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How to Become a Speech Writer How to Become a Speech Writer How to Become a Speech Writer

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More Than Words: Speech Writer Job Description

Steps to become a speech writer, key speech writing tips, 4 types of speech writing, what is the typical speech writer salary, why we need speech writers.

Speeches provoke cultural change, memorialize human achievement, and shape monumental events. In the right hands, with the right voice, under the right circumstances, spoken words can inspire, motivate, persuade, or inform the world.

Before the words of a speech are spoken, they are written. Words delivered in a public setting can be powerful. However, to reach their full potential, the words must be considered, measured, and crafted to suit the message and the audience.

This is the mission of a speech writer: to help a speaker effectively deliver a message. Sometimes, the message resonates through history:

“Four score and seven years ago …”

“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country …”

“I have a dream …”

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

These words commemorate significant moments in American history: the Civil War, generational upheaval in the 1960s, the civil rights movement, and the end of the Cold War. The words and the associated turning points forever are linked with the famous speakers — Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ronald Reagan.

However, only two of them actually wrote the words they spoke: Lincoln and King. Kennedy, Reagan, and countless other historical figures breathed life into speeches written by others.

Not every speech writer has the opportunity to write for a president or a legendary civil rights leader. A wedding toast, commencement address, keynote presentation at a conference — these speeches won’t necessarily change the course of history, but they’re important to the people delivering them.

Professional speech writers work in every industry to help people in all walks of life deliver clear, concise messages that resonate with an audience. It’s a career that requires a deft touch with words; a passion for digging into the facts; and a desire to help others inform, entertain, or persuade an audience.

A speech writer’s professional focus is communication. Depending on the size and scope of the organization, a speech writer might be responsible for multiple communication-related duties.

These duties might include the following:

• Public relations
• Media relations
• Crisis management
• Internal communications
• Social media

No matter how broad the duties of a writer or communications professional, there are aspects of the job that translate across disciplines. It begins with a mastery of language and the written word.  

Writing and Editing

Strong writing and editing skills are a must for anyone who wishes to pursue a speech writing career. Fortunately, while there is an art to writing and editing, the craft can be taught and improved over time.

Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure count. To effectively deliver a message, a writer must understand the effect words have when delivered out loud in a particular sequence. In this regard, it’s as much about the writer’s “ear” as about the thought process.

While writing and editing a speech, the writer must ask whether the words will elicit the desired emotional response from the audience. Experienced writers have knowledge of the power of certain words and phrases to move listeners. Reading great speeches and other writings can help writers develop an ear for what works.

Researching Facts

Knowing how to write and edit well is only the beginning. A speech must be grounded in facts to reach its full potential.

Facts that support the message should be researched first. For example, Peter Robinson, one of Reagan’s speech writers, spent time in Berlin before he wrote Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” speech in 1987. During his  preliminary research , Robinson spoke with a U.S. diplomat in West Berlin, took a helicopter flight over the city, and conversed with German citizens.

Robinson devised the famous challenge — “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” — after noticing the bleak conditions on the East Berlin side of the wall and hearing the sentiment expressed by a German dinner companion.

The work Robinson put into the research led to one of the most memorable public statements by a U.S. president in the 20th century. By 1989, the people of Berlin were free to cross the once-formidable barrier.

Robinson’s work on the speech was an excellent example of how thorough research became the foundation for a speech that marked a historical turning point.

Conducting Interviews

In addition to learning as much as possible about the topic through research, a speech writer must know how a speaker talks and what message the speaker wishes to deliver. One way to learn this is to conduct an interview.

There are two types of interview questions: fact-finding and open-ended.

Fact-finding questions are intended to learn details about the speaker’s expertise in the topic. This can include education, work experience, or research projects.

Open-ended questions are intended to provide detail, color, and anecdotes that might provide the audience with emotional access to the speaker’s point of view. This might include information about how and why the speaker became interested in the topic, or it might be a relevant story about the topic drawn from the speaker’s life.

An interview with the speaker also gives the writer insight into the speaker’s speech patterns and personality. This kind of information enables the writer to capture the rhythm of the speaker’s voice.

Writing and Editing Resources

• American Rhetoric: Top 100 Speeches
• Scribbr: List of Credible Sources for Research

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Many speech writers begin their careers either as communications specialists (public relations, journalism, academia) or as experts in a particular industry with a flair for writing. Rarely will someone step into the job and start writing for heads of state or CEOs.

As with any career, there’s a known trajectory to follow as regards educational requirements, work experience, and soft skills needed to succeed. The important thing for an aspiring speech writer to remember is to set career goals early and take the appropriate steps along the way to achieve those goals.

Educational Requirements for Speech Writers

Speech writers may benefit from a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or English, as well as a liberal studies degree with a concentration in writing or marketing. It’s important to study writing, editing, rhetoric, debate techniques, and other topics related to public speaking and speech writing.

In addition to honing the craft of writing, an aspiring speech writer might pursue a course of study related to a specific topic. This could entail earning a minor in a broad topic, such as history or political science. Another educational route might be in-depth study of a specialized topic, such as a technical field or law.

Recommended Work Experience for Speech Writers

Work experience is particularly important for an aspiring speech writer. A writer with a high level of expertise in a topic brings authority to the job.

Some of the finest speech writers in American history were lawyers: Ted Sorenson (JFK) was one. Others, such as Peggy Noonan (Reagan), were journalists or ghostwriters before they entered the inner circle of world leaders.

Professional speech writer Brent Kerrigan, writing an  essay on speech writing as a career  for the public relations firm Ragan, said that the best way to get started with speech writing work experience is to “find somebody who needs a speech written, and write it for them.”

Kerrigan went on to write that “becoming an expert in anything takes practice.” His advice is to seek out busy public officials and company leaders who regularly make speeches but lack the time to write them, and offer your services.

Nonwriting Skills to Cultivate

It’s not enough for an aspiring speech writer to perfect the craft of writing and to learn as much as possible about a relevant topic. As with all careers, finding the right job requires building a well-connected professional network.

According to the Labor Department’s Occupational Outlook Handbook  entry for writers and authors , the soft skills writers should cultivate include adaptability, creativity, determination, critical thinking, social perceptiveness, and the ability to persuade others.

Writing begins with a plan. Sometimes the plan is depicted by an outline. Sometimes it’s simply a set of notes on a piece of paper.

The beginning stages of writing a speech require a lot of thinking. It helps to have a solid foundation of knowledge about the topic and the speaker going into the process.

Here are a few tips for developing a speech that can resonate with an audience.

Determine the Message

Why is a speech necessary? What does the speaker want to say? What action is intended for audience members to take after they hear the speech?

Answering these questions in the early stages of speech writing will allow the writer to find clarity of purpose. Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” speech provides an excellent example of how a writer worked to develop a concise, compelling message.

According to Robinson, the speech was originally intended to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the city of Berlin. In 1987, the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was coming to a head, but the Berlin Wall remained a symbol of oppression.

Robinson, as well as Reagan’s other advisors, chose that moment to send a message of support for the people of East Germany. It was a seminal moment in the Reagan presidency and a powerful milestone in U.S.-Soviet relations.

Understand the Audience

An important factor in determining the message is understanding the makeup of the intended audience. In most cases, the audience for a speech will consist of the people present for the event. However, all speeches have multiple audiences: those present, those who will read the text only, those who will view some or all of the speech later on video, and all future generations.

Each element of the larger “audience” should be taken into consideration when a writer sits down to determine the tone, voice, and length of a speech. Audience makeup determines not only the words that are written but also the way a speaker is intended to deliver those words.

Will the message be couched in humor? Will the tone be completely serious? How big is the in-person audience? How knowledgeable are the audience members about the topic? Are the audience members sympathetic or adversarial toward the speaker?

All of these questions and more are important to answer when creating the framework and shaping the message of a speech.

Use Research to Support the Message

Research forms the core of the speech. It’s as simple as no research, no speech.

However, supporting the message with research isn’t merely a matter of throwing together a list of related facts. The information gathered during the research process must be organized so the message can be supported logically, clearly, and convincingly.

One way to effectively use research is to create a list of questions related to the topic and use examples pulled from the research to provide the answers. The questions should be prioritized based on urgency: What does the audience most want or need to hear?

The structure of the speech will depend, in part, on how the writer and speaker decide to present the facts learned through research. A well-researched fact presented at the right time can capture attention and provide an air of authority to the speaker.

Show Personality to Connect

Attorney and author Sarah Hurwitz was the primary speech writer for former first lady Michelle Obama. Prior to that, Hurwitz wrote speeches for former President Barack Obama when he was a presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, and other prominent politicians.

In an  interview about speech writing with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania , Hurwitz described how she and Michelle Obama used details to show — rather than tell — a relevant anecdote.

“I think details are so incredibly important,” Hurwitz told the Wharton interviewer. “When she tells the story of her father who had multiple sclerosis and worked at the city water plant, she could say, ‘You know, my dad had MS. He worked at the plant. He worked really hard. He sacrificed a lot.’ That’s all just sort of telling. I don’t really see him. But instead what she said in some of her speeches was, ‘You know, as my dad got sicker it got harder for him to get dressed in the morning. He would wake up an hour early so that he could slowly button his shirt. He would drag himself across the room with two canes to give my mom a kiss.’”

Through the use of colorful, vivid details about an experience, Hurwitz helped her subject reveal her personality as a way of connecting to the audience.

Speech Writing Resources

• Public Affairs Council: Speechwriting 101 — Writing an Effective Speech
• Medium: “Orations Worth Ovations — The Olive Branch as a Weapon”
• ThoughtCo: “How to Organize Research Notes”

Speeches can be categorized by delivery style, writing style, and purpose. It’s important to know ahead of time what type of speech will be written, because the type has a bearing on word choice, tone, and many other elements of the speech.

To determine the type of speech to write, first answer questions such as:

• Is the speech intended to elicit an emotion or trigger a specific action?
• Does the speaker want to stick to the script or talk off the cuff?
• Will the speaker be required to defend an opinion?
• Will the speaker be alone on the podium, or will others talk?

Answers to these and other relevant questions will provide guidance about what type of speech to write. The more details writers know about the context of the event, the more likely they’ll craft an effective speech.

Here are four common types of speeches with examples of when each should be used.

Informative Speech Writing

An informative speech is used to explain a concept, describe an object or objects, or provide context for an event or a social movement. For example, a CEO might want to deliver an informative speech at a shareholder event or share details about an annual report with employees.

