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How to Write an Inspirational Graduation Speech: Ideas and Examples

Last updated on January 06, 2023 - © Free-Sample-Letter.com

The Speech of a Graduation Ceremony

A graduation ceremony speech is typically given by a member of the faculty, a school administrator or a distinguished guest. The purpose of the speech is to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class and to offer words of wisdom and encouragement as they move on to the next phase of their lives.

The speech may also include a review of the highlights of the students' time at the school and a reflection on the values and lessons that they have learned. The speaker may also offer congratulations to the students and their families, and may address any challenges or obstacles that the students may have faced along the way. Overall, a graduation ceremony speech should be inspiring and uplifting, and should help to set the tone for the celebration of the students' accomplishments.

Crafting a Graduation Ceremony Speech: Our Writing Tips

Here are some tips for writing an inspirational graduation ceremony speech :

• Start by considering your audience: What will be most meaningful for them to hear? What stories or lessons can you share that are relevant to their lives and experiences? Think about what will inspire them, motivate them and encourage them as they continue on their journey.
• Focus on the positives: A graduation ceremony is a time to celebrate accomplishments and to look ahead to a bright future. Avoid discussing any negative experiences or challenges.
• Keep your speech brief: Graduation ceremonies can be lengthy, so try to communicate your message in an efficient way that won't lose people's attention.
• Include some humor: A bit of humor is always welcome and helps to lighten the mood. Just be mindful that your jokes are appropriate and won't offend anyone.
• End on a high note: Wrap up the speech with an inspiring quote or call to action that will leave a lasting impression on the graduates.

Graduation Ceremony and Presentation of a Diploma: a Sample Speech Easy to Adapt

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We would like to welcome you all here today for our (name of event) and wish to thank you all for your support.

This is a traditional day for us here at (name of university, etc.), we have been proud to hold this diploma presentation ceremony for our students since (1935). Each year, those graduating receive their final step in their chosen studies, enabling them to now use their newfound knowledge and experience to further their professional career.

We have (5) different categories to present today that are: (list the names of the different categories).

I am honoured to be able to present these diplomas today to you all, I (explain some of your history, why you are able to be presenting today) and I am here today on behalf of (state if you are representing a particular company/organization).

We will start the (afternoon) off with the (name of) category.

I would like to present this to (Mr. Michael M. Smith/Miss X.), from (city/state or country), who has earned this diploma through (his/her) hard work, dedication to learning and enthusiasm for the subject during the (3 year) course to achieve beyond what was expected of (him/her) at the beginning of (2008) when (he/she) first begun (his/her) studies here at (name of university etc.).

(Michael/Miss X.) has demonstrated some very unique qualities during (his/her) time here with us, (he/she) has the ability to (here you might like to add some of his special qualifications which make the person stand out).

These talents have not only helped (him/her) through his journey of study but have also shown how (he/she) is able to be an involved and well-liked member of the community here at (Name of University) as many of (his/her) friends have shared with me some of (his/her) special personal attributes such as (list a few here).

On that note, would (Michael/Miss X) please come forward.

(Wait until the person is in front of you, present the diploma and read the heading and title out loud as you present it to them).

If you would like to say a few words please go ahead...

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24 Graduation Speeches: Speeches You Give in Pointy Hats

Graduation is a big day for graduates, their families, and teachers. If you are called to give a graduation speech, you want to make it special.  I want to share with you what makes a good graduation speech and give you tips on how to write one that will make an impact.

As we begin, you need to wrap your mind around two main things:

• Most people do not remember the graduation speeches they hear, but they do remember the feeling they got in the moment–inspired, bored, challenged.
• The more you tap into shared memories, the more meaningful the speech will be for those listening.

There are two main types of graduation speakers, the student speaker, and the headline speaker. At one college at our university, there is a speech contest to be the graduation speaker and at another college, it is someone who has been nominated by a faculty member. How you get there varies from place to place At the local high school, the valedictorian is often the speaker. I recently went to high school graduation and they had seven valedictorians so they had seven speakers–yes, it was as long as you can imagine.

When thinking about giving a graduation speech, you have to ask, “What does the audience need from me?” They need you to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and focus on the future. This chapter will walk you through the essentials of giving a graduation speech and then give you several example speeches as samples of key elements.

Gather the Details

• How long will you speak?
• Who will be in attendance?
• Who will introduce you?
• Are you the only speaker?
• Will there be a microphone?
• Can you use speech notes?
• Brainstorm with Friends

This is the fun part. Sit down with friends and make a list of all the things that come to mind about the college experience. When brainstorming, write down everything you think of and don’t try to judge whether it should be included, just go with it.  There is an entire chapter on how to brainstorm here. 

• Food, dining halls, local restaurants
• Hangouts on campus
• Social events
• Notable classes
• Significant memories
• Current events
• Shared college experiences (on our campus it might be buying scantrons, hearing the bells of Old Main, and using Blackboard.

Organizational Format

Most all student graduation speeches include the past, present, and future format.

• Present: Opening statement and the thank you.
• Past: The shared memory.
• Future: The challenge and a closing statement.

Manuscript Format

Most student graduation speeches are in manuscript format. That helps you from getting overwhelmed at the moment and that also gives the school a chance to censor– I mean to approve of–your content. There is an entire chapter on writing a manuscript that you can refer to here. 

Pick a Theme

Many graduation speeches use a theme. Here are some of the most common graduation themes.

It can be helpful to pick a theme and connect a metaphor to your theme. There is an entire chapter on how to do that here. 

“There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to push you in another direction.” Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University Commencement Speech

Start Your Speech with an Introduction

Most introductions acknowledge the occasion, offer thanks, and lead into the main idea. Shutterfly suggests these as openings.

• “Thank you [person who introduced you]. And thank you to the students, teachers, parents, and staff who made these four years everything that they were.”
• “It’s my honor today to deliver the commencement address for this incredible student body.”
• “It is my pleasure to welcome students, families, and faculty to graduation day at [school’s name]. Every one of you has made an impact on the graduates who sit here today.”
• “I stand here before you, looking back on four years of legacy we’ve all made together.”

Use the Principles of Good Ceremonial Speaking

I have written a chapter on each component of ceremonial speaking and you can reference those you need:

• Tell a story
• Use identification, narration, and magnification
• Use colorful language
• Use metaphor, simile,  and theme
• Put your speech in manuscript format

Look for Stories that Celebrate Common Experiences

Notice how Jaclyn Marston reflects on specific classes and memories. (Watch starting at .54 seconds).

Watch how Lin Manuel Miranda references the familiar and the obscure in his address to the University of Pennsylvania (start watching at 1:12).

Use a Theme

Notice how she uses the theme–“What do you want to be” when you grow up and alters it to  “What do you want to do?” She opens with this and wraps back around to this same idea at the end.

Be Vulnerable

Notice how this speaker admits his shortcomings. We feel like he is honest and vulnerable so we hang on his everyword.

Headline Speaker Sample Speeches

Headline speakers are usually someone famous or notable. Speeches by those individuals almost always include stories and challenges. I have included several here. Pick two of them to analyze.

Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories. Steve Jobs

These highlights of Lou Holtz’s graduation speech is full of great challenges and life lessons.

Tim Minchin

“One: Be micro-ambitious. Put your head down and work with pride on whatever is in front of you. You never know where you might end up.

Two: Don’t seek happiness. Keep busy and aim to make someone else happy and you might find you get some as a side effect.

Three:  Understanding that you can’t truly take credit for your successes nor truly blame others for their failures will humble you and make you more compassionate.

Four: Exercise. Take care of your body: you’re going to need it.

Five: Be hard on your opinions. Be intellectually rigorous. Identify your biases, your prejudices, your privileges.

Six: Even if you’re not a teacher, be a teacher. Share your ideas. Don’t take for granted your education.

Seven: Define yourself by what you love. Be demonstrative and generous in your praise of those you admire. Send thank you cards and give standing ovations. Be pro stuff not just anti stuff.

Eight: Respect people with less power than you.

Nine: Finally, don’t rush. You don’t need to know what you’re going to do with the rest of your life.”

As you can see, graduation speeches can be serious or lighthearted; they can be personal, motivational, and informative. The key thing is that the speech should be authentic. It should be as unique as the speaker.

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

• Graduation speeches should reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and inspire towards the future.
• Consider the needs of the audience and find commonalities.
• Tell a story.
• Use a manuscript.

Bonus Features

Jaclyn Marson describes the process of how she wrote her Graduation Speech.

Dunham, A. (2019). Valedictorian comes out as autistic during speech. [Video] YouTube.  https://youtu.be/GtPGrLoU5Uk Standard YouTube License

Holtz, L. (2017). Lou Holtz’s inspirational speech. Commencement speech.[Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3LOo_Ccyws Standard YouTube License

Jobs, S. (2008). Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address. [Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc Standard YouTube License.

Jostens, (n.d.).  Celebrate high school memories. Inspire your grad community. https://www.jostens.com/resources/students-and-parents/graduation-guides/how-to-write-a-grad-speech

Marson, J. (2020). How to write an amazing graduation speech–Jaclyn Marson podcast Ep 1. [Video] YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5CUSzp9SrM Standard YouTube License.

Marston, J. (2016). Beautiful and moving graduation speech 2016. [Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F3K3Z_5CEE Standard YouTube License.

Minchin, T. (2013). 9 life lessons-Time Minchin UWA Address. [Video] YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoEezZD71sc Standard YouTube License.

Rosen, L. (2019). Leah Rosen: “The power of this place,” Duke University 2019 commencement student speaker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4N Standard YouTube License.

Shutterfly. (n.d) How to start a graduation speech. https://www.shutterfly.com/ideas/graduation-speech/

Stewart, M.  (2020). Student speaker. Commencement 2020. University of Utah. [Video] YouTube.   h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZFJnZvuQIo Standard YouTube License.

University of Pennsylvania. (2016). Penn’s 2016 commencement ceremony- Commencement speaker Lin-Manuel Miranda. [Video] YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewHcsFlolz4&t=0s Standard YouTube License.

Media Attributions

• Graduation Photo © Lynn Meade is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Write a Graduation Speech (Graduation Speech Examples)

Have you been asked to deliver a commencement speech? Or have you worked your butt off to become valedictorian or salutatorian, and now you have to deliver a graduation speech? In this post, we will cover one of the more challenging types of presentation creation: How to Write a Graduation Speech . (By the way, I have also included a few popular graduation speech examples as a guide for you.)

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This post is a continuation of our How to Create a Presentation series. We are going to break this post down into three parts, though. We will show you how to create a commencement speech in this post. Next week, I’ll show you how to write a valedictorian speech and how to deliver a salutatorian speech. Each of these graduation speeches has a slightly different purpose, but all of them need to be inspirational and funny.

How to Write a Commencement Speech

The commencement speech is often the keynote speech of the graduation ceremony. This presentation should be uplifting and entertaining, but this graduation speech should also teach a life lesson to the graduating students. If you do a search on YouTube of the best graduation speeches, many of these speakers will be famous comedians. When a comedian delivers a commencement speech, and the speech is posted on YouTube, it will always get a ton of views. The humor alone will make people want to watch the video. Three of the most popular of these speeches are by Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell, and Ellen DeGeneres. The interesting thing about the speeches from these famous comedians is that, yes, they are funny, but the inspiration comes from what they learned from their failures.

“There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life life trying to push you in another direction.” Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University Commencement Speech

A Good Structure When You Write a Commencement Address

Thank the crowd.

Start with Something Funny

Be Inspirational

The inspirational part of your commencement speech will come from the theme of the graduation speech . (For Sample Graduation Speech Themes , see the section below.) The easiest way to develop a theme is to look for an inspirational famous quote about success. You can do this by just going to Google and type in “success quotes”. Once you come up with a great quote, you can either paraphrase the quote and make it your own or quote the original speaker.

Tell Stories from Your Own Experience Related to Your Quote (Theme).

This the most important part of how to write a graduation speech. The stories and examples are what the audience will remember. These stories add emotion and inspiration to your graduation speech. They also help you build rapport with the audience. Finally, these stories make your delivery much easier. You don’t have to memorize a lot of material. Instead, just play the video in your head of what happened and describe the incident to the graduates.

For a great example of this, watch the YouTube video on Stanford University’s channel where Steve Jobs gives the commencement speech. I love this speech, because Jobs skips the introduction and the funny stuff and starts his speech with the following. “I’m going to tell you three stories.” It’s simple, and the crowd loves him.

End with an Inspirational Call to Action.

So as you go on to the next stage in your life and you experience failure… because you will experience failure, use that as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere. Don’t rest on that success. Use it as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere, and you will experience a series of successes and failures that will allow you to accomplish something great!”

Use this outline to create a simple 20 to 30 minute speech. (The shorter the better… No one gets a diploma until you finish.)

Sample Graduation Speech Themes

If you are having trouble coming up with a theme for your graduation speech, here are a few Sample Commencement Speech Themes. As you read through them, think about which them or quote has been most applicable in your career? Once you choose a graduation speech them, use the outline above to create your speech.

• Hard Work Leads to Success

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” — Coleman Cox

• Create Your Own Path.

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” — Herman Melville

• Make Things Happen.

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau

• Don’t Settle for Average. Strive for Greatness.

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” –John D. Rockefeller

• Don’t Wait for the Perfect Opportunity. Look for a Way to Create Your Own Opportunity.

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — Chris Grosser/blockquote> The Road Ahead is Hard, But It Leads to Success. “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” — Jim Rohn

• Focus on Your Dream.

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” — Bruce Lee

• Learn from Every Mistake to Move Toward Success.

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” — Conrad Hilton

• When Your Why is Big Enough, Your How Will Appear.

