examples of graduation speech themes

11 Best Graduation Speech Topics, Themes & Ideas

Graduations are a time-honored tradition and for good reasons. They provide a chance for the class of the year to come together one last time, celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family, and listen to a few words of wisdom from students and faculty members.

It’s also a time when many people reflect on their time in school and look ahead to the future. That’s why choosing the right graduation speech topics is so important.

You want to pick a theme that is meaningful to you and your classmates, but you also don’t want to choose something that is too heavy or depressing.

The best speeches strike a balance between reflecting on the past and looking toward the future. The goal is to inspire, motivate and leave your audience with something to think about long after the ceremony is over.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a graduation speech topic but there are a few tried and true themes that always seem to resonate with audiences. Here are a few popular ideas to consider:

1. Setting goals

This is a popular graduation speech theme because it’s relevant to everyone, no matter what their plans are after graduation. Whether you’re headed to college, starting a new job or taking some time off to travel, setting goals is an important first step.

This theme can be especially motivating if you share your own personal story about overcoming obstacles to reach your goals.

2. Positive thinking

A positive outlook is essential for success in any endeavor and that’s especially true after graduation. The world can be a tough place and it’s important to remember that you have the power to control your own happiness.

This theme can be inspiring, uplifting and even humorous if you share funny stories about times when positive thinking got you through a tough situation.

3. Never give up

This is an important message for anyone about to embark on a new chapter in their lives. No matter how challenging things get, always remember that giving up is not an option.

Sharing a personal story about a time when you faced a difficult situation and persevered can be a powerful way to drive this message home.

4. Finding passion

For many people, graduation is the start of a journey to find their dream job or calling in life. This can be a daunting task but it’s important to remember that finding your passion is worth the effort.

Your speech can encourage your audience to follow their dreams and offer advice on how to go about finding a career that they love.

5. Overcoming adversity

This is a common graduation speech theme because it’s something that everyone can relate to. We all face challenges in life but it’s how we deal with those challenges that define us.

Your speech can inspire your audience by sharing stories of people who have overcome great odds to achieve success.

6. Change the world

This is a heavy topic but it’s one that can be very motivating for graduates. The world is always changing and it’s up to new generations to make it a better place.

Your speech can encourage your audience to take action on the issues that they care about and make a difference in the world.

7. Setting high expectations

This is a great theme for students who are the first in their families to graduate from college or those who have overcome significant challenges to get to this point.

It’s also a good reminder that no matter where you came from or what you’ve been through, you have the power to achieve anything you set your mind to.

8. Persistence

We all face challenges in life and sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated when things get tough. Persistence is key to success so sharing stories and advice about how to stay the course, even when times are tough, can be very inspiring for graduates.

This is also a great theme for anyone who is facing an uncertain future. Sharing stories about how you’ve dealt with change and uncertainty in your own life can give graduates the confidence they need to face whatever comes their way.

9. Learning from mistakes

We all make mistakes but it’s how we learn from them that counts.

This theme is especially relevant for graduates who may be feeling a bit anxious about the future. Reminding them that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s OK to learn from them can help ease their anxiety and give them the confidence they need to start this next phase of their lives.

10. Staying connected

For many people, graduation is a time of transition. You might be moving to a new city, starting a new job or going to college. It can be tough to stay connected to the people you care about when you’re so busy with new things.

This theme is all about finding ways to stay connected, even when life gets hectic. Whether it’s staying in touch with old friends or making new ones, staying connected is an important part of a happy and fulfilling life.

11. Taking responsibility

Taking responsibility for your own happiness and success is an essential part of adulthood and it’s something that we all have to learn. This theme is about taking control of your life and making the choices that are right for you.

It’s also about being accountable for your actions and accepting the consequences of your choices. This is an important lesson for anyone who is about to embark on a new chapter in their life.

Whatever theme you choose, make sure that it’s something that you’re passionate about. Your speech will be more genuine and more likely to resonate with your audience if it comes from the heart.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

How to Write and Deliver a Memorable Graduation Speech: Tips, Examples, and Techniques

• The Speaker Lab
• March 7, 2024

Table of Contents

The goal of any graduation speech is to find words that capture the essence of years spent learning and growing. Today, we’ll guide you through that process and help you craft a memorable graduation speech . You’ll learn to weave gratitude with shared experiences, and balance humor with wisdom. We’ll even help you find quotes that strike a chord and deliver them in a way that resonates.

But that’s not all! Dive into proven strategies for public speaking, managing stage fright, and drawing inspiration from iconic commencement speeches. Discover how personal growth stories add depth to your message and explore themes that leave a lasting impact on your peers as they step forward into new beginnings.

Crafting Your Graduation Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to marking the end of your high school or university journey, a graduation speech can capture the essence of this pivotal moment. But how do you start such an important address?

Opening with Impact

The first words of your graduation speech are crucial. They set the stage for what’s to come and grab your audience’s attention. Think about starting strong by sharing a personal anecdote that ties into the broader experience of your class or drawing from Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech , where he began with, “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life.” This technique instantly piques interest because it promises narratives that have shaped who you are.

An impactful opening also acknowledges shared experiences. Perhaps you could reflect on how moments in classrooms turned strangers into lifelong friends. Or for university commencements, consider touching upon those late-night study sessions that tested perseverance but ultimately led to academic achievements worth celebrating today.

Building the Body of Your Graduation Speech

In crafting the body content, intertwine lessons learned throughout high school years or during university courses with aspirations for what lies ahead. For instance, share how overcoming obstacles like balancing extracurricular activities and academics taught valuable time management skills.

To add depth, incorporate quotes from luminaries like Oprah Winfrey or draw parallels between classroom learnings and real-world applications. Dive deeper by discussing milestones achieved together as a graduating class and recognizing the hard work everyone put in to make it to this monumental occasion.

Concluding with Inspiration

Your conclusion should leave fellow graduates feeling inspired while helping them celebrate high school memories one last time—or honor those unforgettable college years if addressing higher education grads.

Closing remarks could include heartfelt gratitude towards teachers’ support and parental guidance. You might even crack a joke or two. It’s these personalized touches paired with universal truths that resonate most deeply as students step forward into new chapters post-graduation.

Free Download: 6 Proven Steps to Book More Paid Speaking Gigs in 2024​

Download our 18-page guide and start booking more paid speaking gigs today!

Delivery Techniques for Confident Speaking

Standing in front of a crowd can turn even the most composed student into a bundle of nerves. But fear not, with some smart strategies, you’ll be able to channel your inner orator and deliver your graduation speech with confidence.

Practicing Your Graduation Speech

Becoming familiar with every word of your speech is key. Rehearse it out loud until the words feel like second nature. This practice does more than just help you remember what comes next; it lets you find the natural rhythm and pace of your delivery. Consider recording yourself to catch any quirks or stumbling blocks—you might be surprised at how much this helps refine your presentation.

A trick often overlooked is practicing in different environments. If possible, stand on the actual stage where you will deliver your commencement address. Familiarity breeds comfort, making that once daunting podium seem like an old friend when graduation day arrives.

Overcoming Nervousness and Stage Fright

Nervousness is normal but doesn’t let it dictate your performance. Before stepping up to speak, take deep breaths to steady yourself—a calm body encourages a calm mind. An effective method for easing anxiety is visualization. Imagine delivering each line perfectly and receiving an enthusiastic response from listeners—envisioning success can make it so.

Maintaining Eye Contact

The power of eye contact cannot be overstated. It connects speaker and listener on a personal level that amplifies engagement significantly. Scan across different sections of the audience periodically without lingering too long on any one individual.

Incorporate these techniques diligently when preparing for the big day. In doing so, they become part of muscle memory and help build confidence. With confidence and plenty of practice on your side, your graduation speech is sure to conclude to applause leaving you to celebrate yet another milestone achieved.

Analyzing Renowned Graduation Speeches for Inspiration

When crafting a commencement speech, it’s often helpful to look at the giants whose words have echoed through auditoriums and across campuses. Steve Jobs’ Stanford University Commencement Speech is a classic example of weaving life lessons into an address that connects deeply with graduates. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s Harvard University Commencement Address showed how stumbling blocks can become stepping stones if we learn from them.

Steve Jobs’ Storytelling Mastery

Jobs had a knack for turning personal anecdotes into universal truths. In his Stanford address, he shared three stories from his own life without sounding self-indulgent. These stories worked because each one carried a broader message relevant to every graduate: finding what you love, dealing with loss, and facing death head-on. Jobs famously urged students to “stay hungry, stay foolish,” encouraging them not just to pursue success but remain curious about life despite challenges. This advice is especially poignant for today’s graduating class.

Like Jobs, you too can craft narratives around moments that speak volumes about perseverance and passion.

Oprah’s Unflinching Honesty

Much like her television persona suggests, Oprah did not shy away from discussing her setbacks in front of Harvard’s graduating class. Instead, she confidently laid bare the challenges faced by anyone who dares greatly because failure is part of achieving greatness. As she reminded students, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point you are bound to stumble.”

In doing so she forged an instant connection with listeners grappling with their fears about what the future holds post-graduation. It was a powerful reminder that even icons like Oprah are not immune to trials but emerge stronger through them.

The power behind these speeches lies not just in their content but also in their delivery. These speakers mastered the art of speaking confidently before crowds, maintaining eye contact, and conveying authenticity—techniques any speaker should aspire to replicate on graduation day.

Themes and Messages That Resonate with Graduates

Facing a sea of caps and gowns, the right words can turn a graduation ceremony from mundane to memorable. When crafting your commencement speech, focusing on themes like overcoming obstacles and perseverance connects deeply with graduates who have hurdled high school or college challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

Talking about stumbling blocks is not just relatable; it’s inspirational. Think Steve Jobs at Stanford University or Oprah Winfrey at Harvard—both shared personal tales of setbacks turned into comebacks. Beyond simply telling their stories, they showed how those hurdles were stepping stones to success.

Weave your narrative around the potholes you’ve navigated during your high school years. This doesn’t mean airing every bit of dirty laundry, just highlighting that one significant moment where everything seemed against you yet failed to defeat you.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is more than sticking to something—it’s pushing forward when every fiber wants to quit. It resonates because everyone, including your fellow graduates, has felt that urge to give up but chose to persevere instead.

Incorporate this theme by using vivid examples that mirror collective experiences—the all-nighters before exams or balancing sports stars ambitions with academics—to illustrate perseverance isn’t just an idea but lived reality for many students.

What Type Of Speaker Are You?

Click below to discover your Speaker Archetype and how to start getting booked and paid to speak!

Life Lessons Shared During Graduation Speeches

In addition to sharing content that fellow graduates will find relatable and inspirational, you should also consider sharing life lessons with your audience. Whether young or old, everyone has a unique perspective on life and sharing your wisdom can steer graduates toward a fulfilling path.

The Power of Kindness

Making a positive impact doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes it’s found in small acts of kindness or an innovative idea that simplifies lives. This message sticks because everyone wants their work to mean something—to know they’ve left footprints on society’s vast canvas.

True Grit and Tenacity

Embracing failure and resilience is another powerful theme echoed by commencement speakers across podiums. Let’s face it; not all endeavors lead straight to success. But as Oprah Winfrey once said during her Harvard University commencement address, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point, you are bound to stumble.” Her words remind us: How we pick ourselves up matters more than how we fall.

Making a Positive Impact

A graduating class stands poised on tomorrow’s threshold ready to mold history—and speeches should fuel this transformative fire within them. Memorable graduation speeches show individuals that ovation-worthy achievements are possible if you believe your actions count.

As you prepare your graduation speech, consider including one of these life lessons or one of your own. Don’t be afraid to share your hard-won insights to your fellow graduates—you just might inspire them to make history.

Celebrating Achievements and Acknowledging Contributions

Graduation is not just a ceremony. It’s a tribute to the academic achievements and extracurricular activities that have shaped students into who they are. The acknowledgment of teacher support and parental guidance also plays a pivotal role in these speeches, as they’re the scaffolding upon which student successes are built.

Academic Achievements, Extracurricular Activities

Acknowledging academic prowess goes beyond GPA scores or honor societies; it’s about highlighting unique intellectual journeys. Similarly, shining a light on extracurricular triumphs—be it sports stars setting records or artists winning competitions—adds depth to your speech. Remembering these moments isn’t merely recounting victories but celebrating the relentless spirit of your fellow graduates.

Diving deeper into personal anecdotes helps you connect with peers by reminding them of their growth through challenges faced together—from late-night study sessions to championship games. It’s these stories that make graduation memories stick with classmates long after commencement ends.

Teacher Support, Parental Guidance

The unsung heroes behind every graduate deserve their moment in your address too. Teachers’ dedication can turn classrooms into launch pads for dreams, while parents’ unwavering belief often fuels aspirations during tumultuous times like the pandemic.

In weaving tales of mentorship from teachers or wisdom imparted by parents, you remind everyone that success is rarely a solo act—it’s supported by many hands and hearts along the way. Celebrate this collective effort because each person has contributed uniquely to shaping graduating classes across America, including yours.

Common Issues in Writing and Delivering Graduation Speeches

Staring at a blank page as the clock ticks down to graduation day can rattle even the most seasoned speech writers. Overcoming writer’s block is about finding your message stick—the core idea that you want to leave with your peers. Remember, this isn’t just any talk; it’s one that marks a significant transition for both you and your audience.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Finding yourself stumped on how to write a speech ? Don’t sweat it. Start by jotting down memories from school years or powerful life lessons that resonate. Think of Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech where he shared personal stories, which became an inspirational backbone for many other speeches.

If inspiration doesn’t strike immediately, step away from the computer. Take a walk and reflect on high school experiences or browse through commencement speeches archives—like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s address at the University of Pennsylvania. They might spark ideas you hadn’t considered yet.

Navigating Technical Troubles

A great speech can stumble over technical hiccups. To avoid glitches, check all equipment beforehand—a simple but crucial task often overlooked due to nerves or excitement about graduating class celebrations.

Prior rehearsals will also let you handle these issues like a pro should they pop up during delivery. Make sure any videos or slides complement rather than overshadow what you’re saying. After all, graduates aren’t there for bells and whistles—they’re there for meaningful words.

Handling Stage Fright

Your knees may shake thinking delivering in front of proud parents and peers—it’s no small feat, after all. Before you step on stage, visual your success until it feels more real and attainable.

And don’t forget to watch your body language. During your speech, maintain eye contact—not stare-downs—to connect genuinely with fellow students. And if anxiety creeps up despite practice sessions? Take deep breaths to steady yourself and keep going. You’ve handled high school—you can handle this.

FAQs on Writing and Delivering a Graduation Speech

What do i say in my graduation speech.

Share heartfelt stories, acknowledge support from others, and inspire your classmates to chase their dreams boldly.

How do you write a 3 minute graduation speech?

Keep it tight: hit the high notes with gratitude, shared memories, a dash of humor, and wrap up with punchy inspiration.

How do I start a graduation speech?

Kick off with thanks. Give props to family and mentors. Set the stage for reflecting on past adventures together.

What is the most important message of a graduation speech?

The core should spark hope—urge peers to leap into tomorrow equipped with lessons learned during these formative years.

Master your moment with a graduation speech that turns heads and warms hearts. Remember the power of gratitude and connect with your audience through stories, those shared adventures that bind you to your classmates. Don’t be afraid to add a few jokes and quotes to your speech either, as well as personal growth stories to inspire.

When you hit the stage, stand tall, make eye contact, and speak from your heart—the podium’s yours. If butterflies invade, breathe deep and know everyone’s rooting for you. Writer’s block didn’t stop you and neither will this.

Your graduation speech is not just words—it’s a battle cry for your graduating class as you prepare to conquer what lies ahead!

• Last Updated: March 5, 2024

Explore Related Resources

Learn How You Could Get Your First (Or Next) Paid Speaking Gig In 90 Days or Less

We receive thousands of applications every day, but we only work with the top 5% of speakers .

Book a call with our team to get started — you’ll learn why the vast majority of our students get a paid speaking gig within 90 days of finishing our program .

If you’re ready to control your schedule, grow your income, and make an impact in the world – it’s time to take the first step. Book a FREE consulting call and let’s get you Booked and Paid to Speak ® .

About The Speaker Lab

We teach speakers how to consistently get booked and paid to speak.  Since 2015, we’ve helped thousands of speakers find clarity, confidence, and a clear path to make an impact.

Get Started

Let's connect.

[email protected]

Copyright ©2023 The Speaker Lab. All rights reserved.

Memorable Graduation Speech Themes

Use a Quote to Anchor Your Commencement Speech Message

• Teaching Resources
• An Introduction to Teaching
• Tips & Strategies
• Policies & Discipline
• Community Involvement
• School Administration
• Technology in the Classroom
• Teaching Adult Learners
• Issues In Education
• Becoming A Teacher
• Assessments & Tests
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Homeschooling
• M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Florida
• B.A., History, University of Florida

It's graduation night and the auditorium is filled to capacity The eyes of family, friends, and fellow graduates are on you. Everyone is waiting for you to make your speech . So, what message are you going to share?

How to Write a Powerful Speech

Consider logistics, purpose, and audience as you go to write your speech. Know what is expected of you before you decide what you'd like convey to your audience.

Figure out what your responsibilities are outside of just writing a great speech and be aware of any pertinent details. Answer the following questions before writing.

• Is there a deadline for your speech? What is it?
• What is your allotted time to speak (time limit and place in the program)? 
• Where will you be speaking? Will you be able to practice there?
• Will there be anyone in the audience that you need to acknowledge?
• Who will be introducing you? Do you need to introduce anyone after your speech?

Be sure to practice your speech to work out any awkward phrasing or tongue twisters. Speak slowly and do your best to memorize it, even though you will probably have a copy with you during the ceremony.

Now determine the purpose of your speech. The goal of a graduation speech is generally to convey a message about your academic journey to the audience. Decide what central unifying idea you want to communicate to the people in the crowd about how you got here and how you've achieved success. Any anecdotes, quotes, stories, etc. should relate to this. Do not write a speech that is only about yourself and your achievements.

Keep in mind that each member of the audience at a graduation is probably only there for one member of the graduating class. Use your speech to bring everyone together through shared experiences. People of all ages and walks of life will be in attendance, so avoid the use of cultural references that target only a small portion of attendees. Instead, speak generally about the human experience and share stories that everyone can understand.

Above all, be tasteful. Use humor conservatively and do not, under any circumstances, condescend or otherwise disrespect fellow classmates, staff, or audience members. Remember that it's fine to be proud, but not conceited. In addition, be respectful of everyone's time and stick to your time limit.

