254 CHAPTER 18^ Speaking on Special Occasions
Nominations
Nominations are short persuasive speeches that do two things: (1) introduce your can-
didate to the group, and (2) present brief arguments explaining why he or she should be
elected. The following elements are essential:
• Name the office, and tell its importance to the organization as a whole.
• List the reasons the candidate is right for the office.
Two persuasive organizational patterns are especially effective: (1) a statement of
reasons pattern, where you list and explain the reasons one by one; and (2) a criteria-
satisfaction pattern, where you set up criteria for the office and then show how the
candidate meets the criteria. In his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme
Court, President Obama set the following criteria:^5
First and foremost is a rigorous intellect, a mastery of the law, and ability to hone
in on the key issues and provide clear answers to complex legal questions. Second
is recognition of the limits of the judicial role.... Yet these qualities alone are
insufficient.... It is experience that can give a person a common touch and a sense
of compassion and understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people
live. And that is why it is a necessary ingredient in the kind of justice we need on the
Supreme Court.
He then explained why his nominee met the criteria. After describing her academic
and professional background, he noted:
Walking in the door, she brings more experience on the bench and more varied expe-
rience on the bench than anyone currently serving on the US Supreme Court had
when they were appointed.
He concluded with details of her life to show that she understood how society func-
tions and how common people live.Award Speeches
Individualistic cultures recognize meritorious work or character traits that embody the
group’s ideals. It’s common to present recipients with a permanent memento of some
sort. When you present an award, emphasize the group’s shared beliefs, values, and com-
mitments and include these elements:
• Name the award and describe its significance. What personal traits or accomplish-
ments does it honor? In whose name is it being presented? Why is it given? How
often is it awarded? How are the recipients selected?
• Summarize the selection criteria and the reasons this recipient was chosen.
• Relate the appropriateness of the award to the recipient’s traits.
• Express good wishes to the recipient.
In contrast, more collectivist cultures rarely single out one individual to praise
over others. (New Zealanders, for instance, have the saying “The tall poppy gets mown
down.”) Consequently, members of these cultures may feel uncomfortable if their per-
sonal characteristics are publicly acknowledged. In these situations, honor the entire
group rather than a single individual.
Accept an award with a brief speech that reinforces the values the award symbolizes,
as these guidelines and sample acceptance speech show:statement of reasons
pattern pattern that lists
reasons and then explains
each one
criteria-satisfaction pattern
speech pattern that first sets
up standards for judging and
then shows how the subject
meets the standards
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