audience. Your knowledge of the attire and the age group should dictate your vocabulary. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
At all costs, avoid forgetting to mention someone. It is always better to mention groups, or teams, and avoid speaking about individuals, than it is to disregard someone unintentionally. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
↑ http://www.jimmyv.org/about-us/remembering-jim/jimmy-v-espy-awards-speech/
↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-acceptance-speech-flubs-422360
↑ http://www.cypressmedia.net/articles/article/19/overcome_your_fears_and_become_a_great_speaker
http://www.sideroad.com/Public_Speaking/acceptance_speech.html
http://www.write-out-loud.com/acceptance-speeches.html

About this article

To give an acceptance speech, start by introducing yourself, then get right to the main theme of your speech. Keep your words simple, speak slowly and clearly, and try to center at least part of your speech around thanking those who helped you get to where you are. Explain what personal meaning the honor holds for you, then wrap up your speech with a concise, powerful ending! For tips on polishing and practicing your speech, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Acceptance speeches - without tears

U nlike some of the most publicized acceptance speeches, these do not have to be a long list of ' thank you, thank you ... ' punctuated by sobs or silence because you're scrabbling for a clean tissue. Neither do they need to be so flippant or brief they minimize the people honoring you.

Good acceptance speeches find a balance, blending gracious humility with sincere acknowledgment and perhaps, a little humor.

T hese guidelines were written as a result of my own experience. Yes, dear reader, I gulped and gawped at an expectant audience, managing a few tearful 'thank yous' before being gently steered off stage sniffling into a huge bunch of creamy-pink roses.

Not an acceptance speech I'd encourage anyone to copy!

Tips for acceptable acceptance speeches

Prepare ahead, if possible In my example above there was little time to prepare but had I been thinking I would have realized a speech could be called for. I wasn't, and the result was temporarily embarrassing. If you DO know you're going to be honored, preparation will save you from a similar fate, particularly if it's likely you'll be overcome emotionally by the occasion.

She traveled 10,000 miles to say thank you! Read Birdland School Principal Olive Mumba's inspirational award acceptance speech .

Olive delivered this speech at a dinner given in her honor in Seattle where she received the 2009 Seattle Academy Arts and Sciences 'Future Building' Award for her outstanding commitment and work to give the children of her community in Lusaka, Zambia an opportunity to learn.

Begin by finding out : - how long you are expected to speak for - whether it's formal or informal, day or night time? - who will be in your audience - who will be introducing you and what they're likely to say - and if you're expected to cover any specific subject matter.

Expected content for acceptance speeches

You'll want notes/ideas covering off:

gracious thanks to the person and/or organization honoring you
an acknowledgment of the audience witnessing the event
an appreciative awareness of those who helped you without digressing into thanks for the cat, dog, next-door neighbor, the person who didn't run you off the road when you were ten years old and larking on your bike ...
what the honor means to you
the values the donor organization/institution espouses and how they inspire you

R emember people love stories. Tell them but keep them tight and to the point. Give them snapshots into where your life was and where it's going now, perhaps as a result of the opportunities made possible through this award. Click this link to find out more about story telling in speeches

Using humor safely

It's good to be witty and amusing but be really careful. Even self-deprecating humor can backfire badly. These people are honoring you because they thought you deserved it. Mocking yourself may take away from them as well. Click the link to find out more about how to use humor in speeches .

Speech writing

Three yellow post-it notes pegged to a line

I f you need tips to help you through the writing process - to get from your notes to words flowing smoothly, this page on how to write a speech will assist.

There's also a handy down-loadable printable fill-in-the-blanks speech outline following the standard 3-part speech format (opening, body, ending) to keep you on track.

Speech delivery

Speeches, especially brief ones, are better delivered without reading your text word-for-word. Use * cue cards to help you remember the main points and rehearse until you are fluent.

* Cue cards - Click the link for detailed information on how to prepare and use cue cards successfully. They do make a positive difference. Your speech will appear more spontaneous and direct through using them.

For smooth assured delivery you need to practice. This page will help you make the most of your rehearsal time . It is full of effective easy-to-use tips and techniques.

Lastly, enjoy the experience and congratulations on your achievement!

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Acceptance Speech Example

As a college instructor and communication expert with extensive nonfiction and educational writing experience, Mary shares tips and advice related to a wide variety of topics.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

If you receive an award that's presented at a public event or membership gathering, you will be expected to deliver a short acceptance speech. This speech is your chance to say thank you to the awarding organization or individuals and also serve as an inspiration to others who may have goals similar to yours.

Template for an Acceptance Speech

Writing an acceptance speech doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you start with this fill-in template as a foundation on which to build. Open the template by clicking the image below. If the document doesn't open right away, use the tips in this guide for printables to troubleshoot.

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After the document launches, click anywhere in the highlighted area to make text changes using your keyboard and mouse. You can change as much or as little of the wording as you like, being sure to fill in the areas between the brackets ([ ]), as they represent spots where you'll need to specify information relevant to your individual situation.

When you're finished customizing the document, use the toolbar commands to save, then print.

Acceptance Speech Writing Tips

Even though this template can give you a head start on writing your speech, the final document will have to be customized to your particular situation. Key tips to keep in mind include:

Before going to the award ceremony, find out if the winner will be expected to deliver a speech and ask how much time is allocated for the individual to speak. This will help you determine how long your remarks should be.
Be a gracious winner, acknowledging others who were nominated for the award (if you have access to that information) and saying thank you to the awarding organization and individuals who helped you along the way with whatever it is you are being recognized for.
Put careful thought into deciding who you need to acknowledge when delivering your remarks. It is much better to spend time up front making sure you include everyone rather than having to apologize for leaving someone out after the fact.
Avoid coming across as arrogant. Instead, be sure that you accept the award in a spirit of humility and gratitude.
End with a focus on the future, addressing what may come next for you as a result of experiencing the honor of receiving the award.

Accepting an Award With Style

Delivering a sincere, quality acceptance speech will guarantee you come across as a consummate professional who is both humble and accomplished. Practice your remarks carefully ahead of time, and take your notes with you so you have them to rely on when delivering your speech.

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Acceptance Speech

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Acceptance Speech Topics

Acceptance speech sample template as the key to happiness while receiving honor at an award ceremony and responding when you are being nominated as recipient. Not just for Pulitzer prize winners! Use it to reply words in which you are being nominated or presented as the recipient. The scheme is even suitable for someone who talks on behalf of someone who can not appear in person.

Following my 4 speech topics tips will prevent painless situations and rambling.

My first tip: always start writing as soon as you are being nominated since the ritual can be emotional.

You do not want to perform like some award ceremony winners on television; emotionally and endlessly thanking everybody they know. Okay, I agree, some acceptance addresses are very humorous exceptions.

Note: please check see this other article you need help with award speech presentation .

But there are just a few people who have this talent. After a thunderous applause, you can rely on a steady prepared talk and enjoy!

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

My Acceptance Speech Template

Pick out the public speaking speech topics you need and adapt them carefully to the event or special occasion you are asked for to speak.

This outline template has been proven successful for many public speakers around the world.

Especially for those who had to create an acceptance speech for some kind of an event.

Open with graciously acknowledging the award, prize, honor or gift. E.g. express gratitude for the recognition of your work and / or the accomplishments.
Thank the organization or the hosting company by replying the presenting public speaker in a few sentences. Look at her or him when you thank the group of key persons who organized the award ceremony.
Thank the audience for their gracious comments and feedback on your achievements. E.g. offer some examples of things that should never have happened or reached without their support. Express your appreciation for recognizing your successes.
Thank all who made it possible that you get this honor. Give generous credit to whom have contributed to your success.

E.g. mention their names if it only affects a few persons. Or mention the most relevant individuals. But remember: no endless boring long thank you lists, with names nobody has ever heard of!

Audiences fear those long performances; they start groaning and moaning. But most of the time the awarded speaker does not have the vaguest idea of his terrible talk.

Conclude your feelings and emotions about being honored in one sentence. A good approach is answering this neat question: What do all nice words and compliments really mean to you?

Catch it in one eight-word oneliner and there is your thread running through the thank yous!

Offer your points of view on what you consider the most important milestone. Focus in your speaking speech on the values you stand for by using metaphors and archetypal narratives.
End with saying something about your sincere acknowledgment of the values or the goals of the award organization. Stress their importance.
Say: – for the last time in your acceptance speech – Thank You, and end with: Enjoy the rest of the evening … or likewise acceptance quotes as long as the action-and-effect are similar.
… and return to your seat amidst loud applause after delivering!

Tips For Delivering

These tips are the standard for an acceptance speech and not only for bookworms or Pulitzer prize winners. I have actualized them shortly, due to the various positive feedback remarks I got. Thanks very much for sharing – I’m sincerely grateful to you all!

Be graceful, polite and courteous, and stay modest under all circumstances you can think of.
Keep it brief, three to five minutes will do – that is the upper limit. Of course it depends on the character of the occasion. Figure that out with the hosts.
Nevertheless, three to five is a classical set-up.
Copy out your notes for possible speech topics when you prepare. Make a rough draft on for example post-it notes and work them out.
The language and writing style you use should perfectly fit the dignity of the meeting and the public speaking occasion. Ask the award ceremony hosting organization for special requirements or codes, if you don’t know it exactly.

Talking about code – do not forget to ask what the dress code is Black Tie perhaps? Imagine that all guests wearing tuxedos and evening dresses and you appear in informal attire

Such nightmare situations can be avoid, only ask. Congratulations with the honor bestowed upon you, to use an oldfashioned but true saying, and good luck with writing and delivering!

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Here’s How I Wrote an Acceptance Speech for My Big Day

Hrideep barot.

Speech Writing

Hey there! Before Writing an acceptance speech, we must know what it is. Ever wonder what those fancy “thank you” speeches are all about when someone wins an award or does something awesome? Well, they’re called acceptance speeches, and they’re like a way of saying, “Hey, thanks for noticing my hard work!” Let’s dive in and see what makes these speeches special.

What Is An Acceptance Speech?

What is the purpose of an acceptance speech .

Ways I Used To Write Acceptance Speech For My Big Day.

Strategies I Used To Confidently Deliver My Speech.

Examples of how i wrote an acceptance speech for my big day.

Some Iconic And Memorable Acceptance Speech Examples From Various Fields.
Conclusion.

An acceptance speech is a formal statement given by an individual or a group of individuals who have been awarded or recognized for an achievement. During an acceptance speech, the speaker typically expresses gratitude, acknowledges the efforts of those who contributed to the achievement, and may share reflections on the significance of the award.

Acceptance speeches vary in length and style, but they generally convey appreciation, humility, and sometimes the speaker’s perspective on the work or accomplishment that led to the recognition.

Acceptance speeches are prevalent in various fields, including entertainment, sports, business, and academia, among others. In the context of entertainment, for example, actors may deliver acceptance speeches at awards shows. In business, leaders may give acceptance speeches when receiving industry accolades or recognition for corporate achievements.

The purpose of an acceptance speech is multi-faceted and extends beyond the mere act of acknowledging an award or recognition. Here are some key purposes:

1. Expressing Gratitude:

One of the primary purposes of an acceptance speech is to express gratitude. Recipients use this opportunity to thank individuals, groups, or organizations that played a role in their success . This can include colleagues, mentors, family members, and supporters.

2. Acknowledging Contributions:

Acceptance speeches allow awardees to recognize the efforts and contributions of others who have contributed to the recognized achievement. This acknowledgment not only shows appreciation but also highlights the collaborative nature of many accomplishments.

3. Connecting with the Audience:

Acceptance speeches provide a platform for the recipient to connect emotionally with the audience. By sharing personal reflections, stories, or sentiments, the speaker can create a more meaningful and memorable experience for those in attendance or watching.

4. Sharing Insights:

Awardees often use acceptance speeches to share insights into their journey, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned. This can be inspirational for others facing similar challenges and can contribute to a sense of shared experience.

5. Enhancing Professional Image:

A well-delivered acceptance speech can enhance the professional image of the recipient. It provides an opportunity to showcase not only the achievements being recognized but also the recipient’s communication skills, humility, and ability to connect with an audience.

6. Inspiring Others:

Acceptance speeches can serve as a source of inspiration for others in the audience or those who may later hear or read about the speech. The speaker may offer words of encouragement or share insights that motivate others to pursue their goals.

7. Celebrating Achievements:

Ultimately, acceptance speeches are a means of celebrating achievements. They allow individuals or groups to publicly revel in their success, creating a moment of joy and recognition for the hard work and dedication that led to the award.

An acceptance speech serves as a powerful communication tool that goes beyond a simple acknowledgment of an award. It is an opportunity for the recipient to connect with others, express gratitude, share insights, and inspire, contributing to a richer and more meaningful celebration of achievement.

Ways I Used To Write An Acceptance Speech For My Big Day.

1. begin with gratitude:.