Memorable Speech Topics

Now it's time to decide what your speech will be about. If you're in need of some direction, use one of these ten themes. Try using a quote to anchor your speech.

Setting Goals

The ability to set goals defines success. Frame your speech around the importance of setting goals for oneself using inspirational stories. Famous athletes, politicians, and other influential people are great options. Refrain from making this about yourself.

Conclude your speech by emphasizing that you should set goals throughout your life, not stopping when one success is achieved.

"What keeps me going is goals." - Muhammed Ali, professional boxer

"I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time." - Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer

Taking Responsibility

Learning to take responsibility for your own actions is a very relatable theme. Without lecturing your audience or implying that you've learned all that there is to learn, explain to the crowd how you began to understand the importance of accountability.

A speech about taking responsibility can be about a mistake that you learned from or a challenge that grew you. Be careful not to place any blame on others for tribulations you've faced. Alternatively, talk about someone else's experiences.

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." - Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes...and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility." - Eleanor Roosevelt , diplomat and former First Lady

"Those who enjoy responsibility usually get it; those who merely like exercising authority usually lose it." - Malcolm Forbes, publisher and entrepreneur

Learning From Mistakes

The topic of mistakes is great for graduation speeches for a number of reasons. Mistakes are relatable, entertaining, and personal. Use a mistake that discouraged you, a mistake you ignored, or a mistake that you learned from as the theme of your speech.

No one can avoid making mistakes and you can really draw on this fact to relate to all members of the audience. Talking about your imperfections conveys humility and strength that everyone will appreciate. Conclude your speech by elaborating on how you have developed a healthier perspective of failure through mistakes.

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." - Thomas Edison, inventor of the phonograph

"Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life." - Sophia Loren, actress

Finding Inspiration

Graduation speeches are meant to be inspiring, especially for the graduating class. Appeal to your fellow classmates with a speech about people that did amazing things with their life to show them that they can achieve greatness too.

Inspiration isn't just for creative minds with a muse. Talk about anyone that has encouraged, influenced, motivated, or otherwise provoked you to be a better version of yourself. Share the experiences of people that make you feel inspired.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working." - Pablo Picasso, artist

"I want to have a cultural impact. I want to be an inspiration, to show people what can be done." - Sean Combs, rapper and singer

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." - Zig Ziglar, author

Persistence

Graduation is the result of the extended hard work of all graduating students. While there are certainly varying degrees of academic success, everyone walking across that stage has achieved something great.

Although graduating takes dedication and persistence, it marks only the beginning of a lifetime of trial. But rather than focusing on how difficult life can be, share inspiring stories of endurance. Encourage every audience member, especially graduates, to persist in the face of challenges to come.

Everyone can relate to the experience of being knocked down and getting back up. A few moving anecdotes or quotes are sure to drive your message home.

"Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty and persistence." - Colin Powell, former U.S. politician and general

"Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence." - Ray Kroc, McDonald's franchising agent

Having Integrity

With this theme, you can provoke audience members to think about what makes them who they are. Talk to them about what you feel it means to be a morally upright and reliable person—are there any people in your life that exemplify this?

The moral code that one lives by shapes who they are. Give your crowd an idea of what you value by speaking about someone you admire. Talk about the relationship between principles and success.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates, philosopher

"Morality, like art, means drawing a line someplace." - Oscar Wilde, author

"I've learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values - and follow my own moral compass - then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own." - Michelle Obama, lawyer and activist

The Golden Rule

This theme draws on a guiding principle taught to many from the time they are children: treat others how you want to be treated. This philosophy, known as the Golden Rule, is familiar to nearly everyone.

This speech theme is ideal for brief stories about people in the audience. Share narratives of exchanges that you have had with teachers, coaches, and fellow students to illustrate the compassion present just within your school walls. Let the crowd know how much people being empathetic toward you has changed your life.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” - Unknown

"We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; let us now commit it to life.​" - Edwin Markham, poet

"We rise by lifting others." - Robert Ingersoll, writer

Leaving the Past Behind

Graduation is often seen as the end of an era and the beginning of the rest of your life. Lean into this notion by sharing memories from high school or college and talking about how you plan to move forward.

Avoid making this speech all about you. Everyone has memories and experiences that have shaped them as well as goals for the future. This theme is unique because it allows you to combine touching stories from the past with hopes for tomorrow, but it can be easy to get caught up in talking about yourself if you're not careful.

"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." - Thomas Jefferson , 3rd U.S. president

"Past is prologue." - William Shakespeare's The Tempest

"If we open a quarrel between past and present, we shall find that we have lost the future." - Winston Churchill, British politician

Maintaining Focus and Determination

You might choose to talk about how focus and determination drive success. You can tell the audience stories about times during your academic career that required focus or even divulge a time that you were unfocused.

You don't need to try to convince the audience that determination makes a person successful, so just try to leave them with something to think about and/or entertain them with stories.

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." - Aristotle

"You can focus on things that are barriers or you can focus on scaling the wall or redefining the problem." - Tim Cook , Apple CEO

Setting High Expectations

Setting high expectations means establishing a clear path forward. Talk about times that stretched you outside of your comfort zone or times that you had to choose not to settle for less than the best.

You may choose to share examples of people with high expectations for themselves and others that are in the audience. Motivated classmates and teachers that push you are great options. Leave graduates thinking about what high expectations they will hold themselves to after graduation.

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Mother Teresa, Catholic nun and missionary

"Set high standards and few limitations for yourself." - Anthony J. D'Angelo, motivational speaker and author

• How to Write a Graduation Speech as Valedictorian
• Effective Speech Writing
• 5 Tips on How to Write a Speech Essay
• How to Give an Impromptu Speech
• The Best Way for a Reporter to Cover a Speech
• Give a Speech People Remember
• 10 Graduation Quotes That Will Make You Laugh
• Audience Analysis in Speech and Composition
• Inspirational Quotes from Mother Teresa
• How to Apologize: Say "I'm Sorry" With Quotes
• What to Expect on College Graduation Day
• How to Write a Successful Personal Statement for Graduate School
• 48 Inspiring, Wise, and Witty Quotes to Use in Your Email Signatures
• Improving Self Esteem
• How to Write a Persuasive Essay
• How to Write and Structure a Persuasive Speech

16 Best Graduation Speeches That Leave a Lasting Impression

By Kristi Kellogg and Noor Brara

Some of the most impactful and inspiring sentiments are shared during graduation speeches delivered by the leaders we look up to. Graduation speeches from celebrities , entrepreneurs, authors and other influential thinkers are motivational, inspiring, thought-provoking and just might make you reach for the nearest tissue. After four years of hard work, stress, and exhausting self-discovery, lucky graduates are privy to a life-changing speech to top it all off.

Here, we rounded up up 16 of the best graduation speeches of all time, including words of wisdom from Natalie Portman, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and more.

1. Steve Jobs: Stanford, 2005

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. 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."

2. Michelle Obama: Tuskegee University, 2015

"I've found that this journey has been incredibly freeing. Because no matter what happened, I had the piece of mind knowing that all of the chatter, the name-calling, the doubting...all of it was just noise. It did not define me, it didn't change who I was, and most importantly, it couldn't hold me back."

3. Natalie Portman: Harvard, 2015

"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."

4. Amy Poehler: Harvard University, 2011

By Robyn Asleson

By Christian Allaire

By Shauna Beni-Haynes

"What I have discovered is this: You can't do it alone … Listen. Say 'yes.' Live in the moment. Make sure you play with people who have your back. Make big choices early and often."

5. Meryl Streep: Barnard College, 2010

"This is your time and it feels normal to you but really there is no normal. There's only change, and resistance to it and then more change."

6. David Foster Wallace: Kenyon College, 2005

"Twenty years after my own graduation, I have come gradually to understand that the liberal arts cliché about teaching you how to think is actually shorthand for a much deeper, more serious idea: learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about quote the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master."

7. Barack Obama: Howard University, 2016

"You have to go through life with more than just passion for change; you need a strategy. I’ll repeat that. I want you to have passion, but you have to have a strategy. Not just awareness, but action. Not just hashtags, but votes."

8. Kerry Washington: George Washington University, 2013

"You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that can write the story that you were meant to tell."

9. Conan O'Brien: Dartmouth College, 2011

"There are few things more liberating in this life than having your worst fear realized. Today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality … Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen."

10. J.K. Rowling: Harvard, 2008

"I stopped pretending to be anything than what I was. My greatest fear had been realized. I had an old typewriter and a big idea. Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

11. Oprah Winfrey: Harvard University, 2013

"Learn from every mistake because every experience, encounter, and particularly your mistakes are there to teach you and force you into being more who you are. And then figure out what is the next right move. And the key to life is to develop an internal moral, emotional G.P.S. that can tell you which way to go."

12. Joss Whedon: Wesleyan University, 2013

"You have, which is a rare thing, that ability and the responsibility to listen to the dissent in yourself, to at least give it the floor, because it is the key—not only to consciousness–but to real growth. To accept duality is to earn identity. And identity is something that you are constantly earning. It is not just who you are. It is a process that you must be active in. It's not just parroting your parents or the thoughts of your learned teachers. It is now more than ever about understanding yourself so you can become yourself."

13. George Saunders: Syracuse University, 2013

"Do all the other things, the ambitious things … Travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop)—but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness."

14. Nora Ephron: Wellesley College, 1996

"Be the heroine of your life, not the victim."

15. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Wellesley College, 2015

"As you graduate, as you deal with your excitement and your doubts today, I urge you to try and create the world you want to live in. Minister to the world in a way that can change it. Minister radically in a real, active, practical, get your hands dirty way."

16. Admiral William H. McRaven: University of Texas at Austin, 2014

"If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you will never do the big things right."

• The 8 Best Movie Graduations of All Time
• The Six Products You Need to Look Great in Your Graduation Pics
• 27 Movies You Need to See Before Graduation—No Excuses

By Emma Sarran Webster

By Kristi Kellogg

By Julie Pennell

By Njera Perkins

PHILADELPHIA, MAY 9-10 PUBLIC SPEAKING CLASS IS ALMOST FULL! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

• Public Speaking Classes
• Corporate Presentation Training
• Online Public Speaking Course
• Northeast Region
• Midwest Region
• Southeast Region
• Central Region
• Western Region
• Presentation Skills
• 101 Public Speaking Tips
• Fear of Public Speaking

How to Write a Graduation Speech (Graduation Speech Examples)

Have you been asked to deliver a commencement speech? Or have you worked your butt off to become valedictorian or salutatorian, and now you have to deliver a graduation speech? In this post, we will cover one of the more challenging types of presentation creation: How to Write a Graduation Speech . (By the way, I have also included a few popular graduation speech examples as a guide for you.)

This post is a continuation of our How to Create a Presentation series. We are going to break this post down into three parts, though. We will show you how to create a commencement speech in this post. Next week, I’ll show you how to write a valedictorian speech and how to deliver a salutatorian speech. Each of these graduation speeches has a slightly different purpose, but all of them need to be inspirational and funny.

How to Write a Commencement Speech

The commencement speech is often the keynote speech of the graduation ceremony. This presentation should be uplifting and entertaining, but this graduation speech should also teach a life lesson to the graduating students. If you do a search on YouTube of the best graduation speeches, many of these speakers will be famous comedians. When a comedian delivers a commencement speech, and the speech is posted on YouTube, it will always get a ton of views. The humor alone will make people want to watch the video. Three of the most popular of these speeches are by Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell, and Ellen DeGeneres. The interesting thing about the speeches from these famous comedians is that, yes, they are funny, but the inspiration comes from what they learned from their failures.

“There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life life trying to push you in another direction.” Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University Commencement Speech

A Good Structure When You Write a Commencement Address

Thank the crowd.

Start with Something Funny

Be Inspirational

The inspirational part of your commencement speech will come from the theme of the graduation speech . (For Sample Graduation Speech Themes , see the section below.) The easiest way to develop a theme is to look for an inspirational famous quote about success. You can do this by just going to Google and type in “success quotes”. Once you come up with a great quote, you can either paraphrase the quote and make it your own or quote the original speaker.

Tell Stories from Your Own Experience Related to Your Quote (Theme).

This the most important part of how to write a graduation speech. The stories and examples are what the audience will remember. These stories add emotion and inspiration to your graduation speech. They also help you build rapport with the audience. Finally, these stories make your delivery much easier. You don’t have to memorize a lot of material. Instead, just play the video in your head of what happened and describe the incident to the graduates.

For a great example of this, watch the YouTube video on Stanford University’s channel where Steve Jobs gives the commencement speech. I love this speech, because Jobs skips the introduction and the funny stuff and starts his speech with the following. “I’m going to tell you three stories.” It’s simple, and the crowd loves him.

End with an Inspirational Call to Action.

So as you go on to the next stage in your life and you experience failure… because you will experience failure, use that as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere. Don’t rest on that success. Use it as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere, and you will experience a series of successes and failures that will allow you to accomplish something great!”

Use this outline to create a simple 20 to 30 minute speech. (The shorter the better… No one gets a diploma until you finish.)

Sample Graduation Speech Themes

If you are having trouble coming up with a theme for your graduation speech, here are a few Sample Commencement Speech Themes. As you read through them, think about which them or quote has been most applicable in your career? Once you choose a graduation speech them, use the outline above to create your speech.

• Hard Work Leads to Success

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” — Coleman Cox

• Create Your Own Path.

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” — Herman Melville

• Make Things Happen.

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau

• Don’t Settle for Average. Strive for Greatness.

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” –John D. Rockefeller

• Don’t Wait for the Perfect Opportunity. Look for a Way to Create Your Own Opportunity.

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — Chris Grosser/blockquote> The Road Ahead is Hard, But It Leads to Success. “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” — Jim Rohn

• Focus on Your Dream.

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” — Bruce Lee

• Learn from Every Mistake to Move Toward Success.

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” — Conrad Hilton

• When Your Why is Big Enough, Your How Will Appear.

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” — Jim Rohn

• Happiness is the Key to Success.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer

Use the Speech Creator as a Guide to How to Create a Graduation Speech

Once you have chosen a them, and you have a few stories to inspire your audience, use our Online Speech Writer to help you organize your thoughts. (It’s free.)

Free Public Speaking Tips , Podcasts

View More Posts By Category: Free Public Speaking Tips | leadership tips | Online Courses | Past Fearless Presentations ® Classes | Podcasts | presentation skills | Uncategorized

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

24 Graduation Speeches: Speeches You Give in Pointy Hats

Graduation is a big day for graduates, their families, and teachers. If you are called to give a graduation speech, you want to make it special.  I want to share with you what makes a good graduation speech and give you tips on how to write one that will make an impact.

As we begin, you need to wrap your mind around two main things:

• Most people do not remember the graduation speeches they hear, but they do remember the feeling they got in the moment–inspired, bored, challenged.
• The more you tap into shared memories, the more meaningful the speech will be for those listening.

There are two main types of graduation speakers, the student speaker, and the headline speaker. At one college at our university, there is a speech contest to be the graduation speaker and at another college, it is someone who has been nominated by a faculty member. How you get there varies from place to place At the local high school, the valedictorian is often the speaker. I recently went to high school graduation and they had seven valedictorians so they had seven speakers–yes, it was as long as you can imagine.

When thinking about giving a graduation speech, you have to ask, “What does the audience need from me?” They need you to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and focus on the future. This chapter will walk you through the essentials of giving a graduation speech and then give you several example speeches as samples of key elements.

Gather the Details

• How long will you speak?
• Who will be in attendance?
• Who will introduce you?
• Are you the only speaker?
• Will there be a microphone?
• Can you use speech notes?
• Brainstorm with Friends

This is the fun part. Sit down with friends and make a list of all the things that come to mind about the college experience. When brainstorming, write down everything you think of and don’t try to judge whether it should be included, just go with it.  There is an entire chapter on how to brainstorm here. 

• Food, dining halls, local restaurants
• Hangouts on campus
• Social events
• Notable classes
• Significant memories
• Current events
• Shared college experiences (on our campus it might be buying scantrons, hearing the bells of Old Main, and using Blackboard.

Organizational Format

Most all student graduation speeches include the past, present, and future format.

• Present: Opening statement and the thank you.
• Past: The shared memory.
• Future: The challenge and a closing statement.

Manuscript Format

Most student graduation speeches are in manuscript format. That helps you from getting overwhelmed at the moment and that also gives the school a chance to censor– I mean to approve of–your content. There is an entire chapter on writing a manuscript that you can refer to here. 

Pick a Theme

Many graduation speeches use a theme. Here are some of the most common graduation themes.

It can be helpful to pick a theme and connect a metaphor to your theme. There is an entire chapter on how to do that here. 

“There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to push you in another direction.” Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University Commencement Speech

Start Your Speech with an Introduction

Most introductions acknowledge the occasion, offer thanks, and lead into the main idea. Shutterfly suggests these as openings.

• “Thank you [person who introduced you]. And thank you to the students, teachers, parents, and staff who made these four years everything that they were.”
• “It’s my honor today to deliver the commencement address for this incredible student body.”
• “It is my pleasure to welcome students, families, and faculty to graduation day at [school’s name]. Every one of you has made an impact on the graduates who sit here today.”
• “I stand here before you, looking back on four years of legacy we’ve all made together.”

Use the Principles of Good Ceremonial Speaking

I have written a chapter on each component of ceremonial speaking and you can reference those you need:

• Tell a story
• Use identification, narration, and magnification
• Use colorful language
• Use metaphor, simile,  and theme
• Put your speech in manuscript format

Look for Stories that Celebrate Common Experiences

Notice how Jaclyn Marston reflects on specific classes and memories. (Watch starting at .54 seconds).

Watch how Lin Manuel Miranda references the familiar and the obscure in his address to the University of Pennsylvania (start watching at 1:12).

Use a Theme

Notice how she uses the theme–“What do you want to be” when you grow up and alters it to  “What do you want to do?” She opens with this and wraps back around to this same idea at the end.

Be Vulnerable

Notice how this speaker admits his shortcomings. We feel like he is honest and vulnerable so we hang on his everyword.

Headline Speaker Sample Speeches

Headline speakers are usually someone famous or notable. Speeches by those individuals almost always include stories and challenges. I have included several here. Pick two of them to analyze.

Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories. Steve Jobs

These highlights of Lou Holtz’s graduation speech is full of great challenges and life lessons.

Tim Minchin

“One: Be micro-ambitious. Put your head down and work with pride on whatever is in front of you. You never know where you might end up.

Two: Don’t seek happiness. Keep busy and aim to make someone else happy and you might find you get some as a side effect.

Three:  Understanding that you can’t truly take credit for your successes nor truly blame others for their failures will humble you and make you more compassionate.