An effective informative speech presents facts in a concise, easily understood format. One potential challenge for the writer of an informative speech is to capture and maintain the interest of the audience. A dry recitation of facts seldom makes for a memorable or an effective speech.

Persuasive Speech Writing

A persuasive speech is used in an effort to convince an audience to support an idea or take a specific action. Types of persuasive speeches include opening or closing arguments in a criminal trial, an opening or a closing statement in a debate, and a sales presentation.

Persuasive speeches use rhetorical devices to create a sense of intimacy with the audience. The words used, the tone of voice, the volume, the physical gestures, eye contact — all of these devices can create a connection and engender trust with the audience.

The greater the connection, the more likely the audience is to be persuaded by the arguments being presented.

Motivational Speech Writing

A motivational speech is used to convince an audience to take specific action, particularly action that’s designed to engineer change of some sort. This type of speech is also used to elicit an emotional response to a particular cause or purpose.

Motivational speakers know how to connect with an audience on an emotional level. They help audience members understand an obstacle, recognize how that obstacle affects them, and determine ways to overcome that obstacle.

Motivational speeches are good for commencement addresses, recruiting drives, and charity drives. Coaches and managers also make motivational speeches before games and matches to help players focus their emotions toward success on the field of play.

Demonstrative Speech Writing

A demonstrative speech is used to show the audience how to do, build, or create something. A demonstrative speaker is typically an expert in the field who’s sharing knowledge or demonstrating how audience members can attain knowledge for themselves.

A demonstrative speech often requires visual aids, such as a slideshow or stage props. The speaker typically provides context for the demonstration with an introduction, and then gives the presentation. Sometimes, the speaker will open the floor to audience questions.

A demonstrative speech might be used by a salesperson to show how a product is used, by an inventor to show how a new device was created, or by a professional instructor to show how to use a piece of equipment.

Additional Tips for Writing Different Speech Types

• Your Dictionary: 5 Steps for Writing an Informative Speech
• Lifehack: “Ultimate Guide to Persuasive Speech (Hook and Influence an Audience) ”
• Houston Chronicle : “The Key Components of a Motivational Speech”
• Purdue University: Tips for Effective Demonstrations

Salaries for speech writers vary widely in the U.S. Wages can be determined by factors such as the prominence of the client or employer, professional experience, and the complexity or relevance of the speech topics.

According to a 2011 report in  The   Washington Post , Obama speech writer Jon Favreau earned $172,200 annually — the same salary as some of the former president’s top advisors. An expert freelance speech writer who crafts minor speeches for businesses or personal use might charge by the word, hour, page, or speech.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), writers and authors ― speech writers among them ― were paid a median salary of $63,200 in 2019. Salaries and job opportunities are affected by factors such as geography, job market, and economic conditions.

BLS employment projections for writers and authors show that the number of positions nationwide is expected to hold steady at about 123,000 from 2018 to 2028. In a related field, media and communication workers, BLS projections indicate a 4% increase in positions from 2018 to 2028.

The history of the U.S. can be told through its famous speeches.

George Washington’s farewell address created the precedent of the peaceful transition of power in the federal government. Frederick Douglass gave voice to the enslaved and momentum to the abolitionist movement with his 1852 speech “ What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? ”

The Lincoln-Douglas debates in the 1850s led to Lincoln’s victory in the 1860 presidential election, an event that helped trigger the Civil War. Then President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered motivation and encouragement with his inaugural address, with its famous line “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

MLK delivered perhaps the most influential speech in American history on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, giving impetus to the civil rights movement.

We remember the speakers, and rightfully so. They were front and center, delivering the words that shifted history.

However, before the words could be spoken, before history could be made, someone had to write the speeches. Someone had to, as Hurwitz advises, “say something true.”

That’s the role of the speech writer: to distill the facts and provide the words that allow the speaker to serve as an effective, persuasive, entertaining messenger.

“Whether you were giving a speech to 1,000 people or talking to your board or leading an informal meeting, it’s really important to say something that is clearly and glaringly true,” Hurwitz said. “I think that it makes people trust you. It makes them respect you. It shows your authenticity. I think it makes you credible and it’s a really good way to start. I’d say it’s also a good way to continue and end a speech.”

Houston Chronicle , “Speechwriter Job Description”

Houston Chronicle , “The Key Components of a Motivational Speech”

National Archives, “Tear Down This Wall”

PayScale, Average Speech Writer Salary

PRSA, “Your Speech Writer: An Operator’s Manual”

Public Affairs Council, Speechwriting 101: Writing an Effective Speech

Public Affairs Council, “Speechwriting: Getting to a Perfect Fit”

Ragan, “Want to Become a Speechwriter? Step 1: Write Speeches”

Textbroker, Speechwriting

The Manual, “10 Famous Speeches That Stand the Test of Time”

Time , “‘He Had Transformed’: What It Was Like to Watch Martin Luther King Jr. Give the ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech”

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How to become a speechwriter

Is becoming a speechwriter right for me.

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Still unsure if becoming a speechwriter is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a speechwriter or another similar career!

Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.

How to become a Speechwriter

Becoming a speechwriter requires a combination of writing skills, communication expertise, and subject matter knowledge. Here are the steps you can take to become a speechwriter:

• Develop your writing skills: As a speechwriter, your primary job is to write speeches that are compelling and impactful. Start by improving your writing skills by reading extensively, practicing writing on a regular basis, and studying the elements of effective speechwriting. Take classes or obtain a degree in writing , journalism , or communications to hone your skills.
• Gain knowledge of a particular subject: Speechwriters are often hired to write speeches on specific topics, such as politics, business, or social issues. Gain knowledge and expertise in a particular subject by reading books, journals, and newspapers, attending seminars and conferences, and conducting research on the topic.
• Network with professionals: Attend events and conferences related to speechwriting and communication to connect with professionals in the industry. Join relevant professional organizations and attend their events to meet other speechwriters and gain insights into the industry.
• Gain experience: Start by writing speeches for yourself or for others in your community. Volunteer to write speeches for local politicians, non-profit organizations, or business leaders to gain practical experience. This will also give you the opportunity to build your portfolio and showcase your work to potential clients.
• Build your portfolio: Compile a portfolio of your best work to showcase your skills to potential clients. Include a variety of speeches on different topics, as well as any other writing samples that demonstrate your skills as a writer and communicator.
• Market yourself: Once you have developed your skills and built your portfolio, market yourself to potential clients. Create a website or social media profiles to showcase your work and make it easy for potential clients to find you. Network with professionals in the industry and let them know that you are available for hire.
• Continue learning: Keep up to date with the latest trends and best practices in speechwriting by attending workshops, taking classes, and reading industry publications. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and provide the best possible service to your clients.

Certifications There are a few certifications available for speechwriters, which can help demonstrate their skills and expertise to potential clients or employers. Here are a few examples:

• Certified Speechwriter Program: This program is offered by the Professional Speechwriters Association (PSA) and provides training and certification for speechwriters. The program includes online training courses, mentoring, and a final exam. Those who pass the exam receive the Certified Speechwriter (CSW) designation.
• Executive Communication Management (ECM) Certification: This certification is offered by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and focuses on communication strategy and planning, including speechwriting. To earn the certification, candidates must pass an exam and demonstrate their knowledge and experience in executive communication.
• Toastmasters Speechwriting Certification: Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization focused on public speaking and leadership, offers a Speechwriting Certification program. The program includes training on speechwriting techniques, feedback on speechwriting assignments, and a final evaluation.

Associations There are several professional associations for speechwriters and communicators, including:

• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC): This organization provides resources and networking opportunities for speechwriters and other communication professionals. They offer conferences, training programs, and a job board.
• National Speakers Association (NSA): The NSA is a professional organization for speakers, trainers, and coaches. They provide resources and support for speechwriters who work with these professionals.
• Professional Speechwriters Association (PSA): The PSA is an international organization for speechwriters. They offer training programs, conferences, and networking opportunities for members.
• American Communication Association (ACA): The ACA is an interdisciplinary organization for communication scholars and professionals. They offer resources and conferences for speechwriters and other communication professionals.
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): The PRSA is a professional organization for public relations professionals. They provide resources and support for speechwriters who work in public relations.
• Toastmasters International: Although not specifically a professional association for speechwriters, Toastmasters provides a supportive community for developing speaking and writing skills. Their program includes opportunities to practice and receive feedback on speeches.

Online Resources There are a variety of online resources available for speechwriters to help them develop their skills and improve their craft. Here are a few options to consider:

• The Professional Speechwriters Association: The PSA is an organization that brings together professional speechwriters from all over the world. They offer networking opportunities, training programs, and resources to help speechwriters improve their skills.
• TED Talks: TED Talks are a great resource for speechwriters looking for inspiration and new ideas. You can search their website for talks on specific topics or watch their curated playlists.
• Rhetoric: The Public Speaking Game: This online game is designed to help players improve their public speaking skills. It includes prompts and challenges that encourage players to think on their feet and become more comfortable with impromptu speaking.
• American Rhetoric: This website is a treasure trove of speeches and rhetorical techniques. It includes a database of famous speeches and a section on rhetorical devices, which can be helpful for speechwriters looking to add more impact to their writing.
• Speechwriting 101: This online course from Udemy covers the basics of speechwriting, including how to structure a speech, how to write for different audiences, and how to use rhetorical devices effectively.
• Duarte Academy: Duarte is a well-respected agency that specializes in creating high-impact presentations. Their academy offers a variety of online courses on presentation design and delivery.
• The Art of Charm: This podcast covers a variety of topics related to personal and professional development, including public speaking. It features interviews with experts who offer tips and advice on how to improve your communication skills.

Speechwriting Careers: Everything You Need to Know

June 15, 2023

Speechwriting is an esteemed and impactful career that requires a unique blend of writing prowess, storytelling finesse, and understanding of audience dynamics. Whether you aspire to start your career as a professional speechwriter or want to enhance your skills in crafting persuasive speeches, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights into the speechwriting process, career prospects, and the transformative role of technology in honing your craft.

The Power of Words: Unleashing the Speechwriter Within

Understanding the role of a speechwriter.

Speechwriters play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and influencing minds through their artful use of language. They collaborate closely with prominent individuals, such as politicians, executives, and thought leaders, to craft speeches that captivate audiences, convey key messages, and inspire action.

