High School Graduation Speeches and "How To" Information
If you've tried to learn how to write a commencement speech, you know it is a daunting task. Presenting a high school graduation speech can be intimidating, and commencement speeches tend struggle against a tide of students who want nothing more than to graduate, throw caps in the air, and get to the graduation parties.
Never fear! This short "graduation speech how to" guide will help. You will find information and ideas on how to write a graduation speech, important notes for presenting a commencement speech, text of specific high school graduation speeches (and college ones), and other "how to: speeches" tools.
While high school commencement speeches share a lot with any other persuasive or informative speech there are some traditions unique to the high school commencement speech. For example:
The high school graduation poem: High school graduation poems are popular. Find a large sample of fine poems at Graduation Poems.
Commencement quotes: The commencement address usually includes some quotes for high school graduation or high school graduation sayings. Find a list of high school graduation quotes at Poems & Quotes.
High school graduation jokes: Many a speech opens with a joke. You can find a short list of some jokes at Basic Jokes. Keep it clean!
Specific Speeches: There are many famous graduation addresses, two stand out. The first is the Steve Jobs commencement speech presented at stanford: Steve Jobs Commencement Speech. The second is the Bill Gates commencement speech presented at Harvard: Bill Gates Commencement Speech. The Jobs Stanford commencement speech and the Gates Harvard commencement speech are fine examples of outstanding keynote addresses.
Writing and Presenting a Commencement Speech: Speech writing is so vast a subject that it is it's own college major, and profession. However, for some basic tips you can check out Speech Tips.
Note regarding honors speeches: The Valedictorian speech, summa cum laude speech, and other honors speeches are further covered on our Cum Laude page.