What is the goal of ceremonial speaking?

Ceremonial speaking is designed to evoke emotions and foster a sense of connection among the audience while also delivering a message. The goal is to create a balance between informing and persuading. It often includes elements of storytelling, anecdotes, or shared values that resonate with the audience, reinforcing community bonds or honoring specific individuals or occasions. This type of speaking is typically seen in speeches at weddings, graduations, or commemorations, where the purpose is not only to convey information but also to engage the audience emotionally and inspire them.

The other options reflect different goals of speaking that are not as well aligned with the essence of ceremonial speaking. For instance, focusing solely on information leaves little room for the emotional engagement crucial in ceremonial contexts. Entertainment-only speaking lacks the depth that comes from informing and persuading, while avoiding emotional engagement entirely detracts from the purpose, which is to connect with the audience on a more profound level. Thus, the correct answer captures the dual nature of ceremonial speaking as it occupies a space between pure information delivery and persuasive intent.