The Art of Storytelling: Creating Compelling Narratives

At the heart of a remarkable speech lies a compelling story. Speechwriters have the power to weave narratives that engage, resonate, and leave a lasting impact on listeners. By employing storytelling techniques , such as vivid imagery, personal anecdotes, and emotional appeals, speechwriters can connect with their audience on a deeper level. Click here for five expert tips on how to tell a good story.

Tailoring the Message: Understanding the Audience

One of the key skills of a speechwriter is understanding the target audience and tailoring the message accordingly. Each audience has its unique preferences, expectations, and values. A skilled speechwriter conducts thorough research to grasp the audience’s demographics, interests, and beliefs, ensuring that the speech resonates with their specific needs.

Building Your Speechwriting Career with the Help of Yoodli: Your AI Speech and Communication Coach

In the modern era, technology has revolutionized the way we approach various aspects of our lives, including speechwriting. Yoodli , an AI-powered speech and communication coach, offers an array of tools and features that can elevate your speechwriting skills to new heights.

Analyzing Speech Delivery

Yoodli’s advanced algorithms analyze any video of a speech you upload, providing instant feedback on essential aspects of delivery. From pacing and pauses to non-verbal cues like body language and gestures, Yoodli offers valuable insights that help refine your delivery style and enhance the overall impact of your speech.

Transcript Generation and Editing Support

Transcribing a speech can be time-consuming, but Yoodli simplifies the process by automatically generating accurate transcripts. These transcripts serve as valuable references for fine-tuning the structure, flow, and coherence of your speech. Yoodli also goes a step further by offering smart suggestions to reword tricky sections and incorporate inclusive language, ensuring that your speech avoids potentially offensive or controversial language.

Refining Speech Content and Structure

Crafting persuasive speeches requires meticulous attention to both content and structure. Yoodli assists in refining your speech by first analyzing its components and then offering suggestions for improvement. Whether it’s enhancing the introduction to grab attention, strengthening the logical flow of ideas, or creating impactful conclusions, Yoodli’s intelligent algorithms provide valuable guidance throughout the speechwriting process.

The Path to a Speechwriter Career

Developing Writing Skills

Strong writing skills form the foundation of starting your successful career as a speechwriter. Focus on honing your language proficiency, grammar, and storytelling abilities. Practice writing in different styles and genres to expand your creative repertoire.

Understanding Rhetorical Techniques

Rhetorical techniques are powerful tools that speechwriters employ to persuade and engage their audience. Learn about rhetorical devices such as metaphors, analogies, alliteration, and repetition, and understand how to skillfully incorporate them into your speeches for maximum impact.

Building a Diverse Knowledge Base

Speechwriters often tackle a wide range of topics, from politics and business to social issues and entertainment. Start to develop a diverse knowledge base as your begin your speechwriting career. This will enable you to write compelling speeches on various subjects. Read extensively, stay informed about current events, and cultivate a curious mindset.

Networking and Gaining Experience

Building a strong network in the industry is vital for kickstarting a speechwriter’s career. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and seek opportunities to collaborate with experienced speechwriters. Internships, freelance work, and volunteering can not only provide valuable hands-on experience and but also help you establish your reputation in the field and start your career in speechwriting.

Securing an Internship that Paves the Way to a Speechwriting Career

Gaining practical experience through internships can be a valuable stepping stone towards building a successful speechwriting career. Here are some essential steps to help you secure an internship in the field:

1. Research and Identify Potential Organizations

Start by researching organizations that align with your interests and have a need for speechwriters. Political campaigns, government offices, non-profit organizations, universities, and public relations firms are some potential avenues to explore. Look for internship programs or opportunities specifically focused on speechwriting or communications.

2. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter

Craft a targeted resume and cover letter that highlight your writing skills, relevant coursework, and any prior experience in communications, writing, or public speaking. Emphasize your passion for speechwriting and your ability to convey messages effectively. Personalize your application to demonstrate your knowledge of the organization and its goals.

3. Build a Strong Portfolio

Create a portfolio of writing samples that showcase your ability to craft either persuasive speeches or compelling messages. Include examples of speeches you have written, articles, or any other relevant writing projects that demonstrate both your talent and versatility as a speechwriter.

4. Network and Seek Referrals

Tap into your professional and academic networks to connect with individuals who may have insights or connections in the speechwriting field. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and reach out to speechwriters for informational interviews or mentorship opportunities. Building relationships can open doors to potential internship opportunities.

5. Apply for Internship Programs

Utilize online job boards, company websites, and internship databases to search for speechwriting internships. Submit your applications with care, paying attention to deadlines and submission requirements. Before submitting a resume or cover letter, tailor your application materials to showcase your skills and passion for speechwriting.

6. Prepare for Interviews

If you’re selected for an interview, thoroughly research the organization and its recent speeches or events. Be prepared to discuss your writing process, your understanding of effective communication, and your ability to adapt to different audiences. Showcase your enthusiasm, creativity, as well as willingness to learn and contribute to the team. Check out Yoodli’s innovative interview preparation features to succeed in your speechwriting internship interviews.

7. Embrace the Internship Experience

Once you secure an internship, make the most of the opportunity. Take initiative, ask for feedback, and be open to learning from experienced speechwriters and professionals in the field. Absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible, and actively contribute to the projects and tasks assigned to you.

Remember, an internship can be a valuable learning experience, a chance to build your network, and a stepping stone towards a rewarding speechwriting career. Embrace the challenges, seize opportunities to refine your skills, and demonstrate your passion and dedication to become a standout speechwriter in the industry.

Everything You Need to Know About Speechwriting Careers: Conclusion

The art of speechwriting is a dynamic and impactful career that empowers you to shape narratives, inspire audiences, and influence change. By embracing technology tools like Yoodli , you can enhance your speechwriting skills, refine your delivery, and craft brilliant speeches that leave a lasting impact. With dedication, practice, and a deep understanding of the power of words, you can embark on a fulfilling journey as a speechwriter, transforming ideas into compelling messages that resonate with people around the world.

FAQ: Unveiling the World of Speechwriting as a Career

1. what qualifications or skills are required to have a career as a speechwriter.

While there are no specific educational requirements to become a speechwriter, a strong command of language, excellent writing skills, storytelling ability, and a deep understanding of the audience are essential. Many speechwriters have backgrounds in communication, journalism, English, or related fields, but a passion for crafting persuasive messages and the ability to connect with people are equally important.

2. Can AI tools like Yoodli replace the role of humans with speechwriting careers?

Yoodli , as an AI speech and communication coach, serves as a valuable tool in enhancing speechwriting skills and refining delivery. While it offers advanced features for analysis, feedback, and suggestions, the creativity, context, and nuanced understanding provided by a human speechwriter are unmatched. Yoodli can be seen as a complementary resource to support the expertise and insights of a human speechwriter.

3. How can I develop my own unique speechwriting style?

Developing a unique speechwriting style comes with practice, experimentation, and a deep understanding of your own voice as a writer. Start by studying the works of renowned speechwriters, analyzing their techniques, and identifying elements that resonate with you. By continually writing, receiving feedback, and honing your craft, you’ll naturally develop a distinct style that reflects your personality and resonates with your target audience. Don’t worry: you don’t have to have a unique writing style finalized before starting a speechwriting career. As you grow as a speechwriter, you’ll refine and hone your individual voice.

4. Are there specific industries or sectors where speechwriters are in high demand?

Speechwriters are sought after in various sectors, including politics, business, academia, entertainment, and non-profit organizations. Political campaigns, executive offices, universities, and high-profile events often require the expertise of speechwriters. Additionally, individuals such as CEOs, public figures, and thought leaders often rely on speechwriters to craft impactful messages for important engagements and public appearances.

5. How can I find opportunities to work as a professional speechwriter?

Networking is key to finding speechwriting opportunities. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and connect with professionals in the field. Explore freelance platforms, job boards, and internship programs to gain experience and build your portfolio. Additionally, reaching out directly to potential clients or organizations that align with your interests can also lead to valuable opportunities.

6. Can speechwriting skills be beneficial in other career paths?

Absolutely! The skills acquired through speechwriting, such as effective communication, persuasive writing, storytelling, and audience analysis, are highly transferable. These skills can be valuable in careers such as public relations, marketing, journalism, content creation, teaching, and leadership roles. The ability to convey messages clearly, engage an audience, and inspire action is advantageous in many professional settings.

Remember, speechwriting is a dynamic and evolving field, and these FAQs provide general insights. It’s essential to continually learn, adapt, and stay updated with industry trends and best practices to start your career as a speechwriter.

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Learn How to Become a Speech Writer

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Writing speeches is a lucrative and interesting genre for freelance writers and career writers. The question of how to become a speechwriter is one I get quite often, as speechwriting — writing speeches for others to deliver — is a potentially lucrative area for freelance writers. Freelance writers make themselves and their career infinitely more stable by adding skills and services to their offerings, and this could be an area that you explore.

The audience and potential clients who need speeches aren't limited to the political arena. Writing speeches also means you may work with executives, philanthropists, athletes, or PR and management agencies. There is a political element to this, too, and a writer could potentially specialize only in political speech writing if desired.

How Much You Can Make as a Speechwriter

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median for a speechwriter is about $75,000. Keep in mind that this is likely for a full time, 8am to 5pm+ staff position. Freelance speechwriters will need to consider how much time and effort they want to invest in this position, and weigh the option of taking a full-time position.

What a Speechwriter Writes

There are many different types of speeches. We tend to think of speeches that are made to convince the audience of something- such as those that surround our elections. Consider other places you've seen speeches: conferences, commencements. Sometimes speeches are meant to thank important donors or to trace histories or stories of buildings, organizations or groups.

How to Become a Speech Writer

Following are some tips on getting started as a speechwriter. In my research, I've encountered strong suggestion that the writer earns at least a bachelor's degree specifically in English, communications, political science, public policy or similar studies. After that:

• Start small, even free, offering speeches to community groups or on a volunteer basis.
• Think about joining a Toastmasters or other speech group/club.
• Volunteer to work in other capacities on campaigns and in elections. This gets you introduced to the "right" people for your future.
• Seek out local speechwriters for mentoring. Ask after the arc of their career. How did they "get here"?
• Read books on speechwriting.
• Break down famous speeches on your own, without leaning on a book to tell you the "why" and "how" of the speech.
• Speechwriters often come from other career fields like journalism and writing, consider those career paths, too.
• If you want to be a political speechwriter, consider writing other political material, such as op-eds, press releases, and campaign brochures. Start building up that writing portfolio.

