<p>Hi I have to give a speech in 2 weeks at my graduation ceremony… I have come up with a sort of rough draft, and since I have never been to a graduation before, I was wondering if anyone would mind readin my speech over… giving me any tips on how to make it better</p>
<p>We just listened to a few speeches at our son’s graduation. The best speech was one in which the speaker connected with each gradutate, as well as the class as a whole. He talked about continuing to support one another, how he knows each graduate, and knows that they can all be successful. He also spoke slowly and clearly, and did not try to impress with a verbose speech, or attempt unnatural impressive vocabulary. He also did not speak about himself, which other speakers did, and it was boring for all except their parents. He kept it on the shorter end, and he most certainly did not ramble. Good luck!</p>
<p>thanx for the advice… Im planning to do somethin similar to the speaker who connected with the graduates</p>
<p>At my S’s grad. the Val. recounted some highlights and even some of the mundane happenings of their journey through high school…not personal things but things that the group as a whole could relate to. It was very light and funny. You could tell that the kids really liked it. There was a lot of laughter over student parking lot incidents, football games, cafeteria food, favorite teacher’s sayings that they would never forget and of course senior pranks. Keep it light.</p>
<p>Son gave his a week ago, and the content of the speech was dependent on the size of the graduating class. With over 500 students it would not be possible to do a “call out” to all the seniors. The school had some restrictions on the content as well. The val and sal and class pres were asked to not give a “specific” speech but rather a more generalized one.</p>
<p>The year before the val and sal had very long speeches with many specific references to their friends. For those students excluded from the speeches it was difficult. </p>
<p>Following those parameters did make it more difficult to write but the results were noticeable. Both speeches this year caused the audience to erupt in laughter and shed a few tears. But for the first time in many years, the faculty, administration, students, parents and guests all seemed to really enjoy what was being said and communicated their pleasure to others.</p>
<p>Son did not write it as an essay but rather in his everyday voice.</p>
<p>Good luck. I did not hear or see son’s speech until the graduation ceremony. I think I must have heard 10 or 12 of my “Mommyisms”, ones I did not even know he really heard until then!!!</p>
<p>And HAVE FUN!</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>thanx for the advice… My class is also a huge graduating class, and Itd be difficult to make specific comments bc i would not want to leave anyone out… I just planned on making general comments like always rememeber the entertaining drama shows, or supporting the football teams stuff like that</p>
<p>And remember always finish with “San Dimas High football rules!” </p>
<p>Are you the only val? If not maybe talk to the others about a theme and share the point. Both of my Vals shared the honors with 6 and 5 other students respectfully and they worked a general theme together. Shorter speeches tied together for a good overall presentation. </p>
<p>If you’re by yourself remember you don’t have to go 10 minutes. 4 to 5 minutes is a lot. Talk about the “we” experiences, not the “me” experiences. Humour is nice, but keep it light and simple. Imagine 10 years and 20 ahead and where “we’ll” be. If your good enough to be a val, you’ll pull it together and I’m sure it will be a good one.</p>
<p>“If you’re by yourself remember you don’t have to go 10 minutes. 4 to 5 minutes is a lot. Talk about the “we” experiences, not the “me” experiences. Humour is nice, but keep it light and simple. Imagine 10 years and 20 ahead and where “we’ll” be.”</p>
<p>The speaker at my son’s graduation who gave a wonderful speech, did this. I would recommend this. When I said that he connected with each graduate and the class, I did not mean that he called out individual names. He presented the speech in such a way that he connected with each individual…ie: “I know each and every one of you personally, and I know that you will succeed…” . He described the cohesiveness of the class, and how each graduate will always be there to support their fellow classmate/graduate…He had a couple of inside jokes that were relevant and understood by the class as a whole. He kept it light, relatively brief, and really, each person felt as though he was connecting with the speaker on a 1:1 level to some degree.</p>
<p>so do all of u suggest talking about experiences more rather than giving advice for the future?</p>
<p>Some advice might be fine. I would keep it light as other posters suggested. Remember that nobody wants “to be lectured to”, but some advice might be appropriate.</p>