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” — Jim Rohn

• Happiness is the Key to Success.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer

Use the Speech Creator as a Guide to How to Create a Graduation Speech

Once you have chosen a them, and you have a few stories to inspire your audience, use our Online Speech Writer to help you organize your thoughts. (It’s free.)

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Graduation Speech Examples

50 top graduation speech ideas (& examples).

Try to search online and you’ll find a lot of graduation speech examples. If you’re in charge of giving a speech during this important event, you have the choice of whether to compose a long or short graduation speech. As long as you’re able to convey your message, the length isn’t that relevant.

Table of Contents

• 1 Graduation Speech Examples
• 2 What should you write about in your graduation speech?
• 3 Graduation Speech Outlines
• 4 Structuring your graduation speech
• 5 Graduation Speech Templates
• 6 High School Graduation Speech
• 7 Tips for writing graduation speech
• 8 College Graduation Speech

What should you write about in your graduation speech?

Most people wonder what to write for their graduation speech examples. Whether you need to compose a high school graduation speech example or a college graduation speech example, you must put a lot of careful thought and consideration into the contents of your speech.

In the past, writing a graduation speech template wasn’t that intimidating. But now, you should remember that there’s a high likelihood that the people present at the event will post your speech on social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube. This makes it imperative that you compose a speech that’s effective, interesting, and won’t end up offending anyone.

A lot of incredible speakers start their speech-writing process by creating an outline. So, if you want to come up with a great speech, you may want to start off with a graduation speech outline . Here, you include everything you want to include in your speech. From there, writing becomes easier.

Graduation Speech Outlines

Structuring your graduation speech

When it comes to the structure of your graduation speech, you have a few options to choose from. As you create your graduation speech outline, you’re giving it a structure for you to follow when it’s time to start writing.

You may create a long or short graduation speech depending on how much you want to say and how long you want to stand in front of the graduating class. You can even create a graduation speech template using the structure of your choice. This makes it easier for you for the next time you need to come up with a speech.

If you have no idea where to start, you may go online and read high school graduation speech examples or college graduation speech examples. Use these as your reference or for your inspiration as you write your speech.

Graduation Speech Templates

Either way, these examples will be a great help to you if it’s your first time to compose such a speech. To guide you, here are some structures to follow for your graduation speech:

• Use a few themes which you illustrate with non-fictional or personal stories For this type of speech, you can use a couple of themes which you introduce early in your speech. From reaching their dreams of finding their own place in the world, there are so many themes to choose from. Then illustrate these themes further using non-fictional examples or stories from your personal life.
• Use several themes which you illustrate with short anecdotes or personal stories For this structure, you come up with a number of themes for your audiences. But instead of sharing those themes at the start of your speech, you share short anecdotes or personal stories which illustrate those themes. Then you give helpful advice to your audience to help them in their future endeavors. However, this structure isn’t ideal for short graduation speeches. Since you’re going to use several themes, this means that your speech would be relatively long. Therefore, it’s probably a good idea to use this for a college graduation speech, not one for a high school graduation .
• Use an autobiographical narrative If you plan to use this structure for your graduation speech examples, it means that you want to open up and share more details about your life to your audience. It’s sort of like a mini-memoir wherein the audience learns a lot about the experiences you’ve had in your personal life. As you share these experiences, you also share a lot of life lessons with them. Although you don’t give advice directly at the beginning of your speech, you would incorporate these little bits of advice throughout your speech. Talk about your own experiences after graduation, how you dealt with the real world, and how you overcame different kinds of challenges.
• Use the main theme and some personal references Finally, you can also structure your speech in such a way that you’re leading up to one main theme or point. A lot of people find this structure to be extremely difficult to put together because they feel like it’s too limited. But as long as you create a graduation speech outline, following this structure won’t be that much of a challenge.

High School Graduation Speech

Tips for writing graduation speech

Whether you’re representing the graduation class or you’re asked to come and give a speech to the graduating class, you have to come up with your own graduation speech. The good news is that there are a lot of graduation speech examples which you can use as a reference.

Writing a graduation speech doesn’t have to be a difficult task. As long as you have an idea of what to write and you know what you want to say to the graduating class, the words will start flowing from your mind. But if you need some help, here are some tips to guide you:

• Brainstorming Any great speech starts with a brainstorming session. You can begin by asking yourself what you want to write in your speech. If you’re the representative of the graduating class, then think about all of the learning and experiences you’ve gained throughout your education. If they asked you to speak for the graduating class, then think about the advice you want to share to them in order to inspire them and somehow prepare them for what’s to come. Brainstorming involves a lot of thought, especially about the future. There’s nothing wrong with talking about the past and the present but since you’ll speak to a graduating class, talking about the future is much more relevant. As you think about the things to say, write everything down on a piece of paper. Later on, you can review your ideas to see which ones to keep and which ones to remove from your speech.
• Choosing a theme After your brainstorming session, you’d have a lot of ideas, stories, and advice to share to your audience. Now it’s time to begin shaping all of these into one coherent speech. To do this, you may want to think about the theme to focus on for your speech. Whether you want to choose a single theme or a collection of themes which you will link with one another, this step makes speech writing easier. Also, having a theme makes the speech more memorable and impactful to the audience. With a theme, you’ll also be able to sort through the things you’ve written down more effectively only choosing the ones which relate to your theme.
• Building the structure After you’ve identified the theme, you can start building the structure of your graduation speech. Here are some steps to help you out: Make sure that your introductory statement grabs the attention of your audience right away. In other words, get the audience “hooked” from the beginning so they will feel compelled to listen to your entire speech. Illustrate the theme you’ve chosen by telling stories. Keep in mind that the best stories always have a beginning with a challenge or obstacle, a middle where you share how you overcame it, and an end where you discussed how this experience helped you grow. For the end of your speech, tie together all of the points you’ve discussed throughout your speech. Also, make it clear how your message applies to your audience. You may also share valuable advice to your audience in the conclusion of your speech.
• Practicing your delivery Even after you’ve written your speech, the work doesn’t end there. You also have to deliver it to the graduating class. For a lot of people, this part is a lot more intimidating, especially for those who aren’t used to speaking in front of an audience. Here are some pointers for you: If you’ve created a short graduation speech, you may want to try memorizing it. This helps you focus on your delivery to make it more personable. Don’t speak too fast even when you’re feeling nervous. Try practicing in front of friends and family so you can learn how to consciously slow down your speaking rate. Once in a while, pause during the delivery of your speech. You can either pause to emphasize your point or to give the audience some time to consider what you’ve said. If you want to keep your audience engaged, make eye contact. Don’t feel stressed or stop if you make any mistake. Just continue with your speech.
• Other tips for you Don’t forget to thank everyone who helped you on your journey. If you aren’t part of the graduating class, thank the person who invited you to give the speech. Be as lively and enthusiastic as possible when delivering your speech. If it’s your first time to deliver a speech, practice again and again. Have fun with it! Feeling stressed won’t help.

College Graduation Speech

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How to Write and Deliver a Memorable Graduation Speech: Tips, Examples, and Techniques

• The Speaker Lab
• March 7, 2024

Table of Contents

The goal of any graduation speech is to find words that capture the essence of years spent learning and growing. Today, we’ll guide you through that process and help you craft a memorable graduation speech . You’ll learn to weave gratitude with shared experiences, and balance humor with wisdom. We’ll even help you find quotes that strike a chord and deliver them in a way that resonates.

But that’s not all! Dive into proven strategies for public speaking , managing stage fright , and drawing inspiration from iconic commencement speeches. Discover how personal growth stories add depth to your message and explore themes that leave a lasting impact on your peers as they step forward into new beginnings.

Crafting Your Graduation Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to marking the end of your high school or university journey, a graduation speech can capture the essence of this pivotal moment. But how do you start such an important address?

Opening with Impact

The first words of your graduation speech are crucial. They set the stage for what’s to come and grab your audience’s attention. Think about starting strong by sharing a personal anecdote that ties into the broader experience of your class or drawing from Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech , where he began with, “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life.” This technique instantly piques interest because it promises narratives that have shaped who you are.

An impactful opening also acknowledges shared experiences. Perhaps you could reflect on how moments in classrooms turned strangers into lifelong friends. Or for university commencements, consider touching upon those late-night study sessions that tested perseverance but ultimately led to academic achievements worth celebrating today.

Building the Body of Your Graduation Speech

In crafting the body content, intertwine lessons learned throughout high school years or during university courses with aspirations for what lies ahead. For instance, share how overcoming obstacles like balancing extracurricular activities and academics taught valuable time management skills.

To add depth, incorporate quotes from luminaries like Oprah Winfrey or draw parallels between classroom learnings and real-world applications. Dive deeper by discussing milestones achieved together as a graduating class and recognizing the hard work everyone put in to make it to this monumental occasion.

Concluding with Inspiration

Your conclusion should leave fellow graduates feeling inspired while helping them celebrate high school memories one last time—or honor those unforgettable college years if addressing higher education grads.

Closing remarks could include heartfelt gratitude towards teachers’ support and parental guidance. You might even crack a joke or two. It’s these personalized touches paired with universal truths that resonate most deeply as students step forward into new chapters post-graduation.

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Delivery Techniques for Confident Speaking

Standing in front of a crowd can turn even the most composed student into a bundle of nerves. But fear not, with some smart strategies, you’ll be able to channel your inner orator and deliver your graduation speech with confidence.

Practicing Your Graduation Speech

Becoming familiar with every word of your speech is key. Rehearse it out loud until the words feel like second nature. This practice does more than just help you remember what comes next; it lets you find the natural rhythm and pace of your delivery. Consider recording yourself to catch any quirks or stumbling blocks—you might be surprised at how much this helps refine your presentation.

A trick often overlooked is practicing in different environments. If possible, stand on the actual stage where you will deliver your commencement address. Familiarity breeds comfort, making that once daunting podium seem like an old friend when graduation day arrives.

Overcoming Nervousness and Stage Fright

Nervousness is normal but doesn’t let it dictate your performance. Before stepping up to speak, take deep breaths to steady yourself—a calm body encourages a calm mind. An effective method for easing anxiety is visualization. Imagine delivering each line perfectly and receiving an enthusiastic response from listeners—envisioning success can make it so.

Maintaining Eye Contact

The power of eye contact cannot be overstated. It connects speaker and listener on a personal level that amplifies engagement significantly. Scan across different sections of the audience periodically without lingering too long on any one individual.

Incorporate these techniques diligently when preparing for the big day. In doing so, they become part of muscle memory and help build confidence. With confidence and plenty of practice on your side, your graduation speech is sure to conclude to applause leaving you to celebrate yet another milestone achieved.

Analyzing Renowned Graduation Speeches for Inspiration

When crafting a commencement speech , it’s often helpful to look at the giants whose words have echoed through auditoriums and across campuses. Steve Jobs’ Stanford University Commencement Speech is a classic example of weaving life lessons into an address that connects deeply with graduates. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey’s Harvard University Commencement Address showed how stumbling blocks can become stepping stones if we learn from them.

Steve Jobs’ Storytelling Mastery

Jobs had a knack for turning personal anecdotes into universal truths. In his Stanford address, he shared three stories from his own life without sounding self-indulgent. These stories worked because each one carried a broader message relevant to every graduate: finding what you love, dealing with loss, and facing death head-on. Jobs famously urged students to “stay hungry, stay foolish,” encouraging them not just to pursue success but remain curious about life despite challenges. This advice is especially poignant for today’s graduating class.

Like Jobs, you too can craft narratives around moments that speak volumes about perseverance and passion.

Oprah’s Unflinching Honesty

Much like her television persona suggests, Oprah did not shy away from discussing her setbacks in front of Harvard’s graduating class. Instead, she confidently laid bare the challenges faced by anyone who dares greatly because failure is part of achieving greatness. As she reminded students, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point you are bound to stumble.”

In doing so she forged an instant connection with listeners grappling with their fears about what the future holds post-graduation. It was a powerful reminder that even icons like Oprah are not immune to trials but emerge stronger through them.

The power behind these speeches lies not just in their content but also in their delivery. These speakers mastered the art of speaking confidently before crowds, maintaining eye contact, and conveying authenticity—techniques any speaker should aspire to replicate on graduation day.

Themes and Messages That Resonate with Graduates

Facing a sea of caps and gowns, the right words can turn a graduation ceremony from mundane to memorable. When crafting your commencement speech, focusing on themes like overcoming obstacles and perseverance connects deeply with graduates who have hurdled high school or college challenges.

Overcoming Obstacles

Talking about stumbling blocks is not just relatable; it’s inspirational. Think Steve Jobs at Stanford University or Oprah Winfrey at Harvard—both shared personal tales of setbacks turned into comebacks. Beyond simply telling their stories, they showed how those hurdles were stepping stones to success.

Weave your narrative around the potholes you’ve navigated during your high school years. This doesn’t mean airing every bit of dirty laundry, just highlighting that one significant moment where everything seemed against you yet failed to defeat you.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance is more than sticking to something—it’s pushing forward when every fiber wants to quit. It resonates because everyone, including your fellow graduates, has felt that urge to give up but chose to persevere instead.

Incorporate this theme by using vivid examples that mirror collective experiences—the all-nighters before exams or balancing sports stars ambitions with academics—to illustrate perseverance isn’t just an idea but lived reality for many students.

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Life Lessons Shared During Graduation Speeches

In addition to sharing content that fellow graduates will find relatable and inspirational, you should also consider sharing life lessons with your audience. Whether young or old, everyone has a unique perspective on life and sharing your wisdom can steer graduates toward a fulfilling path.

The Power of Kindness

Making a positive impact doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes it’s found in small acts of kindness or an innovative idea that simplifies lives. This message sticks because everyone wants their work to mean something—to know they’ve left footprints on society’s vast canvas.

