| Speech writing is a talent, and like playing | | | | Empathy is something however that can be |
| basketball, it is a fact that some people will do it | | | | taught. The 'trick' is trigger points. And no, I don't |
| better naturally than others. However, exactly like | | | | mean that you should shoot your audience to |
| playing sports of any kind, it is also something | | | | make them like you! ;) No. What you have to |
| that that you can get better at with practice. In | | | | realise is that every great speech has trigger |
| this article I am going to explore several | | | | points. Moments where the speech builds to a |
| techniques as to how you can improve your | | | | crescendo, and a memorable line or sentiment is |
| speech writing abilities, and also how to approach | | | | delivered. What this means for your speech |
| writing a speech for ceratin different | | | | writing is that you should tailor the speech so that |
| circumstances. Whether it be for a wedding, | | | | every so often the speech has these points. It |
| where perhaps you are the best man, or for an | | | | could be a moment of great passion. Like in Martin |
| important business meeting where you really need | | | | Luther Kings 'I Have a Dream' speech where he |
| to impress. | | | | uttered those lines. Or moments of comedy |
| First though the good news! | | | | perhaps if you are delivering a best mans speech. |
| The good news is that you are already a 'speech | | | | Remember to write them in. |
| writer'. You just don't know it yet! Ok. What do I | | | | The second element of a great speech that you |
| mean? Simple. The truth is that you have already | | | | must have is momentum. Speeches are defined |
| spoken to people before. You have already been | | | | by the momentum they create. In the same way |
| constructing dialogue long before the harrowing | | | | that a good book has a beginning, a middle and an |
| thought of having to write it down and deliver it | | | | end, a great speech is one where the tension is |
| came into the equation. You speak to your | | | | building until the end before being released. The |
| friends, family and work colleagues (though | | | | audience should never feel this lapse, because it is |
| maybe not your boss!) without having to pre-plan | | | | in the building of this tension that you create the |
| everything you say. You just react. Well, the | | | | momentum that drives the speech forward and |
| good news is that writing a speech is not really | | | | keeps people interested. This is one of the key |
| any different from that. It simply takes the | | | | failings with most speeches, namely that they lack |
| process one step further along and has you | | | | direction. They end up being a convoluted |
| writing it down. | | | | collection of anecdotes, but without a driving |
| Where the panic sometimes comes in is that to | | | | momentum. Every speech must have a message. |
| write a great speech there are three further | | | | The third key element is Practice. Never |
| elements that are useful to consider. The first of | | | | underestimate the value of repetition. Drill that |
| these is empathy. Speech writing is an empathetic | | | | speech so far into your head that you could |
| medium. It is concerned both with connecting with | | | | deliver it under any pressure. It was said of the |
| yourself, but also with your audience. In a sense it | | | | Romans - 'Their drills were like bloody wars. And |
| is all about building bridges. And the best speeches | | | | their wars were like bloody drills'. The point is that |
| are always going to be where the audience | | | | they practiced! They didn't control an empire for |
| empathise with you or your message. In a way it | | | | over 1000 years for nothing. And the same is |
| is a bit like being a surfer. As you deliver a great | | | | true of your speech writing. |
| speech it is as though you are riding a wave of | | | | So, get busy. Get writing. Speak with Passion. |
| emotions, both internally, but also in the mind of | | | | Empathise with your audience. Draw them in. |
| your listeners. And the more engaged they are | | | | Deliver trigger points throughout. Build to a |
| with the message and sentiment of your speech, | | | | crescendo, and remember to practice. It makes |
| the more they will connect with it and get benefit | | | | perfect. |
| from it. | | | | |