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How to Write a Speech for Someone Else

Last Updated: July 14, 2020 References

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. This article has been viewed 84,339 times.

Writing a speech for someone else can be a stimulating task to take on. It can also be challenging to write a speech for another person with a different voice than your own. As a ghostwriter, you write secretly, with little-to-no acknowledgment of your work. Whether you ghostwrite for a professional career or choose to help a friend with a wedding toast, learning how to write a speech for someone else can be a satisfying experience. To write a speech for someone else, learn about ghostwriting, prepare to write the speech, and finally, write the speech.

Getting Ready to Write

• Note words and phrases that are repeated as they speak.

• Make sure the speaker is aware of how much work they are responsible for.

• Big ideas and main points provide the basic structure of the speech. Understand exactly what the speaker wants to communicate so you can make these points clear.

Writing the Speech

• For example, if it is a commencement speech, ask the speaker about their experience in school and getting out into the “real” world for the first time.
• Make sure the stories connect well with the subject and main point of the speech.

• Get the audience's attention quickly. This can be done by stating a surprising fact or starting out with a humorous or interesting story.
• Keep the speech organized. Use transitions and guiding words like "first," "second," and "finally."
• Use rhetorical devices, like examples, alliteration, imagery, and questions. Balance facts with examples.
• Reflect the person's speaking style. Never fall into your voice during the writing process. Mimic their language, phrasing, and emphasis.

• Limit the amount of information you include. The audience will only remember so much information.

Understanding the Challenges of Ghostwriting

• You can learn more about ghostwriting by looking up books on ghostwriting in your local library, researching articles about ghostwriting online, and by looking for famous examples of ghostwriting.
• A few examples of famously ghostwritten speeches are John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech, Reagan's “Boys of Pointe du Hoc” speech, and drafts of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech “I Have a Dream.”

• Knowing where you stand on the ethics of speech writing will make it easier to accept or decline requests for your writing services. [12] X Research source
• Ghostwriting in the academic arena is often viewed as plagiarism. Others feel that it is okay under certain circumstances, like when politicians, business leaders, or celebrities must present multiple speeches a day, on top of their other responsibilities.

• Writing a speech for someone you find difficult to get along with is most likely not a good idea. You can write a speech for a person that has different ideas than you, as long as you find it possible to keep your ideas to yourself.

• The ghostwriter must learn to adopt a range of voices outside of their own.

Sample Speeches

Expert Q&A

• Take notes when you are observing the way the person speaks and acts. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Work with the other person throughout the writing process. It will be easier to rewrite sections that need to be changed rather than the entire, completed speech being rejected. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure not to plagiarize from parts of other speeches. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Feelings can get hurt and disagreements can arise during the writing process. Neither party should take the challenging of ideas or decisions personally. Remember, you are writing a speech for someone else to take credit for. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ http://andrewcrofts.com/what-is-ghostwriting/
• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ https://priceonomics.com/the-ghostwriting-business/
• ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffschmitt/2013/07/16/10-keys-to-writing-a-speech/#726922c869ca
• ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2014/03/13/is-ghostwriting-ethical/#d3a60c633a0d

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