how do i write my graduation speech

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How to write a graduation speech .

Writing a graduation speech can be daunting. It’s natural to want to give the best speech possible to commemorate such an important milestone in your life. But How to write a graduation speech that is worthy of the day?

This page will be a comprehensive step-by-step guide for how to write a graduation speech that inspires and motivates. It will walk you through everything you need to know, how to write a graduation speech that leaves your audience teary-eyed. 

At the end of this page, I have written a sample graduation speech using this guide. 

I have spent days asking how to write the perfect graduation speech. I remember the banging of my head on my desk in frustration when I was preparing for my graduation speech. The reason for this paranoia was that I too, just like everyone else, wanted to give the best speech possible to commemorate such an important milestone of my life. 

The amount of time and energy I had spent in preparation for my graduation speech prompted me to put up this page. 

So here it is:

LET’S UNPACK with the No. 1 problem in How to write a graduation speech? 

The number 1 problem which everyone faces when setting out to write a graduation speech is where to start?

Well naturally before you start preparing your speech you will need to know what you want to talk about. You can call this a theme, a topic, an idea, or the subject of your speech. At this stage, it can be a one-liner or even a word that describes what you want to talk about. 

Again I know it is easier said than done. That’s why I have listed some approaches to help you figure out the topic of your graduation speech.

There are different approaches you can go by, but I will write a few which helped me.

How to find the subject of your graduation speech?

How to write a graduation speech around your core beliefs..

The first place I will recommend you to look for inspiration is your core beliefs. If you very strongly believe in something then talk about it. This could be what you stand for. Or what you will always stand for? Or what do you advocate? Maybe these beliefs are human rights protection, prevention of female objectification, and child labor, or maybe you believe in socialism or the importance of family structure.

The idea behind talking about your core beliefs is that you are genuinely passionate about them, and you will most likely have enough to talk about them. 

How to write a graduation speech based on Timeline.

I like to call this a timeline-based approach in deciding what to talk about during your graduation speech. Evident by the name you will pick up a moment or time and will talk about that time and how great or challenging that period was in your life. 

You can pick a period from your past to describe a challenge or a beauty of it and how it impacted your life and what lesson it has for others as well. 

You can pick a goal in the future which you want to accomplish and what motivates you in selecting this goal and how it will impact your life or people at large. 

To help you better understand, I have listed some examples. These examples sound generic but the actual events which happened to you will be unique for your audience. 

For the past based graduation speech, some ideas are: 

• A problem you faced to get to this position

• You had a certain difficulty, but you didn’t give up

• You faced trauma but still, you graduated or accomplished a goal.  

• What drove you, who motivated you, who built your passion, who never lost hope in you, who built your character and gave you confidence?

• What was your journey to get to this point?

• What took you to get here? 

• What were your expectations?

Remember: The purpose is not to tell your biography or how great you are. The purpose is to inspire with the underlying qualities which kept you going.

If you don’t want your speech to be sentimental you can always talk about:

• How fun your experience was

• How you will miss partying 

• How greatly have you lived your life here

• How amazing your friends, teachers, and institute were.

• How helpful everyone’s contribution was in your graduation. 

• You can go with funny events or can make very light fun at the expense of the audience. (Never insult.) 

• How has this time here changed you into a better person?

• How do you overcome your shortfalls

These are some past-based graduation theme approaches. Similarly, you can decide to talk about the future:

• Your goals

• Your optimism and how you plan to change the world.

• You always dream to follow your passion, and now you are one step closer

• You have an ideal personality who inspired you; now you can follow the lead.

• How you will miss this time, place, and people. 

• How you have learned to dream big and now explore

• No one is perfect, how you make mistakes, you will keep making mistakes, but this place taught you how to learn lessons from mistakes. 

• You look forward to stepping into the world.

• How guest of honor is your ideal and why do you appreciate them and want to follow the lead?

These are some of the examples I call a time-based approach in deciding how to write your graduation speech. 

Note: you don’t have to pick only one. You can relate a past event to achieve a future goal. 

How to write a graduation speech based on characteristics of value.

This one is simple really. When I was deciding how to write my graduation speech I came across this approach. In this approach of deciding your graduation speech theme, you can pick a characteristic and talk about it. In this case, you pick a characteristic value, and you start building your thoughts around it. 

• Value of Truth

• Importance of love

• Need of Courage

• Humbleness in sacrifice

• Lessons in failures

• Struggle for passion 

• Never giving up

How to write a graduation speech on the beauty of your passion. 

Here you find anything you are good at. It doesn’t have to be some sophisticated idea or any well-praised concept. It can be anything you are good at. 

It could be: 

• Any creative idea

• Participation in social causes

• Spirituality

• Gardening

Maybe you are passionate about gaming, or you have an interest in building stuff, or you like to experiment, or you have a sense of empathy and want to participate in social causes, or you have a knack for health and well-being. 

The point is it could be anything you like to do, which gives you happiness or a sense of fulfillment. You have to find out the good sides of this passion and talk about it. Link your source of happiness to real-world scenarios.

I mean there is a legendary speech about making a bed every day and how this one task is so great. 

How to write a graduation speech on delivering a point or argument.

The last approach I would recommend is delivering a point approach. Here you decide an end goal of your speech first then you build your argument around that goal. You have seen something wrong, or you would like some practice to change. Or in your view, a certain thing is not value-added but time-consuming or a method is not creative but laborious, and you would like it to change. 

You get the idea of what I am talking about. You may want to talk about human rights, and freedom of speech, you want to sound an alarm and talk about the environment, or you want to talk about any other modern-day problem. 

Here you have a point which you want to make. You will build your speech around that point. For example, you believe that home assignments are a waste of time. 

These are some approaches you can use to decide what you want to talk about. You can be creative and mix them or stick to one area. 

Now that you have your main idea, let’s start planning your graduation speech.

The planning stage of how to write a graduation speech.

Before you start writing your graduation speech there are some factors you need to know and understand when you are planning to write your graduation speech. We will figure those out during the planning process of the graduation speech together. 

Time and place

What time is your speech.

The first thing you need to know is which day, and where you will be delivering your speech. Usually the place of your graduation ceremony. It may be on campus grounds or in any other venue. 

But you need to know the time in a different context as well. 

Here you formally need to know at least three times for your graduation speech. Write that down for your reference. 

• First: Obviously what time is the speech?

• Second: how much time is allotted to your speech?

• Third: how much time do you have until your speech? 

How much time is allotted to you? 

You need to know how much time is allotted to your speech. You need to know that to prepare your speech. You need to know to create enough material to cover that time slot. Not too short, not too long.

My rule of thumb is at the planning stage when you are writing a rough draft for your speech your draft should have enough material to cover at least double the allotted time. You will need to consult with the organizers or graduation committee about how much time is allocated to you?  

How long should a graduation speech be?

Ideally, a graduation speech should be between 5 and 7 minutes long. That’s just enough time to deliver some inspiring words without dragging on (or putting your audience to sleep!).

Of course, each situation is different. If you’re the valedictorian or salutatorian, you may have a little more time to speak. And if you’re speaking at a smaller graduation ceremony, your speech may be shorter.

No matter how long your speech is, make sure you spend some time thinking about what you want to say. A well-written and well-delivered speech can be a memorable way to end your time as a student and start your new chapter as a graduate!

How much time do you have to prepare for your graduation speech?

The third and most important one is to know how much time you have for planning. You know this by allocating your time to your daily most important tasks. 

Know the Audience

This is tricky and an important factor to know before you write your graduation speech. Audiences come in all shapes and sizes. Know your audience before you start talking so that they feel welcome at the ceremony. You need to know who you will be addressing during your graduation speech. 

The common attendees are:

• Graduates

• Top students

• Faculty 

• And special guests

But keep in mind that among the audience all these people can also be 

• Media Personalities

• Influencers

• Potential employers

• Govt. officials

• Ethnic or minority groups

Beware of those who are attending, You don’t want to sound insensitive or hurt someone or a group of people’s feelings. For example, with a religious audience, you don’t want to talk against religion. Or might want to omit any jokes about physical features, or people with disability conditions if you have the same people in your audience. 

The second important thing to know about your audience is that you do not want to be specific to a small group of people. People of all ages and beliefs can be there, so avoid making specific cultural references to target only a small group of people. Instead, talk in broad general terms. 

There could be potential employers among the audience. You don’t want to sound cocky or to be remembered as arrogant. I mean it is entirely possible that a month later you are attending an interview and find out that the interviewer knows you already from your graduation speech with a bad impression. 

Tone when delivering your graduation speech.

This is important to know and decide. What will be your tone of speech? Do you want to sound formal or informal? Passive or assertive? Passionate or optimistic? Humorous or serious or do you want to keep it conservative or motivating? 

This might sound overwhelming but it is not. A lot of this has to do with the theme of the speech.  What I suggest is to choose according to your personality. Do you like to convey your message through humor or are you an optimistic person? But whatever you choose please keep it consistent. 

Having said that When practicing your graduation speech, it is a good suggestion to keep the tone upbeat. This is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates, so the speech should be motivating and inspirational. 

