Valedictorian Speech Outline
- Introductory Statement: "Looking at our whole class in the same place, maybe for the last time, I'm reminded of a quote by Pearl Buck: 'The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it, generation after generation.' ...
- Thesis: "We are at our best when we break boundaries and challenge expectations. ...
- Start writing with a goal or theme in mind. ...
- Make your valedictorian speech about everybody but you. ...
- Recount the highlights of four years in high school. ...
- See your high school years with a sense of humor. ...
- Leave your audience inspired!
What should you talk about in a valedictorian speech?
Valedictorian speech themes should focus on your successes as a class, not as a person. Your goal is to create a memorable speech, something that people will recall as a high point of graduation day. The more effectively you can include everybody in the room, the more successful your speech will be.
How do you end a valedictorian speech?
Conclusion of the valedictorian speech When you leave here today, celebrate what you have accomplished, but look forward with an eye toward how you, too, can be the inspiration for others. Congratulations Class of 2015!
What speech does valedictorian give?
At a high school or university graduation, the valedictorian traditionally gives a farewell speech, called a valedictory.
What should I say in my graduation speech?
Writing a Winning Graduation Speech: Outline and TipsThank the Previous Speaker. ... Introduce Yourself. ... Share a Motivational Quote. ... Share Some Good Advice. ... Recall the Good Times. ... Restate Your Motivational Quote. ... Create a Call to Action. ... Thank Everyone.
How do you start a valedictory speech?
5 Tips For Writing A Memorable High School Valedictorian SpeechStart writing with a goal or theme in mind. ... Make your valedictorian speech about everybody but you. ... Recount the highlights of four years in high school. ... See your high school years with a sense of humor. ... Leave your audience inspired!
What should you not do 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.
Can you refuse to be valedictorian?
You somehow forgo your valedictorian status when you politely inform your school administrator that you refuse to give your graduation speech. A valedictory speech is an opportunity and not a mandatory responsibility. And if you feel the need to, you can pass up on this opportunity.
What are the top 3 graduates called?
Generally, the highest honor in college is the valedictorian, followed by the salutatorian. As a group, the highest honor is summa cum laude. The next highest is the magna cum laude, and the third is the cum laude.
Is valedictorian based on GPA?
Valedictorian is the academic title conferred upon the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution, typically based upon the highest grade point average.
How do you introduce yourself in a graduation speech?
“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.”
How long should a graduation speech be?
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. This means you must write concisely about your topic. Rewrite the speech to keep it within the acceptable time limit.
How many words should a graduation speech be?
Five to 10 minutes is just about right. At 200 to 250 words per minute (practice and time your delivery), that equates to about 1000–2500 words.
How do you end a quote with a speech?
End With Quote Always say the author of the quote before the quote for example, “I want to leave you with a leadership quote 'What you do has far greater impact than what you say,' Steven Covey.” The problem with this ending is that “Stephen Covey” are the last two words of the speech and that is boring.
How do you end a speech sample?
Formal Closing Remarks It's been a pleasure being with all of you today, thank you. Thank you all for your patience, I wish you all a very good evening. Good Bye. It's been an honor to be among such accomplished individuals and to be able to present my perspective before you all, thank you and good evening/day.
How do you end a motivational speech?
Here are some options for ending your speech:Close with an inspirational quotation. Find a short quote that captures the feeling you want the audience to have. ... Include a call to action. ... Tell a story. ... Describe the impact of what happens if the audience does what you ask. ... Transition to Q+A. ... Match the opening sentence.
How do you end a speech about yourself?
End with a strong conclusion. The conclusion is just a paragraph summing up your entire speech. Summarize the main points of your speech, and answer any questions from your introduction. But do so in a way that leaves an impression. The conclusion should tie everything together and make the speech more universal.
How long is a valedictorian speech?
Lenght: five to six minutes is enough for a valedictorian speech.
What is a thank you?
THE THANK YOU’S – Express gratitude to all who helped you along the way.
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.
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.
Do you have to write a valedictorian speech?
But now isn't the time to sit and relax. You need to write a valedictorian speech to give at your commencement exercises . And it needs to be reflective of your high school or college career.
Do you thank people in your speech?
Always thank people in your speech. You didn't become the valedictorian on your own. And your fellow graduates didn 't get to the stage on their own either .
