[header] How to write a salutatorian speech [title] Find out what your limits are. [step] Ask the person in charge of the graduation ceremony to tell you about how much time you have. Additionally, inquire about limitations on topics. 
For instance, you might be discouraged from giving a speech that has the same theme or content as that of the valedictorian's speech. [substeps] Finding out what your limits are ahead of time will prevent you from extensively rewriting your speech later after you've discovered your speech is too long or does not address the right topic.