True Grit and Tenacity

Embracing failure and resilience is another powerful theme echoed by commencement speakers across podiums. Let’s face it; not all endeavors lead straight to success. But as Oprah Winfrey once said during her Harvard University commencement address, “It doesn’t matter how far you might rise… At some point, you are bound to stumble.” Her words remind us: How we pick ourselves up matters more than how we fall.

Making a Positive Impact

A graduating class stands poised on tomorrow’s threshold ready to mold history—and speeches should fuel this transformative fire within them. Memorable graduation speeches show individuals that ovation-worthy achievements are possible if you believe your actions count.

As you prepare your graduation speech, consider including one of these life lessons or one of your own. Don’t be afraid to share your hard-won insights to your fellow graduates—you just might inspire them to make history.

Celebrating Achievements and Acknowledging Contributions

Graduation is not just a ceremony. It’s a tribute to the academic achievements and extracurricular activities that have shaped students into who they are. The acknowledgment of teacher support and parental guidance also plays a pivotal role in these speeches, as they’re the scaffolding upon which student successes are built.

Academic Achievements, Extracurricular Activities

Acknowledging academic prowess goes beyond GPA scores or honor societies; it’s about highlighting unique intellectual journeys. Similarly, shining a light on extracurricular triumphs—be it sports stars setting records or artists winning competitions—adds depth to your speech. Remembering these moments isn’t merely recounting victories but celebrating the relentless spirit of your fellow graduates.

Diving deeper into personal anecdotes helps you connect with peers by reminding them of their growth through challenges faced together—from late-night study sessions to championship games. It’s these stories that make graduation memories stick with classmates long after commencement ends.

Teacher Support, Parental Guidance

The unsung heroes behind every graduate deserve their moment in your address too. Teachers’ dedication can turn classrooms into launch pads for dreams, while parents’ unwavering belief often fuels aspirations during tumultuous times like the pandemic.

In weaving tales of mentorship from teachers or wisdom imparted by parents, you remind everyone that success is rarely a solo act—it’s supported by many hands and hearts along the way. Celebrate this collective effort because each person has contributed uniquely to shaping graduating classes across America, including yours.

Common Issues in Writing and Delivering Graduation Speeches

Staring at a blank page as the clock ticks down to graduation day can rattle even the most seasoned speech writers. Overcoming writer’s block is about finding your message stick—the core idea that you want to leave with your peers. Remember, this isn’t just any talk; it’s one that marks a significant transition for both you and your audience.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Finding yourself stumped on how to write a speech ? Don’t sweat it. Start by jotting down memories from school years or powerful life lessons that resonate. Think of Steve Jobs’ Stanford University commencement speech where he shared personal stories, which became an inspirational backbone for many other speeches.

If inspiration doesn’t strike immediately, step away from the computer. Take a walk and reflect on high school experiences or browse through commencement speeches archives—like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s address at the University of Pennsylvania. They might spark ideas you hadn’t considered yet.

Navigating Technical Troubles

A great speech can stumble over technical hiccups. To avoid glitches, check all equipment beforehand—a simple but crucial task often overlooked due to nerves or excitement about graduating class celebrations.

Prior rehearsals will also let you handle these issues like a pro should they pop up during delivery. Make sure any videos or slides complement rather than overshadow what you’re saying. After all, graduates aren’t there for bells and whistles—they’re there for meaningful words.

Handling Stage Fright

Your knees may shake thinking delivering in front of proud parents and peers—it’s no small feat, after all. Before you step on stage, visual your success until it feels more real and attainable.

And don’t forget to watch your body language . During your speech, maintain eye contact—not stare-downs—to connect genuinely with fellow students. And if anxiety creeps up despite practice sessions? Take deep breaths to steady yourself and keep going. You’ve handled high school—you can handle this.

FAQs on Writing and Delivering a Graduation Speech

What do i say in my graduation speech.

Share heartfelt stories, acknowledge support from others, and inspire your classmates to chase their dreams boldly.

How do you write a 3 minute graduation speech?

Keep it tight: hit the high notes with gratitude, shared memories, a dash of humor, and wrap up with punchy inspiration.

How do I start a graduation speech?

Kick off with thanks. Give props to family and mentors. Set the stage for reflecting on past adventures together.

What is the most important message of a graduation speech?

The core should spark hope—urge peers to leap into tomorrow equipped with lessons learned during these formative years.

Master your moment with a graduation speech that turns heads and warms hearts. Remember the power of gratitude and connect with your audience through stories, those shared adventures that bind you to your classmates. Don’t be afraid to add a few jokes and quotes to your speech either, as well as personal growth stories to inspire.

When you hit the stage, stand tall, make eye contact, and speak from your heart—the podium’s yours. If butterflies invade, breathe deep and know everyone’s rooting for you. Writer’s block didn’t stop you and neither will this.

Your graduation speech is not just words—it’s a battle cry for your graduating class as you prepare to conquer what lies ahead!

• Last Updated: March 5, 2024

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Graduation Speech [20 Examples + Template]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Being selected as a commencement speaker is a great recognition, but the responsibility can be intimidating. How do you know what kind of message will hit home for the graduates at this point in their lives? How do you make your message stand out from other words of wisdom that the graduating class has heard before?

Fortunately, there are many incredible graduation speeches from which you can pull information. We’ve gathered 15 of the best graduation speech examples here to make your research and brainstorming process easier. A little studying can give you ideas for the perfect graduation speech topic and help you write your speech efficiently.

In this article:

Graduation Speech Examples

Graduation speech template.

Take note of the flow and structure of the examples, and let them guide you in creating your own graduation speech outline. Remember to practice your speech and memorize the bulk of it so you’re able to deliver with confidence. With a strong theme and plenty of practice, you’re sure to gain the audience’s attention and leave them inspired.

Here are 15 free graduation speech examples to gain inspiration from. If you like a style or message of a sample speech, use it as a model to create your own original version.

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1. Funny Valedictorian Speech

This valedictorian entertains the audience of his high school graduation speech with subtle, kind-hearted jokes that reflect the graduating class and the school faculty. The graduation speaker has a sentimental theme to his speech, but his light humor ensures that the presentation is both meaningful and memorable.

“You see, this is not goodbye. This is see you in two to 10 years when I’m significantly smarter, wealthier, funnier, and more handsome than I am right now.”

2. College Graduation Speech Example: Conan O’Brien at Dartmouth College

You don’t have to be a famous comedian to deliver a funny graduation speech, but let Conan O’Brien’s speech at Dartmouth College serve as a good model to create your own. Intertwining life advice and great jokes, O’Brien inspires graduates to get past failure and pave their own paths.

“Today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment, you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.”

3. Preschool Graduation Speech

This preschool graduation speech is a great example for teachers who need to give a commencement address. A speech for a preschool or kindergarten graduation is different, in that the speaker is mostly communicating to the parents of the graduates. This preschool teacher delivers a meaningful speech that explains the joy in her job, while touching on the humorous things the students have said over the months.

“Tomorrow I give you back your child, the same child you entrusted in my care last fall, except now I give them back to you pounds heavier, inches taller… I give them back to you a little smarter, a little more mature, and a little more responsible than they were 10 months ago.”

4. David Foster Wallace Kenyon College Commencement Speech

In what is recognized as one of the best graduation speeches of all time, David Foster Wallace affirms to a class of liberal arts students that their education taught them how to think and how to be self-aware.

“The only thing that’s capital-T True is that you get to decide how you’re gonna try to see it. This, I submit, is the freedom of a real education, of learning how to be well-adjusted. You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn’t. You get to decide what to worship.”

5. Middle School Graduation Speech

A class president delivers a heartwarming message in a storytelling format at his middle school graduation ceremony.

“Once upon a time, three long years ago, a journey began. We were obedient little munchkins, climbing up stairs meant for giants, carrying heavy backpacks filled with every sort of colored pencil existing on this earth.”

6. University of Wisconsin-Madison Commencement Speech 2017

Steven Levitan, creator of the award-winning show “Modern Family,” was the commencement speaker at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the graduating class of 2017. This is a good example to follow if you’re an alum of the college you’re presenting to.

“It’s hard to believe I graduated here 33 years ago. I still have the official university photo of me receiving my diploma wearing only shorts under my cap and gown and holding a big bottle of champagne, as if to say, ‘Hey world, lower your expectations.'”

7. Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard University Commencement Speech

Successful people are often chosen as commencement speakers for university graduation ceremonies. See how the CEO and founder of Facebook is able to portray humility in relating to the 2017 graduating class at Harvard University.

“I’m honored to be with you today because, let’s face it, you accomplished something I never could. If I get through this speech, it’ll be the first time I actually finish something at Harvard. Class of 2017, congratulations!”

8. Al Roker’s Commencement Speech at Champlain College

Upon receiving his doctorate degree of humane letters, the “Today Show” weather anchor delivered an inspirational speech to the graduating class. Roker speaks to the class’s generation and relates his graduation speech topic back to his own upbringing.

“Be in the moment. Stop living through your screen. Experience it now.”

9. Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech at Stanford University

The Apple CEO’s commencement speech at 2005 to the graduating class at Stanford University is one of the classics. Jobs tells stories about his own experiences with dropping out of college, being fired from Apple, and being diagnosed with cancer.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of the other opinion drown out your own inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

10. Elementary School Graduation Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVOQVsbkmbM

This fifth-grade class speaker relates her teacher’s message to a lesson from her grandfather as her opening hook .

“To survive the fifth grade is not barely making it through. Instead, to survive means to perform with distinction.

11. Ellen Degeneres Commencement Speech at Tulane University

The famous talk show host and comedian Ellen Degeneres’s commencement speech at Tulane University is a great example of how a guest speaker can identify with her audience.

“It was so important for me to lose everything because I found what the most important thing is. The most important thing is to be true to yourself.”

12. University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address

Rear Admiral William H. McRaven aims to inspire his audience right from the beginning. The rear admiral encourages the graduating class to change the world, relating everyday life struggles to those of the people in the military.

“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

13. Matthew McConaughey Commencement Speech

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey drew from his own personal story to deliver an inspirational commencement speech at the University of Houston. McConaughey gives the graduating class 13 life lessons, including to define success for yourself and find joy in your work.

“Prioritize who you are and who you want to be. Don’t spend time with anything that antagonizes your character.”

14. Commencement Address by Jim Carrey

In his commencement address at Maharishi University of Management, actor Jim Carrey tells an emotional personal story. Carrey uses emotion to encourage the graduating class to walk their own path and never settle in life.

“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.”

15. Stephen Colbert’s Commencement Speech at Wake Forest University

The famous comedian delivers a witty and funny graduation speech, offering students practical advice for the real world.

“And if there’s one thing you need even more, it’s your own set of standards. It may seem counterintuitive now, but once you leave here, you may miss being graded on all your work. Because when you’re out of school, there are no objective criteria for achievement anymore.”

16. Inspiring Graduation Speech

In this remarkable graduation speech, the class valedictorian makes a political statement by publicly revealing her status as an undocumented immigrant. The speech starts out with jokes, but turns into a moving performance that’s as powerful as it is fun to watch.

“To each and every single one of you, I say thank you. You taught me that it’s okay to be different and that there will always be people willing to overlook those differences and accept you for being yourself.”

17. Funny Graduation Speech

This class-elected graduation speaker has the perfect delivery of well-crafted jokes and one-liners throughout her speech. She keeps the whole class laughing and never misses a beat.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to pursuing an additional 4-year education – which I can’t afford.”

18. Moving Graduation Speech

This college graduation speech educates listeners about women’s education through the eyes of the speaker, who encountered resistance to seeking an education just because she was a woman. It’s nearly impossible to listen to this speech without feeling moved to take action.

“I couldn’t have imagined attending college, simply because we weren’t allowed to. My sisters weren’t allowed to; the girls before me weren’t allowed to.”

19. Funny Graduation Speech

This graduation speech by the senior class president is humorous and engaging. The class president reminisces with plenty of jokes in a speech full of fun memories and just the right amount of inspiration.

“I know we can all agree that this class is resilient. We survived an earthquake, two blackouts, and Ebola.”

20. Short Graduation Speech

Graduation ceremonies can be long, but the speeches don’t have to be. This short graduation speech uses an “ABCs of life” format to pack a lot of power into a short amount of time. The class president gets wild applause from the audience for his quick but clever speech.

“We must Q – quit quitting, and R – run the race with patience.”

• Thank teachers and your parents or other family members for their support, encouragement, help, aid or personal assistance during your years of studying.
• Praise accomplishments and achievements of the class.
• Reflect upon the past years, what has changed and is interesting enough to share with all?
• Mention funny and exciting events, you can opt for funny oneliners or even small innocent jokes, poems or quotations from famous people if you like.
• Motivate your fellow students and teachers and professors to look to the bright future:
• I continue with the 10 most wanted and popular graduation speech topics:
• Give advice, but avoid boring cliches that are totally not surprising.
• Entertain by telling humorous anecdotes and vivid stories. Offer an account of an interesting or humorous incident.
• Express the feelings of the class. But do not go over the top.
• Say farewell to all attendees. This acknowledgment at parting is the warming-up for the next and final step
• Wish the graduates of your class all the best and thank them for listening.

Don’t forget to:

Thank the parents and family.  Have your class honor them with applause. Not only have they made sure you showed up to school, there’s a host of other responsibilities that parents have sacrificed to accomplish for you. Now is your moment to focus on them for a minute or so.

Thank the teachers and administrators.  Each teacher or professor works many long hours that you don’t see in the classroom, and many have poured their hearts and lives into teaching. Take this moment to make it worth it for them.

Use some of my vote of thanks example expressions to feed you imagination for topics for graduation speech a little bit.

Make the address personal. When you decide to make your graduation speech personal, you will experience much bigger success. It will also be more fun to write and deliver a talk that brings high school or college to a close with recognition of the small things in education life. The memories you will run across looking through yearbooks and talking about with friends will be priceless for you as well.

