What is an Acceptance Speech?
An acceptance speech is a short speech given after receiving an award or recognition. It is a chance to thank the people who supported you, talk about your journey, and share what this moment means to you.
People give acceptance speeches at events like:
- School or college award ceremonies
- Workplace events to honor employees or leaders
- Entertainment shows for music, movies, or other achievements
An acceptance speech is more than just saying "thank you." It is a way to appreciate others, share your experience, and inspire the audience. It helps celebrate success while staying humble and grateful.
Elements of a Successful Acceptance Speech
A well-crafted acceptance speech is clear, heartfelt, and memorable. It should be short but powerful, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Here are the key elements of a strong acceptance speech:
- Gratitude: The most important part of any acceptance speech is thanking the people who helped and supported the journey. This could include family, friends, mentors, or organizations.
- Personal Story or Reflection: A short, meaningful story can make the speech more engaging. It could be about a challenge faced, a lesson learned, or what the award means on a personal level.
- Acknowledgment of Others: Recognizing fellow nominees, team members, or anyone else who contributed adds humility and respect to the speech.
- Inspiration or Message: A great speech often leaves the audience with a message. This could be advice, encouragement, or a lesson that connects with others.
- Brevity and Clarity: An effective speech is short and to the point. Rambling or unnecessary details can make it less impactful.
- Genuine Emotion: The best speeches feel natural and sincere. Speaking from the heart makes a stronger connection with the audience.
Steps for Writing Your Own Acceptance Speech
Writing an acceptance speech may seem difficult, but it becomes easier when broken into simple steps. A great speech is short, meaningful, and leaves a lasting impression. Regardless of if it’s an award or an achievement, be prepared and speak honestly.
Here’s how to write a strong acceptance speech:
Step 1: Understand Your Audience
A good speech connects with the audience. It should match the event, the people attending, and the emotions of the moment.
To do this:
- Think about who will be listening—students, colleagues, industry leaders, or fans.
- Adjust the tone to fit the occasion—formal for a professional event, lighthearted for an entertainment award.
- Keep it simple and clear so everyone can understand and feel included.
Step 2: Start with Gratitude
The first thing to do in an acceptance speech is to thank those who made the achievement possible.
To begin:
- Start by thanking the organization or people giving the award.
- Express appreciation for those who supported the journey—family, mentors, teachers, or colleagues.
- Keep it genuine and avoid sounding like a long list of names.
Step 3: Acknowledge Key People
An acceptance speech is a moment to recognize those who played an important role in the achievement.
To do this:
- Mention specific people who had a major impact, such as a mentor, team, or friend.
- Highlight their support or advice that helped along the way.
- Keep it balanced—focus on a few key names rather than trying to thank everyone.
Step 4: Share Your Journey
A short personal story makes an acceptance speech more engaging and relatable.
To include this:
- Talk about a challenge or turning point that made the achievement meaningful.
- Share a lesson learned or an inspiring message for the audience.
- Keep it brief and focused so it adds to the speech without taking over.
Step 5: Incorporate Humor
A little humor can make the speech more enjoyable and memorable.
To do this:
- Use a light joke or a funny moment related to the journey.
- Keep the humor appropriate for the audience and event.
- Avoid jokes that could be misunderstood or take away from the main message.
Many celebrities are known for their funny acceptance speeches. For example, Robert Downey Jr.’s acceptance speech included a joke about how an award had finally proven his talent, while Miley Cyrus’s acceptance speech had light-hearted comments about her unexpected wins.
Step 6: End with Gratitude
A strong closing should leave a positive and grateful impression.
To wrap up:
- Restate appreciation for the award and the people who made it possible.
- End with an inspiring thought, a hopeful message, or a simple "thank you."
- Keep it short and end on a high note.
Sample Acceptance Speech Examples for You
Writing an acceptance speech becomes easier with examples and templates. Different awards and occasions require different tones and styles. Below are examples of acceptance speeches for various situations:
Memorable Acceptance Speeches from Public Figures
Many well-known figures have delivered inspiring or unforgettable acceptance speeches, leaving a lasting impression on their audiences. Some examples include:
Martin Luther King Jr. Acceptance Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. gave his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in 1964.
At the time, he was the youngest person to receive the award.
In his speech, he spoke about the fight for civil rights, the power of nonviolence, and his hope for a future with justice and equality.
Speech: [First Section] “I accept the Nobel Prize for Peace at a moment when 22 million Negroes of the United States of America are engaged in a creative battle to end the long night of racial injustice. I accept this award on behalf of a civil rights movement which is moving with determination and a majestic scorn for risk and danger to establish a reign of freedom and a rule of justice. I am mindful that only yesterday in Birmingham, Alabama, our children, crying out for brotherhood, were answered with fire hoses, snarling dogs and even death. I am mindful that only yesterday in Philadelphia, Mississippi, young people seeking to secure the right to vote were brutalized and murdered. And only yesterday more than 40 houses of worship in the State of Mississippi alone were bombed or burned because they offered a sanctuary to those who would not accept segregation. I am mindful that debilitating and grinding poverty afflicts my people and chains them to the lowest rung of the economic ladder.” |
Trump's Acceptance Speech
Donald Trump delivered his acceptance speech in 2016 after winning the U.S. presidential election.
