How Newt Gingrich Made Nastiness a Virtue

“The nastiness of the GOP — and therefore of much of our national life,” Jeff Shesol writes in his review of Burning Down the House, “can be seen as Gingrich’s most lasting achievement: Nastiness as a virtue, a governing principle, an end in itself.”

Book Review for the Washington Post

Orations Worth Ovations: Ann Richards’ Solution for Forgotten American Families

Ann Richards’ 1988 speech at the DNC is known for its hilarious, hard-hitting one-liners. But we should remember her keynote not just for its soundbites, but also for its solutions.

Essay on Medium

Orations Worth Ovations: An America for More of Us

Mario Cuomo outlined a vision for the Democratic Party that is even more relevant in 2020 than it was when he delivered it in 1984.

Essay on Medium

Other Jobs That Need Term Limits

West Wing Writers’ Chandler Dean shares his thoughts on other jobs that need term limits. Thankfully, speechwriter is not on his list.

Essay for The New Yorker

Racist State Flags Need to Go — Minnesota’s Is Next

Mississippi ditched its racist flag. Our resident Minnesotan shares a message for his home state: You’re next.

Essay for the Star Tribune

In addition to writing for clients, we’ve written our own books to wide acclaim, contributed op-eds and articles to newspapers and online news outlets, and appeared internationally on TV and radio news programs. Here is some of our recent work.

How to Make Your Op-Ed Break Through

At a time when most of us are neck-deep in media, and editors are drowning in submissions, we have some tips on how to craft an op-ed that will break through.

Essay on Medium

Why COVID-19 Is Inspiring Empathetic and Quiet Leadership

Has the pandemic changed how we evaluate our leaders? If so, “I hope it is how we prioritize their ability to empathize,” Vinca LaFleur tells Crain’s.

Interview with Crain’s Cleveland Business

Easy Tips for Improving your On-Camera Communication

Has the shift from in-person to on-camera communication been challenging? Check out this timely explainer to help you present your best digital self.

Essay on Medium

Don’t Cancel Commencement

Don’t cancel commencement — reinvent it. Read our tips for hosting creative and collaborative virtual ceremonies, and join in with your ideas.

Essay for Inside Higher Ed

Your Company Is Making History. Remember to Record It

So many companies are making history as they fight COVID-19. Here are a few tips on how business leaders can record that history and share it.

Essay on Medium

Five Ways to Make Words Matter During the Coronavirus Crisis

Essay on Medium

“Unbought and Unbossed”

Interview with the Champaign News-Gazette

5 Ways You Can Get More Comfortable Taking Criticism

Interview with Fast Company

West Wing Writers’ Guide to Speech Formatting

Press Releases

West Wing Writers Names Managing Partner, Welcomes New Principal

January 4, 2018

West Wing Writers Welcomes New Staff

November 20, 2013

West Wing Writers Welcomes New Staff, Congratulates Alumni Named to Obama Team

June 24, 2013

Pride Speech

The LGBTQIA+ community knows the power of words — to come out, to accept others, and to stand against hate. For 2020 Pride, four of our queer speechwriters shared their thoughts on four queer speeches.

Essay on Medium

Presidential Naturalization Speeches and the Politics of Belonging

“In speechwriting ... words are freighted with meaning, and positioned to cast their own ideological shadows.” Our Peggy Xu breaks down presidential naturalization speeches — and what they tell us about being American.

Essay on Medium

Communicating During Coronavirus: 10 Lessons from Dr. Emily Landon

In her speech urging Illinoisans to social distance, Dr. Emily Landon was passionate, professional, and persuasive. Vinca LaFleur breaks down what made Dr. Landon’s speech so good, and what others can learn from it.

Essay on Medium

11 Jokes I Love from 11 White House Correspondents Dinners

Our resident political comedy expert Chandler Dean dissects the greatest White House Correspondents Dinner jokes.

Essay on Medium

Kate Childs Graham

The Great Dictator

If Adolf Hitler banned a film, it’s likely worth watching. Read about how Charlie Chaplin outdid and outraged Hitler with a single five-minute speech.

Essay on Medium

When Tears Speak Louder Than Words

Our children can now buy bulletproof backpacks at back-to-school sales, and teachers set gun safety procedures to children’s tunes. Former intern Ramya Prabhakar analyzes President Obama’s Newtown speech to cope with the tragedy of mass shootings.

Essay on Medium

Caps and Gowns Behind Barbed Wire

Former West Wing Writers intern Ezra Stoller writes about Marion Konishi’s high school commencement speech — which she delivered while incarcerated at Granada Relocation Center in 1943.

Essay on Medium

Kate Childs Graham

A Fun House Look at Speechwriting with ‘Long Shot’

The best on-screen look at speechwriting since Sam Seaborn and Toby Ziegler had writers’ block on The West Wing.

The Night Cardi B Eclipsed the Boss

It’s no longer Bruce Springsteen’s Party — it’s Cardi B’s.

Essay on Medium

An Open Letter to President Obama

Anna Humphrey’s letter to President Obama is a testament to speeches that do more than move us — they mold us.

Visualization, Participation, and the Battlefield of Shakespeare’s Henry V

Chris Fox dissects the imaginative power of the St. Crispin’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V.

The Olive Branch as a Weapon

Raul Quintana digs into perhaps the most famous inauguration address of all: Lincoln’s second.

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