Calm the nerves.  It is very intimidating to address hundreds of people in the audience while delivering a graduation speech. Many of us have fear of public speaking. Before you proceed, do this test. And practice the tips.

Consider including:

STORIES Include stories about your school. These high school graduation speech topics can be about teachers and funny things that have happened over the year.

EVENTS Include motivational or moving events that may have happened – perhaps volunteer opportunities that have changed the students’ perspective. Make sure that any major events that have happened are recognized.

Sports and music events that have been important to the school need to be recognized, even if it happened in one of the prior years of your class and not the graduating year.

CLASS EXPERIENCE Bring the class experience alive for those attending the graduation. Grandparents and parents, as well as siblings, have heard the names from school.

Bring the people to the campus life that they have heard about.

DECEASED If a fellow student or teacher has died, mention that person. Make it not a funeral obituary eulogy but recognize them for the family who might be present.

PROJECTS Mention any projects that the school has undertaken; if you have been involved in a community garden or other volunteer organization give credit for the impact it has made.

Pet Peeve Speech Topics

Commemorative Speech

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This writer analyzed 100 graduation speeches — here are the 4 tips they all share

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Steve Jobs has been credited over the years with popularizing any number of other people’s inventions, from the personal computer to the tablet to the mobile phone. But none of these gifts may be as enduring as one of his rarely credited contributions to contemporary life — popularizing the viral commencement address.

On June 12, 2005, Jobs stood before the graduating class of Stanford University and reminded them that he had never graduated from college. “Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation.” He then told three stories about his life. “That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.”

That speech , coinciding as it did with the rise of internet virality (the first TED Talk would be posted on TED.com exactly 12 months later; the iPhone was introduced exactly 12 months after that), launched a global obsession with pithy, inspirational talks. Jobs’s speech has since been viewed more than 40 million times on YouTube.

Graduation speeches, long viewed as the burdensome interruption before diplomas were granted and mortar boards were tossed, have since become big business. Kurt Vonnegut, Ann Patchett, Carl Hiaasen, J.K. Rowling, Mary Karr, David Foster Wallace and many others have all had their commencement speeches published as books.

I’ve been fortunate to give a handful of commencement addresses over the years, and I confess to a fascination with the genre. The internet has been a boon this hobby. There are thousands of commencement speeches on the web. Can we learn anything from their messages?

I’ve spent the last few years gathering and coding hundreds of life stories, looking for patterns and takeaways that could help all of us live with more meaning, purpose and joy. I decided to put some of my coding tools to work, analyzing 100 of the most popular recent commencement speeches.

Here are the four tips they all contain:

1. Dream big

“I think it is often easier to make progress on mega-ambitious dreams. I know that sounds completely nuts. But, since no one else is crazy enough to do it, you have little competition. There are so few people this crazy that I feel like I know them all by first name. They all travel as if they are pack dogs and stick to each other like glue. The best people want to work the big challenges.” — Larry Page at University of Michigan , 2009

“We don’t beat the reaper by living longer. We beat the reaper by living well and living fully. For the reaper is always going to come for all of us. The question is: What do we do between the time we are born, and the time he shows up? Because when he shows up, it’s too late to do all the things that you’re always gonna, kinda get around to.” — Randy Pausch at Carnegie Mellon University , 2009

“Graduates, we need you. We need you to run companies and make decisions about who has access to capital. We need you to serve at the highest levels of government and determine our country’s standing in the world. We need you to work in our hospitals and in our courtrooms and in our schools. We need you to shape the future of technology. We need you because your perspective — the sum total of your intellect and your lived experience — will make our country stronger.” — Kamala Harris at Tennessee State University , 2022

2. Work hard

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” — Steve Jobs at Stanford University , 2005

“I just directed my first film. I was completely unprepared, but my own ignorance to my own limitations looked like confidence and got me into the director’s chair. Once there, I had to figure it all out, and my belief that I could handle these things, contrary to all evidence of my ability to do so was half the battle. The other half was very hard work. The experience was the deepest and most meaningful one of my career.” — Natalie Portman at Harvard University , 2015

“When you’re doing the work you’re meant to do, it feels right and every day is a bonus, regardless of what you’re getting paid … But make it your life’s work to remake the world because there is nothing more beautiful or more worthwhile than working to leave something better for humanity.” — Oprah Winfrey at Stanford University , 2008

3. Make mistakes

”Fail big. That’s right. Fail big … It’s a new world out there, and it’s a mean world out there, and you only live once. So do what you feel passionate about. Take chances, professionally. Don’t be afraid to fail. There’s an old IQ test with nine dots, and you had to draw five lines with a pencil within these nine dots without lifting the pencil, and the only way to do it was to go outside the box. So don’t be afraid to go outside the box.” — Denzel Washington at University of Pennsylvania , 2011

“The world doesn’t care how many times you fall down, as long as it’s one fewer than the number of times you get back up.” — Aaron Sorkin at Syracuse University , 2013

“My experience has been that my mistakes led to the best thing in my life. Being embarrassed when you mess up is part of the human experience of getting back up dusting yourself off and seeing who still wants to hang out with you afterward and laugh about it. That’s a gift. The times I was told no or wasn’t included wasn’t chosen, didn’t win, didn’t make the cut, looking back it really feels like those moments we’re as important if not more crucial than the moments I was told yes.” — Taylor Swift at NYU , 2022

“Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” — Conan O’Brien at Dartmouth College , 2011

“Empathy and kindness are the true signs of emotional intelligence.” — Will Ferrell at the University of Southern California , 2017

“So here’s something I know to be true, although it’s a little corny, and I don’t quite know what to do with it: What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded … sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet. It’s a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I’d say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.” — George Saunders at Syracuse University , 2013

So what can we learn from these themes?

Every era in American life has its own standards of what it means to be a success. Shortly after America’s founding, success was all about character. Led by Benjamin Franklin, Americans embraced virtue, industry, and frugality. In the twentieth century, success was all about personality. Led by Dale Carnegie, Americans embraced salesmanship, reinvention and charisma. Today, led by Steve Jobs, Americans are embracing meaning, authenticity and bliss. Or, as Kermit the Frog put it in a 1996 commencement speech at Southampton College , “May success and a smile always be yours … even when you’re knee-deep in the sticky muck of life.”

Dream, work, fail and smile are as good a foursome of American identity today as I know. And if those ideas don’t inspire you, you can always embrace the far more practical advice erroneously attributed to Kurt Vonnegut in a commencement speech that he never gave at MIT, but was instead delivered by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich in an imaginary speech to graduates she published in an old-fashioned newspaper, “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97: Wear sunscreen.”

This post was adapted from one published on his newsletter The Nonlinear Life; go here to subscribe.

Watch his TEDxIEMadrid Talk now:

About the author

Bruce Feiler is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including The Secrets of Happy Families and Council of Dads, both of which became the subject of TED Talks. His latest book, Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age, from which this post and TEDx Talk are adapted, describes his journey across America, collecting hundreds of life stories, exploring how we can navigate life’s growing number of transitions with more meaning, purpose and joy. To learn more, visit brucefeiler.com, follow him on Twitter (@brucefeiler), or sign up for his newsletter The Nonlinear Life. 

• bruce feiler
• communication
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How to Craft a Memorable Graduation or Commencement Speech

Navigating the challenge of delivering a captivating graduation speech can be a daunting task. Did you know, commencement speeches have become an integral part of graduation ceremonies, often delivered by notable figures like Steve Jobs at Stanford University? This blog will guide you through crafting an impactful and memorable address that not only celebrates milestones but inspires graduates as they embark on new journeys.

Ready for the applause? Continue reading!

How to Deliver an Inspiring and Motivating Graduation Speech

To deliver an inspiring and motivating graduation speech, reflect on past experiences, address the challenges and opportunities that await graduates, acknowledge their achievements, express gratitude and appreciation, and use storytelling to leave a lasting impression.

Reflecting on past experiences

Casting your mind back, weaving a rich tapestry of triumphs and trials, emerges as an essential ingredient in crafting a compelling graduation speech. TV mogul Shonda Rhimes emphasized this approach when she advised graduates to be doers rather than dreamers, drawing from her own experiences.

Contemplating past experiences doesn’t just stir nostalgia – it injects vital context and authenticity into your message, resonating with many who have charted the same journey. From acknowledging failures to celebrating successes; each story serves as a shining beacon illuminating the path for new graduates.

After all, every lesson learned contributes significantly to shaping an inspiring oration akin to  Horace Mann’s timeless address  in 1859 that stressed achieving victories for humanity before one’s death.

It’s about more than just reflecting on memorable high school moments: it’s understanding how these tales underpin today’s accomplished person – you!

Addressing the challenges and opportunities that await graduates

Nailing the section of your speech that shines a light on the challenges and opportunities that await graduates is key in delivering an inspiring and motivating commencement address. Begin by acknowledging how graduating from an educational institution does more than bestow a degree, it equips students with valuable tools for navigating life’s twists and turns.

Discuss how resilience, overcoming adversity, not fearing failure, and taking risks are all fostered through education.

Next, pivot to illuminating future possibilities stemming from their educational achievements. Highlight the exciting potential inherent in each graduate’s unique capabilities and interests.

The world needs their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to continue progressing forward. Expound on how these attributes can be leveraged for personal growth while also contributing positively towards societal development.

Always opt for a tone of optimism encased in realism – letting your audience know that they have reason to celebrate today but also plenty of hard work awaits them tomorrow.

Acknowledging the achievements of graduates

In crafting your keynote addresses for graduation ceremonies, it’s crucial to spotlight the achievements of your graduates. Validate their hard work and perseverance that led them to this celebratory milestone.

This can range from individual academic achievements to collective strides made by the class as a whole.  Steve Jobs’ commencement speech  comes to mind; he saluted students’ tenacity, not just scholastic accomplishments.

Pay attention also to the personal growth and character development they’ve undergone during their journey in school or college. Commend them on stepping outside their comfort zone, dealing with life lessons head-on, and overcoming challenges bravely.

As you celebrate these authentic displays of grit and resilience, ensure that you speak with honesty while articulating these accolades—lending significant weight to your words and making your commencement address truly memorable.

Expressing gratitude and appreciation

One key aspect of delivering an inspiring and motivating graduation speech is expressing gratitude and appreciation. Graduates have achieved a significant milestone in their lives, and it’s essential to acknowledge the support and encouragement they’ve received along the way.

By thanking those who believed in them, supported them, and helped them succeed, graduates can create a sense of connection and gratitude within their speech. This recognition not only shows humility but also inspires others to appreciate the people who have played a role in their own achievements.

Expressing genuine appreciation goes beyond just saying thank you – it creates a heartfelt connection with the audience , leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Using storytelling to leave a lasting impression

Crafting a memorable graduation speech involves using storytelling to leave a lasting impression on the graduates. Storytelling has a unique ability to captivate an audience, evoke emotions, and make key messages more relatable.

By sharing personal anecdotes or inspiring stories of individuals who have achieved great things, public speakers can connect with their audience on a deeper level. These narratives not only entertain but also provide valuable life lessons and insights for the graduates as they embark on their future journeys.

Incorporating storytelling into a graduation speech helps create an engaging and impactful experience that will resonate with the listeners long after they leave the ceremony.

Tips for Engaging and Entertaining Graduates

Incorporate humor and address the emotions and feelings of graduates to keep them engaged and entertained throughout your speech.

Incorporating humor

Humor is a powerful tool in engaging and entertaining an audience , especially during graduation and commencement speeches. Incorporating wit and humor into your speech not only brings life to traditional celebrations but also appeals to young attendees who appreciate a lighthearted approach.

Research has shown that the use of humor in college classrooms has numerous benefits for students, such as enhancing their learning experience and fostering a positive classroom atmosphere. When delivering your speech, striking the right balance between humor, self-awareness, advice, and empowerment is crucial for leaving a memorable impact on the graduates.

Just like  Will Ferrell’s USC commencement speech  aimed to both congratulate and inspire the graduates, infusing humor into your address can help you connect with the audience on a deeper level while still conveying important messages.

So why not have some fun with your graduation speech? Break through the serious barriers by incorporating funny anecdotes or witty one-liners that will keep everyone entertained throughout the ceremony.

Addressing the emotions and feelings of graduates

One essential aspect of delivering a memorable graduation speech is addressing the emotions and feelings of graduates. As they stand on the cusp of a new chapter in their lives, it’s crucial to recognize the mixture of excitement, uncertainty, and nostalgia that may be coursing through them.

By acknowledging these emotions and speaking directly to them, you can establish an immediate connection with your audience. Sharing personal experiences that resonate with their own struggles and triumphs can further deepen this emotional bond.

Whether it’s emphasizing the importance of embracing change or offering words of encouragement for navigating the challenges ahead, tapping into their emotions will help create a lasting impact on their hearts and minds.

Techniques for Creating a Memorable and Impactful Graduation Speech

Create a memorable and impactful graduation speech by inspiring and motivating graduates, leaving a lasting impression, and engaging and entertaining them throughout the address.

Inspiring and motivating graduates

Crafting a memorable and impactful graduation speech is all about inspiring and motivating graduates to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. By reflecting on past experiences, addressing the challenges graduates may face, and acknowledging their achievements, you can create a speech that resonates with your audience.

Incorporate storytelling to leave a lasting impression and connect with graduates on a deeper level. Research shows that sharing important life lessons in commencement speeches is an effective way to inspire and motivate individuals as they embark on their next chapter.

Look for inspirational quotes about success to add weight to your message. For inspiration, consider analyzing influential commencement speeches from the 21st century like  Steve Jobs’ powerful address at Stanford .