However, it is also important to be respectful and sincere. The graduation speech is an opportunity to thank the teachers, staff, and administrators who have helped the graduates along the way. It is also a chance to offer some advice and words of wisdom to the graduating class or future graduates. Whatever tone is used, it should be genuine and reflect the speaker’s excitement for the future of the graduates.

Avoid Cliches during your graduation speech

The Next thing in your planning stage is to avoid cliche. Everything has a place and time. Not everything should be said at all sittings. You might want to go political, or you might want to go activist. Even Though nothing is wrong with it, you don’t want your whole speech blaming others. 

In my opinion, if you can avoid it please do avoid it. The reason is not to discourage you from speaking up regarding social issues, but the reason is you just “graduated”. You have a diverse, more senior audience in front of you. Do, if you have to, refer to a certain issue or show your commitment towards it. But please do not give a lecture to your audience and make them feel responsible. You just freshly graduated and most likely you have not done anything substantial to change the problem you are talking about. 

Some other cliches are:

1. “This is the best day of my life!”

While it’s certainly an exciting time, your graduation isn’t necessarily the best day of your life. There are many other great days ahead, so try to avoid this clichéd line.

2. “Follow your dreams!”

This is another well-meaning but overused piece of advice. While it’s important to have dreams and goals, be realistic about what you can achieve.

3. “You’re the future!”

This may be true, but it’s also a bit daunting. Instead of putting pressure on yourself, try to focus on enjoying the present moment.

4. “It’s not goodbye, see you later!”

This may be the case for some people, but others are moving on to new chapters in their lives. Don’t try to force a sentimental moment if it doesn’t feel genuine.

5. “You’re going to change the world!”

This is a lot of pressure to put on someone. Instead, encourage your fellow graduates to focus on making a positive impact in their communities.

By avoiding these clichés, you can make your graduation speech more unique and personal. Instead of giving empty platitudes, focus on sharing your own experiences and lessons learned. This will make your speech more meaningful and memorable for both you and your audience. 

Distribution of your graduation speech

One thing which you need to consider is that your speech will be part of the record. It might be printed in a college journal, yearbook, or newspaper and will most definitely be recorded. It will be part of the internet or your collection. It is such a prestigious opportunity that you would want these words to be simple but memorable. You don’t want to waste this opportunity just for being funny or by roasting your friends or school. 

Be very careful if you are using facts and quotes in your graduation speech.

Make sure that you know your facts and stats if you are using them in your speech. Make sure you know the authenticity and origin of quotes if you are using them. Make sure you attribute the quotes and facts to the right person or institute.  

Start your graduation speech With a hook statement.

You only have a few minutes to make an impression, so you’ll want to start strong! Grab your audience’s attention with a compelling story, quote, or statistic related to the topic of your speech. Idea is to use bait to hook your audience with you throughout your speech. They would want to know how your story will relate to what you are saying. 

P.S – Hook statements are super fun, super engaging and can really turn the mood of the audience. This is a quality everyone should know regardless of this particular context of graduation speech. This article of American express explains it beautifully with examples.

A video example of using a hook statement.

An excellent example of this is this speech. 2015 World Champion: ‘The Power of Words’ Mohammed Qahtani, Toastmasters International

Note how the speaker’s first words and actions hooked the audience before he said a single word.

Write your graduation speech as You Talk

One of the biggest mistakes people make when writing speeches is trying to sound overly formal or ‘preachy’. Remember, this is YOUR graduation speech—it should reflect YOUR unique voice and perspective. It should bring out your persona.

Use Personal anecdotes in your graduation speech.

A great way to connect with your audience is by sharing personal stories or anecdotes that illustrate the main point of your speech. For example, if you’re giving a speech about resilience, you could share a story about a time when you faced adversity and how you ultimately overcame it. Just be sure not to make your stories too long—remember, you want to keep things concise! 

A video example of using personal anecdotes.

Watch this video for a brilliant speech and notice how the speaker used little personal experiences to draw conclusions and delivered his speech brilliantly.

End your graduation speech on a High Note 

Just like you want to start strong, you’ll also want to end strong! Leave your audience with something memorable—a call-to-action, inspirational quote, or final thought that sums up the main point of your speech perfectly. 

Edit, Edit, Edit!  

Once you have a draft of your speech written out, take some time to edit it for grammar errors and clarity issues. Then, ask a friend or family member to read it aloud, so you can get feedback on how it flows and sounds before delivering it on graduation day! 

Alternate the source of information

The fact is you are not the first person to give the graduation speech and most likely will not be the last person ever. Hundreds before you have been to the place where you are now. They had to prepare for their graduation speech and where did they go for inspiration or to get the idea? 

The same place where you are, The Internet. 

The point is most of the things which are on the internet have been said and done. Most of the stories have been told, and most of the quotes have been said. So what should you do? 

Change the source. 

Get your inspiration from another source. From a real event, an incident, a book you like, a poem you used to sing, or a song stuck in your head. Anything which no one has thought about. 

One of the great sources of inspiration for me is my older relatives, Grandparents, or uncle. Take a break, sit with them, and listen to their stories. They have lived years of more life than you. You can simply let them talk about their golden days or ask them specifically about an idea.  

The good news is that there are plenty of places to look for inspiration when it comes to writing a graduation speech. Here are just a few of them:

Your life up to this point: 

One of the best places to start when it comes to writing a graduation speech is by looking back at your life up to this point. What have been some of the biggest highlights? What lessons have you learned along the way?

Your future goals: 

Another great source of inspiration for your graduation speech is to look ahead at your future goals. What do you hope to accomplish in the next phase of your life? How can you inspire others to pursue their dreams?

Your favorite quotes: 

Another great way to get inspiration for your graduation speech is to look at some of your favorite quotes. Whether it’s a motivational saying or something more lighthearted, a great quote can often capture the essence of what you want to say in your speech.

Your favorite books: 

If you’re a reader, then one of the best places to look for inspiration for your graduation speech is in your favorite books. What messages do they convey that you feel are significant for your fellow graduates to hear?

Your favorite movies: 

Like books, movies can also be a great source of inspiration for your graduation speech. What scenes or dialogue from your favorite films can you use, to illustrate the points you want to make in your speech?

These are just a few of the many places you can turn to when you’re looking for inspiration. 

So here we are. We have our main theme. We have the necessary attributes for our speech. It is time to brainstorm and put words on paper. 

The way I recommend is that I divide the speech into a set formatted structure. 

Structure of Graduation speech

Just like any speech, I divide the speech into three main parts. 

1. Introduction

·         Acknowledgement

·         Hook statement

·         Transition

·         Main Point/ Passion statement/ Struggle/ achievement/ Goal/ Issues of Society etc. (depending on your topic)

·         Supportive argument/ Outcome/ process of achievement/ Benefits/ suggestions etc. 

·         Supportive argument/ your future goal based on main point/ plea for change etc. 

3. Conclusion

·         Reaffirmation/ wrap up your speech around the main point. 

·         Thanks and best wishes

Let’s write an actual graduation speech using this guide

As I mentioned at the start of this page when writing a graduation speech our number 1 problem will be what to talk about. What will be our central idea or theme of speech? 

To find a suitable theme for the speech let’s brainstorm for some inspiration. We will have to introspect : 

Let’s see, some of the Ideas I believe in are as follows. 

These are just some ideas. You can add as many boxes at the bottom and list all the brainstormed ideas. Now we have a list of ideas that we can go through with our friends, family, and peers. A Great way for some thoughts on your ideas is to discuss them with your parents. Remember this is not just your big day, it is a very proud day for your parents as well. 

The key is to choose the topic in which you are comfortable speaking, and you have enough to speak about it. 

As I’m a big fan of the Harry Potter books, let’s see if we can find some inspiration from the story of Harry Potter. The tale of Harry Potter is an instant classic. There can be so many points to talk about. This is a story of friendship, sacrifice, courage, redemption, hope, and good vs evil. I always believe in the one quote from the books. That is “love is the greatest magic”. 

This is a good topic. It is not controversial, it’s not political and love truly is one of the key attributes to living a happy life. 

Ok, Now we have a quote from our favorite book. Let’s turn that into a moving speech for our audience. My introduction will be something like this: 

“Good evening/morning, Distinguished guests, faculty members, staff, families, friends, and fellow graduates. Today we stand here in our fancy gowns and caps to celebrate one of the precious chapters of our lives. It is barely over, and it is already becoming nostalgic but that’s the talk of later times.

Today I am here to tell you a very peculiar thing I have come to learn in recent years. I know you won’t believe it when I tell you, that in the past few years, I have met some magicians and have seen some real magic. I am saying this in every non-fictional sense.  As for the past few years, We all have walked through the halls of this institute growing together, making memories but always under the protection of magic, rarely knowing about it. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about “love”. As another headmaster Albus Dumbledore, somewhere else in another universe puts it, that love is the greatest magic of all. As we are one foot into the next chapter of our lives, I want to talk about the most powerful magic and how it shaped us.

Alright, this is our introduction paragraph. As you can see it has three distinct parts colored differently. There is a clear acknowledgment/ introduction, followed by a very important Hook statement, and then followed by a transition line into the body of the speech. 

