A Sentence with Three Different Speeds
Change the pace of an ordinary sentence without changing its subject.
- 5–15 minutes
- No setup
- Easy to pause
- Seated friendly
- No cleanup
- Very low effort
What you need
Start with something plain, such as I put the cup on the table. You are playing with rhythm, not writing a polished story.
- paper
- pen
Make it
Start with something plain, such as I put the cup on the table. You are playing with rhythm, not writing a polished story.
- 1
Write a hurried version using short words or clipped phrases.
- 2
Write a lingering version that pauses over one small detail.
- 3
Write an interrupted version with a dash, a break, or an unfinished thought. Read the three silently or aloud and notice their pace.
Short on energy? Write just a hurried version and a slow version.
A good place to stop: Three versions of one everyday action finish the experiment.
Make it work for you: Speak the versions instead of writing, or use dictation as an alternative supply route.
Another route: Keep the words the same and change only punctuation and line breaks.