Top Tips for Writing a Graduation Speech

Giving a graduation speech can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with a bit of work, you can give a great speech and have fun! Check out our best advice here.

High school or college graduation can be an overwhelming time, even without the added stress of writing and delivering a speech. Not everyone is made for giving speeches. But the good news is if you are facing this task, the right preparation can make your speech meaningful and enjoyable—even if you don’t necessarily love doing it. Here are five tips to help you write a perfect speech for your graduation ceremony, however it may be occurring this year. 

Have a message 

Let's be honest—no one wants to listen to four years of school summarized year-by-year with no real insight. Even funny speeches need to make a point. Remember, your speech isn’t about you but whatever insight you have to offer. For example, in my graduation speech, my message was about how we should appreciate the different strengths in individuals as a way to build a successful team.  Your speech isn’t a time to air grievances or seek revenge either. Your goal should be entertainment, insight, and recognition of the hard word for the diverse group of students that make up your class. With family, friends, and faculty being the majority of people in the audience, your message should speak to everyone—especially since for many in the audience, this may be the only time they or their family will celebrate a graduation.

Related: Inspiring Words of Encouragement for the Class of 2020 

Be specific 

Every person in the audience should feel like your speech speaks directly to them and recognizes them—be it the popular kids, the jocks, those headed to universities and community colleges, or those headed to the military, trade schools, and the workforce. This requires details that everyone can relate to. I used the football rivalry between the University of Washington and Washington State University as a reflection of the importance of being part of a team and a metaphor for binary thinking by forgetting there are 5,000 other colleges out there. This is relatable to anyone from a state with sports rivalries or anyone who enjoys football. It’s also nice to specifically recognize people in your class who have specialized skills and unique talents—artists, musicians, robotics team members, and others—so every group can feel appreciated. Recognition is a great way for people to connect with your speech.

Have humor 

Any good grad speech needs at least a little bit of humor. This can range from expecting laughter after every few lines to a couple of well-placed jokes. Again, relatability will play a role as your speech should be enjoyable for everyone. I made jokes relating to pop culture, specific students (not making fun of them), and self-deprecating quips. Everyone could really use a laugh during this unusual situation. Just remember that no part of your speech should be harmful or offensive—make sure your humor is appropriate.

Keep it short and sweet 

Keep your speech between five to 10 minutes, and be sure that every part is important to the development of your theme. If a section isn’t necessary, cut it; graduation ceremonies are already long and boring enough without additional rambling. Make sure to end your speech on a positive note and thank staff members too.

Practice makes perfect

Your delivery is equally as important as your writing. Here are a few key things to keep in mind so you can deliver your speech with confidence:

  • Work through any potential stumbling ahead of time by practicing the more difficult sections. 
  • Remember to plan in pauses for laughter where appropriate. 
  • Teach yourself to shake off public speaking mistakes and just keep going.
  • Speak slowly and emphasize important sentences. 
  • Try to make eye contact with the audience and stand up straight. 
  • Make sure you know when you’ll speak and how you should walk up to the stage if you’re having an in-person ceremony.

Related: 5 Effective Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Giving a speech at graduation is a major achievement. Even though you may be stressed by the task, make sure to pat yourself on the back at some point. And remember, you’ve been asked to give this speech because your peers and teachers know you have what it takes. Put some heart in your speech and everything will be fine! 

Did you know you can use this experience on a college or job résumé? Check out this article on how to plan your perfect résumé and be sure to include it! 

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Rebecca Barer

I am an avid reader, and I devote most of my time to writing and cooking. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family and generally enjoying life. I'm so excited to start at Johns Hopkins University this fall!

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Bri'Yana Brown-Dunn

Bri'Yana Brown-Dunn

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress helped me gain interest in many colleges/universities and many scholarships. I would say the most helpful thing CollegeXpress has done for me is sending me emails that tell me certain types of colleges are interested in me as well as emails about scholarships that I can look at and possibly apply for.

Tinuola Dada

Tinuola Dada

$2,000 Community Service Scholarship Winner, 2015

I am very excited to be this year's recipient of the Multicultural Student Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship will bring me ever closer to my academic and professional goals. CollegeXpress has been an exceptional resource to me, and I recommend it to all rising seniors as they begin to navigate the college application process.

Lydia Huth

Lydia Huth

Student, Campbell University; CollegeXpress Student Writer

I discovered CollegeXpress while embarking on my college search journey as an excited—but scared and way confused—high schooler without a counselor or college-bound sibling to give me advice. Let me tell you, I’m so glad that I stumbled on this community! CollegeXpress helped me find potential colleges and keep application deadlines straight. It gave me a great list of scholarships, and the blogs and emails made me feel like I wasn’t going it alone. Almost three years later and with freshman year of college down, I still love the CollegeXpress vibe so much that I’m writing for them. I’d recommend this site to anyone!

Kyla McClain

Kyla McClain

High School Class of 2024

I found CollegeXpress when you partnered with Bold.org for a scholarship. I found your website, put my information in, and got connected. I only wanted to stay in North Carolina [for college] and not move far from home, but you all opened a door up for me. I started researching colleges you suggested for me. On your social media platforms, you also give really good test-taking tips that I used and suggested others to do the same. It helped me a lot on my exams, so thank you.

Kory Gilbertson

Kory Gilbertson

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has helped me explore my views on college in that "why do I wanna go to a certain school" way. It’s helped me explore the best fits in all of these outstanding choices. All these college admission counselors can access my accolades showing them how I could help their college. This source of information helps me show these admission directors who I am and what I'm interested in. Thanks to this platform, my experience for education will be better than most, and I'm so grateful for all that it has provided for me.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Fisher College

Boston, MA

Allegheny College

Meadville, PA

Covenant College

Lookout Mountain, GA