Best Graduation Speech Techniques

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Write and deliver excellent graduation speeches, whether you are the graduate, teacher, principal, guest speaker or parent you can do it with ease.

Delivering a great speech with some style is a fantastic experience.

Although public speaking is seen by most as being rather scary, there is every reason for it to be successful for you.

The whole thing can seem like a lot of work and indeed rather daunting. Yet, you will face much bigger challenges in life. You have achieved graduation and are very successful already, so with the right approach you can do it!

There can be a lot to think about, so to suit your amazing brain the task of writing and delivering the graduation speech is broken down into doable chunks which can let you achieve success as you go through the process.

As you go through the process you will become increasingly focussed on the final graduation speech and get the great experience your hard work will deserve.

Graduation Speech Contents

The contents of this extensive graduation speech help page are:

• Start with the most important person, that is you. What is your experience and how are you feeling as you start the graduation speech writing process.


• Get organised with a theme you like ready to write a successful graduation speech.


• Lots of help to get your mind organised and ready to go.


• Who is in the audience and what do hey expect to hear.


• Complete the basics, preparation:
  • Research
  
  
  • Brainstorming points to make
  
  


• Get organised. How to organise the great material you have at this stage in the process.


• Create a strong beginning to get the audience on side. You have a short time to get them interested, so use it well.


• Create a strong ending. Leave your audience with a real flourish and memorable ending.


• How to write the middle part of the speech. Write a good solid, if not amazing speech.


• How to edit the speech to ensure the language is correct.


• Timing the speech.


• How to edit the speech for impact and flow.


• Some tips for ceremonial speeches.


• Outstanding tips and techniques for delivering your speech.


• Guest Speaker Graduation Speech example.

Also covered is:

• Effective use of Quotes, References and Poems.


• Be Personal.

This is not a spectator sport. A graduation speech is an active process.

The idea here is to break the process down into smaller manageable chunks which you can focus on and have successes as you make progress through the process.

You do not need to wait until you have the perfect graduation speech in mind, just make a start.

Click here to share your tips, techniques, material, great openings, closing, words you admire and inspire others! Also ask a question, perhaps you need a bit more on an area of writing or delivery.

So, lets get on with the writing process starting with the most important part and that is you. How you are feeling, be it nervous or confident,

Graduation Speech - You

Establish how you are feeling:

• Are you feeling a bit nervous, perhaps overwhelmed?


• Are you unsure as to how to make progress


• Maybe you are very confident and raring to get started writing your speech

You mind is born to succeed and putting in a strong effort at this graduation speech will help you continue to succeed. You are after all successful already. As a student you have graduated and have shown a great level of dedication, perseverance and intelligence. If you are the guest speaker you will be successful or you would not have been asked.

Hard work, preparation and perseverance will see you through this wonderful experience.

Relax into the process, take it one step at a time and keep your mind fresh by getting success in each part of the journey.

Trust your mind and feed in lots of information on the speech, the purpose, theme, points and writing the speech. Your brain will get to work on the graduation speech.

Back To Contents.

Graduation Speech - Theme

Get a great theme and feel that bit more confident going forward.

Your mind will work much more effectively if you give it more precise details to work on.

If you have been given a theme make sure you are happy with it. If not approach the organisers to see what can be changed. Even a slight change in your favor may help you feel happier. You will of course have to fit in with the overall speaking programme but nevertheless be sure you are comfortable.

If you have the opportunity to create your own theme then lets get to work on it. You don’t need to look for the last word in perfect themes, just find something you are happy with and move forward through the process.

Some good strong theme categories are:

• Importance of Goal Setting. For example, the real benefits of setting goals and achgieving them with personal examples.


• Taking responsibility for yourself and your actions. You have graduated and are already an expert on this.


• Learning from your mistakes. Perhaps you have taken great inspiration in learning and recoverng from mistakes.


• Overcoming obstacles. Again, perhaps you have overcome some pretty steep obstacles and have learned so much from the experiences.


• Personal codes of conduct. Integrity, teamwork, friendship, doing the right thing, working hard are examples you can use for a graduation speech.


• The power of perseverance. There will have been many times when perseverance has pulled you through to success.


• Inspirational people or influences. Who and what inspired you and influenced you to succeed.


• Keep on improving. Perhaps the graduation speech theme can be to use graduation to continue to improve and achieve to benefit you, your family and wider society.


• Never forget your roots and the people who have helped you.