Leaving a lasting impression

Crafting a graduation speech that leaves a lasting impression is crucial for any public speaker. The goal is to inspire and motivate graduates as they embark on their next chapter. Incorporating impactful storytelling techniques can captivate the audience and make your message resonate deeply.

By acknowledging the achievements of the graduates, addressing their challenges and opportunities, expressing gratitude, and using humor strategically, you can create a memorable experience for everyone present.

Remember, a well-delivered speech has the power to uplift spirits, ignite aspirations, and celebrate this significant milestone in life.

Engaging and entertaining graduates

To truly engage and entertain graduates during a commencement speech, it’s important to incorporate elements that connect with their emotions and feelings. Adding humor is one way to break the ice and create a lighthearted atmosphere.

Sharing personal stories can also help establish a connection with the audience, making the speech relatable and memorable. Additionally, using inspirational themes or incorporating local references can further engage graduates by making the speech relevant to their experiences.

By combining humor, emotion, storytelling, and relatability in your graduation speech, you can captivate and entertain your audience while leaving them inspired for their future endeavors.

In conclusion, graduation and commencement speeches play a crucial role in inspiring and motivating graduates as they embark on their next journey. By reflecting on past experiences, addressing challenges and opportunities, acknowledging achievements, expressing gratitude, using storytelling techniques, incorporating humor, and engaging emotions, speakers can create memorable and impactful speeches that leave a lasting impression.

These speeches serve as a foundation for personal growth, character building, defining success, and celebrating accomplishments. Remember to step outside your comfort zone when delivering these speeches and always strive to inspire with authenticity and honesty.

Graduation ceremonies are not just about receiving diplomas; they are about providing valuable life lessons that resonate with students at any stage of their education. So go out there and deliver an unforgettable speech filled with inspiration, motivation, laughter – making it the highlight of every graduation ceremony!

1. What is the purpose of a graduation or commencement speech?

The purpose of a graduation or commencement speech is to inspire and motivate graduating students as they transition into the next phase of their lives. It aims to provide guidance, advice, and encouragement for success in both personal and professional endeavors.

2. Who typically delivers a graduation or commencement speech?

Graduation or commencement speeches are often delivered by notable individuals such as successful entrepreneurs, influential leaders, renowned academics, industry experts, celebrities, or even fellow graduates who have achieved significant accomplishments.

3. How long should a graduation or commencement speech be?

The duration of a graduation or commencement speech can vary depending on the event’s schedule and the speaker’s allotted time. Generally, these speeches range from 10 to 20 minutes in length but can extend up to 30 minutes on certain occasions.

4. Can I find examples of famous graduation or commencement speeches online?

Yes! Many famous graduation or commencement speeches are available online through platforms like YouTube and various websites dedicated to inspirational content. These speeches offer valuable insights that can serve as inspiration for crafting your own memorable address.

Home Blog Education What Makes a Great Graduation Speech

What Makes a Great Graduation Speech

If you’re looking for advice on how to write a graduation speech, then there’s a good chance you’re either: getting ready for your moment to shine at graduation and want to make it as memorable as possible or are scared to death of public speaking and want any help you can get before graduation

Whether you’re a college student or almost a PhD, you’ll have to catch and keep the audience’s attention. You’re probably not going to be the only speech that day as well, which means you’ll want to stand out. 

Whatever the motivation, here is everything you need to know about what makes a great graduation speech. 

How to Write a Graduation Speech

Don’t be daunted by the importance of the graduation speech. It’s easier than you think! A lot of you have already written and presented a whole thesis defense , after all. You’ve got this!

Graduation speeches are usually somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes at most. With these tips and recommendations, you’ll build a memorable speech in no time. It´s important to remember that this is not a business presentation, so you can get creative and innovative with how you talk to the audience.

Also, check our article about thesis statement examples for more information.

Tips for Brainstorming your Graduation Speech

Talk to your peers about what graduation means to them. 

Get their thoughts, feelings, and dreams about moving on to the next chapter of life. If you share pieces of what they’ve told you, it will make them feel heard and appreciated. 

Don’t just talk about yourself. 

Talk about your whole class, think about what motivates you all together, important shared memories or memories that might bond you.

Watch graduation speech examples online. 

Notice what you like and don’t like. Do your research take notes and jot down the likes and dislikes you find in the speeches.

Pick a central theme. 

This theme should be present throughout your speech, from the beginning to the end. Don’t start with one concept, but migrate to another concept at the end. Continuity will not only help you prepare your speech more easily, but it will help keep your audience engaged throughout the presentation.

Focus more on the future than the past. 

Yes, you have all worked a lot to get where you are, which deserves to be celebrated. However, your graduation speech will be much more memorable and engaging if you inspire students on all the possibilities there are in the next step after graduation. 

Avoid copying what everyone else does. 

That’s a great way to get people to just tune you out completely. Be original. A great way to make this happen, is by creating a very particular PowerPoint Presentation that can be really eye-catching and creative.

Be yourself

Are you known for your witty, dry humor? Find ways to insert that into your speech. Even if you’re not the funniest person, you can still make your graduation speech unique. Knowledgeable? Give the audience a piece of interesting trivia they never knew before. A movie fan? Everyone loves a good movie reference. A speech that embodies who you are will always be more engaging than one that feels like someone else wrote it.  

Ideas on How to Start a Graduation Speech 

Start by thanking someone specific..

Instead of naming a long list of people you’d like to thank, choose one or two people and go into a little more depth on why you’re thanking them specifically. Tell an anecdote or short story about how they’ve helped, inspired, motivated, or supported you throughout your studies. Whether you make it heartwarming or humorous, people will start to feel invested in you, the same way that person was. 

Start your graduation speech with a (tactful) joke

A little humor is an easy way to win your audience’s attention. Just make sure your joke is funny (and appropriate) by running it by several people before you put it in the final speech. Even if you start with a joke, it should still be related to the central theme of your graduation speech. 

Tell a short story

An exciting story will immediately captivate your audience. It is a great way to connect with your peers, engage your audience, and segway into your main theme of the speech. The story should be appropriate, of course, and most importantly, short. A long, meandering story will lose listeners. 

Share an interesting fact.

Of course, if you want to start your graduation speech with a fact, it will have to tie into your overall theme. And do make sure it is interesting. No one needs to know the current population size of polar bears, unless aspiring to be a generation that protects and improves the polar bear habitat is a major part of your theme.

Ideas on How to End your Graduation Speech 

End with a quote .

Some people think using famous quotes in speeches is a bit cliche, though we think a little differently. The correct quote at the right moment can be either powerful or funny, depending on what kind of graduation speech you’re going for. 

Share your best words of wisdom. 

Everyone has the wisdom to share. You may want to share the one, most important thing that you’ve learned. Or you might like to share a piece of knowledge that your grandpa always told you. Either way, if you think it will linger in the minds of your audience and help them out one day, then this can be an excellent way to end your speech. 

Finish with a relevant memory 

Nostalgia is a powerful motivator. Tap into this power by sharing the funniest, most empowering, or character-building memory you have of your time in school. Whether your audience laughs, cries, or claps, it will leave them with a good feeling. 

Inspire with a call to action

Some of the best graduation speech examples you can find end with an inspiring call to action. What is a call to action? It’s a command that makes your audience want to get up and do what you just suggested. It motivates. It inspires action. Ending your graduation speech with a call to action is a dynamic and memorable way to close. 

Advice on How to Present your Graduation Speech

Practice out loud.

When preparing to present your graduation speech, you’ll want to practice out loud frequently. If you practice your speech following this formula, then you’ll be ready for the big day: 

• Read through your speech out loud, fixing errors, as well as anything that sounds uncomfortable.
• Practice giving your speech in the mirror. 
• Practice your speech in front of your family members multiple times. 
• Say your speech to your close friends. After all, on graduation day, you’ll have to present it to them anyway. Sometimes things that seem like a good idea alone, or with your family, might change a little once you practice in front of your friends. The best speeches will work for you, your family, and your friends! 
• Add pauses for laughter or emphasis.

If you’re planning on presenting a funny graduation speech, or at least funny parts, make sure you plan for short pauses for laughter. Even if your speech isn’t funny, there probably will be points where you want to pause briefly to let a vital message sink in. When you’re practicing the speech, you can go ahead and make these pauses, so they don’t surprise you when it’s time to present.

Don’t speak in monotone.

Avoid speaking in a monotone. Put inflection in your words. Since you’re most likely going to be presenting to a large audience, you may want to exaggerate that inflection a little. 

Speak slowly

It is very common for first-time speech givers to speed up because they’re nervous. You can combat this by intentionally slowing down your speech. Make sure to practice it this way every time.

Make eye contact 

As you give your graduation speech, look from one person to another in the eyes. Don’t linger too long on any one person, yet don’t just flit from one to another. You are talking to these people, which means you can make eye contact the way you would if you talked to them! This is a great way to keep people engaged with your speech, as well. 

Graduation Speech Examples 

Here’s a headstart on some  research of graduation speech  examples that will help you brainstorm your own speech. 

Some other interesting examples are:  

In these famous speeches, you can see some important openers and closers that were used to deliver commencement and graduation speeches.

Angela Davis – Pitzer College – 2012

“Good morning. What a beautiful day in Grinnell, Iowa! Congratulations, first of all, to the Class of 2007. I loved your glazed looks as you marched in. “Is this happening?”

“We are the ones we have been waiting for.” 

John F. Kennedy – Yale University – 1962 

“Let me begin by expressing my appreciation for the very deep honor that you have conferred upon me.”

Notable quote:

“For the great enemy of truth is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.”

“We will generate a vision and an energy which will demonstrate anew to the world the superior vitality and the strength of the free society.”

Meryl Streep – Barnard College – 2010

“Thank you, all. Thank you, President Spar, Ms. Golden, President Tilghman, Members of the Board of Trustees, distinguished faculty, proud swelling parents and family, and a gorgeous class of 2010.” 

“You know you don’t have to be famous. You just have to make your mother and father proud of you, and you already have. Bravo to you. Congratulations.” 

How to Write a Graduation Speech – Final Advice 

Find your theme. Be yourself. Practice, practice, practice! Slow down. Breathe. You’ll do just fine. And congratulations on graduating! 

1. Flat Education PowerPoint Icons

If you are in need of illustrating a presentation that has to do with education, this PowerPoint template can help you add icons that can provide a better understanding to users.

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10 Steps For Writing An Unforgettable Graduation Speech

• Pick A Theme
• Begin With Gratitude
• Motivational Quotes
• Get Personal
• Add Your Personality
• Avoid Cliches
• Create A Call To Action

School is almost out, but for many students, there’s one more major task to complete before summer: graduation. Whether you’re graduating from high school or earning a college degree, a graduation ceremony is a huge milestone. And, if you’ve been asked to speak at graduation, you might be feeling the pressure right now.

Graduation speeches of all kinds date back to at least the 1600s, and though a lot has changed since then, these kinds of speeches still contain similar key elements that help make them effective, inspiring, and something every graduating student and their loved ones look forward to.

Public speaking can be nerve-racking in any setting, particularly when you know the audience is filled with people’s cousins and grandparents who are likely to remember this day forever, but fear not! We’re here to help with these 10 key steps to follow to write and deliver a truly unforgettable graduation speech.

1. Pick a theme.

If you want the audience to feel moved and inspired by your speech (Who doesn’t, right?), then it helps to build your speech around a central theme or message. Think about what’s important to you as the speaker and what you’d like others to take away from your words. Once you have a theme, it will be easier to select the quotes and anecdotes that tie back to that central idea and create a speech that leaves your audience in awe.

🎓 Here are some popular themes to consider:

• Embracing failure.
• Overcoming adversity.
• The importance of having big dreams.
• Facing change with grace.
• Taking responsibility for your future.
• Learning from past mistakes.
• The importance of friendship.
• Becoming a lifelong learner.

2. Begin with gratitude.

When you step up to the mic on graduation day, you’ll need to begin with a few formalities. First, thank the previous speakers, as well as everyone in attendance. Then, express your feelings about the privilege of being asked to address the audience on this momentous occasion. Go ahead and write this part down so you don’t forget to do it on the big day. Here are some examples:

Thank you, [name of previous speaker], and thank you, friends, family, faculty, and fellow graduates for being here today. It’s an honor to celebrate this milestone with you as your valedictorian.

Thank you, [name of previous speaker]. Graduates, loved ones, and distinguished faculty members, it is an honor to be here with you today. I’m so grateful to [name of school or university] for the privilege of being your [type of speaker].

3. Use a motivational quote.

The greatest commencement speeches typically include a motivational quote, whether it’s from a famous person, a beloved teacher, or something your grandfather taught you. The right motivational quote will tie into your theme and serve as a thesis statement for the message you hope the audience will take from your words. Consider these celebrity quotes from other powerful commencement speeches:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.” — Steve Jobs , Stanford University, 2005

“You must lead. You’re never too young to lead. You’re never too old to lead. We need your leadership now more than ever before.” — John Lewis , Harvard, 2018

“The day you graduate, you do not arrive. This is not the end. This is the beginning for you. To graduate is to change gradually.” — Rita Moreno , Northeastern Illinois University, 2015

“Ultimately, your life is made up of moments. So don’t miss them by being lost in the past or anticipating the future.” — Jessica Lange , Sarah Lawrence College, 2008

“You are full of complexities and wonders that haven’t even begun to surface. Life’s unpredictability will draw these out and what defines you now will be mere shades and hues of a more vibrant you over the next five, 10, 50 years. Honestly, I can’t think of anything more liberating than that, knowing that life will look differently than you think it will.” — Octavia Spencer , Kent State University, 2017

4. Get personal.

When Conan O’Brien delivered the commencement speech at Dartmouth University in 2011, he talked about being fired from his dream job and what that failure taught him. Some lauded it as one of the best graduation speeches of all time.

