Standing ovation

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A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding, often after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim.

Standing ovations are considered to be a special honor. Often they are used at the entrance or departure of a speaker or performer, where the audience members will continue the ovation until the ovated person leaves or begins their speech.

Writing for The New York Times, Jesse McKinley stated that the standing ovation has come to be devalued, especially in politics, where they may be given to political leaders as a routine, rather than as a special honour in unusual circumstances. Examples include party conferences in many countries, where the speech of the party leader is rewarded with a "stage managed" standing ovation, and the State of the Union Address of the President of the United States.^[1] Furthermore, standing ovations often happen simply because of name or status, even if the performance is not worthy of such acclaim. Some examples are in politics, in which presidents receive standing ovations just for appearing, and in theater, when renowned actors receive standing ovations upon their first appearance.