Are speaking and writing related? Yes. So what can you learn from looking at both skills?
232 years back from today, was released our Declaration of Independence. Have you ever read it?
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary…” This is the opening. It is eloquently crafted. The second sentence (yes, perhaps a little long) starts with “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” Now there are words that grab an opening and speak volumes.
Imagine you were creating that declaration today. Would it only be a written document? Would it be created for the written word at all? Or would it be created to be a speech? It is the age of television, the Internet, and webcasts. I believe it would have been written for oral delivery.
And the way you start is by writing it, then rewriting it for speech. As we look back and celebrate our Independence, I ask you to remember that without the skills of communication, persuasion, passion, and eloquence… we would not be where we are today. Our independence was not won by those who traveled a path on their own. By those who led others, who held a passion in their hearts and spirits and were able to effectively convey and incite that passion in others.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn, on 8 June 1978 on the occasion of Class Day Afternoon Exercises at Harvard University, delivered these words… “When the modern Western states were created, the principle was proclaimed that governments are meant to serve man and man lives to be free and to pursue happiness. See, for example, the American Declaration of Independence.” These words should be remembered for they are the basis of our nation, “to serve man”. Your actions and your communications further this goal.
When you are contemplating your charities, your causes, and your passions it is your communications that will help to bring them about.
So… Work hard to improve yourself, act hard to improve your community, and play hard to celebrate the country you have been fortunate enough to inherit.
Happy 4th of July!
