10 Tips to Creating a Magical Valedictorian Speech
Jan 17,2019
So, you're the class valedictorian. Tha☂t's amazing. Congratulate yourself on a job well done.
But now isn't the time to sit and relax. You needಌ to ꩲwrite a valedictorian speech to give at your commencement exercises. And it needs to be reflective of your high school or college career.
Gulp!
Don't stress, though. You got through four years and . Clearly,🐻 you know a thing or two about writing and delivering a good speech.
In case you can't call to mind a great speech off the top of your head, we've got a few tips for yo🎶u.
Read on for s෴ome tricks and tips that will make your speech memorable.
1. Whatever You Do, Do Not Talk About Webster's Dictionary
Have y🅠ou ever been to a valedictory speech where the valedictorian says a word like "honor" or "memory" or even "ܫvaledictorian" and then talks about how Webster's dictionary defines it?
It's such a trope, it's made its way into pop💝ular culture.
Th🔯at means seriously, don't use it. Talk about anything else other than how Webster's dictionary de𒁏fines certain words central to your speech.
Generally, you want to avoid and make y🎃our speඣech a certified original.
2. Talk About What You've Learned in Your Valedictorian Speech
We're wil🔜ling to be t🌃hat many of your most important lessons weren't learned in the classroom despite your success in it.
Take some time to talk about the lessons you've le𒁃arned amongst your friends, when you were in the school play, from your time on the soccer team or any other way you learned a lesson throughout your time in school.
3. Make a Few Jokes
Don't get up there and list memories that you had or ta♏lk about success in a dry form.
Inject a little humor in there. Make your fellow students laugh with a funny story about something that happened during your last four years together. 🍒We're willing to wager that at least one funny thing happened in biology class or one of your teachers is known for a hilarious quirk.
4. Inspire Your Fellow Students
Commencement isn't just about celebrating the fact that you 𝓡finally earned your diploma.
It's also about looking forward to the future and all of the places life will take you after graduation. You want your fellow students to leave your speech feeling as though they've got the world by the tail and can do anything now that they're gradu🃏ates.
5. Use Quotes
Don't use Webster's Dictionary to define words, but to uplift your fellow graduates. Maybe even pick a quote out ahead of t🐟ime to reflect on and craft your speec𒈔h around it.
The quote doesn't have to be from someone famous o💞r well-known, it just has to make your fellow graduates think and feel inspired by their words. It could even be a "famous" quote from one of your teachers or faculty members!
6. Keep It Short and Sweet
Remember, your speech is important, or you wouldn't have bee♐n asked to give it. But don't go overboard. People aren't there to see you specifically. They're there to celebrate their accomplishments or the accomplishments of family and close friends. You don't want people to be checking their watches during your speech or wanting you to hurry up.
Therefore, don't ramble on forever. Your speech should be no more than 10 minutes unless you'🎉re given other instructions.
7. Speak to Other Students
Don't just craft a valedictory speech in the cold confines of your room. Instead, speak to other students and find out what they're interested in, what has inspired them and what they'll remember most. You🦹r graduation is about all of the students, not just you, and you'll want your speech to recognize their collective memories.
8. Make Your Most Important Point the Final Point
Your speech should be you leading up to the final point of the speech, which will be the most important part. This should be the line that people remember, and that people take away from your speech. You can end it with a quote, a memory, or word💫s of wisdom to impart on your class, just as long as you end it with a punch.
9. Always Practice Your Speech Before Hand
Never give a speech without practicing it. As valedictorian, we trust you already know that, but we just want t𓆉o make sure.
Try your speech out on a couple of fellow ♔graduates and ask them what they think of it. You might even practice on your parents or some of your teachers. If there are parts of the speech they dislike, ask them to provide you with a few pointers so that you can make it better.
If you had a speech and debate teacher at school, he or she might be keen to help you practice your speech. Take advantage of that, as you won't a꧒lways have that luxury in the "real world."
10. Thank People
Always thank people in your speech. You didn't become the valedictorian on your own. And your fellow graduates didn'ඣt get t💛o the stage on their own either.
Acknowledge teachers, p🌞arents, friends, and siblings who contributed to not only your success but the success of fellow graduates. You may even want to ask the students to give their families and teache🎀rs a round of applause to show how much they respect them.
Writing the Perfect Valedictory Speech
A valedictorian sꦿpeech shouldn't be overwhelming or daunting. Instead, think of it as a way to connect with your graduating class one last time before you all go your separate ways. And, if you're planning a career where you will be public speaking, think of it as a great way to practice.
Going on to college after high school and haven't found a scholarship y🌜et? toꦬ help you on your way!
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