Four: Exercise. Take care of your body: you’re going to need it.

Five: Be hard on your opinions. Be intellectually rigorous. Identify your biases, your prejudices, your privileges.

Six: Even if you’re not a teacher, be a teacher. Share your ideas. Don’t take for granted your education.

Seven: Define yourself by what you love. Be demonstrative and generous in your praise of those you admire. Send thank you cards and give standing ovations. Be pro stuff not just anti stuff.

Eight: Respect people with less power than you.

Nine: Finally, don’t rush. You don’t need to know what you’re going to do with the rest of your life.”

As you can see, graduation speeches can be serious or lighthearted; they can be personal, motivational, and informative. The key thing is that the speech should be authentic. It should be as unique as the speaker.

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

• Graduation speeches should reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and inspire towards the future.
• Consider the needs of the audience and find commonalities.
• Tell a story.
• Use a manuscript.

Bonus Features

Jaclyn Marson describes the process of how she wrote her Graduation Speech.

Dunham, A. (2019). Valedictorian comes out as autistic during speech. [Video] YouTube.  https://youtu.be/GtPGrLoU5Uk Standard YouTube License

Holtz, L. (2017). Lou Holtz’s inspirational speech. Commencement speech.[Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3LOo_Ccyws Standard YouTube License

Jobs, S. (2008). Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address. [Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc Standard YouTube License.

Jostens, (n.d.).  Celebrate high school memories. Inspire your grad community. https://www.jostens.com/resources/students-and-parents/graduation-guides/how-to-write-a-grad-speech

Marson, J. (2020). How to write an amazing graduation speech–Jaclyn Marson podcast Ep 1. [Video] YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5CUSzp9SrM Standard YouTube License.

Marston, J. (2016). Beautiful and moving graduation speech 2016. [Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F3K3Z_5CEE Standard YouTube License.

Minchin, T. (2013). 9 life lessons-Time Minchin UWA Address. [Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoEezZD71sc Standard YouTube License.

Rosen, L. (2019). Leah Rosen: “The power of this place,” Duke University 2019 commencement student speaker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4N Standard YouTube License.

Shutterfly. (n.d) How to start a graduation speech. https://www.shutterfly.com/ideas/graduation-speech/

Stewart, M.  (2020). Student speaker. Commencement 2020. University of Utah. [Video] YouTube.   h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZFJnZvuQIo Standard YouTube License.

University of Pennsylvania. (2016). Penn’s 2016 commencement ceremony- Commencement speaker Lin-Manuel Miranda. [Video] YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewHcsFlolz4&t=0s Standard YouTube License.

Media Attributions

• Graduation Photo © Lynn Meade is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Speech Writing

Graduation Speech

Crafting the Perfect Graduation Speech: A Guide with Examples

10 min read

People also read

The 10 Key Steps for Perfect Speech Writing

Understanding the Speech Format - Detailed Guide & Examples

How to Start A Speech - 13 Interesting Ideas & Examples

20+ Outstanding Speech Examples for Your Help

Common Types of Speeches that Every Speechwriter Should Know

Good Impromptu Speech Topics for Students

Entertaining Speech Topics for Your Next Debate

How to Write a Special Occasion Speech: Types, Tips, and Examples

Introduction Speech - A Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

How to Write the Best Acceptance Speech for Your Audience?

Presentation Speech - An Ultimate Writing Guide

Commemorative Speech - Writing Guide, Outline & Examples

Farewell Speech - Writing Tips & Examples

How to Write an Extemporaneous Speech? A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever stood at the threshold of a new journey, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty? 

Well, if you're a soon-to-be graduate, that's probably exactly how you're feeling right now.

The big day is coming, and you're wondering, 'How will I write my speech? Can I ask for speech writing help?

Don’t worry!

In this blog, we're going to tell you how to write a graduation speech for students. Get ready to discover the secrets of crafting a graduation speech that not only captures your audience's attention but also leaves a profound impact on your fellow graduates.

Let's transform that uncertainty into inspiration and confidence as we delve into the art of delivering a speech that will make your graduation day truly unforgettable.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

• 1. What is a Graduation Speech?
• 2. How to Write a Graduation Speech?
• 3. Graduation Speeches From Notable Figures 
• 4. Graduation Speech Examples for Students 
• 5. Graduation Speech Ideas - 2023
• 6. Graduation Speech Writing Tips 

What is a Graduation Speech?

A graduation speech is the heart of your big day, bringing together all your experiences and achievements. 

It's more than just talking – it's a way to inspire and celebrate. It's not just a tradition. This type of speech is a chance to share what you've learned and dream about the future.

Your graduation speech should include everyone – your friends, the tough times you all faced, and the good times you shared. 

Elements of Graduation Speech

Creating a memorable graduation speech involves several key elements that can help you connect with your audience and make a lasting impression. 

Here are the crucial elements you should consider:

All these elements make a strong and memorable speech and help make your graduation successful.

How to Write a Graduation Speech?

Writing an inspirational graduation speech that stands out isn't as daunting as it may seem. 

With a structured approach and a dash of creativity, you can deliver the best special occasion speech that leaves a lasting impact on your audience. 

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to start a graduation speech and create an inspiring address:

Begin with a Memorable Opening 

Start with an attention-grabbing quote, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question. 

This sets the tone for your speech and captures your audience's interest right from the beginning.

Express Gratitude 

Show appreciation to your teachers, parents, and fellow students. 

Express how their support and contributions have been instrumental in your academic journey. This sets a positive and grateful tone for your speech.

Reflect on Meaningful Moments 

Share personal stories and school experiences that have had a significant impact on your life and the lives of your classmates. 

Use these anecdotes to connect with your audience emotionally.

Offer Words of Inspiration 

Provide words of inspiration and motivation. Encourage your fellow graduates to embrace the future with confidence and courage.

Use stories or quotes to illustrate your points.

Share Practical Advice 

Share life lessons and any advice you've learned during your academic journey. 

Offer insights related to pursuing goals, overcoming challenges, and maintaining a positive outlook on life.

Emphasize Unity and Shared Experiences 

Highlight the importance of unity and the bonds formed with your classmates. 

Emphasize the strength of collective experiences and friendships that have been a significant part of your school life.

Discuss Hopes and Dreams 

Talk about your hopes and dreams for the future, both for yourself and your fellow graduates. Paint a vivid picture of the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

End with an Inspiring Conclusion 

Conclude your speech with a memorable message that resonates with your audience. 

Leave them with a lasting impression or a call to action that inspires them to take on the future with enthusiasm.

Graduation Speeches From Notable Figures 

Notable figures, from celebrities to accomplished professionals, often deliver inspiring graduation speeches, sharing their wisdom, experiences, and advice with the graduates. 

In this section, we explore some remarkable graduation speeches that have left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

Taylor Swift Graduation Speech 

Taylor Swift, the renowned singer-songwriter, delivered an inspiring graduation speech that emphasized embracing change and authenticity. 

Her words have motivated graduates worldwide, making her speech a source of valuable life lessons.

“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 were as important, if not more crucial, than the moments I was told ‘yes.’ …” 

Watch complete graduation speech here: 

Rory Gilmore Graduation Speech 

Rory Gilmore, a beloved fictional character from the TV series "Gilmore Girls," delivered a heartwarming graduation speech that celebrated the value of hard work, ambition, and the pursuit of dreams. 

Her speech remains an iconic moment in the series and a testament to the power of perseverance and ambition.

Watch her graduation speech here:

Ree Drummond - Oklahoma State University 

Ree Drummond, known as "The Pioneer Woman," shared her insights and wisdom in a graduation speech delivered in 2022. 

Her address offers a unique perspective on life, success, and the pursuit of dreams, making it a valuable resource for graduates seeking inspiration and guidance as they set out on their own paths.

Listen to the complete speech in this video:

Steve Jobs - 2005 

Steve Jobs' iconic 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University delivered invaluable life lessons and inspiration. 

His words continue to resonate with graduates and individuals worldwide, offering timeless guidance on pursuing one's passions and creating a meaningful life.

Check out his complete speech in this video: 

Graduation Speech Examples for Students 

Looking for inspiration for your own graduation speech? Here is a short graduation speech:

Read some more diverse graduation speech samples to spark your creativity:

Graduation Speech for Kindergarten - Example

Short Graduation Speech

Graduation Speech for Kids

Graduation Speech For Primary 6

8th Grade Graduation Speech

High School Graduation Speech

Explore a collection of inspiring graduation speeches, each offering a unique perspective on this momentous occasion.

Graduation Speech by Students - Example

Graduation Speech for Parents - Example

Graduation Speech by Teacher - Example

Graduation Speech by Principal- Example

Graduation Speech Thanking Teachers

Graduation Speech Ideas - 2023

Here are some interesting and fun graduation speech ideas.

• Talk about a current school event.
• Try something new like poetry or metaphors to make your speech interesting.
• Tell a story about your class, for example, ‘what was the driving force of the class of 2021?’
• Use quotes from famous and classic books.
• Use lyrics from the class anthem.
• Be inspirational and share an inspirational story.
• Share a humorous experience.
• Convey a memorable message.
• If appropriate, add a song with meaning.
• Appreciate a fellow classmate or a teacher.
• Connect your speech with your 1st day at school.
• Significant events that took place in the school.
• A professor that made you fall in love with a major subject.
• The long time you spent in the school library and how it impacted your interactions with other students.
• Tell me about who inspired you the most in your life.

Graduation Speech Writing Tips 

Crafting a memorable graduation speech can be a rewarding yet challenging task. Here are some essential tips to help you write an impactful and engaging speech for your big day:

• Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience is crucial to tailor your speech effectively.
• Start Strong: An attention-grabbing beginning sets the tone for your speech.
• Tell Personal Stories: Personal anecdotes and experiences create a meaningful connection.
• Inspire and Motivate: Your speech should encourage confidence about the future.
• Share Practical Advice: Offering practical life advice adds value to your speech.
• Embrace Humor: Appropriately used humor can engage your audience.
• Be Concise: Keeping your speech at an appropriate length is essential to maintain interest.
• Practice and Rehearse: Preparation ensures confidence in your delivery.
• End on a High Note: A memorable conclusion leaves a lasting impression.

As you take that first step forward, congratulations on your graduation, and we wish you the best of luck in whatever comes next. We hope this graduation speech guide has given you some pointers for what to say in your speech.

If you need further help, you can avail of our assistance and get your speech before the big day.

At MyPerfectWords.com , one of the best " write my essay services ", we help new graduates make their day memorable by delivering quality speeches.

Buy speech from us and get ready to shine.

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

• How It Works
• Prices & Discounts

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

Table of contents

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.

Share this article

Achieve Academic Success with Expert Assistance!

Crafted from Scratch for You.

Ensuring Your Work’s Originality.

Transform Your Draft into Excellence.

Perfecting Your Paper’s Grammar, Style, and Format (APA, MLA, etc.).

Calculate the cost of your paper

Get ideas for your essay

Sample Highschool Graduation Speeches & Tips

Highschool graduation speeches: examples & writing tips.

High school graduation is one of the most important moments in life. And, if you were chosen to speak to your classmates at the graduation ceremony, you can make this day even more memorable for your peers and everyone present. If you have never written speeches before, worry no more. Read this article to find out:

• how to write a memorable high school graduation speech,
• how to choose a theme that resonates with your audience, and
• sample speeches to get inspired to write.

Do you need a good graduation speech but have no time to write?  The experts of SpeechPaths have written hundreds of student speeches and can prepare a great inspiring text for your graduation day. You will receive a 100% original graduation speech written according to your requirements. Plus, we offer unlimited free revisions until you are satisfied! Email us today to get a free quote and a 20% special student discount.

High school graduation speech example

Source:  https://www.sampletemplates.com/business-templates/graduation-speech-example-template.html

Why is this a good commencement speech? Firstly, this sample speech starts with a note of gratitude for being chosen to speak in front of fellow graduates, teachers, and parents. It uses a humble and appreciative tone that draws attention. 

Secondly, the speech focuses on many opportunities that every graduate has in life, encouraging those present to embark on any path they wish in life and be open to what the future holds. And finally, the speaker uses an inspirational quote by J.K. Rowling, encouraging the students to embrace failure and take risks as they open the next chapter in their lives. 

You can also use that the speech uses simple sentences and has some inspiring statements, which makes it easy to comprehend for a graduating class and guests. Below, we'll talk about how to compose your graduation speech that will impress other students and ignite emotions. 

More examples of graduation speeches 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRiV4KZBoIY

This speech taps into shared memories, inspires students to achieve great things in life after high school years, and also uses quotes by Shakespeare. It is motivating, yet the student also uses a bit of humor to make their speech engaging and interesting to listen to. Plus, they use pop culture references to make the speech more relatable to their friends and classmates. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Schools often invite famous people to give a commencement speech. This famous commencement speech by Steve Jobs includes some pivotal stories from his life. On this big day, he basically gives students life lessons about finding their professional passion, love, and death through engaging stories. Storytelling techniques work well in graduation speeches, so you might want to share a story or two in your speech. 

How to write a powerful high school graduation speech? 

Start with a hearty welcome and gratitude.

Begin your speech by showing appreciation for the opportunity to give a high school graduation speech. You may start with "Congratulations class" or use a different salutation. Greet everyone present, including your peers, teachers, parents, and friends, and thank everyone who helped you graduate and become who you are now. Let gratitude and humility be the key elements of your speech. 

Pick a theme for your speech

Every professional writer will tell you that a good graduation speech always has a main theme that sets the tone and defines what to include. You may choose one central theme or briefly cover two or three. The major themes for graduation speeches are: 

• overcoming obstacles in life 
• embracing failure and learning from it
• looking back to school years and shared memories
• the importance of dreaming big and taking responsibility for your future 
• the value of friends and friendship 
• setting high expectations and making a difference, etc. 

Follow the rules of writing ceremonial speeches

Writing ceremonial speeches isn't the same as composing essays. Your speech will benefit if you use such specific techniques as identification (your audience needs to feel that you consider their needs and they become a part of the speech) and magnification (emphasizing positive attributes of someone, for example, your classmates). 

Telling a story also works great - everyone loves stories. Be sure to use vivid, imaginative language, add anecdotes, metaphors, and figures of speech. Inventive, bright speeches are more memorable and spark emotions in those present. 

Look back on the journey 

You've spent many years with your classmates, and you don't know if you'll ever cross paths in the future. So, use your speech to recall shared experiences. You may tell a story about a person in your class that everyone knows, share a curious anecdote about your first day in high school, or recollect the big goal you've achieved with classmates. 

High school is not only for education, it's the time when you make friends, learn to overcome obstacles and understand what matters most in life, so share some elements of this journey with others. 

Add inspirational quotes 

Quotes by famous people work excellently on any graduation speech. A right motivational quote will inspire the audience, help convey your main message, and draw the attention of the audience. Here's an example of a quote by J.K.Rawling that you can use in your commencement speech: 

"You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more than any qualification I ever earned."

Motivate and look ahead 

After you have recollected things from your past in your graduation speech, it's time to look at the future with confidence and a sense of anticipation. No matter what path they choose, wish other students well in the future and express hope that they will achieve their goals and turn their dreams into reality. End on a positive note, wish your classmates luck both in college and in the big world in general, and add an inspiring call to action. 

Be concise 

Even if you have a lot of things to say to graduates, teachers, and parents, an overly long speech can bore the audience. Since there are several speeches during the graduation ceremony, writing a long speech is not the best idea. Try to keep your speech under 10 minutes, and the optimal word count is 800 words. 

Edit the first draft 

After you have completed the first draft of your graduation speech, look through it multiple times to make sure it sounds engaging, delivers your point clearly, and is free from any mistakes. Ask your friends, family, or a teacher to give you feedback. For an even better result, show it to a professional speech writer who can share in-depth suggestions on content, structure, and writing style. 

Here's what to look at when revising your speech: 

• make sure that it meets the recommended word count and takes less than 10 minutes; 
• the speech should have an introduction that sets your theme and expresses gratitude, the body section that expands on your point, and an inspiring conclusion; 
• check the accuracy of all facts, details, and quotes you use in your speech; 
• make sure there is no inappropriate content, such as insults to some groups, racist jokes, or anything that can be misinterpreted; 
• check grammar, syntax, and word choice. 

Prepare visual aids 

For a truly memorable impression, consider using visual aids, such as photos or videos. You can create a slideshow using images of your class, teachers, or pictures taken at some important events (i.e. winning a contest). Use pictures of all students, and avoid including those that can embarrass someone. 

With these hands-on strategies, you will write a good graduation speech that will touch the hearts of the audience and maybe even get a standing ovation. Rehearse your speech so that you don't read it from paper. And don't be afraid to share genuine emotions, as in this big day everyone will share them and relate to your words. 

Get expert help with your high school graduation speech 

If you have too little time or simply want your graduation speech to be perfect, you can rely on our experts. At SpeechPaths, we prepare custom speeches for any occasion, including college and high school graduation. Our speechwriter will recall the experiences from your school days and use a motivational tone to inspire your audience. Contact us today to discuss the details of your speech and get a free quote! 

Dear visitor, our website has been recently updated. You can contact us if you have any concerns regarding the new version of the website. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Graduation Speech Ideas: How to Inspire Your Class

Did you know that the shortest recorded graduation speech in history was a mere 19 words long? Yes, you heard that right! While brevity can sometimes be a virtue, when it comes to inspiring your fellow classmates and leaving a lasting impression, well-crafted graduation speeches can be a powerful tool. As you stand before your graduating class, you have the opportunity to ignite a spark of motivation, instill a sense of purpose, and propel your peers toward their future endeavors.

Graduation Speech Ideas: Short Summary

In this article, we will explore a variety of graduation speech topics, along with practical tips and easy steps to help you craft an impressive speech. With these tools in hand, you'll have the power to captivate your class and leave an indelible mark on their hearts and minds. Get ready to create a commencement address that will resonate for years to come.

Graduation Speeches: Exploring the Purpose

Graduation speeches, with their grand stage and eager audience, serve a purpose that extends far beyond mere formality. They are a culmination of years of hard work, growth, and shared experiences. These speeches are a golden opportunity to reflect on the collective journey, celebrate achievements, and inspire the graduating class as they step into the uncharted territory of the future.

According to our paper writing service experts, one of the key elements in crafting a memorable graduation speech is selecting a theme that resonates with the graduating class. Graduation speech themes can range from resilience and perseverance to embracing change and embracing diversity. By choosing a theme that reflects the unique experiences and aspirations of the class, the speaker can create a unifying thread that connects with the hearts and minds of the audience. These themes serve as guiding principles, offering nuggets of wisdom and inspiring anecdotes that reinforce the central message of the speech.

