EDIT: Today was the day of farewell. There were nearly 6-7 performances, and based on the audience' reactions, mine definitely makes in top 2, maybe even best. Most others were copied from internet, and that's why mine was completely different from rest! Thank you all guys. The speech did make the event memorable for me.
Background:
Currently I am in my last year of school life (junior high school). My school is organising a farewell ceremony in the next month. I have been studying in this school since 8 years (this is my 8th year - from grade 3 till 10). So, I genuinely want to end my journey in this school on a high note, doing something that I'll remember for my lifetime. I have decided to give a farewell speech during the farewell event.
There's good time for the event, and I am pretty sure I'll come up with a unique speech that all the listeners, which include my friends, classmates and teachers, would remember for the time to come!
The problem is I have never wrote a speech myself before. So I am not sure how to proceed. Once I have an idea on what things to include and what not to in the speech, i.e. the content I can come up with something on my own. I'll be really grateful if I am helped with the following:
- The beginning:
I don't want the beginning to be boring and predictable, and want something unique. By predictable beginning I mean something like this:
Good morning/noon, my dear friends, and teachers. Myself XYZ and today I'll be giving a farewell speech!
I want that the audience should connect with me from the very beginning, and not get bored.
- The main content:
I am confused on what all things to mention and what not. I sure should include my 8-year long experience in the school. But should this be done by telling some incidents that took place? Something silly I did with my friends that caught us off guard in front of the teachers? Or should only the good stuff (incidents) be mentioned?
Should the speech revolve a lot around me, if yes then till what extent?
Also, what else should be included, that will make the audience go roar, whistle, and not just those complementary clapping.
Humour:
What would be the appropriate way to use humour in my speech? Sure I can't curse in front of all the teachers and the school principal! Also, how much of humour is sufficient?
- Conclusion
I want the ending to be as good as, if not better, the beginning. Should I quote a poem at the end? Or some sort of couplet?
Once I know about the above mentioned criteria, I'll present the draft of the speech here, for further improvements and corrections, if any.
Edit: Even if someone provides a link to the kind of speech I am seeking, that would be helpful.