How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 166

56. The Jack Hammer, The Hammer and The Dripping Tap

Three techniques based on repetition:
1. In “The Jack Hammer”
either a single word or a short phrase is repeated quickly, one after another
You can increase power of the Jackhammer by steadily increasing the volume and other forms
of emphasis.
Example
no! No! NO! Do not do that! NO! NO!! NO!!!
Go, go, go! That's right! Keep going! Keep going!
I won't, I won't I won't, I won't I won't!
Why it works
The Jackhammer emphasizes importance and leaves little room for
misunderstanding, particularly when there is little time for argument. This rapid repetition acts like a
hammer, whacking home the message. It is not a subtle method, but can be used in an emergency or
when you want to express significant emotion. Rapid repetition also occupies time and prevents the
other person from responding. Hence this may be used to block out the other person from making any
opposing point.
The triple, three repetitions in a row, is a shorter form of the Jackhammer.
2. In “The Hammer” a single word is repeated across a number of phrases and sentences.
The word should encompass a key theme to be emphasized -- typically this is an action that is to be
done. The word itself may be emphasized each time to hammer home the point.
Example
We must survive. I know that you have been thinking about how we must survive,
and I also have been thinking about this. Because through our actions today we will
survive or not, into the future. Whatever happens today or tomorrow, remember
this: We must survive.
However, I think we're going to do it, and I think that we must pay what needs to
be paid. I don't think we ought to waste any money, but I think we ought to do the
job. And this will be done in the decade of the Sixties. It may be do