7 graduation speeches to inspire your communications

As a new crop of fresh graduates enters the workforce, PR pros can take wisdom from these commencement speakers—both in sentiment and in style.

By Carlin Twedt
May 25, 2018

Ragan Insider Premium Content

Great commencement speeches seem to contain the same elements.

The wise and accomplished speaker regales a stadium of youngsters with life wisdom, humor and personal anecdotes.

Or as George Saunders quipped:

“Some old fart, who over the course of his life has made a series of dreadful mistakes…gives some heartfelt advice to a group of shining, energetic, beautiful young people with all their best years ahead of them.”

What makes a great commencement address? According to veteran speechwriter Nathan Osburn:

A good metaphor for a strong commencement speech is a flashlight. A graduate might have one or two steps planned out, but the rest is hazy. This might sound a little lofty, but with a flashlight—powered by a commencement speaker’s memorable personal story—they might be able to make better personal and professional decisions.

Communicators, speechwriters and executive communicators alike can learn from these speeches:

1. Sheryl Sandberg – UC Berkeley – 2016

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