Speeches

Crafting speeches is about more than just putting words in someone else’s mouth. It takes skill to write in another person’s unique, authentic voice while still conveying the intended message. Speechwriting is about making a connection with the audience and catering the message to them, ensuring they take some part of the speech with them long after the speaker has finished.

I’ve included a couple examples of speeches I wrote during my time as Executive Speechwriter for Florida’s Surgeon General that demonstrate my approach to the craft.

Opening Remarks

This speech was written as brief opening remarks for Florida’s State Surgeon General for a Child Abuse Prevention Month event at the Florida Department of Health offices in Tallahassee. The audience was mainly DOH staff, but stakeholders from partner agencies and organizations were also present.

Keynote Address

In this keynote address, the State Surgeon General addressed a group of maternal and child health advocates as well as recipients of early intervention social programs. The speech was written to inspire those hardworking advocates while simultaneously educating the other members of the audience on child and maternal health.