Q&A for How to Write a Presidential Speech

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  • Question
    How do you start writing a speech?
    Patrick Muñoz
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association.
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Expert Answer
    First, define what your role is in writing the speech. Are you the main speaker? Are you the subsidiary? Secondly, start to brainstorm your ideas and write them down. After, you can edit your ideas down to a clear piece.
  • Question
    What if the competitors I am going against are at the same level as me?
    Community Answer
    Find a way to differentiate yourself from your competitors. What do you have that they don't have? What are your big ideas? What sets you apart? Don't say anything bad about your opponents, talk about your own strengths instead.
  • Question
    How can you create an emotional response in the audience?
    Community Answer
    Use human anecdotes that relate to people like those in your audience. If you are speaking to a group of students, tell them a story about a fellow student. Relate to them by explaining why you understand their issues. Relate the issues back to their needs. Use sensory language and verbs that create emotion.
  • Question
    How can I write more conversationally?
    Community Answer
    Pretend you're writing to a close friend or a family member. Visualizing their face before you will automatically loosen up your choice of words and make your tone more casual.
  • Question
    How do I write a good conclusion?
    Community Answer
    Try restating your main point that you are trying to get across. Say what you have in mind to wrap things up in a comprehensive manner that is easy to understand.
  • Question
    What are some tips to making a funny speech?
    Community Answer
    Add a little humor. Don't be afraid, as long as the joke is not offensive in any kind of way to anybody. Humor in a speech is what keeps people interested.
  • Question
    How can you write more conversationally?
    Community Answer
    Try to use one direct point per sentence. Use active voice. Don't use a lot of clauses. Try using contractions.
  • Question
    What do you mean, exactly, by “write like people speak”?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    This article does a good job of explaining what that advice means. Choose commonly used words and simple sentence construction.
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