Make it meaningful, mellifluous – and memorable

Yesterday in California former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who made a lucrative business out of the bidding process, won her own bid to be the Republican candidate for governor. In her victory statement she gave us an example of alliteration.

Previously I've noted the value for a speaker in rhyming, as long as it's intentional. Alliteration is another good technique for making a phrase roll off the tongue and stick in the mind.

"It's time for a different style of leadership. A new beginning," proclaimed Whitman. "Not glitz, not glamour, not glibness, but guts."

Never mind that glitz and glamour mean the same thing. Whitman had to know this construction, which includes a rare example of double alliteration, would make her's an inviting soundbite for NPR's Morning Edition and other newscasts.

She could have made it scan even better if she had said, "Not glitz, not glamour, not glibness, but guts, and gumption, and guile." That would've also exploited to a greater degree another principle of speechmaking – the value of three's.

Oh well, maybe she'll pay more attention to this blog next time.

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Today World Have Your Say took a break from its normal discussion of more serious events around the globe to invite call-ins and e-mails on the subject of football - soccer to Americans - and whether it's one of mankind's greatest achievements.

Not to brag, but I sent in a comment that was promptly read on air:

"I think football may indeed be the greatest invention – because it led to other innovations like literature, politics and religion. People were looking for anything to take their minds off the game – at least for a while."

Then again, it wasn't the first time I made the show. (That and a couple bucks will get me a cup of coffee.)