The purpose of a graduation speech is multifaceted. It is a beacon of hope, reminding graduates of their potential and the endless possibilities that await them. It is a heartfelt tribute acknowledging the contributions of teachers, mentors, and loved ones who have played an integral role in their educational voyage. Moreover, a graduation speech is a platform for wisdom and guidance, a chance to impart invaluable life lessons and ignite a fire of motivation within each listener. It is a powerful tool that has the ability to instill confidence, inspire action, and encourage graduates to embark on their unique paths with passion and purpose.

How to Start a Graduation Speech: Essential Preparation Tips

Stepping up to the podium to deliver a graduation speech can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. As the spotlight shines upon you, it's crucial to capture the attention and hearts of your fellow graduates, faculty, and parents right from the start. The key to a remarkable beginning lies in careful preparation. By employing essential tips for starting a graduation speech, you can set the stage for an impactful and memorable address. From gathering relevant details to brainstorming graduation speech ideas and crafting a well-structured outline, these preparation tips will empower you to confidently begin your graduation speech, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

Gather Relevant Details

As per our custom essay writing service , the first step in preparing to start a graduation speech is to gather relevant details about the graduating class, the school, and the overall graduation ceremony.

• Determine the Speaking Time : Find out the allocated time for the graduation speech topics. Knowing the time limit will help you structure your speech accordingly, ensuring that you deliver a concise and engaging message within the given timeframe.
• Identify the Audience : Consider who will be in attendance at the graduation ceremony. Will it primarily consist of fellow graduates, parents, faculty, or a mix of all? Understanding the demographics of the audience can help you tailor your speech to their interests, experiences, and expectations.
• Know the Introducer : Find out who will introduce you before your speech. This allows you to establish a connection with the person responsible for setting the stage and can provide an opportunity to coordinate and align the introduction with the theme or key points of your speech.
• Determine Other Speakers : Inquire whether you are the only speaker or if there will be other individuals delivering speeches. This information helps you gauge the overall time allotted for speeches, ensures you don't overlap content, and allows you to adjust your speech accordingly to offer a unique perspective.
• Check for Microphone Availability : Verify if a microphone will be available during your speech. Understanding the audio setup will assist you in projecting your voice effectively and ensuring your words reach the entire audience.
• Consider the Use of Speech Notes : Determine whether you can use speech notes or if memorization is expected. Some graduation ceremonies allow speakers to refer to notes, while others encourage a more natural and memorized delivery. Knowing the expectations allows you to plan your preparation and delivery approach accordingly.

Brainstorm Ideas

By delving into the following diverse aspects of college life, your brainstorming session will yield a rich tapestry of memories, anecdotes, and themes that can be incorporated into your graduation speech, infusing it with authenticity, nostalgia, and the spirit of previous graduation speech examples.

• Food and Dining : Delve into the culinary adventures of your college days, from the unique offerings at dining halls to the beloved local restaurants that became student favorites.
• Campus Hangouts : Explore the cherished spots on campus where students congregated, shared laughter, and forged lasting friendships.
• Social Events : Recall the vibrant social scene that shaped your college experience, from parties and festivals to club activities and campus-wide celebrations.
• Notable Classes : Highlight the classes or academic experiences that left a lasting impact, whether due to exceptional professors, intriguing subject matter, or memorable assignments. Personalize your speech by weaving in anecdotes from your own autobiography example , showcasing the transformative power of education.
• Significant Memories : Reflect on the special moments that stand out in your college journey, be it late-night study sessions, impromptu adventures, or milestone achievements.
• Landmarks : Take note of the iconic landmarks on campus that became synonymous with your college years, contributing to a sense of pride and belonging.
• Current Events : Consider any noteworthy events or happenings that unfolded during your time at college, shaping the collective experience of your class.
• Shared College Experiences : Embrace the shared experiences that defined your campus community, such as the ritual of purchasing scantrons, the melodic chimes of the Old Main bells, or navigating the virtual realm of Blackboard.

Want to Elevate Your Graduation Moment from Memorable to Magical?

Let our team of speechwriting wizards deliver a tailored, awe-inspiring speech that will make jaws drop, and hearts soar!

Create a Graduation Speech Outline

By following this outline, you'll learn how to write a speech about yourself that leaves a lasting impact on the graduating class and the audience. Infuse your speech with your personality, emotions, and unique perspective, creating an authentic and heartfelt reflection of your journey and the aspirations of the graduating class.

I. Introduction

A. Welcome the audience: Begin your speech by warmly welcoming the graduating class, faculty members, parents, and esteemed guests. Set a positive and inclusive tone from the start.

B. Introduce the theme: Clearly state the overarching theme or message that will be the foundation of your speech. This will provide a sense of direction and purpose for your discourse.

C. Engage with a captivating opening: Start with a relevant and engaging story, joke, or anecdote that connects to the theme and captures the attention of your audience. This will help create an immediate connection and pique their interest.

II. Personal Reflections and Shared Experiences

A. Share personal anecdotes: Draw from your own experiences as a student, highlighting significant moments, challenges, or accomplishments that relate to the theme. This personal touch will make your speech relatable and genuine.

B. Incorporate shared experiences: Discuss shared experiences and milestones that the graduating class has encountered throughout their academic journey. These collective memories will foster a sense of unity and connection among the audience.

C. Add originality: Inject original and unique perspectives into your speech. Offer fresh insights, perspectives, or ideas that will captivate and resonate with the graduating class.

III. Key Messages and Life Lessons

A. Highlight key messages: Identify the key messages or life lessons you wish to impart to the graduating class. These can include resilience, perseverance, embracing change, or pursuing a passion.

B. Support with stories and examples: Illustrate your key messages with relatable stories, examples, or quotes. Make them vivid and impactful, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

C. Inspire and motivate: Use your speech to inspire and motivate the graduating class to embrace the future with confidence, pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact in the world.

IV. Conclusion

A. Express gratitude: Thank the audience, including the graduating class, faculty, parents, and any other individuals who have supported the students' academic journey. Show appreciation for the opportunity to address them.

B. Summarize your discourse: End your speech with a concise, one-line summary of your main message or theme. This will serve as a memorable takeaway for the audience.

C. Conclude on an inspiring note: Leave the audience with a final inspiring thought, challenge, or call to action, encouraging the graduating class to make a difference in their lives and the world.

Pick a Topic

When picking graduation speech themes, it is crucial to select one that complements your personality, experience, and attitude. Your chosen theme should align with who you are as a person and reflect your journey throughout your academic years. Ensure that the topic resonates with your values and allows you to convey your message authentically. This alignment will make it easier for you to connect with the audience and deliver a speech that is genuine and impactful.

Extra Tips for Preparation

When preparing topics for a graduation speech, consider incorporating graduation speech ideas that align with your personality and experiences. Practice vocal delivery and body language to ensure effective communication during your speech. Vary your tone and pace, and use gestures and facial expressions as punctuation marks examples to enhance your message. By injecting humor and personal touches, such as relatable anecdotes and witty observations, you can engage and entertain the audience. Remember to strike a balance, ensuring the humor complements the main message without overshadowing it.

To further captivate your listeners, engage the audience with interactive activities during your speech. Break away from the traditional format by asking thought-provoking questions, conducting a quick poll, or inviting volunteers to share their reflections on the theme. This interactive approach will foster a deeper connection and keep the audience actively involved in your discourse.

Finally, craft a memorable closing to leave a lasting impact on your listeners. Consider ending your graduation speech with a powerful, thought-provoking question, a compelling call to action, or an inspiring story. This will reinforce your main message and motivate the graduating class to embrace their future with confidence and determination. By incorporating these strategies, your graduation speech will be an unforgettable experience for both you and your audience.

🎏 Inspirational High School Graduation Speech Themes

• Embracing Change and Embracing New Opportunities: Navigating the transitions and challenges that come with moving on from high school.
• From Dreams to Reality: Encouraging graduates to pursue their passions and turn their dreams into actionable goals.
• The Power of Resilience: Highlighting the importance of bouncing back from setbacks and staying strong in the face of adversity.
• Unleashing the Potential Within: Inspiring graduates to recognize their unique abilities and unleash their full potential.
• Embracing Diversity: Celebrating the value of diverse perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds in fostering understanding and unity.
• Making a Difference: Encouraging graduates to use their skills, knowledge, and influence to make a positive impact in their communities.
• Embracing Lifelong Learning: Highlighting the importance of continuous learning and personal growth beyond the classroom.
• Breaking Barriers: Encouraging graduates to challenge societal norms and push beyond their comfort zones to achieve greatness.
• Cultivating Compassion: Inspiring graduates to foster empathy and kindness in their interactions with others.
• The Power of Teamwork: Highlighting the value of collaboration and cooperation in achieving shared goals and making a difference.
• Embracing Innovation: Encouraging graduates to embrace new technologies and creative thinking to drive positive change.
• The Journey of Self-Discovery: Encouraging graduates to embark on a journey of self-discovery to find their true passions and purpose.
• Embracing Sustainability: Encouraging graduates to adopt sustainable practices and become responsible stewards of the environment.
• Embracing Mindfulness: Highlighting the importance of living in the present moment and cultivating a sense of mindfulness.
• The Impact of Mentorship: Acknowledging the influential role of mentors in shaping our lives and inspiring graduates to become mentors themselves.
• Embracing Failure as Growth: Encouraging graduates to view failure as an opportunity for growth and learning.
• Building Strong Relationships: Highlighting the importance of nurturing meaningful connections and relationships throughout life.
• Embracing Global Citizenship: Encouraging graduates to be responsible global citizens and embrace diversity on a global scale.
• Inspiring Leadership: Empowering graduates to become compassionate and visionary leaders who inspire positive change.
• Embracing Gratitude: Encouraging graduates to cultivate a sense of gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped their lives.

🎉 Funny Graduation Speech Ideas

• The Art of Procrastination: How I Managed to Graduate Despite My Last-Minute Habits
• Embracing the Power of Naps: A Guide to Surviving College and Still Getting Your Diploma
• The Real MVPs: A Shout-out to Cafeteria Food and Late-Night Snacks
• The Unforgettable Fashion Faux Pas: Lessons Learned from Questionable Outfit Choices
• Surviving Group Projects: A Comedy of Errors and Unexpected Friendships
• The Great Coffee Chronicles: How Caffeine Became the Key to My Graduation Success
• Mastering the Art of Balancing Netflix and Assignments: A Graduation Story
• The Perils of Autocorrect: Hilarious Texting Mishaps During Exam Season
• Dorm Life Diaries: Tales of Roommate Adventures and Misadventures
• The Legendary Study Breaks: From Netflix Binges to Epic Dance Parties
• The Great Parking Wars: A Comedy of Finding the Perfect Parking Spot on Campus
• The Chronicles of Punny Professors: Hilarious Wordplay in the Classroom
• The Daring Tales of Sneaking Food into Lecture Halls: An Epic Saga
• From Class Clowns to Class Favorites: Celebrating the Humorous Side of High School
• The Ultimate Guide to Successfully Procrastinating Procrastination: A Comedy of Irony
• The Awkward Dance of Public Speaking: Overcoming Stage Fright with Laughter
• The Unforgettable Tales of Failed Experiments: Science Gone Hilariously Wrong
• The Art of Surviving PowerPoint Presentations: A Humorous Guide to Slide-Deck Disasters
• Laughing Through the Late-Night Study Sessions: Comedy as a Coping Mechanism
• Embracing Awkward Graduation Photos: Celebrating Unforgettable Memories

Graduation Speech Example

In this section, we have a fantastic example that perfectly showcases what makes a speech outstanding. We understand the importance of providing students with a clear vision of a remarkable speech, and in the following words, you'll find inspiration on how to engage your audience, evoke emotions, and create a lasting impression.

In conclusion, this article has equipped you with various graduation speech ideas and resources to create an exceptional graduation speech. From exploring the purpose and themes to offering preparation tips and examples, we've provided the tools you need to captivate and inspire your audience. Furthermore, if you're seeking metaphors and analogies examples to add depth and creativity to your speech, we have plenty of suggestions for you to consider. Congratulations, and may your speech inspire and motivate your fellow graduates as they embark on their future endeavors.

Want a Plagiarism-Free Essay that is As Unique As Your Own Fingerprints?

Use our online plagiarism checker and experience the thrill of receiving a custom-crafted essay that reflects your individuality!

How Long Should a Graduation Speech Be?

Should i memorize my graduation speech or use notes, related articles.

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

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.

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

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.

Informative Essay Outline – Ultimate Guide & Examples

Mother of the Groom Speech – Best Tips & Examples

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

© 2024 My Speech Class

Soft Skills

8 minute read

20 Inspiring Takeaways From Top Graduation Speeches

Kat Boogaard

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Are you rolling your eyes yet? There are plenty of beloved quotes, ancient proverbs, and tired clichés that find their way into graduation speeches.

But, some speeches that happen at that prestigious podium on the graduation stage? They’re actually downright enlightening and moving.

So, we’ve pulled together some of the best graduation speeches from recent years—that won’t result in any groans or eye rolls.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or are more established in your career, we all have something to learn from these inspiring, encouraging, and sometimes even hilarious messages.

Want to learn more?

Take your soft skills to the next level with our comprehensive (and free) ebook!

1. Amy Poehler, Harvard University

All I can tell you today is what I have learned. What I have discovered as a person in this world. And that is this: you can't do it alone. As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own.

Read the full transcript here

2. Madeleine Albright, Wellesley College

None of us have full title to the truth. Wisdom comes from the ability to believe in ideas while maintaining respect for the rights and beliefs of others. As critics point out, this quality can sometimes lead to intellectual mush. At its best, however, it can generate triumphs that encompass both mind and spirit.

3. Steve Jobs, Stanford University

Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

4. Stephen Colbert, Wake Forest University

Of course, any standards worth having will be a challenge to meet. And most of the time, you will fall short. But what is nice about having your own set of standards is that from now on, you fill out your own report card. So do yourself a favor: Be an easy grader. Score yourself on a curve. Give yourself extra credit. You have the power. You are your own professor now.

5. Arianna Huffington, Smith College

The founding fathers wrote about the pursuit of happiness, and if you go back to the original documents—as I'm sure all of you have done—happiness did not mean the pursuit of more ways to be entertained. It was the happiness that comes from feeling good by doing good.

6. Barack Obama, University of Michigan

But we cannot expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down. You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it. You can question someone’s views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism.

7. Oprah Winfrey, Howard University

Your calling isn't something that somebody can tell you about. It's what you feel. It's a part of your life force. It is the thing that gives you juice. The thing that are you supposed to do. And nobody can tell you what that is. You know it inside yourself.

8. Peter Dinklage, Bennington College

R aise the rest of your life to meet you. Don’t search for defining moments because they will never come. Well, the birth of your children, OK, of course, forget about it, that’s just six months. My life is forever changed, that’s most defining moment ever. But I’m talking about in the rest of your life and most importantly in your work. The moments that define you have already happened. And they will already happen again. And it passes so quickly.

Peter's Bennington College alumni page

9. Meryl Streep, Barnard College

Pretending is not just play. Pretending is imagined possibility. Pretending or acting is a very valuable life skill and we all do it. All the time, we don’t want to be caught doing it but nevertheless it’s part of the adaptations of our species, we change who we are to fit the exigencies of our time, and not just strategically, or to our own advantage, sometimes sympathetically, without our even knowing it for the betterment of the whole group.

10. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Rice University

So many people can’t wait till school ends, can’t wait until the summer holidays. What are you in a hurry to do, to stop learning? This is the only time in your life when your job was to learn. That was your job. That’s what was expected of you. Now you’re being cast forth and I’m hoping, I’m expecting that you’re not saying to yourself ‘I’m done learning.

11. Marissa Mayer, Illinois Institute of Technology

Finding something you are passionate about gives you a sense of purpose and is a big part of happiness. To find it though, you need to be honest with yourself, observant, and make the most of the situation. Which brings me to my next piece of advice on finding things. Find the smartest people you can and surround yourself with them.

12. Sanjay Gupta, University of Michigan

We do not think of our lives in a linear way. If I ask you to tell me about your days as a University student, it’s unlikely you would start at the beginning and describe every moment all the way to the end. We remember series of moments, memorable moments; and together these moments make up the meshwork of our lives.

13. Sheryl Sandberg, Barnard College

So my hope for all of you here, for every single one of you, is that you’re going to walk across the stage and get your diploma. You’re going to go out tonight or maybe all summer and celebrate. You deserve it. And then you’re going to lean way into your career. You’re going to find something you love doing, and you’re going to do it with gusto. You’re going to pick your field and you’re going to ride it all the way to the top.

14. Will Ferrell, University of Southern California

To those of you graduates sitting out there who have a pretty good idea of what you’d like to do with your life, congratulations. For many of you who maybe don’t have it all figured out, it’s okay. That’s the same chair that I sat in. Enjoy the process of your search without succumbing to the pressure of the result. Trust your gut, keep throwing darts at the dartboard. Don’t listen to the critics and you will figure it out.

15. Abigail Washburn, Colorado College

An open heart and curious mind creates miracles. I believe we discover our true calling not because we intellectually know what it is (even if we think we do) but because we are curious enough & open enough to be found by our true calling.

16. Ben Bernanke, Princeton University

Nobody likes to fail but failure is an essential part of life and of learning. If your uniform isn't dirty, you haven't been in the game.

17. Diana Nyad, Middlebury College

But I’m asking you, what are you going to do with this one wild and precious life of yours?

18. Aaron Sorkin, Syracuse University

To get where you’re going, you have to be good, and to be good where you’re going, you have to be damned good. Every once in awhile, you’ll succeed. Most of the time you’ll fail, and most of the time the circumstances will be well beyond your control.

19. Barbara Bush, Wellesley College

For several years, you've had impressed upon you the importance to your career of dedication and hard work. And, of course, that's true. But as important as your obligations as a doctor, a lawyer, a business leader will be, you are a human being first. And those human connections—with spouses, with children, with friends—are the most important investments you will ever make. At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent.

20. Conan O’Brien, Dartmouth College

Your path at 22 will not necessarily be your path at 32 or 42. One’s dream is constantly evolving, rising and falling, changing course.

Wrapping it up

You’ve just had a front-row seat to some of the best nuggets of wisdom from these graduation speeches. And now, it’s time to give you a well-deserved round of applause because you have reached the finish line of an amazing chapter—not the end of the journey.

Now, a challenging world is waiting. But don’t panic. You’ll be able to roll with the punches if you don’t stop doing one thing: learning. These inspiring speeches have proved that you don’t only need knowledge but also ‘people’ skills to surf everyday waves.