Can a speech and debate teacher help you practice?
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 always have that luxury in the "real world."
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.
The Importance of a Valedictorian Speech
Regardless of whether you’re finishing your high school years or your college and university years, the fact that the school board, principal or provost and teachers or professors have made a joint decision and selected you as the valedictorian is a reflection of your academic excellence. Feel free to pause here and give yourself a pat on the back.
Writing Your Speech: A Step-by-Step Approach
You’re gearing up to join past student valedictorians who undertook this role with pride and dedication. While students chosen to be valedictorian come from a variety of backgrounds, they all share a strong academic drive.
Still Feeling Those Butterflies? Five More Tips for Giving the Speech
If you’re still nervous about giving your speech, take a look at these five tips.
Writing a Valedictorian Speech: A Few Examples
Still not sure how to write a valedictorian speech? Check out four valedictorian speech examples that can help you create your own inspirational message.
Need Assistance? Consider Outsourcing
Sometimes your best efforts result in nothing but panic. If you haven’t progressed on your speech and the deadline is approaching, consider asking the writers at Compose.ly for assistance. Graduation can be a stressful time for students, but you’ll be well on your way with a valedictorian speech already in hand.
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 ...
How to write a Valedictorian speech?
For delivering a memorable Valedictorian speech, keep in mind a few things like incorporating humor and storytelling, having a theme, getting other students’ insight & keeping your most important point for the end of your speech.
What are some good ways to start off a speech?
Props are another great way to start off your speech. They are eye-catching, and if used correctly, can create an entire story for your audience. So you’re hitting two birds with one stone!
How important is the ending of a speech?
That’s because while your beginning will determine whether people pay attention to your speech–or doze off–the ending will determine the takeaway that people return with.
What is the main takeaway of a speech?
This is going to be the line that people will most likely remember for a long time, the main takeaway from your speech. It can be a quote, the summary of a story or memory that you’ve spoken before, a few words of wisdom, or even a quote.
How long should a speech be?
So, make sure that your speech is short and simple. Stick to the main points. A general guideline would be to have your speech be anything between 5-15 minutes. You can confirm if you have a time limit with the principal.
Why are themes important in speech?
That’s because they are a common point that your entire speech is organized towards anything that you say in your speech can inevitably be traced back to it.
How to motivate your peers to remember you?
If you truly wish to motivate your peers and make them remember you, then you need to incorporate humor in your speech.
What is the humor of a valedictorian speech?
The humor in the valedictorian speeches often plays with the fact that after passing their exams, student can now afford to speak up much more freely. Even small taunts to the teachers are allowed, as long as they don’t go too far. Like this example: “At the beginning of my speech, I want to thank the teachers.
What to say when the speaker is not his teacher's favorite student?
If the speaker was not his teacher’s favorite student, he or she could start their speech like this: “When Principal Rogers was considering which one of his students would be a good candidate to deliver a speech at our graduation ceremony, my name was at the top of his list. The title of this list? Worst Case Scenario.”
How to draw in the audience right from the start?
The best way to draw in the attention of your audience right from the start is humor. By the way, if you are graduating from high school this year, – even college students might not know! – you might not know who be familiar with Hitchcock, he was considered one of the best movie makers of all times. But let’s look at some funny openers.
Why do people get scared of public speaking?
The reason for this is usually stage fright. Some people are simply too scared of public speaking to ignite the spark in their audience.
When did Conan O'Brien give his graduation speech?
Talk show host Conan O’Brien began in his graduation speech at the University of Dartmouth in 2011 like this: “Graduates, parents, relatives, teachers and old people that just come to these things: Good morning and congratulations…”
Can you change the opener in a speech?
You could easily change this opener to fit your speech situation. For example, you could also welcome the bored siblings, tourists, who lost their bearings or people from the street who were hoping for free drinks.
Is it difficult to start a speech?
Speeches are like love affairs: It’s not difficult to start one. But only few people manage to end them gracefully. A pleasant exception was Jimmy Kimmel’s speech in Las Vegas in 2013: “With your degree you have not only proven that you are smart people. You have also shown something even more important. You have proven that you can finish something. That being said, I think this is a great opportunity to show that I can finish something as well and finish this speech.”
