READY TO GO SPEECHES ANNIVERSARY  ·  ARMED FORCES  ·  Bar & Bat Mitzvah  ·  Birthdays  ·  Business  ·  Eulogies  ·  Graduation Informative Speeches  ·  Motivational  ·  Persuasive  ·  Retirement  ·  Weddings  ·   Wedding Anniversaries

This is the time of the year that teachers or guest speakers often address students. They may be giving graduation speeches but they may also be speaking to students who are not graduating. Such a speech should be motivational, inspirational or persuasive in tone. They might speak to them about how to challenge themselves and reap the rewards or something more practical such as suggesting that they plant a tree and help reforest the earth. You might tell them to live each day as if it were their last or persuade them to be blood donors. You might explain the joys of volunteering or the enjoyment to be got by learning to swim. For older students how to be successful is a very relevant topic. Whatever the topic give them something to remember, discuss and hopefully they may even act upon your suggestions.

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Whether you are giving a graduation speech, a wedding speech or a persuasive speech you should always speak with sincerity. You must believe in what you are saying. So if you cannot say the bride’s mother has been caring you might, with truth, be able to mention the fact that she had an excellent eye for colour or was a great cook, talents which her daughter has obviously inherited. If you believe that graduates are in for a tough time because of an economic recession you should not say everything in the garden looks rosy. Instead your speech as a Dean should offer suggestions on how to overcome the recession. If you are giving a persuasive speech you should choose a topic in which you believe. If you are anti abortion for instance that should shine through your speech.

So be honest and be sincere and your audience will respect you for it.

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As a valedictorian you are graduating with honours but will your valedictory speech reflect this? You may be a genius at maths or an expert on law but that does not mean that you are a competent speechwriters. Your valedictory speech should laud your fellow students and speak meaningfully of the education you have received. You should give gracious thanks to tutors, family or those who helped you attain your education. It should have some humour and a little pathos. Above all it should be optimistic, speaking of the golden future that lies ahead.

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She was a brilliant student but not a natural communicator. Being called upon to give the valedictorian speech at her graduation ceremony was a nightmare for her. “I can write down answers to tests” she said, “ But I simply don’t know what to say or how to say it”.

I asked her if she would have trouble speaking to her own friends about how she felt about graduating. She said “Oh no. I am delighted that the studying is over and at long last I am going to practise medicine. We have discussed this day late into the night, never believing it would really happen”. Who had helped her most? I asked. “Oh my parents have been wonderful she said. They didn’t have much money but they worked very hard to help me and my tutors were always there when I needed them…”. “Did you like the college?” I pressed her. “Yes, I made so many friends there and I will miss them but I intend to keep in touch”. “Had she any special memories?” I pressed. She smiled and remembered the first day she had been in theatre. She was afraid she was going to faint.

“Well you have almost written your own speech” I told her. “It’s all about what college has meant for you and for your fellow students. Your speech should mention those who helped you and, of course, the friends you made and the experiences you had here. It should also speak about the opportunities you all have in the future”. You forgot one thing though. “What is tha?” she asked. “I think perhaps you should end with a good luck wish to your fellow students”, I suggested. She smiled and said “It’s really just like speaking to my family and friends, isn’t it?”. “That’s it”, I said. “No wonder you are the valedictioran”.

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Graduation Commencement Speeches.
I’ve been looking around for a few variations on these. I mean how many times can you say ‘reach for the stars’ ? Unsurprisingly there are few speakers who tell it as it is, ie: it’s going to be a hell of a struggle and statistically 10% of you will be dead in the next ten years. All the graduates want to hear is short, short, short. There is one ray of hope I came across. It’s from Dr Suess and it’s called, ‘Oh, the places You’ll Go’ http//www.mit.edu/people/adorai/seuss/seussboy.html’ - check it out.

It’s pretty cool and perhaps a work of genius. Would make a hell of a commencement speech though.

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