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Speech writer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Judy Sanders,

Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical speech writer skills. We ranked the top skills for speech writers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.4% of speech writer resumes contained executive communications as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a speech writer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 speech writer skills for your resume and career

1. Executive Communications

Executive communication involves onverting data into stories, creating memorable messages quickly, and identifing alternatives to data to be persuasive. To improve these, you should develop skills like getting to the core points, conveying the most important takeaways, focusing on outcomes, and speaking in an easily understandable manner.

Here's how speech writers use executive communications:

Plan and deliver strategic executive communications for a range of stakeholders; prepare briefings.
Supervised other executive communications staff in speechwriting and executive communications activities.

2. Strategic Communications

Strategic communication is the conscious use of communication by an organization to fulfill its mission. It is a prerequisite and a tool for effective policymaking and public participation that facilitates the exchange of information and establishes consensus amongst different points of view and interests.

Here's how speech writers use strategic communications:

Helped develop the executive strategic communications plan for the Army's recent adoption of enterprise management and efficiency initiatives.
Coordinated agency-wide strategic communications and remarks, working with colleagues in several offices and multiple missions.

3. Proofreading

Here's how speech writers use proofreading:

Provided editorial and proofreading assistance with presentation and marketing materials, speeches and content development.
Provided editing and proofreading expertise on numerous life insurance and retirement-related brochures and emails.

4. External Communications

External communications refer to the exchange of information between the organization one is working with and another organization.

Here's how speech writers use external communications:

Drafted executive-level internal and external communications, Congressional testimony and major public remarks or talking points for foreign and domestic audiences.
Tasked with developing marketing strategies for both internal and external communications for this 180-person radiation oncology practice.

5. Blog Posts

Blog post refers to information that you write on a blog. It can include content in the form of text, photos, infographics, or videos.

Here's how speech writers use blog posts:

Draft and edit talking points, speeches, and blog posts for senior staff.
Authored blog posts following corporate events garnering attention from upper management.

6. Press Releases

Here's how speech writers use press releases:

Managed crafting of speeches, remarks and press releases on diverse array of topics for Lt.
Produced speeches, press releases, press conference points, in a busy deadline-driven environment.

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7. Communications Materials

Here's how speech writers use communications materials:

Prepared speeches, statements and other communications materials for the White House.

8. Subject Matter Experts

Here's how speech writers use subject matter experts:

Interviewed and verified information from subject matter experts, intelligence officers and senior leaders for written and oral materials.
Worked with cross-functional teams and interviewed subject matter experts to gather the information needed for marketing and corporate communications projects.

9. Opinion Pieces

Here's how speech writers use opinion pieces:

Conceived and drafted opinion pieces for prominent national publications such as the Washington Post.

10. Policy Analysis

Policy analysis is a method of identifying or determining a possible policy basis or conclusion that can solve a particular issue or problem. It includes monitoring, assessing, and evaluating policies intended to improve the quality and development of a project. After analyzing the data collected, such as the cause of the problem, they need to choose is the most effective and efficient solution.

Here's how speech writers use policy analysis:

Conducted data-driven research and policy analysis in support of speeches, briefings, and other press office materials.
Conducted policy analysis and research pursuant to speeches.

11. Video Scripts

A video script is a document and an outline for one's digital video. It's a chronological preview that conveys the narrative and message that includes descriptions of scenes, actions, instructions, camera cues, post-production notes, and dialogue that one would want to see in their video.

Here's how speech writers use video scripts:

Generated miscellaneous written materials: speeches, video scripts, event invitations and formal industry correspondence.
Conceptualized and wrote HP computer training video scripts and modules for employees at national retailers.

12. Editorials

Here's how speech writers use editorials:

Worked closely with the senator and key staff members to develop editorial content for constituent and stakeholder communications.
Provide editorial strategy and direction for online news magazines, including Ideas Lab, GE's thought-leadership platform.

13. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how speech writers use dod:

Prepared commentary, letters and print and broadcast messages for U.S. Armed Forces, DoD civilians, and various public constituencies.
Supervised 46 DOD civilian and military instructors with an annual rate of 400 students.

14. Fact Sheets

A fact sheet is a short, typed or handwritten one-page document that contains the most important information about a specific topic, product, substance, or service in the least amount of space. The aim is to convey key facts and points on a topic in a clear, concise, and easily understandable way and to communicate the most relevant information effectively.

Here's how speech writers use fact sheets:

Write new releases, blogs, talking points, broadcast scripts, fact sheets, magazine inserts and articles.
Researched, wrote and edited fact sheets for the Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service

15. Press Conferences

Here's how speech writers use press conferences:

Arranged and prepared Congresswoman for press conferences and interviews.
Coordinated immediate press conference for regional commander after 1996 Khobar Towers attack killed 19 US military service members in Saudi Arabia.

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What skills help Speech Writers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on speech writer resumes?

Dr. Judy Sanders

Chair, Austin Community College

Good communication skills, both written and verbal.

What speech writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Heidi Laudien Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Manhattan College

I think it is important for graduates to be flexible and welcome challenges. It is critical for students to be confident in their academic foundation. An English related field will undoubtedly require strong critical thinking and writing skills. To that end, it is important to read and practice one's craft daily.

What type of skills will young speech writers need?

Ted Anton

Professor, DePaul University

They will need to know how to understand and communicate complex information, often contradictory, in a catchy and understandable way. They will have to read professional data online, in business, medicine, health, you name it and then create a sales or summary pitch for investors. So, reading, writing, communication skills will continue to be important. Math, of course, is a big plus, but up to the advanced algebra level... Statistical skills will be helpful. Overall, employers are seeking curious, adventurous, bold, and creative thinkers and communicators for an ever-changing world.

Do you want to know more?

List of speech writer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a speech writer resume and required skills for a speech writer to have include:

Executive Communications
Strategic Communications
Proofreading
External Communications
Blog Posts
Press Releases
Communications Materials

Subject Matter Experts
Opinion Pieces
Policy Analysis
Video Scripts
Editorials
DOD
Fact Sheets

Press Conferences
Executive Correspondence
Congressional Testimony
Financial Crisis
ABC
Web Content
Website Copy

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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