Month: February 2015

The 87th Academy Awards will be taking place in Los Angeles tomorrow. The star of Crocodile Dundee, Paul Hogan, summed up the purpose of an Oscar speech in a succinct three part list: ‘Be gracious, be grateful, get off.’

The ceremony offers examples of grotesque over-acting, but also some classy insights into what makes a great speech.

1) Gratitude

The most reliable source of inspiration for a speech is the impulse to express gratitude. If a best man realises it’s his duty to appreciate, rather than scorn the groom in his speech, he’ll be fine. The challenge of the Oscars is: how do I express thanks for this award and to the people who’ve helped me win in under 45 seconds?

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Eric Schnure, a former speechwriter for Al Gore, is coming to Westminster College, Cambridge in April to run a workshop titled: ‘Wisdom from the White House’.

The Washington-based executive communications consultant is also a founder of ‘The Humor Cabinet’.

The firm advises high-profile public officials, political candidates and CEOs on their toasts, speeches and soundbites, as well as any other occasions where humour is called for.

Schnure’s workshop will be part of the 10^th Conference of the UK Speechwriters’ Guild.

For more details go to http://cambridgespeechwriters.eventbrite.co.uk

The tenth European Speechwriter Network conference, in conjunction with the UK Speechwriters’ Guild, will be taking place at Westminster College, Cambridge from April 15-17 2015 – in the middle of the UK General Election campaign.

The conference offers a unique way to understand the challenges of writing speeches by spending three days in the company of some of the top speechwriters in the world.

Pre-conference training will take place on the Wednesday.

Erich Schnure, who wrote for Al Gore, will be delivering a workshop on Wisdom from the White House.

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