Well, congratulations are in order! As the salutatorian, you’ve truly accomplished something special in your academic journey. You’ve put in the hard work to earn your esteemed rank and have been handpicked to give a speech at your upcoming graduation ceremony. Now that’s something to be proud of.

This speech of yours is a rare opportunity to speak to your classmates, family, friends, teachers, and fellow graduates. It’s a chance to share your thoughts on this momentous occasion. We’re going to discuss some key steps to help you craft a truly excellent salutatorian speech.

Giving a speech can be daunting. But with the right approach, it can be a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience.

So, let’s get started.

👉 3 salutatorian speech examples

Salutatorian vs. valedictorian speeches: What’s the difference?

Traditionally, the salutatorian’s role is to welcome everyone to the graduation ceremony on behalf of the graduating class.

While the valedictorian’s speech is directed toward your classmates and given toward the end of the ceremony, your speech is directed toward the entire audience—including friends, family, and teachers—to welcome them to this special event.

As the salutatorian, you might also introduce other speakers and representatives participating in the ceremony.

💡 Pro tip: Work with the valedictorian to make sure your speeches aren’t too similar.

So what should I say?

Use the Past-Present-Future framework as your guide.

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

• Opening: Thank your audience for being present. Introduce yourself.

• Key Idea 1: (Past) Share a story, memory, or observation highlighting your gratitude for the people who have supported you and your classmates.

• Key Idea 2: (Present) Talk about what makes today special.

• Key Idea 3: (Future) Talk about how you look forward to the rest of the ceremony and the years ahead.

• Closing: Give a call to action, such as encouraging your audience to enjoy the ceremony. 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.

What ideas should I include in my salutatorian speech?

Your speech should be a true reflection of who you are and what you stand for. And to make that happen, here are a few key ideas you'll want to keep in mind:

• Gratitude: First and foremost, show your gratitude. Express thanks to the people who have supported you: your parents, your teachers, your classmates, and your friends. Let them know just how much their support has meant to you.

• Reflection: Take some time to reflect. Talk about the significance of the day’s events or observations that you’ve made. And don’t forget to touch on the lessons you’ve learned along the way!

• Inspiration: Share your aspirations and how the people in attendance have inspired you.

• Fun: A little laughter can go a long way in breaking the ice and connecting with your audience. If you’re not naturally funny, that’s okay! This doesn’t mean you have to tell a joke or share a funny story. You can make your speech fun by using a lively tone and engaging body language.

• Advice: Last but not least, offer some advice. You’ve gained plenty of wisdom from your experiences and the people who have influenced you. So take this opportunity to share some of that knowledge with your classmates.

How long should a salutatorian speech be?

The length of a salutatorian speech can vary depending on your ceremony. But as a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to aim for a speech that’s around 5 to 10 minutes long.

Now why is that? Well, you’ll want to give yourself enough time to cover all the main ideas you want to share. But at the same time, you don’t want to drag on for too long and bore or tire your audience. So 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 your graduation ceremony with the confidence of knowing you’ve got this speech thing down pat.

How can I make my salutatorian speech memorable?

Let’s talk about how to make your salutatorian speech truly memorable. Here are some tips to help you achieve that goal:

• Connect with your audience: When you kick off your speech, take a moment to acknowledge your audience on a personal level. Make eye contact, and speak with conviction and passion. You can even address faculty by their names. This will make your audience more engaged with your message.

• Share a story: Stories are powerful tools to capture the attention and emotions of your audience. Share a personal story that your audience can relate to. This can help make your message more memorable and impactful.

• Use humor: Humor can be a great way to lighten the mood and make your speech more enjoyable. Use appropriate jokes, puns, or humor that relates to your graduation or your classmates. But remember to keep it respectful and appropriate for your audience.

• 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 relates to your message and that your audience can remember. This can help reinforce your theme and make it more memorable.

What are some tips for delivering a successful salutatorian speech?

Delivering a great salutatorian speech requires a little bit of preparation and practice. So, 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.

• Speak clearly and slowly: Avoid mumbling or jumbling words mumbles. 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 help add some oomph to your speech. Use your hands, your face, and your posture to help express your emotions and message. And don’t forget to make eye contact to connect with your audience!

• Manage your nerves: Don’t let nerves get to you. It’s normal to be a little jittery before speaking, but try to relax by taking deep breaths, visualizing yourself rocking the speech, and focusing on your message.

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

• Practice: Practice makes perfect, my friend. Practice your speech several times before the graduation ceremony to get comfortable with your message and delivery. Use feedback from others to improve your speech.

• 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 salutatorian for a reason!

How can I make my salutatorian speech meaningful?

Delivering a meaningful salutatorian 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 that have been happening. Your goal is to make everyone feel welcome and excited.

• Be inclusive: Include everyone in your speech. Use language that is inclusive and respectful to all members of your audience.

• Show empathy: Try understanding and connecting with your classmate’s 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: “We’re all anxious about what’s to come…” or “I know you all are just as excited about the future as I am….”

What should I avoid when writing a salutatorian speech?

When you’re putting together your salutatorian speech, there are some common mistakes and pitfalls that can detract from your message and delivery. Here are some tips to help you avoid common mistakes:

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

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

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

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

• Don’t ramble: Stay focused, and don’t go off on a tangent in your speech. Keep things concise and focused on your main ideas to ensure your message comes across clearly.

What are some creative ways to start a salutatorian speech?

When it comes to writing the opening of your salutatorian speech, it can be a bit of a challenge 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 your audience’s minds.

• Use humor: Start with a funny story, joke, or pun that relates to your graduation or your classmates. Just be careful not to go overboard with the humor.

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

• Ask a rhetorical question: Start your speech with a rhetorical question that prompts your audience to think about your message and gets them engaged.

• Use a metaphor: Start with a metaphor that relates to your message and paints a vivid picture in your audience’s minds.

What are some topics to discuss in a salutatorian speech?

Choosing a theme for your salutatorian speech can be a real head-scratcher. But no worries, here are a few ideas that might just do the trick. The key is to weave stories into your speech. Stories that are specific and vivid 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 academic journey—maybe a teacher, parent, or friend—and share a story about them. You can even reveal a little “secret” about this person that 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 one of your favorite moments that you and your classmates have shared together. Try to find a common theme among those memories that can become the theme for your entire speech.

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

• Change: Reflect on the changes and challenges that you and your classmates have faced during your academic journey. For example, how did the pandemic impact your class? Or how did major advances in technology bring your class closer together?

• The future: Share your aspirations and goals for the future, and encourage your classmates to pursue their own dreams and make a positive impact on the world. This will be a nice contrast to the stories you tell about the past.

What is the best way to end a salutatorian speech?

Ending a salutatorian speech is just as important as starting it. Your closing should set the tone for the rest of the ceremony. 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 with a smile on their faces and wraps up your message nicely.

• Express gratitude: If you haven’t thanked people earlier in your speech, take a moment to thank your fellow graduates, your teachers, your family, and anyone else who has supported you throughout your academic journey. Showing gratitude and appreciation can create a positive, uplifting ending to your speech.

• Encourage action: Inspire your audience to take action based on your message. You could encourage them to enjoy the ceremony.

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

How can I find inspiration for my salutatorian speech?

Finding inspiration for your salutatorian 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 may seem. You never know—one of those ideas could turn into a great speech!

• Talk to people: It’s always a good idea to bounce your ideas off of others. Talk to your family, friends, and teachers to get their perspectives and insights. They may have valuable ideas and feedback that can help you shape your speech.

• Research: Take a listen to other salutatorian speeches, commencement speeches, and inspirational speeches to get some ideas. See 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

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