Let’s work on the body of the graduation speech. 

Ladies and gentlemen, As I look back, I cannot help but agree that often taken for granted and almost always overlooked, this simple yet most magical emotion was always there. It was there when our families supported us, our friends encouraged us, or even when our mentors disciplined us. All of these great magicians capable of loving us in our lows, have provided us with a strong foundation to build on. 

And that is just not it, Love was also there in us for our passion, love shaped our activities and the subjects we chose which in turn sparked our curiosity and allows us to grow our talents. 

To be truthful I have been thinking a lot in recent weeks, and I concluded that love is not just a feeling, I mean it has to be a forceful action. The willingness I have seen in my parents to sacrifice their comforts for me was not just a feeling, they did act on it. The steadfast support of my friends in every hour of need was more than just a boastful announcement, they actually stood with me. The promise of my mentors to go above and beyond to help me was not just a promise, they actually put extra effort to share their wisdom with me. How can it be just a feeling when all these wonderful people went beyond and actually acted and actually helped me to be here where I am? 

As we look ahead to the future, we can be confident that love will continue to guide us and will always help us to go through new opportunities and challenges. And I am 100% sure that we not only need the support of love to succeed in real life, but we also need love to get to the best version of ourselves. 

In all of our life up until now, we have been at the receiving end of this magical spell. Having said that it is also paramount that we learn to cast this spell now. Let’s be there for our family and friends as they were. Let’s just not sit back and hope that things will work out. Let’s take action to make sure that things do work out. Let’s promise to go out of our way to support and care for them, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient. Let’s listen to them when they need to be heard and offer a shoulder when they need it. 

Let’s cultivate a sense of love for ourselves as we strive to navigate through life and let’s extend the love to the precious people around us as we attempt to build a world that is more just, compassionate and beautiful. This is my resolution in life.  

In conclusion, today is a day to celebrate the power of love, and a day to express our gratitude to the beautiful magicians around us. We have accomplished a great deal, but we could not have done it alone. It is the love of those around us that have supported and sustained us through this journey. We are truly indebted to our teachers, this prestigious institute, our parents and family, and our friends. Thank you for your unconditional Love. As we move forward, let us hold onto the truth that love is the greatest magic of all. Let us be guided by the power of love, as we seek to make a positive impact on the world and to live lives that are full of purpose and meaning. 

Congratulations to every one of you on this incredible accomplishment, and may the magic of love continue to light our way into the future. Thank you

It is finally finished. 

P. S: I cannot show the whole work which I did to write this speech. Just so you know, a lot of editing and back-and-forth re-writing went into it just in case you are struggling to write it and want to give up. Don’t worry this is part of the process. 

Conclusion:  

Writing a graduation speech may seem daunting at first, but following these simple steps will help ensure that yours is one that will be remembered long after the tassels have been turned! And remember: this is YOUR story—so don’t be afraid to let YOUR unique voice shine through!

Read Also: How to fast track your bachelor’s degree.

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Steve Jobs has been credited over the years with popularizing any number of other people’s inventions, from the personal computer to the tablet to the mobile phone. But none of these gifts may be as enduring as one of his rarely credited contributions to contemporary life — popularizing the viral commencement address.

On June 12, 2005, Jobs stood before the graduating class of Stanford University and reminded them that he had never graduated from college. “Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation.” He then told three stories about his life. “That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.”

That speech , coinciding as it did with the rise of internet virality (the first TED Talk would be posted on TED.com exactly 12 months later; the iPhone was introduced exactly 12 months after that), launched a global obsession with pithy, inspirational talks. Jobs’s speech has since been viewed more than 40 million times on YouTube.

Graduation speeches, long viewed as the burdensome interruption before diplomas were granted and mortar boards were tossed, have since become big business. Kurt Vonnegut, Ann Patchett, Carl Hiaasen, J.K. Rowling, Mary Karr, David Foster Wallace and many others have all had their commencement speeches published as books.

I’ve been fortunate to give a handful of commencement addresses over the years, and I confess to a fascination with the genre. The internet has been a boon this hobby. There are thousands of commencement speeches on the web. Can we learn anything from their messages?

I’ve spent the last few years gathering and coding hundreds of life stories, looking for patterns and takeaways that could help all of us live with more meaning, purpose and joy. I decided to put some of my coding tools to work, analyzing 100 of the most popular recent commencement speeches.

Here are the four tips they all contain:

1. Dream big

“I think it is often easier to make progress on mega-ambitious dreams. I know that sounds completely nuts. But, since no one else is crazy enough to do it, you have little competition. There are so few people this crazy that I feel like I know them all by first name. They all travel as if they are pack dogs and stick to each other like glue. The best people want to work the big challenges.” — Larry Page at University of Michigan , 2009

“We don’t beat the reaper by living longer. We beat the reaper by living well and living fully. For the reaper is always going to come for all of us. The question is: What do we do between the time we are born, and the time he shows up? Because when he shows up, it’s too late to do all the things that you’re always gonna, kinda get around to.” — Randy Pausch at Carnegie Mellon University , 2009

“Graduates, we need you. We need you to run companies and make decisions about who has access to capital. We need you to serve at the highest levels of government and determine our country’s standing in the world. We need you to work in our hospitals and in our courtrooms and in our schools. We need you to shape the future of technology. We need you because your perspective — the sum total of your intellect and your lived experience — will make our country stronger.” — Kamala Harris at Tennessee State University , 2022

2. Work hard

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” — Steve Jobs at Stanford University , 2005

“I just directed my first film. I was completely unprepared, but my own ignorance to my own limitations looked like confidence and got me into the director’s chair. Once there, I had to figure it all out, and my belief that I could handle these things, contrary to all evidence of my ability to do so was half the battle. The other half was very hard work. The experience was the deepest and most meaningful one of my career.” — Natalie Portman at Harvard University , 2015

“When you’re doing the work you’re meant to do, it feels right and every day is a bonus, regardless of what you’re getting paid … But make it your life’s work to remake the world because there is nothing more beautiful or more worthwhile than working to leave something better for humanity.” — Oprah Winfrey at Stanford University , 2008

3. Make mistakes

”Fail big. That’s right. Fail big … It’s a new world out there, and it’s a mean world out there, and you only live once. So do what you feel passionate about. Take chances, professionally. Don’t be afraid to fail. There’s an old IQ test with nine dots, and you had to draw five lines with a pencil within these nine dots without lifting the pencil, and the only way to do it was to go outside the box. So don’t be afraid to go outside the box.” — Denzel Washington at University of Pennsylvania , 2011

“The world doesn’t care how many times you fall down, as long as it’s one fewer than the number of times you get back up.” — Aaron Sorkin at Syracuse University , 2013

“My experience has been that my mistakes led to the best thing in my life. Being embarrassed when you mess up is part of the human experience of getting back up dusting yourself off and seeing who still wants to hang out with you afterward and laugh about it. That’s a gift. The times I was told no or wasn’t included wasn’t chosen, didn’t win, didn’t make the cut, looking back it really feels like those moments we’re as important if not more crucial than the moments I was told yes.” — Taylor Swift at NYU , 2022

“Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” — Conan O’Brien at Dartmouth College , 2011

“Empathy and kindness are the true signs of emotional intelligence.” — Will Ferrell at the University of Southern California , 2017

“So here’s something I know to be true, although it’s a little corny, and I don’t quite know what to do with it: What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded … sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet. It’s a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I’d say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.” — George Saunders at Syracuse University , 2013

So what can we learn from these themes?

Every era in American life has its own standards of what it means to be a success. Shortly after America’s founding, success was all about character. Led by Benjamin Franklin, Americans embraced virtue, industry, and frugality. In the twentieth century, success was all about personality. Led by Dale Carnegie, Americans embraced salesmanship, reinvention and charisma. Today, led by Steve Jobs, Americans are embracing meaning, authenticity and bliss. Or, as Kermit the Frog put it in a 1996 commencement speech at Southampton College , “May success and a smile always be yours … even when you’re knee-deep in the sticky muck of life.”

Dream, work, fail and smile are as good a foursome of American identity today as I know. And if those ideas don’t inspire you, you can always embrace the far more practical advice erroneously attributed to Kurt Vonnegut in a commencement speech that he never gave at MIT, but was instead delivered by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich in an imaginary speech to graduates she published in an old-fashioned newspaper, “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97: Wear sunscreen.”

This post was adapted from one published on his newsletter The Nonlinear Life; go here to subscribe.

Watch his TEDxIEMadrid Talk now:

About the author

Bruce Feiler is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including The Secrets of Happy Families and Council of Dads, both of which became the subject of TED Talks. His latest book, Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age, from which this post and TEDx Talk are adapted, describes his journey across America, collecting hundreds of life stories, exploring how we can navigate life’s growing number of transitions with more meaning, purpose and joy. To learn more, visit brucefeiler.com, follow him on Twitter (@brucefeiler), or sign up for his newsletter The Nonlinear Life. 

