Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Clients say my writing needs more rhythm. How can I get some? -- signed, Two Leftfeet


Dear Two:


When I taught copywriting at the Portfolio Center, the first class was always about rhythm. For my opening act, I brought in a portable CD player and played parts of the soundtrack from The Last of the Mohicans, which has a strong sense of forward movement. I thought if the students could pick up the rhythm in the music, they could transfer it to their writing. Next, I gave them rhythmic excerpts from the noir novels of Raymond Chandler and James Cain, hoping for the same outcome.

About half the class thought I was nuts. The other half thought their writing was already rhythmic enough. If I was lucky, one student got it.  

Adding rhythm to your copy isn't complicated. One way is to establish a cadence in your head and fit the words or syllables to it. That's what I do. 

Want to learn five more ways? Check out this post from Daily Writing Tips.



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