Repeating a phrase equals a memorable speech

Song writers regularly put in a chorus after each verse in a song. Within a short period of time, people will be able to sing the chorus. As an example, consider John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane”. First is the verse:

All my bags are packed

I'm ready to go

I'm standing here outside your door

I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin

It's early morn

The taxi's waitin

He's blowin his horn

Already I'm so lonesome

I could die

The verse is then followed by the chorus:

So kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that you'll wait for me

Hold me like you'll never let me go

Cause I'm leavin on a jet plane

Don't know when I'll be back again

Oh babe, I hate to go

He does two more verses with the chorus in between each verse. By the third verse, people are singing along with the chorus.

Why not consider using a repetitive “verse” in your next speech. Use the key point of your speech as the verse.

There have been many famous orators who have used this technique very successfully, for example, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, and more recently Steve Jobs, Malala, and Barack Obama.

Advertisers also use this technique to ensure people remember their products. Who can forget Nike’s “just do it.”

There are a few things to remember when you do decide to use repetition throughout a speech.

 Make the phrase short. I remember one person using a phrase throughout her speech and

encouraging the audience to say it with her (a great idea, by the way!). Unfortunately, the

phrase was way too long and the audience couldn’t get it right despite the number of

times she used it.

 Don’t use the phrase too much. Your audience will be ready to smack you! It will

become irritating rather than memorable.

 Be sure to emphasize the repeated phrase. If you keep your tone the same as the rest of

your speech, your audience won’t recognize the repetition. Having them say it along

with you can really help them remember, but just emphasizing it will also make the point.

What do I mean by emphasizing? Pause before you say it, add vocal variety, and say it

very clearly.

Repetition of a key phrase throughout a speech can definitely make it memorable. Try it; you’ll

be impressed and impressive!