• bruce feiler
• communication
• inspiration
• society and culture
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• Types of Public Speaking →

How to Craft a Memorable Graduation or Commencement Speech

Navigating the challenge of delivering a captivating graduation speech can be a daunting task. Did you know, commencement speeches have become an integral part of graduation ceremonies, often delivered by notable figures like Steve Jobs at Stanford University? This blog will guide you through crafting an impactful and memorable address that not only celebrates milestones but inspires graduates as they embark on new journeys.

Ready for the applause? Continue reading!

How to Deliver an Inspiring and Motivating Graduation Speech

To deliver an inspiring and motivating graduation speech, reflect on past experiences, address the challenges and opportunities that await graduates, acknowledge their achievements, express gratitude and appreciation, and use storytelling to leave a lasting impression.

Reflecting on past experiences

Casting your mind back, weaving a rich tapestry of triumphs and trials, emerges as an essential ingredient in crafting a compelling graduation speech. TV mogul Shonda Rhimes emphasized this approach when she advised graduates to be doers rather than dreamers, drawing from her own experiences.

Contemplating past experiences doesn’t just stir nostalgia – it injects vital context and authenticity into your message, resonating with many who have charted the same journey. From acknowledging failures to celebrating successes; each story serves as a shining beacon illuminating the path for new graduates.

After all, every lesson learned contributes significantly to shaping an inspiring oration akin to  Horace Mann’s timeless address  in 1859 that stressed achieving victories for humanity before one’s death.

It’s about more than just reflecting on memorable high school moments: it’s understanding how these tales underpin today’s accomplished person – you!

Addressing the challenges and opportunities that await graduates

Nailing the section of your speech that shines a light on the challenges and opportunities that await graduates is key in delivering an inspiring and motivating commencement address. Begin by acknowledging how graduating from an educational institution does more than bestow a degree, it equips students with valuable tools for navigating life’s twists and turns.

Discuss how resilience, overcoming adversity, not fearing failure, and taking risks are all fostered through education.

Next, pivot to illuminating future possibilities stemming from their educational achievements. Highlight the exciting potential inherent in each graduate’s unique capabilities and interests.

The world needs their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to continue progressing forward. Expound on how these attributes can be leveraged for personal growth while also contributing positively towards societal development.

Always opt for a tone of optimism encased in realism – letting your audience know that they have reason to celebrate today but also plenty of hard work awaits them tomorrow.

Acknowledging the achievements of graduates

In crafting your keynote addresses for graduation ceremonies, it’s crucial to spotlight the achievements of your graduates. Validate their hard work and perseverance that led them to this celebratory milestone.

This can range from individual academic achievements to collective strides made by the class as a whole.  Steve Jobs’ commencement speech  comes to mind; he saluted students’ tenacity, not just scholastic accomplishments.

Pay attention also to the personal growth and character development they’ve undergone during their journey in school or college. Commend them on stepping outside their comfort zone, dealing with life lessons head-on, and overcoming challenges bravely.

As you celebrate these authentic displays of grit and resilience, ensure that you speak with honesty while articulating these accolades—lending significant weight to your words and making your commencement address truly memorable.

Expressing gratitude and appreciation

One key aspect of delivering an inspiring and motivating graduation speech is expressing gratitude and appreciation. Graduates have achieved a significant milestone in their lives, and it’s essential to acknowledge the support and encouragement they’ve received along the way.

By thanking those who believed in them, supported them, and helped them succeed, graduates can create a sense of connection and gratitude within their speech. This recognition not only shows humility but also inspires others to appreciate the people who have played a role in their own achievements.

Expressing genuine appreciation goes beyond just saying thank you – it creates a heartfelt connection with the audience , leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Using storytelling to leave a lasting impression

Crafting a memorable graduation speech involves using storytelling to leave a lasting impression on the graduates. Storytelling has a unique ability to captivate an audience, evoke emotions, and make key messages more relatable.

By sharing personal anecdotes or inspiring stories of individuals who have achieved great things, public speakers can connect with their audience on a deeper level. These narratives not only entertain but also provide valuable life lessons and insights for the graduates as they embark on their future journeys.

Incorporating storytelling into a graduation speech helps create an engaging and impactful experience that will resonate with the listeners long after they leave the ceremony.

Tips for Engaging and Entertaining Graduates

Incorporate humor and address the emotions and feelings of graduates to keep them engaged and entertained throughout your speech.

Incorporating humor

Humor is a powerful tool in engaging and entertaining an audience , especially during graduation and commencement speeches. Incorporating wit and humor into your speech not only brings life to traditional celebrations but also appeals to young attendees who appreciate a lighthearted approach.

Research has shown that the use of humor in college classrooms has numerous benefits for students, such as enhancing their learning experience and fostering a positive classroom atmosphere. When delivering your speech, striking the right balance between humor, self-awareness, advice, and empowerment is crucial for leaving a memorable impact on the graduates.

Just like  Will Ferrell’s USC commencement speech  aimed to both congratulate and inspire the graduates, infusing humor into your address can help you connect with the audience on a deeper level while still conveying important messages.

So why not have some fun with your graduation speech? Break through the serious barriers by incorporating funny anecdotes or witty one-liners that will keep everyone entertained throughout the ceremony.

Addressing the emotions and feelings of graduates

One essential aspect of delivering a memorable graduation speech is addressing the emotions and feelings of graduates. As they stand on the cusp of a new chapter in their lives, it’s crucial to recognize the mixture of excitement, uncertainty, and nostalgia that may be coursing through them.

By acknowledging these emotions and speaking directly to them, you can establish an immediate connection with your audience. Sharing personal experiences that resonate with their own struggles and triumphs can further deepen this emotional bond.

Whether it’s emphasizing the importance of embracing change or offering words of encouragement for navigating the challenges ahead, tapping into their emotions will help create a lasting impact on their hearts and minds.

Techniques for Creating a Memorable and Impactful Graduation Speech

Create a memorable and impactful graduation speech by inspiring and motivating graduates, leaving a lasting impression, and engaging and entertaining them throughout the address.

Inspiring and motivating graduates

Crafting a memorable and impactful graduation speech is all about inspiring and motivating graduates to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. By reflecting on past experiences, addressing the challenges graduates may face, and acknowledging their achievements, you can create a speech that resonates with your audience.

Incorporate storytelling to leave a lasting impression and connect with graduates on a deeper level. Research shows that sharing important life lessons in commencement speeches is an effective way to inspire and motivate individuals as they embark on their next chapter.

Look for inspirational quotes about success to add weight to your message. For inspiration, consider analyzing influential commencement speeches from the 21st century like  Steve Jobs’ powerful address at Stanford .

Leaving a lasting impression

Crafting a graduation speech that leaves a lasting impression is crucial for any public speaker. The goal is to inspire and motivate graduates as they embark on their next chapter. Incorporating impactful storytelling techniques can captivate the audience and make your message resonate deeply.

By acknowledging the achievements of the graduates, addressing their challenges and opportunities, expressing gratitude, and using humor strategically, you can create a memorable experience for everyone present.

Remember, a well-delivered speech has the power to uplift spirits, ignite aspirations, and celebrate this significant milestone in life.

Engaging and entertaining graduates

To truly engage and entertain graduates during a commencement speech, it’s important to incorporate elements that connect with their emotions and feelings. Adding humor is one way to break the ice and create a lighthearted atmosphere.

Sharing personal stories can also help establish a connection with the audience, making the speech relatable and memorable. Additionally, using inspirational themes or incorporating local references can further engage graduates by making the speech relevant to their experiences.

By combining humor, emotion, storytelling, and relatability in your graduation speech, you can captivate and entertain your audience while leaving them inspired for their future endeavors.

In conclusion, graduation and commencement speeches play a crucial role in inspiring and motivating graduates as they embark on their next journey. By reflecting on past experiences, addressing challenges and opportunities, acknowledging achievements, expressing gratitude, using storytelling techniques, incorporating humor, and engaging emotions, speakers can create memorable and impactful speeches that leave a lasting impression.

These speeches serve as a foundation for personal growth, character building, defining success, and celebrating accomplishments. Remember to step outside your comfort zone when delivering these speeches and always strive to inspire with authenticity and honesty.

Graduation ceremonies are not just about receiving diplomas; they are about providing valuable life lessons that resonate with students at any stage of their education. So go out there and deliver an unforgettable speech filled with inspiration, motivation, laughter – making it the highlight of every graduation ceremony!

1. What is the purpose of a graduation or commencement speech?

The purpose of a graduation or commencement speech is to inspire and motivate graduating students as they transition into the next phase of their lives. It aims to provide guidance, advice, and encouragement for success in both personal and professional endeavors.

2. Who typically delivers a graduation or commencement speech?

Graduation or commencement speeches are often delivered by notable individuals such as successful entrepreneurs, influential leaders, renowned academics, industry experts, celebrities, or even fellow graduates who have achieved significant accomplishments.

3. How long should a graduation or commencement speech be?

The duration of a graduation or commencement speech can vary depending on the event’s schedule and the speaker’s allotted time. Generally, these speeches range from 10 to 20 minutes in length but can extend up to 30 minutes on certain occasions.

4. Can I find examples of famous graduation or commencement speeches online?

Yes! Many famous graduation or commencement speeches are available online through platforms like YouTube and various websites dedicated to inspirational content. These speeches offer valuable insights that can serve as inspiration for crafting your own memorable address.