What Makes a Successful Speechwriter

• Keep your own unique sound and voice (especially if you're already an accomplished writer.
• Have an opinion, but be able to give equal weight to different opinions.
• Sometimes you'll be able to choose or shape the beliefs inherent in your speech, and sometimes you won't. Be ready to write things that you don't quite believe or that aren't quite "true."
• If you're still in high school or college, consider joining debate teams or political clubs.
• Speechwriters must be especially open to critiques of their work, as it usually goes through several people before its final delivery.
• Attend the speeches that you write, if possible. Audience reaction to your work is immediately observable and multiplied by volume. That's some valuable writing critique at your fingertips!
• Think like a singer and take care of your voice.
• Be ready to get along with different kinds of people- people who are political, opinionated, famous.
• Keep your vocabulary well-rounded and fresh by reading and listening to others' speeches.
• Consider co-opting your opponents' language (which may be divergent from yours) but spinning to your own uses.
• Like other freelance writers, speechwriters need to be able to write about a wide variety of subjects. This means you'll need serious research skills (unless you've got a vast store of knowledge in your noggin).
• As with any writing, you'll need to successfully target your audience.
• Consider the first parts of your speech to be your headline- you'll need to capture the audience immediately from the start. There's no "skipping ahead" when it comes to listening to a speech.
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Table of Contents Hide

What is speech writing, who is a speech writer, #1. informative speech, #2. entertaining speech, #3. demonstrative speech, #4. persuasive speech, #5. special occasion speech, #6. oratorical speech, importance of speech writing, what is the job description of a speech writer, speech writing tips, #1. introduction, #2. the body, #3. conclusion, salary of a speech writer, recommendation.

Having a skill like speech writing whether as a student or a professional is very important with a lot of benefits.

You might be asking what is speech writing and how can you go about it? But don’t worry as all your questions will be answered in this article.

Actually, public speaking or writing a speech is not as difficult as it seems, but just following the basic tips to write a compelling speech and be able to communicate good ideas effectively is all you need.

Therefore, read this article to the end to be able to know the tips and write a great speech that will leave a good impression on your audience.

Speech writing is a means of sending a message to the audience through words. There are no many differences between speech writing and essay writing.

When writing a speech all you need to know is understanding your speech purpose, the required lenght, the time limit, and the audience analysis.

Putting up an effective speech can be stressful because you need to engage your audience’s attention. But if you follow the right speech format, you can easily come up with a great speech the will wow your audience.

According to Wikipedia , a speechwriter is a person who is employed to prepare and write speeches that will be delivered by another person.

Speechwriters are employed by a lot of people like senior-level elected officials and executives in the government and private sectors.

Also, they can be hired to write for weddings and other social occasions. The delivery part of a speech is part of the challenge speechwriters face when crafting the message.

Speechwriters specialize in a kind of writing that merges marketing, theater, public relations, sales, education, and politics all in one presentation.

Read this: Best Differences Between UX And UI | When And How To Use Them

Types Of Speech Writing

There are different types of speech writing and they fall into different categories.

So knowing the various types of speeches can help you suggest which kind of speech that best suit you needs. Here is a list of the types of speech writing.

• informative Speech
• Entertaining Speech
• Demonstrative Speech
• Persuasive Speech
• Oratorical Speech
• Debate Speech
• Special Occasion Speech
• Pitch Speech
• Motivational Speech
• Impromptu Speech
• Farewell Speech
• Explanatory Speech
• Eulogy or Funeral Speech

So, let’ explain some of them.

The purpose of Informative speeches is to educate the audience on a particular topic or message. Unlike demonstrative speeches, they don’t use visual aids. However, they use facts, data, and statistics to help audiences grip a concept.

Furthermore, informative speech writing can also cover social or economic topics. Although they’re not written down for the audience to believe a certain viewpoint or opinion, they inform the audience with all the relevant details surrounding a particular topic.

The purpose of entertaining speech writing is to entertain a crowd of people. It is always less formal and shorter than traditional speeches, entertaining speeches communicate emotions rather than giving the audience facts and figures.

You can always find entertaining speeches at a birthday party or a wedding. Some examples of entertaining speeches are a best man’s speech at a wedding or a principal’s speech before a school talent show.

The purpose of Demonstrative speech writing is to educate the audience about a topic or idea they don’t have knowledge of. They include visual aids to help better demonstrate or describe something in greater detail.

However a demonstrative speech and an informative may seem familiar but a demonstrative speech actually demonstrates how to do something.

For example, a tech company can give a speech demonstrating their new devices. While they’re informing the public about their new products,in this way they are making a demonstrative speech demonstrating how the company works.

persuasive speech writing help to convince the audience that the speaker has the right opinion on a particlar topic.

Persuasive speeches can cover any topic from entertainment to something more serious like politics. Typically, speakers use concrete evidence to better persuade their listeners and gain their support.

Having enough facts or evidence, helps your point more believable and you will have a greater chance of getting your audience’s support about the particular topic you are talking on.

Special occasion speech is speeches which you give on specific occasions. This kind of speech doesn’t fall into a particular category and doesn’t follow a format.

Instead, they focus to fit the special occasion, whether it’s a wedding, an award show, or a birthday party. Special occasion speeches aim to fit the context of the environment to effectively communicate the message and gain the audience’s attention.

Also, they are always short and upbeat and still interesting and direct. An example of a special occasion speech is if you’re accepting an award, you use a special occasion speech to express how much the award means to you.

Also, read: 7 Ways Hiring a Freelance Writer Can Save Your Business Money

An oratorical speech refers to a specific type of speech. Generally, it is more formal than other types of speeches.

Even though some oratorical speeches can be long such as those found at funerals or graduations, others may be short and more informal such as a toast at a special event.

Though oratorical speech givers don’t really want to persuade the audience on a particular topic, they can still cover certain issues and express their opinion.

Speech writing is a vital skill that plays a crucial role in various aspects of society, from politics and business to academia and activism. Here are some key importance of speech writing:

• Effective Communication : Speeches are powerful tools for effectively communicating ideas, messages, and information to a large audience. A well-crafted speech can send complex concepts in a clear and compelling manner, engaging listeners and inspiring action.
• Influence and Persuasion : Speech writing is instrumental in influencing and persuading audiences. Whether it’s rallying support for a cause, advocating for policy changes, or persuading stakeholders in business negotiations, persuasive speeches have the ability to roll out opinions and motivate people to take action.
• Leadership Development : Leaders often rely on speeches to inspire and motivate their teams or constituents. Through speech writing, leaders can articulate their vision, values, and goals, encouraging trust, confidence, and unity among their followers.
• Shaping Public Opinion : Speeches delivered by public figures, such as politicians, activists, and thought leaders, have the power to shape public opinion and drive social change. By crafting compelling narratives and delivering persuasive arguments.
• Educational Purposes : Speech writing teaches critical thinking, research, and communication skills. Students who learn how to write and deliver speeches develop the ability to organize their thoughts coherently, conduct thorough research, and present their ideas persuasively—an essential skill set for success in various academic and professional pursuits.

Here are some of the jobs as speech writer

• Speech Writers create and edit speeches for different occasions and purposes.
• They can be employed in the corporate, political, or PR sectors, or do freelance work for other organizations.
• Also, speech writers conduct research and on some occasions spend time with the person who will be delivering the speech.
• They write copy for radio and television commercials

Here are some of the speech writing tips that will tell you what it takes to come up with an amazing speech.

• One of the speech writing tips is to avoid putting multiple ideas into your speech. Always keep in mind that people only remember very little, so just give one to two main ideas that they will remember.
• Always remember that you are writing a speech that people will hear, not writing an essay that people will read. Hence, the more conversational it will sound, the better it will be.
• If you want your audience to believe that you know what you are talking about. It is important to do some quality research on your topic. It will show that you have a sound knowledge of your topic that you are giving a speech on.

Steps On How To Write A Speech

Generally, the steps to write a speech are similar to writing an essay or presentation. However, you need to keep in mind the audience you are specifically writing it for.

They can consider the speech if it is written to engage the audience and hold their attention from the start to the end.

Therefore, your speech must have something that can grab the audience’s attention.

The beginning of the speech depends in different types of speeches and it depends on the purpose of thye speech.

For example, the informative speeches contain an introductory section that not only introduces the topic to the audience, but it also stimulates their interest.

It is a good idea to introduce yourself and the purpose of your speech at the start. Once you convey your speech’s basic idea to the audience, you can provide additional information.

Start the speech with a strong hook that not only compels the audience but encourages them to listen to every single word you say.

In the body of a speech, there are no specific rules to follow. But there are some things you should keep in mind while writing this section.

The body paragraphs should follow a sequential order for the timeline events and present one piece of information at a time. This section should present the supporting elements in a simple way.

The paragraphs should follow a pattern of cause and effect. Incorporate the rhetorical strategies of ethos, pathos, and logos to convince your audience to believe you.

The conclusion part is a very important part of a speech that makes a good impression and leaves the audience with some takeaways.

you can restate the main points of the speech and leave something for the audience to think about. Provide a call to action with a strong closing statement to help the audience remember the big ideas.

conclusively, it is very important for you to practice after writing your speech. You can read your speech aloud and check whether it sounds like a book reading or a real person talking.

Also, you can practice your speech in front of the mirror or read your speech to a friend to make sure your speech sounds like a real person talking.

Also, read this: How to Build Your Copywriting Portfolio in 2024

The salary of a speechwriter depends on the company/person you are working for or the state you are residing in.

According to Zippa , the average salary of a speechwriter in America is $65,283 per year or $31 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $95,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $44,000 per year.

To become a speech writer, you typically need strong writing skills, research abilities, and a keen understanding of rhetoric and persuasion. Many speech writers have education backgrounds in journalism, communications, or English literature.

Yes, there are a lot of online courses, workshops, and tutorials available for aspiring speech writers. Websites such as Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer courses on speech writing, public speaking, and communication skills.

Breaking into the field of speech writing always requires a combination of education, experience, and networking. So, you can consider pursuing internships or volunteer opportunities to gain hands-on experience, and reach out to professionals in the field for guidance and mentorship.

While putting down a speech writing, it is important to have the right intention and a general understanding of the environment and your audience to be able to effectively interact with your audience and make a good impression.

Also, i believe this article will help you to put down an engaging and excellent speech writing and become a good speech writer.

