Have you found yourself in the exhilarating position of being chosen to give the keynote speech at a graduation ceremony?

Picture this: The campus is abuzz with activity, and families and friends are flocking in from far and wide. It’s a reunion like no other, where loved ones meet classmates and faculty, celebrating connections that will last a lifetime. It’s a moment of joy, of celebration, and yes, a tad bittersweet, as it marks the end of the graduates’ time in this hallowed institution.

And soon, you’ll be at that podium, delivering the keynote address. What an honor! It means you’re a shining star in your field, highly respected and admired. You’ve been entrusted with the task of inspiring these eager minds before you.

Take these suggestions as friendly advice based on my observations of over 50 commencement speeches. These tips will guide you in crafting an original, inspiring, and memorable commencement speech. They aren’t set in stone or meant to limit your approach to speechwriting. Instead, think of them as a springboard to craft your own unique and captivating address.

👉 3 commencement speech examples

How do I structure the content of my commencement speech?

Use the Past-Present-Future framework as your guide. This is a great starting point, and feel free to play around with this outline as you develop your speech.

• Theme: What’s the main message that ties your speech together? If the graduation already has a theme, include it.

• Opening: Thank the people who invited you to speak. Introduce yourself.

• Key Idea 1: (Past) Share stories and observations from your journey and the graduates’ journeys.

• Key Idea 2: (Present) Give 3 pieces of advice.

• Key Idea 3: (Future) Frame your advice in the broader context of the graduates’ futures.

• Closing: Give a call to action. Tie it back to your theme.

💡 Pro tip: Your graduation speech should include at least 1 or 2 stories. Stories will make your speech personal and engaging.

How can I make sure my commencement speech resonates with my audience?

Imagine a colorful tapestry of people gathered before you. We have the graduates, bright-eyed and ready to conquer the world. We have their loved ones bursting with pride and joy. Then there are the staff, faculty members, and administrators, all dedicated to nurturing minds and shaping futures.

Here’s the deal: This speech isn’t about you. Nope! It’s about the graduates and their guests. It’s a moment to honor the accomplishments made by these remarkable individuals and their loved ones. It’s not the time to spotlight your own achievements or use it as a platform for self-promotion.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who is my audience? What are their backgrounds? What are their identities? Why are they here?

• What would make my talk worthwhile for them?

• Why would they care about me and my journey?

• If they don’t know who I am, what would make them feel connected to me?

That’s not to say you can’t talk about your accomplishments. In fact, your audience is expecting to hear about those! The key is to frame your achievements in ways that provide value to your audience. For example, if you’ve written a best-selling book, you can ask yourself: Why would my audience care that I accomplished this? What struggles of mine can they relate to? What lessons can they apply to their own lives?

How long should my commencement speech be?

The length of a commencement speech can vary depending on the ceremony.

As a general rule of thumb, aim for a speech that’s 10 to 15 minutes long.

Give yourself enough time to cover all the main ideas you want to share. At the same time, make it short enough so you don’t bore or tire your audience. Finding that sweet spot is key.

💡 Pro tip: Time your speech beforehand. And don’t just do it once. Rehearse it several times to make sure it flows smoothly and fits within the time limit. That way, you can go into the graduation ceremony with the confidence of knowing you’ve got this speech thing down pat.

How can I make my commencement speech memorable?

Let’s talk about how to make your commencement speech memorable.

• Connect with your audience: Talk to the graduates on a personal level. Use language they can understand easily. Talk about what motivates or concerns them. Use relatable examples. Lead with emotion. Use the “you.”

• Think tweets: Make your messages bite-size. Craft your sentences so they’re easy for someone to share on social media.

• Share a story: Stories are powerful tools to capture the attention and emotions of your audience. Recount a personal anecdote that your audience can relate to. Try to surprise them.

• Use humor: Humor can be a great way to lighten the mood and make your speech more enjoyable. Use appropriate humor.

