Rhythm in your writing… it’s a critical, but often overlooked aspect of copywriting that works to boost sales. If you’re searching for copywriting techniques, explore the concept of rhythm, paced by you in your copy.
How do you create rhythm in your writing? Simple. It’s about sentence length, and then putting several sentences of different lengths, together in a specific order.
We write with purpose. We hope the message is well-received. If we don’t think about small details like structure, pacing, and rhythm in our writing, it shows up as a less-than stellar message.
The pacing of the prior paragraph was done on purpose. Two shorter sentences, both following the same structure. “We this. We that.” Next comes the longer sentence that includes comma-separated clauses in a series. This is a classic copywriting method. Snap your fingers while reading out loud, to check the rhythm created with this purposeful effect.
Many people instinctively know how to write strong copy, without really thinking about it. They hear the rhythm that’s created based on the words they chose; and the order, structure and length of the sentences.
Sometimes when we speak out loud, off the cuff, we don’t get that desired, rhymic flow that comes with carefully crafted writing. That’s why it can be harder to listen to someone talking, than it is to read their message in writing.
As a writer, do you consciously create rhythm with your words? It’s okay if you’ve never thought about it. Now that you have, have fun playing!
Ways to create rhythm in your writing
Writing gives us a chance to organize our thoughts, and bring a rhythm or flow to the message by controlling a variety of factors. Let’s list some ways to create rhythm in your writing that you may not have thought about:
Sentence length. Two short, simple sentences, followed by a longer sentence of joined clauses separated by a comma, gives a dramatic effect. The two short, repeating lines catch our attention. The longer one delivers the punch line, the meaning, the meat.
Syllables. We might choose to change a word to something difference based on desired syllables. It’s not always about sticking to the perfect word for the perfect audience. Sometimes we choose the alternate word because it’s more lyrical and rhythmic to do so.
Punctuation. Choosing a comma to separate ideas brings a totally different pacing and rhythm to writing than using a period or ellipse. The punctuation controls the length of the pause.
An example of rhythm in writing
Writing is hard… and it’s easy. The more you do it, the better you get at it.
Did you notice the purposeful rhythm in that couple of lines? The ellipses creates pacing as well. Your reader knows to pause a bit longer on that.
If we said “writing is difficult… and it’s easy,” how would that compare if going for a steady beat? The longer word with the extra two syllables throws it off a bit.
Writing brings pleasure for many. Settling on that perfect word, editing to the perfect staccato… turning a paragraph into a song without a melody while infusing logic into the message… this provides joy for so many of us.
Practice adding rhythm to your writing
Want to try a fun writing exercise? Edit the below content examples, to add rhythm to your writing.
Example 1:
John ate all the cookies, and even though he was told they were for company that was coming over, he didn’t feel the least bit guilty about it.
Example 2:
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by everything we have to do. We wake up in the morning. Our to-do list rattles around in our heads. We have to start making breakfast, and then we have to make sure our kids are dressed properly for school. After we sit in the drop-off line of cars for a half-hour, we then hurry home with work-related tasks rolling around in our heads, and we wonder how we’ll manage to fit it all into a day before the phone alarm goes off at 2:40 pm.
Example 3:
Are you stressed about the job market right now, because a lot of people are, and nobody seems to have any good advice. Should you talk to a career counselor… should you make a website with all of your work samples, or should you think about going back to school, maybe you can find a job at a company who’s willing to pay to further your education. It’s a lot to think about but since so much has changed, we really need to take a good look at our options and find a way to sift through the muck so we can secure our career and financial future.
Example 4:
It’s been raining all day, I’m tired, and all I want to do is take a nap but the dog is restless and wants to go for a walk, and I need to focus on some rainy-day tasks that I might as well do so that I can check them off my list and have some free time when the weather gets nice again.
Example 5:
Middle-aged guys, are you feeling self-conscious about your hairline…. rest assured, you’re far from alone as most guys your age have experienced at least some hair loss… and a receding hairline is something that makes us a bit insecure. But believe or not the average wife or girlfriend won’t mind at all if you’ve had to say goodby to a few head-hairs… even so, you probably would love some type of solution to stop or at least slow down hair loss, to retain your youthful good looks.
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