It is an exciting and sometimes daunting task to give your valedictorian or graduation speech at the end of your high school career.It's goal is to provide a persuasive, moving, and uplifting speech.You want to encourage your audience to achieve greatness and give them a fond farewell to high school.It's quite a challenge for a speech giver to give just one speech.You can do it if you plan and prepare your address.
Step 1: You can read other speeches.
It's a good idea to look for people who have done it before.Look at the themes they hit and the jokes they told in other great graduation speeches.You don't want to copy them, just look for ideas that reflect your experiences.J.K. Rowling, Steve Jobs, and David Foster Wallace are some of the famous addresses.
Step 2: You can find a theme.
Consider what you want your audience to get out of the speech, such as inspiration or reflection on good times.You can draw from the experiences of your classmates.You do not need to be perfect if you follow your passion.
Step 3: An outline is made by making an outline.
All the points you are going to make in support of your big theme should be listed.There should be space for jokes and stories.This will remind you of the points you want to hit so you don't forget.It can show you how long your speech is, and maybe let you know that some things need to be cut.Multiple parts, sections, and subsections should be included in your outline.
Step 4: Talk to other people.
This ceremony is for everyone, and each person's experience at school will have been a little different.You don't know a lot of people, so talk to them.What kinds of memories will they take with them, and how they saw their time in school?The students may have themes or trends.Stick with the ones that are important.There are smaller memories and lesser-known stories.Mentioning them will make them feel noticed.
Step 5: Remember who you're with.
The speech is for you and your friends.It would be nice to say thank you to your teachers and parents, but remember that you and your classmates are the main focus.Make sure you speak to them first.Think about if you were listening to your speech.Do you want to hear this kind of speech at your graduation?Your fellow students probably won't either if you're not sure you would enjoy it.
Step 6: Take it short.
People won't listen to you give a lecture on the nature of friendship and the universe because it's just one part of a larger ceremony.Keep your thoughts short and to the point.If you don't like giving speeches, keep it short.To find out how much time you have, talk to your principal or teachers.5 to 10 minutes should be enough if they don't have good guidelines.The speaker reads 120 words in a minute.It is easier to read if you only have 1 page of double-spaced,16-point fonts.
Step 7: At the end, put your most important message in writing.
The audience may not hang on to your every word.Even if you restate the big idea you laid out in the beginning, make sure you leave them with your biggest idea.This will be the last thing anyone hears, so they will most likely remember from your speech.The message should be brief and to the point.It will be easier to remember.Your message doesn't have to be boring.It can be funny.
Step 8: Thank you.
Even though your speech is for the whole graduating class, take a few moments to thank the people who helped you get there.Your parents, teachers, and friends can be on the list.Turn your attention back to the graduates, just remember to be brief.Encouraging the other graduates to thank someone is one way to make this more accessible to the rest of the class.
Step 9: There are a few jokes that should be included.
Adding a few lines in your speech will make you and your audience laugh.It can distract people from the bigger, heavier topics you will be talking about.To tell a good joke, you don't have to be a clown.If people don't laugh at your delivery, just move on.Ben Franklin said, "You will find the key to success under the alarm clock, even if you are on the right track."There are funny stories specific to your school.These can be used to reference things that most of the audience will recognize.It's possible to make fun of school construction that was building the future one closed hallway at a time.A valedictorian speech is not an auditioning for a stand-up comedy career.Just like the rest of your speech, write them down and rehearse them.You don't forget how the jokes go on the big day.Keep it clean.Your audience will include teachers, parents, grandparents, and siblings, so make sure your jokes are appropriate for all.
Step 10: Do you remember the past?
During your time at school, focus at least part of your speech on what you and your classmates did.High school graduation is a time to celebrate all that you have accomplished.Mentioning specific accomplishments is important.During your time in high school, look for sports championships, awards, charity events, anything that you or your classmates accomplished.The more examples you can include, the better.You are celebrating your whole class accomplishments, not just your own.
Step 11: Talk about what is next.
Looking forward to the future is what graduation is all about.Discuss what will happen after graduation.This section can be a bit more vague because you don't know the future.Think about what good will come next.You are most likely going to college after graduating as the valedictorian.It may not be true for everyone in your class, so don't forget to mention other options like getting a job or serving in the military.If you don't know what your classmates are doing after graduation, it's a good idea to ask.
Step 12: A personal story can be told.
One way to tie your story to past experiences is to tell a personal story.Think of an experience you had in high school that taught you a big lesson.It's even better if it includes your friends.This is a great way to let your friends know about your high school experience.If you don't have a funny story about you or your friends, talk about how you've changed over time in high school.When you were a freshman, think about how you felt when you couldn't reach your locker or were lost in the large school.If you are comfortable telling a story where you don't look brilliant or cool, a personal story is a good way to add self-deprecating humor.
Step 13: It's a good idea to avoid cliches.
Don't use ideas like "the Real World," "The future belongs to us," or "Today is not the end of your education, but the beginning" if you want to have a theme.Hearing them is a sign that your audience can stop listening to you.This also means quotes.Good quotes from famous people can be useful if they relate to your main point.Remember that people want to hear you talk, not a list of famous lines.
Step 14: Have your speech practiced.
It shouldn't be the first time you give a speech.In front of a mirror or your friends, give yourself a few practice runs.This will allow you to see how long your speech is and how loud it is.The setting should be recreated as much as possible.If possible, wear your cap and gown to practice at the podium or where the graduation is possible.You will be more comfortable giving a speech if you are familiar with the setting.
Step 15: Don't let it fall apart
During the speech, you don't want to break down.Take a few deep breaths and hold the podium to distract yourself if you feel some tears coming on.Graduation is an emotional time for everyone involved, and it is understandable that you will get a little emotional thinking about your friends and classmates.It's fine to let one or two tears out.If you make a joke about it being dusty in the room, you can pass it off.
Step 16: Enjoy the moment.
This is a big moment for you, and you should be proud of it.Most of what you say will probably be forgotten by your classmates.That is okay.It might take some of the pressure off of you.Relax, have fun, and stick to your big ideas.You find a message that you care about and think is important.