6 tips to write a great graduation speech (with examples) 

by Laura Jones

Published on November 24, 2022 / Updated on January 3, 2024

Being chosen to write a speech for a graduation ceremony is exciting, but also utterly terrifying, for many people. It’s not just your classmates in the audience, it’s parents and faculty too. And with some incredible student graduation speech examples out there (not to mention the perfection that was Steve Jobs’ speech ), there’s a lot to live up to. With that in mind, here are some tips and graduation speech examples to help you create the perfect commencement speech.

• Pick a theme
• Write an outline
• Pen a catchy introduction
• Write a thank-you paragraph
• Look back and look ahead
• End your graduation speech

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1. pick a theme.

The overall goal of graduation speeches is to inspire and move your audience. But there are lots of ways to do this, and picking the right theme is a big part of it. Popular themes are the importance of friendship; perseverance and overcoming adversity; having big dreams and imagination; making a difference. Once you have your theme, it will be easier to choose anecdotes, quotations , and examples to put into your speech.

2. Write an outline

The next step for any commencement speech is to write an outline. Breaking it up into manageable parts not only makes it feel less overwhelming, but it helps to give your speech structure, making it easier for the audience to follow. A good speech will have the following: 

• A catchy introduction
• A look back
• A look ahead
• A pithy ending

3. Pen a catchy introduction

Begin by thanking everyone for attending and for choosing you to be their speaker. Then, grab your audience’s attention from the very start with a hook. Lots of people choose to begin with a quotation that captures the theme of the whole speech. 

Example: I want to begin with a quotation from Nora Ephron: “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” 

Other ways to hook your audience are by telling a short, personal story that your classmates can relate to, or by giving a statistic or question that fits with your theme. And never shy away from humor. A speech by James Glaser at Tufts University contained only questions , one being: “Would you believe that my 5’1” sister met her 5’4” husband in a short story class?” This would be a very funny way to begin a speech about meeting special people. 

4. Write a thank-you paragraph

Now your audience is paying attention, it’s time for gratitude. Thank your teachers and other staff at the school who have made a difference and tell an anecdote about someone to personalize this. 

Example: “I know I speak on behalf of all of my classmates when I thank the catering staff, who have made sure we fuel our brains with more than just fries and soda during exam times.”

Now’s the time to thank the families in the audience too. You can do a personal shout-out to your mom and dad, but be inclusive and remember that your classmates will have received support from a range of people. 

5. Look back and look ahead

The bulk of your speech will be spent talking about your time at the school and about how you see the future unfolding. Now is the time to focus on the theme that you chose, and to include stories about your shared experiences. 

If you chose to focus on overcoming adversity , recall a challenge you faced that you know a lot of other people did too. Share how a lesson you learned at school will help you after you leave, and remind everyone that you have learned much more than what was on the syllabus. 

Example: As Rita Moreno said, “The day you graduate, you do not arrive. This is not the end. This is the beginning for you. To graduate is to change gradually.” I know we’ve all changed so much already and we will continue to do so.

6. End your graduation speech

End with some advice and a call to action. Lots of people end with a quotation, and this can be from someone famous or from you. 

Example: 

• George Saunders said, “Do all the other things, the ambitious things—travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes…but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.”
• C.S. Lewis told us that “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” So let’s go find them.

Writing a great graduation speech

Beginning with a theme and an outline helps focus your speech, which should make it easier for you to write with clarity and to find the right stories and quotations to use. Telling personal stories that everyone can relate to, sprinkled with humor, is a wonderful way to keep people engaged throughout your speech. And, ending with a bang in the form of an amazing quotation will help inspire your audience and leave them feeling upbeat. 

Laura Jones

Laura is a freelance writer and was an ESL teacher for eight years. She was born in the UK and has lived in Australia and Poland, where she writes blogs for Lingoda about everything from grammar to dating English speakers. She’s definitely better at the first one. She loves travelling and that’s the other major topic that she writes on. Laura likes pilates and cycling, but when she’s feeling lazy she can be found curled up watching Netflix. She’s currently learning Polish, and her battle with that mystifying language has given her huge empathy for anyone struggling to learn English. Find out more about her work in her portfolio .

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How to Write a High School Graduation Speech (+ Examples)

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

I was in several clubs in high school, I was the valedictorian, and I happened to be the youngest in our graduating class. Needless to say, I had to write and give more than one speech at our graduation.

Being asked to give a graduation speech in high school is a tremendous honor and responsibility. It takes a lot of preparation, from planning to writing and editing your speech.

My guide should show you how to write a graduation speech for high school, especially with the examples I’ve included. Follow the template and tips, and you’re sure to receive a standing ovation from your audience.

How Long Is a High School Graduation Speech?

The best high school graduation speeches aren’t long and boring since the ceremonies already take hours. Aim for an address that doesn’t exceed 10 minutes. Keep your audience’s attention and save some for other people’s speeches.

Your graduation speech should only be around 500 to 600 words. You have to read it slowly and articulate the words clearly. One way to keep it shorter is by removing cliches and other unnecessary content.

High School Graduation Speech Template

Essays and speeches usually have three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. Here is a structure you can follow for a memorable high school graduation speech.

Introduction

• Thank people for attending. Acknowledge the presence of your teachers, parents, and fellow graduates.
• Introduce yourself. Not everyone in the room knows you, even if you’re the class valedictorian.
• Catch the audience’s attention by sharing a motivational quote or saying. Your personal narratives and advice will later be based on this saying.
• Recall memorable high school experiences. Anything is worth sharing, whether it’s a simple day in class or your debate competition.
• Encourage classmates not to forget these beautiful memories.
• Share helpful advice for this new chapter of their lives.
• Restate the quote or saying you mentioned in the introduction.
• End with a call to action that will encourage the graduates to make a difference.
• Thank the audience for hearing you out.

How to Write a Graduation Speech for High School

Public speaking takes a lot of preparation. Here are some tips you should follow when writing and delivering a graduation speech for high school.

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Pick a Theme

Inspirational high school graduation speeches leave a mark on people. If you want to create one, try building it around a central message.

Think about everything you experienced in high school and look for patterns. Was high school about learning from mistakes? Or was it about achieving big dreams with small steps? Consider not only what is essential to you but also what is important for your fellow graduates.

Once you have picked a theme, selecting a quote, including advice, and recalling high school memories will be much easier. Here are some popular themes you can consider using for yours, but make sure to choose ones that are relevant to you and/or your class.

• Embracing failure
• Big things take time
• Achieving big dreams with small steps
• Facing change with grace
• Overcoming adversity
• Becoming a lifelong learner
• Being more intentional and responsible for your future

Begin With Gratitude and a Self-Introduction

Once you step on stage, you must start with a few formalities. Know the name of the previous speakers and acknowledge their excellent speeches. Then, thank everyone in attendance, including the teachers, parents, and fellow students.

Say it’s a privilege to speak before the audience on this special day. This is also the best time to introduce yourself.

Don’t assume that everyone in the room knows who you are. State your name and why you were tasked to create the speech. Below is an example.

“Thank you, Mr. Jones, for the wonderful speech. And thank you to the parents, teachers, staff, and fellow graduates in this room who have made the past four years unforgettable. It’s a pleasure to stand in front of everyone and represent the class of 2022 at this address. I am [name], your class valedictorian.”

Make It About Everybody But You

Your graduation speech is not a mini-biography of your accomplishments. Only sprinkle a few personal anecdotes, then include what the four years of high school have been like for the other students. Below is an example.

“Four years ago, we were freshmen walking through the doors of [school name]. While some of us want to be doctors, artists, engineers, and singers in the future, we all had one goal in mind during that time: to leave a mark on the school in the next four years.”

Recall High School Memories

Tap the ceremony’s nostalgia by recalling important events from the past four years. You can include prom, school fairs, and even mundane scenarios. Include hardships, such as the sudden shift to online classes during the pandemic.

If you are a valedictorian , you should know which memories everyone treasures. Try interviewing some of your peers about their best high school memories. Below is an example.

“Every batch of graduates from [school] has a common core memory. For us, it was probably prom 2022. Instead of getting our beauty sleep the night before the dance, everyone stayed in school until 8 PM because of the last-minute changes. While that experience was full of pressure and chaos, we look back on that memory remembering teamwork and dedication.”

Share Advice

Your advice is the most crucial part of the speech. It serves as a call to action the students will follow in the future.

Make sure to keep it positive and remind everyone that anything is possible. You can also advise them to advocate for others and treat everyone equally.

Here’s an example showing what I mean.

“The future is uncertain, and the only thing we can do is be optimistic about it. We learned to stay determined in the past four years, so we can do it again throughout college or our careers.”

Incorporate Your Personality

Just because you’re speaking for the rest of the class and following an outline doesn’t mean your speech should be boring. You can still infuse your personality through humor, anecdotes , and life experiences.

You can also open your address with something funny, as long as it’s appropriate and timely. If you’re a valedictorian, self-deprecating humor will be a hit. Try adding quirky memories from classes that will immerse your audience.

