You’re looking at your draft, ready to edit. Recognise any of these thoughts? I just want to sound more intelligent. I need to polish this. It sounds too simple. If you are hearing these voices, you’re not alone – they’re familiar to many writers. The trouble is, they’re often leading you astray. Attempts to sound […]
Category: Speeches
I’m Sick of the Election Campaign and it hasn’t really Started.
How to Survive Election Year Without Chucking Something at your Telly If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of political speeches, you’re not alone. These Election Bingo cards are a fun, practical way to analyse political language, identify techniques, and understand how meaning is shaped — making them perfect for everyday viewers and for NCEA […]
The Pre-Planning Stage of Writing: How Ideas Form Before the Page
From fragments and impressions to clear, confident writing You’re facing up to a piece of writing – any piece – but your overwhelming thought is “I don’t know what I want to say yet.” You probably do, but it’s still tucked away in the recesses of your brain, between shopping lists and that work email […]
How to Write a Wedding Speech
Someone’s getting married! It’s wonderful – you’re celebrating a relationship with a party. There’s just one thing that’s getting in the way of having a good time. That’s right. You’re going to have to (Jaws music please…) deliver a speech, to all to those people you’ve invited. Even thinking about it makes your gorge rise […]