Start your acceptance speech with a genuine expression of gratitude for the honor or award you are receiving. Convey your appreciation for being recognized, and consider mentioning the significance of the accolade in your personal or professional journey. This sets a positive tone for your speech and immediately engages the audience with your genuine emotions.

2. Identify Key Thank You’s:

Make a list of the individuals, groups, or organizations you want to thank. Delve into specific reasons why each person or group is being acknowledged. Share anecdotes or instances that highlight their contributions, making your expressions of gratitude more meaningful and personal. This not only shows your appreciation but also helps the audience connect with the people who have been instrumental in your success.

3. Personalize Your Thanks:

When expressing gratitude, personalize your thanks by sharing stories or moments that illustrate the impact of the support you received. Whether it’s a mentor’s guidance, a colleague’s collaboration, or a friend’s encouragement, adding a personal touch enhances the emotional resonance of your speech and makes it more memorable.

4. Acknowledge the Team:

If your achievement is a result of teamwork, emphasize the collaborative effort that contributed to the success. Acknowledge the collective dedication and hard work of your team members. Highlight specific instances of collaboration and cooperation , showcasing the strength of working together toward a common goal.

5. Share Your Journey:

Briefly share key aspects of your journey that led to this moment. Focus on significant milestones, challenges overcome, and pivotal moments. This narrative not only provides context for the audience but also adds depth to your speech, allowing them to connect with your experiences and better understand the journey that led to your recognition.

6. Highlight the Significance:

Explain why this recognition holds particular significance for you. Connect the award to your personal or professional values, goals, or aspirations. Share how it aligns with your passions or the mission that drives you. This adds depth to your speech, allowing the audience to appreciate the meaningful connection between you and the recognition you’re receiving.

7. Inject Humor (if appropriate):

Adding a touch of humor can make your speech more engaging and endearing. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the humor is contextually appropriate for the occasion and audience. Consider incorporating lighthearted anecdotes or playful remarks that align with the celebratory atmosphere, being mindful not to detract from the significance of the moment.

8. Be Concise:

Keep your acceptance speech concise and focused. While it’s essential to express your gratitude and share insights, avoid going into excessive detail or wandering off-topic. Aim for a speech that is impactful but not overly lengthy , respecting the time constraints of the event and maintaining the audience’s interest throughout.

9. Practice Your Delivery:

Practice delivering your speech to refine your tone, pace, and pauses. This ensures a smooth and confident presentation, allowing you to connect with the audience effectively. Pay attention to your body language, gestures, and overall delivery, making adjustments as needed to enhance your communication and convey authenticity.

10. Consider Your Audience:

Tailor your speech to the specific audience and occasion. Consider the atmosphere of the event, the expectations of the audience, and the nature of the recognition. Adjust your tone, language, and content to resonate with the people in attendance, creating a speech that feels relevant and relatable to the moment.

11. End on a Positive Note:

Conclude your speech on a positive and uplifting note. Express your excitement for the future, convey your commitment to building upon the success that led to the recognition, or share inspiring words that leave a lasting impression. Ending on a positive note leaves the audience with a sense of celebration and optimism.

12. Express Genuine Emotion:

Allow your genuine emotions to come through in your speech. Whether it’s joy, gratitude, humility, or a combination of emotions, authenticity enhances the impact of your words. Share your feelings with sincerity, allowing the audience to connect with the real and human aspects of your experience. Genuine emotion creates a more profound connection and resonates with the audience on a personal level.

1. Thorough Preparation:

Confidence is rooted in thorough preparation. By extensively researching your topic, gathering relevant information, and organizing your thoughts, you build a solid foundation for your speech. Rehearsing multiple times allows you to internalize the content, ensuring that you can deliver it smoothly and with conviction. Preparedness provides a safety net, helping you feel in control and ready to address any challenges that may arise during your presentation.

2. Visualize Success:

Visualization serves as a mental rehearsal, allowing you to envision yourself delivering a successful speech. By vividly imagining positive outcomes, you create a positive mindset that counteracts anxiety. Visualizing success helps build confidence by reinforcing your belief in your ability to deliver a compelling and impactful presentation.

3. Controlled Breathing:

Deep and controlled breathing is a proven technique to manage anxiety and enhance composure. Before stepping onto the stage, practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves. During the speech, incorporate controlled breathing pauses to maintain a steady rhythm and project confidence. Controlled breathing serves as a physiological anchor, helping you stay focused and composed.

4. Effective Body Language:

Confident body language is a non-verbal communication tool that complements your spoken words. Maintain good posture to exude confidence, make purposeful gestures to emphasize key points, and establish eye contact with the audience to convey authenticity. Thoughtful and intentional body language enhances your overall presentation, fostering a sense of confidence and connection with your listeners.

5. Connect with the Audience:

Establishing a connection with your audience is pivotal for a confident presentation. Make eye contact with different individuals, smile, and gauge the audience’s reactions. Building a rapport with your listeners creates a supportive atmosphere, boosting your confidence and making your delivery more engaging and relatable.

6. Focus on the Message, Not Perfection:

Rather than striving for perfection, focus on delivering your message authentically . Embrace the natural flow of conversation and understand that minor imperfections contribute to your human appeal. Prioritizing the authenticity of your message over flawless delivery enables you to connect with your audience on a deeper level, fostering confidence in your ability to communicate effectively.

7. Know Your Audience:

Tailoring your speech to the preferences and interests of your audience is key to a confident presentation. Understanding their expectations allows you to adjust your tone and content, making it more likely that your message will resonate and be well-received. Connecting with your audience on a personal level contributes to a confident and impactful delivery.

8. Utilize Visual Aids (if applicable):

If your speech includes visual aids, ensure they are well-prepared and seamlessly integrated into your presentation. Practice incorporating them into your speech, maintaining a smooth flow, and avoiding disruptions. Confidence in handling visual aids enhances the overall professionalism of your presentation, contributing to a more assured delivery.

9. Seek Constructive Feedback:

Actively seeking constructive feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors is a valuable strategy for continual improvement. Constructive feedback provides insights into areas for refinement and enhancement, allowing you to address any concerns and refine your delivery. This iterative process contributes to increased confidence in your speaking abilities over time.

You can read this if you want powerful ways to write a speech.

Let’s imagine a scenario where you’ve won an award for your outstanding contributions to your community. Here are some examples of how you might write an acceptance speech for that big day:

Example 1: Gratitude and Community Focus

Thank you all so much! I am beyond honored to receive this award. First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the amazing community that I am proud to be a part of. It’s the support and collaboration of each person here that has made all the difference. Big thanks to [Name] for believing in me and [Name] for being my constant cheerleader.

This award is not just for me; it’s for all of us who come together to make our community stronger. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this incredible honor. Let’s continue working hand in hand for the betterment of our community.

Example 2: Personal Stories and Acknowledgments

Wow, this is truly unexpected! I want to share a little story with you all. A while back, [mention a personal story or challenge]. It was your unwavering support that got me through those tough times. So, this award is as much yours as it is mine.

A massive shout-out to [Name] for being my rock and [Name] for those inspiring conversations that fueled my passion. To my family and friends, your encouragement kept me going. Thank you for being my pillars of strength.

Example 3: Humor and Appreciation

Well, well, well, this is a surprise! I’ve always dreamed of being on this stage, but I never thought I’d be holding this shiny trophy. Thanks a bunch! I have to say, this award is like the cherry on top of the sundae, and you all are the sprinkles that make it extra special.

To the incredible team I get to work with every day, you guys are the real MVPs. And to my [mention a supportive person], I owe you a lifetime supply of coffee for those late-night brainstorming sessions. Thanks for keeping me caffeinated and inspired! Cheers to us!

Feel free to mix and match elements from these examples based on the tone and style you prefer for your acceptance speech.

Some Iconic And Memorable Acceptance Speech Examples From Various Fields .

1. oprah winfrey – golden globes (2018):.

In her acceptance of the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, Oprah Winfrey delivered a powerful and inspiring speech addressing issues of injustice, inequality, and the #MeToo movement, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against abuse.

“I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon, and when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say ‘Me too’ again.”

2. Steve Jobs – Stanford University Commencement Speech (2005):

While not a traditional award acceptance speech, Jobs’ commencement address is widely regarded as one of the most motivational and impactful speeches. He shared personal anecdotes, and lessons learned, and encouraged graduates to pursue their passions and stay hungry for success.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

3. Tom Hanks – Academy Awards (1995):

Tom Hanks, upon winning the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in “Forrest Gump,” delivered a heartwarming speech, expressing gratitude to his family and colleagues. He also humorously acknowledged the heavy competition and the “young man” who lost to him, suggesting he’d get another chance.

“I am standing here because the woman I share my life with has taught me and demonstrates for me every day just what love is. […] You’re a dope if you don’t steal from everybody you ever worked with, and I have stolen from the likes of the people that only need one name like Meryl, Denzel, and Meg. Even, I’m sorry, even Wilson the volleyball.”

4. Emma Watson – MTV Trailblazer Award (2013):

Emma Watson’s acceptance speech for the MTV Trailblazer Award focused on gender equality. She urged both men and women to embrace feminism and spoke about her journey as an actress and activist, emphasizing the importance of unity in achieving social change.

“I think it’s right I’m standing here because I’m an English girl and I love English weather, but I moved to America, and I did believe that I’d left all of British politeness and reserve across the Atlantic. […] This is not a game. It’s a real and important movement that is happening right now. It’s really exciting. I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

5. J.K. Rowling – Harvard University Commencement Speech (2008):

J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, delivered a commencement address at Harvard. She spoke about the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination and empathy, offering valuable life lessons to the graduating class.

These speeches stand out for their sincerity, eloquence, and often for addressing broader societal issues. They serve as examples of how acceptance speeches can go beyond simple acknowledgments and resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

Conclusion .

Alright, so when it’s your turn to step up and give an acceptance speech, think of it as your time to shine even brighter. It’s not just about saying thank you; it’s about making everyone feel the joy and excitement that comes with your achievement.

Remember, keep it short and sweet. Share a laugh if you can, and wrap it up on a positive note. Your speech is like the cherry on top of your big day, making it even more special. So, go ahead, speak from the heart, and let your gratitude and happiness light up the room. Congratulations again on your awesome accomplishment, and may your speech be the talk of the town!

Powerful speech opening lines set the tone and mood of your speech. Hence you can listen to this to learn more about ways to hook your audience-

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Module 11: Speaking to Entertain and for Special Occasions

Award and acceptance speeches, learning objectives.

Define the characteristics of award speech.

Identify characteristics of an acceptance speech.

Presenting an Award

In an award speech, a speaker or emcee introduces an award and the winner. The introduction is meant to build excitement, and often the winner is not known until just before the award is to be presented.

Introduce yourself and thank the group or organization asking you to speak. Then name the award and explain briefly about the award you are presenting. Be sure to include the scope of the award, be it local, regional, national, or international.

Next explain what the winner accomplished to win this award. Did they write a paper or did they lead for a cause? Did they grow the largest pumpkin, finish first in a marathon, or bring community groups together to fight for justice? Your job is to present the facts and summarize the story behind their story.

Lastly, if there are other people in attendance who were competing with the winner, make sure to acknowledge them in the time you were allotted. Be sure to finish with the actual award presentation to the person or team, raising your voice and starting the applause after inviting them to receive their award.

Accepting an Award

An acceptance speech often follows an award speech and is given by the winner of the award.

An acceptance speech, like any other speech, should be prepared in advance. Thanking the givers of your award is your first order of business. State how much and why you are grateful for this honor, and if possible, name the people in the organization individually.

Then thank and give credit to those who helped you achieve the award including family, friends, mentors, and others who supported you in this endeavor. Include their names, their roles, and how their combined efforts made it possible for you to receive this honor. If you can’t name all the individuals, name the groups as time will allow.

Briefly share what the honor of the award means to you, and be generous with your praise and your gratitude toward your colleagues and the organizations involved. Smile and carefully look for directions on leaving the stage.

To Watch: Berta Cáceres, Goldman Prize acceptance speech

Environmental and indigenous-rights activist Berta Cáceres, co-founder of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), won the Goldman Prize for grassroots environmental activism is 2015 after organizing the Lenca people of Honduras to force the world’s largest dam builder to pull out of the Agua Zarca Dam project on the Río Gualcarque. Tragically, Cáceres was assassinated the following year.

You can view the transcript for “Berta Caceres acceptance speech, 2015 Goldman Prize ceremony” here (opens in new window) .

What to watch for:

In the case of winning an award for a social cause (in this case, environmental activism), it is common to focus on the severity of the problem at hand—that is, to shift the focus from yourself to the problem you are fighting against. Note how Cáceres begins by framing the cause within the belief system and worldview of the Lenca people. She then explains the mission of the organization she helped to found. Next she turns to her call to action: “¡Despertemos¡ ¡Despertemos Humanidad¡ Ya no hay tiempo.” (Let us wake up! Let us wake up, humanity! We’re out of time.) The ending of her speech reminds us that gratitude and humility are the most important elements of an acceptance speech. If thanks aren’t in line with the gravity of the topic, a dedication can serve a similar purpose: “Dedico este premio a todas las rebeldías, a mi madre, al Pueblo Lenca, a Río Blanco y a las y los mártires por la defensa de los bienes naturales.” (I dedicate this award to all the rebels, to my mother, to the Lenca People, to the Río Blanco, and to all the martyrs who gave their lives in the struggle to defend our natural resources.)