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How to write a speech that your audience remembers

Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

• It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
• A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
• It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
• Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
• Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
• Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
• Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
• Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
• Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
• Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
• Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
• Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

• Explanation 1
• Explanation 2
• Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

• Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
• Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
• Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
• Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
• Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

• What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
• What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
• What audience am I writing for? 
• What do I know about my audience? 
• What values do I want to transmit? 
• If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
• What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
• What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

• Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
• Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
• Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
• Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
• Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
• Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
• Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
• Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

• Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
• Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
• Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
• Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
• Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
• Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
• Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
• Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
• Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
• Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
• Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
• Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
• Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
• Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
• Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Elevate your communication skills

Unlock the power of clear and persuasive communication. Our coaches can guide you to build strong relationships and succeed in both personal and professional life.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

6 presentation skills and how to improve them

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20 Career Speech: Tell Them Who You Are and Why You Matter to Them

A very excited college senior came to me and said, “Dr. Meade, I have the opportunity of a lifetime, will you please help me?” She went on to tell me she was a finalist for a very prestigious internship with a major magazine in New York. They were flying her out at the end of the month where she and three other finalists would each make a 3-5 minute presentation. The prompt was, “Tell us about yourself.”  Her dream internship hung on the outcome of her three-minute speech. That was a lot of pressure. There wasn’t a lot of information out there on how to succeed at such as speech, so I pulled resources from career centers, from persuasion theory, and from models of good speech practice and created a template for her. It worked– she got the internship! Since that time, more students have come with similar speech tasks, and each time we have applied this template with great success.

There are many ways employers determine which person is the right candidate for a particular position. You are likely familiar with the cover letters, resumes, and interviews, however, the concept of giving a speech as part of an interview may be new to you.

Let me share a few examples of what this speech “looks like.”

Example from a Student

E-MAIL FROM A STUDENT:

I learned a ton last semester and I have my first chance to put your teachings to work in a real-world situation. I recently interviewed with a company (XXX Oil Services) and what do you know I got called back for another interview! They are flying me out to Houston, and they will hold interviews over two days. Part of the requirements for the interview process is that I give a 5-7 minute speech. Here is a little sample of the e-mail they have sent me, and I have attached a short PowerPoint© guideline they have sent as well:

Student Presentations As part of the interview process, you are required to do a 5 – 7 minute presentation about your life accomplishments. Please review the attached PowerPoint for details and bring your presentation on a flash drive to your interview. Please prepare a presentation (5-7 minutes) in which you

Summarize the accomplishments of your life so far,

Explain what your goals are and

Demonstrate that you are the ideal candidate for XXX  Services

Example from a Human Resource Manager Regarding an Oral Resume

We give candidates 30 minutes to prepare for the exercise, but we have already informed the candidates that they should put together an oral resume presentation ahead of time.  That is to say, a few weeks prior to the assessment center I meet with the candidates and tell them that they will have this exercise.  They should put together a presentation of about 8 minutes in length that presents their qualifications for the job.  I typically emphasize that a simple listing of every course they’ve ever taken or every certification they hold is not very effective.  Instead, they should focus on how both their educational and experiential backgrounds have contributed to who they are, how they perform in their current position, and how they will perform in their promoted position. During the 30 minute preparation period, candidates are given the instructions that tell them they will have 8 minutes for their initial presentation on their resume (this time varies depending on the overall length of the exercise and maybe as long as 15 minutes), and the remaining 12 minutes (or longer depending on the overall length of the exercise) will be devoted to answering the interview questions which are presented to them on the next page.  Typically, for a 12-minute answer period, we would provide them 4 interview questions. We inform them both during the candidate orientations and the instructions that the assessors will be asking follow-up questions.  I believe this is an essential aspect of a good oral resume and a good assessment center.  I encourage follow-up questions from the assessors.  So often it is not the initial response that is revealing but rather the candidate’s rationale behind the decision that is so important in evaluating the candidate.

Example from a Career Services Specialist

I interviewed Renee Clay Director for Career Services and Students Programs, Walton Career Services and she said companies are asking students to give speeches at follow-up interviews. She said she has even encountered situations where they ask applicants to give a ten-minute speech on a topic of their choice.

What does this look like in the “Real World”?

• Companies are using career speech by asking applicants to give a speech with the prompt: Why are you a good fit for this company?
• Religious groups (Mostly, Christian Churches) are using career speeches by asking the applicants to give a speech with the prompt: What is your ministry philosophy?
• Educational groups are asking future teaches to give a career speech with the prompt: Show us a lesson plan and talk us through the pedagogy.
• Not for Profits are using this career speech by asking applicants to give a speech with a prompt: Tell us how your ideals align with our mission statement.
• Internships are using career speeches by asking applicants to give a career speech with prompts such as the following: What do you hope to get out of this internship?

This Speech Is Important

This may be one of the most important speeches you have to give.  Most of you will spend four to six years in college and this is the speech that can make all that studying finally pay off.  Resist the temptation to under prepare for this speech. Don’t put it off and don’t let the fear of failure or fear of success stop you from giving the best speech possible. You should put more work into this speech than the papers and tests you did in college.  “Procrastination is the fear of success,” according to motivational speaker Denis Waitley. “People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the ‘someday I’ll’ philosophy.”

Let’s get started on building the speech.

Step One: Learn Everything You Can About the Company.

All good speeches begin with knowing your audience. Start with the job posting and write down the specific things they are looking for. What are the specific skills, what values are represented, what can you learn about the company from what they say about themselves in the job posting?  Go to the company’s mission and values statement and add it to your research. If it is a larger company, look at the individual division and research its mission and purpose. If you are a college student, check with your career services office and see what information they know about the company. Many career service groups keep databases on major companies and what they look for in candidates, who they know are alums, and many even have lists of the most frequently asked items in their interviews.

If possible, find out who will be listening to your speech. Lauren Rivera, Associate Professor of Management and Organization conducted 120 interviews of hiring professionals and found interviewers are looking for people who are similar to themselves. She suggests there are three reasons for this:  (1)  interviewers believe the person will be the best fit, (2) interviewers look for people who define merit the same way that they do because it validates their own self-image, and (3) interviewers get excited about candidates that share their same passions. The more you know about those doing the interview, the more you can make connections.

You have three goals at this point:

• Research the company so you can make direct references to it in your speech.
• Familiarize yourself with the core competencies they are looking for so that you can match them to your skillset.
• Learn enough about the company and interviewees so you can find similarities.

Step Two: Brainstorm What You Have to Offer

They liked your resume, they interviewed you, and now they are inviting you back to see if you are a good fit for the company. At this point, it does not benefit you to stand and reread your resume to them.  You are qualified or they would not ask you back for another interview.  They want to know you will pull your weight in the company, but they also want to know if you are someone they would want to spend time with at the office and after work. Now, they are trying to decide if they LIKE. Y ou should pass the  Airport, Holiday Party, and Convention Tests.

• Would the interviewer want to be stranded in an airport in a snowstorm with you?
• Would the interviewer want to introduce their family to you at the holiday party?
• Would they want to have dinner with you at the three-day business convention?

Your goal is to be MEMORABLE, LIKABLE, and to DEMONSTRATE you have characteristics they NEED. In order to do that, you need to take a good, hard look at what you have to offer and I’m not talking about your previous jobs or even your GPA.

1. Take Personality, Leadership, and Career Assessment Tests

I suggest taking a version of the Myers-Briggs, Jung Typology. http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality.  *  Use the results to highlight some strengths you might not have thought of in your brainstorming. Once you get your results, cut and paste them into a document and highlight everything that applies to you that might be of value to the employer. For example, when I look up my type it says that I am creative and I like to come up with original solutions. Yes, that fits.

Let’s work with that for now. If I am trying to think of attributes that stand out about me, my creativity and ingenuity might be something that I want to highlight. I would check that attribute against what the company looks for and if it were something that the position would require, then I might decide to develop that. I will write that on my list of possible things to focus on–CREATIVITY and INGENUITY.

Take a variety of tests that you have access to.  Consider taking a leadership test and a personality test. If you are a college student, your career center likely has paid for those tests so you can take them.  If you have access to Strengths Quest© ,  Enneagram©, or the Myers-Briggs© Test, take them.  Use whatever test you can access to complete a worksheet of your strengths.

2. Ask Your Friends, Family, and Coworkers

Find those who know you and ask them a series of questions. Resist the temptation to disagree or defend when they share, just listen, and write the responses.

What could I bring to ___ company? Why would someone hire someone like me? What would set me apart from other candidates? What do you think is my strongest attribute?

3. Figure Out What Gets You Up in the Morning

A career advisor for the Walton College of Business asks students, “What gets you up in the morning?” and “What is your why?”  Think about what really drives you and make it part of the story you tell.

Step Three: Match Your Strengths to What the Company Needs

Now comes the deep thinking. Look at some of the words that came out from your personality tests and from the words that your friends used to describe you.  Look at what special qualities you have to offer. How can you match those with what the company is looking for? How do they relate to the core competencies that the company needs?   Try to find three strengths about you that will be valuable to the company.

Most speech prompts (and interview questions) can be answered with “these are my three strengths.”

Question: Tell me about yourself.

Answer: These are the strengths that set me apart.

Question: Why should I give you the job over someone else?

Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Answer: These are the strengths that set me apart and where they will take me.

Question: Why do you think you are a good fit for the company?

Answer: These are the strengths that make me a good fit.

Question: What is your leadership style?

Answer: These are the strengths that make me this type of leader.

Most of the time, you can develop your career speech by highlighting your three main strengths. It is worth mentioning that when colleges poll employers and ask them what they are looking for, they list problem-solving skills and the ability to work as a team at the top of the list. If these would be considered valuable where you are interviewing, you should talk about those.

Figure 1: Attributes Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume

Source:  Job Outlook 2020 , National Association of Colleges and Employers

Step Four: Develop Your Strengths into a Narrative

Let’s face it. Most of the time, the answers people give whether in an interview or speech are boring, they lack substance, and they sound like a form letter. “I am a people person who demonstrates good customer service. I believe in hard work and ….bla, bla, bla.” Meaningless words bounce off the ears. Nothing memorable.

If you want to be remembered, tell a story. First, start with your attribute. I had a student who said he was hard-working. He was worried because he didn’t have any “real” work experience they might not think of him as hard-working. Once we brainstormed, he realized that he spent every summer on his grandpa’s cattle farm. He was out mending fences before the sun rose and many days he would work until dark. He said, “Cows don’t care what day of the week it is.”  He told a story about how his grandfather taught him to work hard and how it was a family legacy to take pride in the work that was done–hard work was a badge of honor. By the time he was done with his story, I would have hired him for just about anything. By storytelling, he convinced me that he would give it his all. He didn’t tell me he was a hard worker, he proved he was a hard worker. His story was detailed enough that we could see him in our mind’s eye. He told a story we could remember. The added benefit of storytelling is that stories make us feel something. When your story is done, the audience doesn’t just know something about you, they feel something about you.

