Accepting Awards

Whether you’re accepting an Oscar or community recognition, Toastmasters International offers these proven tips for delivering a powerful acceptance speech for any type of award:

• Show your personality. Your ­acceptance speech should come from the heart

• Be gracious. Acknowledge the good work done by your fellow nominees and thank the organization that ­selected you for the award.

• Show excitement. You don’t have to climb over chairs or even cry, but the ­audience should recognize that you’re happy to have won the award.

• Be modest. Your acceptance speech should be heartfelt but not self-congratulatory.

• Practice, practice, practice. Rehearse with a timer, memorize key people to thank and allow time for the unexpected.

Learn more about acceptance speeches by exploring the Toastmasters International Special Occasion Speeches handbook.