Berta Caceres acceptance speech, 2015 Goldman Prize ceremony. Provided by : Goldman Environmental Prize. Located at : https://youtu.be/AR1kwx8b0ms . License : Other . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
Award and Acceptance Speeches. Authored by : Patricia Atkinson with Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution

What Not to Do If You Win an Oscar

A Hollywood speechwriter on what makes for a great—or a terrible—moment at the mic

Woman in a red dress holding a golden Emmy trophy, smiling in front of a microphone.

The moment an artist wins an Oscar or a Grammy or a Tony, they are handed two things: some kind of statue (sure, nice) and, perhaps more important, 45 seconds—maybe a minute, two tops—of live, relatively unbridled stage time with millions of people watching. They can use that time however they choose, thanking their parents, thanking their agents, thanking God, advocating for causes, crying. After that the music will play.

Wendy Shanker is a writer with a niche skill: She helps celebrity clients draft acceptance speeches so that they can maximize these high-adrenaline, high-profile moments.

Shanker told me that she once found herself moved to tears when a client seemed to be forgoing the drafted speech in favor of something else—only to suddenly realize that Shanker herself had in fact written the words in question. “She’s such a phenomenal actress that I didn’t even recognize my own writing,” Shanker said.

Ahead of this weekend’s Oscars, Shanker and I caught up by phone to discuss the art of acceptance speeches (keep the thank-you list short, she says) and her biggest pet peeve (reading off a phone).

Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Caroline Mimbs Nyce: Let’s pretend you get hired by a new A-list client tomorrow. Walk me through your process.

Wendy Shanker: My process is to try and do a lot of research and to get to know that person’s voice as well as I can before I actually connect with them directly. So I’m reading interviews and watching videos. The best is when I do get to work directly with that client as opposed to going through a publicist or a manager. Just even having a really brief conversation with somebody, I can really hear really, really quickly what it is that they want to say and the voice that they want to say it in. And I can also provide a little bit of guidance to them on what might work and what might not work.

A good example of this would be I wrote an acceptance speech—this wasn’t a televised show; this was a private event. A woman was being honored, and her team had said, “Look, whatever you do, don’t talk about her mother.” Her mother is also famous. “Don’t make this about her mother.” I went, “Okay, okay, okay.” And then I got 10 minutes with my client on the phone. And the first thing she said is, “I really just wanted to talk about my mother.”

Read: The speeches that saved the Golden Globes

Nyce: Do you think they were trying to keep her from it?

Shanker: I don’t think they were trying to keep her from it. I just think nobody knows the heart and soul of what that person wants to say in the moment except for that person.

Nyce: Do you ever get intervening agents telling you, “Don’t let them say that. Cut that line”?

Shanker: Yeah, that happens a lot. Most representatives are trying to protect their clients. But a lot of what I do is get this very busy person to focus in on this thing they know is coming and haven’t really thought about. Just like any of us lowly humans, they procrastinate. The conversation with me gives them time to shut out all the other noise and focus on What is it that I really want to say?

Nyce: About how long are acceptance speeches usually?

Shanker: It depends on the show. For a network show that’s airing live, the time is tight; it is 45 seconds or 60 seconds. While the person on the stage is accepting the honor, there are the producers backstage trying to figure out how long they’re going to let them talk. Maybe it says 45 seconds on the clock, but if you’re saying something really good or you’re a legend in the industry, they’re going to let you go a little longer. I’ll also say from the producing side of it that nobody ever wants to cut anybody off.

A lot of people don’t want to prepare because they think they’re going to hex it. And I would like to congratulate anybody who thinks they have the magical-thinking power to win or lose an Oscar by preparing a speech or not preparing a speech.

Nyce: How much can you fit into 45 seconds?

Shanker: I advise clients to have one central thought, especially one that could be connected to your performance or your album or the theme of the project that you were in—something that speaks to a social or cultural issue connected to the work that you are being honored for.

I really, really encourage people to limit the thank-you list. If there’s one special thank you that you want to give out—to your parents or to your fifth-grade theater teacher or to the real-life person whom you were portraying on screen—great! But we don’t need to hear about your agent’s assistant’s assistant’s Uber driver. If you are going to go the list way, write them down, practice it, get everybody in there. “Oh, I’m going to forget somebody!” I should never hear that from you onstage.

Read: My favorite awards-season ritual

Nyce: This gets at the question of “Who are award speeches for?” The people in the room or the audiences at home?

Shanker: We all know that the numbers of people watching awards shows are sinking. And I think that’s because we have so much access to a lot of these people that we laud all the time. The Oscars might have been the only time in a year when I would get to hear Barbra Streisand say something. But now Barbra’s tweeting.

I think people get excited about the pageantry of it. I think people still get excited about films and albums and Broadway shows that mean something to us and mean something to the culture, that give us something that we didn’t have before.

And there’s still so much coverage of these shows. We get excited when our beloved film wins and frustrated when it goes the wrong way. So they continue to have a lot of cultural worth, even if they’re losing the numbers.

Nyce: What have you noticed about the acceptance speeches this season? Are there any that have stood out to you?

Shanker: I do think there’s real joy in seeing people who have been in the industry for a long time and haven’t been recognized speak. Ke Huy Quan has this amazing comeback story, and that’s what a lot of his speeches have centered on. Michelle Yeoh is talking about inclusion and representation in a really wonderful way. It’s thrilling and exciting to hear Jamie Lee Curtis say , “I’m 64, and this is just amazing.” Sheryl Lee Ralph bursting into song —completely memorable. Watching Jennifer Coolidge get a lot of awards in this cycle has been super fun because she’s another person who’s worked for decades in an industry that hasn’t always been kind and generous to her or to her talent. When she’s up there, I think she’s being very genuine, and she’s also savvy about giving the audience what they want.

Nyce: What are some of your acceptance-speech pet peeves?

Shanker: My No. 1 pet peeve is going onstage with your cellphone. To me, it just seems unprepared and casual; it doesn’t step up to the intensity and honor of the moment.

The other thing that really bugs me is false humility. When people approach and go, “I just didn’t think I’d … Who, me?” It’s like, You were nominated. You campaigned for it. You’ve spent months wining and dining and talking to people. You’ve been standing in front of a mirror with a hairbrush since you were 4 years old. This is not a shock. Humility is wonderful, but false humility is annoying.

Award Acceptance Speech

Navigate the art of delivering a heartfelt award acceptance speech with our expert guide, which includes a variety of inspiring speech examples . This comprehensive resource is designed to assist you in articulating your gratitude and joy effectively. Whether you’re acknowledging a professional honor or a personal milestone, our array of speech examples will guide you in creating a memorable and sincere acceptance speech, ensuring your words leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Download Award Acceptance Speech Bundle

If you have been nominated for an award and you are confident that your chances of winning is high or even if you are not that confident you’ll win, it is only right to prepare a speech when receiving said award. As English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge has said, “He who is best prepared can best serve his moment of inspiration.” Therefore, you should prepare a speech ahead of time regardless of uncertainty in order to avoid stuttering when accepting an award or plainly embarrassing yourself in such a momentous occasion for saying the wrong words.

Outline of an Award Acceptance Speech

When you when an award especially during prestigious events, it is most likely that you are expected to give an award acceptance speech . As the name suggests, it is a speech you give when you accept an award and mainly for expressing how honored and thankful you are to be given such recognition. In the process of writing the speech , you should also know what information you should include. Although there is no set standard on how to write the speech, here is an explanation on the outline of an award acceptance speech:

This part of your speech is basically your introduction. This will be your formal opening, the ice breaker or the attention-grabber for your speech. The main purpose of this part is to show your excitement, your shock and happiness to be given the award. This will also serve as your formal acknowledgement to the people present during the event. In some award acceptance speeches given by professionals in certain filed, this is where they insert a humorous quip. For speech example , during the Oscars in 2010, Sandra Bullock who won the Best Actress Award opened her speech with “Did I really earn this or did I just wear you all down?”

2. Expression of gratitude

This part of the speech is where you express your gratitude for the organization or institution who has given you the award. Although this can also be used to thank important people in your life, thanking the organization also expresses your respect to the body who has given you the award. Aside from that, this is also your way to talk about how thankful you are just for the nomination and how much happy and honored you are that the deciding body chose you despite of all the talented nominees.

3. Address your competition

It is only right that you acknowledge the people who were nominated alongside you. This is the part of your speech where you speak well of your competition. Although they were your competitors for the award, some of them are your close acquaintances or friends and people you have admired for a long time. This is also your time to acknowledge how brilliant they performed in their own right and how worthy they are of the nomination. In addition, you can also mention how these nominees also served as your inspiration during the process of creating your work. Through this you strengthen your friendship with some of them and creating new meaningful relationships with the others.

4. Sharing the glory

On this part of the speech you share your glory to the people who have continuously supported you. Aside from the people executives like talent scouts, directors, producers, managers, supervisors, etc. who have taken a chance on you, this is also where you thank the most important people in your life like your spouse, parents, siblings, friends, mentors and so on. When the late Robin Williams received the Best Supporting Actor during the 1998 Oscars, he humorously thanked his late father saying “Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, ‘Wonderful. Just have a back-up profession like welding.'”

5. Conclusion

The conclusion of your speech can be inspirational, funny, challenging and others. You should definitely end your speech with something you can be remembered by. For example you can pose a challenge to the audience, or your can leave with some inspirational message that the audience can ponder on, or you can end your speech with some witty, funny remarks. To end his award acceptance speech during the Mark Twain Comedy Award in 2011, actor-comedian Will Ferrell funny quipped the theater band “Now, you can play it, now you can play the music.” as they have interrupted him in the beginning of his speech.

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Award Acceptance Speech for Students

Short Award Acceptance Speech

Scientific and Cultural Community Awards Acceptance Speech Example

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Economics Award Acceptance Speech Example

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Social Work Education Award Acceptance Speech Example

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How to Make an Award Acceptance Speech

In order to deliver an outstanding award acceptance speech you should prepared it ahead of time. Although some prepare to deliver it extemporaneously, but in order to save time you can prepare just the basic outline of what you want to say or a list of people you want to thank so as not to forget anyone. However, when you have been given prior knowledge about the award, it is much better to allot time to actually write it. Hence, here is a guide you can refer to when you write an award acceptance speech:

1. Brainstorm ideas

This part of your process will be the foundation or outline as you go along with the actual writing process. This will enable you to generate ideas on how you want your speech to go and what yu want to include in the speech. Aside from that, it will allow you to gather inspiration that you can apply in your own speech.

Make a list of the reasons why you are thankful for receiving the award.
Make a list of all the people you want to thank in your speech. Only name the most important ones, and thank the others in general.
Read or watch other acceptance speeches in order to draw inspiration.

2. Write your speech

Since you already have enough ideas and basically an outline of how your speech should go, you can now proceed to the actual writing process. The writing process should be easy enough since the speech is supposed to be brief and more importantly because you already have a guide. A list of the entire writing process is listed below:

Write a brief introduction that will set the tone of your entire speech. Make sure you try to express gratitude and connect with the audience right away. You can also start your speech with a funny quip, but try to avoid sarcasm or joking about the merits of the award itself. In addition, the length of your introduction will heavily depend on the time allotted to you to deliver the speech.
Proceed to the body of your speech focusing on the people you want to express your gratitude to. This speech should be devoted to expressing your gratitude to the body who gave you the award, the people you enabled you to showcase your talents and all the people who have undoubtedly supported you. You can easily refer to the list of people you want to thank that you have made beforehand.
Avoid thanking too many people. Although this is meant to express your gratitude, the audience will easily get bored if all you do is thank everyone one-by-one. It can also cause disappointments once you forget to mention someone.
Take caution in making you speech a platform. Although this can be used to address certain controversies or social issues, be wary in doing so since saying the wrong things when you only mean well can still be interpreted badly.
Conclude your speech on a positive note. Make sure you end your speech in a lighthearted and positive manner in order to maintain the atmosphere and also to make sure you have used up your opportunity in a good way.