Anytime you apply for a position, think about the people tasked with listening to interviews all day long.  Get into their heads. The fact they need to hire someone means work is not getting done. Maybe, they are having to do extra work until you are hired. Maybe this is a new position, and they are hoping to make changes in the company once they get someone hired. The fact they are hiring often means they have a lot going on and they are eager to get it going, but they also may be feeling cautious because they need to find the right person.  In addition, to meeting with you, they have to do their own job, answer their own emails, deal with customers or coworkers, and figure out what to make for dinner. They may even have to coach the soccer team or volunteer at the food bank.  You get it– they are busy. They are busy, they may be stressed so do them a favor and make it easy for them to listen. Be interesting. Do not waste their time.

Imagine when you are writing this speech, that in addition to listening to you, they must listen to at least three other speeches. Imagine after hearing all these speeches that they are going to do their job, go home and do their home time, listen to the news on the way to work, and then come back 24 hours later to make their decision. After time and all those distractions, will they remember you and your strengths? If you only said, “I’m hardworking,” then probably not. If you told a story proving you are hardworking, they will remember your story; they will remember you, and they might even tell someone about this incredible presentation they heard.

When building this story, it can be one big story that hits on the three strengths that you want them to remember, or it can be three stories–one for each strength. I once had a student who took the three main ideas from the company’s mission statement and told one story of how she exemplified each of those. It was very direct and very audience-centered, and she used that speech to start a new career with her dream company right out of college.

If you are successful, any person listening should be able to repeat your main strengths and repeat your story.  Most importantly, they should feel you are competent and motivated.

Step Five: Start Writing and Write it Bird by Bird

It is hard to write about yourself and you are going to have to summons the courage to do it well. Writer Anne Lamont writes about this struggle.

Every writer you know writes really terrible first drafts, but they keep their butt in the chair. That’s the secret of life. That’s probably the main difference between you and them. They just do it. They do it by prearrangement with themselves. They do it as a debt of honor. They tell stories that come through them one day at a time, little by little. When my older brother was in fourth grade, he had a term paper on birds due the next day, and he hadn’t started. So my dad sat down with him with an Audubon book, paper, pencils, and brads — for those of you who have gotten a little less young and remember brads — and he said to my brother, “Just take it bird by bird, buddy. Just read about pelicans and then write about pelicans in your own voice. And then find out about chickadees, and tell us about them in your own voice. And then geese.” So, the two most important things about writing are bird by bird and really god-awful first drafts. If you don’t know where to start, remember that every single thing that happened to you is yours, and you get to tell it.

You too should write your really terrible first draft and you should tell a story in your own voice. With all your research in front of you, you should start writing bird by bird, story by story.

Step Six: Begin Strong

The very first sentence of your speech should be powerful. You should pluck that sentence out and you should test it on a trusted mentor. Each word in that sentence should be intentional. Soon after that strong first sentence should be your name. You want them to link the strength of those words with your name. You should memorize your opening so you can deliver it with strength.

I didn’t choose teaching, teaching chose me.  When I came home from kindergarten, I set up school in the back yard and taught the neighborhood kids their ABC’s. I guess you could say, I’ve always been a teacher. Good morning, my name is Frankie Lane, and I want to tell you why I am a good fit for the teaching position. As a teacher, I am enthusiastic, innovative, and encouraging and I would like to demonstrate those attributes to you today.  The regional manager flew into Northwest Arkansas to meet with me. He flew in so he could ask me face to face how my sales strategy resulted in 12% increase in computer sales. He brought with him a team that was ready to listen.  My name is Bob Smith, and I would like to share with you what three things I shared with them that day.  If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams.  I believe this quote summarize my leadership philosophy that I want to share with you today. Good morning my name is Frankie Lane, and I would like to tell you how this quote defines my leadership style and why I am a good fit for Amazing Example Company.

Not only should that first sentence be written to have an impact, but it should also be delivered well. Memorize your opening. Know it so well that you could recite it easily. Practice it in the car, practice it in the shower, practice it while talking to your pet.  Resist the temptation to start with “ok so” or “um.” You have been working up to this speech all your adult life, you spent hours studying for tests, writing papers, and completing assignments so you could get to this moment. You owe it to yourself to put in the work and to make this speech work for you.

Step Seven: Refer to the Company Throughout

Remember,  this is not really a speech about you, it is a speech about them and what they need.  Because of this, it is important to talk about the company throughout your speech. “As I was researching your company, I came across a headline that said you were developing one of the largest interactive art displays in the area. As a consumer of outdoor art, I…” or “Your organization’s commitment to the environment is inspiring. I became active in environmental issues as part of a collegewide initiative…” A career services specialist suggests, “Don’t tell me who you are, tell me why you matter to me.”

A common mistake is when speakers act as if they are informing the audience instead of talking to an audience that is familiar. Let me explain. I had a student say, Walmart’s mission statement is “to save people money so they can live better.” This sounds like the speaker is informing the audience of something they should already know. Instead, they should say “as you already know…” or “we can agree on a key component of the mission statement.”

Step Eight: Practice Your Speech

You have researched the company and decided on how to present yourself.  Make yourself brief notecards outlining your presentation and begin practicing. You need to practice your speech enough that you could say most of it without notes. Memorize the opening and the closing because those can be the most difficult parts and tend to be the places where the audience is most likely to build impressions of you. If you are required to use presentation slides, be sure to practice with your slides, and perfect the timing. ( For more help on slides refer to the chapter: Making Presentation Slides)

In addition to practicing by yourself, you should practice your speech in front of a trusted professional and ask them for honest and detailed feedback. You should also record your speech and watch it as if you were the hiring team. Oftentimes when I practice, I will draw a smiley face on a piece of paper and put a name under it President of the company, and then another with a smiley face and a name, future co-worker. It reminds me that I’m not delivering to a wall but to people. When you practice, tape your smiley audience around the room and speak to them directly, “The director of development will be happy to know that I have successfully…”

For more: Refer to the Chapter on Delivery Advice: Do Not Imagine the Audience Naked! Managing Eye Contact, Movement, and Gestures

Step Nine: End Strong

The very last sentence is where you “seal the deal.” Most of the time, this sentence will not come easily. I once read a book where the writer talked about sitting on the floor rocking back and forth wondering why she even bothered and why nothing good was coming to mind. Maybe writing the closing, is not quite that hard for you, but it will be for the rest of us. We will feel self-doubt and inadequacy and will even question why we are bothering in the first place.  If that happens to you, walk away and do something you love, and remember your “Why.” Why are you pushing yourself? Remember how hard you worked to get here. Remember what gets you up in the morning. After you walked off the self-doubt, come back and write that perfect ending. Look at the last three words and make sure they are words with power.

Example from a Career Speech

SPEECH OPENING

A job isn’t just a job. It’s who you are. I’m Kelsey Gomez, and today, I’m not going to tell you why I think I’m best suited for this job—I know I am. Instead, I’m here to prove to you that this isn’t just a job to me, it’s a position that I feel best brings out what I was born to do in life. Company’s Name is working to make America a better place to be a child and raise a family.  To do this, a person needs to have passion, strong communication skills, enthusiasm to learn and gain experience, and the flexibility to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment—and here’s how I possess all of these qualities.

She told 3 stories to prove her attributes

SPEECH CLOSING

  My whole life, I never dreamed of success—I worked for it.  I did this by helping others, educating myself, and handling everything that came my way with poise and determination. A job isn’t just a job, it’s who you are. And, who I am is a passionate, flexible, and driven person who yearns to make a difference in people’s lives.  The best way to predict the future is to create it.  And I believe, if you hire me, Company’s Name and I can create something worthwhile.

Step Ten: Present the Total Package

Your speech begins the moment they see you. Your “speech” begins whether you are speaking or not. I once worked for a firm that would have candidates wait in a waiting room before the interview. The administrative assistant would offer them water while they waited. Little did the job candidates know that the assistant was taking notes on their behavior in the waiting room. Were they polite when offered a drink? Were they poised while in the waiting room? Were they prepared? Another strategy I have witnessed firsthand is a business that had applicants write something, if they had to borrow a pen, they clearly weren’t prepared. I’ve even heard of interviewers who watched the applicant pull up to see if the person’s car is clean. It does little good to say you pay attention to details and drive up in a dirty car.

Potential employers begin sizing you up immediately. Are you dressed properly? Are your shoes clean?  Are you sitting attentively? Are you preoccupied with your phone in the waiting room? Are you walking with confidence? Are you picking your nails? Are you listening respectfully? Everything they see you do or say is part of the interview.

In nonverbal communication terms, trappings are those artifacts that enact stereotypes–a stethoscope around the neck means the person is a doctor or nurse, a briefcase means the person is a business professional.  It will benefit you to consider trappings and what yours say about you.  Think about the difference between a sports watch and a fancy watch and the message it sends. Depending on the job, one may be preferred. For example, I had a student who researched the group she was interviewing with and realized that high fashion handbags seemed to be important. She borrowed a friends’ name-brand bag and then was delighted when someone in the group commented about it in the interview meeting. She wrote me a message afterward that said, “They hired me over other candidates who had higher GPA’s and more experience and I think it is because I researched them so well that I knew what they were looking for. I really think my bag helped close the deal.”

It is worth noting that many career specialists suggest not carrying a bag–in this situation it was an intentional decision based on her research. 

Dress the part. Research the standard dress for the organization. Be cautious, however, because they may wear athleisure wear to work each day, but they expect job candidates to wear a suit for interviews. As a college student, you have a big advantage because you likely have a career center that keeps records of the clothing suggestions for interviewing and many will even have places that will loan you professional clothing items for interviews.  Pay close attention to your shoes–they are very important. If at all possible, buy new shoes.  Yes, it may be an expensive item, but so was your education. Time and time again human resources directors and career specialists tell me that the way that people know whether you pay attention to important details is to look at their shoes.

Handshake Matters

In American business, you should shake hands with the interviewer and key members of the group. Several things go into a good handshake. First is the condition of your hand.  You should have neatly manicured nails and clean hands. If you are prone to have sweaty hands, it is a good idea to keep a napkin in your pocket to wipe the sweat off your hand before you shake.

