- Commencement Speeches
- Posted By:
- Jamie K
- Posted On:
- 15-May-2009
-
For the most part, commencement speeches should be no longer than 15 minutes in duration. It is an honor to be chosen to deliver a speech at a university's commencement. Commencement means to start towards a new life. The graduating class needs to be motivated by the speech to seek out the joy of living and searching for their niche in society.
A speech should be sprinkled with a jab of humour usually at the expense of one's own self as did President Obama most recently at Arizona State. He declared that he had to go home and face a litany of things to do before the First Lady would allow him to receive an honorary degree. The commencement speech should not be a political platform for winning a campaign nor leading troops to war. This year very few references should be made to the failing economy and how the speaker is going to fix it all up.
A good commencemet speech should allow the speaker to talk about his or her upbringing and struggle to survive in today's world. Not all the gory details, Just a few examples of the climb to success which would allow the students to ponder how they are going to make that journey themselves.
And finally, a good commencement speech should enthrall the audience, students, parents and relatives to start that journey unhindered by the economy, the burden of student loans and the ruinous job prospects. Make them want to get out there and find their stomping grounds. So Good Luck to everyone!