So, what’s next? At GoSkills, we’ve got a bunch of soft skills courses waiting for your to dive into, so you can keep your learning party going after your graduation. After all, every end is just a brand-new beginning!

Need to brush up on your soft skills?

Start learning for free with GoSkills courses

Loved this? Subscribe, and join 443,155 others.

Get our latest content before everyone else. Unsubscribe whenever.

Kat is a writer specializing in career, self-development, and productivity topics. When she escapes her computer, she enjoys reading, hiking, golfing, and dishing out tips for prospective freelancers on her website.

Recommended

How to Hire the Right Candidate for the Right Job

When using the right strategies, hiring the right job candidate can be seamless and effective.

7 Essential Skills To Help Startups Meet New Challenges

Startups and SMEs face specific challenges that threaten their survival. Make sure your business' growth doesn't lead to its downfall with these 7 tips.

The Future of Sales Careers: How Training, Methods, and Software are Changing

The nature of sales has evolved due to automation, specialization, and changing consumer expectations. This guide explores how such changes are reshaping sales careers.

© 2024 GoSkills Ltd. Skills for career advancement

• Anniversaries
• Baby Showers
• Cards and Stationery
• Father's Day

Photo Books

Wedding invitations, 40+ graduation speech ideas and tips.

Written by  Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Aug 14, 2020

Graduations and commencements ceremonies mark major transitional moments in your life. They celebrate all the hard work you put into your education and achievements, and look forward to the future. Through the years of school, you’ve made new friends, developed new skills, and discovered new things about yourself. And it can be extremely difficult to summarize these experiences into a single graduation speech. How do you explain how much the experience meant to you? How do you properly send off all your incredible peers? Don’t worry– we’re here to help you craft that perfect graduation speech. When you’re ready to put pen the paper, look to our graduation speech ideas below.

Shop Trending Categories

• Graduation Announcements

Canvas Prints

The process on writing a graduation speech, graduation speech themes, commencement speech ideas and tips.

Even if you love to write, or have a lot you want to say–writer’s block is a common obstacle when it comes to speech writing. The best way to beat it? Just start writing. Know that your first draft (or the ten or twenty after that) doesn’t have to be perfect, or even very good. Just start writing all your thoughts down and eventually your speech will start to take shape. For specific guidance on speech writing, look to the steps below.

How To Start A Graduation Speech

Ready to start writing? Do your best to follow the guidelines below:

• Find all the inspiration you can. Search for and save your favorite graduation speeches, look for the perfect quotes , and try to determine the key themes to what inspires you.
• Pick a theme. Once you’ve found all your inspiration sources and come up with a general idea of what you want to talk about, make a list of key themes. Circle the one most important to you.
• Write down your favorite quotes and messages, and start planning where in your speech you want them to appear.
• Start off by introducing yourself. Not sure what to say? Use the graduation speech introduction examples below.

Graduation Speech Introductions Examples

• “Thank you [person who introduced you]. And thank you to the students, teachers, parents, and staff who made these four years everything that they were.”
• “It’s my honor today to deliver the commencement address for this incredible student body.”
• “It is my pleasure to welcome students, families, and faculty to graduation day at [school’s name]. Every one of you have made an impact on the graduates who sit here today.”
• “I stand here before you, looking back on four years of legacy we’ve all made together.”

How To Write A Graduation Speech

Once you’ve reached the body of your speech, consider keeping the tips below in mind:

• Take time to write out things you want to cover. Don’t edit yet, just write. Try to stay as undistracted as possible while doing this step.
• Take stock of your key messages and favorite phrases. Save these. Consider highlighting them to keep track.
• When in doubt, tell a story. Talk about your personal experiences and relate them to the whole class.
• Check out our graduation messages and wishes for special messages you might want to include.
• Once you’ve exhausted everything you want to say, take a break. Don’t edit until at least 24 hours later.
• Cut down everything that you don’t absolutely love. As painful as it might be to cut down your work, it’ll pay off in the long run.
• Connect the dots, but stay concise and to the point. Keep it simple.
• Repetition of key points can help your peers remember more of your speech.

How To End A Graduation Speech

Once you’re ready to end your speech, use these guidelines to find a memorable ending.

• End with something memorable that ties it all together. This may be a quotes, repetition of your central message, or just a fun send off.
• Start to edit. Cut it down. Then cut it down again.
• If appropriate, consider closing with one of these graduation bible verses .
• Have someone edit your speech for you. A fresh pair of eyes makes a world of difference when it comes to editing.
• Practice, practice, practice. Even if you have great presentation skills, only practice makes perfect!

Looking for the perfect graduation speech theme to tie it all together? Then check out our favorite funny, creative, and general themes for graduation speeches below:

Funny Graduation Speech Ideas

• Touch on Current (School) Events: A lot can happen in four years. Take the opportunity to reflect on past school happenings like beating your rival school, an accidental mishap in one of the science labs, or a senior prank. The students will surely love it.
• Turn Humility to Wisdom: Mistakes turn into lessons learned, and humility can help you turn funny and embarrassing stories into wisdom for the ages. Share them with your peers.
• Insta-Worthy: Find inspiration for our funny graduation captions to use for your graduation speech.
• Make it a Classic: Use the classic, hilarious quotes from our graduation quotes and sayings resource to keep your speech lighthearted and fun.

Creative Graduation Speech Ideas

• Step Out of Tradition: Step away from the traditional grad speech format. Try something like spoken word poetry, or using unique patterns and metaphors in your speech.
• Tell a Unique Story: We’re always ready to listen to new and interesting stories. What makes your experience so unique? What lesson has it taught you?
• Children’s Book Inspired: Use the classic children’s book quotes we’ve found for you to inspire a nostalgia filled grad speech.
• A Class Anthem: Use lyrics from a special graduation song to inspire a full speech, and connect back to the song for a theme your peers will love.

Class President Graduation Speech Ideas

• Never Give Up: Inspire your class to always keep striving for their goals by utilizing our words of encouragement .
• A Thankful Class: Take the chance of delivering the graduation speech to thank everyone who helped make it happen. Feel free to browse our gratitude quotes and appreciation quotes for help.
• Inspire Them Until the End: Center your commencement speech around a key inspirational idea or message. Visit our resource on inspirational quotes about life for help finding one.

Want a few final tips and tricks for making your graduation speech extra special? We’ve got you covered. Look to our advice below:

High School Graduation Speech Ideas

• Look to the future. Talk about the multitude of opportunities and possibilities your class has.
• Thank your teachers and parents. You can never thank the adults in your life enough for supporting and helping you all these years.
• Recall class memories. Nostalgia is a powerful tool that when used well can make a speech more memorable.
• Try not to rely on pop culture references. Pop culture fads come and go, and using them in your speech might mean it won’t age very well.
• Ask yourself: what makes this class unique? If you have an answer, feel free to share it.
• Is there anything you want to say but can’t fit it into your speech? If so, you may know exactly what to write in your yearbook for friends and classmates.

8th Grade Graduation Speech Ideas

• Focus on the positive. Even if not everything was always perfect in your school experience, it’s important to focus on the positive during a graduation speech.
• Keep it short and sweet. Long speeches typically mean not everyone will be able to pay attention. Keep it short and to the point.
• Remember to be inclusive. Talk about things that all of your peers can relate to, not just individual groups.

Elementary Graduation Speech Ideas

• Keep it short and simple.
• Use a lighthearted tone- Don’t try to make it too sentimental. Keeping the kids happy means the ceremony will go smoother.
• Give examples and short stories from the year. Elementary students usually connect to stories well and this will help keep their attention.
• Remember kids love to laugh. A joke here and there might be the perfect touch.
• If you’re helping a student write a speech, walk them through it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but their parents are sure to love it.

Resources Related to Graduation Speech Ideas

If you liked this resource on graduation speech ideas and you’re looking for similar content, make sure to check out our related graduation resources.

• Graduation Gifts
• What Happens During a Graduation Ceremony?
• Graduation Announcement Wording Ideas
• Graduation Cap Ideas
• Ideas for a Graduation Party

Explore Categories

Graduation Invitations

Custom Photo Blankets

Save the Dates

Coffee Table Books

Written by Shutterfly Community | View all posts

★ Lifestyle Expert

Shutterfly Community is here to help capture and share life's most important moments. Discover thoughtful gifts, creative ideas and endless inspiration to create meaningful memories with family and friends.

Visit their Website . You can follow on Instagram and Pinterest .

4 High School Graduation Speech Samples That Inspire

Get ready to motivate and inspire your fellow grads with our example speeches you can use as inspo to craft your own.

Kelly has more than 12 years experience as a professional writer and editor.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

You made it to your senior year! And the next step in your life is graduation. Congrats on being chosen to speak for your class on the big day. While public speaking can be a bit intimidating, we know you have what it takes to do an awesome job. All you need is a little inspo for your high school graduation speech. 

Not to worry. We have your back. So take a deep breath, check out our high school graduation speech examples and tips, and get ready to wow your classmates, faculty, and families. You've totally got this. 

Sample Speeches for High School Graduation

While you probably won't want to use these speeches exactly, they're definitely a great place to start. Use our sample graduation speeches to help inspire your own creativity. Click to download and edit them for your own use. If you have any trouble downloading, please review the troubleshooting guide .

• Graduation Mottos & Slogans to Celebrate Your Class
• 7 Senior Bio Examples to Help You Craft Your Own
• Student Council Speech Ideas & Tips to Help You Win

If you like the style or sentiment of a particular speech, think of how it applies to your own high school experience, and use that as the basis for an original speech of your own.

Sample One: How We'll Measure These Years

You're not the same group of people you were in your freshman year. And our first sample is a speech that talks about how things have changed over your high school years.

My fellow students, we only arrived here four short years ago, and now it's already time to leave. How did it all go so fast? It seems like only yesterday that we were skinny little freshmen fighting with the locks on our lockers, trying to figure out where our next class was, and looking generally clueless to all the upperclassmen. Now, we are the upperclassmen — the seniors who stand here ready to graduate and move forward in the world. Yet at this seminal moment, we can't help looking back. 

How do we measure the time we've spent in high school? In the beginning, we measured it in class periods, counting down the day to eventual freedom. As the days and weeks passed, we measured it in semesters and later in years as we moved from being those clueless freshmen to becoming sophisticated sophomores who thought they had it all figured out. By the time we reached our junior year, we were confident that we were prepared to take over for the graduating seniors, and we couldn't wait to "rule the school." 

And now here we stand. Our rule is over, and it's up to the next class to step into our shoes and take over. I know that as I look out at all of you, I will measure my time here in a much different way. I will measure it in all the friendships I've enjoyed these last four years. Some were pretty casual, and others were much closer, but I'll remember each one fondly, as I'm sure you all will, too. And when many of our high school memories begin to fade, that's how we'll ultimately measure the time we spent here, not in periods or semesters or years, but in the friendships that we made and the times we shared together. 

Congratulations my fellow graduates of the class of (Insert year). Wherever we go and whatever we do, may we always be friends when we meet again. 

Sample Two: The Future Is in Our Hands

The second example focuses more on what the future holds for a high school graduate.

We stand here today on the precipice of the future. It's not a distant reality anymore. It begins here. It begins today. 

We began high school as children, but we're leaving here as adults. We've completed a basic education that will serve as the platform we use to launch ourselves into our futures. Some of us will go on to college, and others will go straight into the workforce, but each of us will travel our own path. 

No matter where we go or what we do, there are challenges ahead of us. What I'm asking from each of you, and from myself, is to meet those challenges straight on with our heads held high and our hearts wide open. It's not enough to simply try to get by in life. That doesn't move the world forward. We must try to excel in everything we do; strive for excellence in every task, large or small. 

Although it may not be easy to see, every accomplishment we achieve is added to the world's accomplishments. Our individual successes benefit society as a whole because when we succeed, we lighten the burden on our fellow man. When we succeed, we are in a position to give rather than take. 

Imagine if every individual lived up to their own potential. Think about how amazing that would be, and how much better off the world would be. Now imagine if just half of those individuals lived up to their potential. The world would still be an awesome place. If even 1/4 of those individuals worked to make their lives successful, they could still make some amazing contributions to society. 

Well, we may not have the power to inspire the entire world to strive for success, but we do have the power to try to achieve it for ourselves. My challenge to each of you and to myself is to do all that we can to reach our full potential. If each of the (Insert number) students in this graduating class is able to do that, just imagine the effect that would have. The future is truly in our hands, so let's make the most of it. 

Sample Three: A Debt of Gratitude

Nobody's accomplishments are 100% their own—there's always someone there to provide support, inspiration, and motivation. The third sample is about giving thanks to those who have helped everyone successfully graduate from high school.

I'd like to welcome everyone to this solemn and joyous occasion. It has been a long four years, but here we are, ready to graduate. We worked hard to get to this point, but we didn't do it by ourselves. 

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the following people. To our teachers, thank you for so unselfishly sharing your time, talent, and knowledge with us. Yes, we know it was your job to do it, but what you did for us went beyond the call of duty. You took the time to explain assignments, sometimes repeatedly because we weren't paying attention. You allowed us to come to your classroom after school for extra help when you could have gone home to spend time with your family. You put in the effort to make lessons more interesting so we wouldn't just tune out. You demanded excellence from us whether or not we wanted to give it. You set the bar high and challenged us to live up to it. 

To our parents, thank you for supporting us in more ways than it's possible to count. You dragged us out of bed each morning and made sure we were fed and clothed for school. You herded us out the door to the bus stop or drove us to school yourselves. You helped us with homework, paid our class fees, and listened to our complaints. You came to our plays, attended our sporting events, and chaperoned our dances. You commiserated over our daily dramas, but you tried to give us enough space to learn how to work things out for ourselves. These are just a few of the thousands of ways you've supported us on our journey. 

To our coaches and advisors, thank you for making school about more than just classwork. Through sports, we learned how to power on through adversity and give it our best effort, win or lose. We learned the importance of discipline and good sportsmanship. Through other activities like participating in clubs, school plays, and service projects, we learned how to work closely with others to achieve a common goal, and we had a lot of fun doing it. 

To our custodial staff and lunchroom attendants, thank you for keeping our school clean and safe. You know better than anyone else what slobs we've been. You actually deserve some kind of medal. 

To our principal, vice principal, and all the office staff, thank you for keeping things running smoothly so our teachers could concentrate on us. We're better off for it. 

To our guidance counselors, thank you for listening and trying to keep us on the right track for graduation. Without your help, some of us might not be graduating today. 

As you can see, behind each graduate there must have been at least a dozen people providing support in at least a dozen ways. The best way we graduates can show our gratitude is to make the most of the opportunity we've been given and go forward into the world with the intention of making it a better place for the generations that follow us. We'll pay that debt of gratitude forward. 

Sample Four: Inspirational Moments for Life

You're getting ready to head out into the world as adults. Adulting can be hard, but you'll find all the inspiration you need inside yourself. This last sample speech is an inspirational high school graduation speech that asks each student to look back on some of the moments from high school that will inspire them forever.

While the last four years were filled with friends, classes, teachers, and work, there were also tiny inspirations hiding in plain sight. In those moments, we were too busy, too distracted, too young to notice them. As we take a retrospective look at our high school years, I hope we will all see them clearly now. 

Close your eyes and imagine, if you will, that one thing that one teacher said to you that didn’t mean much at the time, but means something now. If you can’t hear it, think harder. This is one of your inspirational moments from high school.

Now, imagine that one scary moment with that one friend inside the school walls. Think about how you both acted and how it all turned out. If you can’t see it, think harder. This is one of your inspirational moments from high school. 

Imagine, one more time, that time when you felt so proud of yourself. Think about what you accomplished and how you did it for yourself. If you can’t feel it, think harder. This is one of your inspirational moments from high school. 

The most amazing things happen in high school when we least expect them. Although we're different people with different lives, we all experience these inspirational moments that happened in high school and stay with us for life. As we look toward our future, I encourage you to take time and look for these moments. They’ll be your inspiration for life. 

Example of a Humorous Valedictorian Speech

The following video offers a great example of a graduation speech that really speaks to the graduates while being humorous, appropriate, and entertaining. If you have a natural gift for humor, a funny speech like this will be remembered long after other graduation memories have begun to fade.

Tips for Writing a Graduation Speech

Whether you're writing a speech for your homeschool graduation, as the class Valedictorian, or as a graduation thank you speech , there are a few tips for speech writing that can make your talk meaningful and memorable.

Related: Inspirational Graduation Speeches and Themes

Know Your Audience

Even though parents, faculty, and members of the community will be on hand, the focus of your speech should be your classmates. Speak to them!

Grab Their Attention

A good speech grabs the audience's attention and never lets it go. Start off with an attention-grabbing question or a humorous first line, or make a strong statement that provokes curiosity about where the speech is going. Feel free to add appropriate humor liberally. Having a theme for the speech is also helpful.

Tell Stories

Don't just read your speech. Tell your speech by interspersing emotional stories that tug at the heartstrings or inspire positive actions for the future. You might even want to include an original poem to help express your feelings.

Include Everyone

Don't just speak to the academic achievers, sports stars, or popular crowd. Your topic should be all inclusive of your graduating class.

Keep It Short, but Not Too Short

Knowing how long a high school graduation speech should be is important before you start writing. Student speeches at high school graduations are generally between five and 10 minutes long, but closer to five is ideal.

End With a Memorable Message

High school graduation speeches by students and special guests often end with a memorable and actionable sentence that encourages the audience to do something great. It's customary to end by saying, "Thank you" in your graduation speech, which you can do after your memorable one-liner.

Don't Wear Out Your Welcome

A really great commencement speech is enjoyed, not simply endured. Put some serious thought into your speech, say something meaningful, and stick to your topic so your message doesn't get lost. Above all, don't talk too long. Remember that everyone wants to receive their diplomas, shed those caps and gowns , and get on with the celebration.

California News | USC cancels Muslim valedictorian’s…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Investigative Reporting
• Environment

California News

California news | usc cancels muslim valedictorian’s commencement speech, citing safety concerns, "i am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. i am surprised that my own university — my home for four years — has abandoned me," said chino hills resident asna tabassum..

USC administrators have banned the university’s class of 2024 valedictorian, who is Muslim and South Asian, from speaking at its May 10 commencement , citing safety concerns over her pro-Palestinian views that some have criticized as antisemitic.

Asna Tabassum, a Chino Hills resident who graduated in 2020 from Ayala High School , reacted harshly to the decision, saying she was both shocked and “profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice.”

In a statement, Tabassum said she was “not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university — my home for four years — has abandoned me.”

