It's that time of year for graduation speeches. The time when graduates, school officials and guest speakers step to the lectern and attempt to provide some words of wisdom. Some speakers are more successful than others. Here are a few do's and don'ts for graduation speakers.
Do's
- Understand who your audience is. They are mostly graduates and family and close friends. Make sure your speech relates to them.
- From the heart. A great speech comes from the heart, not the head. Forget facts and figures. If you have to do research for your speech, it will likely be a dull speech.
- Make it emotional. Audience members will connect with you and your message if you include emotion. Maybe some humorous stories can fit in. Maybe a story about your grandmother who inspired you and recently died. If you get emotional practicing it, they will get emotional listening to it, and your message will be remembered.
- Tell stories. People love hearing stories, and they are easy to remember and fun to tell.
- Organize your speech. Have a clear opening that grabs their attention. Then move to the body which includes your message. Lastly, have a conclusion that sends them away feeling good.
- Keep smiling. Sure everyone gets nervous speaking. When you smile, they will smile back and you will be less nervous.
- Practice, practice, practice. Giving the speech over and over until you are comfortable. Practice in front of family, friends or a video camera.
- Keep it short. Graduation ceremonies are long enough. If they say you have 15 minutes, plan and give a 10-minute speech. Never go over allotted time.
- Be grateful and humble. Feel free to thank people. Talk about others instead of yourself. If you find yourself using the word "I" regularly, it may be time to make a few changes.
Don’ts
- Never apologize. Don't tell them you are nervous, you aren't a good speaker, you didn't have time to practice, you're not as good as the last speaker, etc. Each time you say the word "sorry" you weaken yourself and your message.
- Hold the inside jokes. Unless everyone is in on the story, don't tell it. People who are left out are confused. Never confuse an audience. That's not nice.
- Don't be negative. As my friend Jeff Schafer says, "People don't always remember what you said or what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel." Doomsday speeches on graduation day (or any time) leave audiences feeling down.
- Don't read your speech. Haves some notes with bullet points to keep on track. Glance down at it as needed, but speak to and look at the audience. Reading a speech makes it sound like a term paper.
Keep these tips in mind and everyone will enjoy graduation and remember your speech for years to come.
6-12-09