Effective speech writing is a diminishing art in the age of PowerPoint bullet points and video conferences where attention spans are often limited.
We can’t all have a dream like Martin Luther King but everyone knows that he had one.
In his famous 1963 speech, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. Delivered to more than 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement and among the most iconic speeches in American history.
Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating is remembered for his ground-breaking Redfern speech. Other Prime Ministers left us memorable lines, like Gough Whitlam’s “well may we say God Save the Queen” and Robert Menzies’ “melancholy duty”.
Orators of lesser stature are happy just to end their five or 10-minute ordeal without stuffing up.
Whatever the audience, it’s important to have a compelling reason to command their attention.
Ask what’s your purpose in speaking to them and what does the audience expect?
From political and corporate leaders, people expect to hear a plan. They want to know where that person and their government or organisation is heading.
Former United States Republican President George HW Bush dismissed it as “the vision thing“. Bush was viewed as a politician who lacked the ability to clearly articulate his fundamental beliefs and policies, as predecessor Ronald Reagan did so well.
Bush won the 1988 election but his lack of “the vision thing”, was seen as a factor in his defeat by Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992. Clinton adviser James Carville coined the famous phrase “It’s the economy, stupid” which became a mantra for Clinton’s successful campaign during a recession.
Douglas A Hicks says: “Leaders communicate and help shape a common vision, whether for better or for worse.”
Gorey Media can assist speakers of all levels, from nervous beginners to experienced leaders, with professional speech writing and presentation.
We recommend PowerPoint be a secondary tool instead of the main game. It should enhance a speech and not distract from it.
Contact Gorey Media for a free, no-obligation discussion and a quote to assist with effective speech writing.