This is an interesting problem that presents a list of high school students who are graduating. Given the information on the pamphlet, 8th graders are asked to determine how long the speeches were and an equation that will help parents...

Video of the commencement speech given by Condoleezza Rice at Southern Methodist University in 2012. [25:47] Includes a brief quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.

Video of the commencement speech given by Jacqueline Novogratz at Gettysburg College in 2012. [21:13] Includes a brief quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.

Video of the commencement speech given by J.K. Rowling at Harvard University. [20:59] Includes a brief quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.

Video of the commencement speech given by Neil Gaiman at the University of the Arts. [19:55] Includes a brief quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.

Video of a speech given by Steve Jobs at Stanford University's 2005 commencement. [15:05] Includes a brief quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.

This is the text of Ursula K. Le Guin's commencement address to graduates of 1983, Mills College, Oakland, California on May 22, 1983. She titled her speech "A Left-Handed Commencement Address."

This site has an examination of five different thesis statements with examples of how to write each of the statements.

This site provides the full text of Condoleezza Rice's commencement address to the 2002 graduating class at Stanford University. Speech is titled "Acknowledge that you have an obligation to search for the truth."