Outstanding CEO Award Acceptance Speech Example

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Distinguished Service Award Acceptance Speech Example

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Alumnus of the Year Award Acceptance Speech Example

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How to Deliver an Award Acceptance Speech

Aside from having a brilliant speech, you should also be to deliver you speech in a brilliant manner. You have to make sure that your delivery is perfect to that the audience can clearly understand you and so that your message can be heard audibly. Here are some tips on how you can deliver your award acceptance speech:

Show your personality . The delivery of your speech should come from the heart. It is okay to sound a surprised and shocked for it is only human. With that, you should show your personality through the words you say and the actions or gestures you make.
Be gracious . Being gracious means acknowledging the good work done by your competitors and thanking the organization that selected you for the award. You show how good-natured you are by avoiding the tendency of becoming narcissistic; talk about others more thank yourself.
Show excitement . Showing your excitement does not mean you have to do cartwheels towards the stage, but you have to make sure that the audience can recognize that you are really happy to have won the award. You can show this through words or through gestures. Some are show visible signs of excitement like getting jitters, heavy breathing, getting teary-eyed, and so on.
Be modest . It should not be self-congratulatory however heartfelt it may be. Show modesty through avoiding talking more about you than other relevant and important people in your life.
Practice, practice, practice . Your should prepare, rehearse with a timer, memorize key people to thank and allow time for the unexpected.

A. A. Michelson Award Acceptance Speech Example

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Children’s Peace Literature Award Acceptance Speech Example

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Tips in Writing and Delivering Award Acceptance Speech

Now that you have enough ideas and guide on how to write a brilliant award acceptance speech and how to effectively deliver it, your should also know some of the other important yet forgotten details about it. Hence, here is a list of useful tips you should know when writing and delivering an award acceptance speech:

It is best to ask how much time you are allotted for the speech.
Allot time to brainstorm what you want to include in your speech and which to talk about first.
With the time constraint in mind, begin writing the introduction of your speech.
Keep your speech short but sincere.
Wholeheartedly acknowledge those who helped you along the way.
Express honest appreciation.
Include witty, humorous remarks to have an entertaining factor.
Explain how this experience has changed your life for the better.
End the speech with a bang.
Aim to make the speech memorable.
Avoid using notes.
Give a nod to the organizers.
Establish a personal connection.
Be genuine.
Stop apologizing for the past, for being speechless, for getting emotional, and so on.
Mention and acknowledge the organization’s goals.
Keep a lid on the jokes.One or two jokes is already enough.

Excellence in Art Education Award Acceptance Speech Example

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Lifetime Achievement Award Acceptance Speech Example

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Concluding your award acceptance speech, remember to speak from the heart, expressing genuine gratitude. Utilize our guide and examples to eloquently acknowledge those who’ve supported you, making your speech as memorable as the achievement itself. Your words have the power to inspire and resonate, leaving a lasting impact on your audience. Embrace this opportunity to shine and share your journey with grace and appreciation.

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Filed under: Featured articles , Public speaking articles , Public speaking tips and tricks , Speech preparation

You’ve been nominated for an award and now you have to give an acceptance speech. It might be an Academy Award where the whole world is watching or it might be an award for the best coach in your little league. Regardless, it’s still important and you would like to look good while giving this speech.

So, how to give an award acceptance speech? It is an opportunity to put a spotlight on ideas you care about, to thank the people who helped you win the award and to give your audience at least one take away.

Therefore, don’t blow it. Don’t wait until the last minute with the preparation and don’t make excuses.

And if you don’t win… well, maybe you will use the acceptance speech next year or next time. So, today I am going to give you practical tips on how you can prepare for your award acceptance speech.

But there’s a lot more to public speaking you should know so I wrote an article about best public speaking books to read. Check out these books here .

Table of Contents

What is an acceptance speech?

An award acceptance speech is a speech given by a person who is receiving an award, honor or prize. When you win something, then it is a tradition to say a few words and share some gratitude toward those you would like to thank or acknowledge.

In the audience are your friends, family and perhaps people in your industry who you respect, so make the best of it.

Let’s start off by focusing on your goals for this speech because, after all, an award acceptance speech is still the same as any other speech. Now, it might be a short one. It might only be 60 seconds long before that music comes in and you’re asked to get off stage…but it’s still a speech.

How is award acceptance different from other speech types?

Well, it is different in a lot of ways. For example: you’re not going to have a PowerPoint display. You’re not going to have a beginning, middle and end, and you’re not going to share funny stories.

Also, you’re not going to walk around the stage and talk for 50 minutes like you would in a keynote speech.

Acceptance speech gives you an opportunity to make:

A great impression
An awful impression
No impression.

Main goals of the acceptance speech

Your goals are not to just get through this. Also, your goal is not to thank your tax attorney and 29 other service providers.

Therefore, your goal should be to:

Make a great impression
Thank the people who were relevant in helping you in your career or whatever it is you did
Try to focus on just one idea that you want to leave people with, whether it is inspiring people to follow their dreams or maybe motivating people to work hard, etc.

This is not an opportunity to communicate five points or more. Instead, it is an opportunity to focus on one of life’s lessons or on one really important idea.

Give people a favorable impression of you and let them know that you’re respectful and that you’ve thought about this and planned.

Recommended books

How to Deliver a TED Talk: Secrets of the World's Most Inspiring Presentations

Jeremy Donovan

Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences

Nancy Duarte

Confessions of a Public Speaker

Scott Berkun

Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds

Carmine Gallo

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right

Atul Gawande

The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast!

Josh Kaufman

Throughout your short award speech, let them know that you’ve got a particular idea you want to communicate and that you thank the people who helped you get to the point where you’re getting this award.

How to prepare for an acceptance speech?

There’s nothing worse than someone winning a major award (whether it is an Emmy Award or just a local club member of the year award) and sort of getting up and fumbling around, “Oh, God – I never thought I would win. So, I didn’t prepare anything…”

Show the people who took the trouble of nominating you a little respect. Do them justice and prepare. It doesn’t really take that long.

Learn from the best

Let’s face it – most acceptance speeches are not memorable. They’re instantly forgotten and they’re perfunctory.

That shouldn’t be your role model. Your role model should be great speeches. Here’s what I want you to do. I want you to go to YouTube and type in “great acceptance speeches” or “great Academy Award acceptance speeches.”

You’ll find tremendous speeches. Most of them are brief because they are acceptance speeches on TV. They’re usually always funny. They have an emotional moment and they seem genuine.

Now, you might be receiving a speech for the best accountant in your county and therefore you might not feel the need or the ability to be wildly funny, but you can still learn from the masters.

Practice your speech

I know, now you want to say, “What? It is ridiculous to practice an acceptance speech!” But actually, it is not. The best way to practice your speech is by recording yourself.

Therefore, grab a phone or camera and record yourself. Next, take a look at the recording and write down everything you liked about it and everything you didn’t like about it.

After, repeat this process as many times as needed until you’re feeling comfortable and happy. If you do that, I guarantee you’re going to deliver a great speech.

Also, don’t be afraid of jinxing yourself. Prepare to accept the award and prepare to give the speech.

How to write an acceptance speech?

The first thing most people do when they win an award is to thank the people who helped them. Of course, you should thank people but remember that there is a particular way of thanking people.

Thank people in a meaningful way

Thank people in as specific a way as possible and tell them exactly what they did that helped you. Don’t just say, “Thank you for your support.” Support is too generic. It’s abstract and doesn’t really mean anything.

What you should do is:

Look at the people you mention
Address them by name
Thank them and tell them what you’re thanking them for. For example: “John, you were there for me when no one else was and when I couldn’t raise a penny to get this idea going. You wrote the first check.”

If you do that then it’s going to be so much more interesting to everyone. It will be meaningful and it will come across as sincere. That’s much more effective than just rattling off a long list of names.

Tell people exactly what you’re thanking them for. Look them in the eye if they’re around. Give specific examples; this way, your thanks has real meaning.

Make a point, tell a story

The best award acceptance speeches always tell a story. Now you may ask, “Well…how is there time for a story?” But I assure you that you can tell a story in 30 seconds.

Talk about something that happened
Recount a real conversation (with a friend, a colleague or a family member) about a challenge, how you overcame it and how it’s relevant to the award.

Main rules for the story you’re going to tell:

Make it brief
Make sure it’s relevant
Tell it in a compelling way

If you do that, you have a good story for your acceptance speech.

How to give an acceptance speech?

When you’re giving an acceptance speech, especially if it’s for anything in the creative field, keep in mind that you’re an entertainer. Therefore, something in your speech should be entertaining.

Don’t be dull – be entertaining

Now, ideally your speech should be funny but if it’s not, at least have a dramatic moment or something with a little emotion . It’s always disappointing when people who are known as world-class entertainers seem, during their acceptance speech, about as entertaining as if an accountant were reading the phonebook to you.

Remember who you are and what your strengths are. Use those strengths to entertain. You’re not going to give a humorous speech for an hour, but you do have a minute where you can say at least something amusing, interesting or entertaining.

So, plan on having something entertaining even if you’re just making fun of yourself.

Show some emotion but don’t overdo it

A little emotion goes a long way. If you’ve had a tough life and now you win some important award it’s understandable to have some emotion…but you need the right amount.

It is not very interesting if you’re out there blubbering. So, keep it together. This is one of the beauties of having rehearsed your acceptance speech – you can show the right amount of emotion and the words can still come out rather easily because you thought of it, you planned it and you rehearsed it.

But if you just take the attitude of, “Oh, I don’t want to jinx myself. I’m not going to plan anything to say – I’ll just get up there,” and then the actual emotion of the moment may overwhelm you and you just can’t say anything. Instead you kind of look like an idiot – especially if it’s on TV for the whole world to see.

So, you want emotion but not so much that you’re just blubbering.

What to avoid while giving an acceptance speech?

Here are a few things that you really need to avoid when giving an acceptance speech.

#1 Don’t read your speech

One thing I would suggest you do is to avoid reading your speech from a piece of paper. It’s just awful – it’s devoid of personality, emotion, and sincerity. So don’t read.

It’s OK to have some notes, but you certainly should not have a word for word scripted out.

#2 Don’t thank more than five people

Also, I really don’t think you should thank more than five people. If you have more people than that to thank then send them a personal note.

Don’t give a long laundry list of names and don’t read because those are the two biggest blunders that people make in the major awards shows when they are receiving awards.

#3 Don’t tell people you’re nervous

You may not know this but no one even recognizes that you’re nervous. You can tell your family and friends later that you were nervous but don’t waste valuable time.

#4 Don’t tell people that you don’t have much time

Speaking of time – don’t waste your time by telling people that you don’t have much time. “Oh my gosh, I don’t have much time. I don’t know where to start because…”

Don’t ever comment on the time. Simply use your time to maximum advantage. Use every second. Say something interesting to the audience and don’t waste time talking about the fact that you don’t have much time because now you have even less time.

So, if you avoid these pitfalls, it gives you more time to focus on saying something interesting. Perhaps something lighthearted or thanking people in a sincere way.

Final thoughts: What to say in an acceptance speech?

If I got to vote for you, I would. I’m pulling for you. I hope you win this award so you can show off your public speaking skills and give a great award acceptance speech.

It really all comes down to:

Be genuine in your thanks. Don’t just list names.
Have one interesting or entertaining thing to say.
Share one little story
Focus on your audience and don’t talk about how you’re nervous or scared.

Finally, the most important tip of all: practice your short speech in advance on video as many times as it takes so that you see in advance the speech you want to give. And then once you win, you can simply deliver the speech that you’ve already practiced. Do that and you will be in absolutely great shape.

Useful reading

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Award Acceptance Speech Samples

Winning an award is quite shocking in itself, and to give an acceptance speech thereafter can fluster you thoroughly. Here, we provide some sample award acceptance speeches that will help you overcome your shock and surprise, and deliver a good speech. Take a look.

So you have been nominated for an award, and you think your chances of winning are high. Of course, every nominee has that thought and as much as they say that there’s no chance that they are going to win, everyone secretly practices their award speeches and their graceful acceptance of the award. While in your head your thoughts are clear and you know exactly what you are going to say, when you actually win the award, things are different. As much as you wanted to win it, you find yourself flustered, scared, shocked, and sort of numb. All those speeches you had practiced are forgotten. As much as you don’t want that to happen, and want to be that person who can crack jokes and elicit a little laugh from the audience upon giving your acceptance speech, just consider the occurrence of the aforementioned scenario likely. In any case, there are always some sample award speeches you can go through, along with some tips on keeping your cool so that you can give the acceptance speech exactly as you had imagined it.

How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech A little charm is all you want, to bedazzle your audience, when you go up to accept the award and follow it up with a speech. How do you go about doing that? Let’s take a look.

Start by looking good on the day. When you win an award, you will definitely be in the limelight. Whether the award is for scoring well on a subject at the year end in school, or for employee of the year, dress well.
When your name is called out, go and accept your award graciously. Then, head to the podium to make your award speech.
Your job is to make a good connection with the audience. Start by thanking the ‘jury’ for the award, followed by a thanks for everyone who has helped you win this award. This does not mean you include your pet’s name in the speech too. You can mention how shocking it is for you to receive the award, but don’t do that unless it comes from within. In some cases, it just looks forced.
Your speech has to be short. You cannot stretch it for anything longer than two minutes, else it will get boring. Think of how you would feel as a part of the audience, if an award winner would just not stop talking about what his award means to him.

While these were some basic tips on writing a good award speech, here are two samples that will give you an idea about giving an excellent speech.

