Speech Writing Guidelines

 

 

Many of you seniors are deciding to step up and offer us your parting words of wisdom on graduation day, and for that, we thank you. Many, however, are wondering how to begin, what to say, which tone to strike, and how to organize it all.

 

The speech itself should last 3-5 minutes--that's about one page or so of text.
But the effect of your speech--the words you say, the people you acknowledge, the message you impart--should last much longer.

 

Please look at the following for some idea of the kind of speech we need:

Taken from the page "Student Commencement Speaker Guidelines" at The Student Affairs Page at Bridgewater State University's website http://www.bridgew.edu/StudentAffairs/StudentSpeaker2.cfm

 

1. Make sure your speech meets the expectations of the audience; remind people of the event they are commemorating. Commencement is “...one of the punctuation marks” of your life [Gamble & Gamble]. Remember that you are speaking to both your classmates and the faculty, staff and friends who have assembled to share this special day. It is a time to “relive shared golden moments” [Osborn & Osborn], not “bemoan the world’s inevitable destruction” [Beebe & Beebe].
    
    
2. Use personal anecdotes and appropriate humor, but be aware that you are speaking for others as well as yourself. Though the words you use are your own and the feelings you express are sincere, you are speaking as a representative of your class [Gamble & Gamble]. You are speaking to reflect their sentiments. The spotlight may seem to be on you, but your job is to refocus its beam on your classmates and the commencement event.
    
    
3. Avoid the clichés and words that every other speaker at commencement has used; make appropriate use of metaphor. Choose vivid, colorful language; “the words you select should arouse sensory images and reflect the correct level of seriousness and formality of the occasion” [Ayres & Miller]. Be original, but remember that everything about your speech should be consistent with the tone of the ceremony.
    
    
4. Be brief. “Every word and phrase should be the right one, carefully chosen to bring about the desired emotional response” [Ayers & Miller]. Hanna and Gibson suggest that sincere, simple feelings are best.
    
    

 
According to Whitman and Foster, a commencement speech generally addresses the following three topics:

 

 

• It offers congratulations. Parents, grandparents, friends, and relatives all need to be acknowledged. They are proud of you and your classmates and appreciate being associated with your success.

• It reviews accomplishments. As members of the Class of 2012, what obstacles did you overcome? What special characteristics have you exhibited? What are your significant accomplishments? These should be in sweeping terms with specifics that could apply to members of the graduating class not just yourself. 

• It issues a challenge. The word commencement denotes a beginning. What does the future look like for the Class of 2012, what are the problems that you will be called upon to address as you take your place in society? What inspirational thoughts can you share which will assure your classmates that they are prepared and ready to take up the challenge?

 

Please make sure to have your speech turned in to me, Mrs. Sykes, Mrs. Kingaby, or Mrs. Mitchell by WEDNESDAY, MAY 23. Please remember all speeches must be typed. Thanks once again for all you are doing to help!