The Jandoli Institute has launched a new project that identifies the qualities of good speeches.

“We reached out to people who deliver speeches, people who write speeches, people who cover speeches and people who study speeches,” said Richard Lee, the institute’s executive director.

The project, “Figures in Speech,” features written comments and videos from 11 individuals with expertise on speeches. All suggestions are posted on the institute website at jandoli.net.

Among those who provided the institute with their ideas for good speeches were U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Buffalo News political reporter Robert McCarthy, Robert H. Jackson Center president Kristan McMahon, presidential scholar Michael Riccards and former U.S. Rep. James Walsh.

Starting next week, the institute will highlight one participant’s suggestions on a weekly basis.

Lee said the institute developed the project to provide an alternative to the partisan responses that generally follow major speeches such as the State of the Union address.

“Reactions to political speeches are predictable, so we decided it would be more valuable to tap experts and share their advice,” he said. “Our goal is to provide a resource for those who write and deliver speeches.”

The Jandoli Institute serves as a forum for academic research, creative ideas and discussion on the intersection between media and democracy. The institute, accessible at jandoli.net, is part of the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University.

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