Sharing personal anecdotes, even ones that mention failures or humiliations, is a powerful way to connect with your audience and drive your message home in a personal way. When writing your speech, draw on your experiences as a student and be clear about how those experiences shaped and prepared you for what lies ahead.

Learn how to a sensational graduation card here.

5. Infuse your personality.

Graduation speeches may follow a formula, but that doesn’t mean they need to be boring! Use your personal sense of humor, unique story, and life experiences to give the speech character and charm. What does this look like in action?

In 2016, author John Green brought levity to his commencement speech when shared with the graduating class at Kenyon College that the best life advice he ever got was, “You’re a good kid, but you need to learn when to stop talking.”

At the University of Virginia in 2016, late night host Stephen Colbert joked that people should leave their cell phones on because “I wouldn’t want you to miss a text or a tweet while I’m giving my speech.”

You may not be a famous comedian or author, but being uniquely yourself can help your speech shine.

6. Reflect, then look ahead.

You and the rest of your graduating class are sharing a major life milestone, and you’ve all worked hard to get to this point. What has life been like during your years in school? What experiences have you shared, and how have those shaped you as people moving forward into the next phase of your life?

In your speech, include real-life examples of the things you’ve faced in your time as students. Put those events in context in your life, and remind your audience that you have all learned so much more than just what was on the course syllabi.

7. Avoid clichés

The tricky part of writing a graduation speech is being inspiring without resorting to clichés. If you use personal anecdotes and weave personality into your speech, it’s unlikely that you’ll fall back on tired, overused statements. But, sometimes they still sneak in. If that’s the case, try to swap them out with a fresher take.

Here are some ideas:

• Instead of talking about the “real world” as a future destination, talk about how you already live there and you’re ready for whatever life throws at you.
• Instead of defining a typical graduation word (like courage or future ), talk about the words that come to mind when you think about school and what they mean to you.
• Instead of talking about what you’re “leaving behind,” talk about what lessons and people you’re taking with you.

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8. Create a call to action.

Graduation speeches serve two important purposes: celebrating everything that came before graduation day and building excitement for everything that will come after it. The easiest way to leave people inspired is to include a call to action. This doesn’t mean providing strict instructions for some task they must complete. Think of it more as broad instructions for how to meet the challenges ahead.

Your call to action should restate the theme of your speech and give the audience a clear takeaway message to carry with them. Need some examples? We have a few:

“Whatever you want to do, do it now. For life is time, and time is all there is.” — Gloria Steinem , Tufts University, 1987

“Let excellence be your brand.” — Oprah Winfrey , Spelman College, 2012

“Fight for the job you want, fight for the people who mean the most to you and fight for the kind of world you want to live in.” — Elizabeth Warren , Suffolk University, 2016

9. Keep it brief.

While you surely have a lot of great things to say, no one wants to sit through a 12-page speech. Graduation ceremonies are already long, and the audience is usually asked to listen to multiple speeches. Keep this in mind, and say what you’d like to say in the briefest way possible. Aim for a speech that falls between 500 and 750 words, and time yourself to make sure you don’t exceed 10 minutes during delivery.

10. Practice, practice, practice.

The only way to ensure your speech flows, makes sense, and holds people’s attention is to practice reading it out loud. Practice by yourself in front of a mirror, being careful to notice and edit any places where you trip over words or have awkward pauses. Once you’ve perfected the solo read-aloud, ask a parent or friend to serve as an audience. This will help you test out your jokes and polish your anecdotes based on their reactions. By graduation day, you’ll be ready to take to the stage like a pro.

Need more inspiration? These graduation quotes should do the trick.

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4 Steps To Deliver The Best Graduation Speech 👩‍🎓

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Published Date : February 16, 2024

Reading Time :

Graduation is a tiny step into the world, and after that, living life on your terms. Graduation is one of the most significant achievements and a feather in your cap. After years of hard work, sleepless nights, and self-discovery, all graduates are privileged to give life-changing speeches. It can be challenging to summarise all these experiences into one speech . How do we all concise these experiences? How do you send off all your peers with a heartfelt message?  Don’t worry- all you have to do is embrace this moment and make the most of it. We are sure having the best graduation speech is something you are looking at. So do not rack your brain and feel inundated when you have to speak. This article will help you overcome the cloudiness in your brain and give you an excellent edge to speak confidently on your graduation day.

Graduation Speech Themes

• Gratitude : – Expressing your appreciation to everyone who made this day come alive completely. Your parents, faculty members, and friends supported you through the thick and thin of your crucial life.
• Accomplishment : – Narrate your achievements to the institution and the support your school or university has given you to achieve great heights and your accomplished credits.
• Humor Experience : Humour is the best bet and the easiest way to escape through tricky situations. Using humor keeps the interest of the audience.
• Stories of Change : – Looking at things and situations in retrospect gives you the perspective on the change and evolution that these experiences are unfolding to make you who you are and will be.
• Look Forward: – Throwing in your advice on how everyone should move ahead and aspire to develop the attitude of letting go of past experiences. These experiences have made them stronger and more skilled over time.
• Convey a Message : – It is imperative to convey and impart a message to everyone during your graduation speech . Choose something that relates to the audience: inspiring, funny, motivating, and engaging. Choosing something you feel comfortable with.

Once you are ready to pen down all your experiences and emotions, here are some tips for you that are mentioned below.

The Process Of Writing and Articulating a Graduation Speech

How to start a graduation speech.

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Write down everything you want to pen down. Do not overthink it. A writer and creative block are natural. However, to overcome it is to start at where you are in the process and continue the writing. There would be several drafts, but that’s the beginning. Once you do that, a lot of ideas will flow through. You would have a rough understanding of what you want to incorporate in the speech . Do not look for perfection initially, or we suggest you do not look for perfection when you have to write down or say your speech once you have started to pen down your thoughts and emotions. Narrow down your work, speech , and themes you want to cover. There are several themes you could cover. Some could be inspirational, funny, emotional, creative, or just a general theme covering all these themes together .

However, these ideas below could help you develop your speech beginning.

The best and most effective way to start a speech is to quote someone you admire and introduce yourself by narrating a life-changing incident. These beginnings are an easy-breezy ride to having a successful speech on your graduation day. It is also imperative to have a very friendly tone to the speech rather than a formal one. Another way to start the speech is to add witty inside jokes to set an informal, warm tone. Remember, graduation day is one of the fondest memories of your life, so make the most of it. The graduation speeches are when you share all your impactful and inspiring sentiments with your batch mates.

What to say in your graduation speech?

In your speech , talk about personal experiences or experiences that have been life-changing for you. While writing your speech , do not forget to list the people you would like to thank and show gratitude to. This can be a brownie point when you say your speech , especially when you personalize some parts for the bonds, friendships, and relationships that paved the way for a lifetime of happiness and support. You could also narrate your trajectory and growth as an individual. How have the course, college, and people influenced you to be a better version of yourself?  Saying inspiring words and personal experiences is a rite of passage to all the graduates and their fellow mates.

One could also incorporate a list of learnings the institution has instilled in the individuals and the highlights of their journey in college. An emotional quality to your speech is also an exciting angle one could partake in. One could also make their speech interactive by shouting questions to the audience or, in this situation, your batch mates. When you make it interactive, the audience will feel included, which will also help you perceive the energy in the room.

Writing a graduation speech isn’t a Hercules task, but when you find yourself in a block. Remember, narrate a story when in doubt or just be creative and sing a song with your folks; connect them to a theme your folks love. Repetition is another way to get all your folks to remember your speech . Repeat as much as you can.

How do you deliver your graduation speech?

PRACTISE IT OUT LOUD AND OFTEN, not because you have to be perfect so that it flows more organically and retains authenticity. Do not fear imperfection. You can be imperfect, but you can improvise the speech as much as you want to because addressing a large crowd is not the focal point at the end of the day. The focus is to enjoy and embrace your achievement. Once you are a gathering as small and informal as your college or high school setup. Once you practice it enough. You will realize what is working for you and what is not working for you. Life would be an easy ride, my folks!

You can also practice for the big day with Orai. Orai gives you feedback on tone, tempo, conciseness , and confidence .

How long should your graduation speech be?

In all honesty, your speech could be 20 pages, but in reality, short, crisp, precise, and concise speeches are highly beneficial. A brief work goes a long way for all graduates in the future. This is the best takeaway for future endeavors. People will generally remember one funny joke, a great anecdote, or the general message, so cut out the extra fluff and only include the parts you think are the most important.

Personality Trait

The speech could be mesmerizing, but one thing that stands out is the “you” factor. The speech should do justice to yourself and your traits and characteristics. Try to be more of yourself. Anything more would sound pretentious to the audience. Let your personality be seen through your writing and speech delivery.  One could also talk about their journeys and ideologies. Ideology exchange through speeches is an exciting aspect to incorporate into your speech . Adding personalized elements to the speech makes it memorable, and it’s something the audience can take with them.

Preparedness for the future, believing in yourself and your vision, and not taking rejections personally are a few phrases and themes that make a difference in articulating the speech and writing your work. Having concise and precise speech is a knack one should develop.

How do you end your graduation speech?

One could end the graduation speech with a memory that ties everything from the introduction to the main body. This may be a repetition of the central message and theme that you have chosen. Leave the audience with a rhetorical question or an open-ended statement, something they could ponder after your speech . Leaving a remarkable remark at the end of your speech is always interesting because the human brain tends to captivate words from the introduction or the conclusion. Ideally, their speech ’s opening and the conclusive section are two spheres where the most impactful inspirations are drawn.

Some Inspiring quotes for your Graduation speech ideas :

Below are some quotes and graduation speech examples one could incorporate.

• So, as you go on to the next stage in your life and experience failure because you will experience loss, use that as a stepping stone to your subsequent success. Persevere. Don’t rest on that success. Use it as a stepping stone to your next success. Persevere, and you will experience a series of successes and failures that will allow you to accomplish something great.
• Don’t Wait for the Perfect Opportunity. Look for a Way to Create Your Opportunity.
• Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — Chris Grosser.
• Don’t strive for perfection. Strive to keep working and creating what you want. Perfection will follow
• “You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.” Tom Brokaw
• “Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive: easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.” Henry Peter Brougham
• “What we learn with pleasure, we never forget.” Alfred Mercier
• “The old rules are crumbling, and nobody knows the new ones. So make up your own rules.” Neil Gaiman
• “Real courage is holding on to a still voice in your head that says, ‘I must keep going.’ That voice says nothing is a failure if it is not final. That voice that says to you, ‘Get out of bed. Keep going. I will not quit.’” Cory Booker
• “It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” J.K. Rowling

High school Graduation

You should be honored to speak at your high school graduation. If you are chosen to represent your classmates, selecting a personal and universal theme would be a great start to the speech .  Practice it well enough so you are confident and comfortable during the speech . Having clear notes is always a plus point. Use gestures and points that are engaging to the class and the audience. Recalling class memories and touching on nostalgic points makes the speech memorable and authentic. Try not to use pop-culture references. Pop culture fads come and go, and using these references may not age well in the eyes of good high school graduation speeches. You can add your class’s uniqueness and the bond you all shared. If you cannot add something to your speech , you can make those pointers in your school yearbook for friends and classmates.

In your high school speech , do not forget to show gratitude and thank all your peers, teachers, parents, and the institution. As a good graduation speech example, discussing the many opportunities and possibilities of your class’s potential and ending it on a hopeful note is always an excellent possibility to explore. Here’s a video that you can check to understand what we’re talking about:

Elementary Graduation Speech Ideas

Students giving elementary graduation speeches should keep it short and straightforward. It is essential to use a light-hearted and friendly tone and not dwell on emotional, sentimental feelings for kids. Kids generally love and enjoy a happy and fun-loving energy in class. Kids love jokes; humor is the best bet in such a situation and a perfect touch to the graduation speech . Narrating some school or class experience will draw the student’s attention and be more relatable to them. Kids love stories and fiction. So go as creative and imaginative with your elementary graduation speech .

Graduation Speech Examples

Steve jobs: standford, 2005.

“You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work will fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

Michelle Obama: Tuskegee University, 2015

“I’ve found that this journey has been incredibly freeing. Because no matter what happened, I knew that all of the chatter, the name-calling, the doubting was just noise. It did not define me, it didn’t change who I was, and most importantly, it couldn’t hold me back.”

Amy Poehler: Harvard University, 2011

“I have discovered this: You can’t do it alone … Listen. Say ‘yes.’ Live in the moment. Make sure you play with people who have your back. Make big choices early and often.”

Through all these graduation speech examples. It is very imperative to know your highest calling in life. Life is all about learning and creating your niche. This niche may not make sense to many stuck in a rut, but it will satisfy you. There is work for the kitchen and the work for the soul. Initially, it all begins with gaining experience in the kitchen. When the time is right, the work for the soul becomes an enthralling experience. DO NOT BE HARD ON YOURSELF!

Life isn’t all that difficult. You will have failures and be rejected, but these downfalls just hone your expertise and experience in handling life situations.

Here are some more ideas for graduation speech topics:

What is the importance of curiosity and exploration.

Driven by curiosity, we explore, learn, and grow. This fuels innovation, widens perspectives, and fosters empathy, building a brighter future where knowledge lights the way.

How does laughter and kindness impact one’s life?

Don’t underestimate the duo of laughter and kindness. Laughter, the universal language, dissolves barriers and uplifts spirits, even in tough times. Kindness, its accessible superpower, fosters unity and self-compassion, reminding us of our shared humanity. Together, they create a ripple effect of positivity, enriching lives and building a more joyful, compassionate world. Embrace them both – it’s a win-win!

What is the importance of embracing detours in life?

