Tag: speeches

Perhaps the most important aspect of writing a speech is crafting a clear message. The goal of a speech isn’t to impress people with how well you can write — it’s to get across the point you are trying to make. But what is the key message? Frequently there are several. Which one do you really want to focus attention on? Which message do you want to build the most quotable soundbite around; which point do you want to build up to, and build the speech around? Read

As I write, Mr. Obama has just finished delivering his first State of the Union Address.  We can debate the policies later, but for style, I felt he missed a key grace note of leadership.  Over and over he used the word “I”.  But the essential word of leadership is “we”.  Nothing is about me.  Everything is about us, the people, whom I, the leader, serve.