There’s nothing better than a good scandal to derail an international event. So, now we read that a bunch of Secret Service agents and special forces members got the lay of the local landscape, so to speak, in Colombia while advancing a presidential trip. Advancing a presidential trip is not new. That’s been happening forever. […]
Tips for speech writing: Getting the biggest bang for the buck.
Speech writing is a difficult PR assignment. Many politicians use dedicated speechwriters to help them. Many journalists become good speechwriters given their ability to assemble facts, tell a story and write clearly. Here are some tips for producing good speeches. 1. Tell a story. People love stories, and that’s why you see so many effective […]
Writing Tip: Forget Greek Mythology and Shakespeare; Go With Pop Culture
Recently I was explaining to someone endlessly complaining that she, “doth protest too much.†I was greeted with a blank stare. Obviously, I was using the wrong line with someone that doesn’t really know Shakespeare, and thus, the meaning was totally lost on her. Not her fault. I should have said, “If you bitch enough, […]
LET’S FACE IT: SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE TRICKY
“As reported by the Bangor Daily News, Associated Press and a handful of other Maine media outlets, South Paris (Me.) Oxford Hills Comprehensive High football coach Paul Withee tendered his resignation as both a football coach and math and science teacher in the Oxford Hills School District on Monday, days after he inadvertently sparked a […]
New Year Less Words
I’m a month behind in suggesting words to eliminate in 2012. Several stories surfaced in the waning days of 2011 about words that have grown tired and overused. I think the one that really hit home was “awesome†– a great word to eliminate. Suggesting that some awesome footage of a car wreck appeared on […]