Online: The Craft of Speechwriting in the AI Era

All you need to know about how AI changes the process of speechwriting

There is no escaping the fact that access to AI changes the way we research, compose and edit speeches.

There is however a big difference between creating a text and writing a script that enables your speaker to have a lasting impact on an audience.

AI risks causing the same problems as PowerPoint. It makes the speaker’s life much easier, but it does nothing for the audience.

If the speaker thinks the task is to tell the audience what he thinks, he’s misunderstood the reason why people give speeches.

The Craft of Speechwriting in the AI Era uses practical examples and expertise gathered over the 12 year history of the European Speechwriter Network, drawing especially on the theories of the late Dr Max Atkinson.

We’re not teaching our ideas, we’re rediscovering and repackaging a tradition that goes back 2000 years, before we had books and the internet.

Dr Max Atkinson spent his life pointing out that slide-driven presentations create the illusion that the speaker is prepared and professional, but this is rarely the case.

Such presentations satisfy the needs of the speaker, but not the needs of the audience.

To write a good speech you need to please audience. That way they’re more likely to motivate them to do what you want them to do.

During this workshop, we will look at the traditional process of composing speeches and we will see that scripting a powerful speech still requires hard work and a talented writer.

With a small group of colleagues, we establish an atmosphere that’s collegiate and collaborative.

Together, we will look at why, even in the digital era, live persuasive speech remains the most powerful means to move people to action.

In many ways speechwriting is like cooking, the more short-cuts you take, the less rewarding the end result will be for yourself and for others.

AI means you can do new things, it doesn’t mean that the writing process is any less laborious.

Like any craft, the more you investigate the techniques involved, the more pains you take in the construction of your speech, the more value you will create for your cause and your audience.

Speechwriting is often carried out by sensitive and intelligent people, working in corporate or political environments where sensitivity is in short supply.

We’ll help you identify the red flags in the speechwriting relationship. We’ll also explore how to manage the relationship with your speaker.

At the end of the workshop, we will read out some of your work in front of the group, who’ll help us evaluate its success.

The day will be a mixture of theory, followed by practice, followed by reflection.

We will issue with a certificate to mark your attendance.

Click here to download a printable description of the workshop.

TESTIMONIALS

With these new tools and invaluable resources, and under the expert guidance of Brian Jenner, I feel well equipped to continue this journey of crafting speeches. 

CP, BNP Paribas

It has really helped my speechwriting, in fact the one I gave our President for his inauguration got a standing ovation!

Tara S.

I just wanted to thank you for the Craft of Speechwriting course. It was incredibly informative and valuable.

The way you presented the information, gave us feedback, and led us through the exercises made it a lively practical experience too. Not to mention that I also enjoyed the social aspect. Your style gave me the feeling of meeting a confidant, which I thought worked very well. It wasn’t stiff or formal and especially – and high praise here considering the content – there wasn’t one word or sentence you used that was jargonified, nothing that I thought was left underexplained or glossed over, nor a sentiment that felt false or inappropriate.

Jack A.

REGISTRATION

Workshops are scheduled for:

Friday 11 September 9am to 4pm

Friday 20 November 9am to 4pm 

Friday 15 January 9am to 4pm

Friday 19 March 9am to 4pm

The cost of the training is €600 + €120 VAT per person.

Email us and we can raise an invoice, or click here to make a debit card payment through our Wise account.

We will issue you with a full receipt and a Zoom registration.

The workshop is also available to be delivered live in-house by the same trainer if required.

Attendance gives you the option of taking up one year of membership of the UK Speechwriters’ Guild/ European Speechwriter Network.