The study of public speaking began about 2,500 years ago in ancient Athens. Men were required to give speeches as part of their civic duties, which included speaking in legislative assembly and at court (sometimes to defend themselves as there were no lawyers for the average Athenian).

Catiline, Latin in full Lucius Sergius Catilina, (born c. 108 bc—died 62 bc, Pistoria, Etruria), in the late Roman Republic, an aristocrat who turned demagogue and made an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the republic while Cicero was a consul (63).

During his term as consul he thwarted the Catilinian conspiracy to overthrow the Republic. In the aftermath, though, he approved the key conspirators’ summary execution, a breach of Roman law that left him vulnerable to prosecution and sent him into exile.

We begin with the Greeks and rhetoric. Rhetoric, as defined by Aristotle, is the “faculty of discovering in the particular case all the available means of persuasion.” For the Greeks, rhetoric, or the art of public speaking, was first and foremost a means to persuade.

Aristotle

An Impromptu speech is a talk that you give on the spot with no preparation. The speech could be as professional as a project update or as casual as a toast at a wedding.

Here are a few strategies you can use:

1. Anticipate situations where you may be called upon to speak.
2. Wrap your response around a simple template, or framework.
3. Turn your impromptu session into a Q&A session.
4. Use personal stories.
5. Avoid the tendency to go on, and on, and on.
6. Go easy on yourself.

Memorized Speech It is the act of memorizing the information in a speech and presenting it without using notes. There is a benefit to delivering a speech this way. It doesn’t require the speaker to carry note cards around the stage. He can focus on his audience’s body language and facial expressions.

Graduation Speech Introductions Examples

1. “Thank you [person who introduced you].
2. “It’s my honor today to deliver the commencement address for this incredible student body.”
3. “It is my pleasure to welcome students, families, and faculty to graduation day at [school’s name].

10 Tips for Writing the Best Graduation Speech

1. Start out by thanking someone.
2. Don’t make it all about you.
3. Google it.
4. Keep it short and sweet.
5. Don’t say anything you’ll regret in 20 years.
6. Inspire your fellow students.
7. Don’t use famous quotes.
8. Don’t write “what’s expected.”

Short Graduation Quotes

• “Be bold, be courageous, be your best.”
• “There is no script.
• “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”
• “Follow your fear.”
• “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
• “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”
• “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”

Sample Graduation Speech Outline

1. Thank the Previous Speaker. Begin with gratitude and grace.
2. Introduce Yourself. Don’t ever assume people in the room will know who you are.
3. Share a Motivational Quote.
4. Share Some Good Advice.
5. Recall the Good Times.
6. Restate Your Motivational Quote.
7. Create a Call to Action.
8. Thank Everyone.