Tips for Writing a High School Graduation Speech

A valedictorian has earned a great many rewards for all the hard work and long hours invested in accumulating and maintaining a high school's highest grade point average. The clear distinction of being the best, the honor of leading the student body out on graduation day, and the rare opportunity to address the entire crowd at commencement with a personal speech. And while many valedictorian's have learned how to handle pressure, succeeding in countless ways and in various formats throughout the four years in high school, make no mistake that ascending the stage and stepping behind that podium to deliver the graduation speech may very well twist that refined student into a human pretzel.

With public speaking ranking as the number one greatest fear amongst humans--death being a close second, one can easily understand how a teenager would grow abundantly nervous when thinking about standing unassisted in front of over a thousand or so people. The task is certainly a daunting one, but by no means impossible. The key for any student exists not in some injection of miracle confidence, but rather in the one ideal that got him or her to the top of the academic rankings: preparation.

When a valedictorian sits down the write the speech, the process will unquestionably be one of frustration and self-doubt. Laboring over words and symbols, metaphors and messages, implied ideas and explicit images, the valedictorian will analyze each decision, wondering if the final creation will adequately represent their intelligence. Yet, if they can cut through the pressure to see the reality, they will find that this is a wonderful chance not to showcase their intellectual capabilities, but instead to highlight both their own personality as well as that of the class that sits in front of them.

Keeping the writing simple and clear, fun and informative, will let the valedictorian capture the audience and allow them to enjoy the graduation ceremony. The ten tips below are designed to take the pressure off the event and let the writer generate a memorable experience that is as rewarding leading up to it as it is afterward.

1.Speak to your classmates, not to the dignitaries or adults: So much at graduations is made of the adults in the special caps and gowns, but remember that it is not about them. It is about the students, so speak directly to them. There is no need to try and write a speech that is so overpowering that half the people in the audience fail to see the point. If you speak to the people you have shared four years with, they will listen and remember. Is that not the point anyway?

2.Tell a story: So many graduation speeches rely on trite, worn out symbols that shut listeners out within the first thirty seconds. Instead of delivering a cookie-cutter speech, think about the books that you love or the movies you adored. Start in the middle of some action, in the prime moment of a story. The story can eventually contain some message or meaning if you wish, but make it feel fictional. From birth, people loved being told stories, and that idea never changes.

3.Do not use it as a soapbox: One big mistake any valedictorian can make is to utilize the speech as a chance to proclaim their opinions on given issues. Having an agenda during a celebratory speech is not only a "no-no" in terms of keeping interest, but also it fails to properly address the occasion.

4.Be positive: No matter what problems you may have encountered through the years, this is no place to share them. Hundreds of classmates sit moments away from a large achievement, so make them feel happy and satisfied. Coerce them into believing that all they have done has been worth it and that they should feel proud of that. While pom-poms are unnecessary, the tone should capture the smiles of those in attendance.

5.Go easy on the metaphors: While speeches based on deep metaphors can often sound good inside the brain of the valedictorian, normally they come out on graduation day as pompous and impossible to understand. High interest material does not need a translation or a roundtable discussion at the end to figure it out. Keep it simple and meaningful.

6.Avoid the standard format: Graduation ceremonies have certain stereotypes, so the best way to find success is to buck the trend. Do not follow the standard way and generate some carbon copy of thousands of speeches done year after year. Take the time to devise an unanticipated way to present the message. This will keep people listening and interested.

7.Have a great opening: The opening is critical. With a large crowd that truly is not there to see the valedictorian, a sharp, non-standard opening will grab them. Make them listen instead of hoping they will. Consider how many times students drift off mentally during class and you will know what you are up against. The think about how the best teachers kept the class focused and involved. Mimic them.

8.Have the speech reflect your personality: Every person has a true self, the one that only they really know. Let that persona come out so that when looking back, no regrets can be had. Use your strengths. Do not use this as a place to try and improve upon your weaknesses. For example, if you are not funny, do not try to be. If you are clever, use it to your advantage. Feeling confident will only improve the experience and the outcome.

9.Keep it short: Every graduate there wants to get their diploma, throw their caps in the air, take some pictures, head out to dinner, and go to post-graduation parties. Do not delay the evening's real intention by giving a dissertation. Five minutes maximum. In and out. Well planned, interesting, positive, and inspirational.

10.Have fun: It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so soak it up and enjoy. Prepare a speech that lets you smile and feel proud. Looking back someday, you will not always remember exactly what you said, but you will always recall exactly how you felt.

In the end, make the 2009 high school graduation speech special for everyone there. Make it real and relatable. Do not get people at the end of the speech to lean to the person next to them and say, "Wow, what a smart kid". Instead, hope they lean over and say, "What an interesting kid. I bet his parents are proud". Best of luck.

For help with how to speak publicly, check the following websites:

http://www.aresearchguide.com/3tips.html

http://www.businessknowhow.com/manage/fearspeak.htm