How to Become a Political Speech Writer

In speech writing, the paper is your canvas.

Becoming a political speech writer requires consistent effort and finding a cause and people you believe in to be an effective and rewarding career. After taking basic courses to improve your writing ability and persuasion techniques, seek out people you want to support and offer them your support. Volunteering is the best way to get involved in politics and begin to make a career out of your speech writing abilities.

Instructions

1. 

   Take a few classes.

   Build up your resume and your confidence by enrolling in classes at a local university or community college. Take classes on writing, public speaking and persuasion. Some local adult education centers may also offer classes that will get you on your way to speech writing.

2. 

   Know your current events.

   Begin to write speeches for current events as a test run. Pick a cause you are passionate about--whether at the local, state or national level--and a current event that a leader would need a speech for. Give yourself a hard deadline and a word count to complete. Make sure the deadline is within 24 to 48 hours to keep the pressure on and get your skills primed.

3. 

   Take a stand on an issue.

   Volunteer at a local political office of your choice, preferably within your registered party. Find other local groups like wildlife preservation, animal rights or child education that you are in support of and begin to offer your time and make relationships with the people who already work there.

4. 

   Find someone to shadow.

   Shadow any current speech writer the organization or politician you are working with currently uses as their main writer. Ask for an internship with them. Keep thinking of ways to build your resume and prove your worth.

5. 

   Search for your new career.

   Look for open jobs with connections you have made, once your experience and resume are built and you feel confident. Ask for references from the people you've been working with and volunteering for as you are sending out resumes and applying for positions.

Tips & Warnings

• Mention right away your desire to help with speech writing. Even if there is no room for you right now, there might be later.

• Be in it for the long haul. A new career takes time and relationship to establish.

References

• Scholastic: Tips From the Insiders: How to Write a Political Speech
• NPR: Inside The Art Of Political Speech Writing