Speechwriting: The Expert Guide

by Simon Lancaster

Speechwriting is the definitive guide to writing a speech, revealing all the tools and techniques of the trade, such as how to win an argument, construct a soundbite and perform on stage. The first part of the book covers the arts of persuasion, argument, story telling and metaphor, providing a solid grounding in the theory of speechwriting, which should appeal to anyone with an interest in politics, communication or language. The second part covers the crafts of editing, soundbites, media manipulation, performance and strategy, giving invaluable practical guidance to professional or aspiring speechwriters. This book combines academic rigour with practical nous, drawing on lessons from Aristotle to Obama. It is the essential guide for anyone who writes speeches, for themselves or others, in politics, PR or business.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2010

About the author

Speechwriter, Author, TEDx Speaker.

Simon Lancaster is the author of ‘Speechwriting: The Expert Guide’, ‘Winning Minds: Secrets from the Language of Leadership’, 'You Are Not Human: How Words Kill' and the newly published ‘Connect! How to Inspire, Influence & Energise Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime’. Simon is the founder of Bespoke Speechwriting Services Ltd, a global speechwriting agency, and has written speeches for top politicians and the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in the world, including Unilever, HSBC and Intercontinental Hotels Group. He is an Executive Fellow of Henley Business School and lectures at Cambridge University. Simon regularly appears as a media pundit on oratory. His TEDx talks have had 4m plus views.

Reviews

[Michel-Pierre Jansen]

Great book for an introduction to speeching and speech writing. I liked that the book contains many practical tips in the first few chapters of the book. Most of the tips could actually fill an entire section of the chapter but usually only got a paragraph or two. This is somewhat in line with the broad scope of the book and the introductionary style. I would recommend using this as a general overview of the most important steps. The latter chapters were less usefull to me and I expect to many other people. All in all happy to have bought and read this book.

[Harun Dagli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book full of practical guidelines and useful techniques, you learn a lot without noticing. If you are into speech writing, understanding the strategy, persuasion techniques of metaphor and using of rhetoric devices. Simon also provides examples of what not to do, poor communication and execution; highly entertaining.

[Ben Shee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not recommended reading in preparing for your best man's speech.

Full of useful information, if presented in a somewhat info dump style - good summaries, but definitely more useful if you are a speechwriter.

[Daniel Rosehill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful guide for anybody professionally involved in writing speeches — from PR practitioners to full-time speechwriters and freelance writers.

Lancaster covers classic rhetorical concepts and also provides a more modern grounding in the business of 'spin'.

The text drew upon a good range of examples. Primarily British but some US presidential speechwriting was also analyzed.

An extremely useful read and reference.