You can, and should, use information and entertainment in speeches. They're crucial for establishing credibility and connection. But they're not the end point. I often think that's what's missing in speeches I here. They think their points are the point.
December 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You can, and should, use information and entertainment in speeches. They're crucial for establishing credibility and connection. But they're not the end point. I often think that's what's missing in speeches I here. They think their points are the point.
That means your first focus isn't your message, it's your audience. Where are they? Where do they need to be? Then you figure out how to get them from Point A to Point B. That's why you should start by writing the end. Then the start, then the middle.
December 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
That means your first focus isn't your message, it's your audience. Where are they? Where do they need to be? Then you figure out how to get them from Point A to Point B. That's why you should start by writing the end. Then the start, then the middle.
Presentations at work, in politics, etc are the same. The big question for any speech is "How do I want the hearer to think/act differently afterward"? "I want them to accept this restructure", "I want them to buy this", "I want their vote".
December 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Presentations at work, in politics, etc are the same. The big question for any speech is "How do I want the hearer to think/act differently afterward"? "I want them to accept this restructure", "I want them to buy this", "I want their vote".
And yes, Best man/maid of honour speeches, and eulogies at funerals, are still this. They're encouragement to praise the focus of the day, to elicit an emotional response of joy or grief (and almost always have value propositions in them, not for nothing)
December 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
And yes, Best man/maid of honour speeches, and eulogies at funerals, are still this. They're encouragement to praise the focus of the day, to elicit an emotional response of joy or grief (and almost always have value propositions in them, not for nothing)
Instead, consider that words spoken aloud to an audience are almost always for the sake of persuasion. I think the number of times this isn't true is statistically insignificant, and probably includes virtually every conversation we have (though often in that case, the persuasion is "like me").
December 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Instead, consider that words spoken aloud to an audience are almost always for the sake of persuasion. I think the number of times this isn't true is statistically insignificant, and probably includes virtually every conversation we have (though often in that case, the persuasion is "like me").
If you're just trying to inform an audience, a speech isn't the way to do it. Papers, seminars and classrooms are better.
Speeches just for entertainment are a specific genre. Usually comedians or celebrities give after-dinner speeches. Even then, the best of these do more than just entertain.
Speeches just for entertainment are a specific genre. Usually comedians or celebrities give after-dinner speeches. Even then, the best of these do more than just entertain.
December 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
If you're just trying to inform an audience, a speech isn't the way to do it. Papers, seminars and classrooms are better.
Speeches just for entertainment are a specific genre. Usually comedians or celebrities give after-dinner speeches. Even then, the best of these do more than just entertain.
Speeches just for entertainment are a specific genre. Usually comedians or celebrities give after-dinner speeches. Even then, the best of these do more than just entertain.
Ha! I confess I hadn't noticed that. I guess the accessibility of the full sentence is of more benefit than the asyndeton in written form?
December 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Ha! I confess I hadn't noticed that. I guess the accessibility of the full sentence is of more benefit than the asyndeton in written form?
Well, you're more cultured than me, clearly. Aaron Sorkin would certainly approve.
December 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Well, you're more cultured than me, clearly. Aaron Sorkin would certainly approve.
Apologies, I've responded to loads of different things on this, but it's because it's my passion and profession, and it's rare for these subjects to come up!
December 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Apologies, I've responded to loads of different things on this, but it's because it's my passion and profession, and it's rare for these subjects to come up!
You're of course absolutely right that delivery is a skill that's developed.
December 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
You're of course absolutely right that delivery is a skill that's developed.
You can prep and structure that in, to an extent. Sentence length, intentional asyndeton, storytelling can help with rhythm. I used to have 1,2,3 in paras alongside A,B,C. Numbers referred to pace, letters to pitch, as I prepped. I don't need to do that as I've gotten better, but it can help.
December 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
You can prep and structure that in, to an extent. Sentence length, intentional asyndeton, storytelling can help with rhythm. I used to have 1,2,3 in paras alongside A,B,C. Numbers referred to pace, letters to pitch, as I prepped. I don't need to do that as I've gotten better, but it can help.
The problem is ministers don't have loads of prep time, and prompters become a crutch. When you're reading someone elses words, even when they're writing for you, it's even harder to do that well from a prompter.
December 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The problem is ministers don't have loads of prep time, and prompters become a crutch. When you're reading someone elses words, even when they're writing for you, it's even harder to do that well from a prompter.