All in all, an award acceptance speech has to be given straight from the heart. No matter how much you read up and how much you practice, it is the flood of emotions at that particular moment that directs your speech. If you can be funny, feel free to add a dash of humor to your speech. Just don’t crack jokes that will dampen the audience’s mood. If you think you can’t be funny, keep it simple, and you will do just fine. All the best!

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Great GRAMMY Acceptance Speeches

Interactive infographic explores 40 years of GRAMMY acceptances, including Metallica's Jethro Tull quip, Kanye West's powerful sermon, the "Hamilton" rap, and Selena and Whitney Houston's first GRAMMY wins

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Lady Gaga Advocate For Mental Health Awareness During Her 2019 Win For "Shallow"

Lady Gaga accepts the Best Pop/Duo Group Performance award for "Shallow" from 'A Star Is Born' at the 2019 GRAMMYs while encouraging the audience "to take care of each other."

Between two award seasons, A Star Is Born received seven nominations — including Record Of The Year and two nods for Song Of The Year — and four wins for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, Best Song Written for Visual Media twice, and Best Pop/Duo Group Performance.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind , travel to 2019 to watch Lady Gaga accept one of the album's first GRAMMY wins for Best Pop/Duo Group Performance for "Shallow."

After thanking God and her family for their unwavering support, Lady Gaga expressed gratitude for her co-star, Bradley Cooper . "I wish Bradley was here with me right now," Gaga praised. "I know he wants to be here. Bradley, I loved singing this song with you."

Gaga went on to express how proud she was to be a part of a movie that addresses mental health. "A lot of artists deal with that. We've got to take care of each other. So, if you see somebody that's hurting, don't look away. And if you're hurting, even though it might be hard, try to find that bravery within yourself to dive deep, tell somebody, and take them up in your head with you."

Press play on the video above to hear Lady Gaga's complete acceptance speech for A Star Is Born 's "Shallow" at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

Run The World: How Lady Gaga Changed The Music Industry With Dance-Pop & Unapologetic Feminism

Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

Catching Up With Sean Ono Lennon: His New Album 'Asterisms,' 'War Is Over!' Short & Shouting Out Yoko At The Oscars

Sean Ono Lennon is having a busy year, complete with a new instrumental album, 'Asterisms,' and an Oscar-winning short film, 'War is Over!' The multidisciplinary artist discusses his multitude of creative processes.

Marketing himself as a solo musician is a little excruciating for Sean Ono Lennon. It might be for you, too, if you had globally renowned parents. Despite his musical triumphs over the years, Lennon is reticent to join the solo artist racket.

Which made a certain moment at the 2024 Oscars absolutely floor him: Someone walked up to Lennon and told him "Dead Meat," from his last solo album, 2006's Friendly Fire , was his favorite song ever. Not just on the album, or by Lennon. Ever .

"I was so shocked. I wanted to say something nice to him, because it was so amazing for someone to say that," Lennon tells GRAMMY.com. "But it was too late anyway." (Thankfully, after he tweeted about that out-of-nowhere moment, the complimenter connected with him.)

It's a nice glimmer of past Lennon, one who straightforwardly walked in his father's shoes. But what's transpired since 2006 is far more interesting than any Beatle mini-me.

Creatively, Lennon has a million irons in the fire — with the bands the Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, the Claypool Lennon Delirium , his mom's Plastic Ono Band, and beyond.

And in 2024, two projects have taken center stage. In February, he delivered his album Asterisms , a genreless instrumental project with a murderer's row of musicians in John Zorn's orbit, released on Zorn's storied experimental label Tzadik Records. Then just a few weeks later, his 2023 short film War is Over! — for which he co-wrote the original story, and is inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono 's timeless peace anthem "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" — won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

On the heels of the latter, Lennon sat down with GRAMMY.com to offer insights on both projects, and how they each contributed to "really exciting" creative liberation.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

You shouted out your mom at the Oscars a couple of months back. How'd that feel?

Well, honestly, it felt really cosmic that it was Mother's Day [in the UK]. So I just kind of presented as a gift to her. It felt really good. It felt like the stars were aligning in many ways, because she was watching. It was a very sweet moment for me.

What was the extent of your involvement with the War Is Over! short?

Universal Music had talked to me about maybe coming up with a music video idea. I had been trying to develop a music video for a while, and I didn't like any of the concepts; it just felt boring to me.

The idea of watching a song that everyone listens to already, every year, with some new visual accompaniment — it didn't feel that interesting. So, I thought it'd be better to do a short film that kind of exemplifies the meaning of the song, because then, it would be something new and interesting to watch.

That's when I called my friend Adam Gates, who works at Pixar. I was asking him if he had any ideas for animators, or whatever. I knew Adam because he had a band called Beanpole. [ All My Kin ] was a record he made years ago with his friends, and never came out. It's this incredible record, so I actually put it out on my label, Chimera Music.

But Adam couldn't really help me with the film, because he's still contractually with Pixar, and they have a lot of work to do. But he introduced me to his friend Dave Mullins, who's the director. He had just left Pixar to start a new production company. He could do it, because he was independent, freelance.

Dave and I had a meeting. In that first meeting, we were bouncing around ideas, and we came up with the concept for the chess game and the pigeon. I wanted it to be a pigeon, because I really love pigeons, and birds. We wrote it together, and then we started working on it.

So, I was there from before that existed, and I saw the thing through as well. I also brought in Peter Jackson to do the graphics.

This message unfortunately resonates more than ever. Republicans used to be the war hawks; now, it's Democrats. What a reversal.

It just feels like we live in an upside-down world. Something happened where we went through a wormhole, and we're in this alternate reality. I don't know how it happened. But it's not the only [example]; a lot of things just seem absolutely absurd with the world these days.

But hopefully, it points toward something better. I try to be optimistic. In the Hegelian dialectic, you have to have a thesis and antithesis, and the synthesis is when they fuse to become a better idea. So, I'm hoping that all the tension in society right now is what the final stage of synthesis looks like.

How'd the filmmaking process roll on from there?

Dave had made a really great short film called LOU when he was at Pixar; that was also nominated for an Oscar. He and [producer] Brad [Booker] know a ton of talented people; they have an amazing character designer.

We started sending files back and forth with WingNut in New Zealand; they would be adding the skins to the characters.

One of the first stages was the performance capture, where you basically attach a bunch of ping pong balls to a catsuit and a bicycle helmet. You record the position of these ping pong balls in a three-dimensional space. That gives you the performance that you map the skins onto on the computer later on.

For a couple of years, there was a lot of production. David and his team did a really good job of inventing and designing uniforms for the imaginary armies that never existed, because we really didn't want to identify any army as French or British or German or anything.

We wanted to get a kind of parallel universe — an abstraction of the First World War. We designed it so that one army was based on round geometry, and the other was based on angular geometry.

It was a long process, and it was really fun. I learned a lot about modern computer animation.

Between Em Cooper 's GRAMMY-winning "I'm Only Sleeping" video and now this, the Beatles' presence in visual media is expanding outward in a cool way.

I think we've been really fortunate to have a lot of really great projects to give to the world. I've only been working on the Beatles and John Lennon stuff directly in the last couple of years, and it's been really exciting for me.

And a big challenge, obviously, because I don't [hesitates] want to f— up. [Laughs.] But it's been a real honor. And I'm very grateful to my mom for giving me the freedom to try all these wacky ideas. Because a lot of people are like, "Oh, when are you going to stop trying to rehash the past with the Beatles, or John Lennon?"

Because the modern world is as it is, I feel like we have a responsibility to try to make sure that the Beatles and John Lennon's music remains out there in the public consciousness, because I think it's really important. I think the world needs to remember the Beatles' music, and remember John and Yoko. It's really about making sure we don't get lost in the white noise of modernity.

I love Asterisms . Where are you at in your journey as a guitarist? I'm sure you unlocked something here.

Like it's a video game. It's weird — I don't even consider myself a guitar player. I'm just, like, a software. But I think it's more about confidence — because it's really hard for me to get over my insecurity with playing and stuff. For so many different reasons, it's probably just the way I'm designed — being John and Yoko' s kid, growing up with a lot of preconceived notions or expectations about me, musically.

So, it's always been hard to accept myself as a musician, and this was kind of a lesson in getting over myself. Accepting what I wanted to play, and just doing it.

This is my Tzadik record, so it had to be all these fancy, amazing musicians. It doesn't matter what your chops are: it's more about how you feel, and the feeling you bring to your performance.

Once we recorded, it sounded amazing, because we recorded live to tape. So, everything on that album is live, except for my guitar solos. I didn't play my solos live, because I had to play the rhythm guitar. I was just paying attention to the band and cueing people. Once we finished the basic tracks, it just took us a couple of days, and it was done.

It was the simplest record I've ever done, because there were no vocals, so there wasn't a lot of mixing process. We recorded live to 16-track tape, and it was done.

I caught wind a couple of years back that you were working on another solo record simultaneously. Is that true?

I was working on a solo record of songs with lyrics. I finished it, and — I don't know, I think this speaks to the mental problems I have — but I didn't like it suddenly, and i never put it out. I just felt weird about it. I think I overthought it or something.

Then Zorn asked me to do an instrumental thing, and it was a no-brainer, because I've been a fan my whole life. The idea of getting to do something on his label was really an honor.

I got turned on to so many amazing musicians from Zorn, like Joey Baron , Dave Douglas, Kenny Wolleson , and Marc Ribot. Growing up in New York, that's always been my idea of where the greatest musicians are — Zorn and his gang.

Why'd you feel weird about the other album? Did it just not have the juice?

It's not that I didn't think it had the juice. I just got uncomfortable with the idea of putting out a solo record, and the whole process. I got nervous. I still think it's good. But I don't know if it's good enough to warrant me releasing it.

That's fine playing in bands, like the [Claypool Lennon] Delirium and GOASTT [Ghost of a Saber Toothed Tiger]. It takes a degree of unnecessary pressure off of making music. But as soon as your actual birth name is on the record, it starts to feel uncomfortable for me.

People are ruthless today, period. But they're especially critical of me with music. So, it's like, Do I really need to do that s— ? It's a little more awkward: "I, myself, Sean Lennon, am putting out my art, and here it is." I'd rather be part of the band.

The Beatles' Final Song: Giles Martin On The Second Life Of "Now And Then" & How The Fab Four Are "Still Breaking New Ground"

Taylor Swift performs with Stevie Nicks at the 2010 GRAMMYs

Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

11 Artists Who Influenced Taylor Swift: Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Tim McGraw & More

From Paul McCartney to Paramore, Emily Dickinson and even "Game of Thrones," read on for some of the major influences Taylor Swift has referenced throughout her GRAMMY-winning career.

As expected, much buzz followed the release of Taylor Swift 's 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department , on April 19. Fans and critics alike have devoured the sprawling double album’s 31 tracks, unpacking her reflections from "a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time" in search of Easter eggs, their new favorite lyrics and references to famous faces (both within the pop supernova’s closely guarded orbit and the historical record).

Shoutouts abound in The Tortured Poets Department : Charlie Puth gets his much-deserved (and Taylor-approved) flowers on the title track, while 1920s screen siren Clara Bow, the ancient Greek prophetess Cassandra and Peter Pan each get a song titled after them. Post Malone and Florence + the Machine ’s Florence Welch each tap in for memorable duets. Relationships old (Joe Alwyn), new (Travis Kelce) and somewhere in between (1975’s Matty Healy) are alluded to without naming names, as is, possibly, the singer’s reputation -era feud with Kim Kardashian.

Swift casts a wide net on The Tortured Poets Department , encompassing popular music, literature, mythology and beyond, but it's far from the first time the 14-time GRAMMY winner has worn her influences on her sleeve. While you digest TTPD , consider these 10 figures who have influenced the poet of the hour — from Stevie Nicks and Patti Smith to Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth, Arya Stark and more.

Stevie Nicks

If Taylor Swift is the chairman of The Tortured Poets Department , Stevie Nicks may as well be considered its poet laureate emeritus. The mystical Fleetwood Mac frontwoman earns an important mention on side A closer "Clara Bow," in which Swift ties an invisible string from herself to a pre- Rumours Nicks ("In ‘75, the hair and lips/ Crowd goes wild at her fingertips"), and all the way back to the 1920s It Girl of the song’s title.

For her part, Nicks seems to approve of her place in Swift’s cultural lineage, considering she penned the poem found inside physical copies of The Tortured Poets Department . "He was in love with her/ Or at least she thought so," the Priestess of Rock and Roll wrote in part, before signing off, "For T — and me…"

Swift’s relationship with Nicks dates back to the 2010 GRAMMYs, when the pair performed a medley of "Rhiannon" and "You Belong With Me " before the then-country upstart took home her first Album Of The Year win for 2009’s Fearless . More recently, the "Edge of Seventeen" singer publicly credited Swift’s Midnights cut "You’re On Your Own, Kid" for helping her through the 2022 death of Fleetwood Mac bandmate Christine McVie .