• The amazing opportunities the future holds. What career are you going to pursue, what dreams to you have, what disadvantaged group are you going to help.

See our page on topics if you need more. This takes you through extensive work on choosing themes. Once it is done you will be clearer on where you are going and again your mind will be sharply focussed on the job.

This is an action oriented game. Keep moving forward.

Even if you get to the end of the process and wish to change approach you can do so with a high level of confidence once you have a strong idea you can repeat the graduation speech process.

As you go keep a written record of any thoughts, sub topics, things you’d like to say. You will be coming up with great details all the time.

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Graduation Speech - Mind

Use your mind in its best way to go through the process of choosing themes and topics.

Use Mind Maps as a great way of using your mind to express itself, and recognise powerful links and associations which will yield great creativity.

These Tony Buzan mind maps are amazing.

I simply put a central image of the institution, then like the branches of a tree, write out one word statements of what you think and move on in branches and sub branches.

I do this in vibrant colors.

Keep going till you find the right theme.

Look at your mind map or notes. There is a good chance you have the theme, points and sub points you need.

Ask your self what feels right, can you see something you like, can you hear the audience applause as you deliver the speech?

You need to find an appeal in the subject.

CHOOSE A THEME AND LETS MOVE ON.

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Graduation Speech - Audience

Write out what you think the audience want to hear from you. That could be Thanks or perhaps an Inspiring message.

What will they feel and think as you deliver the speech. A parent will perhaps have real pride in their graduating child, memories of them growing up and wonder at their achievements. Remember Granny will not quite appreciate some of the humor.

Students will not just be thinking about their achievement but also be waking up to facing the future and the need to maintain contact with friends.

What do you want the graduation speech to make the audience think? Perhaps you want to them to be inspired, motivated, feel appreciated and loved.

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Graduation Speech - Preparation

As you write the speech you may return to this page again and again. Keep moving forward and use what you have so far.

Research:

• Your mind needs material to get to work on


• You need to understand your topic


• You need to back up any facts you use with tangible evidence



Example, in your graduation speech you wish to use the overall academic record of your college as proof of the high quality education you received. A simple internet check will give you the facts you need. Similarly you may wish to point out the issues a local community have with lack of funds to raise awareness. Again a simple internet check should give details on the problems.

Always best to have validated facts!

Brainstorming

Now you have the purpose of the speech, your theme, topics and sub topics.

Brainstorm on each topic to be sure you have thought of everything you wish to. It could be at this stage that one particular topic throws up a great speech in itself!

By now your confidence should be greatly increased.

Your Brain has a real focus with real material to think about.

Once you get the material you have into a fairly organised speech you will be flying!!

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Graduation Speech - Being Organised

Firstly, you likely have way too much material for a short speech so you need to be tough and dump some points.

Prioritise the points you wish to make and stick with the top 3 or 4.

You can’t speak about everything, the priority points form your outline.

Keep moving forward even if it seems you are missing out on something. You can always return when you have a good speech and check if any points would make it better.

Organising

Chronological order can be best and will give a natural flow to your speech. It may let you tell your story in the best way.

Perhaps each point needs to go in order of importance. Certainly true if you need firstly to thank people.

Tell the audience early on what you are going to say. Stating your purpose can be great.

Perhaps you are raising a problem followed by a brilliant solution.

To use your mind best and to break down the writing task into manageable chunks it is best to take each point in the order you feel best and write each part of the graduation speech that way. So, it is very useful to have an organised outline.

One brief example could be:

• A referral to the Principal (thanks), noting any other speakers and dignitaries.


• Describe purpose, eg recognise the achievments of the graduates and look forward into the bright future


• Thanks to everyone who supported, mentored, and was a true friend, not least family


• Top reasons why being a graduate of this educational institute means so much


• Your personal story


• Looking forward to a great future with best wishes


• Round up, goodbye and good luck

Now your mind has a stronger focus and will be buzzing with ideas. Take a break and let your mind sift through what you have accomplished so far.

Back To Contents.

Graduation Speech - Begin Well

The first couple of minutes are the only time you can be sure the audience are fully with you.

A bad opening will put them off!

When you deliver the graduation speech be positive about your speaking and don’t say that you are not, just get on with the speech.

Don’t adlib. A good graduation speech will have taken you a lot of effort so don’t waste it!

