Respected rector of the National University, prof. Vicente Pedagio.
Respectable academic authorities and professors.
Fellow graduates and future colleagues.
Dear parents, family and friends who join us on this night of pride.I want to begin these words by making a confession to you: when I was told that I would have to speak in front of all of you this afternoon, and give a few words on behalf of my entire cohort, I felt so nervous that I spent days without sleep.
It is not easy to find the words that convey the emotion that we share in this moment of our lives, in which we take a definitive leap into the future, happy to know more about who we are, what we are going to do and what we have to offer you. To the world we grew up in It is an immense responsibility, but also an honor for those of us who have prepared for years.
But on those sleepless nights, as I was telling you, I never stopped remembering the words with which our promotion sponsor, Professor Rodaballo, received us on the first day of classes, back in the distant 2015. I remember her telling us to look at each other each other, because it is always important to know who we have next to us. That’s what we did, a little surprised, at that moment, when we were getting to know each other and we didn’t know how close we would become, how much we would know each other.
That is why I propose to you, fellow graduates, that we do it one more time: let’s look at those who are next to us in this special moment, because we are all part of the same today. Today we are all colleagues, we are architects. And each one will carry with them that lesson of humility, belonging and respect with which our teachers guided us towards this precise moment.
That is why I want to thank them, but also our parents, our families, all those who are by our side today, applauding us, and also those who cannot be there today, but who were there when necessary. To all of those who paved the way for us, gave us the necessary push, helped us discover our place in the world: this is where we are now. Thank you teachers! Thank you fathers and mothers! Thanks partners!
Tips for a good graduation speech
Here are some tips for writing a good commencement speech:
- Find out what is the right protocol. Not all educational institutions have exactly the same style. In some you have to be more formal than in others. Some even have very strict rules regarding the protocol to follow on these occasions: who to greet first, how to address the audience, etc. You can review some grade speech from previous cohorts or ask your teachers about it.
- Be formal, without sacrificing the feeling. A graduation speech is an important and unrepeatable occasion in your life and that of your classmates, so your speech should be at the same time respectful, polite, but full of emotion. Ideally, you should pay close attention to the forms and the language, but also allow yourself to share a personal anecdote, or remind your colleagues of an important event in their shared path, for example.
- The good, if brief, doubly good. You don’t have to bore and overwhelm your audience, or take things too long. Above all, avoid endless enumerations. Try to get to the point and be concise, without leaving out the essentials.
- Always try to go in crescendo. Crescendo It is the musical term for that moment of the songs in which the climatic moment is advanced, that is, to its highest, most exciting, most mobilizing point. Make sure that your speech follows that same logic: that it always moves towards a moving, exciting, optimistic ending, and not that it depletes its batteries at the beginning and then becomes monotonous.
- Take hold of dates, if you need to. It is always a good idea to have a famous quote from an inspiring character, or a phrase that has been central, motivating for your group, to include in your speech. You can use it to start, or even as a closing loop.
What is a speech?
Is named public speech or address the act of speaking in front of an audience, that is, of addressing in person, face to face, with an audience. Speeches have been a fundamental part of oratory and politics since ancient times, as in Ancient Rome, when the Roman Senate met for senators to share their thoughts and reflections with the rest. Today, speeches are an inescapable part of social life, especially on special occasions such as awards ceremonies, political rallies, scientific conferences or graduations.
References:
- “Speech” on Wikipedia.
- “Best Graduation Speeches” in Entrepreneur.
- “8 ideas for your graduation speech” in feminine diary.