Patti Smith

Swift may see herself as more "modern idiot" than modern-day Patti Smith, but that didn’t stop the superstar from name-dropping the icon synonymous with the Hotel Chelsea and punk scene of ‘70s New York on a key track on The Tortured Poets Department . Swift rather self-deprecatingly compares herself to the celebrated Just Kids memoirist (and 2023 Songwriters Hall of Fame nominee) on the double album’s synth-drenched title track, and it’s easy to see how Smith’s lifelong fusion of rock and poetry influenced the younger singer’s dactylic approach to her new album.

Smith seemed to appreciate the shout-out on "The Tortured Poets Department" as well. "This is saying I was moved to be mentioned in the company of the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Thank you Taylor," she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself reading Thomas’ 1940 poetry collection Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog .

Emily Dickinson

When it comes to iconic poets, Swift has also taken a page or two over her career from Emily Dickinson. While the great 19th century poet hasn’t come up explicitly in Swift’s work, she did reference her poetic forebear (and actual sixth cousin, three times removed !) in her speech while accepting the award for Songwriter-Artist of the Decade at the 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards.

"I’ve never talked about this publicly before, because, well, it’s dorky. But I also have, in my mind, secretly, established genre categories for lyrics I write. Three of them, to be exact. They are affectionately titled Quill Lyrics, Fountain Pen Lyrics and Glitter Gel Pen Lyrics," Swift told the audience before going on to explain, "If my lyrics sound like a letter written by Emily Dickinson’s great-grandmother while sewing a lace curtain, that’s me writing in the Quill genre," she went on to explain.

Even before this glimpse into Swift’s writing process, Easter eggs had been laid pointing to her familial connection to Dickinson. For example, she announced her ninth album evermore on December 10, 2020, which would have been the late poet’s 190th birthday. Another clue that has Swifties convinced? Dickinson’s use of the word "forevermore" in her 1858 poem "One Sister Have I in Our House," which Swift also cleverly breaks apart in Evermore ’s Bon Iver-assisted title track ("And I couldn’t be sure/ I had a feeling so peculiar/ That this pain would be for/ Evermore").

The Lake Poets

Swift first put her growing affinity for poetry on display during her folklore era with "the lakes." On the elegiac bonus track, the singer draws a parallel with the Lake Poets of the 19th century, wishing she could escape to "the lakes where all the poets went to die" with her beloved muse in tow. In between fantasizing about "those Windermere peaks" and pining for "auroras and sad prose," she even manages to land a not-so-subtle jab at nemesis Scooter Braun ("I’ve come too far to watch some name-dropping sleaze/ Tell me what are my words worth") that doubles as clever wordplay on the last name of Lake Poet School members William and Dorothy Wordsworth.

Swift revealed more about why she connected to the Lake Poets in her 2020 Disney+ documentary folklore: the long pond studio sessions . "There was a poet district, these artists that moved there. And they were kind of heckled for it and made fun of for it as being these eccentrics and these kind of odd artists who decided that they just wanted to live there," she explained to her trusted producer Jack Antonoff . "So ‘the lakes,’ it kind of is the overarching theme of the whole album: of trying to escape, having something you wanna protect, trying to protect your own sanity and saying, ‘Look, they did this hundreds of years ago. I’m not the first person who’s felt this way.’"

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney and Swift have publicly praised one another’s work for years, leading to the 2020 Rolling Stone cover they posed for together for the special Musicians on Musicians issue . The younger singer even counts Sir Paul’s daughter Stella McCartney as a close friend and collaborator (Stella designed a capsule collection for Swift’s 2019 studio set Lover and earned a shout-out of her own on album cut "London Boy").

However, Swift took her relationship with the Beatles founder and his family a step further when it was rumored she based Midnights deep cut "Sweet Nothing" on McCartney’s decades-long romance with late wife Linda. While the speculation has never been outright confirmed, it appears Swift’s lyrics in the lilting love song ("On the way home, I wrote a poem/ You say, ‘What a mind’/ This happens all the time") were partially inspired by a strikingly similar quote McCartney once gave about his relationship with Linda, who passed away in 1998. To add to the mystique, the Midnights singer even reportedly liked a tweet from 2022 espousing the theory.

The admiration between the duo seems to go both ways as well, with the former Beatle admitting in a 2018 BBC profile that the track "Who Cares" from his album Egypt Station was inspired by Swift’s close relationship with her fans.

From her days as a country music ingénue to her ascendance as the reigning mastermind of pop, Swift has credited the Chicks as a seminal influence in her songwriting and career trajectory. (Need examples? Look anywhere from early singles like "Picture to Burn" and "Should’ve Said No" to Evermore ’s Haim-assisted murder ballad "no body, no crime" and her own Lover -era collab with the band, "Soon You’ll Get Better.")

In a 2020 Billboard cover story tied to the Chicks’ eighth album Gaslighter , Swift acknowledged just how much impact the trio made on her growing up. "Early in my life, these three women showed me that female artists can play their own instruments while also putting on a flamboyant spectacle of a live show," she said at the time. "They taught me that creativity, eccentricity, unapologetic boldness and kitsch can all go together authentically. Most importantly, they showed an entire generation of girls that female rage can be a bonding experience between us all the very second we first heard Natalie Maines bellow ‘that Earl had to DIE.’"

"Game of Thrones"

When reputation dropped in 2017, Swift was on a self-imposed media blackout, which meant no cover stories or dishy sit-down interviews on late-night TV during the album’s roll-out. Instead, the singer let reputation speak for itself, and fans were largely left to draw their own conclusions about their queen’s wildly anticipated comeback album. Two years later, though, Swift revealed the dark, vengeful, romantic body of work was largely inspired by "Game of Thrones."

"These songs were half based on what I was going through, but seeing them through a 'Game of Thrones' filter," she told Entertainment Weekly in 2019. "My entire outlook on storytelling has been shaped by ["GoT"] — the ability to foreshadow stories, to meticulously craft cryptic story lines. So, I found ways to get more cryptic with information and still be able to share messages with the fans. I aspire to be one one-millionth of the kind of hint dropper the makers of 'Game of Thrones' have been."

Joni Mitchell

Swift has long made her admiration of Joni Mitchell known, dating back to her 2012 album Red , which took a cue from the folk pioneer’s landmark 1971 LP Blue for its chromatic title. In an interview around the time of Red ’s release, the country-pop titan gushed over Blue ’s impact on her, telling Rhapsody, "[Mitchell] wrote it about her deepest pains and most haunting demons. Songs like ‘River,’ which is just about her regrets and doubts of herself — I think this album is my favorite because it explores somebody’s soul so deeply."

Back in 2015, TIME declared the "Blank Space" singer a "disciple of Mitchell in ways both obvious and subtle" — from her reflective songwriting to the complete ownership over her creative process, and nearly 10 years later, Swift was still showing her appreciation for Mitchell after the latter’s triumphant and emotional appearance on the GRAMMY stage to perform "Both Sides Now" on the very same night Taylor took home her historic fourth GRAMMY for Album Of The Year for Midnights .

Fall Out Boy & Paramore

When releasing the re-recording of her third album Speak Now in 2023, Swift cited two unexpectedly emo acts as inspirations to her early songwriting: Fall Out Boy and Paramore .

"Since Speak Now was all about my songwriting, I decided to go to the artists who I feel influenced me most powerfully as a lyricist at that time and ask them to sing on the album," she wrote in an Instagram post revealing the back cover and complete tracklist for Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) , which included Fall Out Boy collaboration "Electric Touch" and "Castles Crumbling" featuring Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams .

For one of Swift’s original career inspirations, we have to go all the way back to the very first single she ever released. "Tim McGraw" was not only as the lead single off the 16-year-old self-titled 2006 debut album, but it also paid reverent homage to one of the greatest living legends in the history of country music.

In retrospect, it was an incredibly gutsy risk for a then-unknown Swift to come raring out of the gate with a song named after a country superstar. But the gamble clearly paid off in spades, considering that now, when an entire generation of music fans hear "Tim McGraw," they think of Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' Is A Post-Mortem Autopsy In Song: 5 Takeaways From Her New Album

Photos (L-R): Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management, Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel

Songbook: An Era-By-Era Breakdown Of Taylor Swift's Journey From Country Starlet To Pop Phenomenon

Upon the arrival of Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department,' take a deep dive into her discography and see how each album helped her become the genre-shifting superstar she is today.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on April 19 to reflect the release of The Tortured Poets Department.

The world now knows Taylor Swift as a global pop superstar, but back in 2006, she was just a doe-eyed country prodigy. Since then, she's released 11 studio albums, re-recorded four as "Taylor's Version," and cultivated one of the most feverish fan bases in music. Oh, and she's also won 14 GRAMMY Awards, including four for Album Of The Year — the most ever won by an artist.

Swift has become one of music's most notable shapeshifters by refusing to limit herself to one genre, moving between country, pop, folk and beyond. A once-in-a-lifetime generational storyteller, one could argue that she is music's modern-day maverick, constantly evolving both her music and the culture around her.

Every album era has seen Swift reinvent herself over and over, which has helped pave the way for artists to explore other musical avenues. In turn, Swift hasn't just become one of the biggest artists of all time — she's changed pop music altogether.

To celebrate Taylor Swift's newest era with The Tortured Poets Department , GRAMMY.com looks back on all of her albums (Taylor's Versions not included) and how each era shaped her remarkable career.

Taylor Swift : Finding Her Place In Music

In a genre dominated by men, the odds were already stacked against Swift when she first broke into country music as a teenage female artist. The thing that differentiated her from other writers — and still does to this day — is her songwriting. She didn't want to be just "another girl singer" and knew writing her own songs would be what set her apart.

Written throughout her adolescence, Taylor Swift was recorded at the end of 2005 and finalized by the time Swift finished her freshman year of high school. Serving as a snapshot of Swift's life and teenhood, she avoided songwriting stereotypes typically found in country music. Instead, she wanted to capture the years of her life while they still represented what she was going through, writing about what she was observing and experiencing, from love and friendship to feeling like an outsider.

As a songwriter, Taylor Swift set the tone for what would be expected of her future recordings — all songs were written by her, some solely and others with one or two co-writers. One writer in particular, Liz Rose , applauded Swift's songwriting capabilities, stating that she was more of an "editor" for the songs because Swift already had such a distinct vision.

The album's lead single, "Tim McGraw," an acoustic country ballad inspired by Swift knowing her relationship was going to end, represents an intricate part of Swift's songwriting process; meticulously picking apart her emotions to better understand them. With its follow-up, "Our Song" — which spent six consecutive weeks on the top of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart — she became the youngest person to solely write and sing a No. 1 country single; she also became the first female solo artist in country music to write or co-write every song on an album.

Although Swift's eponymous debut is underappreciated now — even lacking its own set on Swift's Eras Tour — Taylor Swift 's forthcoming rerecording is arguably the most anticipated by fans, who are eager to hear the songs with the singer's current and more refined vocals. Still, for fans who haven't properly explored Taylor Swift , it's easy to tie together Swift's earlier work to her current discography.

On the track "A Place In This World," a song she wrote when she was just 13, Swift sings about not fitting in and trying to find her path. While her songwriting has developed and matured, feeling like an outsider and carving her own path is a theme she still writes about now, as seen on Midnights ' "You're On Your Own, Kid."

Even as a new country artist, critics claimed that she "mastered" the genre while subsequently ushering it to a new era — one that would soon see Swift dabble in country-pop.

Fearless : Creating A Different Kind Of Fairytale

If Taylor Swift was the soundtrack to navigating the early stages of teenhood, Fearless is Swift's coming-of-age record. More than its predecessor, Fearless blurs the line between country and pop thanks to crossover hits like "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me," yet still keeps the confessional attributes known in country songwriting.

Most of Fearless is Swift coming to terms with what she believed love to be. On the album's liner notes, Swift says Fearless is about "living in spite" of the things that scare you, like falling in love again despite being hurt before or walking away and letting go. The 2008 version of Taylor wanted to "believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily ever after," whereas in Swift's Fearless (Taylor's Version) liner notes, she looks back on the album as a diary where she was learning "tiny lessons" every time there was a "new crack in the facade of the fairytale ending she'd been shown in the movies."

Much of Fearless also sees Swift being reflective and nostalgic about adolescence, like in "Never Grow Up" and "Fifteen." Still wistful and romantic, the album explores Swift's hopes for love, as heard in the album's lead single "Love Story," which was one instance where she was "dramatizing" observations instead of actually experiencing them herself.

Unlike the slow-burn of Taylor Swift , Fearless went straight to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed there for eight consecutive weeks. It won Swift's first Album Of The Year GRAMMY in 2010, at the time making her the youngest person to win the accolade at age 20. To date, it has sold 7.2 million copies in America alone. It might not be the romantic tale Swift dreamed of growing up, but her sophomore album signalled that bigger things were to come.