When preaching (usually for about 30 mins), I write a full manuscript and condense to bullets. You can structure a speech to make it easier to remember, but rehearsal and prep is key.
December 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
When preaching (usually for about 30 mins), I write a full manuscript and condense to bullets. You can structure a speech to make it easier to remember, but rehearsal and prep is key.
Speechwriter here (not Keirs). The delivery part is absolutely right. The problem isn't using short sentence long pause short sentence, it's using *only that*. The delivery becomes monotonous,the emotion is lost, the brain tunes it out. Different thoughts require different rhythm and sentence length
December 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Speechwriter here (not Keirs). The delivery part is absolutely right. The problem isn't using short sentence long pause short sentence, it's using *only that*. The delivery becomes monotonous,the emotion is lost, the brain tunes it out. Different thoughts require different rhythm and sentence length
Bloodletting in HO well reported, but DBT currently has 1 minister left who was there yesterday.
September 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Bloodletting in HO well reported, but DBT currently has 1 minister left who was there yesterday.
People responding to this as if "pragmatism" is pejorative, forgetting that Liam is the Athletic's Chelsea reporter. There's no higher praise in our circles.
May 23, 2025 at 7:45 AM
People responding to this as if "pragmatism" is pejorative, forgetting that Liam is the Athletic's Chelsea reporter. There's no higher praise in our circles.
After our daughter was Penelope, a few people suggested we call our son Odysseus. I vetoed because a) come on, b) bit of a scumbag and c) those two are married.
So we went with Hector. Now 2 we have a Trojan war book with the chapter "Hector runs riot". Apt.
So we went with Hector. Now 2 we have a Trojan war book with the chapter "Hector runs riot". Apt.
May 5, 2025 at 5:59 AM
After our daughter was Penelope, a few people suggested we call our son Odysseus. I vetoed because a) come on, b) bit of a scumbag and c) those two are married.
So we went with Hector. Now 2 we have a Trojan war book with the chapter "Hector runs riot". Apt.
So we went with Hector. Now 2 we have a Trojan war book with the chapter "Hector runs riot". Apt.
Really helpful Liam, and to be honest slightly distressing in how helpful it is, because a lot of your suggestions should be normal practice!
Thanks to speechwriting as a job, I've had access to loads of L&D, but most preachers I know get no training or coaching at all on this most important task!
Thanks to speechwriting as a job, I've had access to loads of L&D, but most preachers I know get no training or coaching at all on this most important task!
February 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Really helpful Liam, and to be honest slightly distressing in how helpful it is, because a lot of your suggestions should be normal practice!
Thanks to speechwriting as a job, I've had access to loads of L&D, but most preachers I know get no training or coaching at all on this most important task!
Thanks to speechwriting as a job, I've had access to loads of L&D, but most preachers I know get no training or coaching at all on this most important task!
Excellent arrows, Liam.
February 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Excellent arrows, Liam.
Put an acca on based on your premature adjudications, so you lot owe me a tenner. I will instead accept a signed picture of the SOC crew for a scrapbook I'm making.
January 26, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Put an acca on based on your premature adjudications, so you lot owe me a tenner. I will instead accept a signed picture of the SOC crew for a scrapbook I'm making.
Early highlight was you ruminating over remonstrating. You just don't get that on Sky.
January 4, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Early highlight was you ruminating over remonstrating. You just don't get that on Sky.
We need to talk about BlueCo. In the Summer we were all furious at them hiring an unproven manager, not getting an upgrade on Jackson, getting Sancho and persisting with Cucu. All of which seem to have not only worked, but be key for success this season. Is it possible they know better than we do?
December 1, 2024 at 3:49 PM
We need to talk about BlueCo. In the Summer we were all furious at them hiring an unproven manager, not getting an upgrade on Jackson, getting Sancho and persisting with Cucu. All of which seem to have not only worked, but be key for success this season. Is it possible they know better than we do?
Thanks Jennie. Lovely to hear from you and hope you're doing well!
November 23, 2024 at 10:24 PM
Thanks Jennie. Lovely to hear from you and hope you're doing well!
And not for nothing, a bit later Penelope came up to me and said "I don't like scary things. But you protect me from them" smiled, and hugged me. Maybe that's enough, for today.
November 23, 2024 at 2:21 PM
And not for nothing, a bit later Penelope came up to me and said "I don't like scary things. But you protect me from them" smiled, and hugged me. Maybe that's enough, for today.