351. Elocution Lessons with Stephen Fry: How to Use Contrast
Stephen Fry is one of Britain’s most distinctive speakers. His English is rich, humorous and expressive.
Here is the first lesson we can take from him: the use of contrasts.
Contrast is a way to make your speech engaging and easy to listen to.
Stephen Fry uses contrast in many ways. He contrasts serious ideas with humour, sophisticated language with simple expressions, long sentences with short ones, and dramatic statements with deliberately unexpected ones.
Let us look at some examples from his speeches and performances.
1. Contrast serious language with humour
“It was a matter of national importance. Unfortunately, I had forgotten where I had put my trousers.”
“We gathered to discuss the future of civilisation. Then someone asked whether there would be biscuits.”
2. Contrast long lists with a simple conclusion
“It was inconvenient, frustrating, irritating, infuriating and, ultimately, a disaster.”
“We planned, prepared, researched, rehearsed and worried. Then we began.”
3. Contrast sophisticated words with everyday English
“It was an utterly extraordinary, unprecedented catastrophe. In other words, we were late.”
“The situation was complex, multifaceted and deeply problematic. We had lost the keys.”
“His explanation was eloquent, elaborate and entirely incomprehensible. He had no idea.”
4. Contrast long sentences with short sentences
“I had spent weeks preparing, researching, rewriting, practising and trying to anticipate every possible question that the audience might ask.”
“I forgot the first question.”
“We considered every possibility, examined every detail and prepared ourselves for every conceivable difficulty.”
“Then it rained.”
5. Contrast expectation with reality
“I was expecting a quiet, relaxing evening at home. Then my neighbour decided to learn the drums.”
“I thought giving a speech would be terrifying. It wasn't. The terrifying part was watching the recording afterwards.”
6. Contrast emotion with understatement
“It was the most embarrassing moment of my life. But apart from that, the evening went quite well.”
“The building was on fire, the guests were panicking and the roof had begun to collapse. It was not entirely ideal.”
“I had ruined the presentation, offended the chairman and deleted the entire report. A little unfortunate.”
How Can You Use Contrast in Your Own Speech?
Long + short
Serious + humorous
Sophisticated + simple
Expected + unexpected
Dramatic + understated
Stephen Fry's Lesson
Be serious, but not solemn. Be elaborate, but not obscure. Be dramatic, but know when to be simple. The memorable moment is often the difference between one idea and the next.