He thanked his supporters, spoke about uniting the country, and promised to work for all Americans.
Speech: [First Section] "We overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible and it is now clear that we've achieved the most incredible political thing, look what happened, is this crazy? But it's a political victory that our country has never seen before, nothing like this. I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president. And every citizen, I will fight for you, for your family and your future, every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body, I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America, that's what we have to have.” |
Kamala Harris Acceptance Speech
Kamala Harris delivered this acceptance speech in November 2020 after being elected Vice President of the United States.
She made history as the first woman, first Black, and first South Asian American to hold this office, marking a groundbreaking moment in U.S. politics.
Speech: |
Cillian Murphy Acceptance Speech
Cillian Murphy won an award for his role in Peaky Blinders at the 2020 National Television Awards.
In his speech, he sincerely thanked his fans and colleagues, expressing deep gratitude for their support.
Speech: |
Jelly Roll Acceptance Speech
Jelly Roll, a country music singer, won a major award at the 2023 CMT Music Awards.
His speech was deeply emotional as he reflected on his struggles, celebrated his journey, and expressed gratitude for how far he had come in his career.
Speech: |
Taylor Swift Acceptance Speech (2021 Grammy Awards)
Taylor Swift won Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammy Awards for Folklore.
Her speech was heartfelt and reflective, as she thanked her collaborators, expressed gratitude to her fans, and acknowledged the joy of creating music during a challenging year.
Speech: |
Acceptance Speech Kieran Culkin
?Kieran Culkin delivered a memorable acceptance speech at the 2025 Oscars after winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain.
Expressing surprise at his win, he humorously acknowledged his former Succession co-star Jeremy Strong, leading to a brief censorship due to his candid language.
Speech: "Oh my God, this is crazy—I don’t even know what to say. Mr. Downey, sir, thank you for handing this to me. It means a lot coming from you. Jeremy, you were amazing in The Apprentice. I know I’m not supposed to single anyone out, but whatever—it's fine. I’ve already lost whatever speech I prepared in the last 20 seconds. I have no idea how I got here. I’ve been acting my whole life—it’s just always been a part of me. But I never thought this was my trajectory. However, I do know that I wouldn’t be here without Emily Gerson Sains, my manager of 30 years. Emily, thank you for everything. I lean on you for so much, so please don’t go anywhere—I’d be lost without you. I love you. Jesse Eisenberg—thank you for this movie. You’re a genius. I would never say that to your face, and I’ll never say it again, so soak it up while you can.” |
Emma Stone Acceptance Speech
Emma Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in La La Land (2017). This speech is iconic due to her sincere gratitude and acknowledgment of her fellow nominees.
Speech:
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Appropriate Acceptance Speech Quotes You Can Use
A great quote can add depth and emotion to an acceptance speech. The right words can help express gratitude, inspire the audience, or highlight the journey to success.
To make your speech more impactful, consider using one of these quotes:
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
- “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
- “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Zig Ziglar
- “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
- “Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.” – Unknown
- “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln
- “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
- “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
- “Dream big. Start small. Act now.” – Robin Sharma
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Acceptance Speech
Even a well-prepared speech can lose its impact if common mistakes are made. Avoid these pitfalls to ensure your speech is smooth, meaningful, and memorable.
Here are key mistakes to watch out for:
- Forgetting to thank key people: Failing to acknowledge those who helped can come across as ungrateful.
- Speaking too long: A lengthy speech can lose the audience’s attention. Keep it concise.
- Being overly modest: While humility is good, don’t downplay achievements that deserve recognition.
- Reading word for word: A script can make your speech sound robotic. Use notes instead.
- Talking too fast or too slow: A rushed delivery can make words unclear, while a slow pace can feel dull.
- Overloading with quotes: While quotes can be powerful, using too many can make the speech feel impersonal.
- Not practicing enough: Rehearsing helps with confidence and a smoother delivery.
- Not engaging the audience: Looking at your notes or the floor instead of the audience can feel disconnected.
- Using complex words: Simple and clear language is always more effective.
- Ending abruptly: A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impact. Wrap up with a final thank you or an inspiring thought.
By avoiding these mistakes, an acceptance speech can be both heartfelt and memorable.
Wrapping it Up!
A good acceptance speech is short, heartfelt, and leaves a strong impression. Thank the right people, share a small story, and add a little humor to make it memorable.
Most importantly, practice and make it personal so it feels natural.
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