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Got
What it Takes to be a Speechwriter? Almost
everyone knows the words of John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do
for you-- ask what you can do for your country.” Do you remember Martin Luther
King's “I have a dream” speech? Or how about the infamous “I didn't
inhale” comment made by former President Clinton? Speeches
have the power to mold identities and to time stamp the mood of generations gone
by. The power of the spoken word has been proven time and again. Often we think
of those who deliver the speech as the all-encompassing masterminds behind those
words. Many great speakers, though, spread a bit of “mastermind mojo,” if
you will, to a talented person, or persons, behind the scenes-- the
speechwriter. The speech's writer who pens powerful words holds as much
influence over an audience as the deliverer. Creating a speech that fulfills the
needs of all parties involved, however, can be difficult. Expressing
thoughts clearly to others can be a challenge, especially when those thoughts
aren't yours. A writer in almost any other field only has to worry about one
audience, the readers. Speechwriters, however, must keep in mind two audiences
when writing-- the speaker and the listeners. A speechwriter can overcome the
challenge of writing an effective speech if the needs of both audiences are kept
in mind. 1.
Remember who's speaking. It
is the job of the speechwriter to keep in mind the speaker for whom they are
writing. The speech that is written should not cloud out or conflict with the
personality of the deliverer. When writing the speech, remember the everyday
tone and conversational style of the speaker. For example, a starched and
straight-laced speech would not work well for a person who's normally gregarious
and animated in normal conversation. Part of the speaker’s job is to make the
words written their own. If they cannot accomplish this, the audience will get
the feeling that they are being read prefabricated information-- and nothing is
more boring then feeling like someone is reading you the dictionary! The
goal is to have the speaker reach a level of comfort with the material so that
they can talk as if the words were their own, even if the speech is given in a
formal or serious setting. The speaker will find this much easier to accomplish
if the words written suit their personal conversational style. Also, remember it
isn't necessary to force personality into the words. If the speech is written in
a style the speaker is comfortable with, he or she will be able to add a
personal flair to it-- that final spark that will make the speech come alive. 2.
Remember whom they are speaking to. Sometimes
corny jokes are the best way to open a speech. Then again, sometimes they
aren't. It all depends on whom you are talking to. The ultimate goal of any
speech is to convey a set of information to the audience. If the audience
doesn't understand what’s being said, or they are turned off from the mood of
the speech, it doesn't matter how well prepared it is or how comfortable the
deliver is with the material, you've failed. Always keep in mind the audience
and the occasion when preparing a speech. 3.
Remember a speech is not a script. There
is positively no way to be a good speechwriter if you think a speech is a
script. While both a prepared speech and a monologue are being taken from one
dynamic to another, the written to the spoken word, they are not the same. When
a screenwriter writes a piece he doesn't worry about who'll play a certain role
or even who'll watch it; those things are worried about after it’s written.
However, before you set pen to paper to write a speech, you must think of both
the deliver, or actor if you will, the audience, what you want to say and the
logical order in which to say it. In essence, while an actor must mold to the
script and make it come alive in a, at least, semi-believable
way, a speechwriter must mold his words to the “actor” and let the
words inspire the speaker. Also,
actors are expected to execute lines of a script verbatim. The truth is rarely
does a speaker say exactly what is written, even if they wrote it. Keep in mind
that your material must be flexible. This is why outlines are important. They
provide a logical development of the material without head-locking the speaker
into following a manuscript. For both a speaker and speechwriter there is
nothing more important than this word: outline, outline, outline. 4.
Remember, an audience will only believe how you say it. One
main thing to keep in mind is not only the personality of the speaker but also
their personal beliefs. A speaker will not put forth the effort to breathe life
into a speech if it does not convey their set of values. It's your job to do the
research before writing the speech. Make sure what you write accurately conveys
the spirit of what the speaker wants to say. Remember, if they don't sound
convinced the audience wouldn't believe. The
best speechwriters are the ones that almost don't exist. They write speeches
that are delivered in a manner that is seamless; the audience
doesn't feel like the speaker is reading a manuscript and the deliver is
comfortable with the material. Remember, while speech writing can be a daunting
task, writing for two audiences simultaneously, it can be done. From the world
of politics to the Oscars, there is always room for a well-crafted speech. The
possibilities for a professional speechwriter are amazing-- if you have what it
takes! Yolanda Best is freelance writer and has attended public speaking classes for over ten years. She has delivered speeches and public presentations in front of crowds ranging from eight to 4,000 people in two languages in professional, academic and religious settings. E-mail contact: ybest@writeremail.com. |
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