ABSTRACT
In strategic writing, a speech is a scripted monologue designed to be performed in front of an audience. A speech contains a main point—a strategic message—and it elaborates on that main point. The audience of a speech often is a group that has something that the speaker needs. A presidential candidate addressing a campaign audience needs votes and money. Speeches can challenge strategic writers because they add a new dimension to the usual "purpose, audience, media" analysis. Speeches can be scrollable documents on tablets and laptops. Because paper is not subject to technological failures, it remains a popular medium for speech scripts. The content of a speech can be organized in many ways. Almost all speeches have an introduction, a body and a conclusion—much like a feature story for a newsletter or a magazine. Format guidelines for speech scripts focus on making the text easy for the speaker to read while maintaining frequent eye contact with members of the audience.
