How to Write a Graduation Speech
Not very many people get to give a graduation speech, this is because you have to do something to earn it, such as be the valedictorian, or do something significant enough to cause others to want to hear what you have to say. You should feel honored if you've been selected to speak; but you should also take writing your speech very seriously.
To write your speech, start with an outline using the standard speech format of “Introduction – Body – Conclusion.”
Doing so will help you to keep things flowing logically and will help listeners follow what you are saying.
Use the introduction to introduce yourself, and to explain why you are there. Also, introduce other people on the stage or in the audience that may have been overlooked by others that spoke before you. Then give a general overview of what you are going to talk about, introducing general themes, such as looking back or ahead or if there is a tough economy out there, etc.
The body of your speech is where the meat is, and should also follow logically as you go. For graduation speeches, its normal to use the “Past – Present – Future” model, whereby you talk about some of the things that you experienced with your classmates, significant events that occurred over the course of the previous four years, or amusing anecdotes about the prom or Homecoming dance. Then move on to present issues, such as the mood of the country, or how job or college prospects are looking, or how this year’s graduating class will be facing special challenges. Then, look to the future and where you hope or expect to see your classmates as the years unfold.
In the body of the speech be sure to add some punch so it won’t bore everybody and avoid the use of cliché’s and the rehashing of old events. If you can think of funny things that happened, make sure to mention those. Also be sure to mention all sorts of different school clubs, organizations and the sports teams, especially if they had a good year. The point here is to talk about things that those that are listing to you can relate to and will find interesting, nostalgic, or humorous, otherwise they will start to zone out.
Finally, even though it has become traditional; limit or avoid using quotes to make your points. Doing so only serves to make you look as if you’re trying to impress everyone, which you don’t need to do, because you’ve already done enough to have been asked to speak in the first place.
Once you finish the body of your speech, move onto the conclusion. This part is where you thank those that have made your school year a good one, e.g. teachers, administrators, volunteers, etc. Also, be sure to thank those in your family, or friends that have helped you or your class get to where they are and to prepare them for the future.
Then begin winding things up by using some common school phrases and once again reiterating how great it has been to be student at your school, etc.
Then, finish with a remark that lets everyone know that you are done speaking, such as “go cougars,” etc.
Once you have the speech written down, spend several days rewriting, editing and reciting it out loud so you can hear how it sounds and to get a feel for how long it will run. You don’t want to go long with your speech, because for the most part, everyone will be waiting for the part where they hand out the diplomas and send everyone on their way. That is the most important part of a graduation ceremony, after all.
