Definition
A thank you speech is a short public speech, which serves to express gratitude for something that was presented/offered to a person as a spiritual gift (love, support, help, personal time, caring attitude) or material one (a tangible article).
Structure/outline
A model thank you speech should consist of three parts as follows:
1) Expressing the gratitude for the act of giving;
2) Appreciating the value of the material present or a spiritual gift;
3) Identifying the personal significance of the gift for the recipient.
Every part of a thank you speech may be vividly illustrated by real life stories, parables, and (optionally) quotes to emphasize that the giver can be compared to great benefactors of antiquity.
Topics/basic concepts
The major concept of a thank you speech is gratitude to a donor whose supreme personal qualities are praised.
Requirements
General requirements of logical structuring and emotional representation are applicable to a thank you speech. Besides, it should be (1) distinctly articulated, (2) laconic, and (3) focused. A proper articulation and audibility are specifically important for a thank you speech because faltering and muttering may seem psychologically close to hesitation and lack of sincerity. Brevity and collectedness are also required since lengthy speeches are often tiresome and the message distorted.