A formal opening is just fine. Referring to the Principal, the Guest Speakers, Graduates and Guests is fine. There is a sense of gravitas at graduations so a formal opening is good. For example the Bill Gates Graduation Speech starts:
President Bok, former President Rudenstine, incoming President Faust, members of the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, members of the faculty, parents, and especially, the graduates:

I’ve been waiting more than 30 years to say this: “Dad, I always told you I’d come back and get my degree.” I want to thank Harvard for this timely honor.

An informal opening is great if you can carry it off. You still need to acknowledge the dignitaries.

So what would make the rest of your graduation speech go really well.

Establish common ground with the audience. This is easy as a graduate and a bit harder for a guest speaker.

For a guest speaker you do need to establish the reason you are there, your connection to the institute and get the audience on side. Could be you are a graduate yourself. You may even just want to start with reference to the beautiful location.

Set the tone for the graduation speech, stating your purpose and smoothly flow into the speech.

If you are brave you could go for some humor (eg a quote from Dilbert) or drama at this point. If you are sure of your speaking this can really liven up the graduation. Be clear it fits the occasion, audience and your graduation speech.

You could refer to the audience themselves, their hopes, beliefs and ideals.

Write out a few openings and see what best fits you style.

Humorous Beginning

My days here at Hamilton college were more fun than you can imagine. I was surrounded by the best brains in the country and could not help but learn to be a better person. Brilliant! Unfortunately I was working in catering at the time -- just kidding, I too am proud to be a graduate of this college.

(This example is provided to illustrate that humor may not work!)

Simple

Principal Hughes Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Dempster, honoured guests, fellow graduates and families.

Congratulations class of 2008!!

I am very honoured to be speaking to you all on this momentous day. My speech is themed on making the best of yourself, as that way you will be helping others to an awesome level.

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Graduation Speech - Strong Ending

Go out with a bang! Don’t just let your graduation speech run out of steam.

You have put lots of effort into preparing the graduation speech and plenty of emotion delivering it, give it the ending it deserves.

The audience need to know you are at the end.

You can:

• Summarise your points


• State an action plan going forward


• Look forward to the next chapter in the graduates lives


• Remark finally on the qualities, talents and potential of the graduates and wish them luck


• Use an inspirational poem or quote, with the usual close of goodbye and good luck

Bond with the audience.

You could, if it fits your overall message use action oriented, powerful verbs for real effect.

EG, as we look ahead to the awesome talent of the graduates making a real difference in our world just think of the amazing changes that will happen and challenges that can be faced by this group.

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Graduation Speech - Middle

Now you have a beginning and ending to target your graduation speech on. You have points to flesh out the middle part of the speech in a reasonably well ordered manner. Your mind will be well targeted on completing the job.

Just write out the graduation speech using your points. And enjoy getting something down on paper. There is plenty of time to edit for style and language, and impact.

The discipline of writing out the graduation speech is a good one. Everything is down on paper and a brilliant speech is not far away. Also if you do use notes this will give you the basis of forming great notes to speak from.

Once you have this first draft start going through it.

Does it give your audience what they expect from your purpose?

Does it give too much?

Does it flow?

No need to be concerned, given it is a first draft there will be some work to do to answer yes to these questions. Just go through the speech and tidy it up.

Also, are there parts of the speech where a great quote could back up your message and give it effect?

Is there a poem you think would enhance the graduation speech?

Think efficiently and just go through the steps. You can reflect later on your improved draft.

By now you will have a graduation speech you can use. Your mind will keep working on it and at later work you will change some parts, but at least you can relax knowing you have a great start.

Take a break and get ready to really polish it up!!

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Graduation Speech - Language

Now is a good time to edit your speech to ensure the language is correct.

You may not get through all of it, but it is worth trying to complete the exercise.

It is important to use correct English. Both in writing and pronunciation.

You have put a big effort into your graduation speech so it is vital that you give the audience the best chance you can to understand what you say and also stay on your side.

Simple

Use simple words where you can with simple overall sentences. Look at President Roosevelts’ simple but awesome speech beginning to congress: Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked……..

Using the word obfuscation for example may leave some wondering how that fits.

Clarity

Be clear that you mean what you say. Telling the audience the elephant was big is a bit too vague. Saying the elephant was 50% bigger than average does narrow it down.

You kind of know what someone is saying by the dog was big, but not the elephant.

Nothing too hard here, just sharpen the wording to have meaning to everyone.

Close To Audience

Identify yourself with the audience. If you can say we, fellow graduates, us then you can keep close to them

Think through what you have in common with everyone if you are the guest speaker to see where that unifying wording can come.

