Speechwriting Political and Ceremonial Speechwriting 2

Question 1

What is a 'stump speech' in US political speechwriting?

Accepted Answer

A standardized campaign speech delivered repeatedly with minor local adjustments

Answer

Stump speeches are core campaign narratives refined for efficiency and consistency, allowing candidates to stay on message across hundreds of stops.

Question 2

In ceremonial speechwriting, what is the purpose of an 'epideictic' speech?

Accepted Answer

To praise or blame in order to reinforce shared community values and identity

Answer

Epideictic rhetoric, rooted in classical tradition, uses occasions like awards and funerals to celebrate virtues the community holds dear.

Question 3

What is the speechwriter's role in managing a politician's 'message discipline'?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring every speech reinforces the same core themes and talking points consistently

Answer

Message discipline ensures the politician's communications form a coherent narrative across all venues, reinforcing voter recognition of key themes.

Question 4

Which US presidential speech type is constitutionally required?

Accepted Answer

The State of the Union Address

Answer

Article II of the US Constitution requires the president to periodically give Congress 'information of the State of the Union.'

Question 5

What technique do political speechwriters use to 'inoculate' an audience against counterarguments?

Accepted Answer

Preemptively acknowledging and refuting the opposing view before the critic can raise it

Answer

Inoculation theory shows that briefly exposing and refuting a counterargument weakens its impact when audiences later encounter it from critics.

Speechwriting Practice Test