Proclaimer Blog
Wisdom from the world?
Interesting to read an interview in the press at the weekend with Philip Collins. He was the (very young) speech writer used by Tony Blair who, it is said, made a large contribution to Blair's public speaking effectiveness. The Times included a cut out and keep (!) guide to "how to write a speech in six easy steps":
- Get to know your audience. 'You'd be amazed how often people forget about their audience before they speak'
- What expectations do you have? 'Failed speakers never quite know what they are trying to achieve'
- What's your topic? 'You have to know what you want to say' 'This is the most important thing you have to get right'
- Mind your language. 'Most speech writing is rewriting. Don't be precious about your words. It's the argument that matters, not the precise wording'
- Writing for an individual. He means, make yourself authentic.
- Delivering the speech. 'It's incredible how many people hear the speech for the first time as they are delivering it.'
Interesting. When I first read it, I thought to myself, there's wisdom in the world. We just need to sift it out. And sure, there's wisdom here for preachers. Some of it direct. Some of it indirect. Try it. You can apply these lessons in some way or shape to good preaching. I think there's worth in that.
As I reflected on it, of course, I realised that the reason there is 'wisdom in the world' when it comes to speech writing (and speaking) is that for many, many years the best (and only) public speakers were preachers. So by all means learn something from Philip Collins. But as you do, remember that he himself has learnt, some way down the line, from the great preachers.