Asna Tabassum, USC’s class of 2024 valedictorian and a first-generation, South Asian American Muslim, was previously announced as the school’s valedictorian, giving a speech at its Friday, May 10 commencement. But on April 15, officials backtracked the decision, citing safety issues after pro-Israel groups expressed concerns over Tabassum’s alleged antisemitic views. (Photo courtesy of Enjy El-Kadi, CAIR-LA)

In a message to the university community on Monday, April 15, however, USC Provost Andrew Guzman said “discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor” in the past several days.

“The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East , has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement,” Guzman wrote. “We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses. … As always, and particularly when tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community.”

Guzman continued, “While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety. This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation — including the expectations of federal regulators — that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe. … The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.”

This is the first time USC has canceled a valedictorian’s speech, according to reports.

Tabassum, a biomedical engineering major with a minor in resistance to genocide, was announced as this year’s class valedictorian earlier this month. Since then, critics swiftly raised questions about Tabassum’s views relating to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that she shared online. Opponents say her posts promoted “antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric.”

In letters and emails sent to USC administrators, critics accused her of posting on her Instagram bio a link to a website that “takes a swinging bat at over 10% of the USC student body and mudslings by calling Zionists ‘racist-settlers.’ “

“Ms. Tabassum unabashedly and openly endorses the link’s calls for ‘the complete abolishment of the state of Israel (sic),’ ” according to a letter circulated for critics to submit to administrators. “As if the unqualified command for abolition of the State of Israel was unclear in any way, Ms. Tabassum’s link reinforces racism with another link, urging readers to ‘reject the hegemonic efforts to demand that Palestinians accept that Israel has a right to exist as a … Jewish state.”‘

While not going into details about the messages against Tabassum, USC officials said the unnamed threats came in shortly after her valedictorian announcement, according to reports.

Pro-Israel groups both on and off-campus accused Tabassum of “promoting antisemitic views” through shared Instagram posts, likes and infographics, according to USC’s student-run paper, The Daily Trojan.

The student-run Trojans for Israel expressed “troubling” concerns about Tabassum, stating online that her selection “turns an inclusive and meaningful milestone (commencement) into an unwelcoming and intolerant environment for Jewish graduates and their families.”

Immediately following the university’s decision, the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles (CAIR-LA) condemned USC’s actions, issuing a statement demanding the decision be reversed and starting a petition to urge administrators to allow  Tabassum to speak at commencement.

“The University of Southern California must stand by Asna Tabassum,” CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said. “Even though USC has maintained Asna’s position as valedictorian, the cowardly decision to cancel her speech empowers voices of hate and censorship, violates USC’s obligation to protect its students and sends a terrible signal to both Muslim students at USC and all students who dare to express support for Palestinian humanity.”

Ayloush called the “defamatory attacks” on Tabassum “nothing more than thinly veiled manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, which have been weaponized against college students across the country who speak up for human rights.”

“Asna is an incredibly accomplished student whose academic and extracurricular accomplishments made her the ideal and historic recipient of this year’s valedictorian’s honor,” Ayloush added. “The university can, should and must ensure a safe environment for graduation rather than taking the unprecedented step of canceling a valedictorian’s speech.”

In her statement, which was released through CAIR-LA, Tabassum said that what “should have been a time of celebration” has been overshadowed.

“This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has evidently accomplished its goal: today, USC administrators informed me that the university will no longer allow me to speak at commencement due to supposed security concerns,” Tabassum said in the statement.

“Anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all,” she wrote.

She claimed that in a meeting with USC administrators on April 14, she was told the university had the resources “to take appropriate safety measures” for her speech. She said that she was told USC would not be increasing security protections, since that was “not what the university wants to ‘present as an image.’ “

Tabassum said she is not aware of specific threats against her or USC, and that when she requested more details from her school, she was denied. Because she would not be provided any increased security from the school, she admitted “serious doubts” about the decision to revoke her speech.

Provost Guzman stated that the school’s decision in no way diminishes “the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian.” He said USC’s valedictorians are traditionally selected through the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Selection Committee, which evaluated nearly 100 applicants based on GPA, essay submissions and other academic criteria. The factors do not include social media activity, Guzman said.

“To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement,” Guzman noted, citing USC’s Free Speech Policy .

The USC Palestine Justice Faculty Group also rejected the university’s decision, calling it “another example of USC’s egregious pattern of supporting anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim racism.”

Activists are calling the act an attempt to silence the pro-Palestinian voices of college students, noting recent examples at Pomona College in Claremont and at UC Berkeley.

Ed Hasan, an educator and USC class of 2018 graduate, was “disappointed” in his alma mater, saying it is “capitulating to hateful groups attacking Tabassum… because she’s pro-Palestinian, because she’s Muslim, and because she wears a hijab.” He thought USC would always promote diversity and inclusion, and support marginalized communities and students.

“If we don’t allow her to speak, it’s really going to flip academia on its head because there is no academic freedom here. At this point, that’s what (USC) is proving,” Hasan said. “If we give in to hate and silence her, our ‘Fight On’ slogan never meant anything. We’re learning very quickly that it’s ‘Fight On’ — except for Palestine.”

Tabassum was also the class of 2020 valedictorian at Ayala High School in Chino Hills , but was not able to deliver a speech  in person because of the COVID pandemic.

Leaders from the group Chino Valley 4 Palestinian Liberation expressed their support for Tabassum in a statement Tuesday.

“This is yet another example of a liberal institution in America censoring pro-Palestinian voices. We strongly condemn USC’s bigotry and censorship,” said spokesperson Selena Harrigan. “Asna, your Chino Valley community fully supports you and is immensely proud of your unwavering courage.”

Staff writer Allyson Vergara and City News Service contributed to this report.

• Newsroom Guidelines
• Report an Error

More in California News

News | Earth Day: A look at what’s being done to decrease plastic use

Environment | Green and Digital Shipping Corridor for Ports of LA, Long Beach and Singapore could create 700 jobs

Housing | The $32,000 condos: Winning bidders sued after San Jose auction

Housing | Who owns businesses and rentals in California? This LA lawmaker wants the public to know

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

USC says it is canceling its valedictorian speech because of safety concerns

Ayana Archie

This March 12, 2019, file photo shows the University Village area of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Reed Saxon/AP hide caption

This March 12, 2019, file photo shows the University Village area of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

The University of Southern California will no longer have its valedictorian speak at its commencement ceremony because of safety concerns, the school said Monday .

Asna Tabassum was selected as this year's valedictorian. But student groups called for the decision to be reconsidered due to Tabassum's social media content on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Tabassum's Instagram page links to a slideshow that says "learn about what's happening in Palestine, and how to help," and criticizes Zionism as "a racist settler-colonial ideology that advocates for a jewish ethnostate built on palestinian land." The slideshow calls for a "one-state solution" that "would mean palestinian liberation, and the complete abolishment of the state of israel."

Tabassum's social media activity has drawn criticism, with student groups, such as the organization Trojans for Israel , calling the content "antisemitic bigotry." Other social media users, however, denounced USC's decision and said Tabassum should be able to speak freely.

USC Provost Andrew Guzman, who picks the valedictorian, said the matter "has grown to include many voices outside" the campus community, and poses a security threat to next month's event, which is anticipated to have 65,000 guests.

Middle East crisis — explained

U.s. students are clashing over the israel-hamas war. what can colleges do.

"After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement," Guzman said. "While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety."

Tabassum, who is South Asian-American and Muslim, said in a statement that as a result of the backlash, she has faced "a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all."

Tabassum said she questions safety concerns being the university's reason for canceling her speech. She said she was denied a request for the school's threat assessment. Additionally, during a meeting with university leaders, she said she was told the school would not be increasing its security presence, despite having the resources to do so, because that's not what USC wants to "present as an image."

"I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred," said Tabassum, who studies biomedical engineering and resistance to genocide. "I am surprised that my own university—my home for four years—has abandoned me."

"USC supports free speech and dissent, so long as it doesn't disturb university activities," Guzman said.

The number of high school seniors who have filled out FAFSA is down from last year

He added that USC's 300-employee Department of Public Safety will be "fully deployed" at commencement, along with officers from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Guzman said that the school is "resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks."

Guzman picked this year's valedictorian from a pool of about 100 eligible applicants and examined several factors, excluding social media presence, he said.

This story has been updated to include examples of Tabassum's online statements about the situation in the Middle East.

• graduation ceremony

The Point Conversations and insights about the moment.

• Share full article

Jonathan Alter

Contributing Opinion Writer

Two Jurors Dislike Trump. One Will Judge Him.

Two potential jurors who both despise Donald Trump were questioned at his felony trial Thursday. One was dismissed, the other was seated on the jury that will decide his fate. How did that happen?

The courthouse, first of all, was stunned that a jury was selected on the third day of the trial. It was like a baseball game expected to last three hours that’s over in 45 minutes.

The jury includes three lawyers, who as a species dislike Trump at about the same level as Ph.D.s but come naturally to following a judge’s instructions. They and most of the others who were selected left no incriminating digital trail on social media and were smart enough not to insult Trump to his face. But there were two exceptions — people who said the kinds of things about Trump that he routinely says about others.

Juror B430, a longtime paralegal at a major law firm who also worked in theater, was found by Trump’s jury consultants to have called him “a racist, sexist narcissist” in 2016, when she was a self-described “Bernie Gal.”

“I wouldn’t believe Donald Trump if his tongue was notarized,” she wrote. “He is anathema to everything I was taught about love and Jesus. He could not be more fundamentally unchristian.”

When questioned by the judge and lawyers, she apologized to Trump directly and said she no longer holds those positions.

Justice Juan Merchan concluded that the court “couldn’t take a chance” with her, and she was dismissed for cause.

Juror B500, a Harlem resident who works for an apparel company, was candid when questioned by lawyers. “He is selfish, self-serving and I don’t like him,” she said of Trump from a distance of 12 feet. Susan Necheles, one of Trump’s attorneys, said the woman should be dismissed by the judge for cause.

Joshua Steinglass, a prosecutor, argued that the juror was challenging Trump’s persona, just as any prospective juror would do with a defendant who was a skinhead.

The judge said the question wasn’t whether jurors liked accused criminals but whether they could be fair and impartial. But Necheles had a point when she said jurors have preconceived notions about people like sex offenders, since that’s about the crime, not the person. In this case, she said, it’s about Trump, not the crime.

Nonetheless, Merchan overruled her, saying said if courts eliminated all prospective jurors with preconceived notions about people “we would never have juries.”

Unfortunately for Trump, the defense was out of peremptory challenges and Juror B500 was seated. Fortunately for him, he needs only one of her fellow jurors to give him a break and he’ll have a hung jury.

Pamela Paul

Opinion Columnist

At Columbia, the Grown-Ups in the Room Take a Stand

There’s plenty to condemn on today’s college campuses, including the behavior of both administrations and students. So it’s a rare pleasure to get a chance to applaud the president of a university, in this case Minouche Shafik of Columbia, who on Thursday called in the police to remove student protesters who have camped out on campus in violation of university policy.

I happened to be on campus Wednesday when this latest wave of protests was getting started. Students marched around outdoors in virtue-signaling masks yelling “N.Y.P.D., K.K.K.!” along with the usual anti-Israel slogans. For this passer-by, the fury and self-righteous sentiment on display was chilling. But for Jewish students on campus, for supporters of Israel or for anyone who doesn’t subscribe to the simplistic good-versus-evil narrative of the anti-settler-colonialism crowd, it must be unimaginably painful. Many of them are at the university to learn in a safe and tolerant environment.

As for tolerance? One can’t help but wonder, no matter what one’s opinion of Israel, or its despicable government under Benjamin Netanyahu or the particulars of its military response, why one rarely hears pro-Palestinian demonstrators condemn the terrorist organization Hamas, which has controlled Gaza without an election since 2006. Or why those who wish Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to end don’t likewise urge Hamas to end the fighting, which it could easily do by freeing the hostages it took during its Oct. 7 rampage.

Lofty, unrealistic goals, all. But no more unlikely than the wholesale eradication of Israel that many of these protesters seem to advocate above all else. As far as I could tell, the word “peace” was notably absent in the student display at Columbia.

On Wednesday, Shafik acquitted herself well under questioning in Congress . When asked about a glossary of politicized language, put together by students at the university’s School of Social Work, which I reported in the fall, Shafik condemned the language that implicitly denigrates Jews. When asked why the document spelled the word “folks” as “folx,” Shafik gave an appropriately sardonic reply: “Maybe they can’t spell.”

Spoken like a real grown-up. And Thursday, with the authority at her disposal and with the courage that too many academic leaders have lacked, Shafik did what any responsible adult should do in her position: She ordered the police to clear Columbia’s campus of the students seemingly unaware of how lucky they are to attend one of the nation’s top universities. Let’s hope this teaches the students a lesson. They clearly still have a lot to learn.

Advertisement

David French

Why Israel Might Want to Retaliate Against Iran

It’s easy to state a compelling case against the idea that Israel should strike Iran after Iran’s weekend drone and missile attack. Iran’s assault failed, spectacularly. Its vaunted long-range arsenal proved ineffective (at least in that strike), and the attack itself rallied Israel’s allies to its aid. American, British and even Jordanian forces intervened to protect Israel.

In other words, if Israel stops now, then it will have clearly gotten the better of Iran. A direct strike from Israel into Iranian territory carries substantial risk of further escalation, including perhaps a large-scale attack from Hezbollah and a two-front ground war in Gaza and Lebanon. Plus, what’s the real risk in restraint? If Iran attacks again, won’t Israel and its allies simply shoot down the missiles once more?

Perhaps not . While Iran’s bombardment failed, no one should minimize what it tried to do. As Gen. Mark Hertling (I served under his command in Iraq in 2007 and 2008) observed on CNN, Iran’s effort was comparable to the first day of America’s “shock and awe” strike against Iraq in 2003. We fired 500 precision weapons. Iran fired more than 300 against Israel.

As he also noted , the attack failed not just because Israel’s air defenses are so advanced but also because the attack was poorly executed.

As we’ve seen from Russia’s similar barrages against Ukraine, militaries tend to learn lessons from failure. If Iran improves its tactics (as Russia has) or cracks appear in Israel’s air defense, then the consequences could be catastrophic: a potential mass casualty event, making the Middle East a very different place.

Under these circumstances, Israel could rationally believe that offense is the best defense. It may not always be able to count on immediate, effective allied help, and degrading Iran’s capabilities could deter Iran, diminish the missile threat and preserve the precious ( and expensive ) missile defenses that saved so many Israeli lives. Israel recently paid a terrible price for its lost deterrence, and restraint could lead Iran to believe that it could launch missiles at Israel again without paying a terrible price.

No one should understate the difficulty of Israel’s decision, including not just the decision whether to retaliate but also how to strike back. There is no clear, safe path to peace and security. But the wisdom of Israel’s next move may depend on the answer to two key questions: Can diplomacy secure Israel more effectively than an I.D.F. response? And if diplomacy fails, how confident is the I.D.F. that it can stop Iran again if another 300 drones and missiles fall from the sky?

Lindsay Crouse

Opinion Writer and Producer

Even Clarkenomics Can’t Solve Sexism in Sports

Caitlin Clark is the most famous female college basketball player in history and was the No. 1 draft pick for the W.N.B.A. this year. But the public has been scandalized to discover what awaits this talented young woman as she enters pro sports: Her first-year salary will be only $76,535.

Her starting salary is far from that of the No. 1 N.B.A. draft pick, which is estimated at $10.5 million. In fact, as Axios reported , next year any random N.B.A. player is set to earn more than Clark’s entire team, the Indiana Fever, combined.

The outrage is refreshing.

Women in sports have been screaming about the athletic wage gap for years. Finally, people get it. On Wednesday even President Biden called on female athletes to be “paid what they deserve.”

He’s right. Sports are the ultimate expression of America’s values when it comes to many things, especially gender. The glass ceiling in women’s sports salaries has been accepted for so long that it’s easy to come up with plausible reasons that the best women are paid so much less than even the average man: lower demand for their games, suboptimal agreements between players and the league, inadequate broadcast deals.

But there are always reasons for blatant inequality. The question is whether America wants to continue to accept them. There’s not some craven force artificially keeping women’s sports salaries down; salaries follow the market. Ever since the dawn of professional women’s basketball, the league has been treated like the J.V. of the men’s game. When we invest in something as though it will never measure up, we effectively ensure it becomes that way. Let’s call it what it is: sexism.

Luckily, the fans see it differently. The W.N.B.A. now has a rising star player who is shattering TV viewership records everywhere she goes, and there are plenty of others ready to share her spotlight. Corporate sponsorships and better broadcast deals, and ultimately, better contracts, follow the fans. As we saw in soccer, where the U.S. women’s national team now makes the same as the men’s team, salary parity is achievable only when the public demands it and delivers the ratings to back it up. The more that goes into the pie, the easier it is for players and the league to get more in turn.

(And it’s not as if Clark were being sent off to the poorhouse. She is said to be closing an eight-figure contract with Nike, and her other endorsement deals are already worth millions .)

Women’s basketball finally has the thing the market wants: attention. And that’s translating to sales. The Fever’s ticket prices are up almost 200 percent from last season, and Clark’s games are already set to pack stadiums. Trickle-down Clarkenomics is on a thrilling rally.

The W.N.B.A. is only going to continue to soar — Clark is already a one-woman rocket booster for its success. But ultimately, Caitlin Clark can’t fix sexism. Only those of us watching can.

The Scent of a Struggling Campaign Is Emerging From Trump’s Courtroom

The Trump trial hit some speed bumps Thursday morning, with one juror quitting and a second likely to be thrown off, but it is still moving forward at a pace much faster than anyone expected. Jury selection will probably be completed by Friday and opening arguments could get underway on Monday.

So far in this trial, the Trump campaign has lost the states of Delay and Pretrial Motions Denied, with more battleground contests looking iffy for the putative Republican nominee, at least in the short run.

Inevitably, trial coverage is melding with campaign coverage. That’s not because of Donald Trump’s nonsense that his prosecution is being orchestrated by President Biden’s operatives (as if they somehow control state judges), and I have no idea how this 2016 election interference case will ultimately affect the 2024 election. But for now the Trump campaign trail is the Trump criminal trial, and he’s reminding me of some of the wounded candidates I’ve covered over the last 40 years.

While Biden has what his campaign calls “kitchen table conversations” with voters around the country, Trump is stuck having whispered defense table conversations with his lawyers, unable to leave the courthouse and what he considers to be its “disgusting” bathrooms four days a week under penalty of law.

