Q&A for How to Start a Graduation Speech

The beginning of a speech is all about getting the audience's attention. You want to excite them and get them thrilled about what you're talking about. You can do that through telling a good joke, using a loud voice, or making sure your presence is strong so that you really welcome the audience and get them involved.

Practice your speech out loud before you actually give the speech, either in front of a mirror or in front of a friend. Make sure you are physically relaxed and try to breathe. You can also try saying the speech as fast or as slow as you can and even singing or jumping around while you do it. These exercises can help you feel more centered in your body and can really help you give a great speech.

The easiest way to memorize a speech is to map it out for yourself. Define your speech's major intention and key points, and memorize those. You can also use flashcards and practice in front of a friend so that you're forced to do it before you actually give the speech. Alternatively, you can record yourself practicing the speech and play back the video until you memorize it.

End your speech politely, just like: 'Thank you, have a great day.'