Do your research before starting to write your speech. Look at all the events involving your shared experiences during your time at the institution. It is important to highlight students who received merit-based scholarships or broke sports or records. Find out whether any teachers, lecturers or professors are retiring this year. If so, give them special thanks. Speak to a broad range of students to make your speech inclusive.
Divide your presentation into subjects according to highlights you decided to include in your speech. Include anecdotes from your shared experiences. Anecdotes could be humorous or poignant. You could, for instance, explain that a classmate picked a meal on a menu without knowing it was served with a roasted snake during a trip to a remote part of the world and tell about how everyone reacted at the dinner table. Or you could tell the story of a classmate who volunteered to help teach poor children in a Third World village and nearly died of malaria for the sake of others. Mention the names of students in your anecdotes.
Start writing your speech with an interesting introduction once you have all the research material you need. Greet the audience before beginning your speech. In order to capture the audience's attention right from the start, you could start your speech on a humorous note.
Be honest when writing about your experiences during your years at the institution. Your speech is partly intended to help other students learn from your experiences. You can, for instance, cite some mistakes you made from which others could learn. Your speech should inspire other students. Acknowledge your classmates' achievements and students who stood out by name. Talk about the challenges you and other students have overcome together.
Consider time constraints when writing your valediction. You can calculate the number of words you speak per minute to get an idea of how many words your speech should be. Read through your speech to make sure that you are using the right words and that the tone is suitable for the occasion and audience. Conclude by thanking those who have made a difference in your life and the lives of other students. Cite specific names of members of staff and fellow students. Thank everyone you need to thank on behalf of the students.