Next, have a firm but not overly aggressive grip. When you reach for someone’s hand, you should open your hand wide enough that the web of skin between your pointer finger and thumb is aiming for the web of their hand. Hands should be so neither person’s hand is on top. Pump your hand two to three times.  When you shake hands, look them in the eye and try to say the person’s name and something nice. “Mr. Jackson, I am so glad to have the opportunity to talk with you today. ”

When you shake hands with someone that it gives them a positive feeling (if it is an appropriate handshake). When you attach that handshake with their name, you activate even more positive feelings. Research even suggests that other people in the room who see you give a nice handshake will get positive feelings about you. Before an interview, it is a good idea to practice your handshake with friends.

Finally, handshakes vary by culture, so if you are interviewing in a different culture, you should research greeting traditions.

Career speeches are always about you being the best version of yourself. I never have more self-doubt than when I’m doing a job search. I usually have to remind myself that I am smart enough and good enough to apply for this job.

I want you to know, you are good enough. You have worked hard to get here, you are ready.  I give you permission to be powerful and confident–it’s time to shine.

Bonus Feature Presenting Academic Research at Conferences or at Job Talks

MIT Professor, Patrick Winston talks about the basics of public speaking and then gives his students advice on how to give a research talk or job talk. If you are headed to a conference or if you are showing your research at a conference, watch this talk for some great advice.

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

• A career speech is not the place you recite your resume, but rather it is where you prove your strengths.
• Telling a story helps your audience remember you.

åström, J. (1994). Introductory greeting behavior: A laboratory investigation of approaching and closing salutation phases. Perceptual and Motor Skills ,  79 (2), 863–897.  https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1994.79.2.863

Barrick, M. R., Swider, B. W., & Stewart, G. L. (2010). Initial evaluations in the interview: Relationships with subsequent interviewer evaluations and employment offers.  Journal of Applied Psychology, 95 , 1163–1172. doi:10.1037/a0019918

Chaplin, W. F., Phillips, J. B., Brown, J. D., Clanton, N. R., & Stein, J. L. (2000). Handshaking, gender, personality, and first impressions.  Journal of personality and social psychology ,  79 (1), 110–117. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.79.1.110 Available online: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp791110.pdf

Clay, R.  Director for Career Services and Students Programs, Walton Career Services. (2020). Personal Interview.

Ellis, D. A., & Jenkins, R. (2015). Watch-wearing as a marker of conscientiousness.  PeerJ ,  3 , e1210. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1210

Renee Clay Director for Career Services and Students Programs, Walton Career Services. Personal Interview. November 22, 2020.

Dougherty, T. W., Turban, D. B., & Callender, J. C. (1994). Confirming first impressions in the employment interview: A field study of interviewer behavior.  Journal of Applied Psychology ,  79 , 659–665. DOI:  10.1037//0021-9010.79.5.659

Interviewing Skills. Walton College of Business Website. https://walton.uark.edu/career/students/interviewing.php 

Lamont, Anne, Twelve truths I learned from life and writing. TED Talk Feb 12, 2019. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.dailygood.org/story/2187/12-truths-i-learned-from-life-and-writing-anne-lamott/

National Association of College and Employers. (2020). The top attributes employers want to see on resumes. https://www.naceweb.org/about-us/press/2020/the-top-attributes-employers-want-to-see-on-resumes/

Rivera, L. (2013). Hirable like me. https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/hirable_like_me

Winston, P. (2019). How to speak by Patrick Winston. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unzc731iCUY

* (I could write an entire chapter on how a test can never tell you who you are, and I could debate the validity of most of these tests, but that won’t be necessary, because the way that I have you use it, it will be valuable. I don’t want the tests to tell you who you are or who you can be. I want you to look at the results of these tests and look at what you think fits. )

Media Attributions

• Man carrying a briefcase © Marten Bjork is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• tom-rogerson–PYkAUIVi_M-unsplash © Tom Rogerson
• Professional in front of a whiteboard © ThisisEngineering RAEng is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license
• Two women professionally dressed © Christina is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license

Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Salman Rushdie warns young people against forgetting value of free speech

Author also discusses prospect of second Trump presidency and writing about his stabbing in launch event for his book Knife

Salman Rushdie has warned young people against forgetting the value of free speech and discussed the “very big and negative” impact of a second Trump presidency in a rare public appearance since his stabbing.

The Indian-born British-American author of books including the Satanic Verses and Midnight’s Children also discussed the attack in 2022 that left him blind in one eye during a Q&A at an English PEN event at the Southbank Centre .

“I have a very old-fashioned view about [free speech],” said Rushdie, appearing by video from his home in New York to mark the launch of his new memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder . “The defence of free expression begins at the point at which somebody says something you don’t like.

“It’s a very simple thing, but it’s being forgotten. That is what’s enshrined in the first amendment … In the US, you feel there’s a younger generation that’s kind of forgetting the value of that. Often, for reasons they would believe to be virtuous, they’re prepared to suppress kinds of speech with which they don’t sympathise. It’s a slippery slope. And look out, because the person slipping down that slope could be you.”

Rushdie said academia in America was “in serious trouble … because of colossal political divisions. And everybody is so angry that it seems very difficult to find a common place.”

The Booker-prize-winning author, whose books have been translated into more than 40 languages, discussed the prospect of a second Trump presidency with the author and critic Erica Wagner and encouraged young people in the US to “not make the mistake of not voting”.

He said: “The impact would be very big and negative. He’d be worse a second time around, because he’d be unleashed and vengeful. All he talks about is revenge. And that’s a bad policy platform, that you want to be president to deal revenge against your enemies.

“In New York, people had got the point of Donald Trump long before he ever tried to run for office. Everybody knew that he was a buffoon and a liar. And unfortunately, America had to find out the hard way. I just hope they don’t fall for it again.”

Rushdie was about to give a talk at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state on 12 August 2022 when a man rushed on stage and stabbed him about 10 times. “I saw the man in black running toward me down the right-hand side of the seating area,” he recalls in his new book . The writer was hospitalised for six weeks.

On Sunday, he said he hadn’t been able to think about writing for six months, but then it struck him that it would be “ludicrous” to write about anything else.

He described the difficulty of penning the first chapter, “in which I have to describe in some detail the exact nature of the attack. It was very hard to do.”

Knife, the writer said, was the “only book I’ve ever written with the help of a therapist. It gave me back control of the narrative. Instead of being a man lying on the stage with a pool of blood, I’m a man writing a book about a man live on stage with a pool of blood. That felt good.”

Rushdie also spoke about the postponement of the trial of his attacker, Hadi Matar . He said Matar’s not-guilty plea was “an absurdity” and that he would testify at any future trial. “It doesn’t bother me to be in the courtroom with him. It should bother him.”

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In Knife, Matar is not named, but referred to as “the A”. Rushdie said he was inspired by a Margaret Thatcher line about “wanting to deny the terrorists what she called the oxygen of publicity. That phrase stuck in my head. I thought, ‘This guy had his 27 seconds of fame. And now he should go back to being nobody.’

“I use this initial A because I thought there were many things he was: a would-be assassin, an assailant, an adversary … an ass.”

However, Rushdie said, “the most interesting” part of the book to write was the 30 pages of imagined dialogue between him and his attacker.

“I actually wanted to meet him and ask him some questions. Then I read about this incident where Samuel Beckett was the victim of a knife attack in Paris by a pimp. He went to the man’s trial, and at the end of it said to him: ‘Why did you do it?’ And the only thing the man said was: ‘I don’t know, I’m sorry.’ I thought: if I actually were to meet this guy, I would get some banality.”

So Rushdie decided it would “be better to try to imagine myself” into the head of a person who chose to attack a stranger despite reading “no more than two pages of something I’d written”.

‘There is in my mind an absence in his story,” he said. “This is somebody who was 24 years old. He must have known that he was going to be wrecking his life as well as mine, and yet he was willing to commit murder. He’s somebody with no previous criminal record and not on any kind of terrorism watch list. Just a kid in Fairview, New Jersey. And to go from that to murder is a very big jump.”

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If we don’t defend free speech, we live in tyranny: Salman Rushdie shows us that

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AI chatbots refuse to produce ‘controversial’ output − why that’s a free speech problem

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Google recently made headlines globally because its chatbot Gemini generated images of people of color instead of white people in historical settings that featured white people. Adobe Firefly’s image creation tool saw similar issues. This led some commentators to complain that AI had gone “woke.” Others suggested these issues resulted from faulty efforts to fight AI bias and better serve a global audience.

The discussions over AI’s political leanings and efforts to fight bias are important. Still, the conversation on AI ignores another crucial issue: What is the AI industry’s approach to free speech, and does it embrace international free speech standards?

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We are policy researchers who study free speech, as well as executive director and a research fellow at The Future of Free Speech, an independent, nonpartisan think tank based at Vanderbilt University. In a recent report, we found that generative AI has important shortcomings regarding freedom of expression and access to information.

Generative AI is a type of AI that creates content, like text or images, based on the data it has been trained with. In particular, we found that the use policies of major chatbots do not meet United Nations standards. In practice, this means that AI chatbots often censor output when dealing with issues the companies deem controversial. Without a solid culture of free speech, the companies producing generative AI tools are likely to continue to face backlash in these increasingly polarized times.

•••

VAGUE AND BROAD USE POLICIES

Our report analyzed the use policies of six major AI chatbots, including Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Companies issue policies to set the rules for how people can use their models. With international human rights law as a benchmark, we found that companies’ misinformation and hate speech policies are too vague and expansive. It is worth noting that international human rights law is less protective of free speech than the U.S. First Amendment.

Our analysis found that companies’ hate speech policies contain extremely broad prohibitions. For example, Google bans the generation of “content that promotes or encourages hatred.” Though hate speech is detestable and can cause harm, policies that are as broadly and vaguely defined as Google’s can backfire.

To show how vague and broad use policies can affect users, we tested a range of prompts on controversial topics. We asked chatbots questions like whether transgender women should or should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports tournaments or about the role of European colonialism in the current climate and inequality crises. We did not ask the chatbots to produce hate speech denigrating any side or group. Similar to what some usershave reported, the chatbots refused to generate content for 40% of the 140 prompts we used. For example, all chatbots refused to generate posts opposing the participation of transgender women in women’s tournaments. However, most of them did produce posts supporting their participation.

Vaguely phrased policies rely heavily on moderators’ subjective opinions about what hate speech is. Users can also perceive that the rules are unjustly applied and interpret them as too strict or too lenient.