• Share a quote: Quotes are a great way to add wisdom and inspiration to your speech. Use a quote from a famous person, book, or movie that highlights your message and that your audience can remember. This can help reinforce your theme and make it more motivational.

What are some tips for delivering a successful commencement speech?

Delivering a great commencement speech requires a bit of preparation and practice. Here are some tips to help you nail your delivery:

• Prepare in advance: Don’t procrastinate! Write it down, rehearse it several times, and time it to ensure it fits within the time limit. Use feedback from others to improve your speech.

• Speak clearly and slowly: Avoid mumbling or jumbling words. Keep your chin up, speak slowly enough for people to understand you, and use pauses to highlight important words.

• Use your body: Your body language can add oomph to your speech. Use your hands, face, and posture to help express your emotions and message. And don’t forget to make eye contact to connect with your audience!

• Manage your nerves: It’s normal to be a little jittery before speaking, but try to relax by taking deep breaths, visualizing yourself rocking the speech, and remembering that your audience is rooting for you to succeed.

• Use the “you”: When you use “you,” “we,” and “us,” you invite your audience into your speech. It’s a simple technique, and it makes a powerful difference. So when you review a draft of your speech, look for how to use “you” as often as possible.

• Be yourself: Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Speak from the heart, stay true to your values, and let your personality shine through. Remember, you’re the guest speaker for a reason!

How can I make my commencement speech meaningful?

Creating a meaningful commencement speech is all about being true to yourself and connecting with your audience. Here are some tips to make your speech meaningful:

• Stay positive: Focus on the good things about your journey. Encourage people to chase their dreams and make a difference in the world. No need to be mean or snarky, even toward your nemeses and naysayers. Keep it respectful.

• Be inclusive: Use language that is inclusive and respectful to all members of your audience. Avoid stereotypes based on gender, age, or cultural background.

• Show empathy: Tap into the graduates’ experiences and emotions. What would they want to hear about? What would make your speech meaningful to them? Share stories that resonate with them and show that you care about their perspective. Use emotional language to really connect with them. It can be as simple as naming the emotion: “I’m sure you’re just like I was at your age and anxious about what’s to come…” or “I know you’ve all been through a lot to get here….”

What should I avoid when writing a valedictorian speech?

Some common mistakes can detract from your message.

• Avoid sugarcoating: Yes, life can be serendipitous and magical, and it’s important to paint an optimistic picture. But what will make people really invested in your speech is honesty and candidness about obstacles you’ve faced. Just think of your favorite movie or T.V. show—there are always hardships and setbacks. Reassure the graduates that they don’t need to win every contest or have good fortune all the time.

• Avoid clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases that don’t have any originality or authenticity to them. Use your own words to share your message.

• Avoid arrogance: Stay humble. You don’t want to come across as egotistic or condescending when talking about your achievements or your classmates. Keep a humble and respectful tone that shows gratitude and appreciation.

• Avoid controversial topics: You don’t want to discuss anything that might offend or divide your audience. Keep things upbeat and inspiring so that everyone can relate to your message.

• Avoid sensitive language: Don’t use inappropriate language, jokes, or stories that could offend or embarrass anyone in your audience. Keep things respectful and appropriate for all ages and backgrounds.

• Avoid rambling: We all appreciate speakers who carefully choose their words, get straight to the point, and conclude with a flourish.

• Avoid jargon: Don’t get lost in technicalities. A touch of history or technical detail can be helpful to illustrate a point, but too much can blur your message.

• Avoid making fun of other people: Strike a balance between gravity and levity. You can poke fun at yourself, but be careful about poking fun at others. You don’t want to put people down. Even if your intent is good-natured, your message might not be received that way.

What are some creative ways to start a commencement speech?

When it comes to writing the opening of your commencement speech, it can be challenging to set the tone for the rest of your speech. But don’t worry. Here are some creative ways to get you started:

• Share a quote: You can start your speech with a powerful quote that relates to your message and sticks in the graduates’ minds.

