Speechwriters

A speechwriter is a person who is hired to prepare and write speeches that will be delivered by another person. Speechwriters are employed by many senior-level elected officials and executives in the government and private sectors. They can also be employed to write for weddings and other social occasions.

Skills and training

A speechwriter works directly with senior executives or leaders to determine what points, themes, positions, or messages the executive would like to cover. Speechwriters need to be able to accept criticism and comments on the different drafts of the speech, and be able to incorporate the proposed changes into the draft. Speechwriters have to be able to work on several different speeches at once, and manage their time so that they can meet strict deadlines for finishing the speech on time.

Speechwriters must also be able to accept anonymity, because with few exceptions, speechwriters are not officially credited or acknowledged. This aspect creates a dilemma for historians and compilers of speech anthology; namely, when some poignant phrase gains popularity such as John F. Kennedy's "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,". Should credit be given to the President, to speechwriter Ted Sorensen, or to both? Professional speechwriter Lawrence Bernstein writes:

While there is a guild called "The UK Speechwriters' Guild" for professional speechwriters, they do not usually have specific training in the area or field for which they are writing speeches. Instead, speechwriters often have a broad understanding of basic economics, political roles, and policy issues, which make them generalists who are able to "translate" complex economic and policy issues into a clear message for the general public. As with many other writing occupations, most speechwriters do not have specific training in their writing craft. Instead, speechwriters often develop their speech writing skills by combining a general liberal arts education (e.g., in political science, philosophy, or English literature) with a variety of work experience in politics, public administration, journalism, or a related field.

The delivery of the speech is part of the challenge speechwriters face when crafting the message. Executive speechwriter Anthony Trendl writes:

Speechwriting process

Writing a speech involves several steps. A speechwriter has to meet with the executive and the executive's senior staff to determine the broad framework of points or messages that the executive wants to cover in the speech. Then, the speechwriter does his or her own research on the topic to flesh out this framework with anecdotes and examples. The speechwriter will also consider the audience for the speech, which can range from a town-hall meeting of community leaders to an international leaders' forum. Then the speechwriter blends the points, themes, positions, and messages with his or her own research to create an "informative, original and authentic speech" for the executive.

The speechwriter then presents a draft version of the speech to the executive (or the executive's staff) and makes notes on any revisions or changes that are requested. If the speechwriter is familiar with the topic and the positions and style of the executive, only small changes may be needed. In other cases, the executive may feel that the speech does not have the right tone or flow, and the entire speech may have to be re-drafted.

Notable speechwriters

Some of the world's most notable political speechwriters include:

Australia

*Don Watson wrote for Prime Minister Paul Keating

Bangladesh

*Md. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury wrote for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Chile

*Jaime Guzmán wrote for Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet

Europe

* wrote for Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel
*Henri Guaino wrote for French President Nicolas Sarkozy
* Sir Ronald Millar wrote for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

Nigeria

*Reuben Abati, wrote for President Goodluck Jonathan
*Olusegun Adeniyi, wrote for President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
*Farooq Kperogi, wrote for President Olusegun Obasanjo

United States

* Michael Anton wrote for President Donald Trump
* Aram Bakshian wrote for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford
* Samuel Beer wrote for President Franklin D. Roosevelt
* Josef Berger wrote for Presidents Harry S. Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson
* Pat Buchanan wrote for President Richard Nixon
* Christopher Buckley wrote for President George H. W. Bush
* Andrei Cherny wrote for President Bill Clinton
* William Dodd wrote for President Woodrow Wilson
* Anthony R. Dolan

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