More Tips

• Using him or her can be difficult. It may identify your remarks only with one sex. See if you can unify as appropriate


• Use strong verbs and nouns where you can. Use the active voice to get your points across.


• Avoid jargon


• Use only good grammar

I recommend that you think through how you use these tips and benefit from the increased positive impact your speech will have.

More Tips

If you have the time I would recommend:

• Finding metaphors


• Finding analogies to aid understanding and impact


• Perhaps even a simile

Personal

Increase the impact of your speech with truthful, revealing, personal stories.

Any personal story must help make the point, enhance the subject matter and can be a very powerful way of getting close to the audience.

One graduation speech I have seen by an immigrant to USA who worked hard, sacrificed and gave everything he had to learn English and attend school gave the most amazing personal commentary as he moved through the points in his speech. Very powerful.

Never offend anyone. Be sure your language is correct!

Just run through your speech and edit for language.

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Graduation Speech - Time

You must now time the speech and be sure you are within the allotted time.

This is a great chance to drop any extra words.

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Graduation Speech - Edit For Impact And Flow

Now carefully consider that the speech flows from the beginning right through each point and climaxes in the end with a bang. Reading it out loud may reveal some work on the wording to connect from one point to the next.

Also be sure that each point is actually made by the words you use. Check a couple of times that the points are made simple and in plain language that everyone can understand. You will have put too much effort and emotion into the speech to lose impact solely due to a few stray words!

You may like to check with a good speaker that the impact is as you intended!

By now you have the final graduation speech - congratulations. We go on to cover tips to make the right impact overall. For just now take a break and let the speech rest in your mind. I like to leave it for 1 or 2 days and I always have flashes of inspiration that enhance the speech!

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Graduation Speech - Ceremonial

Some simple guidelines give a solid Introductory Graduation Speech.

• Give the audience a sense of the speakers topic.


• Use some biographical facts and then some words on their personality.


• Create a real sense of anticipation for the graduation speech.

Be well researched.

Talk to the speaker beforehand and get facts and their speech intentions.

Obtain some characteristics of the speaker to use in your introduction.

Use words in the speech such as you all know and you are probably aware.

Be organised. Take each positive characteristic one at a time and illustrate the characteristic.

Build up to a climax. The ending should raise a real sense of anticipation. The audience should be very keen to hear the speaker after hearing your build up.

Consider that old announcers trick of elongating the speakers name just before you hand over.

Don't speak too long.

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Graduation Speech - Delivery

Take great heart from having a great graduation speech written out and ready to use.

Now is your chance to give a polished, if not brilliant, performance!

Preparation

The best way to prepare is to practice, practice, practice. I would intend running through the speech three times out loud as the event approaches. Then at least once the day before the event and one on the day.

If I can I will do it in front of a friend who is a great speaker.

What It Looks Like

As with all things in life, how you look is important. With public speaking I would say that it is very important.

Some simple steps will give your graduation speech the audience impact you require. None of them are difficult at all!

• Dress well, looking and feeling sharp.


• Stand up straight and keep audience eye contact as you can.
Smile, show your strength of character.

• Try not to hang on to the podium in a vice like grip.


• Be sincere in your tone of voice. You have written a sincere speech, just talk that way.


• If you have a nervous habit such as pulling your ear then do your best to avoid it.


• If you don’t get the expected laugh keep moving, don’t repeat the punch line.

Some little tips to make this easier:

• Type treble your normal size


• Type only in top half of page to help eye contact
Pace your speaking voice. Practice speaking at the right speed. Slow and steady!

• Speak in the deeper part of your voice. It sounds better.


• To speak with authority means using an even voice. Speaking with a higher voice at the end of a sentence sounds like you are asking a question instead of making your point!

Be sure you know all your pronunciations. Particularly of using someone’s name.

Use stage directions on your graduation speech notes with clearly marked pauses, places to smile and wait for a laugh.

Notes

I would only use notes where I was absolutely confident.

You have spent a lot of time getting a brilliant graduation speech together so why take the chance of losing out to a momentary memory lapse.

More Tips

Make sure you visit the venue beforehand. It is best to be sure you know where you will be and you are happy with the physical arrangements. To visualise a great graduation speech it is best if you can really see where you will stand and where the audience will be.

If you can check what the contents of the graduation speech of the other speakers it would help. It would be tough to cope with if similar material was used before you speak.

