Page 138 - The New Articulate Executive_ Look, Act and Sound Like a Leader

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WRITE LIKE YOU SPEAK

Ten Important Rules to Live By

peaking from a text is rarely a good idea (with the notable
Sexceptions of testimony, legally sensitive issues, time restrictions,
little preparation time, lack of experience, etc.) and the rest of the
time is not a good idea at all. But if you must do a prepared text, then
it only makes sense that the words in your text reflect the way you

naturally talk. If they are written in the style of an academic tome
or policy memorandum (i.e., subjunctive clauses, long sentences,
clumsy language, and all the rest), then you will struggle against
almost insurmountable odds.
So you don’t want to wrestle with a jellyfi sh. You will drown
trying.
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What you do want is something that allows you to sound like yourself,
perhaps even be yourself. The closest any of us can ever get to sound-
ing like ourselves with a prepared text is to make sure the writing is
simple. That’s the secret behind every great speech. Every great
speechwriter knows that the most direct way to the audience’s
hearts and minds is to speak directly.
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