Galactic Activity 32

This is a two pronged activity. One is to write a speech for another member to deliver. The second is to present a speech prepared/written by another member.

Activity 32 – Speechwriter

Duration: 4 – 6 mins
Applicable Streams: Workplace Skills, Meeting Skills, Leadership, Personal Challenge,

Aim

In this activity you are aiming to:

Write a cogent speech requiring research, and deliver a speech you have not prepared yourself

Objectives

To do this, you will need to keep the following objectives in mind:

Develop a series of points to cover based on the needs of the speaker.
Structure the points into a cogent whole.
Prepare a written script to be read or presented.

The Why…

Often in work and business we need to rely on work that has been collated by a colleague, or collate knowledge, facts and arguments for others to use in their work, and we also are sometimes in the reverse position. This activity provides you with the opportunity to be in both positions and will give some insight into what it’s like to work with materials created by a different person; this may inform or influence the way you choose to create materials for others in the future.

Where do I start?

Start preparing this activity by revisiting the following Launchpad and Orbit activities:

Informative Presentation (LP6)
I feel strongly about… (LP7)
Prepared Speech activities (LP9, 10 & 11)
Persuasive Presentation (LP12)
Engaging, Entertaining and Memorable Presentation (LP13)
Design, prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation (OP5)
Tell a story with a strong message or moral (OP6)
Sell a product, service, or idea including a CTA (OP8)
Speech that moves the audience to action (OP12)

The How

Specific guidelines on how to tackle this activity.

You must first decide who you are writing for – it could be your boss, a politician or a community leader. This person could be fictional or someone you know.
Then decide on the key message they’re going to give. In the case where you know someone who needs a speech written for them, you can interview them to help figure out the key points they would like to deliver.
Within the structure of the speech, invent, create or research some background information, evidence and stories to include in the speech
Consider what the appropriate style of speech is required for this person and write it in that style (not your own). You may be able to view previous speeches from this person, or interview them to find this out.
Remember you will not be delivering this speech – a member of the Rostrum Club will assume the identify of the person you’ve written it for, and deliver it to the Club at a meeting. To complete this activity, you will also deliver someone else’s speech as an assumed identity.

Tips and traps

TIPS:

Get to know as much as possible about the person that you’re writing for – interview them, watch previous speeches, read previous press releases or articles they’ve written, research who they are and what they stand for so you can write a speech that will come across as if they have written it themselves.
Sit down with them and figure out the message they want to get across if there’s a specific speech they need written

TRAPS:

Don’t overcomplicate things – sometimes it’s a simple message that needs to be conveyed with simple, heart-felt stories that demonstrate the message rather than explain it.
Don’t write it in your voice then try to adapt it. Immerse yourself in their ‘tone’ before starting to write – keep copies of their previous work for reference if it helps remind you of their writing/speaking style.