A welcoming speech marks the beginning of any special event or occasion that requires a formal opening. It could be a meeting, a conference, a workshop or a celebration.

If you have the honor to prepare and deliver one, follow the steps.

You'll find everything you need: notes on language choice, a voice template, an example speech, a blank downloadable speech presentation plan, as well as additional writing and essay tips.

The focus is always the audience and your goal is to make them look forward to what is coming next. You are uniting them and bringing them together in the common purpose at the heart of the occasion.

To get the right tone in the language you use, consider the audience and the event.

It's fun?
Is it serious?
Think about that common interest that everyone shares - their reason for being there. This will give you clues to guide your choice of language.

What is correct?

Is the language formal, informal or somewhere in between?

Is this a "Gidday, howzitgoin?" Or a "Good morning, how nice to see you?" event?