Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Information for faculty and staff
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
There will be one Arts Valedictorian who will present a speech at the June 2022 Convocation.
If you are interested in representing your class as valedictorian:
3. Once you’ve confirmed the support of 5 nominators, nominees should prepare a 3-minute video speech, due Friday, March 18. Speech guidelines and evaluation criteria can be found below. Nominees are asked to submit the following files using WeTransfer to adartsug@uwaterloo.ca, ensuring filenames for both files contain their first and last name:
1) A video recording of their speech (mp4 format preferred)
2) The text of the speech (Word format is preferred).
Have your say in choosing your class valedictorian by applying to participate on the Selection Committee.
The successful Valedictorian will be notified by email in early April.
Visit the University of Waterloo Convocation page for more information and frequently asked questions, including questions about Grad photos.
Valedictory speeches fall under the category of “special occasion” speeches. As such, they are more formal in tone and diction than other speeches, and strive to underline the values and emotions of the audience. In short, the speaker speaks about what he or she believes are the most important sentiments of the graduating class. A valedictorian must show the evaluators that he or she has mastered the basic components of speech design and delivery. Valedictory speeches are intended to be individual submissions.
Signs of a good speech design
The audience should be able to follow the speech without ANY sense of confusion.
The audience should know that the speaker has moved from the introduction to the main body of the speech, andfrom the main body to the conclusion.
The audience should know which point the speaker is making based on solid transition words, e.g., “first”, “next”,etc.
The audience should feel that the speech has been appropriate and satisfied the needs of the occasion.
Signs of a good speech delivery
Energized, inspirational voice
Regular and direct eye contact
No distracting hand or body movement
Sufficient projection of the voice
Written statement
Achievements
Presentation
Content
Component | Goals |
---|---|
Introduction |
|
Body |
|
Conclusion |
|
Language |
|
Purpose |
|
Authenticity/Originality |
|
Delivery |
Voice
Non-verbal factors
|
Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Information for faculty and staff
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.