Speech Writer Job Description
Many speech writers work in politics, writing speeches for government officials. A speech writer is a professional writer who prepares and writes speeches, usually for someone who is in a position of authority or power. Speech writing requires a good imagination, focus and concentration.
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Communicating
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A speech writer usually likes to get familiar with the clients they are writing for in order to put together ideas for how to get the message across clearly and efficiently. Speech writers must have great communication skills. They interact with a wide variety of people and it is important that they communicate with clients effectively to ensure they know what the client wants to say and how to say it. Speech writers tend to concentrate on one area. For instance, some write for the field of law, medical and health sciences, history, journalism, business or social sciences.
Finding the Message
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Speech writing is a process. Before you can get to writing, you must first discuss the topics that will be covered in the speech as well as what the speaker hopes to accomplish with the speech. This will give you a better idea of how you will carefully devise this particular speech for this particular client.
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Research
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Research is a huge part of speech writing. You must obtain information relevant to the subject matter in order to more clearly illustrate the point the speaker is trying to convey. A speech writer must consider the audience when drafting the speech and apply that information to the speech. As a speech writer, you must also consider what topics need to be addressed and figure out the best way to incorporate them into the speech appropriately.
Writing the First Draft
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Once all of the pertinent information is gathered, a first draft is written. Revising and rewriting the speech is always necessary---much like in any other type of professional writing. Be prepared to write several drafts of your speech. You will receive feedback to use as the foundation for the next revision of your speech. You'll have to take into consideration the views shared by both the speaker and his or her staff. The speech writer must meet regularly with the client/speaker to discuss how the progress of the speech is going. This is to ensure that the deadline will be met.
Additional Info
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The median annual pay for a speech writer is $$76,301 a year, depending on a variety of factors, including experience and the location of the assignment.
Speech writers usually have a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as liberal arts or English.
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References
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