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Laura Ewing

Fundamentals of Speechwriting is a course that enhances speechwriting skills by deepening learners’ understanding of the impact of key elements on developing coherent and impactful speeches. It is aimed at learners with experience writing and speaking who wish to enhance their current skills. This course covers strategies for analyzing audience and purpose, selecting style and tone, and incorporating rhetorical appeals and storytelling. Learners will craft openings and closings, build structured outlines, review effective rehearsal techniques, and examine methods for editing and revising. This comprehensive course prepares participants to deliver powerful and persuasive speeches.

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Fundamentals of Speechwriting is a course that enhances speechwriting skills by deepening learners’ understanding of the impact of key elements on developing coherent and impactful speeches. It is aimed at learners with experience writing and speaking who wish to enhance their current skills. This course covers strategies for analyzing audience and purpose, selecting style and tone, and incorporating rhetorical appeals and storytelling. Learners will craft openings and closings, build structured outlines, review effective rehearsal techniques, and examine methods for editing and revising. This comprehensive course prepares participants to deliver powerful and persuasive speeches.

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

-Identify the elements of speechwriting

-Identify common advanced writing techniques for speeches

-Identify the parts of a structured speech outline

-Identify the role of speech rehearsal, editing, and revising in speechwriting

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What's inside

Syllabus

Fundamentals of Speechwriting
This is a single-module short course. This module covers the three stages of speechwriting: prewriting, drafting, and editing and revising.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops speechwriting skills for learners with writing and speaking experience
Provides strategies to analyze audience, purpose, and tone
Covers incorporating rhetorical appeals and storytelling techniques
Teaches the fundamentals of speechwriting in a single-module short course
Guides learners through the prewriting, drafting, editing, and revising stages of speechwriting
Helps learners identify the elements, advanced techniques, and structure of speeches

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Speechwriting with these activities:
Analyze the effectiveness of persuasive speeches
Analyzing persuasive speeches can help you identify and apply the techniques used to engage and influence audiences.
Show steps
  • Identify the key rhetorical devices used in the speech, such as metaphors, similes, and analogies.
  • Examine the speaker's use of evidence and appeals to emotion.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the speech's structure and delivery.
Choose a focus topic.
Start by reviewing the fundamentals of speechwriting through reading and note-taking to refresh the foundational knowledge required for the course
Browse courses on Speechwriting
Show steps
  • Consider your strengths and interests in speechwriting.
  • Identify a specific topic within speechwriting that you would like to focus on.
Read 'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser
Expand your understanding of the craft of writing by reviewing this classic work on the fundamentals of clear and effective writing, which can enhance your speechwriting skills.
View Extraordinary Lives on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read through each chapter.
  • Reflect on the key principles and techniques discussed.
  • Consider how you can apply these principles to your speechwriting.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Form a peer review group.
Enhance your writing by exchanging feedback and critiques with a supportive group of peers, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Browse courses on Peer Review
Show steps
  • Identify a group of peers with similar speechwriting goals.
  • Establish a regular meeting schedule.
  • Share and discuss speech outlines, drafts, or final speeches.
  • Provide constructive feedback and suggestions.
Practice writing speech outlines.
Craft a structured outline with a clear introduction, supporting points, and a strong conclusion to enhance your understanding of speech structure and organization.
Browse courses on Speechwriting
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your speech.
  • Brainstorm and gather relevant information.
  • Organize your ideas into a coherent outline.
  • Refine and finalize your outline.
Attend a speechwriting workshop.
Engage with experienced professionals and peers in a workshop setting to refine your speechwriting abilities, gaining valuable feedback and insights.
Browse courses on Speechwriting
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant speechwriting workshops.
  • Register for a workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in exercises and discussions.
  • Network with other attendees and speakers.
Explore the principles of persuasive writing.
Engage with tutorials or articles on persuasive writing to deepen your understanding of crafting compelling and impactful speeches that resonate with audiences.
Browse courses on Persuasive Writing
Show steps
  • Read and analyze persuasive speeches and articles.
  • Identify effective persuasive techniques and strategies.
  • Practice applying these techniques in your writing.
Contribute to open-source speechwriting projects.
Immerse yourself in a collaborative community by contributing to open-source speechwriting projects, gaining practical experience and expanding your knowledge.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Explore existing open-source speechwriting projects.
  • Identify a project that aligns with your interests and skills.
  • Join the project's community and contribute in a meaningful way.
  • Document and share your contributions.
Deliver a short speech.
Apply the techniques learned in the course by crafting and delivering a concise and impactful speech, fostering your confidence and oratory skills.
Browse courses on Speechwriting
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your speech.
  • Write a speech outline.
  • Practice your delivery.
  • Record and evaluate your speech.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Speechwriting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Speechwriter
Speechwriters are responsible for writing speeches for public figures, such as politicians, business leaders, and celebrities. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a successful speechwriter, including how to analyze audience and purpose, select style and tone, and incorporate rhetorical appeals and storytelling.
Public relations manager
Public relations managers are responsible for managing the public image of organizations and individuals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective speeches and other public relations materials.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective marketing materials, such as speeches and presentations.
Communications Manager
Communications managers are responsible for managing the communications of organizations and individuals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective speeches and other communications materials.
Public Affairs Manager
Public affairs managers are responsible for managing the public affairs of organizations and individuals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective speeches and other public affairs materials.
Political Consultant
Political consultants are responsible for advising political candidates and campaigns. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective speeches and other political materials.
Nonprofit Executive Director
Nonprofit executive directors are responsible for managing the operations of nonprofit organizations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective speeches and other fundraising materials.
Government Relations Manager
Government relations managers are responsible for managing the government relations of organizations and individuals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective speeches and other government relations materials.
Corporate Communications Manager
Corporate communications managers are responsible for managing the communications of corporations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective speeches and other corporate communications materials.
Technical Writer
Technical writers are responsible for writing technical documentation. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective technical documentation, such as user manuals and white papers.
Teacher
Teachers are responsible for educating students. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective lesson plans and other educational materials.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers are responsible for designing and developing educational materials. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, including how to write effective instructional materials, such as speeches and presentations.
Copywriter
Copywriters are responsible for writing marketing and advertising copy. This course may be useful if you are interested in a career as a copywriter, as it can help you develop the skills you need to write effective marketing and advertising copy.
Journalist
Journalists are responsible for writing news stories and articles. This course may be useful if you are interested in a career as a journalist, as it can help you develop the skills you need to write effective news stories and articles.
Grant Writer
Grant writers are responsible for writing grant proposals. This course may be useful if you are interested in a career as a grant writer, as it can help you develop the skills you need to write effective grant proposals.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Speechwriting.
This handbook offers practical advice on every aspect of speechwriting, from researching your topic to delivering your speech. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their speechwriting skills.
Offers a collection of speeches by some of the most famous and influential speakers in history. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to study the art of speechwriting.
Offers a collection of speeches by one of the most famous and influential speakers in American history. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to study the art of speechwriting.
Offers a collection of speeches by one of the most famous and influential speakers in British history. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to study the art of speechwriting.
Explores the history and science of rhetoric, and offers practical advice on how to use rhetorical techniques to improve your speechwriting.
Reveals the six principles of persuasion, and shows you how to use them to write speeches that will influence and motivate your audience.
Analyzes the presentation techniques of Steve Jobs, one of the most successful presenters of all time. It offers practical advice on how to create and deliver presentations that will inspire and engage your audience.
This toolkit offers a collection of resources for public speakers, including tips on speechwriting, delivery, and audience engagement. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills.

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