I think deciding to write and deliver funny graduation speeches is a very brave thing to do. Since we all have a real fear of public speaking, making the job harder can be even worse. However the opportunity to deliver a speech, including a graduation speech is not to be missed. I believe it is a real chance to say something worthwhile at an important occasion. You may feel that there should be serious messages in your speech or decide that entertaining the audience is your purpose. If you wish to entertain a graduate audience then a humorous speech may be just perfect. However that can take a lot of work to prepare and it can be a high risk strategy.
Anyone delivering a funny speech needs to be very sure the audience will laugh. There is no point in the speech at all if the audience are silent at the moment the speaker wants them to laugh. Deciding what makes an audience laugh can be quite difficult. If you take the chance to look at funny graduation speeches on YouTube you will see that they are by graduates or professional funny people.
Clearly the graduate is in a strong position to know what makes the audience laugh. To start with they know the audience well and will see what makes them laugh on a daily basis. They will know many funny stories that have happened over the past few years and also know a lot about the funny characters. Sometimes even mentioning the characters name will make people laugh.
A guest commencement speaker can have a harder time trying to work out what will work with the audience. They do need to try and get some details. Perhaps spending time with the graduates can help. They can give the speaker lots of material, funny stories and ideas. Also find out what makes them laugh. You can find out who are their favorite comedians, favorite funny movies, TV shows, books, cartoons and comic books. Looking at the material can help you figure out the jokes, the language used and the style of delivery. You may be able to use some of it in your speech.
The speaker will also have their own type of humor and natural speech delivery techniques. They may be a strong enough character to make it work in their own way, getting the audience on their side and making them laugh. Of course you may be Will Ferrell and just have to stand on stage to get the laughs.
There is no set format to what is funny. I think you can just do your best to make the speech funny. I would always try it out with a few people first to be sure they laugh. When delivering the speech, if no one laughs just keep going. Build up to your punch line, a flat delivery will not work.
