‘The Effect of Speech’ by Emilie Sue, age 14, Year 9, University Academy Holbeach

“Other people’s words don’t define the person you are.” This is an example of a commonly used sentiment that is often expressed in various different ways. It also happens to be a subject that the inspiring Oprah Winfrey touched upon during one of her sentimental speeches.

The depth of the phrase is the sort of thing that makes people stop and adjust for a slight moment, even if it is just for a second. It makes people realise that words can be mesmerising, brutal and comforting all at the same time. This quote is a simple arrangement of letters but an extremely important message that could potentially change people’s outlook on life, the perspective in which they see the world.

It displays to young people that just because someone has a certain opinion of them, it doesn’t make them any less valuable. This particular expression can be interpreted in many ways and it can show all kinds of people all kinds of different messages. It shows that individuals are not alone, that everyone has felt hurt or attacked by someone else’s words at least once.

The most important message this reiterates is that everyone will have an opinion on you. No one can fully agree with anything said by someone else because our minds all work differently. For example, everyone will have a different interpretation of what ‘word power’ really means. Some people may come to the same conclusion about the meaning behind it, others will believe the complete opposite answer.

Upon receiving a sheet of paper informing me of this project I am currently entering, I was asked what the most powerful word I know is. I think there are numerous different opinions and ways to answer this simple but complex question, yet not a wrong answer. Word power can mean anything to you that you think of.

Words can be used to highlight people’s beliefs, to win battles, to prove a point. They can be made to show sympathy and love, to display what’s in your heart and what you truly feel. Communication is key, as they say and it really is a true statement. Without communicating what is in your soul through words and speech, the world would truly be dull and colourless. I couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be like if everyone was mute. It certainly would be peaceful but there would be something missing. Our spirits maybe or perhaps our freedom, our rights, our dignity and our emotion. The world wouldn’t be ours. That is what word power is to me. I believe that every word is just as powerful as the next, as are we.