While Biden blasts Trump’s tax cuts for billionaires, Trump is stuck trying to figure out how to beat the rap on the tax fraud charges that could be attached to his falsification of business records. And while Biden’s campaign war chest is devoted to spreading his message, Trump is stuck using his lesser haul to pay for civil judgments and pricey attorneys.

There’s a smell to struggling campaigns that you can pick up on the press bus, which in this case is the press overflow room in the courthouse. The crowds get thin (fewer than a dozen pro-Trump protesters outside the courthouse since Monday) and the attack lines grow stale. Of course Trump will probably keep using “Sleepy Joe” as part of his pattern of accusing others of what he does himself.

At least Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, Bob Dole and the other losers I’ve covered had members of their families with them when the trail turned rough. Not Trump.

Of course, there’s still plenty of time for Trump to recover. Don’t forget that Bill Clinton survived in 1992 after tabloid sex stories almost derailed his campaign.

David Wallace-Wells

Opinion Writer

Our Carbon-Hungry World Has Already Cost Us

Even if carbon emissions stopped on a dime tomorrow, new research published in Nature on Wednesday suggests, the economic damage to come from climate change would be jaw-dropping and indeed world-shaping: a 19 percent reduction in global incomes by midcentury.

As climate economists are careful to point out, this does not suggest that in 2050, the world will be 19 percent poorer than the one we inhabit today. It’s projecting a world in 2050 that is 19 percent poorer than the one we might’ve been living in, had we not put trillions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere. The proposition is basically this: Imagine being presented in, say, 2000, with two maps of the future economy, one which landed the world at today’s level of overall wealth and one which made it 19 percent poorer. Just the warming we have already ensured, the authors write, means that we will be following the poorer path rather than the more prosperous one. And because we are still emitting — indeed, doing so at record rates — there is also more warming to come.

Disconcertingly, the authors write, this will happen whether the world decarbonizes quickly or not. Although their estimate lands at the very high end of published research, it also joins a growing number of papers emphasizing the accumulation of climate costs over time; even small climate effects, tabulated across several decades, really begin to add up.

One bit of encouraging news from climate research over the last decade has been that scientists have largely turned against what was often called “warming in the pipeline” — the idea that, even if emissions went to zero tomorrow, the planet might continue to warm as natural feedback loops played themselves out.

Instead, climate scientists have generally coalesced around a more reassuring thesis, which suggests that whenever the world hits net-zero, temperature rise will stop soon thereafter. But this does not mean that damages will stop. Stabilizing temperatures at 1.5 degrees implies decades of damage, and stabilizing the climate at 2 degrees or higher implies decades of more intense damage.

This is one of the reasons that the effort to estimate the global economic consequences of future warming has produced a disorientingly wide array of intensely debated estimates. Some models, making certain assumptions, project that even very high-end warming would only cost the global economy a few percentage points of G.D.P.; others, using different assumptions, project far higher costs. But even the moderate estimates are increasingly eye-popping .

Biden’s Steel Tariffs Are Merely Symbolic

The most important thing to know about President Biden’s request for fresh tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum is that they will make almost no difference.

In case you missed it: On Wednesday, the White House announced that Biden would use a campaign speech to steelworkers in Pittsburgh to ask his trade representative to more than triple some tariffs on steel and aluminum products from China.

The reason it doesn’t matter much is that, last year, just 2 percent of steel imported to the United States and about 3.5 percent of imported aluminum came from China, according to the Global Steel Trade Monitor and the Global Aluminum Trade Monitor of the U.S. International Trade Administration.

Customers have switched away from China because tariffs on its steel and aluminum are already high, averaging 7.5 percent, and Chinese imports are further subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties .

So Biden’s gambit is primarily symbolic. On the downside, it won’t save many steelworker jobs, if any. On the upside, it also probably won’t cost many jobs at companies that make products from steel, since so few of them are using Chinese steel in the first place.

“This is all politics,” Paul Nathanson, the executive director of the Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users, which opposes high tariffs on imported metals, told me.

Nathanson said there are approximately 68 jobs in industries that use steel for every one job in steel-making itself, which is a shadow of its former self. He said the United States has some of the highest steel prices in the world, which puts his members at a disadvantage against fabricators of steel products in other countries.

This is basic economics, but it seems to elude Biden as it eluded Donald Trump before him. Last month, Biden opposed the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel — even though Nippon is seeking to revitalize the tired American company.

Biden’s move Wednesday is primarily symbolic, as I said. But the symbolism isn’t good.

David Firestone

Deputy Editor, the Editorial Board

An Absurd Impeachment Reaches a Satisfying End

Senate Republicans pretended to be aghast Wednesday that anyone would think of dismissing their hopes for an impeachment trial of the homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas.

“Tabling articles of impeachment would be unprecedented in the history of the Senate,” sputtered Senator Mitch McConnell , the minority leader. “It’s as simple as that.”

But Democrats nonetheless quickly dismissed the absurd charges against Mayorkas, preventing a trial with a satisfying snap of closure. A 51-vote majority of the Senate agreed the charges were unconstitutional, because they failed to specify a high crime or misdemeanor that Mayorkas had committed. And with that, the whole sorry case ended.

There was nothing particularly unprecedented about the Senate’s rejection. In 2021, after Donald Trump helped lead an insurrection against Congress, 45 Republicans (McConnell among them) voted to dismiss the impeachment charges against Trump before a trial. They failed because they lacked the numbers, but their goal was precisely the same.

What was unprecedented was the impeachment effort itself, the first against a sitting cabinet official and the first time the House had abused the Constitution’s impeachment provisions for nakedly political reasons against an executive branch official without bothering to state a significant high crime. House Republicans claimed Mayorkas had lied to Congress about the security of the southern border; in fact, they simply disagreed with him and the Biden administration about how to define a secure border, and they decided to create a fake election-year impeachment process to once again wave the immigration flag before voters.

Senate Republicans looked equally ridiculous Wednesday, frantically making repeated motions to adjourn the trial, having realized they couldn’t stop the dismissal. But Democrats held firm and did future senators a favor by setting down a marker that impeachment charges have to be serious to be considered.

They did the country a favor, too, by sparing the public a farcical trial, in which we would all have been subjected to the sight of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on the floor of the Senate as an impeachment manager. That would bring back too many uncomfortable memories of Jan. 6, 2021.

Michelle Cottle

The Real Reasons Trump Set Foot in a Bodega

With this season of “Law and Order: Presidential Campaign Hush Money” underway, Donald Trump is looking to make the most of his time back in his hometown New York, preferably not too far from the Manhattan courthouse.

After catnapping in the courtroom on Tuesday, Sleepy Don had enough pep in his step to head uptown to Harlem to drop by, as the advance announcement trumpeted , a “Bodega Victimized By Soros-Funded D.A. Alvin Bragg.”

But I should let the exquisite hyperbole of the news release speak for itself:

“Today, President Trump will be visiting the New York City bodega where Jose Alba, a New York bodega clerk, was robbed, attacked , and, ultimately, wrongfully accused of murder after being forced to defend his life. President Trump’s visit to one of New York City’s bodegas comes at a time when retail theft is skyrocketing and the New York City police force is on track to fall to its lowest numbers since the 1990s by 2025. Bodegas are a lifeline to underserved communities, and President Trump believes that only by undoing the Democrat party’s soft-on-crime policies can law and order be fully restored to every borough throughout New York City.”

For background purposes: Alba did indeed lethally stab a robber in self-defense in 2022. He was brought up on murder charges, which were dropped not three weeks later.

No matter. This Trumpian stunt is a genius bit of political theater, allowing the former president to do several things at once: Smear the granddaddy of Dem-run cities as a crime-infested hellhole; imply the city is anti-law enforcement; attack the prosecutor overseeing his criminal trial as the puppet of one of the right’s favorite supervillains; claim common cause with a fellow victim of misguided prosecutorial zeal; and, perhaps most impressive of all, pander to Hispanic voters with his oily ode to bodegas.

Seriously, when was the last time this guy set foot in a bodega? How would he know anything about an “underserved” community?

That said, if this is how the campaign wants to play things, just think of the opportunities for future field trips to places with which the defendant presumably has little or no familiarity. How about visiting a day care center next? A homeless shelter? A public school? A library? A mosque — any house of worship, really?

Would such establishments appreciate the chaos that the MAGA king invariably brings? Does it matter? These little drive-bys, like everything Trump does, are all about serving his own needs. Everyone else is just an extra in his endless melodrama.

Farah Stockman

Editorial Board Member

The Split Screen Democrats Have Been Dreaming About

For a few fleeting seconds on Tuesday, CNN showed the view of the two campaigns that the Biden campaign must be fantasizing about. On one side of the screen, President Biden was disembarking from a plane in Scranton, Pa., to give a speech about making billionaires pay their fair share of taxes. On the other side, Donald Trump was glowering in a New York courtroom, accused of falsifying business records and paying hush money to a porn star.

But CNN’s split screen didn’t last long. The network quickly switched back to dissecting the New York courtroom drama. I switched to C-SPAN to watch Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania introduce Biden — a speech that reminded voters that the Trump administration tried to pass a rule that would have allowed bar and restaurant owners to pocket the tips of waitresses and bartenders.

Then a local educator talked about the importance of the expanded child tax credit, remarking, “It’s pretty nice to have a president who sees the view from Scranton.” Then came Biden, who hammered home the message of stark contrast .

“I don’t see things from the eyes of Mar-a-Lago,” he told his audience. “I see things through the eyes of Scranton, where honesty and decency matter.”

Under a sign that read, “Tax fairness for all families,” Biden noted that there were about 1,000 billionaires in the United States and that they pay an average federal tax rate of 8.3 percent — a lower rate than most Americans pay.

His plan would require billionaires to pay at least 25 percent of their income in taxes to fund the Medicare trust fund permanently, he said. Trump, on the other hand, intends to extend his 2017 tax cuts, which simplified taxes for many people but had the principal effect of helping the wealthiest.

I suspect that coming a day after Tax Day, that message will hit home with many — if they saw it. Probably far more eyeballs were glued to news about Trump’s day in court than Biden’s day in Pennsylvania. But it is worth remembering that no matter what is happening on television, this split screen is real life.

When a Mob Gets to Veto a Valedictorian’s Speech

On Tuesday the University of Southern California canceled a planned graduation speech by its valedictorian, a young woman named Asna Tabassum. My newsroom colleague Stephanie Saul reported that the “school said the decision stemmed from security concerns based on emails and other electronic communications warning of a plan to disrupt the commencement, including at least one that targeted Ms. Tabassum.”

Shortly after Tabassum had been named valedictorian, two student groups, Trojans for Israel and Chabad, objected. Her social media bio apparently included a link to a group that condemns Zionism as a “racist settler-colonial ideology.” Trojans for Israel said Tabassum “openly traffics antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric.”

Oddly enough, Andrew T. Guzman, the university’s provost, claimed the decision to cancel Tabassum’s address “has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement.” While Guzman may be correct as a matter of broad legal principle — there is no right to be a graduation speaker — he is completely wrong that the decision to cancel has nothing to do with free speech.

In fact, canceling a speech because of future safety concerns is a more egregious form of censorship than the classic “ heckler’s veto ,” when protesters silence speakers by disrupting their speeches. U.S.C.’s decision to cancel Tabassum’s speech was a form of anticipatory heckler’s veto. U.S.C. canceled the speech before the heckling could even start.

To support Tabassum’s ability to speak is not to minimize very real safety concerns in a tense and volatile time. In February, for example, a violent mob at the University of California, Berkeley, forced attendees to evacuate an event featuring a speaker from Israel. But it is the responsibility of the state and the university to protect both the liberty and the security of their students and guests.

I disagree strongly with condemnations of Zionism as racist, and I think it would be a serious mistake if Tabassum chose to commandeer her commencement platform to express such views. But I’m far more concerned about setting yet another precedent showing that threats and intimidation work than I am about the content of a single graduation speech. It is exactly when security feels most precarious that American institutions must be most vigilant in the defense of freedom.

The alternative is grim. If a fail-safe method of silencing speech is summoning a mob, or even merely threatening to summon a mob, then expect to see more mobs.

Jesse Wegman

The Supreme Court May Side With Jan. 6 Rioters and Their Leader

Because of a couple of ambiguous words in a federal law, a majority of the Supreme Court seems poised to throw out hundreds of convictions of Jan. 6 attackers. That was the main takeaway after oral arguments Tuesday morning in a case challenging the Justice Department’s reliance on an Enron-era law in prosecuting some of the more than 1,200 rioters who broke down barricades and stormed the Capitol in a violent effort to overturn the 2020 election.

The right-wing justices, who sound increasingly as if they were dictating replies to a MAGA social media thread, expressed concern about the risk of selective prosecution. Why, they asked, hasn’t the same law been used against Black Lives Matter protesters or, say, Representative Jamaal Bowman, the Democratic lawmaker who pulled a fire alarm in Congress last year?

It’s fair to ensure that laws are applied equally, but this line of questioning from these particular justices was, at best, disingenuous. They seemed to forget that there is no precedent for a violent mob invading Congress in an attempt to block a constitutionally mandated vote count and overthrow an election. (Bowman, in contrast, was censured by his colleagues for his stupid and reckless but not insurrectionist act.)

The bigger question looming behind Tuesday’s arguments involved the man who incited the Jan. 6 mob: Donald Trump, the former and perhaps future president. Jack Smith, the special counsel, included violations of the same law in one of his federal indictments of Trump, and if the court tosses the charge in the cases of the relatively low-level attackers, Trump will surely exploit that in his case.

Of course, Trump’s own Jan. 6 trial, which was supposed to begin in early March, has been on hold for months, thanks to his outrageous claim of absolute immunity, which the justices agreed last month to hear on an oddly relaxed schedule . Oral arguments are more than a week off, and a ruling might not come until late June.

If there’s any silver lining in all this, it’s that Smith will know by then what the court thinks of this obstruction charge, and he can adapt his Jan. 6 prosecution accordingly.

In the meantime, Congress may want to update the federal criminal code for the age of Trumpism.

Trump’s Plan to Expose the Secret Bias of Jurors Isn’t Working

It isn’t easy being orange in Manhattan, but it helps to have a bunch of jury consultants scouring the web for anyone with a sense of humor about you. Even spouses making bad orange jokes.

Donald Trump’s legal team isn’t wrong to be concerned about bias. In the first batch of potential jurors in his hush-money trial, more than half volunteered that they could not be fair and were dismissed. And when a former Lands’ End employee was found to have posted in 2017 on Facebook to “lock him up,” Justice Juan Merchan rightly dismissed the potential juror for cause. Same for a bookseller who posted an A.I. parody video of Trump saying he is “dumb as ….”

But as the court seated seven jurors on Tuesday (out of 12, plus a half-dozen alternates), Trump and his lawyers tried the judge’s patience.

I wish there were audio footage of the angry voice from the bench when Merchan told Trump’s lawyers that the defendant “was audible, he was gesturing and he was speaking in the direction of the juror. I will not tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom.”

A few minutes later, the still-irritated judge said he thought that Trump’s lead lawyer, Todd Blanche, was using the jury selection process to — wait for it — delay the proceedings. When Blanche tried to have a high school teacher from the Upper West Side dismissed for cause because she had taken a cellphone video of a street dance party on 96th Street celebrating Joe Biden’s victory, the judge summoned the potential juror. After ascertaining that she was sincere in her assurance that she could be fair, he refused to dismiss her for cause.

And Merchan rebuked Blanche for also offering a video the juror took of New Yorkers saluting health care workers by banging pots and pans each night at the start of the Covid pandemic. Blanche suggested the video was disqualifying, but the judge said there was “nothing offensive” about it, adding that making such irrelevant challenges was a waste of everyone’s time.

When the defense wanted Juror No. 3 dismissed for cause because her husband posted three joking photos (one during the transition from Barack Obama to Trump with the caption “I don’t think this is what they meant by ‘orange is the new black’”), the judge was not amused.

“If this is the worst thing you were able to find,” he said, “that her husband posted this not very good humor from eight years ago, it gives me confidence that this juror could be fair and impartial.”

Will Trump finally get the message that he’s not calling the shots? Not likely, but the judge will almost certainly keep delivering it for the duration of this trial.

Bret Stephens

The Assault on American Jews Is Getting Worse

Ten years ago, the Anti-Defamation League released its annual audit of antisemitic incidents in the United States. The group reported just 751 incidents targeting Jews in 2013, a 19 percent drop from the previous year.

“In the last decade we have witnessed a significant and encouraging decline in the number of antisemitic acts in America,” Abraham Foxman, the A.D.L.’s director at the time, said in a news release. “The falling number of incidents targeting Jews is another indication of just how far we have come in finding full acceptance in society.”

That was then. On Tuesday, the A.D.L. released its audit for 2023 . It recorded 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States — a 140 percent increase over 2022 and a tenfold increase over a decade ago. The numbers include 161 physical assaults, 2,177 acts of vandalism and 1,009 bomb threats against synagogues and other Jewish institutions, as compared to 91 bomb threats for 2022. Jewish cemeteries were desecrated 13 times last year, up from four times the year before.

Much of the increase came after Hamas’s massacre in Israel on Oct. 7, and the A.D.L. changed its methodology somewhat to take account of anti-Zionist expressions it deemed to be effectively antisemitic. But even without the methodology changes, the A.D.L. would still have recorded 7,523 antisemitic incidents last year.

What do some of these incidents look like? The report offers dozens of examples.

In February 2023, a man shot two Jewish men as they were leaving a synagogue. In May, “swastikas made of feces were smeared in a residence hall bathroom at the University of California, San Diego.” In July, a group of about 20 people assaulted three Jewish teens at New York’s Rockaway Beach after noticing that one of the teens was wearing a Star of David. In October, Jemma DeCristo , a professor in American studies at the University of California, Davis, threatened “Zionist journalists”: “they have houses w addresses, kids in school,” she wrote, before signing off with knife, hatchet and blood emojis.

Antisemitism can be difficult to define — a fact that has long offered antisemites an opportunity to hide their prejudice behind terminology. But as Justice Potter Stewart once said about pornography — “I know it when I see it” — so it could be said about hatred of Jews.

To see it in America today, you don’t have to look very far.

New York’s Flawed Housing Deal Still Deserves Approval

New York’s politicians have finally struck a deal to address the state’s disastrous housing crisis, the most pressing issue facing the region.

The deal, announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers Monday, is solicitous of real estate interests. But it may help accomplish some of what the state and its tenants need anyway.

Under the compromise, which would be included in the state budget, developers would receive generous tax incentives to build more housing. In exchange, developers would make 20 percent of the units affordable. A limit on building sizes would be raised, providing an incentive for more construction in New York City. Owners of rent-stabilized buildings could charge higher rents for making improvements. Hochul officials say the plan would lead to just under 190,000 units of new housing in the state over the next decade.

