I have always thought that I would be a good speech writer.  I can quickly learn about a subject that I know almost nothing about, I can take ideas and explain them in simple terms, and I think that can write in an emotive way that stirs people to action.  But there is still so much to learn.

I was just reading Hon. Dalton McGuinty’s closing remarks to the legistrature, and was really impressed by the quality of writing.  The little things that make it come alive: 

“First, we are truly privileged to live in this, the finest province in the greatest country in the world. Our Canada has combined the wisdom of aboriginal peoples with what the British called peace, order and good government and what the French describe as liberty, equality and fraternity. We then mixed these values with the best the rest of the world has to offer: the Confucian philosophy of harmony from China, a doctrine of non-violence from India and a love of freedom and tolerance from those who knew war and even bigotry in Europe, to name just a few. In this way, we have together built something here that is uniquely, beautifully, even magically Canadian. We have every reason to celebrate, whatever its flaws, its magnificence.”

He (or the writer) has done such a fantastic job of identifying with each constituent audience and then enabling them to be proud of all of the good stuff from the others. He is connecting with the people by including them.  (Although I’m sure that few outside of the legislature will every see these words.)

He also does a masterful job of awknowledging his opponents on the other side of the legislature, reminding everyone that the parlimentary democracy, although adversarial, is productive and enables Ontarians to enjoy the high standard of living that we have.

So as much as I fancy my self a good writer, there are so many tricks and connections that I need to make.