Step1
Remember how a valedictory speech differs from an informative or debating speech: it's less formal but more intimate in style.
Step2
Plan to speak for about 15 minutes unless instructed otherwise. Excited graduates, toddlers and babies in the audience may not be able to sit still for a longer speech, especially with other speakers on the agenda.
Step3
Jot down general ideas to cover. For example, "This year was marked by great success and great loss (won awards/beloved principal retired)" or "Drake High entered the 21st century this year when it went online."
Step4
List all points, largest to smallest. For example, the earthquake, Professor Smith's Nobel prize, swim team to Olympics, most grad school entrants ever, personal triumphs, funny story about Dean Dover and the grapefruit.
Step5
Whittle down your list to between three and five main points, followed by each topic's subpoints. If you're discussing the earthquake, include points like the following: computer lab destroyed; rebuilt with corporate support; now better than ever.
Step6
Flesh out points with supporting materials and transitions. "We didn't miss the wrath of last spring's quake, but our close ties with Acme Tech turned bad to good. Our new Acme lab is cutting edge, which will benefit future generations."
Step7
Sharpen your notes down to a succinct outline.
Step8
Drop in your introductory line ("To the class of 20XX, Dean Ornish, Chancellor Gonzalez, family and friends"), followed by an opening to hook your audience. Consider a quote, humor, a line of poetry or a timely song: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." "No one likes you when you're 23."
Step9
Take into account your experiences of school, comradery, and the world and times when closing. For example, "We started as children and sit here now adults. The world saw war, the school saw conflict, but we came together as a class, as neighbors, ultimately as friends."
Step10
Draft the complete speech, including anecdotes, imagery, and touches of humor and personality. Make it personal but relevant to the audience and the occasion.
Step11
Rewrite, polish and edit as needed. Read it to a friend for editing purposes, and practice aloud until the speech flows and sounds natural.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 The three most important elements of a valedictory speech are: the beginning (open it with a bang!), the ending (close on a memorable note) and making the speech sound like it's something you wrote, and not something clichd or overdone. If you don't have a great sense of humor, appeal to people's sense of nostalgia. If you do, try giving advice, from your point of view, to your classmates. Good luck!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You may want to thank people who have played important roles in your education.