Ditch the maps! Life’s detours, though unplanned, unlock hidden talents, foster adaptability, and bring unexpected connections. They force us from our comfort zones, offering fresh perspectives and the courage to navigate the unknown. Embracing these twists and turns enriches our journey, leading to unexpected destinations and a more fulfilling life.

What is the speaker’s personal experience with graduation?

Torn between comedy dreams and Mom’s doctor wishes, I found my path: a medical comedian! With zero politics or news experience, my graduation launched me into the unknown. But by embracing every detour and every new skill, I discovered unexpected opportunities and rewarding destinations. Life’s twists may not follow the plan, but they can lead to amazing places – just ask the funny doctor!

What is the main message for the graduates?

Graduates, life’s your chessboard – seize every challenge, every opportunity, queen-like! Savor now, for soon ramen nights vanish. Embrace stumbles; they pave the path to victory. Flaunt your quirks. Let your colors fly! Find humor in storms, and forgive yourself for flaws. Don’t wait for change, be the difference. Fear not the unknown, explore, discover – the adventure begins now!

Who is the speaker, and what is their profession?

The speaker addressing the audience is an individual who professionally tells jokes. Expressing gratitude to the faculty, loved ones, and the graduating class, they acknowledge the honor of being present in that moment. Standing before the audience, they express their disbelief at the opportunity to speak, recognizing themselves as someone who has built a career around humor and comedy.

What is the theme of the speech?

The central theme of the speech revolves around the concept of “Embracing the unexpected.” The speaker uses a vivid analogy to highlight this idea, comparing life to a game of chess and the individuals as queens and kings, ready to conquer the challenges it presents. They emphasize that the journey should not be treated as a race unless one is trying to avoid their student loan officer’s pursuit. The speaker advocates for embracing the detours encountered since they often lead to unforeseen and rewarding destinations.

What does the speaker say about embracing one’s unique voice and talents?

Ditch the mold, grads! Find your squad, embrace your weirdness, and don’t fear the flop – it’s the fuel for your unique fire! Surround yourself with cheerleaders, take risks, and let your true voice roar. Be loud, be proud, and rewrite the script – the world needs your authentic symphony. Now, go out there and shine!

What does the speaker say about the future and the uncertainty it holds?

Fear not, grads! The future’s a blank canvas, yes, and that means uncertainty but also infinite possibilities! Don’t fret about having all the answers; life’s twists and turns rarely follow scripts. Be the resilient hero, bounce back from stumbles, and embrace change – it’s the secret sauce to self-discovery! Stay open-minded, like a DJ, ready for the next killer beat, and life’s surprises will have you dancing in no time!

What advice does the speaker have for finding supportive people and building a strong network?

Forget toxic solo flights: find your cheer squad! Surround yourself with ride-or-dies who believe in you, weirdness and all. They’ll lift you up, celebrate wins, and hold your hand through the dips. They’re the network that fuels your journey, so find the ones who make you laugh and soar!

How did the speaker handle criticism and stay true to themselves?

Critics called them musical chameleons, who “do something” but never just enough. But instead of blending in, the speaker turned up the volume on their unique sound. No more boxes, no more labels, just unapologetic self-expression. This unleashed hidden fire – confidence bloomed, criticism became fuel. Staying true wasn’t easy, but it forged resilience and paved the way for success, proving that staying you is the most powerful performance.

What challenges did the speaker face in the past, and how did they overcome them?

Awkward nerd with big dreams? Check. Embarrassing musical auditions? Yep. Countless rejections? Been there. But the speaker didn’t let setbacks define them. They dusted themselves off, practiced harder, and landed the lead. They carved their path in the music industry, proving failures are detours, not dead ends. So chase your dreams, embrace your weirdness, and remember: a rockstar (or leader, doctor, or artist) is inside you, waiting to shine!

What is the significance of small actions and their impact on the world?

Don’t underestimate the ripple effect of kindness! Small actions, fueled by empathy, hold immense power. A smile, a helping hand, an open mind – these build bridges, uplift spirits, and spark positive change. Together, they become a tidal wave of inclusivity, dismantling barriers and creating a world where kindness wins. Remember, every small action counts, so let’s join hands and rewrite the story – one kind gesture at a time!

What is the role of empathy and inclusivity in shaping a better future?

Forget division; let’s build bridges! Empathy lets us truly understand others, bridging the gap for collaboration and unity. Inclusivity welcomes diverse voices, fueling innovation and ensuring everyone feels valued. Let’s actively listen, stand up for justice, and dismantle inequality. With empathy and inclusivity as our guides, we pave the way for a future where differences unite us, not divide us, and everyone thrives. It’s not just a better future. It’s an inclusive one – join the movement!

What should graduates consider as they look to the future?

Grads, you’re the architects of tomorrow! Embrace the journey, challenges, and all. Take risks, learn from stumbles, and let your values be your north star. Be empathetic, bridge divides, and remember your unique story has the power to transform the world. Go forth and rewrite the future – it’s yours for the taking!

How does the speaker view change, and how has it shaped their journey?

Don’t fear the plot twist, grads! The speaker says life veers off script, and those detours are where we truly grow. Embracing change, like they did to turn challenges into a global storytelling empire, is the key to unlocking your potential. So buckle up, take risks, and remember: disruption isn’t a dead end; it’s a chance to rewrite your story – and maybe the world’s, too!

How can I find inspiration for my commencement speech?

Feeling like a blank page on graduation day? No worries! To find speech inspiration, dive into your journey, brainstorm freely, chat with loved ones, explore other impactful speeches, and don’t forget to enjoy the creative process! Use online tools like Speeko for an extra boost. Remember, it’s your voice, your story, so make it memorable!

What is the best way to end a commencement speech?

A strong commencement speech ending should resonate. Summarize your key message, leaving listeners with something to remember. Consider ending with humor, gratitude, a call to action, and a powerful quote, but avoid getting sidetracked by personal thank yous. Keep the focus on the graduates and their inspiring future.

What should I avoid when writing a valedictorian speech?

Craft a genuine valedictorian speech by avoiding fluff (honesty over sugarcoating), overused phrases (be original), arrogance (stay humble), divisive topics (keep it inclusive), disrespect (be mindful of others), tangents (stay concise), jargon (speak plainly), or hurtful jokes (be inclusive). Remember, authenticity and respect go a long way toward a memorable message.

What are some tips for delivering a successful commencement speech?

Deliver a winning commencement speech by planning early, rehearsing well, and speaking clearly. Embrace a moderate pace and effective body language . Manage nerves with deep breaths and visualization. Engage the audience through inclusive language and be authentic – they chose you for your unique message!

How can I make sure my commencement speech resonates with my audience?

Connect with your audience at graduation by understanding their diverse perspectives, tailoring your speech to their interests, and forging a genuine connection through shared experiences. Offer valuable insights from your journey, empathize with their achievements, and avoid excessive self-promotion to ensure a truly resonant and impactful speech .

What is the responsibility of the graduates in shaping the world?

Graduates, your degrees empower you to change the world! Use them wisely, harness your inner voice, embrace challenges, and never stop learning. Don’t play it safe, step up, and make your mark – the world needs your unique blend of knowledge, resilience, and courage. Go forth and conquer!

How does failure contribute to personal growth?

Life’s journey includes stumbling blocks, but don’t fear their bite! View failures as stepping stones, each teaching, strengthening, and propelling you closer to your dreams. Embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and rise stronger with each setback. Remember, success isn’t about avoiding failure but bouncing back even better, fueled by its lessons. Trust your resilience, and turn stumbles into stepping stones to greatness!

What are the three pieces of advice given to the graduates?

To master your graduation speech , start by brainstorming everything, then distill it down to a central theme. Share personal stories and express gratitude, making them relatable. Finally, practice often, be you, and conclude with a powerful message. Let your speech reflect your unique journey and leave a lasting impression!

What is the speaker’s call to action for the graduates?

Graduates fear not! Embrace challenges, learn from stumbles, and rise each time. Hone your unique skills, chase your dreams, and never dim your light. The world awaits your magic, so confidently step out and conquer it! Remember, practice makes perfect, so refine your speech and leave a lasting impression on this momentous occasion. Congratulations, Class of [Year]!

How does the speaker encourage taking risks and embracing failure?

Graduates, remember: failures are inevitable stepping stones, not dead ends. Embrace challenges, ditch perfectionism, and rise with each stumble. Risks and falls unlock growth, so be bold, seize opportunities, and fearlessly pave your way to greatness! Dream big, learn from setbacks, and unleash your potential – the world awaits!

What is the overall message and purpose of the speech?

This speech focuses on educating people on various aspects of public speaking , offering techniques, resources, and even legal considerations. Unlike the other speech -inspiring graduates, it lacks a single unifying theme. However, it empowers individuals by giving them the tools to become confident and effective communicators in diverse situations.

What qualities or values should the graduates embody as they write their stories?

Your speech guide encourages reflection on life lessons, expressing gratitude, and sharing personal growth to inspire fellow graduates. It emphasizes embracing change, nurturing relationships, and dreaming big while advocating empathy, inclusivity, and resilience. Ultimately, it urges them to be bold, embrace risks, and chart their unique paths with courage and compassion, contributing to a better world.

What is the call to action for the graduates?

Graduates, reflect on past lessons, choose inspiring words, and embrace your future path! Be open to change, nurture relationships, and never stop dreaming. Cultivate curiosity, resilience, and compassion. Your unique talents and determination are needed – seize opportunities, make an impact, and build a better world together! Congratulations, Class of [Graduation Year]!

What are some topics to discuss in a commencement speech?

Your guide emphasizes crafting a personal and inspiring speech . Share life-changing experiences, express gratitude, and showcase your growth through college. Captivate your audience with stories, interactive moments, and emotional touch. Don’t forget key lessons learned and repetition for impact. While personalizing is important, consider exploring broader themes, like change and the future, for a well-rounded message.

What are some creative ways to start a commencement speech?

Consider your favorite quote, personal story, or even a touch of humor to start your graduation speech strong! Keep it friendly and relatable while offering engaging options like rhetorical questions, metaphors, or witty jokes. Remember, it’s your moment to inspire and leave a lasting mark – so captivate them right from the beginning!

How can I make my commencement speech meaningful?

Graduation’s a big deal! Here’s how to rock your speech : share impactful personal stories and express gratitude to those who helped you shine. Talk about your growth and inspire others with your journey. Leave a lasting impression with a memorable ending, revisiting your key message and sparking reflection. Be authentic and thoughtful, and you’ll make this day truly unforgettable!

How can I make my commencement speech memorable?

To create a graduation speech that sticks, pick a theme like gratitude or growth, shares impactful personal stories with gratitude, add depth with key learnings, and engage the audience with questions. Repeat key points, practice for a natural delivery, stay true to yourself, and end with a powerful closing thought. Your words can inspire and leave a lasting mark on this special day!

How long should my commencement speech be?

Forget long-winded speeches! Keep your graduation message short, sweet, and impactful. Focus on a funny joke, a touching story, or your core message. Trim the fluff, practice for smooth delivery, and respect your audience’s attention. Remember, less is often more when leaving a lasting impression on this special day.

How do I structure the content of my commencement speech?

Choose your theme (gratitude, humor, etc.) with a resonant message. Share personal stories (past), offer practical advice (present), and inspire for the future. Express gratitude, add interactive elements, and end with a call to action. Structure it with past and present, and let your voice shine through! You’ll inspire and leave a lasting mark.

Writing and giving a speech can be frightening, but the idea is not to get distressed and self-torn. These points will hone your speech and writing skills. It will give your speech an opinion, base, and direction, if not make it easier. These life skills are imperative for one to develop while entering the world. Graduation is a milestone, and there should be no place for compromise when delivering your speech . Practicing the speech is another way to ensure that you get your speech on point.

Practice your Graduation speech with Orai.

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16 Best Graduation Speeches That Leave a Lasting Impression

Some of the most impactful and inspiring sentiments are shared during graduation speeches delivered by the leaders we look up to. Graduation speeches from celebrities , entrepreneurs, authors and other influential thinkers are motivational, inspiring, thought-provoking and just might make you reach for the nearest tissue. After four years of hard work, stress, and exhausting self-discovery, lucky graduates are privy to a life-changing speech to top it all off.

Here, we rounded up up 16 of the best graduation speeches of all time, including words of wisdom from Natalie Portman, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and more.

1. Steve Jobs: Stanford, 2005

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

2. Michelle Obama: Tuskegee University, 2015

"I've found that this journey has been incredibly freeing. Because no matter what happened, I had the piece of mind knowing that all of the chatter, the name-calling, the doubting...all of it was just noise. It did not define me, it didn't change who I was, and most importantly, it couldn't hold me back."

3. Natalie Portman: Harvard, 2015

"I just directed my first film. I was completely unprepared, but my own ignorance to my own limitations looked like confidence and got me into the director's chair. Once there, I had to figure it all out, and my belief that I could handle these things, contrary to all evidence of my ability to do so was half the battle. The other half was very hard work. The experience was the deepest and most meaningful one of my career."

4. Amy Poehler: Harvard University, 2011

"What I have discovered is this: You can't do it alone … Listen. Say 'yes.' Live in the moment. Make sure you play with people who have your back. Make big choices early and often."

5. Meryl Streep: Barnard College, 2010

"This is your time and it feels normal to you but really there is no normal. There's only change, and resistance to it and then more change."

6. David Foster Wallace: Kenyon College, 2005

"Twenty years after my own graduation, I have come gradually to understand that the liberal arts cliché about teaching you how to think is actually shorthand for a much deeper, more serious idea: learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about quote the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master."

7. Barack Obama: Howard University, 2016

"You have to go through life with more than just passion for change; you need a strategy. I’ll repeat that. I want you to have passion, but you have to have a strategy. Not just awareness, but action. Not just hashtags, but votes."

8. Kerry Washington: George Washington University, 2013

"You and you alone are the only person who can live the life that can write the story that you were meant to tell."

