[rickomatic]

Several professional speechwriters have already asked “why were applause lines written in the speech”?

I think that's pretty standard. It lets the speech reader know where applause is likely, so that they can pause, and not have their next line interupted. No big deal. That being said though, Robert Gibbs is still a liar by stating that they didn't expect applause. The "applause" lines written into the speech for my above stated reason is proof that they did in fact expect applause.

[roses of sharon]

Of course, but GWB speech after the V.Tech shootings was an example of speechwritng apropos for the occasion.

This was a campaign style speech.