It’s finally happened. You’ve been recognized for that thing you do. And now you have thirty seconds in front of your peers, the cameras, and the eyes of the world to say . . . something.
But what will you say? Will you thank the Academy, your friends, and your supporters? Or will you use the opportunity to promote a cause? Will you be humble or will you be triumphant?
Winning the lottery is one dream, but winning the big award, whatever it is, might be even better. It’s not just chance: it is recognition. And if you’ve been recognized, what will you say?
For today’s assignment, take a few moments and write your acceptance speech. Remember, you have to write the speech and have it in your pocket, even if you suspect that you won’t win. Be prepared. An added step for this assignment: read it out loud before you’re finished. This is a speech. Make sure it’s something that you can actually say and speak. This is good advice for any type of writing, but it’s critical for speeches.
Here’s my example:
First let me say this: Thank you. I don’t want to run out of time before I make it clear how grateful I am for being recognized and winning this award. It’s something that I’ve dreamed about, but never really hoped for or expected. So thank you.
There are so many people that I want to thank that it’s simply not possible to do it here. So I’ll take the technological short cut and post my personal thanks on my web site. Look for it there shortly.
But I would like to recognize my freshman college English professor, who at some point told me that I was an awful writer, would never amount to anything, and to buy a dictionary. Thank you. Although I can’t recommend your technique as an educator, it worked for me. That was what you intended, wasn’t it, Professor Wallace?
But mostly I want to thank my readers and those who have taken my words to heart. You’re why I’m up here holding this and you’re why I’m standing on top of the world for this brief moment.
Thank you. It’s my heartfelt wish that you each get your moment in the spotlight like the one I’ve just had. It’s every bit as wonderful as I thought it might be.
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