how do you write a valedictorian speech for high school

5 Tips For Writing A Memorable High School Valedictorian Speech

• 1. Start writing with a goal or theme in mind. A helpful way to start is by understanding the unique goal of your valedictorian speech. ...
• 2. Make your valedictorian speech about everybody but you. ...
• 3. Recount the highlights of four years in high school. ...
• 4. See your high school years with a sense of humor. ...
• 5. Leave your audience inspired! ...

Full Answer

What should a high school valedictorian speech say?

In your valedictorian speech, talk about the shared experiences of your class. Include any significant events and teachers who made a big impact, and include funny stories. Make sure to talk about the past and look forward to the future. See our templates below for more ideas.

How long should a high school valedictorian speech be?

With that in mind, the key to a great valedictory speech is to keep it simple, short (ten minutes is perfect), mention lots of people by name, tell stories, and practice it so much that you don't have to read it. You want to deliver it like you're having an animated chat with a close friend.

How do you introduce yourself in a valedictorian speech?

Start Your Speech with an Introduction“Thank you [person who introduced you]. ... “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].More items...

How long should valedictorian speeches be?

Length. Your speech should be about 5 minutes in length. Keep in mind that you must read slowly and articulate your words clearly since you will be using a microphone.

What is the average GPA of a valedictorian?

4.0 GPAThe title of valedictorian is used to distinguish indivduals who have achieved the highest level of academic excellence. Students who earn an unweighted 4.0 GPA, through the seventh semester of high school, will receive valedictorian designation.

What percentage of high school valedictorians are successful?

Nearly 90 percent [of valedictorians followed in one study] are now in professional careers with 40 percent in the highest tier jobs. They are reliable, consistent, and well-adjusted, and by all measures the majority have good lives.

How do you end a valedictory speech?

Here are four tips on how to end a graduation speech that would give you big applause from the crowd:Plan every word of your closing remarks.Close it with a story.Insert a little humor and make the audience laugh.Close your graduation speech with inspiration.

How can I start my speech with introduction?

7 Memorable Ways to Open a Speech or PresentationQuote. Opening with a relevant quote can help set the tone for the rest of your speech. ... “What If” Scenario. Immediately drawing your audience into your speech works wonders. ... “Imagine” Scenario. ... Question. ... Silence. ... Statistic. ... Powerful Statement/Phrase.

What is a good way to start a speech about yourself?

For example, if your speech is going to be about yourself, don't start with, “My name is Jeff.” Start things with something like, “I've always wanted to speak in front of an audience and share what's important to me, and here I am now.”

How many valedictorians become successful?

There was little debate that high school success predicted college success. Nearly 90 percent are now in professional careers with 40 percent in the highest tier jobs. They are reliable, consistent, and well-adjusted, and by all measures the majority have good lives.

Does the valedictorian speak last?

The term is an Anglicised derivation of the Latin vale dicere ("to say farewell"), historically rooted in the valedictorian's traditional role as the final speaker at the graduation ceremony commencement before the students receive their diplomas.

What are things to avoid in a graduation speech?

Stay away from jokes: Yes jokes can be fun but it is hard to draw the line from being fun to being unprofessional. Your safest bet will be to keep the jokes aside. Avoid negativity: You should avoid negativity at all costs. Your impression makes a big impact; it should always be a positive one.

How many pages should a valedictorian speech be?

Plan for Time. Be mindful of the appropriate length of your speech. Most people speak about 175 words per minute, so a 10-minute speech should contain about 1,750 words. You can fit about 250 words onto a double-spaced page, so that translates to seven pages of double-spaced text for 10 minutes of speaking time.

How long is a high school graduation speech?

There's no perfect valedictorian speech but follow these five tips to write a memorable one. While your address is vital to the ceremony, remember to keep it short and sweet. Unless otherwise instructed, cut it to ten minutes maximum, so people stay attentive.

How many pages is a 5 minute speech?

A better guide is to go by word count. A good pace is around 120–130 words per minute so that works out at 600–750 words for a 5 min presentation, which is around 1–1.5 pages at 12 point text. Hope that helps.

How many words is the average valedictorian speech?

Your valedictorian speech should max out at about 750 words. And shorter is better.

