Key Speeches Format and Style Guidelines
Summaries (Blurbs)
Overview
When a key speech is selected, a blurb and quote will be added to the speech entry as a summary for the full text. This blurb and quote should be able to accurately sum up the key speech, and include some simple information to categorize the speech and its content:
- The Blurb should be 40 word maximum. This is a hard cap, we do not want to be longer than this for simplicity reasons! We do not want to over summarize the speech.
- The summary should give a good indication of subject matter, but not too detailed to stop users from wanting to read the full speech!
- Word choice for the blurb should reflect present, active language and be phrased in present tense.
- In addition to voting in a non-partisan way, blurbs must also be written using non-partisan language as well, not showing any support or disagreement to the officials point of view.
In addition to a carefully written blurb, chose a suitable quote from the speech, of similar length to the blurb (40 words or less) that also accurately summarizes the bulk of the speech, without giving away too much detail from the entire speech. The quote should be representative of the entire speech, and encompass the tone and perspective of the official. The quote is not as restricted as the blurb in terms of non-partisanship and present tense, but should still include the same level in terms of summarizing the speech!
- Quote should be no more than 1-2 sentences.
- Quotes should be italicized and place in the quote section below the summary.
- Should reflect the broader ideas of the speech, not focused on any specific policy.
- The quote should be not be something that the reader would find if they just read the beginning or end of the speech.
- Rule of thumb: if the quote is twice as long as the summary, it is too long.
Examples:
3D Guns - Sen. Schumer, 07/31/2018:
Blurb: 'In a floor speech Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, details his concerns with the introduction of 3D printed guns, which he warns are much easier to obtain and harder to trace than their traditional counterparts.'
Quote: "The idea of these print-on-command ghost guns is as scary as they sound. . . . .These guns can go through metal detectors, stadiums, and airports: No metal; they are made of plastic only."
Sports Illustrated - Sports Betting Is Inevitable--Let's Make Sure It's Done Right - Sen. Hatch, 05/23/2018:
Blurb: 'In an Op-Ed, Sen. Orrin Hatch, UT, discusses the legislation on sports betting and the effect it may have on players in the industry. Sen. Hatch also mentions the part legislation he brought to Congress just 25 years ago, PASPA.'
Quote: "I believe we can create federal standards that not only align with constitutional principles but also uphold the integrity of the sports we love."
Remarks by President Trump on the Administration's National Security Strategy - Pres. Trump, 12/18/2017:
Blurb: 'In a public address, Donald Trump presented his national defense strategy. President Trump emphasized placing American security at the forefront of American international diplomacy.'
Quote: "A nation that is not proud of its history cannot be confident in its future. And a nation that is not certain of its values cannot summon the will to defend them."
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