Leave Your Audience Inspired

You are not at the graduation to merely receive your diploma. As a speaker, you need to leave your audience inspired on the next chapter of their lives. Encourage them to find their purpose and make a difference in the world.

Some speakers end their speeches with another quote. Here is the one I used in my high school speech, but there are tons to be found on the internet you can use that might better suit your needs.

• “All our dreams can come true… if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney

Finally, thank everyone for taking the time to listen to your speech. Express gratitude toward your classmates for the memories over the last four years.

Proofread Your Work

Read your writing out loud and fix parts that don’t sound pleasing. Doing so will make your writing more powerful and precise. Look out for flowery language, excessive adjectives, and lengthy sentences.

When editing, make sure to remove cliches from your writing. These are words and phrases that have been overused in speech and writing. These include phrases like “all walks of life,” “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and “two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Try sharing more personal anecdotes and collective memories than tired pieces of advice. This will make the speech more interesting and customized for the audience. Find out what your fellow high school graduates and the rest of the audience want to hear and know, then write it concisely and effectively.

Once you’re done fixing clarity issues, it’s time to fix structural errors. Perform several edits on your speech to remove all spelling and grammar mistakes.

Practice Your High School Graduation Speech

There’s no exact formula for the perfect valedictorian or commencement speech. But if you follow my tips and examples and speak from the heart, your fellow graduates will live by your words as they go about their futures.

Remember to keep your engaging speech positive and inspiring. Recall memories from high school, then make them look forward to creating new ones in their careers or college.

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7 Creative Graduation Speech Ideas that Will Get You a Standing Ovation

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When you look back at your college days, one of the occasions you’re most likely to remember is your graduation day.

Graduation ceremonies are bittersweet - on the one hand, you’re excited and proud to see your years of hard work pay off; on the other hand, you cannot help but get teary-eyed with the thought of leaving your college and friends to step out into a whole new world.

Yes, the dichotomy is real.

No graduation ceremony is complete without a speech. It’s meant to tie together your experiences in college and thank all those who helped you through this journey while looking forward to what’s ahead.

Now that the countdown to your graduation ceremony has begun, it’s time to start working on that crucial speech. In this article, we will show you how to write a great speech and suggest some creative graduation speech ideas for you to take inspiration from.

How to Write a Memorable Graduation Speech and Get a Standing Ovation

The best graduation speeches are those that are poignant and leave a lasting impression on the audience. You want to be able to tug the emotional strings, captivate people and leave them feeling inspired with your speech.

No pressure.

The most important aspect of an outstanding speech is its content. While you can practice delivering the speech multiple times, it’s the writing that defines its success.

Aiming for a standing ovation? You must. Here are seven ways to write a memorable graduation speech and win over your audience.

Brainstorm themes

When you sit down to work on your graduation speech, you’re either overwhelmed with all that you want to say or you’re just plain blank. Either way, you’re stuck and don’t know where or how to begin.

Let’s take it step-by-step.

Start with brainstorming themes or notable experiences from college that would make for a great graduation speech. Go back in time, and reflect on your experiences .

Think of the successes, failures, accomplishments, disappointments, and lessons you’ve learned - and note them all down.

At this stage, all you should do is jot down every little thought or idea that comes to mind.

You can also take to mind mapping tools to organize your thoughts better and bring your ideas to life in a more structured manner.

Narrow down on a theme and stick to it

Now that you have all the ideas, it’s time to pick a theme. Yes, this one’s a challenging and crucial step because you need to be able to select a theme that gives you the scope to craft and delivers a wonderful speech. Apart from that, also consider your audience and time frame.

The last thing you want is to realize you’ve chosen the wrong one midway through writing.

Having one centric theme is important because it gives your speech structure and purpose. While you can touch upon a couple of experiences, they need to all tie back to this one theme.

If you’re having trouble deciding which one to go with, we’ve laid out seven winning creative graduation speech ideas further below in the article.

Once you choose a theme, make sure you commit to it and don’t go off track.

Grab the audience’s attention early

Whether it’s writing an essay or delivering a speech, hooking the audience from the word ‘go’ is imperative. That way, you generate interest early on and have them invested in what you have to say.

“How do I start my graduation speech” you may wonder.

You can start with an inspiring quote, a funny memory from college, an interesting anecdote, or a thoughtful question.

Cracking the first few sentences of a speech is always challenging and time-consuming. So, it’s a good idea to come back to it in the end and spend enough time coming up with a hook that truly engages the audience.

Structure the speech effectively

A well-structured speech flows organically and accentuates the storytelling. It forms the backbone of your speech, giving the audience reasons to remain invested.

The speech you write needs to have an introduction, body, and conclusion . The first part of the speech needs to be about introducing yourself and throwing light on the purpose (or theme) of your speech.

In the body of your speech, you need to elaborate on the central theme by stating relevant examples or experiences. You can mention notable incidents or turning points that led you to be the way you are.

Finally, conclude the speech with the lessons learned or what you took away from the incident (or your years in college). Make sure you end your speech on a memorable note because that’s what sticks the most with people.

Share anecdotes

Sharing anecdotes is all about narrating relevant stories stemming from personal experiences. They are an important tool to use while delivering speeches because they instantly help you connect with the audience and captivate them.

That’s not all. Studies also indicate that stories are easier to recall because they can activate up to 7 areas of the human brain.

Anecdotes infuse your speech with greater meaning and emphasize the point you’re trying to make.

Let your personality show

Regardless of whether you choose to memorize the entire speech or make bullet points for better recall, it’s essential to add a touch of ‘you’ in the speech.

Let your personality show through your writing and speech delivery. For instance, don’t try to be extra funny or sound like an intellectual only to impress.

It’s essential to be yourself while writing your graduation speech because anything other than that comes across as pretentious.

What’s more, with your family, friends, and teachers being part of the audience, you need to be doubly careful that you’re coming across as authentic and genuine because that’s the only way you can strike a connection and make an impact.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

No amount of practice will ever be enough when it comes to delivering a graduation speech in front of a huge audience.

So, once you’re done writing and are confident about the flow, structure, and content, get down to practicing it in front of the mirror and the people around you. Pay special attention to your hand gestures, talking speed, and pauses because they impact delivery.

If you have memorized the speech, make sure you don’t sound robotic. You need to speak with emotion and earnestness.

7 Creative Graduation Speech Themes

One of the most challenging parts of writing a graduation speech is choosing a theme. If you’re feeling uninspired or stuck, here are seven creative graduation speech ideas that you can take inspiration from.

Overcoming Adversity

Overcoming adversity is a theme that will resonate with most people. We may run away from adversities, but the truth is that they are part of our life.

Under this theme, you can talk about a few challenges you faced during your years in college, what you went through during that time, how you found the courage to rise above them, and the positive impact it had on your life.

Overcoming adversity is all about being resilient and turning those challenges into opportunities. So, talk about your journey such that it infuses hope in people.

Here’s Michelle Obama delivering her commencement speech at City College of New York, wherein she speaks about the importance of overcoming adversity.

“Dream big to achieve,” they say, and what better time to reiterate that than when you’re on the brink of stepping into a major new phase in your life?

‘Dream big’ is about believing in endless possibilities. It’s an inspiring thought that encourages people not to be afraid to chase their dreams and that no dream is small or hard to achieve.

You can also speak about what (or who) motivated you to dream big - was it a professor, a book you read, a movie you watched, or a turning point in your life?

Watch Denzel Washington speak about dreaming big during the commencement at Dillard University.

Never Stop Trying and Learning

This theme calls out to every person who has felt demotivated or has feared failure at some point in their lives. It’s about perseverance and not letting obstacles stop you from achieving greatness.

You should also highlight the importance of being lifelong learners. After all, life is the most outstanding teacher, and we must never stop learning, irrespective of age or experience.

Believe in Yourself

Another creative graduation speech idea that’s universal is ‘believing in yourself’. Self-esteem is not something we learn in school or college but is an exceptionally important part of our lives.

Talk about the importance of self-belief, how you were earlier, and what led you to look inwards and believe in yourself.

If you don’t believe in your capabilities, are ashamed of yourself, or keep comparing yourself to others, there’s no way you can progress in life. Moreover, this is the time (when you’re moving out of college and choosing a career ) to remind yourself (and your batchmates) to strive to become better versions of yourselves.

Here’s Mindy Kaling sharing practical advice on how to be confident and achieve your goals during the commencement at Dartmouth.

Embrace Failures

A lot of us spend our lives fearing failure without realizing that in failure lies success and growth. What matters is how you choose to perceive failure - you can get bogged down, or you can take it as a learning experience and move forward.

So, if you choose this as a theme, discuss some major failures you’ve encountered and how they altered your perspective. Nothing is more inspiring than listening to how one conquered their fears and learned from their failures.

Watch Oprah Winfrey deliver her address about embracing failures at Harvard University.

Power of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is an attitude and way of life that has the power to bring about change.

Taking inspiration from this theme, you can speak about how one cannot control what happens to them. In fact, what is in our hands is the way we react to situations.

So, talk about how positive thinking has transformed your life and what sowed the seeds of optimism in your life.

Here’s Victor Antonio speaking about optimism and success during the commencement at the University of Phoenix.

