Political Speech Writing
Genius is the ability to
put into effect what is
on your mind.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
TWO THINGS YOU MUST DO TO BE
GREAT:
READ AND LISTEN
Key Elements of Great Speechwriting are PASSIVE
There is only one rule
for being a good talker
- learn to listen.
Christopher Morely
Perfect combination of Informative and
Persuasive Speeches
You must know your audience FIRST
Political Speeches
You must seize every opportunity to
separate yourself – by definition, it’s a
RACE
Sarah Palin RNC 2008
Barack Obama Victory Speech 2008
Hillary Clinton - Super Tuesday
Trump wins big – Super Tuesday
CANDIDATE
DECIDES TO RUN:
NOW WHAT?
Strategist
Pollster
Media
Messaging
Finance
Camps also include Campaign Manager, Press Secretary, Fundraiser, Essential Staff (office
personnel, drivers, security, etc) and many, many volunteers.
It usually takes me
more than three weeks
to prepare a good
impromptu speech.
Mark Twain
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
What do I now know?
AUDIENCE
IMMIGRATION
JOBS
HIT HARD BY RECESSION
YAHOOS/INDEPENDENT SPIRITS
GUNS, GUNS, AND MORE GUNS
RELIGIOUS
FEEL POSITIVE
CURRENT GOVERNOR HAS GREAT APPROVAL
RATING
PRIMARY VOTER IS: WHITE MALE 62+ TEA
PARTY SUPPORTER
GENERAL ELECTION VOTER IS: MODERATE,
BOTH GENDERS, PRIMARILY WHITE & HISPANIC
ONLY 41% OF ARIZONANS WERE BORN IN AZ
What do I now know?
CANDIDATE
FORMER AIR FORCE ROTC
ATTENDED AUBURN UNIVERSITY
BOTH A CPA AND A LAWYER
WORKED IN LA DIST ATTY OFFICE – HARD
CORE GANG UNIT
BORN & RAISED IN DENVER
HUSBAND A COLONEL IN THE AIR FORCE
WORK IN PRIVATE LAW FIRM
WAS FOUNDING PARTNER OF GO DADDY –
SOLD COMPANY FOR 2.5 BILLION in 2012
GO DADDY AN INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS,
CONTROLS 30% OF ALL INTERNET TRAFFIC,
PUMPS BILLIONS INTO ARIZONA ECONOMY
NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
NO CHILDREN, HUSBAND 20 YEARS OLDER
FIRST MEET CANDIDATE:
Timbre
Articulation
Accent
Commonly Used Phrases
ASK:
MORE LISTENING
Life Story?
Greatest Strength?
Biggest Weakness?
Most Proud of?
Most Ashamed of?
Why do you want to be Governor?
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Running for Student Government
What do I now know?
AUDIENCE
Who votes for Student Government
President?
Make up of student body? Who is
engaged?
What do they think is best about NP?
What is worst about NP?
What language best communicates?
How did past presidents get elected?
What do I now know?
CANDIDATE
Teacher
Knight Crier
Baseball Coach
Emcees everything – name
recognition
Never been SGA President
Smart, but intense
Capable public speaker
Deeply entrenched in NP community –
friends & opposition
ASK 3 STUDENTS 3 QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT NP?
WHAT IS NOT GREAT ABOUT NP?
FOR TOMORROW
WHO MAKES THE BIG DECISIONS AT NP?