How to Write a Winning Acceptance Speech: Steps, Examples & Tips

Imagine standing in front of a crowd. They’re clapping, the lights are bright, and someone hands you an award. 

You’re thrilled but also a bit nervous. What do you say? How do you thank everyone, share your feelings, and keep it short and interesting?

Don’t worry. This guide will help you write an acceptance speech that’s easy to follow, heartfelt, and memorable. 

Let’s get started!

What is an Acceptance Speech?

An acceptance speech is what you say after receiving an award or recognition. It’s your chance to thank people who helped you, share a little about your journey, and show how much this moment means to you.

These speeches are often given at events like:

• School or college award ceremonies.
• Professional events for employees or leaders.
• Entertainment shows like music or movie awards.

An acceptance speech expresses gratitude, acknowledges contributions, and inspires others. It’s a way to share your story, show humility, and celebrate the support that led to success.

10 Elements of a Good Acceptance Speech

A great acceptance speech combines gratitude, authenticity, and a meaningful message. Here are 10 key elements:

1. Gratitude: Start by thanking those recognizing you and the award.
2. Authenticity: Be genuine and connect with your audience.
3. Brevity: Keep it short and focused on the key points.
4. Storytelling: Share a personal anecdote to engage your audience.
5. Acknowledgment: Recognize the people who supported you.
6. Inspiration: Share an uplifting message to motivate others.
7. Humor: Include light humor, if appropriate.
8. Humility: Be humble and avoid sounding arrogant.
9. Relevance: Tailor your speech to the event’s purpose.
10. Memorable Closing: End with a strong, impactful statement.

Steps to Write an Acceptance Speech

Writing a speech is easier when you follow these simple steps. Here’s how you can write a great speech step by step.

Step 1: Know Your Audience and the Event

• Think about the people at the event. Are they formal, like at a work event, or more casual, like at a school ceremony?
• Understand what the event is about and why you’re being recognized.

Example: If you’re speaking at a school event, keep it fun and inspiring. If it’s a professional event, focus more on teamwork or hard work. 

Why it matters: Understanding who you’re talking to helps you decide how to speak.

Step 2: Start with Gratitude

• Start by thanking the group or organization that gave you the award.
• Say why receiving the award is special to you.

Example: “Thank you to [organization] for this amazing honor. I’m so proud to receive the [award name].”

Why it matters: Thanking others shows respect and sets a positive tone.

Step 3: Thank the People Who Helped You

• Mention specific people who helped you—like family, friends, or colleagues.
• Briefly explain how they helped you.

Example: “I want to thank my mentor, [name], for always believing in me and guiding me through tough times.”

Why it matters: Showing appreciation to the people who supported you shows humility.

Step 4: Share a Personal Story

• Pick one short story that connects to your journey or the award.
• Keep it simple and focus on one important moment.

Example: “When I started working on this project, I didn’t think it would lead to this. But through hard work, I kept going.”

Why it matters: Sharing a short story makes your speech more interesting and relatable.

Step 5: Add Humor or Inspiration

• If it feels right, add a funny moment or light joke.
• You can also share something inspiring to leave the audience feeling positive.

Example: “This award reminds me of something my mom always says: ‘Hard work pays off, just keep going.’”

Why it matters: Humor can make your speech fun, while inspiration can motivate others.

Step 6: Keep It Short

• Focus on the most important points, and avoid saying too much.
• Aim for 2–5 minutes, unless you’re told otherwise.

Tip: Practice your speech to make sure you stay within the time limit.

Why it matters: A short speech keeps the audience’s attention.

Step 7: End Strong

• Thank everyone again and talk about what the award means to you.
• End with a powerful thought or a quote.

Example: “Thank you again for this honor. I will continue to work hard and hope to inspire others to chase their dreams.”

Why it matters: A strong ending will stay with your audience.

Additional Acceptance Speech Examples For Your Understanding

Examples are always helpful, and they can help give you some ideas for writing an acceptance speech. Therefore, for your help, we gathered some professionally written examples that make your writing phase easy. 

Here is a Nobel Prize acceptance speech example:

You can check out our descriptive list of acceptance speeches for award examples here: 

Famous & Iconic Acceptance Speech Examples

These acceptance speeches from celebrities and leaders have stood out for their impact and emotion. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Kamala Harris Acceptance Speech

Kamala Harris delivered this acceptance speech after being elected Vice President of the United States in November 2020. 

She made history as the first woman, first Black, and first South Asian to hold this office. Her speech came after a victory alongside Joe Biden in the presidential election.

Taylor Swift Acceptance Speech (2021 Grammy Awards)

Taylor Swift won Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammy Awards for her album Folklore. 

The speech was reflective and heartfelt, as she acknowledged her collaborators and expressed gratitude for her fans and the opportunity to create music in a difficult year.

Cillian Murphy Acceptance Speech

Cillian Murphy received an award for his role in Peaky Blinders at the 2020 National Television Awards. 

In his speech, he expressed gratitude to his fans and colleagues, thanking them for their support.

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.

Jelly Roll Acceptance Speech

Jelly Roll, a country music singer, won a significant award at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. His acceptance speech was emotional as he acknowledged his struggles and how far he’d come in his career.

Robert Downey Jr. Acceptance Speech

Robert Downey Jr. won a prestigious award for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His speech was a mix of humor and deep appreciation for his castmates and the fans.