Deal with Change

The fact that change is the only constant in life is possibly one of the greatest life lessons. The faster we realize that, the better it is. We need to learn how to deal with change and embrace it as it comes. Resisting it only makes it more challenging.

Think about the major upheavals or changes you’ve gone through right from your freshman to senior year. What setbacks did you encounter, and how did you deal with them?

Nobody enjoys change or uncertainty, but your speech needs to be about how embracing change enables you to thrive.

Here’s Meryl Streep’s commencement at Barnard, wherein she talks about the importance of dealing with and embracing change.

Writing and delivering a graduation speech in front of your entire batch, teachers, family, and friends is certainly unnerving. What helps is having a solid speech that will give you the courage and confidence to go out there and give it your best shot.

So, follow these seven tactics and creative graduation speech ideas to craft a graduation speech that is sure to impress.

Graduation is a milestone, and there should be no place for compromise regarding speech. If you’re worried you can’t do justice or are short of words, we at Writers Per Hour will be happy to help.

Our team of competent speech writers can write a well-structured, custom graduation speech to meet your requirements and deadline. So, write to us the next time you are in need of a graduation speech, and let us deliver one that will get you a resoundingly positive response.

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How to Write a Graduation Thank You Speech

Last Updated: March 28, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 413,018 times.

Graduation is an important event, and often, people like to use the occasion to thank everyone that supported them through school or a program. However, writing a good graduation speech can be challenging. Keep reading to learn how to write a graduation thank you speech , whether you are speaking to a large audience or simply making a toast at dinner.

Things You Should Know

• Start with a 2-5 sentence introduction that engages your audience. Try using a rhetorical question, quote, or short anecdote.
• Thank your friends, family, and teachers in depth in the body of your speech. This should be about 2-3 paragraphs.
• Conclude your speech with 1-2 sentences that summarize everything you've said so far.

Brainstorming Your Ideas

• If you are talking to close friends or family, address the people you are thanking by name.
• Write down every person or group of people that comes to mind. You can edit this later on.

• Be honest about why you are thanking someone.
• The reasoning here can be very simple. For example, “My history teacher always made me laugh,” or “My mom woke me up every morning” are good reasons to thank someone.
• The more heartfelt the gratitude, the better. Take time to reflect on your feelings.

• Remember, there is no wrong way to brainstorm. Just keep writing.
• Continue to freewrite until you cannot think of anything else to say, and for at least 30 minutes.
• Now, you’ve brainstormed about your speech, so it is time to write it.

Writing the Thank You Speech

• “What are you thankful for?” This is beginning with a rhetorical question, since the audience will not answer.
• As Willie Nelson once said, "When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." This is beginning with a quote.
• “It was the first day of high school, and I stood outside the door of my first class, scared to go in. On the last day of high school, I left that same door feeling thankful.” This is beginning with an anecdote.

• For example, you can say, “I would like to thank my friends and family for always inspiring me when I felt hopeless.”
• Another example is, “I want to thank Professor Z for helping me choose a major.”
• The body of the speech comes immediately after the introduction.
• Avoid insulting or offending those you are speaking to. Do not vent about problems or criticize others during this speech.

• Another simple example is, “Once again, I am so lucky to have such great friends and family. Thank you.”
• You can end on thanking someone by saying, “The last person I want to thank is my grandma. She was always there for me. Good night.”
• An anecdote is a great way to end a speech, as well as a wonderful quote from the Romans, Victorians, or a world-famous leader. You could also end the speech with your own words of hope and well wishes.
• Keep the audience engaged by inviting them to do something physical. You might say "Can we all stand up?" or "I want you to shout 'I love this life!'"

Practicing the Speech

Sample Speeches

Expert Q&A

• Enjoy the occasion; it happens very infrequently. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• During the speech, remember to make eye contact and smile. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Practice the speech frequently to lessen your nerves. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Remember, while this is your special event and you would like to thank everyone, dragging on can embarrass the people you are talking about and bore the others. Stick to your time limit. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about giving a graduation speech, check out our in-depth interview with Patrick Muñoz .

• ↑ https://www.alaskapacific.edu/graduation-speeches-show-dedication-appreciation-and-humor/
• ↑ https://uark.pressbooks.pub/speaking/chapter/graduation-speeches/
• ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/graduation-speech-ideas
• ↑ https://medium.com/@tommygiglio/do-s-and-don-ts-of-writing-a-graduation-speech-259f1ba84c9b
• ↑ https://www.thesaurus.com/e/writing/how-to-write-a-graduation-speech/
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/tips-for-effective-delivery

About This Article

To write a graduation thank you speech that’s less than 5 minutes long, first write a 2-5 sentence introduction. Make your introduction interesting and engaging by using a short anecdote, meaningful quotation, or rhetorical question, like “What are you thankful for?” Then, write 1-2 paragraphs naming each person you want to thank and explaining why you’re thanking them. Finally, summarize everything you’ve said in a 1-2 sentence conclusion that refers in some way to your introductory story, quotation, or question. To learn how to brainstorm ideas for your graduation thank you speech, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Deliver a Graduation Speech

Last Updated: January 22, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 13 testimonials and 92% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,003,688 times.

If you've earned the prestigious honor of delivering the class graduation speech, that means you'll be the voice of your graduating class. It's a huge responsibility, but also a great fortune. To deliver a graduation speech, work on writing something both memorable and meaningful, practice beforehand, memorize the bulk of your speech but give yourself clear notes, use engaging body language, and speak at a slow yet natural pace. The truth is that when you've written an awesome graduation speech, delivering it in front of your peers, parents, and teachers is an experience that you'll never forget -- and hopefully, neither will they.

Sample Speeches

Writing Your Graduation Speech

• How have I changed since I started this level of school? How might other classmates have changed since they started?
• What is the most important lesson I can take away from my time in school?
• What are some success stories that happened during your time in school?
• What are some of the challenges we face in the next leg of our journey, and how are we better prepared to overcome those challenges now that we're here?

• Adversity . Adversity is the challenges that you as a group overcame in order to get where you are now. Maybe one of your classmates got diagnosed with cancer, and taught the rest of the class how to fight, not just a disease like cancer, but any obstacles that come your way. This is adversity.
• Maturity . An especially good theme for high school students, maturity is about becoming an adult and taking responsibility. Perhaps you can talk about how young and green most Freshman were when you started, and how Seniors now have grown into shining examples of people who are adults, not because they need to be, but because they want to be.
• Life lessons . School is a microcosm for life. That's a fancy way of saying that school helps teach people about life in general. School teaches you that hard work pays off, that there's more to learning than memorizing equations, that what you do outside the classroom is just as important as what you do inside, and that the friends you make are the glue that keeps you together.

• Consider using the burger method . The top bun is your introduction; the patty is your ideas in paragraph form; and the bottom bun is your conclusion. Use a lot of ketchup, mayonnaise, and other condiments: They are your jokes, but remember that too much mayonnaise can ruin an otherwise good burger. [4] X Research source

• "I remember when we all filed into this room four years ago. We looked young, like we had just walked out of bed. And while all of us now look older, I see that most of us still look as sleepy as we did on that fateful day."
• " I don't want to alarm you, but the class of 20— has a serious problem. It's not a financial problem. It's not an intellectual problem. It's an attitude problem. The class of 20— has a problem being awesome."

• Make it interesting by saying something unexpected. If you're talking about facing adversity, everyone expects you to talk about tests, dating/relationships, and time management. Why not talk about something unexpected? Talk about how grades aren't always a sign that you have learned, maybe, or about how hard it is to let teachers let their guard down. Surprise your audience in novel ways.
• Make sure your theme is never far away. Ask yourself: How does this paragraph relate back to my theme? If it doesn't relate, ask yourself why it's there.

• "In conclusion, high school has taught us that the grades that we earn aren't as important as the education that we receive. We earn a grade for taking a History test. We get an education for understanding why slavery is immoral. We earn a grade for taking a math test. We get an education for understanding that mathematical models can help us fly. We earn a grade for writing an English essay. We get an education for understanding that words are poems and poems are beautiful."
• "When I think of our class, I don't think of any one person, I think of a community of workers, a family. A community has a certain responsibility, and as of yet, we have never forgotten that responsibility. As we walk off into the wider world today, let us not forget the responsibility that we carry both as members of this community, and as citizens of the world.

Delivering Your Graduation Speech

• Listen to a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most effective public speakers ever, and pay attention to how slowly he speaks. [9] X Research source Slow speeches sound really good because they let the audience process what is being said.
• Practice delivering your speech into a voice recorder and listen to the recording. You'll see that even when you think you're speaking slowly, it comes out a lot quicker than you imagine. There's always an opportunity to slow down.

• Scan the audience every once in a while. If you're reading your speech, you'll obviously spend a lot of time looking at your paper. When you finish a sentence, however, look up from the dais and scan the people in the audience. This will help you catch your breath.
• Don't be afraid of focusing on one person for a short while. It's not uncommon for a speaker to lock eyes with a person in the audience for two, three, or four seconds. (Four seconds is a really long time when you're alone on a podium!) Don't do it all the time, but try to do it every once in a while.