Speak Now : Proving Her Songwriting Prowess

Everything that happened after the success of Fearless pushed Swift from country music's best-kept secret to a mainstream star. But this meant that she faced more publicity and criticism, from naysayers who nitpicked her songwriting and vocals to the infamous Kanye West incident at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

For the first time since becoming an artist, she was forced to reckon with the concept of celebrity and how turning into one — whether she wanted it or not — informed her own writing and perception of herself. No longer was she the girl writing songs like "Fifteen" in her bedroom — now she was working through becoming a highly publicized figure. Speak Now is the answer to those growing pains.

Along with having more eyes on her, Swift also felt pressured to maintain her persona as a perfect young female role model amid a time when her peers like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato were attempting to rebrand to be more mature and sexier. During her NYU commencement speech in 2022, she reflected on this era of her life as one of intense fear that she could make a mistake and face lasting consequences, so the songs were masked in metaphors rather than directly addressing adult themes in her music. But that also resulted in some of her most poignant lyrics to date.

Read More: For The Record: How Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now' Changed Her Career — And Proved She'll Always Get The Last Word

Writing the entire album herself, Swift used Speak Now to prove her songwriting prowess to those who questioned her capabilities. Much like her previous two albums, Swift included songs that were both inspired by her own life and being a fly on the wall. The album's title track pulled from the saying, "Speak now or forever hold your peace," inspired by a friend's ex-boyfriend getting engaged; meanwhile, "Mean" was everything Swift wanted to say to a critic who was continuously harsh about her vocals.

Retrospective and reflective, Speak Now is an album about the speeches she could've, would've and should've said. From addressing the aforementioned VMA incident in the forgiving "Innocent" to a toxic relationship in "Dear John," Speak Now also hinted that her rose-colored glasses were cracked, but Swift (and her songwriting) was only becoming stronger because of it.

Red : Coming Into Her Own

Highly regarded as Swift's magnum opus, Red sees the singer shed the fairytale dresses and the girl-next-door persona to craft a body of work that has now been deemed as her first "adult" record. On Red, Swift focused on emotions evoked from a hot-and-cold relationship, one that forced her to experience " intense love, intense frustration, jealousy and confusion " — all feelings that she'd describe as "red."

Unlike most of her previous writing that had been inspired by happy endings and fairytales, Red explores the lingering pain and loss that can embed itself within despite trying your hardest to let go. In her liner notes, she references Pablo Neruda's poem "Tonight I Can Write," stating that "Love is so short, forgetting is so long" is the overarching theme for the album. She plays with time — speeding it up in "Starlight," dabbling in the past in "All Too Well," and reframing it in "State of Grace" — to better understand her experiences.

After releasing country-pop records, Red toed the line between genres more than ever before. Swift leaned further into the full pop territory by working with esteemed producers Max Martin and Shellback for the dubstep-leaning track "I Knew You Were Trouble," the punchy lead single "We Are Never Getting Back Together," and the bouncy anthem "22." But even when the pop power players weren't involved, her country stylings still leaned more pop across the album, as further evidenced with the racing deep cut "Holy Ground" and the echoing title track.

The slight change of direction became polarizing for critics and fans alike. Following the more country-influenced Speak Now , some critics and fans found the pop songs on Red were too pop and the lyrics were too repetitive, possibly indicating that she might be selling out. If that wasn't enough, Red became an era where Swift's personal life went from speculation to tabloid fodder, with misogynistic headlines and diluting her work to just "writing about her exes." It's an era that would eventually inspire many tracks on Red 's successor, 1989 , like "Blank Space" and "Shake It Off."

Commercially, Red debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold 1.2 million copies in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling country album and making Swift the first female artist to have three consecutive albums spend six or more weeks at the top of the chart. The impact of Red extended beyond its own success, too. Often mentioned as a record that inspired a generation of artists from Troye Sivan to Conan Gray , Swift's confessional, soul-bearing authenticity set a new standard for straightforward pop music.

1989 : Reinventing Into A Pop Genius

The night Red lost the GRAMMY for Album Of The Year in 2014, Swift decided that her next album would be a full-on pop record. After years of identifying as a country artist and flirting with pop, Swift departed her roots to reinvent herself, no matter what her then-label or critics had to say. And in true Swiftian fashion, turning into a pop artist didn't just prove her genre-shapeshifting capabilities — it further solidified her as an artist who is at her best when she freely creates to her desires and refuses to adhere to anyone.

1989 was lauded by critics for its infectious synth-pop that was reminiscent of the 1980s, yet still had a contemporary sound. Swift opted to lean more into radio-friendly hits, which resulted in songs like "Style," "Wildest Dreams," "Blank Space," and "Shake It Off," all of which became singles. And where some might trade a hit or two at the expense of their artistic integrity, Swift didn't falter — instead, her lyrics were just as heartfelt and intimate as they were on prior albums.

After exploring pop-leaning sonics she first found with Red , Swift worked with Martin and Shellback again on most of 1989 . This reinvention brought new (and very important) collaborators as well. Swift's now-frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff credits her as the first person to take a chance on him as a producer with "I Wish You Would" and "Out Of The Woods"; both tracks exemplified how future Antonoff-produced songs would sound on albums like reputation, Lover and Midnights .

At the time, 1989 became Swift's best-selling album to date. It sold nearly 1.3 million copies within release week in the U.S., debuting atop the Billboard 200 and reigning for 11 non-consecutive weeks. The album also earned Swift several awards — including her second Album Of The Year GRAMMY, which made her the first female artist to ever win the award twice.

Following the release of 1989 , Swift became a cultural juggernaut, and the album has had an omnipresence in music since. Swift didn't just normalize blending genres, but proved that you can create a sound that is uniquely yours by doing so. In turn, Billie Eilish , Dua Lipa and more pop stars have refused to conform or stick to what they've done prior.

reputation : Killing The Old Taylor

For years, Swift was on a strict two-year cycle — she'd release an album one year, tour the next, and then release a new album the following year. But following the heightened scrutiny and highly publicized tabloid drama that followed the end of the 1989 era, Swift completely disappeared for a year. She stayed away from public appearances, didn't do any press, and missed the album schedule fans became accustomed to. It wasn't until summer 2017 when she returned from her media (and social media) blackout to unveil the fitting title for her new album: reputation .

Born as a response to the naysayers and name-callers, reputation follows Swift shedding her public image — which includes the pressure to be perfect, the drama, and the criticism — by declaring, "There will be no further explanation. There will just be reputation." Leaning on the same tongue-in-cheek songwriting techniques she used while penning "Blank Space," Swift wrote from the mindset of how the public perceived her.

When Swift released the lead single "Look What You Made Me Do," a song she initially wrote as a poem about not trusting specific people, many assumed the album would center on vengeance and drama. Although Swift said that the album has its vindictive moments — even declaring that the "old Taylor" is dead on the bridge of "Look What You Made Me Do" — it's a vulnerable record for her. Swift described reputation as a bait-and-switch; at their core, the songs are about finding love in the darkest moments.

Swift still remained in the pop lane with reputation , largely leaning on Antonoff and the Martin/Shellback team. The sound almost mirrored the scrutiny Swift faced in the years prior — booming electropop beats, maximalist production and pulsing synthesizers dominate, particularly on "End Game," "I Did Something Bad," and "Ready For It…?" But the "old Taylor" isn't entirely gone on songs like "Call It What You Want," "So It Goes…" and "New Year's Day," where she lets her guard down to write earnest love odes.

Even after Swift spent some time away from the spotlight, the public didn't immediately gravitate toward her return. And even despite matching the 1.2 million first-week sales of her previous releases, some concluded that the album was her first commercial failure when compared to 1989 . With time, though, it became clear that the response to reputation became muddled with the public's overall perception of her at the time — some even claimed that Swift was ahead of her time with the album's overall sound.

For her 2023 TIME Person of the Year profile , Swift described reputation as a "goth-punk moment of female rage at being gaslit by an entire social structure." For years, she felt the pressure to be "America's Sweetheart" and to never step out of line. Writing reputation became a lifeline following the events that catalyzed it — a way to shed the so-called snakeskin and make peace with however the public wanted to view her.

Lover : Stepping Into The Daylight

After finding love amongst chaos with reput ation, Swift was learning to deal with the anxiety and fear of losing her partner — became a major theme of another aptly titled album, Lover . Both sonically and visually, Lover was a complete change from reputation . After touring reputation , Swift found that her fans saw her as "a flesh-and-blood human being," inspiring her to be "brave enough to be vulnerable" because her fans were along with her. Stepping away from the dark and antagonistic themes around reputation encouraged Swift to step into the light and be playful with her work on Lover .

Swift also found a new sense of creativity within this new mindset, one where she aimed to still embed playful themes in her songwriting but with less snark than that of "Blank Space" and "Look What You Made Me Do." Leaning into Lover being a "love letter to love," Swift explored every aspect of it. Tracks like "Paper Rings" and "London Boy" exude a whimsical energy, even if they center on more serious themes like marriage and commitment. Other songs, including "Death By A Thousand Cuts" and "Cornelia Street," are Swift at her most vulnerable, reflecting on a love lost and grappling with the extreme worry that comes when you could potentially lose someone.

Looking at Lover retrospectively, it's an album that almost symbolizes a bookend in her discography. She was playful yet poignant, picking apart her past lyrics and feelings and looking at them with the perspective of someone who was once on top of the world, hit rock bottom, and survived in spite of it. This evolution is mentioned throughout Lover, particularly in a direct callback to 2012's Red , "Daylight," which sees her describe her love as "golden" rather than "burning red."

Lover also marked the first time Swift divulged into politics and societal issues, like campaigning against Donald Trump, releasing the Pride-infused "You Need To Calm Down," and feeling disillusioned by the political climate with "Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince." Swift's documentary Miss Americana explores this change further, discussing how she regrets not being vocal about politics and issues prior, in addition to opening up about her body image issues and mental health struggles.

Lover became Swift's sixth No. 1 album in America, making her the first female artist to achieve the feat. But Lover was more than any accolades could reflect — it was Swift's transitional album in many ways, notably marking the first album that she owned entirely herself following leaving Big Machine Records for Republic Records in 2018.

folklore : Looking Beyond Her Personal Stories

After the pandemic started and Swift cancelled her Lover Fest, she spent the early stages of quarantine reading and watching a myriad of films. Without exactly setting out to create an album, she began dreaming of fictional stories and characters with various narrative arcs, allowing her imagination to run free. The result became folklore , 2020's surprise archetypal quarantine album.

Crafting a world with characters like the folklore love triangle between those in "betty" and "august," as well as Rebekah Harkness from "the last great american dynasty" (who once lived in Swift's Rhode Island mansion), was Swift's way of venturing outside her typical autobiographical style of writing. She'd see visceral images in her mind — from battleships to tree swings to mirrored disco balls — and turned them into stories, sometimes weaving in her own personal narrative throughout, or taking on a narrator role and speaking from the perspective of someone she had never met.

She worked remotely with two producers — again working with her right-hand man Jack Antonoff, and first-time collaborator Aaron Dessner from The National . Some songs, like "peace," were recorded in just one take, capturing the essence and fragility in the song's story, whereas the lyrics for the sun-drenched "august" were penned on the spot as Swift was in her makeshift home studio in Los Angeles.

Another aspect that separated folklore from her previous work was the obvious decision not to create hits made for radio play, so much so that Dessner claimed that she made an anti-pop record at a time when radio wanted clear "bops." Sonically, it ventured into genres Swift hadn't explored much outside of a few folkier tracks on Lover . Rather than relying on mostly electronic elements, Swift, Antonoff and Dessner weaved in soft pianos, ethereal strings, and plucky guitars.

folklore 's impact on the zeitgeist at a time where everyone was stuck at home helped shape people's quarantine experience. Fans rejoiced at having songs to comfort them during difficult times, and artists like Maya Hawke , Gracie Abrams , and Sabrina Carpenter credit folklore for inspiring them to create and be even more emotionally honest in their songwriting. After its release, folklore became the best-selling album of 2020 after selling 1.2 million records. At the 2021 GRAMMYs, folklore took home Album Of The Year , making her the fourth artist in history to win three times in the Category.

evermore : Embracing Experimentation

It was exciting enough for Swifties to experience one surprise album drop from Swift, an artist who typically has an entire album campaign calculated. So when evermore was released just six months after folklore , fans were in shock.

Like its (literally) folklorian sister, evermore was a surprise release at the end of 2020, marking the first time Swift didn't have distinct "eras" between albums. She felt like there was something "different" with folklore , stating in a social media post that making it was less like she was "departing" and more like she was "returning" to the next stage of her discography. In turn, the album served as a similar escape for Swift as folklore did.

Bridging together the same wistful and nostalgic themes as heard on its predecessor, evermore sees Swift venture even further into escapism. She explores more stories and characters, some based in fiction like "dorothea," and some real, like "marjorie," written in dedication to Swift's grandmother.