1. Start writing with a goal or theme in mind

A helpful way to start is by understanding the unique goal of your valedictorian speech. Of course, you want to deliver a fitting send-off message to your graduating class. Still, to be memorable, you must also get them excited about the future as if an epic adventure starts soon.

2. Make your valedictorian speech about everybody but you

Don't turn your valedictorian speech into a mini-biography of your high school accomplishments. While you're welcome to add personal anecdotes for flavor, it would be best to talk about everyone else in your class. It might take extra work to find out what the four years have been like for them.

3. Recount the highlights of four years in high school

To make your valedictorian speech genuinely unforgettable, you can tap graduation's unavoidable nostalgia by recounting the highlights of the past four years in high school. Sure, four years may not be a lifetime, but everyone in your class takes away lifelong memories from such a short period.

4. See your high school years with a sense of humor

Reading your greatest hits of high school memories like a shopping list will quickly bore your crowd. Why don't you write your valedictorian speech with a fusion of humor, no matter how tiny? We suggest making a big splash with something funny to open your address then doling it out in smaller doses for the rest.

5. Leave your audience inspired!

You've honored the past four years with many cherished memories recalled in a celebratory way. The other half of your valedictorian speech should inspire your fellow students. We suggest writing a clear call to action to end your address. You're not at your commencement to pick up your diploma.

How long should a speech be?

Therefore, don't ramble on forever. Your speech should be no more than 10 minutes unless you're given other instructions.

What should the end of a speech be?

You can end it with a quote, a memory, or words of wisdom to impart on your class, just as long as you end it with a punch.

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What does "don't use it" mean?

That means seriously, don't use it. Talk about anything else other than how Webster's dictionary defines certain words central to your speech.

Did you become a valedictorian on your own?

You didn't become the valedictorian on your own. And your fellow graduates didn't get to the stage on their own either. Acknowledge teachers, parents, friends, and siblings who contributed to not only your success but the success of fellow graduates.

Can you give a speech without practicing?

Never give a speech without practicing it. As valedictorian, we trust you already know that, but we just want to 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.

What is the importance of a valedictorian speech?

Important things to remember about giving a valedictory graduation speech are that: it should connect with your fellow students in an inspiring way.

What does "Valedictorian" mean?

You can add and change the details to personalize it to your own situation. "Valedictorian" derives from the Latin phrase vale dicere, meaning to say farewell. In some nations, the student with the highest grade average of a graduating class accepts the role and delivers the final goodbye speech ...

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Speechworks is a communication and selling skills coaching firm. We teach professionals how to craft and deliver complex messages in a simple, persuasive manner. Since 1986, through workshops and one-on-one instruction, we have helped countless individuals become better presenters and communicators.

How to deliver a valedictory speech?

They connect with audiences using anecdotes and lots of name-dropping. And they offer gratitude. With that in mind, the key to a great valedictory speech is to keep it simple, short (ten minutes is perfect), mention lots of people by name, tell stories, and practice it so much that you don’t have to read it. You want to deliver it like you’re having an animated chat with a close friend.

What are some good themes for a speech?

Good themes include “How to build relationships and rely on each other,” “How to Work Together as a Community,” “How to respect each others differences,” and “How much we need each other to succeed.”. Don’t worry if it’s corny. If it’s from the heart, go for it.].

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President of Speechworks, a selling and communication skills coaching company in Atlanta. He has worked with hundreds of business people helping them learn how to communicate in a way that connects with clients. His new book 15 Minutes Including Q&A: a Plan to Save the World from Lousy Presentations” is available now. He is also the author three previous books including “How to Win a Pitch: The Five Fundamentals That Will Distinguish You from the Competition”, “Selling and Communication Skills for Lawyers” and “Even A Geek Can Speak.” He can be reached at 404-266-0888 or [email protected]

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How to Start a Graduation Speech?

Ready to start writing your graduation speech? Here are the guidelines to do it smoothly.

How to make your speech interesting?

Try something new like poetry or metaphors to make your speech interesting.

What does "end with something worth remembering" mean?

End with something worth remembering. It could be anything like a quote, a repetition of the main theme or phrase, or a humorous note.

Can you write an assignment without an outline?

No good assignment is written without an outline, and this is true in the case of a speech also. For a memorable speech, make an outline first, and make sure that you follow it through.

Does a speech need to be perfect?

The speech does not need to be perfect, but it should convey the message clearly.