Tenants in New York City would win new protections against evictions, a long-sought goal. But other benefits for tenants are weak. Municipalities outside the city would have to opt in to the protections, which would prohibit owners of market-rate buildings from increasing the rent by more than 10 percent over the previous year, or 5 percentage points above the rate of inflation. There is a feast of exemptions, including properties with 10 or fewer units, and new units built wouldn’t be covered under the protections for the first 30 years. The weakness of these tenant protections, which have been fought hard by groups like the Real Estate Board of New York, is a reflection of the industry’s continued outsize sway on state politics.

But as flawed as this compromise is, walking away from it entirely would be irresponsible.

Four in 10 New York State residents are spending 30 percent of their income or more on housing. More than half of New York City residents are doing the same. Evictions are up nearly 200 percent .

Doing nothing isn’t an option. Instead, lawmakers and state officials can work quickly to make the deal better. Tenant protections can be strengthened. Allowing residents to rent accessory dwelling units, known as in-law apartments, would also be a win.

Truly facing this crisis will require bigger fights, like confronting restrictive zoning laws in Westchester and Long Island that have made it almost impossible to build multifamily housing. It’s also past time to reform New York City’s embarrassingly regressive property tax system, in which renters get stuck with most of the bill.

Residents, voters and businesses invested in New York City need to build a powerful pro-housing coalition, one that not even Albany can ignore.

Trump Beats Biden on the Economy, Voters Say. Are They Right?

President Biden must be tearing his hair out over the latest New York Times/Siena College poll of likely voters. Half of the respondents describe economic conditions as “poor.” Only 20 percent say they strongly approve of Biden’s handling of the economy, while 45 percent strongly approve of Donald Trump’s handling of the economy as president.

This would make sense if the economy were in recession, but the opposite is true. The Covid-19 recession happened while Trump was still in office, and the economy has snapped back powerfully since. On Monday, the Census Bureau released retail sales data for March that economists described as “solid,” “strong” and “booming.”

To be clear, what this means is that there are some likely voters whose opinions and actions don’t line up. They’re saying the economy is poor, but they’re behaving as if things are really good. How is Biden supposed to respond to this in his economic speech in Scranton, Pa., on Tuesday, without antagonizing voters by telling them they’re wrong?

Here’s a chart I made based on the Times/Siena poll about the two presidents’ handling of the economy:

And here’s one about economic conditions, which only 5 percent of likely voters rate as excellent:

I asked Ludovic Subran, the chief economist of Allianz Research in Germany, for his explanation of the divergence between the economy’s performance and voters’ perceptions. He put it into an international perspective. Around the world, he said, voters have turned against people who were in office when the inflation shock hit. Biden’s predicament doesn’t look unusual from that point of view.

Subran also said that inequality has increased during the recovery from the pandemic because the strong stock market has lifted the wealth of the stock-holding class. He attributed part of the stock market gains to the Biden administration’s policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which directed government aid to companies that are investing in the fight against climate change. (Partially offsetting that, wage gains have been strongest at the bottom end of the income scale.)

The good news for Biden in the Times/Siena poll is that the two candidates are nearly tied in terms of whom voters would pick if the election were held today. But if Biden can’t persuade voters that he’s better than Trump on the economy — or at least somewhere in that neighborhood — his re-election campaign will remain in peril.

Justice Merchan Starts to Hold Trump Accountable

Beyond seeing its historical importance, those of us covering the Trump trial expected the first day to be relatively uneventful, with housekeeping details and rules of the road for jury selection. But it turned out that the morning also had the first stirrings of accountability for Donald Trump.

As part of the pretrial housekeeping, Justice Juan Merchan delivered the so-called Parker warnings on courtroom behavior directly to the defendant, reminding him that he could be jailed if he disrupted the proceedings.

Trump, who earlier seemed to be dozing, muttered, “I do,” when asked if he understood this and the other elements of the warning, which Merchan was delivering to Trump for a second time — now orally — just to make sure it sank in.

Then the former president had to sit and listen to a discussion of the admissibility of his years of witness intimidation, his arguably illegal social media posts and his efforts to use The National Enquirer to destroy his rivals. The jury didn’t hear any of this, but Trump and everyone else in the courtroom did.

All morning, Trump’s side only won once: when Merchan ruled that during the testimony of Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, there could be no mention in front of the jury of Trump’s wife being pregnant and then being with a newborn (Barron Trump) at home when McDougal says they were having a long-running affair.

At one point, Todd Blanche, Trump’s lead attorney, saw that his slumped client was looking straight ahead, dejected. He reached out and patted Trump on the back.

Merchan said he would hold a hearing on April 23 on the prosecution’s motion that Trump be held in contempt of court and possibly jailed for three Truth Social posts attacking Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, which seemed to be a clear violation of Merchan’s gag order preventing Trump from trying to intimidate witnesses.

Merchan indicated that he would reject Trump’s go-to argument that he was just responding in kind.

In the meantime, Merchan was also concerned about the logistics of accommodating Trump’s desire to be heavily involved in jury selection. Part of that process can take place in conference, outside the courtroom, if a potential juror wants to talk to Merchan and the lawyers in private. The unspoken worry hanging over the courtroom: Would a potential juror feel intimidated if Trump, exercising his right, was there, too?

Merchan is working that out. He reminds me of the old deodorant ad for Ice Blue Secret. The bespectacled, snow-haired Merchan is “cool, calm and collected” and will do a terrific job in this trial.

Frank Bruni

Have Voters Really Forgotten Trump’s Presidency?

Memory plays tricks on us. It’s famously unreliable. That’s the bane of estranged lovers weighing the wisdom of reconciliation. Of jurors determining the credibility of a witness.

And of Americans deciding how to vote in a presidential election? The latest poll by The New York Times and Siena College makes me wonder.

The poll, published Saturday, shows Donald Trump holding on to a slight edge of 46 percent to 45 percent over President Biden. And it includes this detail: When survey respondents were asked whether they remember the years of Trump’s presidency as “mostly good,” “mostly bad” or “not really good or bad,” 42 percent said “mostly good,” while just 33 percent said “mostly bad.”

Mostly good? Which part? His first impeachment? His second? All the drama at the border (because, yes, there was drama at the border then, too)? All the drama in the West Wing? The revolving door of senior administration officials, his good-people-on-both-sides response to the violence in Charlottesville, Va., his wishful musings about violent attacks on journalists and Democrats, his nutty soliloquies at news conferences early in the coronavirus pandemic, his recklessly cavalier handling of his own Covid infection, his incitement of the Jan. 6 rioting, the rioting itself?

Those were the days.

I realize that the “mostly good” camp comprises many MAGA loyalists who will simply answer any Trump-related question in a Trump-adoring way. Tribalism triumphs. I realize, too, that Americans tend to prioritize economic realities in assessments of this kind, and that much of what they’re remembering and referring to are the lower prices of housing, food and other essentials during Trump’s presidency.

But I fear that they’re forgetting too much else in a wash of voter nostalgia . A fresh presidential bid by someone who was in and then away from the White House isn’t just highly unusual. It’s a memory test — and, in the case of a politician as potentially destructive as Trump, a profoundly important one.

Americans unhappy with Biden’s presidency need no reminders about why. They’re living it every day. But their present discontent may be claiming the space on their mental hard drives where their past discontent was stored, purging all the discord and disgrace that created Biden’s opening.

Absence makes the Trump grow stronger.

As History Is Made, Trump Can Only Glare in Silent Fury

On Monday morning, those of us fortunate enough to have a seat in the courtroom will feel the hush of history as Justice Juan Merchan opens the People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump. This will be the first time since the founding of the American republic that a president of the United States has gone on trial in a criminal court.

As jury selection begins, my thoughts will inevitably turn to this striking lack of precedent. Richard Nixon was pardoned, Bill Clinton was disbarred, and Ulysses S. Grant paid a ticket for speeding in his carriage, but none faced a criminal trial.

This case is about highly credible charges that Trump falsified business records as part of a scheme to silence an adult film star and tilt the outcome of the 2016 election.

The prosecution’s argument that this is a 2016 election interference case is prompting Trump to pursue his usual I’m-rubber-you’re-glue strategy and claim that it’s really the judge and the Manhattan district attorney who are interfering — in the 2024 election. But he won’t be able to make that argument inside the courtroom.

Trump will probably have to settle for sitting silently and glaring at the judge. He is a domineering client, even when it’s not in his interest, and he’ll probably weaken his case by forcing his lawyers to back his ridiculous claim that the whole extramarital affair is made up. They’ll have a better shot arguing that the hush-money payments were not illegal and Trump did not intentionally break tax and campaign finance laws.

Among the witnesses expected to testify are Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime fixer turned major accuser, whose credibility will be a big issue; Hope Hicks, Trump’s former press secretary, who could help corroborate Cohen’s testimony; Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels), the porn star who received $130,000 in payments Trump is charged with laundering through Cohen; Karen McDougal, a former Playboy playmate of the year who also received hush money; and David Pecker, the National Enquirer chief testifying for the prosecution, whose catch-and-kill scheme to bury dirt on Trump will open a window on how tabloid journalism, well, changed world history.

Trump claimed on Friday that he’s willing to testify, but that may be just his usual posturing. If he rejects the pleading of his attorneys and takes the stand, cross-examination about his many lies would be admissible.

I’ll be back on Monday afternoon with a report on how the day went.

Patrick Healy

Deputy Opinion Editor

Could These Two Twists Change the 2024 Race?

Every Monday morning on The Point, we kick off the week with a tipsheet on the latest in the presidential campaign. Here’s what we’re looking at this week:

Donald Trump has spent this year projecting political strength. His renomination was inevitable , and he has been ahead of Joe Biden in many battleground state polls and national polls. Keep in mind: Trump rarely led in general election polls 2016 and 2020, making his strength in the first quarter of 2024 notable. It’s one reason there’s so much talk of him winning the presidency this year.

But this week? It’s the start of the Trump vulnerability chapter of the campaign. I haven’t seen him looking this vulnerable since his 2022 Senate endorsements blew up in his face. The reasons are two twists in the race: the Trump trial and abortion.

As everyone knows, Trump’s trial in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial is set to start Monday in Manhattan. Trump has never faced a criminal jury trial in his life. I don’t think he ever thought one of these criminal trials would actually happen — he’s been an escape artist his whole life. The big question: Will this trial actually change anyone’s opinion of Trump when so much about his bad behavior is already baked into our brains? I think a conviction might — there’s some polling that suggests that independents and some Trump leaners would be less likely to vote for him if he’s convicted, especially of a criminal cover-up. Based on a lot of years reporting with voters, and our Times Opinion focus groups, I think voting for a recently convicted criminal for president will be a bridge too far for some Americans otherwise inclined to back him.

On issues, Trump has boxed himself into a position on abortion that he thought was awfully clever when he rolled it out: Let each state decide its abortion law. Then Arizona’s Supreme Court did just that, upholding a ban from 1864. I’ve rarely seen Trump look as slippery and untrustworthy with his own base, and he’s running away from abortion as far as he can. Do swing voters really believe him when he says he wouldn’t sign a national abortion ban if he had the chance? Doubt it.

As you’ll keep hearing, the election is more than six months away, and so much can change: we barely know how the Iranian attack on Israel might affect things, for instance. But for all those known unknowns, one thing is clear: Trump is entering his riskiest phase yet of the race.

Trump and O.J.: Antiheroes in a Cracked Mirror

In the mid-1990s, I spent an afternoon in the courtroom covering O.J. Simpson’s criminal trial in Los Angeles. The effect of being there — like the effect of seeing Donald Trump in court during pretrial proceedings in New York — was to shrink the whole spectacle into something more quotidian. In person, the carnival looks not just smaller than it does on TV but also a little pathetic.

I’ll be covering Trump’s hush-money trial in New York beginning Monday for Times Opinion. It won’t be televised, but the comparisons between the two cases and two men are already so common that The Los Angeles Times made a typo — or Freudian slip — on Thursday, referring to Trump when the obit writer meant Simpson.

Yes, both cases are media circuses revolving around shameless and manipulative antiheroes who have exploited race for their advantage. Both tap into the weakness Americans have for toxic celebrities who play victim as they stick it to the man. Both lead millions to despair over whether justice can ever prevail.

But the similarities can be misleading and not just because the Simpson trial was for murder and the Trump case is about falsifying business records.

While murder is obviously more serious legally and morally, the fate of a former president of the United States indicted on 88 counts across four criminal cases in four jurisdictions is more serious and important historically than the fate of a former N.F.L. star who did TV ads for Hertz.

Simpson’s epic journey — with its mix of fame, race and violence — was a quintessentially American story. The Trump saga has all of that plus immense political stakes, but the fundamental question remains: Is he un-American or in the American grain?

Trump’s shocking victory in 2016 did not settle the matter. We will learn in this trial what almost every political consultant in both parties agrees on: that Trump would have lost that year and been reduced to a footnote if Stormy Daniels had told her story on the heels of the “Access Hollywood” debacle, which sent his campaign reeling. He won only because the 2016 election ended with the focus on Hillary Clinton’s emails.

So beyond legal culpability and political maneuvering, what’s at stake in this trial and this election is whether Trump is an aberration or the embodiment of a new, darker American identity.

Both Simpson and Trump are mirrors reflecting two images of America — one Black, one white, in Simpson’s case; one Democratic, one Republican, in Trump’s. All of the mirrors are cracked and coming apart, with the shards sharp enough to puncture any remaining illusions we have about ourselves.

Solomon Islanders cast votes in an election that will shape relations with China

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Voting has closed across Solomon Islands on Wednesday in the South Pacific nation’s first general election since the government switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy gaining a foothold in the region.

The Solomon Islands’ closer relationship with China and a troubled domestic economy weighed on voters’ minds as they cast their ballots.

As many as 420,000 registered voters had their say across 50 national seats on Wednesday.

For the first time, the national vote also coincides with elections for eight of the 10 local governments.

Esther Maeluma cast her vote in the National Art Gallery in the capital Honiara and said it seemed busier than the last national election in 2019.

World & Nation

U.S. reopens embassy in the Solomon Islands to counter China

In its latest move to counter China’s push into the Pacific, the United States has reopened an embassy in the Solomon Islands after a 30-year absence.

Feb. 2, 2023

“I want my country and the economy to be good, and that’s why I chose my candidate,” she said outside a polling station.

Some voters queued outside polling stations from 4 a.m. — three hours before polling began — with many more flocking to booths early after seeing the growing crowds. Voting ended at 4 p.m.

With early voting available to a select few, voters have spent recent days traveling back to home electorates, quietening the streets of Honiara and forcing the nation’s main hospital to enter crisis mode due to a lack of staff.

“I didn’t used to vote, but now I can see that maybe my vote can change the system and the country,” hospital worker Loretta Maeohu said.

The United States has been working to build diplomatic bridges with South Pacific island nations since Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare signed the security pact with China.

Is China to blame for Solomon Islands unrest?

The Solomon Islands’ diplomatic break from Taiwan is but one cause of the many troubles and ethnic divisions within the South Pacific archipelago.

Nov. 26, 2021

Russia’s Sputnik news agency last week published an article featuring anonymous claims that the United States was planning an “electoral coup” in the Solomon Islands, which were repeated in an article published by the Chinese Communist Party’s Global Times newspaper. Links to the articles have been posted on social media.

U.S. Ambassador to the Solomons, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu, Ann Marie Yastishock on Tuesday released a statement dismissing “blatantly misleading claims about the United States’ engagement in the region.”

“We strongly refute allegations being made in known propaganda outlets that claim USAID and the U.S. government has sought to influence the upcoming election in Solomon Islands,” Yastishock said.

More than 1,000 polling stations were scattered across villages and town centers across the Solomons archipelago, 1,200 miles off Australia’s northeast coast. Some were visited by Sogavare, who is well regarded for his political acumen but criticized for backsliding on democracy. He has asked voters to back his economic plans against a backdrop of closer ties with China.

U.S. warns Solomon Islands of action over pact with China

The Biden administration has warned the Solomon Islands that the United States will take unspecified action against the South Pacific nation should its recently concluded cooperation agreement with China pose a threat to U.S. or allied interests.

April 22, 2022

Since he became prime minister at the 2019 election, which is his fourth and longest stint in the top office, he has been criticized for switching diplomatic ties from Taiwan without parliamentary approval.

Sogavare points to China’s gift of a $100-million sporting complex used to host regional Pacific Games last year and a similarly sized loan to build a national broadband network led by Chinese tech giant Huawei as examples of why the switch from Taiwan, a democratic island that Beijing claims as China’s territory, was the correct move for the developing country.

Opposition candidates have campaigned on re-examining elements of the Chinese relationship including the 2022 security pact with Beijing.

Domestic issues, including health clinics running low on medicines and the rising cost of living, have also played key roles in the campaigns.

Loyalties to candidates through blood or church can also influence ballots, while the illegal practice of vote-buying also occurs.

Police have warned they are prepared to quickly respond to any potential repeat of politically motivated disorder that has broken out after past elections.

An anti-government riot devastated Honiara in late 2021 after Sogavare’s leadership survived a no-confidence motion in parliament, denting the national economy by an estimated 6.5%.

Solomon Islands leader blames foreign powers for unrest

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has blamed foreign interference for anti-government protests, arson and vandalism that have ravaged the capital in recent days.

Nov. 25, 2021

“National and provincial politics can be very volatile,” Solomons historian, professor emeritus Clive Moore said on Tuesday. “The police need to handle the situation carefully.”

Australia has provided $16 million in election assistance including logistical support to get polling stations and ballots to extremely remote areas.

Sogavare says Australia remains his government’s preferred security partner despite the contentious security pact with Beijing.

More than 430 Australian military and police personnel are also on the ground to assist with logistics and security, as requested by Solomons authorities. Smaller security contingents from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji were also on hand to maintain order.

Vote counting begins Thursday. But the result will not be known for more than a week.

More to Read

How Taiwan beat back disinformation and preserved the integrity of its election

Jan. 27, 2024

Column: Taiwan held an election. War didn’t break out. That’s good news for California and the world

Jan. 22, 2024

Taiwan’s new envoy to the U.S. offers assurances to Washington and Beijing

Jan. 19, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Police arrest protesters at Columbia University who had set up pro-Palestinian encampment

New incentives put Army, Air Force on track to meet enlistment goals. Navy will fall short

Florida can open public schools to volunteer chaplains under law signed by DeSantis

April 18, 2024

U.S. blocks full U.N. membership for Palestinians