How to Write a Campaign Speech

Your campaign speech should be well thought out, carefully written and revised, and practiced many times. A speech is an essay given for the ears and not the eyes. Therefore, what is typically considered to be proper grammar may be replaced by vernacular more commonly heard between two individuals or parties speaking to one another in a conversation. The speech must also utilize the impressions of body language, voice regulation and vocal rhythm.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Write a Campaign Speech

1. Start your speech-writing process by developing your theme. Think about how you would describe yourself or your issue in 20 words or less. This will serve as a base for all of your future communications with voters.

2. Hire a speech writer and a consultant. Together you can write some great basic, everyday speeches. Incorporate parts of the speeches into all your communications such as: emails, flyers, brochures, call center phone scripts and newspaper press releases.

3. Focus on the speech writing process and know that it is very similar to the essay writing process. There is to be a clear idea and a clear ending or resolution.

4. Outline your main themes and objectives first, then add conversational filler at your discretion. Remember to keep sight of the demographics of your audience when developing content.

5. Limit jokes and anecdotes unless you are completely sure that your audience will appreciate them. Bad jokes do not help a campaign.

6. Determine the length of the speech from the audience perspective. A long speech is 25 to 30 minutes. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for a mid-length speech and seven to ten minutes for a short speech.

7. Perfect your speech, and then practice it daily and consistently. You must feel comfortable giving the campaign speech before you can deliver it in the way it was originally written to be heard.

Tips & Warnings

• A straightforward, easy-to-grasp theme in 20 words or less should developed during the formative stages of the campaign.

• The intent of a speech is to move the audience to feel intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. The goal is to make them think, care, respond and then act.

• Avoid any potentially offensive humor based on someone's religion or ethnicity.

• Limit use of "political jargon." The voters will undoubtedly recognize this type of speech. You want them to remember you in a positive way.