Great tips for great speeches.
Speechwriters' Toolkit is compiled by Pete Weissman. (Updated 11-19-06)
Newsletters About Speechwriting
On Speechwriting A free monthy electronic newsletter from corporate speechwriter and author Fletcher Dean of Tennessee.
(http://www.thespeechwriter.com/)
Colin Moorhouse
Colin runs two websites that offer free newsletters. They are www.weneedaspeech.com and www.fearlessfreelancing.com If you sign up for his freelancing newsletter, you get his excellent e-book "Finding Work: Marketing Mantras for the Freelance Writer." (It's all free).
Speech Tips A free monthly electronic newsletter from speechwriter and author Sheila Allee of Texas. (http://www.sheilaallee.com/)
Previous Issues |Sign Up
Speechwriter's Newsletter A monthly print newsletter from Ragan Communications mailed to paid subscribers.
(http://www.speechwritercity.com)
The Speechwriter's Slant - A blog on speechwriting written by Hal Gordon.
(http://blog.ragan.com/speechblog/)
History:
Use an historical parallel. If you're writing a speech for the 15th of this month, check that date in history on these web sites. If something related to your topic happened on the same date years ago, you may be able to use it as an introduction or conclusion.
Anyday In History by Scope Systems
Library of Congress
History Channel
Quotations:
Bartlett's: Quotations
IdeaBank This one's unique. Compiled by Charles Francis over many years, IdeaBank is a searchable database of thousands of quotations, anecdotes, speech excerpts, proverbs and humor. Paid subscription required, but members of Washington Speechwriters Roundtable can get a free trial subscription. http://www.idea-bank.com/ib/html/
Rhetoric & Writing Guides:
A Glossary of Rhetorical Terms with Examples: from the University of Kentucky
The Elements of Style (The classic writing guide. This links to the 1918 edition for free, but the 2000 edition is a good buy for any writer). http://www.bartleby.com/141/
Web Sites On Speechwriting
Word of Mouth An archive of two dozen articles about speechwiting from Robert Ausura of Maryland. http://robertwriting.com/pubs/index.asp
Allyn & Bacon This textbook publisher has a web section on the five steps of preparing a speech. http://www.abacon.com/pubspeak/
The SpeechWriters.com Tips for writing speeches
http://www.nvo.com/speechwriters/tipswritingperformingspeeches/
"The Art of Communicating Effectively" by Art Feierman, CEO Presenting Solutions
http://www.presentingsolutions.com/effectivepresentations.asp
Vital Speeches of the Day http://www04.mcmurry.com/product/VITAL/
Reprints/Excerpts: If you’d like to reprint or excerpt this article,
ask the author for permission and attribute it to
“Washington Speechwriters Roundtable (www.washingtonspeechwriters.com)”
