MARY KATE CARY

PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SPEECHWRITING

  • Mary Kate Cary currently teaches Political Speechwriting, in which students learn the best techniques needed to write persuasive, entertaining, factually accurate political speeches.
    • Topics include mastering the basics of structure, tone, and research; knowing your audience; using anecdotes, statistics, and humor; writing sound bites; and understanding the ethics of speechwriting — all with examples of effective speechwriting from a variety of political leaders.
  • She also teaches a course on the greatest speeches in American political history — oratory that started social movements, memorialized great leaders of our democracy, and inspired American leadership both at home and around the world.
    • Speeches include political rallies, inaugurals, farewell addresses, eulogies and commencement addresses from leaders on both sides of the aisle and from all walks of life.
  • Co-taught Election 2020 and Election 2024 alongside a liberal colleague.
    • Election 2020 was featured in USA Today; Election 2024 continues to be one of the only classes on the presidential campaign co-taught from opposing viewpoints in American higher education.
    • Course focus is on the top campaigns and elections that are a fundamental part of democratic governance in the United States, through the lens of bipartisan lectures about the parties, polls, media, interest groups and strategies in play alongside bipartisan panels of experts and their reactions.

[Democracy Out Loud] needs to be taught to more people and needs to happen more often.  This was the most impactful course I’ve had at UVA.

– Quote from UVA student evaluation, 2024

Professor Cary is the best educator I’ve ever had the privilege of learning under.  She is a gem to UVA and you are lucky to have her.

– Quote from UVA student evaluation, 2024

Professor Cary sets up classroom rules that we help develop to ensure every student has the opportunity to express free speech.  Even with our diverse perspectives and experiences, we all felt comfortable sharing them and building upon them.  Not only did we feel comfortable doing it, but we also encouraged it and wanted to.  That is rare.  That is special.

- Quote from UVA student evaluation, 2024

Professor Cary may be the only professor at UVA who means it when she says that any and all political opinions are welcome in her classroom without judgement.  Republicans and Democrats alike can speak their minds, and I say that as a left-leaning person.

- Quote from UVA student evaluation, 2024

“As a liberal student, it was incredibly valuable to engage with a class where I could see Democrats and Republicans alike speaking about democracy in America.  It helped grow my belief in democracy.  Also, it was nice to be in a space where I didn’t agree with some people.  This allowed me to learn a lot and become more steadfast in my beliefs.”

- Quote from UVA student evaluation, 2024

“I have never had such open conversations with fellow students with whom I don’t agree. Prof. Cary makes us feel safe and encouraged to share our beliefs. I watched students with very different (opposing) beliefs share openly as well.”

- Quote from UVA student evaluation, 2022
SPEAKING AND MEDIA INQUIRIES

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    MARY KATE CARY

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