'Speak in Verse, Not in Prose.'

In the words of Winston Churchill

‘Speak in Verse, Not in Prose. The shorter words … appeal with greater force.’ WINSTON CHURCHILL

Here are the rules:

1. Short words are better than long words.

2. Short punchy sentences are better than long ones.

3. Short ‘verses’ are better than long rambling paragraphs.

Below are a few lines from one of Churchill’s most famous speeches. I’ve laid them out in two ways.

Version One (Whole Pizza) Read the text below in a rush, without stopping and notice how it makes you feel breathless and like a runaway train.

We shall fight on the beaches – We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets – We shall fight in the hills – We shall never surrender.

Version Two (Bite-sized) Now read these lines aloud and take a small pause at the dash or the line end so you have a moment to breathe and can think one thought at a time with the audience.

Notice how you feel in control, as if the train stops at each station and the passengers have the chance to enjoy the scenery:

We shall fight on the beaches [breath]

We shall fight on the landing grounds [breath]

We shall fight in the fields and in the streets [breath]

We shall fight in the hills [longer in-breath]

We shall never surrender.

Did you notice that this version allowed you to speak at a natural conversational pace? And that the words have more colour and connection because you’ve taken a little bit of time to live them?

Let me know how you get on!

Have a lovely weekend

Caroline x