9. Conan O'Brien: Dartmouth College, 2011

"There are few things more liberating in this life than having your worst fear realized. Today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality … Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen."

10. J.K. Rowling: Harvard, 2008

"I stopped pretending to be anything than what I was. My greatest fear had been realized. I had an old typewriter and a big idea. Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

11. Oprah Winfrey: Harvard University, 2013

"Learn from every mistake because every experience, encounter, and particularly your mistakes are there to teach you and force you into being more who you are. And then figure out what is the next right move. And the key to life is to develop an internal moral, emotional G.P.S. that can tell you which way to go."

12. Joss Whedon: Wesleyan University, 2013

"You have, which is a rare thing, that ability and the responsibility to listen to the dissent in yourself, to at least give it the floor, because it is the key—not only to consciousness–but to real growth. To accept duality is to earn identity. And identity is something that you are constantly earning. It is not just who you are. It is a process that you must be active in. It's not just parroting your parents or the thoughts of your learned teachers. It is now more than ever about understanding yourself so you can become yourself."

13. George Saunders: Syracuse University, 2013

"Do all the other things, the ambitious things … Travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop)—but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness."

14. Nora Ephron: Wellesley College, 1996

"Be the heroine of your life, not the victim."

15. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Wellesley College, 2015

"As you graduate, as you deal with your excitement and your doubts today, I urge you to try and create the world you want to live in. Minister to the world in a way that can change it. Minister radically in a real, active, practical, get your hands dirty way."

16. Admiral William H. McRaven: University of Texas at Austin, 2014

"If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you will never do the big things right."

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by Laura Jones

Updated on January 3, 2024

6 tips to write a great graduation speech (with examples) 

Being chosen to write a speech for a graduation ceremony is exciting, but also utterly terrifying, for many people. It’s not just your classmates in the audience, it’s parents and faculty too. And with some incredible student graduation speech examples out there (not to mention the perfection that was Steve Jobs’ speech ), there’s a lot to live up to. With that in mind, here are some tips and graduation speech examples to help you create the perfect commencement speech.

• Pick a theme
• Write an outline
• Pen a catchy introduction
• Write a thank-you paragraph
• Look back and look ahead
• End your graduation speech

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1. pick a theme.

The overall goal of graduation speeches is to inspire and move your audience. But there are lots of ways to do this, and picking the right theme is a big part of it. Popular themes are the importance of friendship; perseverance and overcoming adversity; having big dreams and imagination; making a difference. Once you have your theme, it will be easier to choose anecdotes, quotations , and examples to put into your speech.

2. Write an outline

The next step for any commencement speech is to write an outline. Breaking it up into manageable parts not only makes it feel less overwhelming, but it helps to give your speech structure, making it easier for the audience to follow. A good speech will have the following: 

• A catchy introduction
• A look back
• A look ahead
• A pithy ending

3. Pen a catchy introduction

Begin by thanking everyone for attending and for choosing you to be their speaker. Then, grab your audience’s attention from the very start with a hook. Lots of people choose to begin with a quotation that captures the theme of the whole speech. 

Example: I want to begin with a quotation from Nora Ephron: “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” 

Other ways to hook your audience are by telling a short, personal story that your classmates can relate to, or by giving a statistic or question that fits with your theme. And never shy away from humor. A speech by James Glaser at Tufts University contained only questions , one being: “Would you believe that my 5’1” sister met her 5’4” husband in a short story class?” This would be a very funny way to begin a speech about meeting special people. 

4. Write a thank-you paragraph

Now your audience is paying attention, it’s time for gratitude. Thank your teachers and other staff at the school who have made a difference and tell an anecdote about someone to personalize this. 

Example: “I know I speak on behalf of all of my classmates when I thank the catering staff, who have made sure we fuel our brains with more than just fries and soda during exam times.”

Now’s the time to thank the families in the audience too. You can do a personal shout-out to your mom and dad, but be inclusive and remember that your classmates will have received support from a range of people. 

5. Look back and look ahead

The bulk of your speech will be spent talking about your time at the school and about how you see the future unfolding. Now is the time to focus on the theme that you chose, and to include stories about your shared experiences. 

If you chose to focus on overcoming adversity , recall a challenge you faced that you know a lot of other people did too. Share how a lesson you learned at school will help you after you leave, and remind everyone that you have learned much more than what was on the syllabus. 

Example: As Rita Moreno said, “The day you graduate, you do not arrive. This is not the end. This is the beginning for you. To graduate is to change gradually.” I know we’ve all changed so much already and we will continue to do so.

6. End your graduation speech

End with some advice and a call to action. Lots of people end with a quotation, and this can be from someone famous or from you. 

Example: 

• George Saunders said, “Do all the other things, the ambitious things—travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes…but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.”
• C.S. Lewis told us that “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” So let’s go find them.

Writing a great graduation speech

Beginning with a theme and an outline helps focus your speech, which should make it easier for you to write with clarity and to find the right stories and quotations to use. Telling personal stories that everyone can relate to, sprinkled with humor, is a wonderful way to keep people engaged throughout your speech. And, ending with a bang in the form of an amazing quotation will help inspire your audience and leave them feeling upbeat. 

Laura Jones

Laura is a freelance writer and was an ESL teacher for eight years. She was born in the UK and has lived in Australia and Poland, where she writes blogs for Lingoda about everything from grammar to dating English speakers. She’s definitely better at the first one. She loves travelling and that’s the other major topic that she writes on. Laura likes pilates and cycling, but when she’s feeling lazy she can be found curled up watching Netflix. She’s currently learning Polish, and her battle with that mystifying language has given her huge empathy for anyone struggling to learn English. Find out more about her work in her portfolio .

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2016 Graduation Rites Script (Presentation, Certification & Confirmation)

To impress a smooth, clear and orderly flow of the graduation rites in our schools, this office is issuing models of presenting the candidates for graduation, certifying their completion of the requirements prescribed by the department and confirming their graduation, as follows:

Please join us in our Facebook Group:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/teacherph

Table of Contents

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES

Good Morning.

I have the honor to present to you the candidates for graduation of (school) this school year 2015-2016, composed of___boys and ___ girls with a total of____.

I hereby petition the office of the District Supervisor to certify the completion of the requirements of these candidates.

CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION

As the (District Supervisor), after careful scrutiny of the requirements submitted in my office, I have found that you have completed the requirements for graduation.

I therefore certify that these _____ candidates for graduation have fully satisfied the requirements prescribed by the deportment.

Madam/Sir, they now await your confirmation.

CONFIRMATION OF GRADUATION

By the authority vested in me as the representative of Br. Armin Luistro, FSC, Secretary of the Department of Education through __________________, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent and having been presented by the ____ and duly certified by the district supervisor that you have completed the basic requirements prescribed by the Department of Education under the Basic Education Curriculum, I now confirm you elementary graduates/Junior High School Completers of (School) for school year 2015-2016.

Congratulations!

For information and reference.

• Observance on the Selection of Honor Pupils and Students of Grades 1 to 10
• Program Flow for Graduation of Grade 6 and Completion/Moving-Up of Grade 10
• Computation of Public Schools MOOE
• Department’s Policy on Political Neutrality and Maintaining Our Offices and Schools as Neutral Zones

Courtesy: DepEd Nueva Vizcaya

Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, a visionary from the Philippines, founded TeacherPH in October 2014 with a mission to transform the educational landscape. His platform has empowered thousands of Filipino teachers, providing them with crucial resources and a space for meaningful idea exchange, ultimately enhancing their instructional and supervisory capabilities. TeacherPH's influence extends far beyond its origins. Mark's insightful articles on education have garnered international attention, featuring on respected U.S. educational websites. Moreover, his work has become a valuable reference for researchers, contributing to the academic discourse on education.

4 thoughts on “2016 Graduation Rites Script (Presentation, Certification & Confirmation)”

Introduction of the speech before the presentation of graduates and certificate

I am grateful to find a ready made presentation of candidates for graduation. For a busy school head, this script really lighten my load. Thank you so much. God bless you.

thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge. A true teacher, indeed!

The scripts provided for the following topics: 1. PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES 2. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION 3. CONFIRMATION OF GRADUATION are very helpful tips and guide for the new employees who are given the task to represent their supervisors during the graduates program.

Thank you so much.

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How to Write a Graduation Speech to Make Everyone Listen

Challenging as it sounds, creating a fancy graduation speech is a pretty time-consuming and rigorous process. When you set out to develop a one-of-a-kind speech to remember, be sure to tackle this work of art with exceptional dedication and enthusiasm. What is a graduation speech, then? In plain terms, a graduation speech is a speech delivered to graduating students and is intended to inspire them as well as encourage their future endeavors.

Normally, the one giving a speech is a famous alumnus of the school, eager to share their knowledge and wisdom with the young and ambitious audience. Therefore, in order to write a great graduation speech, you need to be consistent, open and sincere. These are the vital features of earning the attention and admiration on the part of the listeners.

So, How to Write a Speech for Graduation Ceremony?

Not so long ago, you pledged to write a cool commencement address. And now you confront Google, asking it “How to write a great graduation speech?” Or this one: “How to write a commencement speech for high school graduation?”

To be fully equipped to write an impactful graduation speech, you have to be familiar with some time-proven cornerstones that will aid you in developing your commencement address. So, here we are.

Graduation Speech Writing Tips

• Know your audience

Having a strong grasp of your target audience is one of the crucial aspects of how to write a good graduation speech. Try to relate to your audience and connect with it, imagine being in their shoes!

• Tell stories

As any psychology resource would suggest, most people are into listening to stories. Give your audience a good portion of a blithe, yet meaningful, account of an iconic figure’s path to success, as this can add to the intensity of your speech. Always thirsty to hear another success story, the audience will definitely love your creative input.

• Make it short

Lengthy speeches tend to bore the audience, as they feature rather superfluous content. For instance, if you ever googled something like “How to write a graduation speech for high school,” you must have noticed that none of the online resources you find recommend including some specific profession-oriented tips in your speech. Instead, you are advised to make your writing as brief as possible, as the teen-spirited audience likes it short and fast. Same with other types of commencement speeches – much like self-driven teens, other people are also likely to perceive information far easier and faster if it’s short and succinct.

• Give way to your emotions

Making your speech emotional will help it become more compelling and seem more natural. Don’t be scared to experiment with your writing, using idiosyncratic language like “my cuties,” “I’m a lucky dude,” “helluva,” etc.

Graduation Speech Writing Steps

• First of all, you should begin your speech with a salutation, such as “Dear students” or “Dear graduates.”
• Try to set the tone of voice of your speech. Think about what mood should prevail there and what general message it will deliver.
• Now, you can move on to choosing the theme of your speech. Sticking to one common theme will help you unify your ideas so that your speech sounds coherent and comprehensive. This also prevents you from including unnecessary information and facts in your writing.
• Plan your speech. There’s a military saying about making plans: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Thinking through the structure of your speech helps to organize it as well as make it orderly. Even if you think you know for sure how to write a graduation speech for elementary school (well, it’s nine-year-olds, so this must be so easy!) do take some time to plan your address. Self-confidence is okay, but not when it comes to speaking in front of hundreds of fidgety kids and their stuck-up parents.

Graduation Speech Example Analysis

Here you can find an analysis of a graduation speech. The analysis provides an evaluation of the speech, including comments on its content and structure. Check out the picture below.

Click the images to see their full size.

In a Nutshell

Now that this guide has brought you closer to the art of writing a graduation speech, creating one will take you half as much time than it would without these crucial tips and suggestions. Each task, be it computer coding or writing a graduation speech, requires only two basic things: willingness and commitment. Once you have no problems with those, then developing an outstanding commencement address will be a sheer pleasure for you.

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Graduation Ceremony: What to Expect

How long do graduation ceremonies last, getting seated.

Academic Procession

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Welcome address, presentation of awards and degrees.

Walking The Stage

• Hand the stage manager your name card for the appropriate name announcement.
• Walk across the stage once your name is called.
• Shake the Chancellor’s hand with your right hand.
• Take your cylinder/diploma in your left hand.
• Pause for a picture while shaking the Chancellor’s hand (unless cultural or religious reasons prevent you from doing this) and holding your cylinder/diploma.
• Walk off stage and collect your parchment and alumni information.
• Return to your seat and move your tassel to the other side to indicate that you are now a graduate!

Keynote Address from Guest Speaker

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Figurative Language Presentation: Explanations of 25 Figures of Speech + Quiz

Subject: English language learning

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Visual aid/Display

Last updated

14 September 2024

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Elevate your students’ understanding of figurative language with this all-in-one PowerPoint presentation! This resource not only explains 25 essential figurative language techniques with clear visuals and examples but also includes a 50-question multiple choice quiz to test their comprehension.

What’s Included:

Informative Slides: Each slide is thoughtfully designed with clear visuals and examples to explain 25 figurative language techniques. 50 Multiple Choice Questions: Assess your students’ understanding with a comprehensive quiz, featuring new and unique sentences. Clear Instructions: Easy-to-follow instructions guide students through the quiz seamlessly. Answer Key: A complete answer key for quick and easy grading. Figurative Language Techniques Covered:

Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole Understatement Irony Sarcasm Onomatopoeia Alliteration Assonance Consonance Oxymoron Paradox Pun Euphemism Metonymy Synecdoche Anaphora Epiphora Allusion Chiasmus Litotes Apostrophe Epithet Asyndeton Product Features:

Detailed Explanations: Each technique is explained with clear definitions and illustrative examples to enhance understanding. Interactive Learning: Engage your students with a dynamic quiz that encourages active participation. Visually Appealing: Professionally designed slides with engaging visuals to maintain student interest. Ease of Use: Ready-to-use format—simply open the PowerPoint and start teaching.

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