Drawing upon his more than 30-year career in media and communications, John
Patterson shared advice on the importance of preparation, advance work and active listening during a speechwriting presentation with the Mid-Illinois Communications Association. The event was hosted at Horace Mann headquarters in Springfield on October 17.
Patterson, the spokesman and speechwriter for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon,
shared tools such as event forms that help avoid last-minute crises, and tips on how to
mine conversations for personal stories that provide relatability and authenticity in
speeches.
Overall, Patterson encouraged aspiring speechwriters to embrace the role, enjoy the
process and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Among the handouts provided was “10 Tips For Better Speechwriting,” a practical
checklist for overcoming writers block and the logistical value of attending speeches.
Here are his tips:
10 tips for better speechwriting
The average speaker speaks somewhere between 130 to 150 words per minute. Format for delivery.
Leave the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of the page empty so the person isn’t reading with
their face straight down.
Use a big, easy to read point size.
Number pages.
Simple is better.
Don’t flood the audience with a firehose of information.
Keep it simple and focused both in message and construction.
Microsoft Word and most word processing programs offer an analysis tool that
will tell you the number of words, the reading level, how many sentences,
average number of words in sentences. The lower the reading level and the
shorter the sentences, the easier it is to understand your message. If you have
long sentences, go back and split them up into shorter, more direct, declarative
sentences. Aim to keep average sentence length under 14 words.
Breaking through writers block.
Set a timer for 10 minutes and just start writing. Write a sentence. Answer the
question: Why are we giving this speech? Then answer another question. Just
keep writing for the duration. You will jumpstart your creative process.
Recycling will save the planet and your sanity.
Don’t be afraid to reuse speeches and key messages. Consider the audience. Is
there any overlap? You have heard the speech 5 times but this is the first time
they’ve heard it.
Develop core messages/stories that can be reused.
Get everything you can out of that speech.
Use the message and imagery for social media posts, newsletter items and op-eds.
Read the speech aloud, because it’s going to be delivered that way.
Circle and fix anywhere that causes you to stumble.
Record the speech the way you want it delivered and send it to the speaker to
listen to. Urge them to do the same.
Attend the speech.
Get there early and figure out how the speaker gets to where he needs to go.
Bring an extra copy. You would be surprised how often the speaker forgets to
bring the script.
Watch the audience. How do they react? What works? What doesn’t?
Speeches fit into three boxes: Intro – Body – Conclusion.
Intro has the shiny object to get everyone’s attention, the summary line that tells
everyone what this is about and the background that provides context.
Body has all the information about what you want to do.
Conclusion reminds the audience of what you want them to remember.
It’s great to be funny, but humor tends to be viewed as diminishing a topic.
Be careful with what and who you choose to diminish.
Listen. Be curious. Explore.
Ask the questions others aren’t.
Don’t be afraid to be different.
Be alert for interesting nuggets that you can develop into stories.