Evermore follows folklore 's inclusion of natural imagery and motifs, like landscapes, skies, ivy, and celestial elements. In contrast to the fairytale motifs and happy endings of Fearless , evermore saw Swift become fixated on "unhappy" endings — stories of failed marriages ("happiness"), lifeless relationships ("tolerate it"), and one-time flings ("'tis the damn season").

Sonically, evermore is a slight departure from its sister record; where folklore relies on more alt-leaning and indie-tinged sounds, evermore takes the sonics from all of Swift's past records — from pop to country to indie rock — and features all of them on one album. Country songs like "cowboy like me" and "no body, no crime" reaches back to Swift's earlier work in narrative building, seamlessly crafting a three-party story with ease. "Closure" is a "skittering" track that has the same energy as tracks like Lover 's "I Forgot That You Existed," whereas the ballad "champagne problems" is thematically reminiscent of Swift's Speak Now track "Back To December" where she takes responsibility for her lover's heartache.

Working mostly with Dessner on evermore , Swift was emboldened to continue creating and opted to embrace whatever came naturally to them rather than limiting themselves to a sound. Swift felt a "quiet conclusion" after finishing up evermore , describing that it was more about grappling with endings of all "sizes and shapes," and the record represented a chapter closing. Even so, its poetic lyricism and mystical storytelling cleverly foreshadowed what was to come with subsequent albums, particularly The Tortured Poets Department .

Midnights : Encapsulating Her Artistic Magic

After coming out of the folklorian woods following folklore and evermore , fans and critics alike were intrigued to see what direction Swift would take on her next studio album. On Midnights , Swift leaves behind indie folk sounds and returns to the pop production of 1989 and Lover .

Her most conceptual album to date, Midnights charts 13 sleepless nights and explores five themes, from self-hatred and revenge to "what if" fantasies, falling in love, and falling apart. They are the things that keep her up at night, like the self-critiquing in "Anti-Hero," her rise to fame in "You're on Your Own, Kid," and the anxiety of falling in love again in "Labyrinth." Similarly to Swift's cheeky songwriting style that sees her create caricatures of herself in songs like "Blank Space" and "Look What You Made Me Do," she doubles down on claims she's "calculated" on "Mastermind," a song about devising a plan for her and her lover.

Although the album is a departure from the two pandemic sister albums, the overall creation process didn't differ too much. In addition to working alongside Antonoff (and bringing Dessner in for the bonus-track-filled 3am Edition), Swift's worldbuilding is still the throughline that connects Midnights and Swift's recent albums, whether she's dreaming of a Parisian escape in "Paris" or using war imagery as a metaphor for the struggle of love in "The Great War."

Read More: 5 Takeaways From Taylor Swift's New Album 'Midnights'

Following the success with folklore and evermore , Swift's intrigue was at a then-all-time high upon the release of Midnights . Along with breaking several streaming records — including becoming the first album to exceed 700 million global streams in a week — it was Swift's 11th No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200, and was the highest-selling album of 2022 (and, remarkably, the second best-selling of 2023).

To say that Swift's celebrity has become otherworldly since the release of Midnights would be an understatement. Celebrating her genre-defying and varied discography through The Eras Tour has resulted in old songs having a resurgence, new inside jokes and Easter eggs within the fandom, and a plethora of new listeners being exposed to Swift's work.

As a result, there has arguably never been more excitement for a Taylor Swift album than for The Tortured Poets Department — especially because the announcement came on the heels of her lucky 13th GRAMMY win in February. Midnights helped further solidify Swift's larger-than-life status at the finale of the 2024 GRAMMYs, too, as she became the only artist in history to win Album Of The Year four times.

The Tortured Poets Department : A Grief-Stricken Poetic Odyssey

It’s been a while since Swift has penned a full-fledged breakup album. On The Tortured Poets Department , she navigates the five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance — after her long-term relationship ended. Taking a page from the release of folklore and evermore , she dropped a double album and announced The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology at 2 a.m. on release day. Throughout a total of 31 tracks, the prolific songwriter shelved the glittery pop radio-friendly tunes in favor of more subdued, synthy and heart-wrenching songs.

On Instagram, Swift described the album as a collection of poetic songs that reflect the "events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time," Swift pulled out the fountain and quill pens to craft songs about the "tortured poets" in her life — sometimes musing about lovers, sometimes taking aim at villains, and sometimes pointing the finger at herself.

TTPD is also her most confessional album thus far. It pokes fun at so-called fans who overstep with her personal life ("But Daddy I Love Him"), says goodbye to a city that gave her a home ("So Long London"), and muses on how her own celebrity has stunted her growth ("Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?"). To help explain this chapter of her life, Swift brings together a myriad of collaborators — from Stevie Nicks as fellow poetess, to duets with Florence Welch and Post Malone — and leans on real and fictional characters, like Clara Bow, Peter Pan ("Peter"), and Patti Smith .

In the same post, Swift declared that once she’s confessed all of her saddest stories, she’s able to find freedom. Yet The Tortured Poets Department (and its accompanying 15-track anthology) spends much time reflecting: she toys with her own lore, self-referencing past songs from albums like 1989 and poems from her reputation era.

Fourteen years ago, Swift declared that she would never change, but she’ll never stay the same either. The Tortured Poets Department proves that in the throughline of Taylor Swift's many artistic eras is a commitment to exploration and a love of autobiographical lyricism.

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Acceptance Speech
Memorizing our own speech would also help us gain confidence in delivering the speech. 8. Always End with a Bang. If you want to make a great impact on your audience, always end your acceptance speech with a bang. You can summarize and condense the groups of people who helped you but this is not anymore necessary.
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Being Specific in Your Speech. Crafting an award acceptance speech for business executives requires reflecting on specific examples to make the speech more impactful. For instance, acknowledging the team members' hard work in a sustainability initiative demonstrates appreciation and inspires others. Being specific about the company's ...
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3. Record yourself reading your speech. Use a camcorder, computer, or your phone. Make sure you're standing for the recording and set the camera far enough away that it captures your entire body. If you'll be giving your speech at a podium, find something to use as a podium for the video, like a table or a desk.
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Lack of Structure: Avoid a disorganized or lengthy speech. Structure your speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end to maintain your audience's attention. Being Negative: Stay positive and avoid any negative remarks or criticisms, whether related to the award or other aspects. Maintain a gracious and optimistic tone.
How to Write an Acceptance Speech
Acceptance Speech Writing Tips. The following are the tips that you should follow to create a well-written speech that impresses the audience. Know your audience: Research the audience and occasion to get a sense of the tone and expectations.Understanding your audience can help you tailor your speech to their interests and needs.; Keep it concise and focused: Avoid going off-topic or rambling.
How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech to Thank ...
As compared to other speeches, an acceptance speech does not include a beginning, body or conclusion and doesn't need a PowerPoint display.In addition to this, acceptance speeches aren't allotted a lot of time as you would with a keynote speech, so you will have to make it short.. Acceptance speeches also provide you, the speaker who's accepting the award, an opportunity to either make a ...
How to give an award acceptance speech
Perhaps you could begin by breaking down your speech into a few sections. For example, you could structure the speech as follows: Introduction, thanking a few specific people, telling a story or an anecdote, and conclusion. This should all take no more than 3-5 minutes. And it will fly by.
Acceptance Speech Thanks Those Who Made Excellence Possible
An excellent example of a short acceptance speech is the one given by Denzel Washington in 1990 when he won the first Oscar of his career for best male actor in a supporting role. His Oscar speech went as follows: I want to thank the Academy. I'm gonna thank Ed Zwick, and Freddie Fields, who did a fantastic job, who made what I consider to be ...
How to Write Great Acceptance Speeches
3. Acknowledge Your Debt to Others. Let the audience know that you know that you couldn't have made it this far without help from many, many other people—some of whom are present today. (Don't list them all right now, that will come soon. Lots of people thank and/or talk about their parents at this point in their acceptance speeches.
How to Give an Acceptance Speech (with Pictures)
Writing a Great Speech. 1. Don't plan to "wing it.". For any public speaking event, planning and preparation is key. Even if the speech you've been asked to give is only a minute long, preparing and organizing your thoughts beforehand can make the difference between a tepid response and a warm one.
Acceptance speeches
Good acceptance speeches find a balance, blending gracious humility with sincere acknowledgment and perhaps, a little humor. T hese guidelines were written as a result of my own experience. Yes, dear reader, I gulped and gawped at an expectant audience, managing a few tearful 'thank yous' before being gently steered off stage sniffling into a huge bunch of creamy-pink roses.
Acceptance Speech Example
Template for an Acceptance Speech. Writing an acceptance speech doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you start with this fill-in template as a foundation on which to build. Open the template by clicking the image below. If the document doesn't open right away, use the tips in this guide for printables to troubleshoot. Related Articles
Acceptance Speech • My Speech Class
My Acceptance Speech Template. Pick out the public speaking speech topics you need and adapt them carefully to the event or special occasion you are asked for to speak. This outline template has been proven successful for many public speakers around the world. for some kind of an event. Open with graciously acknowledging the award, prize, honor ...
Here's How I Wrote an Acceptance Speech for My Big Day
Here are some key purposes: 1. Expressing Gratitude: One of the primary purposes of an acceptance speech is to express gratitude. Recipients use this opportunity to thank individuals, groups, or organizations that played a role in their success. This can include colleagues, mentors, family members, and supporters. 2.
Award and Acceptance Speeches
Accepting an Award. An acceptance speech often follows an award speech and is given by the winner of the award. An acceptance speech, like any other speech, should be prepared in advance. Thanking the givers of your award is your first order of business. State how much and why you are grateful for this honor, and if possible, name the people in ...
How to Write an Award-Show Acceptance Speech
A good example of this would be I wrote an acceptance speech—this wasn't a televised show; this was a private event. A woman was being honored, and her team had said, "Look, whatever you do ...
Award Acceptance Speech
1. Opener. This part of your speech is basically your introduction. This will be your formal opening, the ice breaker or the attention-grabber for your speech. The main purpose of this part is to show your excitement, your shock and happiness to be given the award. This will also serve as your formal acknowledgement to the people present during ...
How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech? [A Full Guide]
An award acceptance speech is a speech given by a person who is receiving an award, honor or prize. When you win something, then it is a tradition to say a few words and share some gratitude toward those you would like to thank or acknowledge. In the audience are your friends, family and perhaps people in your industry who you respect, so make ...
Award Acceptance Speech Samples
While these were some basic tips on writing a good award speech, here are two samples that will give you an idea about giving an excellent speech. Sample 1. Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen! I am extremely honored to be receiving such an important award (mention the name of the award). I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have ...
Great GRAMMY Acceptance Speeches
Press play on the video above to hear Lady Gaga's complete acceptance speech for A Star Is Born 's "Shallow" at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind. ... For example, she announced her ninth album evermore on December 10, 2020, which would have been the late poet's 190th birthday. Another ...

Rice Speechwriting

Understanding the Purpose of an Award Acceptance Speech

Goals and Importance of an Acceptance Speech

How an Acceptance Speech Inspires Others

Crafting Your Acceptance Speech

Being Specific in Your Speech

The Power of Storytelling in Your Acceptance Speech

Preparing to Deliver Your Speech

Making Your Speech Memorable

Tips for Rehearsing Your Speech

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in an Acceptance Speech

Can Going Overboard with Emotions Affect the Impact of Your Speech?

Examples of Short Award Speeches

How can I make my acceptance speech memorable and inspiring?

Are there any common mistakes to avoid when giving an acceptance speech?

Can I personalize my acceptance speech for different types of awards or audiences?

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How to Write the Best Acceptance Speech for Your Audience?

What is an Acceptance Speech?

How to Write an Acceptance Speech?

Immediately Start With a Thank You

Discuss the Organization

Recognize Supportive People

Include Humor in Your Speech

End With Impact

Express Gratitude

Acceptance Speech Examples

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing An Acceptance Speech

Phrases You Can Use in Acceptance Speech Writing

Tips for Acceptance Speech Writing

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Learn How to Write an Acceptance Speech like Experts

Acceptance Speech Definition

How to Start an Acceptance Speech?

How to Write an Acceptance Speech?

Acceptance Speech Examples

Acceptance Speech Writing Tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid in an Acceptance Speech

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you end a speech?

What do you say in an acceptance speech?

Keep reading

How to Give an Award Acceptance Speech to Thank, Inspire and Impress

What is an Award Acceptance Speech?

What are the m ain Goals of an Acceptance Speech?

How to Write a Great Acceptance Speech

Be Specific

Tell a story

How to Prepare for an Award Acceptance Speech?

Make your speech memorable

Rehearse your speech

How To Deliver Your Acceptance Speech

Don’t Be Boring

If you are going to show emotion, don’t go overboard

What to avoid in an Award Acceptance Speech

5 Tips to Give the Perfect Award Acceptance Speech

Table of Contents

Determine the goal of your speech

Structuring your speech

Consider telling stories

What kind of story to tell

Using humor: advantages and pitfalls