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Political Speechwriter′s Companion A Guide for Writers and Speakers

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ISBN-10: 1604265493

ISBN-13: 9781604265491

Edition: 2008 (Revised)

Authors: Robert A. Lehrman

List price: $53.00
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Description:

Other guides on public speaking focus on how to convey knowledge or understanding. While it is useful to master such informative speech, other goals and strategies are essential for a politician: publicity, for one. To communicate optimism, to rely on material written by others, to speak repeatedly, day in and day out. Above all, politicians need to persuade their audiences. They can use facts or appeal to values, but in the end, they must urge action. Politicians are advocates. Robert Lehrman, former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, offers both speakers and writers the LAWS of political speech. He explains how speakers can deliver: &BAD:bull; Language the audience will understand…    
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Book details

List price: $53.00
Copyright year: 2008
Publisher: CQ Press
Publication date: 10/28/2009
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 388
Size: 6.00" wide x 8.94" long x 0.75" tall
Weight: 1.100
Language: English

<strong Robert A. Lehrman</strong served as Chief Speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore and, in 2004, as Chief Speechwriter for the Democratic National Committee during his more than three decades of experience writing speeches. He has written for political figures, celebrities, heads of nonprofits, and corporate CEOs, most recently as speechwriter to the Chairman and CEO of Pfizer. He created and co-teaches the political speechwriting course at American University, where he was awarded the 2010 University Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching in an Adjunct Appointment. He speaks often at other campuses, conferences, and associations, on the topic of political speechwriting. Author…    

Preface
Introduction: Why Speechwriting Matters
Laying the Foundation
The Political Speech
Politicians Need to Speak More
Politicians Need to Persuade
Politicians Need to Be Liked
Politicians Need to Stay Upbeat
Politicians Need to Be Understood
Politicians Need Publicity
Persuasion
Defining Persuasion
Types of Persuasion
Elements of Persuasion: Aristotle's Rule of Three
Strategies of Persuasion
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Persuasion
Audiences
Primary and Secondary Audiences
What Do Audiences Need?
What Characteristics Make the Audience Unique?
What Does the Audience Feel about the Speaker?
Rule for Friendlies: Reinforce Beliefs and Urge Action
Rule for Hostiles: Mitigate Hostility
Rule for Neutrals: Seek Incremental Gains
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Audiences
Research
Researching the Event
Researching Ideas
Behind the Scenes
Researching the Poetry
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Research
Structure
Why MMS Works Well in Politics
Objections to MMS
Modifying MMS
MMS in Practice
Reflections
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Structure
What to Do
Language People Understand
Writing for Clarity
Reading versus Hearing
Summing Up
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Language People Understand
Language People Remember
Making Language Memorable
Making Language Vivid
Making Language Rhythmic
Behind the Scenes
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Language People Remember
Anecdote
Writing to Touch the Heart
Behind the Scenes
Using Anecdote Well
Summing Up
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Anecdote
Wit
Writing to Make Them Laugh
Behind the Scenes
Wit: From Quips to Quotes
Conclusion
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Wit
Support
Writing to Make Them Believe
Making Evidence Memorable
Arguing Responsibly
Behind the Scenes
Fallacies
Summing Up
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Support
How to Do It
Beginnings
The Opening Joke
Praise
Winning Attention
Statement of Purpose
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Beginnings
Presenting the Problem
Strategy
Language
Behind the Scenes
Anecdote
Wit
Support
Final Words
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Problems
Solutions
Solutions and Strategy
Characterizing Your Speaker
Creating Solutions That Inspire
Language
Proposal, Persuasion, Punch Line: A Structure That Works
Solutions: The Need for Variety
Final Words
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Solutions
Writing Conclusions
The Four-Part Close
The Four-Part Close: Applying the Elements
Inspiration and the Lesson Learned
Call to Action
Clincher
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Writing Conclusions
Delivery
Elements of Delivery
Practice: The Key to Improving Delivery
Expanding Your Horizons
Behind the Scenes
The Speaker's Checklist: Delivery
Putting It Together
A Speech Revisited
Speechwriting and Ethics
Plagiarism
Distorting Arguments
Writing Something You Oppose
Lying
The Ultimate Question
The Speechwriter's Checklist: Speechwriting and Ethics
The Uneasy Partnership: Advice for Speakers and Writers
For Speakers: What Speechwriters Need from You
For Speechwriters: What Speakers Need from You
Behind the Scenes
The Speechwriter's Checklist: The Uneasy Partnership-Advice for Speakers and Writers
Final Words
Speeches for Almost Every Occasion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Index of Speakers
About the Author