Tim Walz Acceptance Speech

Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, gave his acceptance speech after being re-elected. His speech focused on his commitment to public service and his vision for the future of Minnesota.

Miley Cyrus Acceptance Speech

Miley Cyrus accepted the award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards. She made a point of thanking her team and acknowledging her journey in music.

Jay Z Acceptance Speech

Jay-Z won an award for his album 4:44 at the 2018 Grammy Awards. His acceptance speech highlighted his journey and the importance of evolving as an artist.

Taylor Swift Grammy Acceptance Speech (2016)

Taylor Swift won Album of the Year for her album 1989 at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Her speech was iconic as she called out the importance of women supporting women.

Ideas for Your Acceptance Speech

Not sure what to say in your acceptance speech? Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• What the Award Means to You: Talk about how the award reflects your hard work, passion, or commitment.
• The Journey You Took: Share the challenges or milestones you experienced on your way to receiving the award.
• Thanking Those Who Supported You: Mention family, friends, mentors, or teammates who helped you along the way.
• Lessons You’ve Learned: Talk about the key lessons you’ve learned during your journey.
• How You’ve Grown: Reflect on how you’ve developed personally or professionally during your work on the project or goal that led to the award.
• Encouraging Others: Use your speech to motivate others to follow their dreams or to keep working hard despite challenges.
• Highlighting the Importance of Teamwork: If you achieved the award with others, emphasize the value of working together.
• A Special Moment or Memory: Share a specific moment that was meaningful during your journey or that you’ll remember forever.
• A Call to Action: Inspire others to take action—whether it’s to strive for excellence or to support a cause you care about.
• Looking Ahead: Talk about your future goals and how receiving this award motivates you to keep pushing forward.

Acceptance Speech Quotes You Can Use

A well-chosen quote can make your speech even more impactful. Here are some quotes you can use.

Feel free to use one of these quotes to add depth to your speech:

• “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

Phrases to Start Your Acceptance Speech With

Here are a few opening lines to make your speech powerful from the start:

• “I am truly honored and grateful to receive this award today.”
• “Thank you so much for this recognition. I’m humbled and excited.”
• “It’s a privilege to stand here today and accept this incredible honor.”
• “I am deeply thankful to [organization] for this award.”
• “Receiving this award is a moment I’ll never forget. Thank you for believing in me.”
• “Words can’t fully express how grateful I am to be here today.”
• “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and would like to thank everyone who made this possible.”
• “This is such a special moment for me, and I am so thankful to everyone who supported me.”
• “I’m incredibly honored to accept this award, and I want to take a moment to thank [name].”
• “Thank you for this recognition. It’s a reflection of the hard work and dedication from so many people around me.”

Tips to Make Your Acceptance Speech Memorable

Want your speech to be unforgettable? Here are some simple tips to help you make a lasting impression.

• Start by saying thank you. Begin by expressing your gratitude to the people or organization giving you the award. This sets a positive tone and shows appreciation.
• Keep it short and simple. Don’t go on too long. Aim for around 2 to 4 minutes. Make sure you get to the point quickly so people stay focused on what you're saying.
• Be real. Speak from your heart. When you’re genuine, people can relate to you and your message.
• Share a personal story. Talk about your journey or experiences that led to this moment. It makes your speech more relatable and memorable.
• Acknowledge others. While it’s your moment, thank the people who helped you along the way—family, friends, mentors, or coworkers.
• Stay positive. Even if you faced challenges, focus on the good things that came from it. Ending on a hopeful note can inspire others.
• Add some humor, if it feels right. If the setting is appropriate, a little humor can help you connect with the audience. Just keep it respectful.
• End with a message. Finish your speech by encouraging others to follow their dreams or take action on a cause you care about. It leaves your audience feeling inspired.
• Practice a lot. Rehearse your speech before the big day. The more comfortable you are with your words, the more confident you’ll sound.
• Make eye contact. Looking at your audience while speaking helps create a stronger connection and shows that you’re engaged with them.

Common Mistakes You Need to Avoid With Your Speech

To make sure your speech is smooth and memorable, avoid these common mistakes.

• Not thanking people. Forgetting to thank the important people who helped you along the way can seem disrespectful. Always thank those who played a part in your success.
• Talking too much. Don’t ramble or go off-topic. Keep your speech focused and don’t talk for too long. People will remember your main points better if you keep it brief.
• Being too humble. It’s good to be modest, but don’t downplay your achievements. If you’re getting an award, it’s because you earned it. Acknowledge your hard work.
• Reading from a script. If you read your speech word for word, you might seem disconnected from your audience. Use notes or bullet points to keep things natural.
• Speaking too fast or too slow. Speak at a comfortable pace. If you talk too fast, people might not understand. If you go too slow, they could lose interest.
• Using too many quotes. Quotes can be powerful, but don’t overload your speech with them. Choose one or two meaningful quotes that fit with your message.
• Not practicing enough. Practicing your speech makes you feel more confident and prepared. Even if you’re good at speaking, it helps to rehearse.
• Not focusing on the audience. Don’t just look at your notes or the floor. Make eye contact with your audience to keep them engaged.
• Using hard-to-understand words. Keep your language simple. If you use too much technical language or jargon, your audience might not follow along.
• Ending too suddenly. Don’t just stop talking without wrapping up. Make sure you end with a strong conclusion to leave your audience with something to think about. 

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