How to write a thank you speech

By: Susan Dugdale | Last modified: 09-10-2019 | First published: 01-01-2009

A thank you speech or appreciation speech prepared and given with

sincerity means a lot to those you acknowledge.

When is a thank you speech appropriate?

A thank you speech could fit any of these occasions.

Thank you:

 for coming to my party

 for the promotion
 for the award
 for your gifts
 for coming to the opening of my new business ...

Be prepared!

 Preparing the content

Cover these three content areas and you'll be fine.

1. WHO are you thanking?

Note their names in ranking order- the most important first

2. WHAT are you thanking them for?

Be specific rather than general. Naming what you are grateful for
gives your thanks more meaning.
3. WHAT did their gift of time, expertise, encouragement, etc ...
mean to you?
Be specific. This is your chance to compliment or praise them. Take
it.

Writing your speech

Like any other form of speech you need 3 parts: an opening, the body
or middle where you put all your acknowledgments, and a conclusion.

1. Introduction/opening

In your introduction or opening give the reason for the occasion

and why it is you're going to thank everyone. What you say, and how
you say it, will set the tone for the remainder of the speech.

2. Body

In the body of your thank you speech, start at the top of your list
of people to thank and work your way through it. Take care to give
the most important people the most time.

3. Conclusion

In the conclusion, summarize your main points and finish. You may

use quotation/s before you end your thank you speech. They offer
different ways of expressing your gratitude.

-end-