• Use humor: Start with a funny story, joke, or pun related to the graduation. You can include a few jokes. Just be careful not to go overboard with the humor.

• Tell a story: Share a personal story. It can be from your earlier years or even just last week!

• Ask a rhetorical question: Start your speech with a rhetorical question that prompts your classmates to think about your message and engages them.

• Use a metaphor: Introduce some symbolism that relates to your message and paints a vivid picture.

What are some topics to discuss in a commencement speech?

Choosing a theme for your commencement speech can be a real head-scratcher. The key is to weave stories into your speech. Stories that are specific and colorful will keep your audience engaged and entertained. Let’s take a look at some possible themes:

• Gratitude: Think of someone who had a life-altering influence on your journey—maybe a mentor, family member, or friend—and share a story about them. You can even reveal a little “secret” about this person you think the audience should know. This will give your speech a more intimate feel.

• Cherished memories: Ah, memories. They can be a great way to connect with your audience. Share meaningful memories from times you and your audience have shared, such as major world events or holidays. Try to find a common theme among those memories that can become the theme for your entire speech.

• Achievements: As the guest speaker, you’ve achieved a lot, as have the graduates. So why not celebrate those achievements and reflect on the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that led you all to this moment? Use your journey as an example, and inspire the graduates to continue pursuing their achievements.

• Change: Reflect on the changes and challenges you or the graduates have faced during your journeys. For example, how has the pandemic impacted you and the graduates? Or how did major advances in technology bring people closer together?

• The future: Share your aspirations and goals, and encourage the graduates to pursue their dreams and positively impact the world. This will be a nice contrast to the stories you tell about the past.

What is the best way to end a commencement speech?

Ending a commencement speech is just as important as starting it. The conclusion should leave a lasting impression on your audience and end on a high note. Here are ways you can end your speech:

• Tie it back to your theme: Take a moment to summarize your key ideas and highlight the key takeaways of your speech. This will help reinforce your message and ensure that your audience remembers it.

• Use humor: End your speech with a lighthearted joke or pun that leaves your audience smiling and wraps up your message nicely.

• Express gratitude: Take a moment to thank people who have supported your graduates throughout their journeys. Showing appreciation can create an uplifting ending to your speech.

• Encourage action: Inspire your audience to take action based on your message. Encourage people to pursue their passions or make a positive impact.

• Share a quote: End your speech with a powerful quote that relates to your message and that your audience can remember. Leave people with a thought-provoking idea.

💡 Pro tip: In the closing of your speech, avoid thanking people from your own life or putting the spotlight on yourself. At this point in your speech, people are ready for it to end, and they’ll disengage if you continue talking about yourself.

How can I find inspiration for my commencement speech?

Finding inspiration for your commencement speech can be challenging, but there are many ways to get inspired. Here are some tips:

• Reflect on your experiences: Look back at your journey, and think about the moments that made a real impact on you. Your personal experiences, thoughts, and values are all great sources of inspiration.

• Just start writing! Grab your phone (or a pen and paper) and jot down all the ideas that come to your mind, no matter how silly or impossible they seem. You never know—one of those ideas could become a great speech!

• Talk to people: Bouncing your ideas off others is always good. Talk to your family, friends, and mentors for their perspectives and insights. They may have valuable ideas and feedback to help you shape your speech.

• Research: Listen to other commencement and inspirational speeches to get some ideas. Reflect on what works and what doesn’t.

And don’t forget to have fun with it! This is your moment to shine, so enjoy it and make the most of it. Good luck!

Examples

Speeko for graduation speeches

Tap into the power of A.I. coaching to unleash your full speaking potential. Use Speeko to prepare, write, and organize your commencement speech. From gathering your stories to using humor, you’ll strengthen your skills and receive invaluable feedback on key areas of your speaking style.