<p>I have been selected to speak at my graduation...and just recently I've begun to realize how nerve-wrecking this is going to be!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Do you have any good tips on how to write/execute a speech that is memorable? </p>
<p>I am not a person who can tell jokes really well, and although people have successfully embedded jokes in their graduation speeches in the past I don't think it's something I'll be able to pull off.</p>
<p>I am, however, genuine - I am usually not afraid of speaking in public, but a graduation is such a big deal ....ahh!</p>
<p>Don’t stress out too much. Check with the teacher in charge for ideas. The other NMS in my HS class gave our HS graduation speech- he’s now an English prof- when people referred to it at our years ago 25th reunion I honestly couldn’t recall any of it. No graduation speech is memorable, no matter how much time and effort you put into it. Even the best students of your class are likely to tune out when there’s a speech. Also, you get to move on and so any goofs won’t follow you. </p>
<p>Keep it short and concrete- perhaps some memorable events everyone can relate to. Forget lofty platitudes.</p>
<p>Find a theme and keep to your message. Don’t make it trite (like “take risks”…). Don’t make it same-old, same-old. Say it slowly (people tend to rush through these things when they’re up on stage.) Use anecdotes for examples to make it “real”.</p>