0373 - Changing speed within a story

2022.01.08 – S2008 – 0373 - Changing speed within a story

Changing speed within a story

On occasion you may change the speed within a paragraph or a story: starting slowly because of the content which is new, important and serious:

‘Multiple fatalities this morning, as a bus carrying commuters into the city, left the road and mounted a pavement in Stockbridge…’

And then, when giving information later in the story that is less important, throwaway or a ‘filler fact’, speeding up slightly:

‘It’s the second fatal crash in involving city buses this year and now questions are being asked about the depot’s maintenance record.’

Here’s another example:

Normal speed: The price of pineapples is set to fall – but only for some people.

Slightly faster:  It’s after the ongoing glut of the fruit caused by perfect growing conditions in Latin America over the past year.

Slightly slower: Cheaper pineapples will be available for those aged over 53, and only on Wednesdays and Saturdays in August.

So, change you pace with the emotional value of the content you’re presenting. Treat each new piece of information or each new section in the script very differently, adding light and shade of meaning and variations in pace where it’s needed. Consciously vary it to aid understanding and add a refreshing attractiveness to your presentation.

Vary your pace as you do in normal life: walk, trot, canter, gallop and pause, to give the correct value to the words you deliver.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.