Speechwriting: The Expert Guide (Hale Expert Guides) Paperback – October 1, 2010

One part of the filtering in law school filters out some of those who are squeamish about bad argument. The pressure is to pick whatever argument that would best win a case: no argument is too slimy, or too low a blow, or would make too disastrous a precedent in the precedent-based field of law, if it will win the case. That is a lawyer's job, and as best I can tell the idea of holding to solid, honest, argument falls somewhere between being quixotic, and being a category mistake.This is a book for what will work best at its center of gravity in political and political-like speeches. While the author claims universal jurisdiction, and says of Wesley's work and an Apple product launch, "The principles are identical." ―compare the Dorothy Sayers, The Dogma is the Drama, where Sayers deliberately embraces an unpopular word and argues that the greatest story ever told is positively driven by religious doctrine―in 90% of the exemplars of good communication are from politics (narrowly construed), and the author does not once countenance the use of solid argument; he compares the use of rational and emotional appeal as a "pea-shooter" versus a "nuclear bomb." Where he references argument, he discusses giving "the illusion of argument" in appropriate places. The dissemination of actual argument is never countenanced.The book has a genuine place in "philosophy" under an older definition of "philosophy," as do classics like The Art of War and The Prince, but I wince when I see someone in the business world who wants to get serious and deep and reaches for the one or two volume canon of The Art of War and perhaps The Prince. What is called for is wisdom literature, a broad and deep tradition that is older than the books of wisdom literature in the Bible and newer than The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, of which The Art of War and The Prince represent a dreary sampling for people who want to get ahead in the business world.This book is a masterful manual of an assassin's duel in the realm of political speeches. For those of us who would like to speak better, it represents all the cards laid on the table for an assassin's duel for how to draw or repel an audience and how to best convince, and there are some cards that a gentleman would play in argument. This book also represents, more than any other modern text I've read, a meticulous exposition of unclean argument, and it has every relevance to people who want to expose and rebut shady argument (and "illusion of argument"). That is something I searched long for, and failed to find, before going on to write a dissertation on the topic at Cambridge. If I had found this book then, I would have devoured this book and begged the author for more.I believe that SOME of this book is something I would draw on, but I also believe argument and constructive discourse is possible in communication, including speeches, and the speeches that have most shaped me have involved real and often sound arguments. I believe that this book covers a department of "philosophy," so to speak, and is not the whole, particularly as the author portrays argument as having no place in his jurisdiction. One implication is that his jurisdiction is not universal, particularly not if his jurisdiction does not include any discourse that includes argument.The work is quite valuable, but it is parochial, and those of us who do not want discourse to always be in the image of political speeches. Speeches can be more varied, and a fortiori lectures can be more varied.On to what motivated me to buy this book: understanding ancient and modern rhetoric while pursuing discourse that is sometimes not political speechmaking. On those grounds, I would consider this work well worth my money for its references alone.C.J.S. Hayward, author

Help with speech writing.

Very useful guide for anybody professionally involved in writing speeches — from PR practitioners to full-time speechwriters and freelance writers.Lancaster covers classic rhetorical concepts and also provides a more modern grounding in the business of 'spin'.The text drew upon a good range of examples. Primarily British but some US presidential speechwriting was also analyzed.An extremely useful read and reference.

Every generation needs to be explained about the ancient but contemporary art of formal speaking or rhetoric. Simon Lancaster is simply that sage for this and the last generation. If I could recommend on of the 30 books on speeches in my library to you, it would be this one.The old adage of, "It's not how many people are reading it, but who's reading it that counts," applies here with this book.

If you need to make speeches, get this book!

Recommended book

Amazing - complete strategic planning, from ancient oratory tips to today’s public speaking challenges

Highly recommended book for speech writing.Lot of tips and tricks in this one. You will never listen to a speech the same way after reading this book. You will understand how it is written and delivered.

Over the last two years I have really studied the art of public speaking as I wanted my message to have the fullest impact to the people I serve. I have read many books on public speaking including TEDtalks material, the lost art of the great speech by Richard Dowis, Reading for preaching by Plantinga, Public speaking (Sarah Lloyd) and much more. Most (not all) of the material has been a pleasure to read and I have improved no end. 9 days ago I bought 'Speech writing, the expert guide', and I could not put it down. It is by far one of the most useful books I have read. I am looking forward to using the wisdom found within its pages. If I could recommed one book on public speaking, it is this one.

Great book full of practical guidelines and useful techniques, you learn a lot without noticing. If you are into speech writing, understanding the strategy, persuasion techniques of metaphor and using of rhetoric devices. Simon also provides examples of what not to do, poor communication and execution; highly entertaining.