• If you're getting nervous, try out the old public speaking trick of imagining someone in the audience being naked. Don't fixate on it, but imagine it. It will help rake away some of the butterflies and allow you to concentrate on delivering a more confident speech.

• It will get you in the habit of what works in the speech and what doesn't. There's still time to change that joke that no one understands, or focus more on that part that your friends really like.
• It will help you memorize the speech, making you less nervous and giving you better presence.

Expert Q&A

• Always give credit to your teachers. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Talk natural, it may seem like you half to be all formal but chances are your speech will be more meaningful if it seems like it's coming from you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Do not plagiarize a speech from the Internet. You will get in trouble and be punished. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 3

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2014/05/19/311861694/what-we-learned-from-the-best-commencement-speeches-ever
• ↑ https://tacomacc.libguides.com/c.php?g=373176&p=2523552
• ↑ https://www.ypo.org/2015/04/7-memorable-ways-to-open-a-speech-or-presentation/
• ↑ http://www.myspeechclass.com/conclude.html
• ↑ https://www.quantifiedcommunications.com/blog/martin-luther-king-i-have-a-dream
• ↑ https://speakandconquer.com/how-to-give-a-speech-without-crying/
• Make a Farewell Speech

About this article

To deliver a graduation speech, start by coming up with a theme for your speech, like growing up or overcoming adversity. Then, begin your speech with a catchy introduction that will grab your audience's attention, like an interesting story or a joke about your school. Next, for the middle of your speech, try to tie things back to your theme and surprise your audience to keep them interested. Finally, for the end of your speech, come back to the theme of your speech and tell your audience what they can learn from it. To learn how to deliver your speech once you're up on stage, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Graduation Speech Like in the Movies

Like in most movies, the valedictorian channels a lot of energy and pressure into writing and drafting the perfect words to motivate and inspire their peers before moving on to the next stage of their careers.

Have you ever asked yourself, how do I write my graduation speech? What are the necessary components and elements of writing mentioned online to write speech for my big day?

You need to know that all your questions are valid because writing the perfect speech requires patience, time, and the creative skill of storytelling. From the hours of searching online for the ideal topic to resonate with the event to the ongoing research for exciting and motivating quotes and catchphrases, drafting something good is no child’s play.

You could also ask yourself, ‘will it not be easier if I hired a content writer online to write a speech for me ?’. As appealing and easy as this may sound, you need to understand that nobody can tell your story better than you; therefore, one of the best ways is to write it yourself.

Here’s all you need to know about graduation speech writing.

What is a Graduation Speech?

It is written to reminiscence and celebrate your experiences and accomplishments, and inspire and motivate you to take charge of your future.

As the valedictorian, knowing what to say in a farewell speech allows you to send forth your peers with wit and wisdom. It is ok to fuss over trying to make your address perfect; however, you must put some important components into perspective.

Essential Components of a Speech

• Simple and Concise: Your speech for graduation should be easy to understand and brief; you want people to stay calm in the middle of your significant address.
• Infuse Memories: Chip in all the sweet, sad, touching, and hilarious memories. Remember, your goal is to write a speech that creates a nexus between your experience and the future. Make mention of the pot luck your class organised in the 5th grade or the fun Parent and Teachers car wash you put together to raise money for charity in the 8th; the idea is to tug on their emotions with shared and memorable events.
• Present Reflection: Your speech should reflect on how far your class has come together and where you are now. Feel free to throw in accomplishments and significant wins.

The Future: In talking about the future, you can slip in words of wisdom, motivational quotes, and sage advice to give it a good finish.

Commencement Speech Outline

Just like in any other form of writing, creating a comprehensive graduation speech outline is essential. Not only because it makes you an organised writer, but also because it allows you to think clearly and maintain a steady flow of thoughts.

The internet provides you with different articles on how to improve grades and develop your killer  speech-writing skills. Still, sourcing articles on how to write a good graduation speech might be a little tasking.

Here is a simple outline when writing an inspirational speech; however, feel free to create your own template to suit your writing style.

• Introduction : This is your opening statement; beginning with an ice-breaker that will catch your audience’s attention is essential. Start by thanking the authorities, teachers, and classmates for the fantastic opportunity and honour. You can then introduce yourself and state that you were selected among your peers to give the speech.
• Opening Quote : Here, you must conduct adequate research as to the best and most efficient quote or narrative that resonates with your journey so far, something your classmates can relate to.
• Reminisce: As stated earlier, looking back on old memories creates a sense of nostalgia and fulfillment. Point out all the good, the bad, the sweet, and the naughty experiences with all your accomplishments. If possible, refer to memories as far back as kindergarten, elementary school, and even middle school. This will most likely bring tears to their eyes.
• Motivation and Advice: After creating an emotional atmosphere, you must build up the emotion of your listeners with relevant and motivating life nuggets and advice that will help your peers in the next stage of their lives.

Remember that the goal is to maintain a positive atmosphere; therefore, your advice should be positive and realistic.

• Call to Action: After the motivation and advice, you have to create a sentence or a simple statement that will cheer them on to do great things, and they can hold on to it for the rest of their lives. A statement as simple as; “YES, YOU CAN!” is an example of a perfect motivational call to action.
• Conclusion: Thank your teachers and classmates again for making your academic journey successful. Then thank them for the relationships made and valuable lessons learned.

How to Start a Graduation Speech

There are different ways to start a graduation speech. As stated earlier, the beginning of your speech is the most crucial aspect of giving a perfect address. Therefore, to ensure that your lesson starts on a solid foundation upon which you will build the other parts of your speech, you must carefully pick your central theme. Your theme must represent a story that your audience can relate to; it could be a shared experience, relationships shared, the school mascot, the school building, or anything that is of sentimental value to you and your peers.

Afterward, you must gather as much relevant information as possible to speak confidently and adequately to grab your audience’s attention. One fun and exciting way to do this is to brainstorm with your friends and write down all the events and memories you can remember. Take note of all the social events and memorable landmarks.

Next, you must draft your speech in a format that works for you . You can use the general form to discuss experiences, the present, and the future. You could also reflect on the present, reminisce on the past, and discuss the future. Whichever style you choose would work well if you get comfortable with it.

In as much as giving a speech from the heart might sound appealing, it is too risky, and in most cases, they never go as well as you planned it out in your head. It is, therefore, safer to stick to the manuscript format . The manuscript format prevents you from getting overwhelmed with anxiety and pressure; you can go over it several times to immerse yourself in the tone of the address. Even famous guest speakers still use manuscripts while delivering speeches; despite their years of expertise, they’d rather not take any chances.

How to Write Graduation Speech

What makes a good graduation speech? Let us dive into the main thing. Here we discuss the essential tips for writing a graduation speech. These tips are:

• Base your writing on a popular and relatable theme
• Write your opening statement with gratitude and grace
• Write motivational quotes from famous people
• Do not be afraid to get personal
• The tone should be fun, nostalgic, and optimistic about the future.
• Write about how far you have come and what the future has in store.
• Avoid clichés and unrealistic statements
• Carefully create an inspiring call to action
• It should be brief and concise
• Practice your manuscript continuously to perfect your speaking flow and tone.

Ways to End a Graduation Speech

How to end a graduation speech? Your closing remark is one that your audience will most likely remember and take away from the event. It is, therefore, crucial that you make it unforgettable.

The end is your conclusion, so it must be engaging, simple, and straightforward. There are three main elements of a perfect ending, and these are:

• Summarize your main ideas : Your ending must summarize your entire write-up in short, simple phrases, laying solid and simple emphasis on your main point and view.
• Call to action: After summarizing your main idea and motivating your audience, it is vital that you clearly and emphatically state your call to action. This statement must be a unanimous special force that draws the attention of your audience to the particular message you are trying to pass through the main idea.
• End on a positive note: Rile the emotions of your audience with a mind-stirring rhetorical question at the end that will leave your parents, classmates, and everyone present excited and on their feet, rendering a standing ovation.

Graduation Party Speech Samples

When writing a graduation speech like in the movies, the best example to model your address after should be those in the movies! One important tip that resonates throughout all the iconic movie farewell speeches is that for you to write a beautiful address, you must write from your heart, with all the emotion and passion you can muster.

Here are some movie graduation speech examples you can garner inspiration from:

•     Night School (2018),
•    Book Smart (2019),
•     Never Have I Ever (Season 3, Episode 10 ) (2020)

Tips for Writing A Graduation Speech

How to make a graduation speech ?

A critical tip for making a good farewell speech is to practice and practice before the graduation party; this will increase your confidence and minimise your use of filler words on the stage.

How to give a graduation speech?

When sharing inspirational remarks, remember to lighten up and throw in a few inside jokes here and there to reduce the pressure. However, note that it is not a roast or a comedy show, so one or two jokes will do.

What to say in a graduation speech?

It must include shared and realistic experiences that your audience can resonate with, as this builds a connection between you and your audience.

What can be a visual aid?

This depends largely on the venue for your graduation ceremony, but the use of a visual aid makes your presentation more attractive and appealing. Visual aids such as slide shows of your classmates, videos from events and social gatherings, and baby pictures from kindergarten will add a sprinkle of originality to your message.