This series consists of the various drafts for specific presidential speeches, statements, messages, radio addresses, and tapings. Folders contain the multiple drafts of each speech. Each draft is usually marked in the upper right corner with the time and date of the draft and include the speechwriter’s name/initials and often the speech researcher’s name/initials. In addition, the folders may contain the White House staff memorandums for circulating a speech draft among the White House Staff. These memos may contain editing or approval remarks from specific White House staff members about a particular speech. Often they have attached memos or copies of the drafts with editing and annotations.
Some speeches were drafted but never used. These folders are marked with “not used.” Some major speeches consist of more than one file if a great amount of outside input was involved or various versions were circulated. These folders are usually marked “File #1, etc.”
President Reagan did edit speeches in the draft version. The drafts are generally not marked with accredited Reagan edits – the researcher needs to be familiar with President Reagan’s handwriting. However, it is possible to cross-reference with the handwriting file to find President Reagan edits for speeches.
Reactions to speeches, letters and cables from members of the public and various interested parties can normally be found in the SP category for any particular speech.
Material in folders consists of these drafts, memos, correspondence, and notes. It is arranged chronologically by speech. Folder titles will include the date of the remarks and the major speechwriter and researcher for that particular speech.
