How to write a perfect speech | BBC Ideas

Summary

This video delves into the art of speechwriting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the speaker and the writer to convey a meaningful narrative. It highlights that great speeches transcend the moment, aiming for a broader historical impact, much like Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Authenticity, humor, and empathy are key elements that resonate with audiences. The speaker encourages aspiring writers to practice continuously and study diverse subjects like history and philosophy to enrich their perspectives. The video concludes with a nod to President Obama's unique comedic style and an encouragement to engage with audiences genuinely.

Takeaways

• 📝 Great speeches start with the speaker's vision and require collaboration with a speechwriter to ensure coherence and authenticity.
• 🌍 Effective speeches address broader themes that resonate beyond the immediate moment, aiming for a timeless message.
• 🔑 A clear headline or central message helps anchor the speech and guides its structure.
• 🤝 Authenticity involves speaking truths that resonate with everyday experiences and the audience's realities.
• 😂 Humor can enhance speeches, but it requires skill and understanding of timing; self-deprecating humor can help build rapport.
• 🎤 Knowing your audience is crucial; small details, like local references, can make a speech feel more personal.
• 🙌 Starting with gratitude and recognizing the audience fosters a positive connection and sets the tone for the speech.
• 🖊️ Aspiring speechwriters should practice regularly through journaling and crafting speeches to refine their skills.
• 📚 Reading widely across various disciplines enhances empathy and understanding of different perspectives, enriching speech content.
• ⏳ The goal of speechwriting is not just immediate impact, but contributing to a larger narrative that resonates with history.

Q & A

What is the key to a great speech according to the speaker?

The key to a great speech is having a speaker who understands their worldview, knows what they want to say, and is engaged in a collaborative process with a speechwriter.

Why is it important to identify a headline for a speech?

Identifying a headline helps to create a cohesive narrative for the speech, providing a central idea around which all content can be organized.

How does the speaker define authenticity in speeches?

Authenticity goes beyond simply stating facts; it involves expressing truths that resonate with people's everyday lives and experiences.

What role does humor play in speechwriting according to the speaker?

Humor can enhance speeches but is difficult to execute well. It can help connect with the audience, and the speaker mentions President Obama's effective use of self-deprecating humor.

What are some historical examples of great speeches mentioned?

The speaker references Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and the phrase 'Ich bin ein Berliner' as examples of speeches that conveyed messages larger than their immediate contexts.

What advice does the speaker give to aspiring speechwriters?

Aspiring speechwriters should practice writing constantly, read widely to gain empathy and understanding, and take courses in history, economics, and philosophy.

Why is it important for a speaker to know their audience?

Understanding the audience helps tailor the speech to their context, making it more relatable and impactful, which can be as simple as knowing a school mascot during a visit.

What disciplines does the speaker suggest are beneficial for effective speechwriting?

The speaker suggests that history, economics, and philosophy are beneficial disciplines for gaining knowledge and perspectives that enrich political speeches.

How does the speaker conclude their speech?

The speaker concludes with a lighthearted remark 'Obama out,' and thanks the audience, encouraging them to subscribe for more content.

What personal background does the speaker share regarding their journey to speechwriting?

The speaker shares that they started as a pre-med student before shifting their focus away from chemistry, indicating a non-traditional path to becoming a speechwriter.