by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

 The written word doesn’t only stay written. Nor is it completely silent.

Even if we don’t read out loud, our minds “hear” the words on a page. As we read silently, our brains pronounce the words. (Like right now, yes?) Sentences don’t stay stagnant on a page. They dance to a rhythm in our “inner” ear.

What cadence do your sentences have, and what sounds do your words make? When we mix short and long sentences, we shake things up. A series of long sentences can become monotone or laborious to a reader’s inner “voice.” Too many short sentences right in a row can sound staccato. But a mixture of sentence length can be used to create a pleasing rhythm. Use short sentences to get to the heart of a matter. Use a long sentence to explain something, and then make a point. Keep it short. Let it sink in.

How about the sounds of words? Ever since I taught ESL (English as a Second Language), I’m more mindful of the sounds of our words. When I started writing my first book, I realized our word choice matters. What words sound good together? Do I have a soft-sounding word where I need a stronger one to make a point?

Words that have “f,” “h,” “p,” or “s” will sound softer. “K” has a little more kick. “B,” “g,” “n,” “r,” and so on give a little more weight to a word.

Consider the word choice in these examples. The first sentence is meant to be comforting—soft. The second sentence is meant to have more oomph—some soul-stirring motivation.

• God is a faithful friend who finds us when we have wandered off His path, and He whispers to our souls, “I love you.”
• In the chaotic climate of our world and its values, we need courageous soldiers of Christ to man their posts and proclaim with confidence, “God is worth choosing!”

I had some fun with alliteration in those, too.

In the following examples, the first sentence has wording that is soft and soothing. The second sentence uses punchier wording and sounds—notice the power of “beacon” and the last two words.

• Love will lead you home.
• Love is a homing beacon that never quits.

The differences between examples like these can be subtle, and sometimes you can’t escape choosing a soft-sounding word.

But as you write, listen to your words and paragraphs. Does your word choice fit your purpose? Do your words convey enough gusto and gravity to motivate your readers? Or do they convey the soft comfort that encourages hearts? Does the rhythm of the sentences capture an appropriate tempo for your message?

We’re not just writers; we’re composers.

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies. She loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations. Her writers’ newsletter called The Lighthouse Connection shares writing tips, inspiration to write, and news of submission opportunities. Katy is also the co-director of the Enrich Conference for Bible study writers, speakers, and teachers.

In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.com, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, draw flowers and landscapes in her sketchbook, and do yard work in the morning sun. Connect with her at www.lighthousebiblestudies.com