Speeches You Give in Pointy Hats – Advanced Public Speaking (2024)

Lynn Meade

Speeches You Give in Pointy Hats – Advanced Public Speaking (1)

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:

  1. Most people do not remember the graduation speeches they hear, but they do remember the feeling they got in the moment–inspired, bored, challenged.
  2. 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.

  • 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
  • Landmarks
  • Current events
  • Shared college experiences (on our campus it might be buying scantrons, hearing the bells of Old Main, and using Blackboard.

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.

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.

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

  • Tell a unique story
  • Overcoming obstacles
  • Perseverance
  • Use the school song as a theme for the content
  • Friends and friendship
  • Looking back to the early years
  • Shared memories
  • Making a difference
  • Mistakes learned the hard way
  • Current events and how they shaped the class
  • Cast a challenge
  • Path
  • Journey
  • Instaworthy moments
  • Use the school buildings as a theme
  • Use the school mascot as a theme
  • Taking responsibility
  • Integrity
  • Setting high expectations

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

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.”

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

  1. Tell a story
  2. Use identification, narration, and magnification
  3. Use colorful language
  4. Use metaphor, simile, and theme
  5. Put your speech in manuscript format

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).

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.

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

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.

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. https://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

Speeches You Give in Pointy Hats – Advanced Public Speaking (2024)

FAQs

What are the ideas for a salutatorian speech? ›

Key Idea 1: (Past) Share a story, memory, or observation highlighting your gratitude for the people who have supported you and your classmates. Key Idea 2: (Present) Talk about what makes today special. Key Idea 3: (Future) Talk about how you look forward to the rest of the ceremony and the years ahead.

How to begin a valedictorian speech? ›

Opening: Good afternoon, esteemed faculty members, parents, families, friends, and fellow graduates. As the valedictorian, it's an honor to have you all at our graduation ceremony. My name is [Name]. Today marks the end of a chapter in our lives and the beginning of a new one.

What to say in a graduation speech? ›

How to write an inspiring graduation speech
  • Start with a personal story. Sharing a personal experience can make any speech more relatable and engaging for the audience. ...
  • Keep it concise. ...
  • Use humor wisely. ...
  • Include inspirational quotes. ...
  • Address the audience directly. ...
  • End on a high note. ...
  • Practice, practice, practice.
Feb 26, 2024

What is the best introduction in a graduation speech? ›

Start Your Speech with an Introduction

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.”

Is salutatorian a big deal? ›

In college admissions, it is considered an impressive accomplishment, but it's not necessarily a game-changer on its own. Being Salutatorian reflects well on your academic performance and commitment to your education, which colleges value.

How long should salutatorian speech be? ›

As a general matter, I think shorter is better. I would say not much more (if at all) than 5 minutes. People aren't there to hear you or salutatorian speak. They are there to see their kids graduate and your classmates are there on an important milestone of their own lives and share it with their friends and families.

What is a good sentence for valedictorian? ›

He was the class valedictorian and as such great things were said and predicted about him. Ell was valedictorian for her class in high school, from which she graduated a year early.

What should a high school valedictorian speech say? ›

Beyond merely recounting achievements, your words should also echo the aspirations and spirit of your high school class. This moment serves as both reflection on what has been accomplished and anticipation for all that lies ahead, uniting everyone under common hope as they prepare to part ways into diverse futures.

How to end a graduation speech? ›

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.

What is the best motto for graduation? ›

High School Graduation Quotes
  • “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” — ...
  • “All dreams are within reach. ...
  • "Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. ...
  • "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” —
Apr 2, 2024

What is the tone of most commencement speeches? ›

The commencement address is a rather odd literary genre. Its purpose is to inspire and motivate; its tone, uplifting and optimistic, yet hopefully leavened with humor; its goal, to offer pearls of wisdom as the graduating class makes the transition to life outside the academy.

What is a good metaphor for a graduation speech? ›

The right metaphor is one that fits the occasion. Metaphors such as “passed on” and “candle dimmed” are used in eulogy speeches. “Beginning a new chapter” and “starting a new journey” are used for graduation speeches.

How do you greet everyone in a graduation speech? ›

As such, a formal greeting is appropriate to start the speech. The correct order of the greeting is: “Members of the Board of Trustees, President Erickson, faculty, staff, families, guests, and my fellow graduates.” The Student Graduation Speech should be presented at the audition in as polished a manner as possible.

How do you introduce yourself in a speech? ›

Hi everyone, my name is [your name]. I'm a [your job title] at [your company]. I'm excited to be here today to [explain why you're there]. You can also add a personal touch to your introduction by sharing a fun fact about yourself or by asking the audience a question.

What kind of speech does a salutatorian give? ›

Your salutatorian speech can include inspirational quotes and stories from your life for your classmates. Talk about the lessons you have learned on your journey and the dreams you have in mind. You can touch on the future of your class and the goals you hope to achieve.

What are the three things that make a great speech? ›

Dr Gardiner explains there are three important ideas that encapsulate a great speech; know your audience, provide structure and tell a story.

What do valedictorians say in their speech? ›

The best ones capture the essence of shared journeys through stories from freshman year fumbles to senior year triumphs—and everything in between. In addition to recounting these stories of growth and camaraderie, a great valedictorian speech recounts lessons learned inside classrooms and on sports fields alike.

What does the salutatorian do at graduation? ›

Traditionally, the salutatorian gives the opening remarks at the graduation ceremony. So, just as a salutation is a greeting, a salutatorian is responsible for offering a formal greeting at the event. Having been a salutatorian looks great on a resume, as long as you spell it correctly.

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