Canny Minds Blog

Youngsters worse at reciting verse

Posted on 27. May, 2009 by Jenny in Articles, General

Four out of five people cannot recite a single poem by heart.

Most admit to being “scared” of poetry, with 82 per cent unable to recite any poem by heart, according to the survey to mark the broadcast of Off By Heart on BBC Two (Tuesday 19th May).

Young people are more unfamiliar with poetry than the older generation, the poll of 1,500 people found. However, 72 per cent of the over 60s said they could still recite poetry learnt at school.

Daily Telegraph 18th May

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Tags: poem, poetry, public speaking