The Speech Story

Helene C. Stikkel Figure 3-2.—A speech story features something not officially dis- closed before. THE SPEECH STORY LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the fundamentals of writing a speech story. Often, Navy JOs become jittery when first assigned to cover a speech story because they do not think they can get the facts or put them into story form. Actually, any writer who knows the fundamentals of news reporting can write a speech story. First, the writing of a speech story resembles any other news story in many aspects. The most important fact, the climax of the story, goes in the lead. This usually means that the most important thing the speaker said goes in the lead. Occasionally, the most important fact may be something unusual — audience reaction, for instance — but generally, what the speaker said, either in quote or summary, is the feature. The Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) may cover four major topics during an address, but the main point may have been the disclosure of a pay increase for all military personnel. This fact goes into the lead as depicted in the following text: “All active-duty military personnel will get a four percent pay increase January 1,” said Defense Secretary Justin N. Case in a speech before the National Press Club last night. Merely that a speaker appeared before an audience has very little story merit. The speaker must say something newsworthy — something that has not been officially disclosed before. This normally happens when a speaker appears before the media in a news conference (fig. 3-2). The subject title of the speech is rarely important enough to become part of the lead. Speech titles are usually catch phrases that reveal very little about what is the most important part of the story. For example, when the President of the United States speaks, the lead features what he said in the following manner: “The president, in a major speech tonight, called for another tax cut. ...” If the writer started off with the information that the president spoke, no one would have much insight into the importance of the speech. In structuring the speech story lead, include what was said and who said it. When and where it was said can usually be included within the lead, if the lead does not become too cumbersome. If it does, include them in the second paragraph. Usually a direct quote lead will not do, for most speakers do not summarize their talk in one sentence. Thus the writer should paraphrase the lead, summarizing what the speaker said in one brief sentence. PARAPHRASING When you paraphrase, you must be careful to keep the speaker’s meaning. Do not quote out of context; that is, do not quote a sentence that gives a wrong impression when used alone. For example, a reporter hears the president say, “I haven’t decided to seek reelection. However, I have instructed my staff not to be too hasty in looking for new employment.” If the journalist had quoted that first sentence alone, he would have given the impression that the president was not planning to run for another term in office, when that obviously was not what the president meant. 3-9