- 1). Time yourself. Talk for only five to ten minutes. After fifteen minutes people start leaving to go to the bathroom and counting tiles in the gym ceiling. Your classmates have parties to go to, and babies cannot sit still for two minutes, let alone through a drawn-out speech.
- 2). Make notecards. Speeches that are read or memorized sound too rehearsed. Imagine sitting through an overly rehearsed lecture on the American Revolution. You would almost prefer to just read the textbook to avoid the torture of sitting in your desk and listening to the speech. What you can memorize is the order of the points you're going to make. This will keep you from having to look down at your notecards often. Memorize just a word or two from each point that will jog your memory when you reach that point in your speech.
- 3). Practice in front of a mirror or a friend. Watch your eyes in the mirror or keep eye contact with your friend throughout your speech. Keep a relaxed pose. Sit down and pretend you are telling your friend or your mirror a story about the greatest touchdown you ever made (you are a super jock and valedictorian, of course), or how you totally aced the AP chemistry exam last month.
- 4). Throw in a joke here and there. Stay away from cliches. Let your true self shine through here and there. If something that you did not write in your speech comes to you while you are at the podium, let it out. Spontaneity can liven up speeches.
- 5). Ask for feedback. Give the speech in front of a few trusted people, or have them watch a video recording of it. Make changes you think are necessary based on their comments. Be ready for honest opinions. Avoid being defensive if they tell you something sounded or looked a bit weird.
- 6). Incorporate memories and thoughts about where you think everyone will be at your 10-year and 30-year reunions, but put a spin on them. Make them new and exciting. Use speech ideas from Graduation Invitations and Graduation Party Ideas. Move through your points smoothly. Avoid awkward transitions. Your speech should flow logically and not make people wonder, "Where did that come from?"