For example, the chatbot Pi bans “content that may spread misinformation.” However, international human rights standards on freedom of expression generally protect misinformation unless a strong justification exists for limits, such as foreign interference in elections. Otherwise, human rights standards guarantee the “freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers … through any … media of … choice,” according to a key United Nations convention.

Defining what constitutes accurate information also has political implications. Governments of several countries used rules adopted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to repress criticism of the government. More recently, India confronted Google after Gemini noted that some experts consider the policies of the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to be fascist.

FREE SPEECH CULTURE

There are reasons AI providers may want to adopt restrictive use policies. They may wish to protect their reputations and not be associated with controversial content. If they serve a global audience, they may want to avoid content that is offensive in any region.

In general, AI providers have the right to adopt restrictive policies. They are not bound by international human rights. Still, their market power makes them different from other companies. Users who want to generate AI content will most likely end up using one of the chatbots we analyzed, especially ChatGPT or Gemini.

These companies’ policies have an outsize effect on the right to access information. This effect is likely to increase with generative AI’s integration into search, word processors, email and other applications.

This means society has an interest in ensuring such policies adequately protect free speech. In fact, the Digital Services Act, Europe’s online safety rulebook, requires that so-called “very large online platforms” assess and mitigate “systemic risks.” These risks include negative effects on freedom of expression and information.

This obligation, imperfectly applied so far by the European Commission, illustrates that with great power comes great responsibility. It is unclear how this law will apply to generative AI, but the European Commission has already taken its first actions.

Even where a similar legal obligation does not apply to AI providers, we believe that the companies’ influence should require them to adopt a free speech culture. International human rights provide a useful guiding star on how to responsibly balance the different interests at stake. At least two of the companies we focused on – Google and Anthropic – have recognized as much.

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USC cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian's speech, citing security concerns

Updated on: April 16, 2024 / 9:05 PM PDT / CBS/City News Service

USC's valedictorian will not be permitted to deliver a speech at the university's commencement ceremony due to concerns about security, the school's provost announced Monday. The valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, drew criticism over her views about the Middle East conflict and social media links that opponents say promoted "antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric."

"While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety," Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a message to the university community. "This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation -- including the expectations of federal regulators -- that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe. 

"It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. In no way does it diminish the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian. To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period." 

Tabassum, a biomedical engineering major, who is Muslim, had been previously announced as this year's valedictorian. She said that she was honored when she learned of her selection.

"The core message I wanted to get across was one of hope," Tabassum told CBS News correspondent Carter Evans.

That changed days later though, when the university rescinded the offer.

"I was never given the evidence that any safety concerns and that any security concerns were founded," Tabassum said. 

In letters sent to USC administrators, critics accused her of posting on a social media account a link to a website that refers to Zionists as "racist-settlers."

"Ms. Tabassum unabashedly and openly endorses the link's calls for `the complete abolishment of the state of israel (sic),"' according to a letter circulated for critics to submit to administrators. "As if the unqualified command for abolition of the State of Israel was unclear in any way, Ms. Tabassum's link reinforces racism with another link, urging readers to `reject the hegemonic efforts to demand that Palestinians accept that Israel has a right to exist as a . . . Jewish state."'

Immediately following Guzman's announcement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles issued a statement demanding that the decision be reversed and that Tabassum be permitted to speak. 

Tabassum released a statement through CAIR-LA, saying "anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all." 

"This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has evidently accomplished its goal: today, USC administrators informed me that the university will no longer allow me to speak at commencement due to supposed security concerns," she said. "I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice.

"I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university -- my home for four years -- has abandoned me."

Through it all, Tabassum says she stands by her view. 

"I'm not apologizing for the link that I put in my Instagram," she told Evans. "What I am saying is that I'm committed to human rights. I'm committed to the human rights for all people."

CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush called the USC decision "cowardly" and the reasoning "disingenuous." 

"Asna is an incredibly accomplished student whose academic and extracurricular accomplishments made her the ideal and historic recipient of this year's valedictorian's honor," Ayloush said in a statement. "The university can, should and must ensure a safe environment for graduation rather than taking the unprecedented step of cancelling a valedictorian's speech.

"The dishonest and defamatory attacks on Asna are nothing more than thinly veiled manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, which have been weaponized against college students across the country who speak up for human rights -- and for Palestinian humanity." 

Guzman, in his campus message, said the uproar over the valedictorian selection has taken on "an alarming tenor."

"The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement," Guzman wrote. "We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses. 

"As always, and particularly when tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community," he continued. "And as we do every year, we have been monitoring our commencement security needs based on all the information we have and the facts on the ground. Our (Department of Public Safety) and expert campus safety team are uniquely prepared to evaluate potential threats, and we have consulted with them about the current situation, taking into account everything we know about our reality, as well as the unprecedented risks we are seeing at other campuses and across the world. We are resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks, and allowing those attending commencement to focus on the celebration our graduates deserve."

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Britain can position itself in dangerous era thanks to defence spending commitment

We can accelerate efforts to implement lessons from war in Ukraine and prepare against possible threats from Iran and China

Since becoming Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces, I have grown accustomed to sleeping with two mobile phones next to my bed, but it is still an unwelcome surprise when the secret handset judders into life in the small hours of the morning.

Ten days ago, I was woken with the news that Iran had attacked Israel . Our intelligence had warned us that strikes were imminent, but the scale – hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles, and attack drones – was truly astonishing.

These are worrying times. The world has moved from being competitive to contested and is now openly combative.

A wise general once offered me a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since. In times of uncertainty and crisis, it is the job of senior military leaders to reassure the nation and stiffen its resolve.

We should be confident that our strategy for the volatility we see in the world is the right one. The United Kingdom is safe because we are a nuclear power, because we belong to Nato – the world’s strongest defensive alliance – and because the men and women of the Armed Forces are ready and able to act.

The reason British jets joined those of the United States, France and others in defending Israel was to prevent the conflict with Hamas escalating toward all-out war.

The reason that the British Army has trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers is because it is in our national and collective interests to see Putin fail.

Last year, we evacuated British citizens from Sudan , deployed the Army on peacekeeping duties in Kosovo , and sent a ship to reassure Guyana in the wake of Venezuela’s expansionist rhetoric.

The British Armed Forces have stepped up to meet all that is asked of us – and more.

Accelerate trajectory of recent years

It’s not always simple or straightforward. The world is messy. The results aren’t always apparent. The task never ends. But we should be proud, and reassured, by what we contribute.

And by and large the big decisions that have taken in recent decades have proven to the been the right ones: renewing our nuclear deterrent, bolstering Nato’s northern and eastern flank, recapitalising the Army, forging new industrial alliances such as AUKUS .

Modern weaponry is demanding and expensive. Twenty years ago, when the focus was operations in Afghanistan, some people questioned why we needed such sophisticated air defence destroyers or so many fast jets. The performance of the Type 45 destroyer in the Red Sea or the Typhoon fast-jet over Baltic skies in recent times is the answer.

That is why we continue to invest in new and advanced capabilities, such as the programme to develop a sixth-generation fighter with Japan and Italy. Doing so now ensures we will be ahead of the threat in 20 years’ time.

The announcement by Rishi Sunak that the UK will spend 2.5 per cent of our national wealth on defence by 2030 means we that can accelerate the trajectory of recent years.

It builds on our work to date to support Ukraine, by bringing forward the largest and most substantial package of aid to date. This includes more Storm Shadow missiles , which Ukraine has used to such devastating effect against the Russian navy in the Black Sea.

It is proof that the UK is good on our word: we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

It also means we can strengthen our commitment to Nato, including renewing our nuclear deterrent and extending our nuclear umbrella to our allies for decades to come.

We will also see through the recapitalisation of the British Army so it can fulfil one of the two strategic reserves available to Nato’s supreme allied commander.

There will be more F-35 fighter jets for the Royal Air Force and a steady shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy.

We will defend our interests

Most importantly, by committing to spend 2.5 per cent of our national wealth on defence, we can accelerate our efforts to implement the lessons from the war in Ukraine, and to position ourselves for a more dangerous era.

First, and most pressing, we will deepen the resilience of our stockpiles by doubling the amount we invest in munitions and resetting our relationship with defence suppliers, to move from stop start production to an industry that is able to deliver modern weaponry on a rapid and continual basis.

Secondly, we need to focus on addressing issues that matter to our people. Too many people who want to serve their country find obstacles blocking their path, when we should be laying out a red carpet to get these people through the door.

Schemes such as Forces Help to Buy and Wraparound Childcare are proving hugely popular with military families, but we know we must do more to find, retain and support the people who keep us safe.

The third area of focus is technology. The British Armed Forces are making real headway in adapting. UK Space Command is up and running. Remotely operated vehicles are steadily replacing traditional minehunting and hydrographic ships. Laser weaponry is under development and will be fielded within the next few years. But we can, and must, be much more ambitious.

We should consider long-range missile battalions for the British Army and fast attack craft for the Navy. Our aircraft carriers could be the first in the world to field an entirely uncrewed air wing. The RAF might increase from dozens of drones to thousands of drones. All these options, and more, are now in reach.

There is one other ingredient that is necessary in these contested times – self-belief. We will shortly be commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Those young men who fought their way onto the beaches of Normandy demonstrated enormous courage and a clear sense of purpose to see through what General Eisenhower termed “the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world”.

In all the great conflicts of the 20th century, Britain prevailed because we understood what was at stake. That is no less important a precondition for success in the 21st century.

What we have seen unfold in the past few years is a battle of ideas: between an authoritarian and belligerent Russia and a dynamic, democratic Ukraine; between a reckless Iran and its terrorist network on one side, and the responsible nations of the Middle East on the other; between a China that believes it can dominate and coerce, and those nations that share a commitment to an international system that is open and free.

So let’s have the confidence to recognise this moment for what it is: a sign of our self-assuredness; an investment that sends a message to friend and foe alike. Britain has lost none of her famous resolve. We will defend our interests. We will support our allies. And together we will prevail.

Adml Sir Tony Radakin is the Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces

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President Biden departs after giving speech in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) - President Joe Biden has departed from Tampa International Airport after giving an impassioned speech on abortion rights in the state of Florida.

The six-week abortion ban goes into effect on May 1. Biden said that an abortion ban in this country will be immediately vetoed on his desk.

Many supporters inside chanted four more years. Meanwhile, outside protestors expressed discontent on abortion and Biden’s handling of the situation in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

Biden was set to head to a private event but ended up returning to the airport by 4:20 p.m.

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