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    How to Give a Great - and Memorable - Commencement Speech

    How to Give a Great - and Memorable - Commencement Speech

    Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

    It is a singular honor to be asked to give a commencement speech at your old high school, college or university. It can also be very nerve-wracking to prepare such a speech. By following these simple guidelines, you can make the process much less anxiety-laden and even enjoyable!

    Before You Start Writing

    1. Get facts and information.

    First you need to find out some basic information about the institution, its programs and student body. Find out whether you are the only speaker, or if there will be others. If so, find out what the themes of their speeches are in order to avoid duplication. Double check on:

    • the date, time and location of the commencement ceremony,
    • the schedule of events connected with the graduation,
    • whether or not you will be expected to attend any related functions, such as a reception, and if so, you will need to know the date, time, location and duration of these functions as well.

    2. Keep it short and snappy.

    Regardless of how long the graduation committee wants you to speak, it's best to keep it to less than 20 minutes. Keep it upbeat and humorous. Remember what it was like during your commencement? These young people do not want to sit for 2 hours listening to a bunch of speakers drone on and on, they want to get it over with so they can get to the important part of the evening - celebrating their graduation!

    3. Provide a CV.

    Find out who will be introducing you, and provide that person with a brief and concise curriculum vitae of your relevant personal, professional and scholastic accomplishments, together with an overview of the topic of your address. No need to mention every single important thing you've ever done. This isn't about you, it's about the graduates.

    4. Find out what the evening's theme will be.

    Work this theme into your speech. And find out if there are any special highlights of the evening so that, if it's appropriate, you can point it out in your address. Find out the number of graduates, and whether there is anything unique about this graduating class or about this particular commencement.

    Preparing Your Address

    The commencement ceremony is probably the most important moment in the graduate’s life so far, and one of the proudest moments for the graduate’s family. Your speech should be memorable and inspirational, but not high-handed or preachy. You want these young people to feel good about themselves, proud of their accomplishments and eager to face what the future has to offer. Incorporate the following ideas into your address:

    1. Salute the graduates and their achievements.
    2. Give their parents credit for their love and support, both emotional and financial.
    3. Praise the teachers, instructors, professors and the institution itself.
    4. Challenge the graduates to reflect on their future and to look at opportunities which will help them to choose a path that will bring them satisfaction and fulfillment, not just financial security.
    5. Encourage the students to think outside the box, and to not be afraid of facing tough challenges.
    6. Remind the students that the most important things in life are family, friends, and making a difference - at home, at work, in the neighborhood, and in the larger global community.
    7. Encourage them to be proud of who they are and where they came from.

    Dealing With the Unexpected

    Every time you speak in public, there is the potential for a humbling experience. Commencement addresses are certainly no exception. Here are some things you can do to proactively avoid problems:

    1. If at all possible, check out the sound system beforehand. Countless speakers every year are plagued by microphones that don’t work properly or, worse yet, that annoying feedback.
    2. Commencement ceremonies have the unique problem of dealing with the cap and gown. Check the gown for length beforehand and carry some safety pins with you in case you find it necessary to pin up the hem to avoid tripping on it. A few hairpins can help keep the cap in place so it doesn’t slip off during your speech.
    3. If the ceremony is outdoors, there is always the possibility that the weather will take a turn for the worse. If you see rainclouds coming your way during your speech, wind it up as quickly as you can.
    4. If the ceremony is indoors, remember to dress appropriately for the room. Wearing a gown over a dress suit in a poorly ventilated assembly hall can tend to get rather warm. Conversely, wearing a light summer dress in a venue with blasting air conditioning can get very chilly after 10 minutes or so.
    5. Be prepared for interruptions. This is a family event, and there will be a number of small children and babies in the audience - any one of which is likely to start crying at any moment. There will also probably be camera flashes periodically from proud parents and grandparents recording the evening's program, so try to keep focused on what you're saying and not be distracted by the crowd noise and bustle.
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