Remember to deliver a great graduation speech - Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!

The best of luck to you.

Once you have completed your speech inspire others by sharing your speech.. You will have your own web page for family and friends to visit!

Finally an example of a Commencement Graduation Speech for you to critique!

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College Graduation Speech Born To Succeed

Have a look at this free college graduation speech. As with any graduation speech it is best to make some notes and then start writing.

Role: Guest Speaker

Purpose: Motivational Speech

Research:

Success of past graduates
College values
Check for any unusual/outstanding events over past year.

Outline Topics

Use Awesome power of brain to best advantage
Set goals and positively pursue them
Do everything with integrity
You are born to succeed

Quotes: Thomas Watson

Thank You Principal Cellini.

I am honoured to be here today at this beautiful campus. I spent years admiring the mountain backdrop and the gorgeous lake when I was student here.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES OF GLASTON COLLEGE!!!!

My purpose in making this graduation speech to you today is to recognise the fantastic achievements you have ALL made In graduating. I wish also to look to the future and see where this journey through life can take you.

All of you have made your own life successfully so far with an outstanding contribution from the college staff. That is something to be very grateful for. From here on you get to use the fantastic skills you have learned but it is up to you to make the absolute best of your future endeavours.

I still remember graduating although it was 20 years ago. I felt full of unstoppable joy and optimism. I loved so many friends, I was sad to say goodbye, but I was also just so ready to take on the next challenge.

I SEE THAT SAME BURSTING ENTHUSIASM IN THE GRADUATES HERE - I HOPE THE WORLD IS READY FOR YOU!!

You have all now achieved what you were born to do - SUCCESS.

You have a wonderful , powerful, amazing tool at your disposal. There is nothing that can compare to it. It is many, many times more powerful than any computer. Most use only 2% of it.

By this I mean your brain.

Your brain if properly nurtured, challenged, fed and watered will propel you through a lifetime of success.

So how can you drive forward to a successful future using this mega computer.

First, your brain needs knowledge as much as food. You can learn awesome amounts of stuff if you do it well and are committed. Great if you are doing what you LOVE!

Your brain forms little neural pathways as you learn new knowledge, adding to what you know, and grows like a muscle.

Imagine being really keen on your task, or job, and just locking this amazing learning power on the subject. You will be unstoppable.

Also your brain is born to persevere. It can keep going and never give up on a goal. Perseverance is the engine room of success. Amazingly you can persevere brilliantly.

Add this power of perseverance to awesome learning potential plus a goal you are committed to in an area you juts love and you are on the way to fantastic success.

Your brain loves to tell the truth. Hard to imagine when you consider politicians but it is true. Have you ever said you‘ll meet , or been given, a goal that you did not believe you could do.

Either something has to happen to prove you wrong or your brain will keep saying this is not happening. Your motivation is low, learning poor and negativity prevails.

Better to set a positive, challenging and achievable goal. As you go you can adjust the goal upwards.

Maintaining the College Values of Integrity will keep your mind at peace and focussed on achieving.

Again imagine you love the topic, you believe in the goal, you know you will persevere and be absolutely excited about learning. How unstoppable would you be then.

Everyday you woke up you would have a real zest for life and the challenges you face.

But there is more, as I have already said you are born to succeed.

As you succeed you feel fantastic, your energy levels rise and you seem physically and mentally better.

Each success spurs you on to more and more success.

But, what do you say if things go wrong. Well I don’t see it that way. I see only a trial with and event and feedback. Get you mind to work on adjusting your approach and go again!

Thomas Watson, of IBM fame, said - If you want to succeed, double your failure rate.

So now imagine you have a real commitment to a great job, a series of very challenging but achievable goals broken down into regular deliverables, you love learning everything required, you persevere and are achieving each goal as you wanted.

Just how unstoppable would you be then!

My message is, you have everything you need to succeed. You can look forward to an outstanding future by using your brain as intended. You need not fear the future.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to all of you for the future.

A graduation speech by a Guest Speaker is a chance to make a very positive statement and inspire the graduates for the future. A graduation speech will be filed forever in the school's files so be proud and make it a good one!!

Giving a graduation speech can be difficult, if not even scary.

Inspire others with your comments, questions, tips, techniques, draft openings, closing remarks, themes, points, metaphors, quotes and jokes.

Tell the story behind the speech and ask your question, submit your material for review, or inspire others with your comments!

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