The only “rule” is that the speech be no longer than 5 minutes.  This works out to about two typed pages, double spaced.  Remember, you will be speaking into a microphone, most likely at a slower rate than you would during regular conversation.  You and your audience will also have just listened to one or more very lengthy speeches by the honorary degree recipient(s), so brevity will be very much appreciated.

The content and form of the speech are completely up to you.  The following are just suggestions – not requirements, and they are based upon speeches that have been selected in previous years.

 

• Keep the audience in mind.  The bulk of the audience is not comprised of classmates from your first year section or graduate division, it is the family and friends of your classmates.  If the speech is too steeped in legal jargon and points of law, you will lose the bulk of your audience.

• Humor is nice, but you are not doing stand-up.  Make sure there is some substance to what you say.

• Avoid inappropriate language or anything that could be offensive to your audience.

• A well chosen anecdote from the first year usually goes over well, is generally appreciated and contributes to section identity.  Remember to make it accessible to people who weren’t there.

• It is one thing to mention a significant person or two from your section for leadership or service, but don’t try to reference every single member of your section.

• A quote from Shakespeare is fine, but don’t go overboard and let him write half of your speech.

• Don’t write an entire speech that rhymes.  Every year someone does this and the voters say, “Wasn’t that cute?”  But it never wins.

• On behalf of your section, thank those who helped you make it through the experience of law school.

• Challenge your classmates to use what they have learned to make the world a better place.

• PRACTICE!  PRACTICE!  PRACTICE before you tape.

Okay, there is one more “rule” … if your speech is selected, a little tweaking is fine, but the speech you tape is the speech you must present.

 

Revised 2/22/06 (EKM)